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Looking for an insurance broker near me? Here are 5 reasons to shop multiple carriers at once. Posted by Maki Insurance Group on March 5, 2026 When you start searching for an "insurance broker near me," you aren't just looking for a phone number or a physical office in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, or Wisconsin. You are looking for a partner who understands the local landscape: someone who knows that a homeowner in Grand Rapids faces different risks than a business owner in downtown Chicago or a family in Indianapolis. In the modern insurance market, the "set it and forget it" mentality is a thing of the past. As rates fluctuate and carrier risk-acceptance changes, the real value lies in flexibility. That is where Maki Insurance Group steps in. As an independent insurance brokerage, Maki Insurance Group don't work for a single insurance company; Maki Insurance Group work for you. By partnering with over a dozen of the nation's top-rated carriers: including AAA, Safeco, Progressive, Erie, and Travelers: Maki Insurance Group provide an unmatched level of choice. Here is a deep dive into why shopping multiple carriers at once is the smartest move you can make for your personal and professional protection. 1. Access to specialized coverage that fits your specific profile. One of the biggest misconceptions in the insurance industry is that all policies are created equal. In reality, different insurance companies have "appetites" for different types of risks. One carrier might offer the most comprehensive and affordable coverage for a new driver, while another might be the industry leader for high-value homes or classic car collections. When you work with an independent insurance broker, you aren't forced into a one-size-fits-all box. For instance, if you are looking for professional liability or errors and omissions insurance, some carriers specialize specifically in medical professions, while others are better suited for architects or consultants. By shopping multiple carriers, Maki Insurance Group can match your specific profession or lifestyle with a carrier that has spent decades perfecting coverage for that exact niche. 2. Uncovering substantial savings through healthy competition. Price isn't everything, but it certainly matters. Every insurance carrier uses its own proprietary algorithm to determine your premium. These algorithms take into account hundreds of variables, from your zip code and credit history to the age of your roof or your driving record. Because these formulas are different for every company, the price for the exact same level of coverage can vary by hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Shopping multiple carriers at once forces these companies to compete for your business. When Maki Insurance Group run a quote at Maki Insurance Group, Maki Insurance Group is not just checking one price. Maki Insurance Group is looking at AAA, Safeco, Progressive, Erie, and Travelers simultaneously. This strategic approach often reveals discounts that you might not even know you qualify for: such as specialized discounts for certain professions, alumni associations, or even the safety features on your vehicle. Furthermore, the "loyalty discount" at a single carrier is often a myth. Statistics show that people who shop their insurance every few years often find better rates than those who stay with the same carrier for a decade. With a broker, you can shop without the hassle of re-entering your data ten different times. 3. The power of choice: more options, less compromise. If you walk into a store that only sells one size of shoes, you have to hope that size fits your feet. If you work with a captive agent (an agent who only sells for one company), they have no choice but to sell you that company's product, even if it isn't the best fit for you. As an independent brokerage, Maki Insurance Group offers an extensive catalogue of options. Maki Insurance Group provide: * Personal Insurance: Auto, Home, and Renters insurance. * Business Insurance: General Liability, Workers Compensation, and Surety Bonds. * Life Insurance: From Term Life to Mortgage Protection Insurance. Thanks to its relationship with multiple carriers, such as Erie and Travelers, if your policy has a change in rates or terms, Maki Insurance Group can easily move you to another carrier without you having to find a new agent. You keep your relationship with Maki Insurance Group, and Maki Insurance Group handle the heavy lifting of switching the backend provider. 4. Customized solutions for complex lives. Life is complicated. You might have a small business you run from home, a rental property in Wisconsin, and a teen driver in Illinois. A single carrier might be great at the home and auto bundle but terrible at providing key person employee insurance for your growing business. Working with an independent broker allows Maki Insurance Group to "mix and match." We can place your business insurance with a carrier that specializes in commercial risks while keeping your personal life insurance with a provider that offers the best long-term stability. This flexibility ensures that you aren't overpaying for "add-on" coverages from a company that doesn't really specialize in them. Its team includes experts like Kelly Maki, Nick Lameka, Brena Rosenquist, Samantha Newbeck, and Stephanie Shaffer takes the time to understand these complexities to build a truly bespoke protection plan. 5. Leveraging the unique strengths of each carrier. Every insurance company has a "personality" or a unique value proposition. For example: * Progressive is often cited for its ease of use and industry-leading technology. * Erie Insurance is legendary for its "Golden Rule" customer service and rate stability. * Travelers offers incredibly robust options for complex commercial needs. * AAA brings the peace of mind associated with one of the most trusted names in American travel and safety. By shopping multiple carriers, you can decide what matters most to you. Is it the lowest monthly premium? Is it a carrier with a 24/7 claims response team? Or is it a company that has a physical office in your local Indiana community? When searching