When shopping for car insurance, you have many choices and finding the best Maryland car insurance agent is more difficult than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. For the sake of this article, we’ll assume you’re wanting a professional agent, but you also need great rates as well.
With companies like independent agents, Allstate and State Farm all competing for business in Salisbury, it’s hard to tell which will have the best service and rates. Fortunately, consumers can use online quoting to build a list of insurance agents to choose from.
Buying car insurance from a local Salisbury agent
Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get lower rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local insurance agencies is important particularly in Salisbury.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents in Salisbury who will return price quotes for your business. There is no need to leave your house since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!
Choose an insurance agent wisely
When looking for an insurance agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Salisbury agents are categorized either captive or independent. Both insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they differ because it can influence the type of agent you choose
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies without you having to go to a different agency. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you contact multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.
Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Salisbury that are able to give price quote information.
Long Insurance – 217 Maryland Ave – Salisbury, MD 21801 – (410) 548-7629
Tri State General Insurance – 1 Plaza E – Salisbury, MD 21801 – (410) 546-8382
Captive Insurance Agents
These agents can only place business with one company such as State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are not able to shop your coverage around so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Shown below is a short list of captive agencies in Salisbury that are able to give price quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 111 Naylor St – Salisbury, MD 21804 – (410) 860-0866
State Farm Insurance – 923 Eastern Shore Dr # A – Salisbury, MD 21804 – (410) 749-4725
For a full directory of car insurance agents in Salisbury, please click here.
Choosing an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Maryland?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
Upon receiving positive responses to your questions and an acceptable price quote, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that will properly service your car insurance policy.
Consider all buying options to save money
Insurance agents serve a purpose, but you also have the option of buying direct online. Some companies who employ agents also allow consumers to quote and buy online, and that can save time.
If you’re anxious about not receiving proper advice when buying online, don’t be too concerned. Online car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages have customer service departments for answering any questions you have.
Is car insurance cheaper online? That is a tough question to answer due to the fact that there are many factors that determine your policy premium. It’s often assumed that going direct lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. For the majority of companies, however, online and traditional media advertising are expensive so the rates may be similar to buying from an agent.
If you have the time, the only way to find out if the best rates are online or from local agents is getting rates for as many of both types of providers as possible. Lots of times people will get different prices from the SAME company from their online quote form as compared to an agent. But it’s difficult to know where you can get the lowest rates unless you compare quotes for identical coverages from both.
Final thoughts
People switch companies for any number of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, policy cancellation, being labeled a high risk driver or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company is actually quite simple.
When buying insurance coverage, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, someone dropped liability coverage limits only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
More consumer information in Maryland
More information is available on the website for the Maryland Insurance Administration through this link. Maryland consumers can find disaster information, view agent and company licensing information, report car insurance fraud, and read state legal mandates and laws.
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