Tips for Finding a Missoula Auto Insurance Agent

If you’re looking to buy car insurance, you have many choices and finding the best Montana insurance agency is harder than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. Consumers require a good agent, and also want to find the cheapest rates you can possibly find.

Big companies like Geico, Progressive and Allstate all promote huge savings with catchy ads and it is difficult to see past the geckos and flying pigs and do the work needed to find the best deal.

Online quotes help locate Missoula agents

Good agents can help determine the best coverages and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you may find better rates but still work with a licensed agent.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is emailed to agents in your area who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to your email. How cool is that?!

Deciding on an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

  • Is assistance available after office hours?
  • Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
  • Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
  • Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
  • Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
  • Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
  • Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
  • How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?

Below is a list of car insurance agents in Missoula that may be able to provide comparison quotes.

Liberty Northwest Insurance – 700 SW Higgins Ave # 250, Missoula, MT 59803 – (406) 543-4933
Jim Powell Insurance – 1510 Ernest Ave, Missoula, MT 59801 – (406) 721-2224

Once you have positive feedback to all your questions and a low price estimate, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that meets your needs to service your policy.

Can you save by buying online?

Local insurance agents can be invaluable at times, but you can also find affordable Montana auto insurance direct from companies that only sell online. A few companies like State Farm and Allstate who sell through agents in Missoula also allow you to buy online, so that should be considered.

If you’re apprehensive about not getting proper coverage when shopping online, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Companies that allow you to purchase coverage have toll-free phone numbers and other options for getting advice on proper coverages.

Are online premiums lower? That is a tough question to answer due to the fact that there are many factors that determine your policy premium. It would make sense to think that a shopper who purchases direct saves money because there is no commission. But in most cases, marketing expenses are significant and that can cost more than having to pay agents.

The only way to know who has the best deal, local agents or online insurance companies, is to set aside time to compare rates from both. It’s fairly common that you receive different coverage costs for the identical company from their online quote form as compared to an agent.

More Montana car insurance resources

Additional detailed information is located at the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website. Montana consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find disaster information, and discover disciplinary actions.

Missoula Montana insurance agents

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Summing up your car insurance search

Insureds switch companies for many reasons like an unsatisfactory settlement offer, policy non-renewal, unfair underwriting practices and high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new car insurance company is not as hard as you think.

As you prepare to switch companies, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that they should have had better coverage. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.