Can I buy insurance without paying a broker fee?

I need to get off my parents' insurance soon and am shopping online for options. I don't want to pay extra fees if I can avoid it. I've been hearing about independent agents and brokers to find good deals, but I don't want to pay extra fees to them if I can get it myself. Is this just part of it? Does everyone charge broker fees to sell insurance, or can I buy directly from an insurer? Thanks.

Great question! The good news is that paying extra broker or agent fees is not something you automatically have to expect when buying insurance. In many cases, you can get help shopping for coverage without paying anything extra out of pocket.

Here are a few helpful things to know:

• Not all brokers or independent agents charge fees. Whether a fee applies depends on things like state regulations and how the agency is structured.
  
• A common misconception is that working with an independent agent means you’ll have to pay them directly for their services. In most cases, independent agents are paid through a commission from the insurance company, not by charging the customer.
  
• At The Zebra, we don’t charge brokerage fees to help you compare insurance options. Some agencies may charge a separate fee in certain situations, so it’s always smart to ask upfront.
  
• You can sometimes buy insurance directly from an insurer, and many large national companies do sell policies that way. However, not every carrier sells directly to consumers. Working with an independent agent or brokerage can give you access to smaller insurers or regional companies that only offer coverage through agents.
  

The main takeaway is that broker fees aren’t universal, and using an agent can often help you shop more options without automatically paying a separate fee. I hope this helps, and you can always reach out to our agents directly if you have more questions about how the process works.