If you’re looking to buy auto insurance, you have many choices and selecting the best Fort Lauderdale auto insurance agent for your needs is more difficult than just picking up the phone. You require a professional licensed agent, but also cheaper auto insurance prices.
Drivers have multiple car insurance agents to purchase coverage from, and even though it’s nice to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to find a good deal.
Fort Lauderdale agents and online quotes
Good agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get better rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this short form, the coverage information is sent to companies in Fort Lauderdale who will battle for your business. You won’t need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!
Deciding on an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- How are they compensated?
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
Captive agents vs. Independent agents
When finding a local agent, you must know there are a couple different agency structures from which to choose. Agents are either captive or independent (non-captive). While both can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can influence the type of agent you choose
Agency Captives
This type of agents can only place business with one company such as AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. Captives cannot give you multiple price quotes so it’s a take it or leave it situation. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently purchase coverage from captives mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Listed below are Fort Lauderdale captive agents that can give you price quote information.
- State Farm Insurance – 3038 N Federal Hwy # A – Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 – (954) 537-3333
- Allstate Insurance – 5154 N Federal Hwy – Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 – (954) 771-1155
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part.
When shopping rates, we recommend you include price quotes from multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.Many can place coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.
The following is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Fort Lauderdale that are able to give price quotes.
- TGI Insurance – 1017 W State Road 84 – Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 – (954) 463-4442
- Riverside North Insurance – 651 N Andrews Ave – Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 – (954) 523-2886
- Atlas General Agency Inc – 500 W Cypress Creek Rd – Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 – (954) 351-9600
To view a full list of insurance agents in Fort Lauderdale, click here to link.
Once you have received positive responses to all your questions and a low price estimate, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that will properly service your auto insurance policy.
Does buying direct online cost less?
Insurance agents are important, but you can also find affordable Florida auto insurance direct from companies online. Certain auto insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who sell through agents in Fort Lauderdale also allow you to get quotes and purchase online, and that is helpful if finding the best price is important.
If you’re uneasy about not getting advice from an agent when buying online, that shouldn’t be an issue. Auto insurance companies all have toll-free customer service for getting the best coverage. They also make available online help and live chat that you can use before buying.
Do online companies provide lower prices? The answer to that question is complicated because of the fact that insurance companies use many factors which can adversely affect your policy premium. It’s a logical assumption that a shopper who purchases direct saves money by not requiring a commission. But truthfully, it’s expensive to advertise so the lack of a commission may be a wash.
What is YOUR best insurance company?
When shopping online for auto insurance, it’s a bad idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are many occasions where an insured cut full coverage and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.
Affordable auto insurance can be purchased both online and also from your neighborhood Fort Lauderdale agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online quoting and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.
Additional Florida car insurance resources
Additional detailed information is available at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website. Visitors are able to get help finding coverage, find a variety of consumer forms, report car insurance fraud, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
