Direct Car Insurance is the option of buying your car insurance directly from an authorized insurance company instead of going through insurance middlemen and independent agents.
This is a good example to prove the point. For example let us take you are suffering from some pain in the joints. There is a good option for you to go to either a general practitioner or to an orthopedic specialist. If you go to the general practitioner he may recommend certain medicines that would lessen your pain. But if you go to the orthopedic specialist, he will be able to diagnose the exact reason for this ailment, because he is a bone specialist. He might be able to provide the exact medicines and exercises that will help you to get better soon. Even though the general practitioner may be having the perfect idea about your actual condition, he might not be able to treat it.
Something similar happens when you choose a direct car insurance policy over an indirect car insurance policy. One may argue that it is far easier to get quotes and information on car insurance policies from multiple indirect sources, as there are plenty in the car insurance market. It may also be a better idea as these indirect car insurers offer a wide variety of services in order to keep their car insurance policies better than the rest.
However, indirect car insurance policies carry with them higher hidden costs bundled in the services that they offer. Middlemen and independent agents build in their profits also into the offer though it might look in the first instance that they are offering multiple services at competitive rates. Larger independent car insurance companies carry higher hidden costs in their quote.
It is more beneficial to deal direct with the direct car insurance agencies. Dealing with a direct car insurance company, will bring you in direct touch with the car insurance provider itself. These direct car insurance providers are fully equipped with their own in house services like emergency pick up vehicles. They have their own tie-ups with the official car service centers. They may be even having their own paid legal advisors and such important services. These direct car insurance companies do not usually outsource their services to other car insurance agencies. This helps in the avoidance of inordinate delays in providing emergency car services.
Customers can also enjoy cost savings in going to a direct car insurance agency. One can get cheaper car insurance policy with very good value added services. Direct car insurance agencies talks about quality of services rather than the quantity of services that you get. Customers can also customize their policy with cheaper premiums for flexible periodic payments as well with direct car insurance agencies. You can also get some bonus services along with your standard cover as well. As a package you would be able to save your money at a later stage. For instance, direct car insurance agency may offer free extended territorial cover or extended legal liability to the family members. These are subjected to the district of residence of course.
In case of insuring multiple cars with a direct car insurance agency, they would be able to offer better premium with better value added services. This would translate into reduction in your associated costs and this is true if there is one direct car insurance agency that has to be coordinated with at all times. You would need to do due diligence with few car insurance agencies which provide direct car insurance before making a decision. This would give you good idea about the bundle of services provided by different insurance agencies and you would be able to make a comparison between them and take an informed decision. So last but not the least, you would be able to save your pocket by approaching direct car insurance agencies, who would provide end to end solution for your needs!
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za, a leading South African Car Insurance portal, which provides cover for all Car Insurance types.