Q: I am getting ready to move into my new home and I need auto insurance quotes for my first policy before my car insurance lapse. Any advice would you give me in order to find the best deal? Thank you! I will be using your website for all of my insurance needs. Any help would be appreciated.
A: The Internet makes finding the best deal on auto insurance far easier than searching for insurance agents or brokers in person. If you have no problem finding car insurance agents in your area, you probably won’t have any trouble finding online reviews or talking to friends who own car insurance companies. The big difference between using an agent and an online broker is that agents are licensed and paid professionals, whereas online brokers are not regulated by the state and may not have your best interests in mind. Using an online broker may save you money, but it is ultimately up to you to choose whether you want to work with them or not.
One way to determine if you want to use an agent or broker is to ask people you know for their recommendations. There are plenty of forums dedicated to helping people decide which car insurance company they prefer to work with. You can even Google their names and get plenty of online reviews. If people are consistently happy with their experience, you can safely assume they are using an agent or a broker in your town.
Once you have decided to use an agent or broker, the next step is to start looking for the best auto insurance agent near you. Your best bet is to start by narrowing down your search to specific companies. Go to the individual websites for the individual companies and call them up. Ask them specific questions about their pricing, coverage, and customer service. Be sure to get at least three different price quotes so you know for sure you are getting the best deal.
Once you have narrowed down your list to two or three companies, call each one and ask for a free price quote. When you talk to a representative, be sure to mention that you are going on a price comparison only. Many insurance agents try to sell you more than what you actually need by playing with your emotions. Never buy from an agent when you don’t have to. If you are comfortable with him, have him call you every time you book a policy from his company, but avoid letting any other agents know about it.
Once you get a few price quotes, you should compare the policies. Most people don’t think to mention gender, age, or other options when buying a policy online. Just remember that if you are shopping for auto insurance agents or brokers in your area, the person you speak with over the phone might be working for several different companies. So, be sure to ask them specifically if he or she represents any of the companies in their area.