Finding good car insurance in Alabaster can be challenging since selecting the best Alabaster car insurance agent for your needs is not as easy as just making a phone call. The chances are good you want a great agent that can assess your needs, but you also want to find affordable coverage.
With companies like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers and independent agents all competing for your business, it’s difficult to determine which provider will have the cheapest rates and the best coverage. To begin, you can use online quoting to assemble a group of agents and thier coverage prices.
Local Alabaster agents and car insurance
Agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find lower rates but also keep your business local. And providing support for small agencies is important especially in Alabaster.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is transmitted to agents in your area who will give you bids for your business. There is no reason to drive around as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How’s that for easy!
Choose the right auto insurance agent
If you’re trying to find a local agent, there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Insurance agencies in Alabaster can either be captive or independent (non-captive). While both can do a good job, but it’s worth learning the difference between them since it can impact the selection process.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include multiple independent agents for the best price selection. They often place coverage with smaller regional carriers which can be an advantage.
Below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Alabaster willing to provide pricing information.
- Neil Sullivan Agency – 72 Fulton Springs Rd # A – Alabaster, AL 35007 – (205) 664-4042
- Alfa Insurance Corp – 1 Brown Cir – Alabaster, AL 35007 – (205) 663-0745
- Jeff Bentley Insurance – 1337 Montevallo Rd – Alabaster, AL 35007 – (205) 663-6223
Captive Agents
Captive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. Captives cannot compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captives are trained well on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mostly because of high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.
Listed below is a list of captive insurance agents in Alabaster who can help you get price quote information.
- Farmers Insurance Group – 1240 1st St N – Alabaster, AL 35007 – (205) 621-9000
- Allstate Insurance – 1136 1st St N # A – Alabaster, AL 35007 – (205) 664-2970
- State Farm Insurance – 1167 Montevallo Hwy – Alabaster, AL 35007 – (205) 663-4666
To view a full list of captive agencies in Alabaster, go to this page.
Selecting an auto insurance agent should depend on more than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
After getting good answers to these questions as well as a affordable price, you may have just found an insurance agent that is a good match to insure your vehicles.
What about online companies that don’t sell through insurance agents?
Local insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but you also have the option of buying Alabama car insurance direct from companies online. Even companies, such as Farmers Insurance and State Farm, who sell through the agent channel also let you get a quote and buy online, and consumers should do that as an alternative to contacting agents.
If you’re worried about not having someone to ask questions when buying online, don’t let it bother you. All companies provide phone numbers and online resources for getting advice on proper coverages. Additionally, most companies also offer extensive coverage information and 24/7 assistance you can access prior to buying.
Do online companies have better rates? The answer to that question is complicated since there are so many factors that influence how your policy is priced. Some people will tell you that shopping direct saves by not paying a commission. In reality, advertising and marketing take a lot of money so the lack of a commission may be a wash.
One last thing
Cost effective car insurance is definitely available from both online companies and with local Alabaster insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some car insurance companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.
Consumers leave their current company for any number of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, policy cancellation, being labeled a high risk driver or questionable increases in premium. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, switching companies can be easier than you think.
Much more information about car insurance in Alabama can be found on the Alabama Department of Insurance website found here. Alabama consumers can read industry bulletins, read state legal mandates and laws, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
Other useful links include QuoteClickInsure.com and this link where you can make Alabaster car insurance comparisons.
