To find a licensed insurance agent in Oyster Bay, we recommend you do the preliminary legwork on the web to save yourself time. You need a great agent that can assess your needs, but also need cheap rates.
Lots of auto insurance agents contend for your business, so it can be very hard to choose a insurance agent and get the definite best price available.
Quote online, buy local
Agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you can get the lowest rates and still choose a local agent.
For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, your information is submitted to agents in your area who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no need to drive around since price quotes are sent to your email. How’s that for easy!
Choosing a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
Independent or Captive: It’s your choice
When finding an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents to choose from. Agents are categorized either captive or independent. Both types can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the difference between them since it can impact your agent selection.
Agency Captives
This type of agents can only place business with one company and examples are AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. These agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.
Listed below is a short list of captive agencies in Oyster Bay who can help you get price quotes.
- Allstate Insurance Co – 71 W Main St – Oyster Bay, NY 11771 – (516) 922-5025
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part.
When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison. Most have the option of insuring with different regional companies which can save you money.
The following are Oyster Bay independent agents that can give you rate quotes.
- Oyster Bay Insurance – 119 Pine Hollow Rd – Oyster Bay, NY 11771 – (516) 922-9131
- John Specce Agency Inc – 70 E Main St – Oyster Bay, NY 11771 – (516) 922-1060
- Insurance Plus – 55 E Main St – Oyster Bay, NY 11771 – (516) 922-1200
- Reardon Raplee Agency – 61 Audrey Ave – Oyster Bay, NY 11771 – (516) 922-6133
For a complete listing of licensed insurance agents in Oyster Bay, please view this page.
Once you have acceptable answers to these questions and an acceptable price quote, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that will properly service your car insurance policy.
Can you find lower rates by buying online?
Auto insurance agents are indespensible for some people, but you can also buy New York car insurance direct online. Some companies who sell through agents in Oyster Bay also let you quote and buy online, and that can save time if you don’t want to take the time to contact agents.
If you’re concerned about not having an insurance agent’s advice when buying direct, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Auto insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide access to licensed agents to walk you through the process. You can also use 24/7 live help and a car insurance FAQ section to clarify any questions you may have.
Is car insurance cheaper online? Many people think so, but it’s hard to say for sure since there are many things that impact your premium. It’s often assumed that buying direct cuts out the middleman. But that assumption is generally incorrect because advertising and marketing take a lot of money and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
Additional resources for New York consumers
More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the New York Department of Financial Services website. New York drivers can download brochures, file complaints about a company, and read consumer alerts.
Smart shoppers get results
Consumers leave their current company for many reasons like questionable increases in premium, unfair underwriting practices, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even high rates after DUI convictions. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new car insurance company can be less work than you think.
Budget-conscious car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Oyster Bay agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
