Finding good auto insurance in Presque Isle can be challenging since you have many choices and finding the best Maine car insurance agent takes more work than just making a phone call. For this article’s sake, it’s assumed you’re not only searching for a good professional insurance agent, but you also need the best rates possible.
With State Farm, Allstate, Farmers and independent agents all competing for your business, it’s difficult to determine which will provide the best service and rates. Fortunately, consumers can use online price quotes to get a list of agents to choose from.
Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent
Educated insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting small agencies is definitely important in Presque Isle.
After filling out this simple form, your coverage information gets sent to participating agents in Presque Isle who will battle for your coverage. You won’t need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent to your email. How’s that for easy! Get lower rates AND a local agent.
Choose the right insurance agency
When finding local Presque Isle agents, there are a couple of different types of agents from which to choose. Insurance agencies in Presque Isle are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison.Most can insure with smaller regional carriers which can be an advantage.
Shown below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Presque Isle that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.
- Prudential Insurance Co – 754 Main St # A – Presque Isle, ME 04769 – (207) 769-3031
- Kofstad Agency – 26 Rice St # 2 – Presque Isle, ME 04769 – (207) 764-4422
- Hayden/Perry Insurance – 40 North St # 1 – Presque Isle, ME 04769 – (207) 764-6161
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents have only one company to place business with and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They generally cannot give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agencies are trained well on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives partially due to the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.
Below is a list of captive agencies in Presque Isle that are able to give rate quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 56 North St – Presque Isle, ME 04769 – (207) 764-1962
- State Farm Insurance – 24 North St – Presque Isle, ME 04769 – (207) 764-0324
To view a full list of captive insurance agents in Presque Isle, visit this site.
Choosing an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. These are valid questions to ask:
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- How long has their agency been in business in Presque Isle?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- 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)?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
Once you have good answers to any questions you have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to insure your vehicles.
Include online companies when price shopping
Car insurance agents are indespensible for some people, but you also have the option of buying direct from companies online. Some car insurance companies who sell through the agent channel also allow consumers to buy direct on their websites, so that should be considered as an alternative to contacting agents.
If you’re uncomfortable with whether or not you’ll have guidance, that should not be a issue. Car insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage all provide contact methods for answering any questions you have. Also available are extensive coverage information and 24/7 assistance that you can use if you have questions.
Does car insurance cost less online? Whether or not you’ll save is impossible to say since there may be dozens of rate factors that influence your rates. It’s logical to say that purchasing direct online saves money by not requiring a commission. But that assumption is generally incorrect because the cost of constant advertising is expensive and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
For more Maine car insurance information
Much more information about auto insurance in Maine can be read on the Maine Bureau of Insurance website located here. Maine consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about insurance regulations, and download brochures.
Additional helpful sites include BankRate.com’s Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this list of insurance agents in Presque Isle.
In conclusion
When shopping online for auto insurance, never reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
Cheap auto insurance can be found from both online companies and with local Presque Isle insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not offer online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
