Hereford Auto Insurance Agent 101

Finding good auto insurance in Hereford can be challenging since you have many choices and finding the best Texas insurance agency takes more work than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. We’re assuming you not only want a great agent that can assess your needs, but you also need the best rates possible.

With companies like State Farm, Allstate and many independent agents having offices in Hereford, it’s difficult to determine which will provide the best rates, service and coverage. Thankfully, it’s easy to use online price quotes to get a list of agencies to choose from.

Quote online but still have a local agent

Good agents can point out coverage gaps and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you can get better rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting small agencies is especially important in Hereford.

To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your information is emailed to insurance agents in Hereford who will return price quotes to get your business. You don’t have to leave your computer as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy! You’ll get the best rates and a licensed agent to work with.

Two different types of insurance agents

When looking for a good Hereford insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies to choose from. Agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Independent Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part. When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to contact at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can be an advantage.

Listed below are Hereford independent insurance agencies that are able to give pricing information.

  • Summers Insurance – 242 E 3rd St # 6 – Hereford, TX 79045 – (806) 364-3376
  • Virgil Slentz Insurance – 1977 E Us Highway 60 – Hereford, TX 79045 – (806) 363-6070
Captive Insurance Agents

These agents work for only one company such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent mostly because of high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.

Listed below is a list of captive insurance agents in Hereford who can help you get rate quotes.

  • State Farm Insurance – 615 S 25 Mile Ave – Hereford, TX 79045 – (806) 364-3161
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 240 Main St – Hereford, TX 79045 – (806) 364-7676
  • Farm Bureau Insurance – 1306 W Park Ave – Hereford, TX 79045 – (806) 364-1070
  • Allstate Insurance – 801 Main St – Hereford, TX 79045 – (806) 364-6874

To view a complete directory of captive agents in Hereford, please click here.

Choosing an insurance agent should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

  • Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Texas?
  • Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
  • Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
  • How often do they review policy coverages?
  • How long has their agency been open in Hereford?
  • Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?

After receiving answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agent that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage.

But what about Progressive, GEICO and other online companies?

Car insurance agents are indespensible for some people, but Texas consumers also have the option to buy directly from online companies. Certain auto insurance companies that are more known for using agents, also give you the option to get a quote and buy online, so that should be considered.

If you’re uneasy about not having an agent to talk to when shopping online, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. All companies give you access to trained agents to help you decide which coverages are appropriate. Additionally, most companies also offer extensive coverage information and 24/7 assistance that you can use before buying.

Are online companies cheaper? It’s difficult to provide an answer due to the fact that there are many factors that determine the price you pay. You may think that going direct prevents the agent from taking a cut. For most online online companies, however, there are very high advertising costs and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.

One last thing

As you prepare to switch companies, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed collision coverage only to find out they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is definitely available both online and with local Hereford insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Hereford TX independent agents

Much more information about auto insurance in Texas can be read on the Texas Department of Insurance website located here. Texas drivers can file complaints about a company, find disaster information, and view agent and company licensing information.

Also read more on this online resource for free quotes in Texas and QuoteClickSave.com.