To find a licensed insurance agent in Gorham, you can start your research using online quotes instead of calling around. For the sake of this article, we’ll assume you’re not only searching for a competent insurance agent, but you also want great rates as well.
With companies like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers and independent agents all competing for your business, it’s hard to tell which provider will provide you with the best service and rates. To help decide, you can use insurance quotes online to assemble a group of agents and thier coverage prices.
Save time by quoting online
Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you can get the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. Buying from local insurance agencies is important particularly in Gorham.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, the quote information is emailed to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. How’s that for easy! You can find the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
The type of auto insurance agent you choose is important
When finding a good insurance agency, there are two types of insurance agents that you can select. Agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, you should always get quotes from several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from.
Listed below is a short list of independent agencies in Gorham willing to provide comparison quotes.
J P Henderson Insurance – Primrose Ln – Gorham, ME 04038 – (207) 839-7003
C E Carll Agency – 65a Main St – Gorham, ME 04038 – (207) 839-3371
Gorham Insurance – 12 Elm St – Gorham, ME 04038 – (207) 839-2923
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents are contracted to one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
The following is a list of captive agencies in Gorham who can help you get comparison quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 36 Main St – Gorham, ME 04038 – (207) 839-6600
To view a full list of car insurance agents in Gorham, view this link.
Deciding on an auto insurance agent should depend on more than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Maine?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
Upon receiving good answers to any questions you have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.
But what about online car insurance?
Local insurance agents are a valuable resource, but Maine drivers can also buy direct from companies that only sell online. Some specific companies, such as Farmers Insurance and State Farm, who have local Gorham agents also give you the option to buy direct online, and that is helpful if you want to do it yourself.
If you’re uneasy about having to choose coverages yourself, don’t be too concerned. All companies all provide contact methods for getting questions answered.
Will buying online save you money? The answer to that question is complicated since companies use quite a few components that are calculated into your premium. It’s logical to say that buying online lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. But in most cases, marketing expenses are significant and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.
In conclusion
As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced collision coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
Lower-priced car insurance is possible from both online companies and with local Gorham insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
More resources for learning
Much more information about car insurance in Maine is located on the website for the Maine Bureau of Insurance found here. Maine consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, view agent and company licensing information, download brochures, and learn about insurance regulations.
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