Tips for Searching for a Lewiston Auto Insurance Agent

When pricing car insurance in Lewiston, Idaho, you have many choices and picking a good Idaho insurance agency is harder than just picking up the phone. For the sake of this article, we’ll assume you require not only a good agent that listens to you, but also the best rates possible.

With State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance all competing for your business, it’s hard to tell which one will provide you with the lowest rates and best service. To help decide, consumers can use insurance quotes online to get a list of agents and price estimates.

Car Insurance through a local Lewiston agent

Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is you may find better rates but also keep your business local. Supporting local agencies is important particularly in Lewiston.

Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), your information gets sent to participating agents in Lewiston who will give you bids for your business. You don’t have to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. How’s that for easy! You can find better rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.

Types of car insurance agents in Lewiston

When researching a good insurance agency, there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Lewiston are classified as either independent or captive.

Independent Agents

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part.

When shopping rates, you should always contact several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. Many write coverage with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates.

Below is a short list of independent agencies in Lewiston that may be able to provide comparison quotes.

  • Mader Agency Inc – 2010 14th Ave – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 746-2632
  • Maddock Agency – 141 9th St # 3 – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 743-7394
  • Stonebraker Mc Quary Agency – 1029 Main St – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 743-1506
  • Troy Insurance Inc – 1822 18th Ave – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 743-3541
  • First Security Insurance – 9th and Main St # 215 – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 799-6225
Captive Agents

This type of agents have only one company to place business with and examples are State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. They are trained well in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes purchase coverage from captives mostly because of loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.

Below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Lewiston that are able to give comparison quotes.

  • State Farm Insurance – 1442 Idaho St – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 746-7052
  • Allstate Insurance – 1626 17th St # 101 – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 746-0040
  • Farm Bureau Insurance – 2007 14th Ave – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 743-5533
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 1630 23rd Ave # 201a – Lewiston, ID 83501 – (208) 746-5856

To view a full list of car insurance agents in Lewiston, view this link.

Picking a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

  • Can glass repairs be made at your home?
  • Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
  • Is assistance available after office hours?
  • How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
  • Who are their largest clients?
  • Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
  • What insurance company do they write the most business with?

Upon receiving positive responses and an affordable coverage quote, you’ve probably found an insurance agency that meets your needs to properly service your car insurance policy.

Online companies appeal to some consumers

Insurance agencies are indespensible for some people, but Idaho consumers also have the option to buy direct over the internet. Some specific companies like Allstate and State Farm that are more known for using agents, also permit you to buy direct online. This is something to consider if you don’t want to take the time to contact agents.

If you’re uncomfortable with not having someone to ask questions when buying online, don’t sweat it. Car insurance companies have toll-free phone numbers and other options that you can contact for information. In addition, they usually offer anytime access to help and a customer research section to help you answer questions.

Is it cheaper to buy car insurance online? It’s difficult to say for sure because there are so many things that impact your premium. Some people will tell you that a consumer who buys direct saves money because there is no commission. For most companies selling online, however, advertising and marketing take a lot of money so this can offset any savings.

In Summary

People leave their current company for any number of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, high prices, policy cancellation or even delays in responding to claim requests. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.

Cheaper car insurance is available on the web as well as from independent agents in Lewiston, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some companies don’t offer online quoting and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

quotes for Lewiston ID insurance

For more information

Much more information about car insurance in Idaho can be found on the Idaho Department of Insurance website through this link. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, and find disaster information.

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