To find a good Longview agent, it’s recommended you do an initial search by comparing rates online instead of making phone calls. We’re assuming you’re wanting a professional licensed agent, but you also want great rates as well.
With insurance companies like independent agents, Allstate and State Farm all competing for your business, consumers have a hard time knowing which car insurance agent will provide you with the best rates, service and coverage. To help decide, consumers can get insurance quotes online to build a list of agents from which to choose.
How to find Longview insurance agents online
Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you can get better rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting local agencies is important especially in Longview.
By using this short form, your information is transmitted to participating agents in Longview who will give you bids for your coverage. You won’t need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. How’s that for easy! You’ll get the best rates and work with a local agent.
Multiple types of auto insurance agents in Longview
When researching a local agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you contact several independent insurance agents for the best price selection.Most can insure with different regional companies which may provide better rates.
Listed below are Longview independent agencies that may be able to provide price quote information.
- Ward Agency – 1800 W Loop 281 # 207 – Longview, TX 75604 – (903) 297-5546
- Direct General Ins Agency – 1201 E Marshall Ave – Longview, TX 75601 – (903) 238-9796
- Direct General Ins Agency – 1409 W Loop 281 # D – Longview, TX 75604 – (903) 291-8140
- Dennis Baker Insurance – 2404 Northview Dr – Longview, TX 75605 – (903) 295-4743
- Gans and Smith Insurance Inc – 1109 Judson Rd – Longview, TX 75601 – (903) 757-4601
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies can only place business with one company like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers often buy insurance from these agents mainly due to the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Below are Longview captive insurance agents who can help you get price quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 2002 Gilmer Rd # 4 – Longview, TX 75604 – (903) 759-3366
- Dalton Lipsey State Farm Ins – 1708 S High St – Longview, TX 75602 – (903) 758-8325
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 716 Glencrest Ln # C – Longview, TX 75601 – (903) 757-5797
- Farmers Insurance Group – 317 N Spur 63 – Longview, TX 75601 – (903) 758-9772
To view a full list of captive agents in Longview, click here to link.
Choosing an insurance agency should depend on more than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
After getting reasonable responses to your questions and an acceptable price quote, you may have just found an insurance agent that is a good match to service your policy.
Online companies can help you save
Insurance agencies are important to many people, but you can also buy Texas car insurance direct from companies online. Some specific companies like Allstate and State Farm who sell through the agent channel additionally provide the ability to buy direct online, and that can save time if you don’t want to take the time to contact agents.
If you’re worried about not having professional advice when buying car insurance direct, that is normal but is not a big issue. All companies that allow you to purchase coverage give you access to trained agents to help you decide which coverages are appropriate.
Will you save money buying auto insurance online? That question is hard to answer because there are so many things which can raise or lower premium rates. It would make sense to think that buying directly from the company cuts out the agent as a middleman. But in most cases, online and traditional media advertising are expensive so there may not be significant savings.
Additional reading for auto insurance information
More information can be read on the Texas Department of Insurance website found here. Consumers can read industry bulletins, read consumer alerts, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and view agent and company licensing information.
In Summary
Affordable auto insurance is possible from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Longview agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online quoting and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
People change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including high prices, policy non-renewal, lack of trust in their agent and delays in paying claims. Whatever your reason, finding a new company is actually quite simple.