When buying auto insurance in Vancouver, there are a lot of options and finding the best Washington insurance agent is harder than just using the same insurance agency as your neighbor. It’s likely that not only do you want a good professional insurance agent, but you also want the best rates possible.
With insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance all competing for business in Vancouver, it’s hard to tell which will provide you with the cheapest rates and the best coverage. To help decide, it’s easy to use insurance quotes online in order to build a list of insurance agents to choose from.
Do I need special coverages?
When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether you could use an agent’s help.
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
- What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in Washington?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
- Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
- Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
- Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to an insurance agent.
Vancouver agents for auto insurance
Good agents can point out coverage gaps and give you peace of mind. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain lower rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local agencies is important particularly in Vancouver.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your information is instantly submitted to agents in your area who will return price quotes to get your business. You won’t need to leave your house since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!
Types of insurance agents
If you’re trying to find an insurance agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Insurance agencies in Vancouver are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can do a good job, but it’s good to learn how they differ because it can impact buying decisions.
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.
Below is a short list of independent agents in Vancouver willing to provide comparison quotes.
Joe Racanelli Agency – 14602 NE Fourth Plain Rd # C – Vancouver, WA 98682 – (360) 256-3787
Bell Insurance – 13912 NE 20th Ave # 206 – Vancouver, WA 98686 – (360) 254-6884
Eric Payne Agency – 9409 NE Highway 99 # D – Vancouver, WA 98665 – (360) 566-0491
Illingworth Insurance – 8900 NE St Johns Rd – Vancouver, WA 98665 – (360) 546-2965
Bob Brewer Agency – 4418 NE St Johns Rd – Vancouver, WA 98661 – (360) 694-8391
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents write business for a single company like Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. They receive extensive training in insurance sales which can be an advantage.
Below is a short list of captive agencies in Vancouver that can give you price quotes.
Farmers Insurance Group – 9409 NE Highway 99 # D – Vancouver, WA 98665 – (360) 576-2924
Allstate Insurance – 1409 Franklin St # 217 – Vancouver, WA 98660 – (360) 597-9700
State Farm Insurance – 8606 E Mill Plain Blvd # C – Vancouver, WA 98664 – (360) 256-7423
For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Vancouver, please click here.
Choosing an insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
After receiving reasonable responses and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that can provide auto insurance coverage.
Can you find lower rates by buying online?
Insurance agencies are indespensible for some people, but Washington drivers can also buy direct over the internet. Even companies who employ agents also permit you to buy online, so that should be considered to possibly find a better rate.
If you’re concerned about having to choose coverages yourself when buying online, don’t sweat it. Online car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages have customer service departments for customer questions.
Do people save by buying online? A lot of shoppers won’t buy anywhere else, but it’s impossible to say because there are many factors that can increase policy rates. It’s often assumed that going direct lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. But that assumption is generally incorrect because the cost of constant advertising is expensive so the lack of a commission may be a wash.
Much more information about auto insurance in Washington can be found on the website for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Click here for link. Consumers can discover disciplinary actions, find a variety of consumer forms, and learn about insurance regulations.
Also read more on this resource for Washington auto insurance prices and this list of insurance agents in Vancouver, WA.
Smart shoppers get results
Cheap auto insurance is possible from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Vancouver, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies don’t offer online quoting and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
When shopping online for auto insurance, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
