When trying to find an insurance agent in Palm Bay, Florida, you can begin your search on the web rather than picking up the phone. We’re guessing you’re not only searching for a professional agent, but you also want to find the best rates possible.
With companies like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance having local Palm Bay offices, it’s difficult to determine which one will have the lowest rates and best service. To help decide, you can use online quoting in order to build a list of insurance agencies and price estimates.
Online quotes with a local Palm Bay insurance agent
Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain better rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from small agencies is definitely important in Palm Bay.
After completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is immediately sent to participating agents in Palm Bay who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?! You can find the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.
Types of insurance agents
When looking for a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two different agency structures that you can select. Agencies in Palm Bay can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.
When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.
The following is a list of independent agents in Palm Bay who can help you get competitive price quotes.
All Star Insurance – 4961 Babcock St NE # 6 – Palm Bay, FL 32905 – (321) 728-2700
Howell Insurance – 2244 Ladner Rd NE – Palm Bay, FL 32907 – (321) 723-3600
Harbor Insurance Agency Inc – 5270 Babcock St NE # 7 – Palm Bay, FL 32905 – (321) 952-0136
Captive Insurance Agents
These agents can only write with one company such as State Farm or Allstate. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Below is a short list of captive agents in Palm Bay that can give you price quote information.
State Farm Insurance – 2197 Julian Ave NE – Palm Bay, FL 32905 – (321) 723-1444
Allstate Insurance – 1340 Palm Bay Rd NE # C – Palm Bay, FL 32905 – (321) 724-8851
For a complete listing of captive insurance agencies in Palm Bay, please go to this site.
Selecting a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the bottom line cost. Some important questions to ask are:
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
After receiving positive feedback for all questions you ask and locked in a price quote, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that meets your needs to adequately provide car insurance.
Online alternative for car insurance
Car insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but Florida car insurance can also be bought direct online. Some companies who employ agents also give you the option to quote and buy online, so keep that in mind if finding the best price is important.
If you’re uneasy about not having an agent to talk to when shopping online, that is normal but is not a big issue. Online car insurance companies provide phone numbers and online resources for customer questions. Most companies also provide online education and live help anytime you can access prior to buying.
Are online companies cheaper? That is a tough question to answer since there are many things that influence how your policy is priced. It would make sense to think that buying car insurance online cuts out the agent as a middleman. But the fact is, advertising budgets are huge and those expenses can offset most of the savings by selling direct.
If you have the time, the only way to find out if car insurance prices are lower online or from agents is making fair comparisons of each of their rates. It’s not unheard of to actually get different prices using an online quote and an agent quote from the same insurance company. But you can’t find out which has the best rates without getting separate quotes from both.
Additional reading for car insurance information
Additional information can be found on the website for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation through this link. Florida drivers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, report car insurance fraud, learn about specific coverages, and view agent and company licensing information.
The following articles may also be useful.
Do the work, save more money
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
People change insurance companies for many reasons like questionable increases in premium, policy non-renewal, extreme rates for teen drivers or high prices. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new car insurance company is less work than it seems.
