If you’re trying to find a licensed insurance agent in Berkeley, it’s recommended you begin your search on the internet to save yourself time. Most likely you want a good professional insurance agent, but also affordable coverage.
With insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance all competing for your business, it’s hard to tell which provider will provide the best service and rates. Fortunately, it’s easy to use online price quotes to assemble a group of agents and thier coverage prices.
Online quotes help locate Berkeley agents
Professional agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain better rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local agencies is important particularly in Berkeley.
Upon completion of this simple form, your information is sent to local insurance agents who will battle for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You’ll get the best rates and work with a local agent.
The different types of insurance agents
When researching a reliable agent, there are a couple of different types of agents from which to choose. Agencies in Berkeley are categorized either independent or captive.
Independent Agents
These agents are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles 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 that require little work on your part.
When shopping rates, it’s recommended you get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Listed below are independent agencies in Berkeley that can give you rate quotes.
Lien Nguyen Insurance Svc – 2938 San Pablo Ave – Berkeley, CA 94702 – (510) 883-1118
Professional Insurance Assoc – 2140 Shattuck Ave – Berkeley, CA 94704 – (510) 540-6033
Captive Agents
This type of agents are contracted to one company like American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which can be an advantage.
Shown below is a short list of captive agencies in Berkeley that can give you price quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 2126 Kittredge St – Berkeley, CA 94704 – (510) 841-6171
Allstate Insurance – 1760 Solano Ave # 206 – Berkeley, CA 94707 – (510) 525-6627
Farmers Insurance Group – 1600 Shattuck Ave # 216 – Berkeley, CA 94709 – (510) 843-5023
To view a full list of car insurance agents in Berkeley, visit this link.
Deciding on an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
After getting positive feedback and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that will provide car insurance coverage.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When choosing coverage, there is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if you might need professional guidance.
- Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
- Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
- What are California no-fault laws?
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an insurance agent.
Can you buy online and save?
Auto insurance agents are indespensible for some people, but you also have the option of buying California car insurance direct online. Certain auto insurance companies who have local agents in Berkeley also allow consumers to quote and buy online. This is something to consider if you want to do it yourself.
If you’re uncomfortable with whether or not you’ll have guidance when buying online, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. All companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide toll-free numbers for getting advice on proper coverages. They also make available live help and an extensive research center that you can use if you have questions.
Will auto insurance cost less online? The answer to that question is complicated because there are many factors that influence your rates. Common sense would say that buying online saves the commission normally paid to an agent. In many cases, marketing their products costs a lot of money so this can offset any savings.
When trying to find the best rates, the only way to determine who has the best rates, online companies or local insurance agents, is making fair comparisons of each of their rates. It’s not unheard of to actually get different prices when getting a price from both an agent and online from the same insurance company.
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
Insureds who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as an unsatisfactory settlement offer, delays in paying claims, high rates after DUI convictions and unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.
When shopping online for car insurance, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where someone dropped physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price.
Additional information can be found on the website for the California Department of Insurance. Click here for link. Consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read state legal mandates and laws, download brochures, and learn about insurance regulations.
Also read more on Auto Insurance 101 and this page of insurance agents in Berkeley.
