Many auto insurance companies today don’t sell their policies through agents, but directly from the company either online or over the phone. It might seem that having an agent to help you purchase auto insurance is a thing of the past, but don’t discount the auto insurance agent just yet. There are some very good reasons to consider using an insurance agent for your auto policy purchase.
Agents Know Their Products
Many of the customer service representatives who handle the phones at large insurance companies know the basics of auto insurance policies, enough to help you select and purchase one. But insurance agents, especially those who have been around for a while, understand a lot more about coverage and policy limits. They can share with you a wealth of knowledge that will ensure you not only get the right policy, but the best rate and a good understanding of what you are paying for. An agent will help you select the best possible coverage limits to fit your needs.
Agents Are On Your Side
If the day comes when you need to file a claim, it’s always good to have someone who is truly on your side. Especially in a complicated claim, your agent can walk you through the process and be there to answer all your questions. An agent is also there to step in when there are disagreements with the adjuster or other involved parties at the insurance company. Because your agent knows all about the policy and how the claims process works, they will better be able to negotiate and discuss claims issues with your adjuster.
Agents Keep Your Policy Accurate
A good agent will take the time to review your policy regularly and make sure that everything is accurate and you are still carrying the coverage you need. An agent knows when changes in your life might affect your insurance coverage needs, such as a marriage or a child reaching driving age. Large insurance companies simply can’t provide that level of personal attention.
Are Agents More Expensive?
There is a general view that an insurance policy purchased through an agent will cost more than one purchased directly. That isn’t necessarily true. The best rate for you may well be one from an agency, so don’t discount quotes from agents when you are shopping for car insurance. You might get the best rate along with the service an agent can provide.
You might not feel that you need an agent for your auto insurance, but there are certainly some very good reasons to take the time to meet with a few and see if it turns out to be right for you.
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Once you understand the various portions of coverage that are available through an auto insurance policy, it is time to take a look at the price. There are deductibles and premiums that you can incur when getting auto insurance, and also sometimes out of pocket costs you will still have to pay in the event of an accident even after you have insurance.
When considering how much you will be charged for car insurance, there are a few factors that the auto insurance companies take into consideration. The first factor they look at is what kind of vehicle you drive – obviously, sports cars run higher with insurance than family sedans, and there are other cars that are known to have higher theft rates. Another factor is where you live – if it is an area that is more urban or that has higher vandalism rates, your insurance will be higher. Those who have longer commutes or who drive often have higher insurance, and also your own demographic statistics – such as your age, sex, marital status, and driving record – are all taken into consideration.
There are some ways to get yourself lower rates. If you are purchasing a new car, try getting one that “looks good” to the insurance companies – that is, it has a lower theft rate and is also not prone to problems. Also, see what incentives your insurance company has to offer – many will have good student discounts for high school and college kids, or discounts if you are insuring more than one car or if you have an accident-free driving record. Consider ways that you can cut down on your driving if the commute to your job is a factor in higher insurance rates – possibly taking public transportation or setting up a carpool. The foremost way to insure better insurance rates, though, is to drive carefully!
Besides checking what your payments are going to be for a new auto insurance policy, make sure to check out the deductible as well. Deductibles can vary by state and also by the size of the accident. For example, if you are in an accident and there is $2,000 worth of damage, you may be expected to pay $500 and the insurance company will take care for the rest. Choosing your deductible is an important task, as you have to consider how much you would be willing to pay in the event of an accident.
As long as you have a clear idea of what you are willing to pay and what the insurance company is looking for in you and your driving record, you will be well on your way to getting excellent auto insurance at a reasonable price.
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Three areas of opportunities to save money that you should pay very close attention to whether you are shopping for car insurance or saving money on your current policy:
Contact us and we would be more than happy to review your current policy or give you a comparable quote.
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Florida is number one when it comes to fraud claims. Miami has always been a hot bed for years but Tampa and then Orlando are trying to catch up. I mean they just changed the name of the Ford Ampitheater to 1-800-ASK-GARY.
It is important if you are in Florida right now to keep your insurance in place even in situations were you don’t have a car. If you are in an accident, take pictures, write down names and numbers of any witnesses. If it happens on private property the police will not show up to do a report. More information on the Blomberg report.
Don Westerfeld 8/24/2010 9:24:00 PM
When you are surfing the internet for the cheapest car insurance quotes, keep in mind a lot of the advertisements that you see are for companies that sell and share your information. We promise never to share your information with no one else unless advised by you.
There are hundreds of these companies out there and they sell them to agencies like myself that pay 5 to 20 dollars for one shared lead, which are suppose to be sold out to know more than 5 times. If you get to a local company such as ourselves we just quote you through our 7 companies in house with in minutes.
Experience the difference at Lock Insurance.
Don Westerfeld 8/11/2010 10:15:00 PM
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