What Is an Insurance Broker?

An insurance broker is a licensed professional who represents YOU — the consumer — not any insurance company. Unlike captive agents who work for a single carrier (like a State Farm agent or an Allstate agent), an independent broker searches across the entire market to find you the best coverage at the best price. According to the NY Department of Financial Services, brokers must be individually licensed and are legally required to act in the client’s best interest.

As Nour Fahmy, founder of K&N Insurance Brokerage, explains: “When a client calls us, we don’t show them one price and hope they accept it. We run their information through multiple carriers and come back with the best option. If a carrier raises your rate at renewal, we shop the market again — a captive agent can’t do that. That’s the fundamental difference.”

How Do Insurance Brokers Get Paid?

Insurance brokers are paid a commission by the carrier you choose — not by you. There is no additional fee for using a broker. The price you pay for the policy is the same whether you buy it through a broker or directly from the carrier. According to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), consumers who use independent brokers save an average of 12% compared to buying from a single carrier — because competition between carriers drives prices down.

7 Reasons to Use an Insurance Broker in New York

1. New York Insurance Is Expensive — Brokers Find Savings

New York ranks among the top 5 most expensive states for car insurance, with full-coverage premiums averaging $2,800-$3,500 statewide and $3,500-$5,500+ in NYC. According to J.D. Power, drivers who compare quotes from 3+ carriers save an average of $416/year. A broker does this comparison automatically — at no cost to you.

2. You Get a Real Person Who Speaks Your Language

New York is the most linguistically diverse city on Earth. K&N’s team speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Russian — because explaining how a speeding ticket affects your premium or what happens when your car is totaled is hard enough in your first language.

3. Brokers Re-Shop Your Rate at Every Renewal

Carrier pricing changes every 6-12 months. The cheapest carrier this year may not be cheapest next year. A captive agent is stuck with their one company’s renewal rate. Your broker shops the market again — automatically. This is how K&N clients avoid the rate creep that costs the average New York driver hundreds of dollars per year.

4. Claims Advocacy — Someone on YOUR Side

When you file a claim, a captive agent represents the carrier’s interests. A broker represents yours. If a carrier lowballs your cosmetic damage or total loss settlement, your broker helps you negotiate or move to a better carrier.

5. Bundle Everything Under One Roof

Most New York families need auto, home or renters, and maybe umbrella or commercial auto coverage. A broker handles all of these — comparing carriers for each product and bundling for maximum savings. One broker replaces 3-4 separate carrier relationships.

6. High-Risk Drivers Have Options

If you have accidents, tickets, a DWI, or a lapse in coverage, a single carrier may decline you or charge extreme rates. A broker accesses carriers that specialize in non-standard drivers. According to insurance industry data, the rate difference between the most and least expensive carrier for a high-risk driver can exceed 200%.

7. It’s Free — You Pay Nothing Extra

Brokers are paid a commission by the carrier you choose. The policy price is the same whether you buy through a broker or go direct. You get market-wide comparison, a personal advocate, and ongoing service — at zero additional cost.

Insurance Broker Offices — Queens and Huntington

K&N Insurance Brokerage has two offices serving the New York metro area. Walk in, call, or start online — we handle everything:

We also serve Westchester County from our Bronx satellite office and the entire New York and New Jersey metro area by phone.

Toll-free: (833) 840-8500 · Email: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Brokers

Is it better to use an insurance broker or a captive agent?

For most people, a broker is better because they compare rates from multiple carriers — not just one. According to the IIABA, consumers using independent brokers save an average of 12%. A captive agent at State Farm or Allstate can only show you that company’s price, even if a competitor offers better coverage for less.

Do insurance brokers charge a fee?

No. Insurance brokers are paid a commission by the insurance carrier you choose — not by you. The price of your policy is the same whether you buy through a broker or go directly to the carrier. You get market-wide comparison at zero additional cost.

How do I find a good insurance broker near me in Queens?

Look for a licensed, independent broker with strong Google reviews, multiple carrier relationships, and local presence. K&N Insurance Brokerage has 618 Google reviews (4.9 stars) at our Queens office on Jamaica Ave, and we speak 5 languages to serve Queens’ diverse communities.

What’s the difference between an insurance broker and an insurance agent?

An insurance agent represents one or more insurance companies. A broker represents YOU and shops the entire market on your behalf. Both are licensed by the NY Department of Financial Services, but their loyalties are different — an agent’s primary relationship is with the carrier, a broker’s primary relationship is with you. Read our full comparison.

Can an insurance broker help with commercial insurance?

Yes. K&N places commercial auto, business owners policies, general liability, workers’ compensation, and landlord insurance for businesses across New York.

Can I get insurance in Spanish, Arabic, or Russian?

Yes — K&N’s team speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Russian at both our Queens and Huntington offices. ¿Necesitas un corredor de seguros? Llámanos al (718) 739-9090.

How many insurance carriers does K&N work with?

As an independent brokerage, we have relationships with multiple insurance carriers across personal and commercial lines. We match you with the carrier that offers the best combination of coverage, price, and claims service for your specific situation.

Is K&N Insurance Brokerage licensed in New York?

Yes. K&N Insurance Brokerage has been a fully licensed insurance brokerage in New York since 2018. We are licensed by the NY Department of Financial Services and maintain all required continuing education and compliance standards. 780+ Google reviews at a 4.9-5.0 star rating across our offices.

What Our Clients Say

4.9 ★★★★★
859+ reviews across all locations

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