Comparing car insurance companies in Irvine, California can be challenging because there are a lot of options and picking a good California insurance agency is harder than just making a phone call. The chances are good you’re looking for a professional licensed agent, but you also need the lowest possible price.
With companies like American Family, Allstate, State Farm and Farmers having offices in Irvine, it can be hard to know which one will provide you with the lowest rates and best service. Fortunately, consumers can use insurance quotes online to build a list of agencies and price estimates.
Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent
Professional agents can help determine the best coverages and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting local insurance agencies is important particularly in Irvine.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is emailed to local insurance agents in Irvine who will battle for your coverage. You won’t need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
Captive or Independent: There is a difference
If you’re trying to find a good Irvine insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents from which to choose. Agents can either be captive or independent.
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When comparing rates, we recommend you contact at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Shown below are Irvine independent agencies that can give you pricing information.
Anthem Insurance – 18818 Teller Ave – Irvine, CA 92612 – (949) 263-8606
Paladin Insurance Inc – 1 Park Plz # 400 – Irvine, CA 92614 – (949) 724-0500
Captive Agents
Captive agents are contracted to one company such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot give you multiple price quotes so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.
Shown below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Irvine that can give you rate quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 2010 Main St – Irvine, CA 92614 – (714) 477-9000
Farmers Insurance Group – 108 Pacifica # 250 – Irvine, CA 92618 – (949) 585-0300
Allstate Insurance – 4255 Campus Dr # 270 – Irvine, CA 92612 – (949) 509-2888
To view a complete directory of Irvine captive insurance agencies, visit this site.
Picking a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- How are they compensated?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in California?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Who are their largest clients?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
After receiving positive responses in addition to an acceptable price estimate, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that will provide car insurance coverage.
Have you considered online alternatives?
Local insurance agents are important, but you also have the option of buying direct online. Certain auto insurance companies who have local agents in Irvine also permit you to quote and buy online, and that can save time and can also potentially find you lower rates.
If you’re uncomfortable with selecting your own policy coverages when buying direct, that should not be a issue. Car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages all have toll-free customer service for getting questions answered.
Can you find lower rates online? It’s difficult to say for sure since there are so many factors that influence how your policy is priced. You may think that going direct saves money because there is no commission. But that assumption is generally incorrect because there are very high advertising costs so rates may not be all that different from traditional agents.
Much more information about car insurance in California is available on the website for the California Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to read state legal mandates and laws, find out which companies have the most complaints, and get help finding coverage.
Better coverage you can count on
Budget-conscious car insurance can be found on the web in addition to many Irvine insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
People switch companies for many reasons like not issuing a premium refund, policy cancellation, denial of a claim and even lack of trust in their agent. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.
