To find a licensed insurance agent in Riverhead, we recommend you begin your search by comparing rates online instead of making phone calls. You require a great agent that can assess your needs, but also need competitive auto insurance rates.
Drivers have so many car insurance agents to buy insurance from, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to find the best rates.
Buying auto insurance from a local Riverhead agent
Good agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, your insurance data is transmitted to local insurance agents who will compete for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!
Selecting a car insurance agent should depend on more than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- How long has their agency been in business in Riverhead?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
Two types of Riverhead insurance agencies
When researching an insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies from which to choose. Agents are either captive or independent. Both types can do a good job, but it’s worth learning the difference between them since it can impact the type of agent you choose
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents are contracted to one company and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents receive extensive training in insurance sales which can be an advantage.
Listed below are Riverhead captive insurance agencies willing to provide price quotes.
Allstate Insurance Co – 1236 Roanoke Ave – Riverhead, NY 11901 – (631) 727-1700
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, we recommend you get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.
Below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Riverhead that can give you price quote information.
Washwick Agency – 860 E Main St – Riverhead, NY 11901 – (631) 369-0888
Lighthouse Agency – 221 W Main St – Riverhead, NY 11901 – (631) 369-9600
Power Insurance Co – Route 58 – Riverhead, NY 11901 – (631) 369-3444
Ed Graves Agency Inc – 1149 Old Country Rd # B5 – Riverhead, NY 11901 – (631) 727-1122
Stewart Title Insurance Co – 755 E Main St – Riverhead, NY 11901 – (631) 727-4470
For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Riverhead, please go to this site.
After receiving positive feedback to any questions you have and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that will adequately provide auto insurance.
Can you buy online and save?
Local insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but New York car insurance can also be bought direct over the internet. Even companies that are more known for using agents, also give you the ability to buy a policy online, and consumers should do that if you want to do it yourself.
If you’re anxious about not having someone to ask questions, that should not be a issue. All companies have toll-free phone numbers and other options to walk you through the process. You can also use online help and live chat to help you answer questions.
Are online rates lower? Many people swear by it, but it’s difficult to answer because there are a lot of things which can adversely affect your policy premium. You may think that buying car insurance online reduces premiums because there is no agent. For the majority of companies, however, getting their brand in front of customers is expensive so this can offset any savings.
What is YOUR best insurance company?
As you shop your coverage around, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Budget-conscious auto insurance can be purchased from both online companies and with local Riverhead insurance agents, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not offer the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.
Find out more about auto insurance
Even more information can be read at the New York Department of Financial Services website. New York drivers can find out industry alerts, find a variety of consumer forms, and find out which companies have the most complaints.