When trying to find a good insurance agent in Rockford, Illinois, you can start your search online to save time. The chances are good you require not only a good agent, but you also want the best rates possible.
With companies like Allstate, Farmers, State Farm and many independent agents all competing for your business, consumers have a hard time knowing which one will give you the lowest rates and best service. To begin, consumers can use online quotes to assemble a group of agents and price estimates.
Compare Rockford agent rates online
Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about price shopping on the web is that you can obtain better rates but also keep your business local. Supporting small agencies is definitely important in Rockford.
After filling out this simple form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will battle for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to drive around as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. Now that’s easy!
Two types of Rockford insurance agencies
When researching a good Rockford insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies that you can select. Rockford agents are either independent or captive. While both can write coverage properly, but it’s worth learning the differences since it may influence the type of agent you choose
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When shopping rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.
The following are independent agents in Rockford who can help you get competitive price quotes.
Apple Insurance – 202 W State St – Rockford, IL 61101 – (815) 399-8002
Sreenan Insurance – 3326 11th St – Rockford, IL 61109 – (815) 398-0731
James D Nelson Agency – 310 7th St – Rockford, IL 61104 – (815) 226-2497
Dave Urbelis Agency – 5921 Forest Hills Rd – Rockford, IL 61114 – (815) 877-5441
Flanders-Nelson Agency – 1947 N Lyford Rd – Rockford, IL 61107 – (815) 226-4760
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies write business for a single company and some examples include State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. They receive extensive training on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage.
Shown below is a short list of captive agents in Rockford that are able to give price quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 3600 E State St – Rockford, IL 61108 – (815) 398-2552
Allstate Insurance – 2835 Mcfarland Rd # D – Rockford, IL 61107 – (815) 654-9500
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 3815 N Mulford Rd # 1 – Rockford, IL 61114 – (815) 633-1070
Farmers Insurance Group – 1437 S Bell School Rd – Rockford, IL 61108 – (815) 397-9051
American Family Insurance – 3217 N Main St – Rockford, IL 61103 – (815) 877-9123
To view a full list of captive insurance agencies in Rockford, please click here.
Selecting a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
Once you have received reasonable responses as well as a affordable price, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that can insure your vehicles.
Have you considered online alternatives?
Insurance agents are important, but Illinois drivers can also buy from companies direct over the internet. A few companies like State Farm and Allstate who have local agents in Rockford also let you buy online, so that should be considered if finding the best price is important.
If you’re concerned about not having someone to ask questions when buying car insurance direct, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. All companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide access to licensed agents to help you decide which coverages are appropriate. They also have the ability to chat online live with a sales rep and online research to help with the buying process.
Does car insurance cost less online? It’s difficult to say for sure due to the large number of individual components that determine your policy premium. It’s a logical assumption that purchasing direct online reduces premiums because there is no agent. But in most cases, advertising and marketing take a lot of money and that can cost more than having to pay agents.
If you’re trying to save the most money, the best approach to discovering whether online companies or local agents have lower rates is making fair comparisons of each of their rates. Lots of times people will get different prices from the same company depending on where you get the price quote from.
In conclusion
People leave their current company for many reasons like questionable increases in premium, poor customer service, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or denial of a claim. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.
While you’re price shopping online, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, someone dropped full coverage only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
To learn even more about auto insurance
Additional information can be read on the website for the Illinois Department of Insurance found here. Illinois consumers can report car insurance fraud, view agent and company licensing information, learn about specific coverages, and find out industry alerts.
