When pricing car insurance in South Houston, Texas, choosing the right South Houston auto insurance agent is more difficult than just making a phone call. We’re guessing you require not only a professional agent, but you also want to find the lowest possible price.
With insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and many independent agents all competing for business in South Houston, consumers have a hard time knowing which insurance agency will provide the best service and rates. Fortunately, you can use online price quotes in order to build a list of insurance agents from which to choose.
Car Insurance through a local South Houston agent
Good agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you may find lower rates but also keep your business local. And supporting local businesses is important particularly in South Houston.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is immediately sent to companies in South Houston who will battle for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. How cool is that?! You’ll get the best rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
Two types of South Houston insurance agents
When searching for a good South Houston insurance agent, there are two types of agencies to choose from. Insurance agencies in South Houston are either captive or independent.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection. Most have the option of insuring with smaller regional carriers which may provide better rates.
Below are independent agents in South Houston who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Aim Insurance Of Tx – 712 Spencer Hwy # 107 – South Houston, TX 77587 – (713) 947-3434
- Fred Loya Insurance – 1611 Spencer Hwy # G – South Houston, TX 77587 – (713) 946-2626
Captive Agents
Captive agents are contracted to one company like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are not able to place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents partially due to the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Deciding on an insurance agency should depend on more than just a low price. Some important questions to ask are:
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
Upon getting positive responses and a good coverage price, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that can properly service your car insurance policy.
Can you buy online and save?
Local insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but you also have the option of buying from online companies direct. Some car insurance companies, such as Farmers Insurance and State Farm, that are more known for using agents, also let you get a quote and buy online, and online price comparisons are easy if finding the best price is important.
If you’re anxious about choosing your own coverages when buying online, that is quite common when buying online the first time. Car insurance companies provide options for answering any questions you have.
Can online rates save money? That question is hard to answer because of the number of factors that determine your policy premium. It’s often assumed that purchasing direct online lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. In reality, advertising budgets are huge and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
Do the work, save more money
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, don’t be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford.
The cheapest car insurance can be bought both online in addition to many South Houston insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.
Additional consumer information websites
Much more information about car insurance in Texas can be found on the Texas Department of Insurance website through this link. Texas consumers can download brochures, learn about insurance regulations, and report car insurance fraud.