for an insurance broker, you are looking for the ability to prioritize these strengths. Why Maki Insurance Group is your best local choice. Licensed in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, Maki Insurance Group is more than just a brokerage; Maki Insurance Group is members of your community. Maki Insurance Group understand the specific state laws and insurance requirements that vary across state lines. Its team of dedicated professionals is committed to providing a professional yet personal experience. Maki Insurance Group don't just hand you a quote and disappear. Maki Insurance Group explain the "why" behind the numbers. The advantage of the "multi-carrier" Review. When you contact Maki Insurance Group for a quote, Maki Insurance Group perform a comprehensive review: * Needs Assessment: Maki Insurance Group determine exactly what you need to protect (and what you don't). * Market Scan: Maki Insurance Group run your profile through its network of 12+ top-rated carriers. * Comparison: Maki Insurance Group present you with the top options, highlighting the differences in coverage and cost. * Ongoing Support: Maki Insurance Group stay with you. If your rates go up next year, Maki Insurance Group is already proactive in looking for your next best option. Start your quote today. Finding the right insurance shouldn't feel like a second job. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned business owner, or looking for life insurance to protect your family's future, Maki Insurance Group is here to simplify the process. Experience the freedom, savings, and personalized service that comes with working with an independent insurance broker. Ready to see how much you could save or how much better your coverage could be? * Get Started: Request a Secure Quote * Have Questions? Send Maki Insurance Group a Message * Learn More: Visit its Main Website to explore its full range of personal, business, and life insurance products. Your search ends here. Let Maki Insurance Group do the shopping for you.

Travelers sues Erie over coverage priority in construction injury case. Two established insurers are facing off in federal court over a familiar coverage question: which policy responds first. Published on February 26, 2026 Two established insurers are facing off in federal court over a familiar coverage question: which policy responds first. The Travelers Indemnity Company filed suit against Erie Insurance Company on Jan. 29, 2026, in the US District Court for the Western District of New York. The dispute stems from a construction site injury in Buffalo and centers on which insurer has the primary duty to defend. Background of the underlying claim. The underlying claim arises from an incident that allegedly occurred on or about April 1, 2021, at a housing development project located at 19 Doat Street in Buffalo. According to the court filing, Thomas G. Sellitto was injured while attempting to maneuver a bin filled with reclaimed hardwood. The filing states that he sustained multi-level lumbar spine disc bulges and herniations with radiculopathy. The project involved The Crossroads at Genesee Housing Development Fund Co. Inc. as the owner and The Pike Company, Inc. as the contractor. Pike retained Fairway Floor Covering Inc. as a subcontractor to perform flooring work, including demolition of the existing hardwood floor and installation of a new floor. Contractual insurance requirements. Under its contract with Pike, Fairway was required to maintain commercial general liability coverage naming both Pike and Crossroads as additional insureds. The contract specified that this coverage would apply on a primary and non-contributory basis. Erie issued the commercial general liability policy to Fairway. The policy included an endorsement listing Pike and others "as per written contract" in connection with the Buffalo project. The endorsement provides coverage for bodily injury "caused, in whole or in part, by" Fairway's acts or omissions in the performance of ongoing operations for the additional insureds. In addition, the policy states that coverage "is primary to and will not seek contribution from any other insurance available to an additional insured," provided certain conditions are satisfied. Tender and denial. Travelers, which insures Pike directly, tendered the defense of Pike and Crossroads to Erie in February 2024. Erie acknowledged receipt of the tender. However, two months later, Erie denied coverage. The company stated that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the alleged injury arose out of the acts or omissions of its named insured, Fairway. Since the denial, Travelers has funded the defense of Pike and Crossroads in the underlying action. Federal court action. In its lawsuit, Travelers seeks a declaration that Erie's policy should have responded on a primary basis. Travelers also seeks reimbursement for all defense costs it has paid and continues to pay on behalf of Pike and Crossroads. The court has not issued any determination on the merits of the coverage dispute. The case remains in its early stages, and the court has yet to address the substantive questions raised in the complaint. The dispute places focus on the interpretation of additional insured endorsements, the application of "primary and non-contributory" language, and the threshold showing required to trigger coverage under provisions tied to a subcontractor's acts or omissions.

Erie Indemnity Company reported net income of $559.3 million, or $10.69 per diluted share, for 2025, down from $600.3 million, or $11.48 per share, in 2024. Fourth-quarter net income was $63.4 million, or $1.21 per share, compared to $152.0 million, or $2.91 per share, in the prior year period. The results reflect a $100 million charitable contribution to the Erie Insurance Foundation, reducing net income by $80.6 million after tax. Operating income before taxes increased 6.0% year-over-year to $717.2 million, driven by 8.2% growth in management fee revenue from policy issuance and renewal services. Erie Insurance Group is the 11th largest homeowners insurer in the US based on direct premiums written, with over seven million policies in force across 12 states and the District of Columbia.