Selecting a car insurance company in Garfield, New Jersey can be time consuming since there are a lot of options and finding the best New Jersey car insurance agent is not as easy as just driving to the closest agent’s office. The chances are good you’re not only searching for an excellent agent, but you also need the lowest possible price.
With Farmers, Allstate, and independent agents having offices in Garfield, it’s difficult to determine which will give you the lowest rates and best service. To help decide, it’s easy to use online quotes to build a list of agencies to choose from.
Best way to find Garfield agents
Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain lower rates but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting local businesses is important particularly in Garfield.
By using this simple form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will compete for your coverage. You don’t have to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!
Two types of insurance agents
When searching for a local agent, there are two different types of agents from which to choose. Agencies in Garfield are either captive or independent. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the differences since it may influence your selection of an agent.
Independent Agents
Independent agencies are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from multiple independent agents for the best price selection.Most can insure with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Garfield who may be able to give you pricing information.
- Kozma Insurance – 40 Van Winkle Ave – Garfield, NJ 07026 – (973) 478-7111
- Loyas Agency – – Garfield, NJ 7026 – (973) 478-1234
- Insurance Depot – – Garfield, NJ 7026 – (973) 340-6015
Captive Agents
Captive agencies work for only one company and examples are State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are not able to place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents receive extensive training on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents mainly due to loyalty to the company and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Deciding on an insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- How long has their agency been open in Garfield?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in New Jersey?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
Upon getting answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and a low price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agency that will properly insure your vehicles.
Is buying direct online an option?
Car insurance agents are a valuable resource, but you also have the option of buying directly from online companies. Some specific companies who sell through agents in Garfield also allow you to buy online, and that is helpful.
If you’re uncomfortable with choosing your own coverages when buying online, that is normal but is not a big issue. Insurance companies have customer service departments you can use to get advice on coverages. They also have live chat and online tools that you can use before buying.
Is car insurance cheaper online? Whether or not you’ll save is impossible to say due to the fact that there are multiple individual factors that impact your rate calculation. It would make sense to think that a consumer who buys direct prevents the agent from taking a cut. But the reality is there are high advertising and marketing costs so there may not be significant savings.
More New Jersey car insurance information
Additional information can be read on the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website found here. New Jersey drivers can read industry bulletins, get help finding coverage, learn about insurance regulations, and view a list of available companies.
More quotes mean more savings
Affordable car insurance is available online in addition to many Garfield insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not provide online quoting and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
When shopping online for car insurance, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced collision coverage and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your focus should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
