I'm looking to get lower prices on my auto and home insurance. I was thinking I would just try to get some quotes from the big names on my own, but it has been suggested to me that I use an "independent insurance agent" who can collect bids from multiple companies and coordinate getting the best price. Apparently these agents make money on commissions from the companies, and therefore I would not be paying extra (?!). This seems like too good an option to be without a catch (i.e., steer me to a preferred company for a bigger commission, or jack up the rate to cover the commission?)... Even so, though, if I don't like the quotes it seems I would not have to buy from them. Any pitfalls here that I am missing?