When shopping for car insurance, there are a lot of options and choosing the right Gonzales insurance agency is not as easy as just picking up the phone. There is a good chance you’re not only searching for a good professional insurance agent, but you also want to find the lowest possible price.
With insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and many independent agents all competing for business in Gonzales, it’s hard to tell which insurance agency will provide you with the lowest rates and best service. To help decide, consumers can get insurance quotes online to assemble a group of insurance agents from which to choose.
Compare online but buy from a local Gonzales agent
Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find lower rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting local businesses is important especially in Gonzales.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to companies in Gonzales who will compete for your coverage. There is no reason to leave your house since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. How cool is that?! You’ll get the best rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
Two types of Gonzales insurance agents
When looking for a good Gonzales insurance agent, there are a couple of different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Gonzales are either captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, an independent agent can move your coverage without you having to go to a different agency. When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to get quotes from at least one independent agent for the best price selection. Most have the option of insuring with smaller regional carriers which can be an advantage.
Shown below is a list of independent agents in Gonzales that can give you competitive price quotes.
- Janota Insurance – 920 N Saint Joseph St # 132 – Gonzales, TX 78629 – (830) 672-2994
- Germania Insurance – 645 County Road 192 – Gonzales, TX 78629 – (830) 437-5682
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents are contracted to one company like American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. Captives cannot shop your coverage around so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives are very knowledgeable on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently buy from captive agents mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
The following is a list of captive insurance agents in Gonzales who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 1611 N Sarah Dewitt Dr – Gonzales, TX 78629 – (830) 672-2819
For a full directory of car insurance agents in Gonzales, go to this page.
Picking an insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just the price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- How are claims handled?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
Upon receiving acceptable answers and a low price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agent that is a good match to provide car insurance coverage.
Are online companies an option?
Professional insurance agents are a valuable resource, but you can also find affordable Texas auto insurance direct over the internet. Some companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, that are more known for using agents, also allow consumers to buy online, so this should also be taken into consideration if you are the do-it-yourself type.
If you’re uncomfortable with not getting proper coverage, this is expected but don’t let that bother you. Car insurance companies provide access to licensed agents to answer your questions.
Can buying online lower your premiums? The answer is complex because of the number of factors that influence the price you pay. It’s logical to say that purchasing direct online prevents the agent from taking a cut. In reality, promoting brand recognition is pricey and this tends to eat up any savings.
Compare but don’t skimp
While you’re price shopping online, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. In many cases, an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage only to regret that it was a big mistake. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
Cost effective car insurance can be found online and also from your neighborhood Gonzales agents, so compare prices from both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not provide online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.
More information is available on the Texas Department of Insurance website found here. Texas drivers can find disaster information, view agent and company licensing information, and view a list of available companies.