Comparing auto insurance companies in Oak Park, Illinois can be challenging because there are a lot of options and choosing the right Oak Park insurance agent takes more work than just picking up the phone. It’s likely that not only do you want a good professional insurance agent, but you also want the best rates possible.
With companies like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance having local Oak Park offices, it’s hard to tell which car insurance agent will provide the lowest rates and best service. To begin, consumers can use online price quotes in order to build a list of insurance agencies from which to choose.
Quote online but still have a local agent
Agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you may find better rates but also keep your business local. And providing support for local agencies is definitely important in Oak Park.
After filling out this short form, the quote information is sent to local insurance agents in Oak Park who will battle for your business. You never need to drive around since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. How’s that for easy! You can find better rates and a licensed agent to work with.
Types of car insurance agents in Oak Park
When looking for a local agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Oak Park agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you get quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.
Listed below is a short list of independent agencies in Oak Park willing to provide price quote information.
Forest Agency – 1111 Chicago Ave – Oak Park, IL 60302 – (708) 383-9000
Alicia Insurance – 6821 North Ave – Oak Park, IL 60302 – (708) 383-3656
Alpine Insurance Inc – 1523 N Harlem Ave – Oak Park, IL 60302 – (708) 771-2211
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents can only write with one company such as Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. These agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents.
Shown below are Oak Park captive insurance agents who can help you get price quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 6901 North Ave – Oak Park, IL 60302 – (708) 848-0200
American Family Insurance – 6555 North Ave # 106 – Oak Park, IL 60302 – (708) 383-1400
Farmers Insurance Group – 1217 N Oak Park Ave – Oak Park, IL 60302 – (708) 386-9351
For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Oak Park, visit this site.
Choosing an insurance agency should depend on more than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
Once you have satisfactory answers to all your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you’ve probably found an insurance agent that will properly insure your vehicles.
But what about Geico, Progressive and Esurance?
Licensed agents can be invaluable at times, but you can also find affordable Illinois auto insurance direct online. Some companies like State Farm and Allstate that are more known for using agents, also give you the option to buy online, and that is helpful if you’re trying to lower your rates.
If you’re apprehensive about whether or not you’ll have guidance when buying direct, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages all have toll-free customer service to answer your questions. Most companies also provide 24/7 live help and a car insurance FAQ section to clarify any questions you may have.
Are online rates lower? Many people think so, but it’s hard to say for sure because of the number of factors which can adversely affect your policy premium. It’s a common assumption that a consumer who buys direct saves money because there is no commission. But in reality, advertising budgets are huge and those expenses can offset most of the savings by selling direct.
Better coverage you can count on
Budget-conscious auto insurance can be bought from both online companies and with local Oak Park insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. A few companies do not offer online quoting and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price.
Much more information about auto insurance in Illinois is located on the website for the Illinois Department of Insurance. Click here for link. Illinois drivers can read state legal mandates and laws, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
Other informative sites include FindNewCarInsurance.com and QuoteClickSave.com.
