A captive agent sells only from his limited stable of plans. His loyalty is to the parent company. An independent agent, on the other hand has loyalty to no one company and can offer a consumer a wide variety of options.

Working with a captive agent, going directly to the health insurance company will not save you extra money. There is no discount by law in dealing directly and no fee whatsoever in choosing an independent agent.

The work of an independent agent is a free service offered to you. They generally represent many companies that you can choose from. Even insurance agents seek other independent agents' advice. Use this free service to your full advantage. Once you've done enough research and educated yourself, calling the agent will give you the opportunity to ‘brain storm' together and ultimately come up with an insurance plan that will individually and specifically cover all of your health service needs. Going straight to one specific company won't enable you to see what other companies have to offer, and you might be missing out on some great deals for you and your family.

Since agents have more knowledge and experience, they know exactly what different companies have to offer, and they know what specific questions to ask the company itself, in order to offer you the best coverage to meet all of your medical insurance needs.

They can also explain the difference between health insurance plans and what they offer, thereby giving you a wider range to choose from. The best way to begin your quest for the best coverage, is to go online to your chosen agent's Web Site and compare quotes from different companies side be side.

Follow up your investigation by calling your agent and discussing the policies which interest you. Ask specific questions about your own personal health care options. Make sure that the quotes you got on line are the same as the quotes you get from the company or agent.

Once you commit to a health insurance policy, know that you can always call your agent with any questions concerning your existing policy. The agent will already be experienced in dealing with the company itself, and any questions or problems can usually be handled the same day.

If you're set on going to the health insurance company directly, you can still request an agent to help you through the process. You can also request an agent on your already existing plan should you run into problems concerning coverage, or want to alter or change your plan altogether. You can also change your agent without having to change your insurance company. Take advantage of what an agent has to offer – all free for the taking.