One of the most frequently asked questions, in the insurance world, is where to go to get the best insurance quotes, particularly with auto insurance. Well, that's a tough question to answer because there are too many unknown variables to give a definitive answer. But that's okay because there are still some general tips available to help you get started on your journey to find the best rates.
The Direct Route
Auto insurance is a bit different from homeowners because there are a ton of national companies that really seem to rule the market if you base your shopping off advertising. Many people call up the same companies they see on the TV, get quotes directly from the company and call it a day. This is totally fine if you're searching for name brand, but it offers a few downsides.
First off, a lot of the time you'll get a discount for your first term when going direct, but you'll be hit with a slight increase in premium when you renew. The idea that going direct is cheaper is somewhat misleading because of this behavior. Secondly, you'll be spending a lot of time filling out the same information for each place you go to. That gets old fast.
Bringing in a Middle Man
The absolute best way to get a quote that really suits your needs is by going through an independent broker. Right off the bat you know that an independent broker isn't tied to any one company. It's in their best interest to find you the most comprehensive coverage for the lowest price because they know they aren't the only company you've called.
Independent agents are also licensed experts. You won't be going through a customer service representative when you've got questions about the policy you're going with. They'll also be more willing to sit down and explain the coverages listed on the policy and help you decide which coverages you need and which ones you actually don't need.
Best of all? You'll be given comparative quotes from each company they represent from one source. So two phone calls to two different agencies could rake in over 20 quotes which sounds a lot better than having to call up those companies yourself.
So, if you're dead set on going through direct and getting insurance set up yourself then you can definitely do that and it's never been easier to quote yourself through a company's site. But if you're looking for the most competitive coverage then then there is no better way than having a broker work for you.
For specific questions about auto and other types of insurance, get in touch with an agency like Edwards Insurance Agency.
Share10 June 2015
