Selecting a car insurance company in Pelham, AL can be time consuming since there are a lot of options and picking a good Alabama car insurance agent is harder than just driving to the closest agent’s office. Consumers need a great agent that can assess your needs, and also competitive car insurance rates.
Lots of auto insurance agents contend to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare auto insurance agents to find the absolute best price available.
Comparing rates from local agents
Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates and still choose a local agent.
By using this short form, the quote information is immediately sent to participating agents in Pelham who will return price quotes to get your business. You won’t need to drive around as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. How’s that for easy!
Choosing a car insurance agent should depend on more than just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
- Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Pelham insurance agents come in two flavors
When looking for a reliable agent, there are a couple of different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Pelham are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can impact your selection of an agent.
Agency Captives
Captive agencies can only place business with one company and some examples include AAA, Allstate and State Farm. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. Captives are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from captives partially due to the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Shown below is a short list of captive agents in Pelham that are able to give price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance – 2050 Oak Mountain Dr – Pelham, AL 35124 – (205) 664-8338
- State Farm Insurance – 2132 Pelham Pkwy # B – Pelham, AL 35124 – (205) 988-4526
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When shopping rates, you should always include price quotes from multiple independent agents to get the best comparison. Most have the option of insuring with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below are independent agents in Pelham that are able to give rate quotes.
- Cotton States Insurance – 2531 Meadowview Ln # B – Pelham, AL 35124 – (205) 664-4800
- Joel D Howard Agency – 2105 Old Montgomery Hwy # 100 – Pelham, AL 35124 – (205) 733-0030
- Vince Pierce Agency – 3425 Pelham Pkwy # B – Pelham, AL 35124 – (205) 663-7747
- Truck Insurance Store – 2122 Old Montgomery Hwy – Pelham, AL 35124 – (205) 682-2970
To view a complete directory of insurance agents in Pelham, please go to this site.
Upon getting satisfactory answers for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
Don’t dismiss the online option
Insurance agents are a valuable resource, but Alabama drivers can also buy direct over the internet. A few companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who sell through the agent channel also allow consumers to buy a policy online, so this should also be taken into consideration and can also potentially find you lower rates.
If you’re concerned about whether or not you’ll have guidance when buying car insurance direct, this really isn’t an issue. Online insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide phone numbers and online resources that you can contact for information.
Does it save money buying online? The answer to that question is complicated due to the fact that there are many factors that impact your rate calculation. You may think that buying directly from the company saves the cost of an agent commission. In many cases, online and traditional media advertising are expensive and this tends to eat up any savings.
More resources for learning
More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, discover disciplinary actions, and read consumer alerts.
What is YOUR best insurance company?
Cheap car insurance is definitely available on the web and with local Pelham insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.
When buying insurance coverage, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford.
