When shopping for auto insurance, choosing the right Ridgefield insurance agency takes more work than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. There is a good chance you’re looking for a good professional insurance agent, but also affordable coverage.
With Allstate, Farmers, State Farm and many independent agents having offices in Ridgefield, consumers have a hard time knowing which car insurance agent will have the cheapest rates and the best coverage. To begin, consumers can get online quoting to get a list of agencies from which to choose.
How to find Ridgefield insurance agents online
Educated insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help you file claims. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for small agencies is important particularly in Ridgefield.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, the coverage information is sent to participating agents in Ridgefield who will compete for your business. There is no need to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier! It’s the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.
The difference between Ridgefield insurance agents
When finding a reliable agent, there are two types of agencies that you can select. Agencies in Ridgefield are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, we recommend you contact multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.Many can place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.
Below is a list of independent insurance agents in Ridgefield that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.
- Carnall Insurance Inc – 401 Main St – Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 438-0404
- John M Glover Agency Inc – 360 Main St – Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 894-8201
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 590 Danbury Rd – Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 431-1932
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents write business for a single company and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. These agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. They are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents partially due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Below is a list of captive agencies in Ridgefield that can give you price quote information.
- State Farm Insurance – 370 Ethan Allen Hwy – Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 438-5311
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 590 Danbury Rd – Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 431-1932
- Allstate Insurance Co – 716 Danbury Rd # 2 – Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 431-1888
To view a complete directory of captive agencies in Ridgefield, click here to link.
Selecting an insurance agency requires more thought than just the premium amount. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
Once you have good answers to any questions you have and an affordable coverage quote, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that can properly insure your vehicles.
Online car insurance providers
Licensed agents can be invaluable at times, but Connecticut drivers can also buy direct from companies that only sell online. Even companies who sell through agents in Ridgefield also give you the ability to buy direct online, and consumers should do that.
If you’re worried about not receiving proper advice, don’t be too concerned. Companies provide customer service for answering any questions you have. Many online companies also provide help pages and frequently asked questions to help with the buying process.
The best way to determine if agents have better prices than online companies is to take the time to compare rates from both. Even though it sounds odd, people frequently get different pricing when comparing agent prices to online quotes for the exact same company.
Do customers save by switching to an online company? It’s difficult to provide an answer since there are so many components that influence the price you pay. It’s a common assumption that going direct saves money by not requiring a commission. In many cases, there are very high advertising costs so there may not be significant savings.
Additional information is available on the Connecticut Insurance Department website located here. Consumers can read industry bulletins, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about specific coverages, and find disaster information.
One last thing about your coverage
Insureds change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including questionable increases in premium, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high rates after DUI convictions or even delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new company is not as difficult as it may seem.
While you’re price shopping online, never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your focus should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford.
