Below is information about the way each company disseminates its ratings, along with information on how to contact them. Moody's Investors Service also offers its ratings for free, but you'll have to call for them. Individual reports are not available for sale. Weiss Ratings prides itself on being the only major ratings service that does not charge insurance companies to publish its ratings. Service makes perfect At this point, it's a good idea to decide how you want to buy your insurance.
Companies distribute their products a few different ways.
The majority work through independent agents or brokers, who often represent more than one company at a time and will try to get you the best deal out of all the companies they represent. Other insurers, such as Allstate and State Farm, work through exclusive, or captive, agents, who represent only that company. While a captive agent may know one company's products inside and out, you won't know if you're getting the best deal that's out there. Still other insurers sell their products directly to consumers via telephone, mail or the Internet. Because there's lower overhead involved, direct insurers can usually offer their products at a discount.