When searching for a good insurance agent in Miami Beach, FL, you can do the preliminary legwork online instead of making phone calls. Consumers need a good agent that listens to you, but also the best auto insurance prices in Miami Beach.
Many insurance agencies vie for your hard-earned dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare auto insurance agents and get the definite lowest cost out there.
Miami Beach agents for auto insurance
Agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the best rates and still choose a local agent.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is sent to participating agents in Miami Beach who will give you bids for your business. You never need to leave your house since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy!
Deciding on a car insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agents
When finding a good Miami Beach insurance agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents can either be independent or captive. Both write coverage properly, but it’s worth mentioning how they differ because it can impact the type of agent you choose
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents work for only one company like Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so keep that in mind. Captives are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives primarily because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
The following is a list of captive insurance agencies in Miami Beach who may provide you with comparison quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 932 71st St – Miami Beach, FL 33141 – (305) 866-7075
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, an independent agent can move your coverage and that require little work on your part.
When comparison shopping, you should always include multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.Most can insure with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
The following is a list of independent agents in Miami Beach who can help you get rate quotes.
- Insurance Resources – 2699 Collins Ave # 117 – Miami Beach, FL 33140 – (305) 673-9896
- Estrella Insurance – 1108 Normandy Dr – Miami Beach, FL 33141 – (305) 867-0444
For a full directory of insurance agents in Miami Beach, go to this page.
Once you have acceptable answers to these questions and an acceptable price quote, most likely you have located an insurance agency that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles.
Do online insurance companies have lower rates?
Local insurance agents are important, but Florida drivers can also buy direct over the internet. A few companies that are more known for using agents, additionally provide the ability to get a quote and buy online, and consumers should do that as an alternative to contacting agents.
If you’re uncomfortable with not receiving proper advice, that is normal but is not a big issue. Auto insurance companies all have client service departments to help you decide which coverages are appropriate.
Does coverage cost less online? That question is hard to answer because of the number of factors that impact your final bill. It’s a common assumption that buying car insurance online saves by not paying a commission. But the fact is, there are very high advertising costs and those expenses can offset most of the savings by selling direct.
Even more information can be found at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website. Florida drivers can discover disciplinary actions, learn about insurance regulations, and view a list of available companies.
Other informative sites include this page for auto insurance in Florida and this list of agents in Miami Beach, FL.
More effort can pay off
Insureds leave their current company for any number of reasons including an unsatisfactory settlement offer, denial of a claim, policy non-renewal or even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.
The cheapest auto insurance can be sourced from both online companies and with local Miami Beach insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.