Selecting a car insurance company in Bessemer, AL can be time consuming since finding the best Alabama insurance agency is not as easy as just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. Consumers need a good professional insurance agent, and also want to find competitive car insurance rates.
You have multiple insurance agencies to pick from, and even though it’s nice to have a choice, so many choices can make it hard to find the best rates.
Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent
Educated insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you can get the lowest rates but also keep your business local.
For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, your insurance coverage information is sent to insurance agents in Bessemer who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to leave your computer since price quotes are sent directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find better rates AND a local agent.
Choosing an insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
- How are claims handled?
- How long has their agency been in business in Bessemer?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
Two types of Bessemer auto insurance agents
When searching for a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Bessemer are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive).
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents work for only one company and examples are AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. They usually cannot shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. These agents are well schooled on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.
Listed below is a short list of captive agents in Bessemer that can give you rate quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 1285 Hueytown Rd # B – Bessemer, AL 35023 – (205) 497-8714
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part. When shopping rates, we recommend you include price quotes from at least one independent agent for the best price selection.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Bessemer who can help you get comparison quotes.
Alfa Insurance Corp – 700 Academy Dr # 104 – Bessemer, AL 35022 – (205) 425-0200
Don Williams Insurance – 3094 Morgan Rd – Bessemer, AL 35022 – (205) 432-0002
To view a full list of Bessemer insurance agents, please go to this site.
After receiving reasonable responses to your questions as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your car insurance policy.
Alternatives to buying from an agent
Insurance agencies are perfect for certain consumers, but Alabama car insurance can also be bought direct from companies that only sell online. Some companies who sell through agents in Bessemer also give you the option to buy direct online. This is something to consider if the lowest rate is your goal.
If you’re apprehensive about having to choose coverages yourself, that should not be a issue. Online insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages all provide contact methods for getting questions answered. You can also use a frequently asked questions page that you can use before buying.
Can you save money buying online? The answer is complex since there are many things that impact your rate calculation. Some people think that a shopper who purchases direct saves the cost of an agent commission. But in most cases, promoting brand recognition is pricey and that can cost more than having to pay agents.
Additional detailed information is available at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Alabama drivers can learn about insurance regulations, view agent and company licensing information, download brochures, and find out industry alerts.
Summing up your car insurance search
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. In too many instances, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.
Budget-conscious car insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents in Bessemer, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
