If you’re looking to buy car insurance, you have many choices and selecting the best Long Beach car insurance agent for your needs is more difficult than just using the same insurance agent as your neighbor. It’s highly likely you require not only a professional licensed agent, but you also want great rates as well.
With insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers and independent agents all competing for your business, it’s difficult to determine which provider will provide the lowest rates and best service. Fortunately, you can use online price quotes to build a list of agents and thier coverage prices.
Comparing prices from Long Beach agents
Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. Buying from local businesses is important especially in Long Beach.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), your information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Long Beach who will return price quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent directly to your email. How’s that for easy! You’ll get the best rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
The type of car insurance agent you choose is important
When finding a local agent, you need to know there are two different types of agents that you can select. Insurance agencies in Long Beach can either be independent or captive.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.
When searching for an agent, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.Most can insure with different regional companies who may have lower rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Long Beach who may be able to give you price quotes.
- Hanley Agency – 5520 E 2nd St # A – Long Beach, CA 90803 – (714) 842-3432
- Austin Insurance – 3520 Long Beach Blvd # 104 – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (562) 426-0491
- Miranda Agency Inc – 5848 E Naples Plz – Long Beach, CA 90803 – (562) 434-8440
- Bob Simmons Agency – 4004 Orange Ave – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (562) 427-2014
- Lee Insurance – 4252 Atlantic Ave # A – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (562) 427-2310
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies are contracted to one company like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are well schooled in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.
The following are captive insurance agents in Long Beach willing to provide price quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 1155 E San Antonio Dr # A – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (562) 428-7644
- Allstate Insurance – 188 Pomona Ave – Long Beach, CA 90803 – (562) 987-1090
- Farmers Insurance Group – 5855 E Naples Plz # 204 – Long Beach, CA 90803 – (562) 434-4466
To view a full list of captive insurance agencies in Long Beach, visit this site.
Deciding on an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- How are they compensated?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- How long has their agency been in business in Long Beach?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
After getting satisfactory answers and a good coverage price, chances are good that you have found an insurance agent that will properly service your car insurance policy.
Do online companies have better prices?
Auto insurance agents are important to many people, but California consumers also have the option to buy direct from companies that only sell online. A few companies who employ agents additionally provide the ability to buy online, and that can save time if you prefer not to work with an agent.
If you’re anxious about not getting proper coverage, don’t be too concerned. Online car insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage all have toll-free customer service for getting questions answered. Also available are 24/7 live help and a car insurance FAQ section to help with the buying process.
Are online rates lower? Whether or not you’ll save is impossible to say because there are so many things that can increase policy rates. It’s logical to say that going direct saves the commission normally paid to an agent. For the majority of companies, however, the cost of constant advertising is expensive and that impacts the rates consumers pay.
Buy online or local, you save
Drivers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as an unsatisfactory settlement offer, poor customer service, being labeled a high risk driver and even denial of a claim. No matter why you want to switch, switching companies can be less work than you think.
Discount car insurance is attainable on the web as well as from independent agents in Long Beach, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
For more California car insurance information
More information can be found on the California Department of Insurance website located here. California drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, get help finding coverage, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
Other informative sites include BankRate.com’s Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and see this list of insurance agents in Long Beach.
