When searching for a good Hampton agent, you can always do the preliminary legwork on the internet instead of making phone calls. Consumers require a professional agent, but also need the lowest rates for auto insurance in Hampton.
Online insurance companies like Geico and Progressive persitently shower you with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to ignore the propoganda and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
Price shop online but buy from a local Hampton agent
Educated insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the best rates but also keep your business local.
Once you complete this short form, the quote information gets sent to companies in Hampton who will battle for your business. You don’t have to even leave your home since price quotes are sent to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! It’s the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
Selecting an insurance agent requires more thought than just a cheap price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Virginia?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
Captive and independent Hampton auto insurance agents
When finding an insurance agent, there are two different types of agents that you can select. Agents are classified as either captive or independent.
Agency Captives
These agents write business for a single company like State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so keep that in mind. Captives are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mostly because of high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
Below is a list of captive agencies in Hampton willing to provide price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance – 66 W Mercury Blvd # 8 – Hampton, VA 23669 – (757) 723-9224
- State Farm Insurance – 1929 Coliseum Dr # G – Hampton, VA 23666 – (757) 825-1490
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection. Many write coverage with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates.
Listed below is a short list of independent agencies in Hampton that can give you price quote information.
- Naomi Fudge Agency – 2013 Cunningham Dr # 103 – Hampton, VA 23666 – (757) 224-1773
- Bay Insurance Inc – 3003 W Mercury Blvd – Hampton, VA 23666 – (757) 838-4448
- Direct General Ins Agency – 1088 W Mercury Blvd – Hampton, VA 23666 – (757) 262-1571
- Michael C Rock Agency – 2201 Andrews Blvd – Hampton, VA 23663 – (757) 728-2886
- Baxter Insurance Inc – 1114 Big Bethel Rd – Hampton, VA 23666 – (757) 838-6615
For a complete listing of Hampton insurance agents, visit this site.
Once you have received satisfactory answers to any questions you have and a good coverage price, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.
But what about buying coverage online?
Licensed agents are important, but Virginia consumers also have the option to buy from online companies direct. Some companies that are more known for using agents, also permit you to buy direct online, and that is helpful if the lowest rate is your goal.
If you’re anxious about not getting advice from an agent when buying direct, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. All companies have toll-free phone numbers and other options to help you decide which coverages are appropriate. They also make available the ability to chat online live with a sales rep and online research to help you answer questions.
Is it cheaper to buy car insurance online? That is a tough question to answer since there are so many components which can raise or lower premium rates. It would make sense to think that purchasing direct online saves by not paying a commission. But that assumption is generally incorrect because the cost of constant advertising is expensive so the lack of a commission may be a wash.
Summing up your auto insurance search
Drivers switch companies for many reasons like delays in responding to claim requests, delays in paying claims, high prices or even poor customer service. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.
The cheapest auto insurance is possible from both online companies and with local Hampton insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who do not offer online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
Additional Virginia consumer information
Additional detailed information is located at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Visitors are able to find a variety of consumer forms, view a list of available companies, and download brochures.
