If you’re looking to buy car insurance, you have many choices and finding the best Maryland car insurance agent is not as easy as just using the same insurance agency as your neighbor. It’s likely you want a professional agent, but you also want the best rates possible.
With companies like Farmers, Allstate, and independent agents all competing for your business, it can be hard to know which will provide you with the best rates, service and coverage. To help decide, consumers can get insurance quotes online in order to build a list of agents to choose from.
Price shop online but buy from a local Hyattsville agent
Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the best rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local insurance agencies is important especially in Hyattsville.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance data is sent to agents in your area who will give you bids for your coverage. You won’t need to leave your house as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. How cool is that?! Get lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Independent or Captive: It’s your choice
If you’re trying to find a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Hyattsville can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you contact at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.
Shown below are independent agents in Hyattsville that are able to give rate quotes.
Servimax Insurance – 6411 Ager Rd – Hyattsville, MD 20782 – (301) 422-0100
Adams Insurance – 7515 Annapolis Rd – Hyattsville, MD 20784 – (301) 577-2055
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents can only write with one company such as AAA, Allstate and State Farm. These agents are not able to provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agencies are trained well on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.
The following are Hyattsville captive insurance agents that are able to give price quote information.
Allstate Insurance – 7050 Chesapeake Rd # 202 – Hyattsville, MD 20784 – (301) 731-6220
State Farm Insurance – 1835 University Blvd E # 324 – Hyattsville, MD 20783 – (301) 439-3400
To view a full list of Hyattsville captive agents, simply jump to this page.
Deciding on an insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- How are they compensated?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Once you have satisfactory answers to any questions you have and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that will provide car insurance coverage.
What about online companies that cut out the middleman?
Professional insurance agents are indespensible for some people, but Maryland consumers also have the option to buy directly from online companies. Certain auto insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, that are more known for using agents, also give you the ability to buy direct online, and that is helpful if you’re trying to lower your rates.
If you’re uneasy about selecting your own policy coverages when shopping online, this is normal but is quickly overcome. Car insurance companies provide options that you can contact for information. In addition, they usually offer extensive coverage information and 24/7 assistance that you can use if you have questions.
Do online companies provide lower prices? Whether or not you’ll save is impossible to say because of the number of factors that determine your policy premium. It would make sense to think that buying direct reduces premiums because there is no agent. But the fact is, the cost of constant advertising is expensive and this drives up their premium costs.
If you’re not set on any one company, the best way to find out if local insurance agents or online providers are cheaper is to get rates from both and compare them. You may actually get a different price from insurance agents and online quoting from the same car insurance company. But you won’t know whether the best rates are online or from an agent unless free rate quotes are compared from both ways.
More Maryland car insurance information
Additional information can be found on the website for the Maryland Insurance Administration. Click here for link. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about a company.
The following information may also be useful.
In conclusion
Insureds switch companies for a number of reasons such as policy non-renewal, lack of trust in their agent, high rates after DUI convictions or even questionable increases in premium. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right car insurance provider is not as hard as you think.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In too many instances, an insured dropped collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price.
