Selecting a auto insurance company in Albertville, Alabama can be time consuming since you have many choices and choosing the right Albertville insurance agent is more difficult than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. The chances are good you not only want a good agent that listens to you, but also the best rates possible.
With State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance all competing for your business, it can be hard to know which auto insurance agent will give you the best service and rates. Fortunately, consumers can use online quotes to assemble a group of agents from which to choose.
Working with a local agent
Licensed agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting local agencies is definitely important in Albertville.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), the quote information is sent to companies in Albertville who will compete for your business. You don’t have to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. Now that’s easy!
The different types of insurance agents
When searching for a good insurance agency, there are two types of agencies to choose from. Agencies in Albertville can either be captive or independent. Both types can insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn the differences since it can impact the type of agent you choose
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, we recommend you include multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.
Listed below are Albertville independent agencies that can give you pricing information.
Martin Agency – 907 Highland Ave – Albertville, AL 35951 – (256) 891-1389
Liberty Agency – 419 N Broad St # H – Albertville, AL 35950 – (256) 894-4728
Dan Higdon Agency – 6515 Us Highway 431 – Albertville, AL 35950 – (256) 878-8787
Harris-Fowler Insurance Inc – 104 W Main St – Albertville, AL 35950 – (256) 878-9172
Alabama Acceptance Insurance – 10934 Us Highway 431 # E – Albertville, AL 35950 – (256) 878-6540
Agency Captives
Captive agencies are contracted to one company and examples are American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. They receive extensive training on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents.
Below are captive insurance agents in Albertville that are able to give comparison quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 8457 Us Highway 431 – Albertville, AL 35950 – (256) 878-3415
To view a full list of Albertville captive insurance agents, visit this link.
Choosing an insurance agency requires more thought than just a cheap price. Here are some questions to ask:
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Alabama?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Once you have positive responses and a good coverage price, it’s possible that you found an insurance agent that can properly insure your vehicles.
Buying car insurance direct is an option
Insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but you can also buy Alabama car insurance from online companies direct. A few companies who sell through the agent channel also give you the ability to quote and buy online, and consumers should do that if you don’t want to take the time to contact agents.
If you’re concerned about not receiving proper advice when shopping online, this really isn’t an issue. Companies have toll-free phone numbers and other options to answer your questions. Additionally, most companies also offer help pages and frequently asked questions to help you answer questions.
Does buying online save money? That is a tough question to answer since there may be dozens of rate factors which can raise or lower premium rates. Many people think that a shopper who purchases direct prevents the agent from taking a cut. But the reality is there are high advertising and marketing costs so the rates may be similar to buying from an agent.
Some additional reading
Additional auto insurance information is available on the website for the Alabama Department of Insurance located here. Alabama consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read consumer alerts, and learn about insurance regulations.
Smart shoppers get results
The cheapest auto insurance is attainable from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Albertville, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, it’s very important that you do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.