If you’re looking to buy auto insurance, choosing the right Columbus auto insurance agent takes more work than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. Consumers require an excellent agent, and also want to find affordable rates.
Drivers have multiple car insurance agents to insure vehicles with, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates and find the lowest cost auto insurance.
Columbus agents and online quotes
Agents can help determine the best coverages and help you file claims. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the best rates and still choose a local agent.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Columbus who will give you bids to get your business. There is no need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! You can find the lowest rates AND a local agent.
Deciding on an insurance agency should depend on more than just a low price. These questions are important to ask:
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
The type of car insurance agent you choose is important
When researching a local agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents to choose from. Agents are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive).
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies are contracted to one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so keep that in mind. They are trained well on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.
The following is a short list of captive agents in Columbus that are able to give comparison quotes.
Farm Bureau Insurance – 1117 Travis St – Columbus, TX 78934 – (979) 732-2383
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part. When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to include multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Columbus that can give you price quotes.
Knights Of Columbus Insurance – 1370 Brunes Mill Rd – Columbus, TX 78934 – (979) 733-9090
Robert C Walla Insurance – 834 Walnut St – Columbus, TX 78934 – (979) 732-5104
For a complete listing of licensed insurance agents in Columbus, simply jump to this page.
Once you have received good answers to these questions and a low price estimate, you may have just found a car insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.
Have you considered online alternatives?
Auto insurance agents are a valuable resource, but you can also find affordable Texas auto insurance direct online. Certain auto insurance companies like Allstate and State Farm who have local agents in Columbus also let you get a quote and buy online, and that can save time if you want to do it yourself.
If you’re apprehensive about not getting proper coverage when buying car insurance direct, that is quite common when buying online the first time. Car insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage have toll-free phone numbers and other options you can use to get advice on coverages. Many online companies also provide help pages and frequently asked questions so you can feel comfortable buying online.
Are online rates lower? The answer is complex because there are so many things that influence the price you pay. It’s often assumed that a customer who purchases direcly from an online company saves money because there is no agent involvement. But truthfully, promoting brand recognition is pricey and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
To find out more about Texas auto insurance
Additional detailed information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
These articles may also be worth reading.
- 9 Shopping Tips Guaranteed to Lower Auto Insurance Costs in Columbus Georgia
- Quote Columbus Auto Insurance Cheaper With These Tricks
- Little Known Advice on Saving Money on Columbus Georgia Auto Insurance
A little work can save a LOT of money
Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including lack of trust in their agent, policy cancellation, being labeled a high risk driver and even not issuing a premium refund. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new auto insurance company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
The cheapest auto insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents in Columbus, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.