When trying to find a licensed insurance agent in Roanoke, you can do an initial search using online quotes in order to save time. You require a competent insurance agent, but also cheap rates.
Since consumers have many choices of insurance companies, it’s nearly impossible to choose the best company.
Local Roanoke agents and car insurance
Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you may find better rates and still choose a local agent.
By using this short form, your insurance data is emailed to local insurance agents who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. How cool is that?!
Picking a car insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. These questions are important to ask:
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
- Are they full-time agents?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Virginia?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Compare rates from both independent and captive car insurance agents
When looking for a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are either independent or captive. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they are different since it can impact the type of agent you choose
Captive Agents
These agents write business for a single company like State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Some people will only choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Listed below are Roanoke captive insurance agents that can give you price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance – 3524 Brambleton Ave – Roanoke, VA 24018 – (540) 725-5900
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 2965 Colonnade Dr # 305 – Roanoke, VA 24018 – (540) 989-6179
- Farmers Insurance Group – 6407 Garrett Ln – Roanoke, VA 24019 – (540) 265-1030
- State Farm Insurance – 5175 Peters Creek Rd NW # 1b – Roanoke, VA 24019 – (540) 563-9778
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you contact multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.Many can place coverage with smaller companies which can save you money.
The following are Roanoke independent insurance agents who can help you get price quote information.
- Shepherd and Assoc Agency – 2609 Orange Ave NE – Roanoke, VA 24012 – (540) 981-1995
- Tinaglia Agency – 4528 Old Cave Spring Rd – Roanoke, VA 24018 – (540) 989-9779
- Stout Insurance and Financial – 5834 Brahma Rd – Roanoke, VA 24018 – (540) 774-3829
- Caveness Insurance – 3241 Electric Rd # 2b – Roanoke, VA 24018 – (540) 725-1736
For a complete listing of licensed insurance agents in Roanoke, visit this link.
After receiving positive responses to your questions and locked in a price quote, you’ve probably found an insurance agent that will service your policy.
Isn’t it cheaper to buy from online companies like Geico?
Insurance agencies are important, but you can also find affordable Virginia auto insurance from online companies direct. Some companies like Allstate and State Farm who employ agents also allow you to buy direct on their websites, and consumers should do that.
If you’re apprehensive about not getting advice from an agent when buying direct, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. Online insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide phone numbers and online resources to help you decide which coverages are appropriate.
The only way to determine if local insurance agents or online providers are cheaper is to take the time to compare rates from both. You can actually get different rates from the same car insurance company depending on if you quote online or with an agent.
Are online premiums lower? That question is hard to answer due to the large number of individual components that can increase policy rates. It’s often assumed that buying online cuts out the middleman. For most companies selling online, however, getting their brand in front of customers is expensive and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
And the best car insurance company is…
Consumers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as not issuing a premium refund, policy cancellation, being labeled a high risk driver or even delays in paying claims. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right car insurance provider is easier than you think.
When buying insurance coverage, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, drivers have reduced collision coverage to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at the best price.
More Virginia car insurance information
More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Virginia consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about insurance regulations, read state legal mandates and laws, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
The articles below may also help you learn more about car insurance in Roanoke
