When searching for an insurance agent in Clarksburg, West Virginia, you can start your research by comparing prices online in order to save time. There is a good chance that not only do you want a good agent that listens to you, but you also want the lowest possible price.
With Farmers, Allstate, and independent agents having local Clarksburg offices, it’s difficult to determine which will have the best rates, service and coverage. To help decide, you can use online quoting to get a list of insurance agencies to choose from.
Your local neighborhood insurance agent
Agents can help determine the best coverages and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting local businesses is especially important in Clarksburg.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, your coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents in Clarksburg who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no need to leave your house as quotes are delivered to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! You can find the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Two types of car insurance agents
When finding a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agents are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent. When searching for an agent, we recommend you include price quotes from multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.
Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Clarksburg that are able to give price quotes.
Frank J Leroy Insurance – 317 Elk Ave – Clarksburg, WV 26301 – (304) 624-5145
Nationwide Insurance – 136 Milford St – Clarksburg, WV 26301 – (304) 623-4400
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies have only one company to place business with and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents receive extensive training in insurance sales which can be an advantage.
The following is a list of captive insurance agents in Clarksburg willing to provide rate quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 231 S 3rd St – Clarksburg, WV 26301 – (304) 623-3381
Allstate Insurance – 1201 E Pike St – Clarksburg, WV 26301 – (304) 623-5109
For a complete listing of captive agents in Clarksburg, visit this link.
Selecting an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- Are they full-time agents?
- How are they compensated?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
After receiving satisfactory answers to any questions you have and a good coverage price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
Can you save by buying online?
Insurance agents are important to many people, but West Virginia car insurance can also be bought directly from online companies. Even companies that are more known for using agents, also let you get a quote and buy online, so this should also be taken into consideration if you prefer not to work with an agent.
If you’re apprehensive about not having an agent to talk to when buying online, don’t be too concerned. Online car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages provide customer service to walk you through the process.
Will buying online save you money? The answer to that question is complicated because there are many components which can adversely affect your policy premium. It’s often assumed that shopping direct saves the commission normally paid to an agent. But the reality is marketing their products costs a lot of money and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
If you’re not set on any one company, the best way to find out whether online companies or local agents have lower rates is to make apples-to-apples comparisons of both. It’s even possible to receive different pricing from online quotes as compared to agent rates from the exact same provider. But you can’t find out whether online or agents have the lower rates unless free rate quotes are compared each way.
More West Virginia car insurance information
Additional information is available on the website for the West Virginia Insurance Commission located here. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read consumer alerts, and view agent and company licensing information.
More comparisons equals lower rates
Drivers switch companies for any number of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, poor customer service, policy cancellation or even not issuing a premium refund. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right car insurance provider is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
As you shop your coverage around, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price.
