When trying to find a good insurance agent in Iowa City, Iowa, it’s recommended you do the preliminary legwork for an agent online rather than picking up the phone. We’re assuming that not only do you want a competent insurance agent, but you also need affordable coverage.
With companies like independent agents, Allstate and State Farm having local Iowa City offices, it’s difficult to determine which car insurance agent will provide you with the best rates, service and coverage. To begin, you can use insurance quotes online to assemble a group of insurance agencies from which to choose.
Quote online, buy local
Insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent. And providing support for local businesses is definitely important in Iowa City.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to agents in your area who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy!
Insurance agent types
When searching for a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two different types of agents to choose from. Iowa City agents are classified as either captive or independent. While both can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it can impact the type of agent you choose
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part. When searching for an agent, we recommend you get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
The following are independent agents in Iowa City who may be able to give you price quotes.
- John Jadryev Insurance – 24 N Van Buren St – Iowa City, IA 52245 – (319) 338-5815
- Don Becker Agency – 1108 N Dodge St – Iowa City, IA 52245 – (319) 341-9200
- Vaughn Davisson Agency – 1235 Gilbert Ct – Iowa City, IA 52240 – (319) 354-7131
- Ken Harrison Insurance – 24 N Van Buren St – Iowa City, IA 52245 – (319) 351-0707
Captive Agents
Captive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. These agents are well schooled on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from captives mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.
Listed below are Iowa City captive agents who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Shelter Insurance – 702 S Gilbert St # 105 – Iowa City, IA 52240 – (319) 341-0788
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 2130 Mormon Trek Blvd – Iowa City, IA 52246 – (319) 351-6885
- Allstate Insurance – 535 Highland Ave – Iowa City, IA 52240 – (319) 337-3414
- American Family Insurance – 2730 Naples Ave SW – Iowa City, IA 52240 – (319) 338-7572
- Farmers Insurance Group – 1108 N Dodge St – Iowa City, IA 52245 – (319) 341-9201
- State Farm Insurance – 1201 S Gilbert St – Iowa City, IA 52240 – (319) 338-5091
For a complete listing of captive agents in Iowa City, simply jump to this page.
Selecting an insurance agency needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Iowa?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
Once you have received good answers to these questions and locked in a price quote, you may have just found a car insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
Aren’t companies like Geico cheaper than local agents?
Auto insurance agents are a valuable resource, but Iowa consumers also have the option to buy from companies direct over the internet. Some car insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate who sell through agents in Iowa City also permit you to get quotes and purchase online, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to lower your rates.
If you’re anxious about not getting proper coverage, this really isn’t an issue. Car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages provide options you can use to get advice on coverages.
If you just want to find lower premiums, the most effective way to determine whether online companies or local agents have lower rates is comparing prices for both of them. It’s even possible to receive different pricing from the SAME company if you compare an online quote to agent rates.
Can buying online lower your premiums? That question is hard to answer due to the fact that there are many factors that impact your premium. Some people will tell you that buying car insurance online saves money by not requiring a commission. But that assumption is generally incorrect because the cost of constant advertising is expensive so rates may not be all that different from traditional agents.
Additional consumer information websites
Much more information about car insurance in Iowa can be found on the Iowa Insurance Division website found here. Consumers can file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and discover disciplinary actions.
The following articles may also be useful.
In conclusion
Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high prices, high rates after DUI convictions, lack of trust in their agent or even being labeled a high risk driver. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.
When shopping online for car insurance, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are too many instances where an insured dropped full coverage only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate.
