If you’re trying to find an insurance agent in Austin, TX, you can do an initial search online instead of making phone calls. Consumers require an excellent agent, but also need the best price on auto insurance.
Multiple insurance agents compete for your business, and because of this it can be hard to compare auto insurance agents and get the definite lowest price
Local Austin agents and auto insurance
Educated insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain better rates and still choose a local agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, the coverage information is submitted to companies in Austin who will battle for your coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. Now that’s easy! It’s the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.
Selecting an insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- How are claims handled?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agencies
When looking for a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple different agency structures from which to choose. Agencies in Austin can either be independent (non-captive) or captive.
Captive Agents
Captive agents are contracted to one company and some examples include AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. Captives cannot shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. Captives receive extensive training in insurance sales which can be an advantage. Consumers often choose to use a captive agent mainly due to the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Shown below are Austin captive insurance agencies that can give you rate quotes.
- Southern Farm Bureau Casualty – 911 W Anderson Ln – Austin, TX 78757 – (512) 340-0108
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 12129 Ranch Road 620 N # 450 – Austin, TX 78750 – (512) 258-1267
- Allstate Insurance – 8610 N Lamar Blvd # 103 – Austin, TX 78753 – (512) 873-0118
- Farmers Insurance Group – 8717 Burnet Rd # E50 – Austin, TX 78757 – (512) 458-1448
- State Farm Insurance – 3008 Slaughter Ln W # A – Austin, TX 78748 – (512) 441-3704
Independent Agents
Independent agencies are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you contact several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. Most have the option of insuring with smaller companies which can save you money.
The following is a list of independent agents in Austin that are able to give price quote information.
- Smyth Agency – – Austin, TX 78734 – (512) 266-4999
- Texas Medical Insurance Co – 901 S MO Pac Expy # 500 – Austin, TX 78746 – (512) 425-5800
- AAA Insurance – 13376 N Highway 183 # 124 – Austin, TX 78750 – (512) 335-5222
- Sonya M Pence Agency – 708 Rio Grande St – Austin, TX 78701 – (512) 478-4109
- Statewide Bonding Agency – 512 E 11th St # 203 – Austin, TX 78701 – (512) 472-1400
To view a complete directory of licensed insurance agents in Austin, visit this link.
After getting positive responses to your questions and locked in a price quote, most likely you have located an insurance agency that meets your needs to service your policy.
Can I save by cutting out the agent?
Local insurance agents can be invaluable at times, but you also have the option of buying direct online. Certain auto insurance companies that are more known for using agents, also give you the option to get quotes and purchase online, and that can save time if you don’t want to take the time to contact agents.
If you’re concerned about having to choose coverages yourself when buying direct, that is normal but is not a big issue. Auto insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage give you access to trained agents you can use to get advice on coverages.
Are online companies cheaper? Many people think so, but it’s hard to say for sure due to the large number of individual components that influence your rates. Common logic is that a customer who purchases direcly from an online company saves money because there is no agent involvement. In many cases, the cost of constant advertising is expensive so rates may not be all that different from traditional agents.
In Summary
The cheapest auto insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood Austin agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online quoting and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
When you buy insurance online, it’s a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.
More detailed Texas auto insurance information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can learn about specific coverages, report car insurance fraud, find a variety of consumer forms, and file complaints about a company.
Other useful links include this site for Texas auto insurance information and this page for help finding agents in Austin, TX.
