Most effective way to shop insurance

[Austin F.]

My insurance agent often does an adequate job.

That sentance alone tells me I should shop around agents/providers, but what is the easiest/most effective way to do that? I would prefer emailing off some info and getting a rough quote before driving over and sitting down for a 2 hour shakedown by a new agent.

I would also prefer me current agent not know I am aggressivly shopping around.

I have a medium sized portfolio, 7 houses, liability, an auto, RV, renters policy etc. Probably worth someones time.

What should I ask my current agent for to provide to the prospective agent, and also will there be repercussions like the current insurance company coming to reinspect because someone quoted that property, can they see that info? My current agent advised me not to "rock the boat" with the policies I currently have because they are all older and would "go up significantly" if I changed anything.