When shopping for auto insurance, there are a lot of options and choosing the right Buffalo insurance agency is harder than just driving to the closest agent’s office. You require a good agent that listens to you, but also competitive auto insurance rates.
With so many companies and agents to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to find the right insurance company.
Price shop online but buy from a local Buffalo agent
Insurance agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. The best thing about getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.
After filling out this short form, your information is instantly submitted to insurance agents in Buffalo who will battle for your business. You won’t need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to your email. How cool is that?! You can find the lowest rates and work with a local agent.
Picking an insurance agency should depend on more than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in New York?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
Buffalo car insurance agents come in two flavors
When finding a reliable agent, there are a couple of different types of agents to choose from. Buffalo agents can either be independent (non-captive) or captive.
Agency Captives
Captive insurance agents are contracted to one company such as American Family, State Farm and Allstate. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agencies receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents.
Shown below are captive agencies in Buffalo who may provide you with rate quotes.
Allstate Insurance Co – 1609 Kenmore Ave – Buffalo, NY 14217 – (716) 877-1999
Farmers Insurance Group – 43 Aspinwood Pl – Buffalo, NY 14223 – (716) 876-4545
State Farm Insurance – 1586 Eggert Rd – Buffalo, NY 14226 – (716) 832-0003
Liberty Mutual – 1100 Southwestern Blvd – Buffalo, NY 14224 – (716) 677-2734
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include several independent insurance agents for the best price selection.
Below are Buffalo independent insurance agents that are able to give comparison quotes.
Joseph J Lesinski Agency Inc – 2547 Harlem Rd – Buffalo, NY 14225 – (716) 892-7067
C M Mazzara Agency – 1201 Colvin Blvd – Buffalo, NY 14223 – (716) 447-7894
Roehrig Agency – 3263 Delaware Ave – Buffalo, NY 14217 – (716) 873-8377
Prudential Insurance Co – 1 John James Audubon Pkwy #100 – Buffalo, NY 14228 – (716) 636-1960
Axxcess Insurance LTD – 4550 Bailey Ave – Buffalo, NY 14226 – (716) 833-1131
To view a full list of insurance agents in Buffalo, go to this page.
After receiving satisfactory answers to any questions you have and locked in a price quote, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
The online alternatives
Auto insurance agents are important to many people, but New York drivers can also buy directly from online companies. Certain companies like Allstate and State Farm who have local agents in Buffalo also permit you to buy direct online, and that can save time if you’re trying to lower your rates.
If you’re apprehensive about not having professional advice, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. Auto insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide access to licensed agents you can use to get advice on coverages. They also offer live help and an extensive research center that you can use before buying.
Does coverage cost less online? It’s hard to say exactly since there are so many factors which can adversely affect your policy premium. Common sense would say that going direct saves by not paying a commission. For most companies selling online, however, there are very high advertising costs so this can offset any savings.
Keep this in mind
Affordable auto insurance is definitely available online as well as from independent agents in Buffalo, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In too many instances, drivers have reduced full coverage and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
For more reading
More detailed New York auto insurance information is located at the New York Department of Financial Services website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, and get help finding coverage.
