Selecting a car insurance company in Prichard, AL can be time consuming since there are a lot of options and finding the best Alabama insurance agency is harder than just picking up the phone. Consumers need a friendly agent, and also want to find the cheapest rates you can possibly find.
Big companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly blast consumers with advertising and it can be hard to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
Best way to find Prichard agents
Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. The best thing about comparing rates online is the fact that you can find better rates but still work with a licensed agent.
By using this quick form, the quote information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Prichard who will return price quotes for your coverage. There is no need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. How cool is that?! It’s the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.
Deciding on an insurance agent requires more thought than just the price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
Two types of Prichard auto insurance agents
When finding a good Prichard insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Agency Captives
Captive agencies write business for a single company like Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They usually cannot shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. These agents are trained well in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to include at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison.
Once you have received good answers to these questions and a good coverage price, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that can adequately provide car insurance.
Consider all the options when buying car insurance
Licensed agents can be invaluable at times, but Alabama consumers also have the option to buy direct from companies online. Certain companies that are more known for using agents, also give you the ability to buy direct on their websites, and consumers should do that.
If you’re uneasy about choosing your own coverages, that shouldn’t be an issue. Car insurance companies have customer service departments to answer your questions. Also available are live help and 24/7 access to help you answer questions.
Is pricing better online? It’s difficult to provide an answer since there may be dozens of rate factors that influence how your policy is priced. Some people will tell you that buying online saves the cost of an agent commission. In many cases, the cost of constant advertising is expensive and that can cost more than having to pay agents.
The best approach to find out if prices are better online or from an agent is to get rates from both and compare them. It’s possible to get different rates using an online quote and an agent quote from the same insurance company.
Additional consumer information websites
More detailed Alabama car insurance information can be read at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, get help finding coverage, and read industry bulletins.
Final considerations
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to discover later that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.
People who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as high prices, unfair underwriting practices, policy non-renewal and extreme rates for teen drivers. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new company can be pretty painless.
