To find a licensed insurance agent in Bastrop, you can start your search by comparing rates online to save yourself time. For the sake of this article, we’ll assume that not only do you want a good professional insurance agent, but you also need great rates as well.
With companies like Allstate, Farmers and State Farm as well as independent agents having local Bastrop offices, consumers have a hard time knowing which will provide the best rates, service and coverage. Fortunately, consumers can use online price quotes to build a list of insurance agencies to choose from.
Price shop online but buy from a local Bastrop agent
Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find better rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting local insurance agencies is especially important in Bastrop.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your information gets sent to local insurance agents who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!
Bastrop auto insurance agents are either independent or captive
When looking for a good Bastrop insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents from which to choose. Bastrop agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both do a good job, but it’s important to know the difference between them because it can influence your agent selection.
Independent Agents
These agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you get quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection.Many can place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
Below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Bastrop that are able to give price quote information.
- Polly Mc Gee Insurance Agent – 117 Loop 150 W – Bastrop, TX 78602 – (512) 321-1588
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 103 Childers Dr # C – Bastrop, TX 78602 – (512) 321-1076
- Maynard Insurance Agency – 799 State Highway 71 W – Bastrop, TX 78602 – (512) 321-2584
Agency Captives
These agents can only place business with one company such as AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives mostly because of loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.
Listed below is a list of captive agents in Bastrop that can give you price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance – 702 Pine St – Bastrop, TX 78602 – (512) 303-9171
- James Allen State Farm – 494 W Highway 71 # 150 – Bastrop, TX 78602 – (512) 581-3535
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 103 Childers Dr # C – Bastrop, TX 78602 – (512) 321-1076
For a complete listing of captive agents in Bastrop, visit this link.
Deciding on an insurance agent should depend on more than just the price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- How are they compensated?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
Upon getting reasonable responses to any questions you have and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage.
Alternatives to buying from an agent
Professional insurance agents can be invaluable at times, but you also have the option of buying from companies direct over the internet. A few companies that sell primarily through agents additionally provide the ability to buy online, so this should also be taken into consideration.
If you’re apprehensive about not getting advice from an agent when buying direct, don’t be too concerned. Auto insurance companies provide access to licensed agents for answering any questions you have. You may also access the ability to chat online live with a sales rep and online research you can access prior to buying.
When shopping for low rates, the only way to find out if local insurance agents or online providers are cheaper is to take the time to compare rates from both. It’s even possible to receive different pricing from the same car insurance company when they use both methods. It’s difficult to tell where you can get the lowest rates unless you get rate quotes each way.
Do online companies provide lower prices? Many people think so, but it’s hard to say for sure since there may be dozens of rate factors that determine the price you pay. It would make sense to think that buying directly from the company reduces premiums because there is no agent. But truthfully, there are high advertising and marketing costs and this drives up their premium costs.
And the best car insurance company is…
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an insured cut liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price.
People leave their current company for any number of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, questionable increases in premium, high prices and lack of trust in their agent. Regardless of your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is actually quite simple.
Some additional reading
More information can be read on the Texas Department of Insurance website located here. Texas drivers can discover disciplinary actions, read consumer alerts, download brochures, and view a list of available companies.