If you’re trying to find an insurance agent in Brattleboro, Vermont, we recommend you start your search using online quotes rather than picking up the phone. There is a good chance you’re not only searching for a professional licensed agent, but also the lowest possible price.
With insurance companies like Farmers, Allstate, and independent agents having offices in Brattleboro, it’s hard to tell which provider will provide the best rates, service and coverage. To help decide, you can use online price quotes in order to build a list of agencies and thier coverage prices.
Comparing prices from Brattleboro agents
Agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you may find lower rates but also keep your business local. Supporting small agencies is important particularly in Brattleboro.
Upon completion of this quick form, your information is emailed to agents in your area who will compete for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to drive around since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy!
Independent or Captive: It’s your choice
When researching local Brattleboro agents, you need to know there are two types of agencies from which to choose. Agencies in Brattleboro are categorized either independent or captive. Both types can do a good job, but it’s good to learn the differences since it may influence your agent selection.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agencies are not locked into one company but rather can write business with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.
When comparison shopping, you should always include multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.Most can insure with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.
Below is a short list of independent agents in Brattleboro who may be able to give you rate quotes.
- Putnam Insurance Inc – 91 Western Ave – Brattleboro, VT 05301 – (802) 254-4414
- Dorner Agency Inc – 1222 Putney Rd – Brattleboro, VT 05301 – (802) 258-4540
- Campbell and Boyd Insurance Svc – 20 Technology Dr # 4 – Brattleboro, VT 05301 – (802) 257-9500
Agency Captives
Captive agents work for only one company like American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. Captives cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agents receive extensive training on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the prominence of the brand and solid financial strength.
The following are captive agents in Brattleboro who can help you get comparison quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 972 Putney Rd # 3 – Brattleboro, VT 05301 – (802) 254-2660
To view a complete directory of auto insurance agents in Brattleboro, please go to this site.
Choosing an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
Once you have positive feedback to these questions and locked in a price quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that can service your policy.
Can you save by buying online?
Professional insurance agents are important, but Vermont car insurance can also be bought directly from online companies. Some car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who employ agents additionally provide the ability to buy direct on their websites, so keep that in mind if the lowest rate is your goal.
If you’re anxious about not having professional advice when buying direct, don’t sweat it. Online car insurance companies provide access to licensed agents to answer any questions you may have.
The only way to determine if car insurance prices are lower online or from agents is making fair comparisons of each of their rates. You can actually get different rates for the identical company from their agents and their website. It’s not possible to know if the company’s rates are lower online or from an agent unless free rate quotes are compared from both ways.
Is car insurance cheaper online? Many people swear by it, but it’s difficult to answer since there may be dozens of rate factors that determine the price you pay. Some people will tell you that shopping online for auto insurance saves the commission normally paid to an agent. But that assumption is generally incorrect because advertising budgets are huge and that impacts the rates consumers pay.
More quotes mean more savings
When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund, lack of trust in their agent and even policy non-renewal. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new company can be less work than you think.
More Vermont auto insurance resources
Much more information about auto insurance in Vermont can be read on the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website found here. Consumers can find a variety of consumer forms, read industry bulletins, find disaster information, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
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