Looking for insurance

[Kevin McDole]

There's aspect of shopping for insurance that is kind of odd ...

If you get a quote through one agent - the insurance companies will not quote coverage for that N number again. This effectively locks you in to the first agent that you ask for a quote. It's kind of hard to believe this is legal - but it is how the system works.

In light of that, I do not understand how others "price shop" - it seems impossible, unless you are somehow not using the same N number for the various quotes. An agent won't even talk to you if you tell them you got a quote from another agent. Avemco seems like the only possibility for a price shopping comparison.

Incidentally, I use AOPA - and the underwriter is North American Specialty Insurance. One of the big variables in cost is whether they require recurrency training (which is not a bad idea). That can quickly add $3,000 (travel, lodging & tuition) to your actual out of pocket expenses.