If you’re trying to find a good Beaumont agent, it’s recommended you start your research by comparing prices online rather than picking up the phone. It’s assumed you want a professional agent, but you also need the lowest possible price.
With companies like independent agents, Allstate and State Farm having local Beaumont offices, it’s hard to tell which provider will have the best rates, service and coverage. Thankfully, you can use online quoting to get a list of insurance agencies and thier coverage prices.
Online quotes with a local Beaumont insurance agent
Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you may find the best rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting small agencies is important particularly in Beaumont.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), your coverage information gets sent to insurance agents in Beaumont who will give you bids to get your business. There is no need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. How cool is that?!
Insurance agent types
When searching for a reliable agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are classified as either independent or captive. Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they are different because it can impact buying decisions.
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.
When comparison shopping, we recommend you include price quotes from multiple independent agents to get the best comparison. Most have the option of insuring with different regional companies which can be an advantage.
Listed below are independent agencies in Beaumont who may be able to give you price quote information.
- Mary Folsom Agency – 6640 Eastex Fwy # 144 – Beaumont, TX 77708 – (409) 347-2400
- Kelley Insurance – 6755 Phelan Blvd # 30 – Beaumont, TX 77706 – (409) 898-3333
- A Abana Insurance – 4376 Dowlen Rd – Beaumont, TX 77706 – (409) 896-5858
- Sue Harris Agency – 2850 Eastex Fwy # 101 – Beaumont, TX 77703 – (409) 899-3333
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents work for only one company and some examples include State Farm or Allstate. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies receive extensive training on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Some consumers prefer to buy from captive agents mostly because of the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.
Below are captive agencies in Beaumont willing to provide price quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 2855 Eastex Fwy # K – Beaumont, TX 77706 – (409) 898-7878
- Farmers Insurance Group – 6415 Calder Ave – Beaumont, TX 77706 – (409) 860-9310
- State Farm Insurance – 4180 Delaware St # 101 – Beaumont, TX 77706 – (409) 895-0681
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 7495 Fannett Rd – Beaumont, TX 77705 – (409) 842-1325
For a complete listing of car insurance agents in Beaumont, simply jump to this page.
Choosing an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:
- How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- How are claims handled?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
After getting answers to your satisfaction to these questions as well as a affordable price, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide car insurance.
Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage
When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
These are some specific questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs may require specific advice.
- What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
- Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Texas?
- I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- Do I need higher deductibles?
- Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
- Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
- Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent.
Do online companies like Esurance, Geico and Progressive give better rates?
Insurance agencies are important to many people, but Texas drivers can also buy direct from companies online. Some car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who employ agents also let you buy direct on their websites, and online price comparisons are easy as an alternative to contacting agents.
If you’re concerned about having to choose coverages yourself when shopping online, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. Online companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages provide options for getting the best coverage.
When trying to find the best rates, the only way to determine if agents have better prices than online companies is to take the time to compare rates from both. You can actually get different rates from exactly the same company if you compare an online quote to agent rates. It’s just impossible to know which is cheaper until after comparing identical coverage quotes using both methods.
Does buying online save money? It’s hard to say exactly because of the fact that insurance companies use many factors that influence your rates. It’s a common assumption that buying online lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. In many cases, marketing expenses are significant and that can cost more than having to pay agents.
Keep this in mind
When shopping online for car insurance, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
People change insurance companies for many reasons like questionable increases in premium, delays in paying claims, policy cancellation and even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new car insurance company is not as hard as you think.
Additional car insurance information can be read on the Texas Department of Insurance website through this link. Texas drivers can read consumer alerts, view agent and company licensing information, and file complaints about a company.
Also read more on Wikipedia and see this list of insurance agents in Beaumont.
