If you’re looking to buy auto insurance, choosing the right Parkersburg car insurance agent is harder than just picking up the phone. It’s likely you require not only an excellent agent, but you also want affordable coverage.
With insurance companies like Allstate, Farmers and State Farm as well as independent agents having offices in Parkersburg, it’s difficult to determine which car insurance agent will provide the cheapest rates and the best coverage. Fortunately, consumers can use online price quotes in order to build a list of agencies from which to choose.
Buying auto insurance from a local Parkersburg agent
Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the best rates but also keep your business local. Supporting small agencies is definitely important in Parkersburg.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your information is submitted to insurance agents in Parkersburg who will compete for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to even leave your home as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How cool is that?!
Different types of insurance agents in Parkersburg
When looking for a good insurance agency, there are a couple of different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are either independent or captive. Both insure your vehicles, 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 required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. They also have the ability to place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can be an advantage.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Parkersburg willing to provide comparison quotes.
- Pete Berolatti Agency – 3901 Briscoe Run Rd – Parkersburg, WV 26104 – (304) 422-6407
- Mc Crady-Jones Agency – 904 Division St – Parkersburg, WV 26101 – (304) 428-8171
- Intra-State Insurance Corp – 1385 Rosemar Rd – Parkersburg, WV 26105 – (304) 295-1048
- Helmick Agency – 1118 20th St # 222 – Parkersburg, WV 26101 – (304) 428-0100
- Dodd Insurance – 325 7th St # 215 – Parkersburg, WV 26101 – (304) 485-5411
Captive Agents
Captive agencies can only write with one company like Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so always compare other rates. These agents are trained well on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only buy from captive agents mostly because of high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
Shown below is a list of captive agents in Parkersburg willing to provide price quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 3205 Murdoch Ave – Parkersburg, WV 26101 – (304) 422-6409
- Allstate Insurance – 2100 Camden Ave – Parkersburg, WV 26101 – (304) 485-4755
To view a complete directory of captive agencies in Parkersburg, visit this site.
Picking an insurance agency needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
After getting acceptable answers to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, most likely you have located a car insurance agent that will service your policy.
Aren’t companies like Geico cheaper than local agents?
Car insurance agents serve a purpose, but you also have the option of buying West Virginia car insurance directly from online companies. Some specific companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who sell through agents in Parkersburg also give you the ability to quote and buy online. This is something to consider.
If you’re uncomfortable with not getting proper coverage when buying online, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Auto insurance companies provide access to licensed agents for getting advice on proper coverages.
The only way to know if the cheapest policy comes from an agent or online is to make apples-to-apples comparisons of both. You may actually get a different price from the same insurance company when they compare quotes from both.
Is pricing better online? The answer to that question is complicated due to the fact that there are many factors that impact your rate calculation. It would make sense to think that shopping online for auto insurance saves money because there is no agent involvement. In reality, there are high advertising and marketing costs and this drives up their premium costs.
Additional information is located on the West Virginia Insurance Commission website. Click here for link. Consumers can download brochures, report car insurance fraud, and find a variety of consumer forms.
The articles below may also help you learn more about auto insurance in Parkersburg
- Follow These Proven Tips for Cheaper Parkersburg West Virginia Auto Insurance
- Proven Methods for Buying Parkersburg, WV Auto Insurance Cheaper
Do the work, save more money
People change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as policy cancellation, being labeled a high risk driver, policy non-renewal or even not issuing a premium refund. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new insurance company can be easier than you think.
While you’re price shopping online, it’s not a good idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many cases, an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that it was a big error on their part. Your focus should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
