If you’re looking to buy car insurance, picking a good Texas insurance agency is harder than just picking up the phone. There is a good chance you require not only a decent agent, but you also need affordable coverage.
With insurance companies like American Family, Allstate, State Farm and Farmers all competing for business in Childress, consumers have a hard time knowing which one will give you the best rates, service and coverage. Thankfully, you can use online quotes to assemble a group of insurance agents and price estimates.
Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent
Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates and still choose a local agent. And providing support for local insurance agencies is especially important in Childress.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information gets sent to participating agents in Childress who will compete for your insurance coverage. You never need to even leave your home since price quotes are sent directly to your email. How cool is that?! Get lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Is a captive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?
When looking for a local agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents to choose from. Insurance agencies in Childress are categorized either independent or captive.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part.
When comparing rates, it’s recommended you get quotes from at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.
Shown below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Childress that can give you rate quotes.
- Cornerstone Insurance – 245 Commerce St – Childress, TX 79201 – (940) 937-3999
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 1111 Avenue F NW – Childress, TX 79201 – (940) 937-6151
Captive Agents
These agents have only one company to place business with like Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. They generally cannot compare other company’s rates so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers often choose to use a captive agent mostly because of high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Listed below is a list of captive insurance agencies in Childress that can give you rate quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 1509 Avenue F NW – Childress, TX 79201 – (940) 937-6459
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 1111 Avenue F NW – Childress, TX 79201 – (940) 937-6151
For a full directory of captive agents in Childress, simply jump to this page.
Choosing a car insurance agent should depend on more than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Texas?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
Once you have received positive feedback to these questions and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that meets your needs to service your policy.
Can I save by buying online?
Licensed agents are a valuable resource, but you can also find affordable Texas auto insurance from companies direct over the internet. Some companies like Allstate and State Farm who have local Childress agents also let you buy direct online, and that can save time if you prefer not to work with an agent.
If you’re worried about having to choose coverages yourself when buying direct, that is quite common when buying online the first time. Online car insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages have customer service departments for answering any questions you have.
Do customers save by switching to an online company? Many people think so, but it’s hard to say for sure because there are a lot of things which can adversely affect your policy premium. Some people think that going direct cuts out the agent as a middleman. For most online online companies, however, there are high advertising and marketing costs so the rates may be similar to buying from an agent.
Compare but don’t skimp
Budget-conscious car insurance can be found on the web as well as from independent agents in Childress, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.
Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as not issuing a premium refund, delays in paying claims, unfair underwriting practices and being labeled a high risk driver. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new company can be less work than you think.
Consumer car insurance information in Texas
Additional car insurance information is located on the Texas Department of Insurance website located here. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read industry bulletins.