If you’re trying to find a licensed insurance agent in Tempe, you can always start your search by comparing prices online in order to save time. For this article’s sake, it’s assumed that not only do you want a professional licensed agent, but you also want affordable coverage.
With American Family, Allstate, State Farm and Farmers all competing for business in Tempe, it’s difficult to determine which one will provide you with the cheapest rates and the best coverage. To begin, consumers can get insurance quotes online to get a list of insurance agents and price estimates.
How to compare Tempe auto insurance rates
Professional agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you may find better rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from local businesses is important especially in Tempe.
Once you complete this short form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to participating agents in Tempe who will return price quotes for your business. You won’t need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! It’s the lowest rates AND a local agent.
Is a captive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?
When looking for local Tempe agents, there are a couple of different agency structures to choose from. Agencies in Tempe are classified as either captive or independent.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agencies are not locked into one company but rather can write business with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When shopping rates, we recommend you include at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.Many can place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
The following are Tempe independent agents who can help you get rate quotes.
- Paul Warburton Agency Inc – 1445 E Guadalupe Rd – Tempe, AZ 85283 – (480) 759-4101
- Metropolitan Insurance – 2111 E Baseline Rd # F3 – Tempe, AZ 85283 – (480) 838-8000
- Cocita Agency – 1700 E Elliot Rd # 16 – Tempe, AZ 85284 – (480) 491-0509
- Jay Carter Agency – 401 W Baseline Rd # 201 – Tempe, AZ 85283 – (480) 838-1527
- Ayala Insurance Svc – 2707 W Southern Ave – Tempe, AZ 85282 – (480) 736-2885
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with and examples are Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. Captives are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Some consumers prefer to choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Below is a short list of captive agencies in Tempe who can help you get comparison quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 6139 S Rural Rd # 101 – Tempe, AZ 85283 – (480) 839-0089
- Farmers Insurance Group – 600 E Baseline Rd # B-10 – Tempe, AZ 85283 – (480) 831-1234
- American Family Insurance – 1730 E Elliot Rd # 16 – Tempe, AZ 85284 – (480) 315-8080
- Allstate Insurance – 2620 W Baseline Rd – Tempe, AZ 85283 – (480) 777-7820
For a full directory of captive agencies in Tempe, view this link.
Deciding on a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Arizona?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
Once you have positive responses to these questions and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.
Your coverage should be tailored to you
When choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.
For example, these questions might help in determining whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Arizona?
- Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
- Does my vehicle qualify for pleasure use?
- What are Arizona no-fault laws?
- What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in Arizona?
- If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
- Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent.
Include online companies when price shopping
Licensed agents are indespensible for some people, but Arizona car insurance can also be bought direct online. Certain companies like State Farm and Allstate who employ agents also give you the ability to buy direct online, and that is helpful if you want to do it yourself.
If you’re concerned about not getting advice from an agent when buying car insurance direct, this really isn’t an issue. All companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages all provide contact methods that you can contact for information.
Is it cheaper to buy car insurance online? It’s difficult to say for sure since there may be dozens of rate factors that are calculated into your premium. It’s often assumed that buying car insurance online saves the cost of an agent commission. For the majority of companies, however, promoting brand recognition is pricey and that impacts the rates consumers pay.
In Summary
Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as questionable increases in premium, unfair underwriting practices, high prices and being labeled a high risk driver. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right auto insurance provider is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
Cost effective auto insurance is attainable from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Tempe, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. Some companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
Much more information about auto insurance in Arizona can be found on the Arizona Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to find out which companies have the most complaints, find disaster information, find a variety of consumer forms, and view a list of available companies.
Other informative sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page for help finding agents in Tempe, AZ.
