Finding good auto insurance in Ketchikan can be challenging since finding the best Alaska insurance agency takes more work than just using the same insurance agency as your neighbor. Chances are good you’re not only searching for a professional agent, but you also want affordable coverage.
With insurance companies like American Family, Allstate, State Farm and Farmers having offices in Ketchikan, it’s difficult to determine which will give you the best rates, service and coverage. To begin, consumers can use online quotes to get a list of agencies to choose from.
Neighborhood insurance agents
Good agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you may find better rates but also keep your business local. And supporting small agencies is important especially in Ketchikan.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), the quote information is sent to local insurance agents who will compete for your business. You don’t have to leave your house as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How’s that for easy! You can find better rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Is a captive or independent insurance agency right for you?
If you’re trying to find a local agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that you can select. Agencies in Ketchikan are either captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison.
Shown below are Ketchikan independent agents who may be able to give you rate quotes.
Dan Christensen Insurance – 3137 Tongass Ave – Ketchikan, AK 99901 – (907) 225-3125
Davies-Barry Insurance – 100 Main St – Ketchikan, AK 99901 – (907) 225-9841
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents work for only one company like Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are well schooled on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Choosing an insurance agent should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
Upon getting acceptable answers in addition to an acceptable price estimate, most likely you have located an insurance agent that can insure your vehicles.
Online auto insurance companies
Local insurance agents are indespensible for some people, but you can also find affordable Alaska auto insurance direct online. Some car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, that are more known for using agents, also permit you to get a quote and buy online, and that can save time to possibly find a better rate.
If you’re concerned about not receiving proper advice when buying online, that shouldn’t be an issue. Online car insurance companies provide access to licensed agents for answering any questions you have. Consumers also can use help pages and frequently asked questions that you can use before buying.
Can online rates save money? The answer to that question is complicated since there may be dozens of rate factors that influence how your policy is priced. It’s logical to say that going direct cuts out the middleman. But the fact is, there are high advertising and marketing costs and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
Additional information can be found on the website for the Alaska Division of Insurance through this link. Alaska drivers can find out which companies have the most complaints, read state legal mandates and laws, and get help finding coverage.
The articles below may also help you learn more about auto insurance in Ketchikan
One last thing
As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to find out they didn’t have enough coverage. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Low-cost auto insurance can be bought both online and with local Ketchikan insurance agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies do not offer online quoting and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
