If you’re looking to buy auto insurance, selecting the best Morristown insurance agent for your needs takes more work than just picking up the phone. Chances are you not only want a good agent, but you also want to find great rates as well.
With companies like Allstate, Farmers and State Farm as well as independent agents all competing for your business, it’s hard to tell which provider will have the best service and rates. To help decide, you can use online quoting in order to build a list of agents and thier coverage prices.
Buying car insurance locally
Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you may find better rates but also keep your business local. And supporting local businesses is especially important in Morristown.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your information is transmitted to companies in Morristown who will battle for your insurance coverage. There is no need to drive around as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find better rates AND a local agent.
What types of insurance agents are in Morristown?
When searching for a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are two types of agencies that you can select. Insurance agencies in Morristown are classified as either captive or independent.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.
When shopping rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison. They often place coverage with smaller regional carriers which can be an advantage.
Below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Morristown that are able to give comparison quotes.
- C A Lawless Agency – 310 Sulphur Springs Rd – Morristown, TN 37813 – (423) 587-4580
- Hamblen Mutual Insurance Co – 110 N Cumberland St – Morristown, TN 37814 – (423) 586-6041
- Southern States Insurance Grp – 838 W Main St – Morristown, TN 37814 – (423) 581-7474
- Direct General Ins Agency – 2115 W Andrew Johnson Hwy – Morristown, TN 37814 – (423) 587-6655
Captive Agents
Captive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent primarily because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Below are captive agencies in Morristown that can give you price quote information.
- Shelter Insurance – 410 W 1st North St – Morristown, TN 37814 – (423) 587-6656
- State Farm Insurance – 1817 W Morris Blvd – Morristown, TN 37813 – (423) 318-2600
- Allstate Insurance – 416 W 1st North St – Morristown, TN 37814 – (423) 587-5511
- Farmers Insurance Group – 911 W 1st North St – Morristown, TN 37814 – (423) 587-2898
To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Morristown, visit this link.
Picking an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
- How long has their agency been open in Morristown?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
After receiving reasonable responses for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.
Keep your options open
Insurance agencies are a valuable resource, but Tennessee consumers also have the option to buy directly from online companies. Some car insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate that sell primarily through agents additionally provide the ability to quote and buy online, and online price comparisons are easy as an alternative to contacting agents.
If you’re apprehensive about not having someone to ask questions, that is quite common when buying online the first time. All companies that allow you to purchase coverage have toll-free phone numbers and other options to walk you through the process.
Can online rates save money? The answer to that question is complicated because of the number of factors which can raise or lower premium rates. It’s a logical assumption that a customer who purchases direcly from an online company cuts out the agent as a middleman. But in reality, it’s expensive to advertise and that impacts the rates consumers pay.
Much more information about auto insurance in Tennessee is available on the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website located here. Consumers can report car insurance fraud, discover disciplinary actions, read industry bulletins, and download brochures.
Also read more on BankRate.com’s Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this page on QuoteClickInsure.com.
The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest
Cost effective auto insurance can be found from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Morristown agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.
Consumers switch companies for many reasons like delays in responding to claim requests, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, questionable increases in premium and even unfair underwriting practices. Whatever your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is actually quite simple.
