Selecting a auto insurance company in Shaftsbury, VT can be time consuming since picking a good Vermont insurance agent is more difficult than just picking up the phone. You need a good agent that listens to you, and also competitive auto insurance rates.
With consumers having so many different company options, it can be hard to find the most affordable car insurance company.
Buying car insurance locally
Good agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain better rates and still choose a local agent.
Once you complete this simple form, your insurance data is submitted to participating agents in Shaftsbury who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. Now that’s easy!
Picking a car insurance agent requires more thought than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Who are their largest clients?
Is a captive or independent insurance agent right for you?
When researching a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Agencies in Shaftsbury are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can do a good job, but it’s worth mentioning how they differ because it can impact the selection process.
Agency Captives
Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with and examples are American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. Captives are trained well on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents primarily because of loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency.
When comparison shopping, we recommend you get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison. Most have the option of insuring with different regional companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Shaftsbury that can give you price quotes.
- Shaftsbury Insurance and Rl Est – 866 VT Route 7a – Shaftsbury, VT 05262 – (802) 447-3366
For a complete listing of insurance agents in Shaftsbury, click here to link.
After receiving satisfactory answers to your questions as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that will provide auto insurance coverage.
Can you save by buying online?
Auto insurance agents are a valuable resource, but you also have the option of buying direct over the internet. Some car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, that sell primarily through agents also allow consumers to quote and buy online, and that is helpful.
If you’re uncomfortable with not having an insurance agent’s advice when shopping online, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Auto insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage have toll-free phone numbers and other options for getting advice on proper coverages.
Does it save money buying online? It’s difficult to say for sure because there are many components that determine your policy premium. Many people think that buying online saves money because there is no commission. In reality, there are very high advertising costs and that impacts the rates consumers pay.
More effort can pay off
When trying to cut insurance costs, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
The cheapest auto insurance is possible from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Shaftsbury, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online quoting and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website. Vermont consumers can read consumer alerts, find a variety of consumer forms, and learn about specific coverages.
