When buying car insurance in Richfield, finding the best Minnesota car insurance agent is harder than just making a phone call. Consumers require a professional agent, but also need competitive car insurance rates.
There is such a variety of car insurance agents to purchase coverage from, and although it’s nice to have a choice, it can be more difficult to find the best rates for your vehicles.
Save time by quoting online
Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about comparing rates online is you may find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this short form, your coverage information is sent to local insurance agents who will battle for your business. You don’t have to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. It doesn’t get any easier!
Choosing an insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- How are they compensated?
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Minnesota?
What types of car insurance agents are in Richfield?
When finding a good Richfield insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies that you can select. Agencies in Richfield can either be captive or independent (non-captive). Both do a good job, but it’s good to learn how they are different since it can impact your agent selection.
Captive Agents
These agents can only write with one company like Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. Captive agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Some consumers prefer to choose to use a captive agent mainly due to the brand legacy and solid financial strength.
Below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Richfield that are able to give price quote information.
- Farmers Insurance Group – 1520 E 66th St # 4 – Richfield, MN 55423 – (612) 861-4151
- Allstate Insurance – 6609 18th Ave S # 205 – Richfield, MN 55423 – (612) 861-4772
- American Family Insurance – 6437 Lyndale Ave S # 107 – Richfield, MN 55423 – (612) 866-6990
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part. When shopping rates, we recommend you contact several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.Most can insure with different regional companies which can save you money.
The following are Richfield independent insurance agencies that can give you comparison quotes.
- Jay Petersen Agency – 6519 Nicollet Ave # 2a – Richfield, MN 55423 – (612) 869-2745
- MSI Insurance – 6519 Nicollet Ave – Richfield, MN 55423 – (651) 631-7239
- Richfield State Insurance – 6601 Lyndale Ave S # 310 – Richfield, MN 55423 – (612) 861-8300
For a complete listing of car insurance agents in Richfield, visit this link.
Upon receiving answers to your satisfaction to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.
Online alternative for car insurance
Insurance agents can be invaluable at times, but you also have the option of buying directly from online companies. A few companies like Allstate and State Farm who sell through the agent channel also give you the option to get quotes and purchase online, so this should also be taken into consideration.
If you’re anxious about not having someone to ask questions, don’t let it bother you. All companies provide phone numbers and online resources that you can contact for information. Many online companies also provide extensive coverage information and 24/7 assistance so you can feel comfortable buying online.
Will buying online save you money? A lot of shoppers won’t buy anywhere else, but it’s impossible to say because of the number of factors that can increase policy rates. It’s a logical assumption that a consumer who buys direct cuts out the middleman. But truthfully, marketing expenses are significant and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
Online resources for education
Even more information is available at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Minnesota consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, read consumer alerts, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
Also read more on this site for rates in Minnesota and this link where you can get more info about Richfield coverage.
And the best car insurance company is…
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many cases, an insured dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
Affordable car insurance is attainable from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Richfield agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.
