Selecting a auto insurance company in Lowell, Massachusetts can be time consuming since picking a good Massachusetts insurance agency takes more work than just driving to the closest agent’s office. Chances are you not only want a friendly agent, but you also need the best rates possible.
With independent agents, Allstate and State Farm all competing for business in Lowell, it can be hard to know which one will provide the cheapest rates and the best coverage. Fortunately, you can use online price quotes to build a list of insurance agents and price estimates.
Your local neighborhood insurance agent
Licensed agents can answer important questions and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is you can get the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting small agencies is important especially in Lowell.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), the quote information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Lowell who will give you bids for your coverage. You never need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How cool is that?!
Multiple types of car insurance agents in Lowell
When searching for a good insurance agency, there are a couple of types of agencies to choose from. Lowell agents are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). Either one can do a good job, but it’s important to know the differences since it can impact the selection process.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.
Below are independent insurance agents in Lowell who can help you get price quotes.
James Martin Insurance Inc – 177 Pine St – Lowell, MA 01851 – (978) 454-7885
George Gath Insurance – 703 Chelmsford St – Lowell, MA 01851 – (978) 454-7728
Captive Agents
These agents work for only one company and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. These agents are trained well on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.
Choosing a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- How long has their agency been open in Lowell?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
Upon receiving positive responses to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that will service your policy.
Are Progressive, Geico and Esurance cheaper?
Professional insurance agents serve a purpose, but Massachusetts car insurance can also be bought direct from companies online. Some car insurance companies, such as Farmers Insurance and State Farm, who have local agents in Lowell also give you the option to quote and buy online, and that is helpful if the lowest rate is your goal.
If you’re worried about choosing your own coverages when buying car insurance direct, don’t be too concerned. All companies that allow you to purchase coverage all provide contact methods to help you decide which coverages are appropriate.
Are online rates lower? It’s hard to say exactly due to the large number of individual components that influence the price you pay. It’s often assumed that purchasing direct online cuts out the middleman. But truthfully, marketing expenses are significant and this drives up their premium costs.
For price-conscious consumers, the only way of knowing if agents have better prices than online companies is to make apples-to-apples comparisons of both. It’s fairly common that you receive different coverage costs for the identical company when they compare quotes from both. But you won’t know whether the best rates are online or from an agent without getting separate quotes using both methods.
Better coverage you can count on
Drivers leave their current company for many reasons like policy cancellation, delays in responding to claim requests, being labeled a high risk driver or even lack of trust in their agent. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies can be less work than you think.
When buying insurance coverage, never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
Much more information about auto insurance in Massachusetts is available on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Click here for link. Massachusetts consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read industry bulletins, and report car insurance fraud.
