When shopping for auto insurance, there are a lot of options and selecting the best Carrizo Springs insurance agency for your needs takes more work than just calling the closest agent. You need a good agent that listens to you, but also cheap rates.
Many car insurance agents compete for your hard-earned dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurance agent to find the absolute cheapest price
Buying auto insurance from a local Carrizo Springs agent
Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help you file claims. The best thing about comparing rates online is the fact that you can find lower rates and still choose a local agent.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to companies in Carrizo Springs who will give you bids to get your business. You won’t need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!
Choosing an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- How long has their agency been in business in Carrizo Springs?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
The type of car insurance agent you choose is important
When looking for a local agent, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Agencies in Carrizo Springs can either be captive or independent. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the difference between them since it may influence your selection of an agent.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies can only write with one company and examples are American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They usually cannot shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. Captives receive extensive training on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents.
Listed below is a short list of captive agencies in Carrizo Springs willing to provide comparison quotes.
Farmers Insurance Group – 503 Pena St – Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 – (830) 876-3539
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, an independent agent can move your coverage and that require little work on your part.
When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.
Shown below is a short list of independent agents in Carrizo Springs who can help you get price quotes.
Almand and Lowery Insurance – 208 N 5th St – Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 – (830) 876-2479
Carpenter-Perkins Insurance – 413 W Houston St – Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 – (830) 876-2222
For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Carrizo Springs, click here to link.
Upon getting good answers to any questions you have and a good coverage price, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that will properly service your auto insurance policy.
Does buying direct online cost less?
Auto insurance agents are important to many people, but Texas drivers can also buy direct online. Some specific companies who sell through the agent channel also give you the option to quote and buy online, so that should be considered if you prefer not to work with an agent.
If you’re concerned about selecting your own policy coverages, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Online car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages give you access to trained agents to answer any questions you may have.
Is auto insurance cheaper online? It’s difficult to provide an answer due to the large number of individual components that determine the price you pay. It would make sense to think that a consumer who buys direct lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. But in reality, marketing expenses are significant so the lack of a commission may be a wash.
If you have the time, the only way to find out whether prices are lower online or from agents is to get rates from both and compare them. It’s fairly common that you receive different coverage costs from the same car insurance company when they use both methods.
In conclusion
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to discover later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
Drivers leave their current company for many reasons like an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high rates after DUI convictions, not issuing a premium refund or even delays in paying claims. Whatever your reason, choosing a new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.
More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can discover disciplinary actions, read consumer alerts, view agent and company licensing information, and learn about specific coverages.
Other useful links include NAIC.org’s Understanding your Policy and QuoteClickSave.com.