Comparing car insurance companies in Portage, Indiana can be challenging because choosing the right Portage auto insurance agent is not as easy as just making a phone call. It’s assumed you’re not only searching for a good professional insurance agent, but you also want to find the lowest possible price.
With insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers and independent agents having local Portage offices, it’s difficult to determine which auto insurance agent will provide the cheapest rates and the best coverage. Thankfully, you can use online price quotes to assemble a group of insurance agencies from which to choose.
Compare online but buy from a local Portage agent
Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent. And providing support for local businesses is definitely important in Portage.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information is submitted to companies in Portage who will return price quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy! You can find the lowest rates AND a local agent.
Choose an insurance agent wisely
If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Portage agents are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you contact several independent insurance agents for the best price selection.Most can insure with smaller regional carriers which can be an advantage.
Shown below are Portage independent agencies who may be able to give you price quote information.
- Portage Insurance and Investment – 2710a Willowcreek Rd – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 762-1063
- Paul Marsh Agency – 5955 Central Ave # 5 – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 764-3560
- Waterfield Insurance Agency – 6186 Abercorn Ave – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 763-2009
- Charles J Hayes Agency Inc – 6375 Melton Rd – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 763-2571
- Waterfield Insurance Agency – 6186 Abercorn Ave – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 763-2009
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents have only one company to place business with like Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. Captive agencies receive extensive training on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents mostly because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
The following are captive insurance agencies in Portage willing to provide comparison quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 5912 Us Highway 6 – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 762-9547
- State Farm Insurance – 6281 Central Ave – Portage, IN 46368 – (219) 763-4552
For a complete listing of captive agencies in Portage, please go to this site.
Choosing an insurance agency requires more thought than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Indiana?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
After receiving reasonable responses for all questions you ask and a low price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agency that can service your policy.
But what about buying insurance online?
Car insurance agents are important to many people, but Indiana drivers can also buy directly from online companies. A few companies who employ agents also allow consumers to buy a policy online, so this should also be taken into consideration if you prefer to buy online.
If you’re uneasy about not getting proper coverage when shopping online, this is normal but is quickly overcome. Auto insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages provide access to licensed agents for customer questions.
Is auto insurance cheaper online? A lot of shoppers won’t buy anywhere else, but it’s impossible to say due to the fact that there are multiple individual factors that impact your rate calculation. It’s logical to say that purchasing direct online saves the commission normally paid to an agent. But the fact is, marketing expenses are significant so there may not be significant savings.
Much more information about car insurance in Indiana is located on the Indiana Department of Insurance website located here. Consumers can read consumer alerts, file complaints about a company, view a list of available companies, and find a variety of consumer forms.
Better coverage you can count on
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, an insured dropped full coverage only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.
Cheap car insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood Portage agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some car insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.
