Consumer Information for Researching an Olympia Car Insurance Agent

When finding a good insurance agent in Olympia, WA, you can always start your search online instead of making phone calls. You require a highly trained agent, but also need the lowest rates in Olympia.

Since consumers have many insurance providers from which to choose, it can be impossible to pick the right company.

Your local neighborhood insurance agent

Good agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you can get the best rates and still choose a local agent.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, your insurance coverage information gets sent to participating agents in Olympia who will battle to get your business. You never need to drive around as quotes are delivered to your email. How’s that for easy! Get lower rates AND a local agent.

Picking an insurance agency requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

  • Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
  • Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
  • Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
  • If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
  • Which company do they place the most coverage with?
  • How often do they review policy coverages?

Captive and independent Olympia car insurance agents

When researching a good Olympia insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Olympia are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive).

Agency Captives

These agents can only write with one company such as State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captives are trained well in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers often buy from captive agents primarily because of loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.

Shown below is a list of captive agencies in Olympia who may provide you with price quotes.

  • Farmers Insurance Group – 2625c Parkmont Ln SW # A – Olympia, WA 98502 – (360) 786-0866
Independent Insurance Agents

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, you should always include at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.Most can insure with different regional companies which can save you money.

The following are Olympia independent insurance agents that are able to give price quote information.

  • Garcia Insurance – 1800 Cooper Point Rd SW # 22 – Olympia, WA 98502 – (360) 705-4472
  • Mc Gavick Broich Agency – 611 Columbia St NW # 2a – Olympia, WA 98501 – (360) 352-9942
  • Jerry Danielson Insurance – 1625 4th Ave E – Olympia, WA 98506 – (360) 754-1777
  • Olympic Mountain Agency – 522 Franklin St SE – Olympia, WA 98501 – (360) 352-0282
  • Maasjo Agency – 2747 Pacific Ave SE # A2 – Olympia, WA 98501 – (360) 754-9837

For a complete listing of Olympia insurance agents, please go to this site.

Once you have answers to your satisfaction to all your questions and an affordable coverage quote, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide car insurance.

Are online companies an option?

Insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but you can also find affordable Washington auto insurance from online companies direct. A few companies that sell primarily through agents also give you the ability to get quotes and purchase online, so keep that in mind and can also potentially find you lower rates.

If you’re worried about not having someone to ask questions when shopping online, that should not be a issue. Companies all have client service departments to help you decide which coverages are appropriate.

If you just want to find lower premiums, the most effective way to determine who has the best deal, local agents or online insurance companies, is to compare price quotes from both. It’s fairly common that you receive different coverage costs when using both online and agent quotes returned by the same company.

Do online companies have better rates? A lot of shoppers won’t buy anywhere else, but it’s impossible to say because of the number of factors that determine the price you pay. Common sense would say that a consumer who buys direct prevents the agent from taking a cut. But truthfully, advertising budgets are huge and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.

Smart consumers save more

As you restructure your insurance plan, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Washington insurance agents

Drivers switch companies for a number of reasons such as high prices, high rates after DUI convictions, questionable increases in premium and being labeled a high risk driver. Whatever your reason, finding the right car insurance provider can be pretty painless.

Additional Washington consumer information

Even more information can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, report car insurance fraud, and read consumer alerts.