Oceanside Auto Insurance Company FAQ

When buying auto insurance in Oceanside, finding the best California auto insurance agent is not as easy as just picking up the phone. Consumers need a professional licensed agent, and also cheaper auto insurance prices.

With so many companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to locate the right insurance company.

Everyone needs different coverages

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

• Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
• Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
• Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
• Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
• Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
• Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
• Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
• Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent.

Save time by quoting online

Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you peace of mind. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is submitted to participating agents in Oceanside who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to even leave your home as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How cool is that?! It’s the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Selecting an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in California?
• Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
• How often do they review policy coverages?
• Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
• If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?

Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agents

If you’re trying to find local Oceanside agents, there are a couple of types of agencies from which to choose. Agents are classified as either independent or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive insurance agents can only place business with one company and examples are AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so keep that in mind. They are well schooled on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.

The following are Oceanside captive agents willing to provide comparison quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 3846 Mission Ave # A4 – Oceanside, CA 92054 – (760) 722-4875
Farmers Insurance Group – 2110 S Coast Hwy # N – Oceanside, CA 92054 – (760) 439-9196

Independent Insurance Agents

These agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison.

The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Oceanside who can help you get comparison quotes.

Marcus O’Bannon Agency – 2110 S Coast Hwy # N – Oceanside, CA 92054 – (760) 722-7400
Senior Security Insurance Svc – 5292 Alamosa Park Dr – Oceanside, CA 92057 – (760) 439-2213
Gary Meeker Agency – 2110 S Coast Hwy # N – Oceanside, CA 92054 – (760) 439-9191
D A Insurance Brokers – 2216 S El Camino Real # 210 – Oceanside, CA 92054 – (760) 757-7283

To view a full list of insurance agents in Oceanside, click here to link.

Upon receiving positive responses to any questions you have and an affordable coverage quote, you may have just found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.

The online company option

Insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but California car insurance can also be bought direct from companies online. A few companies, such as Farmers Insurance and State Farm, who employ agents also let you buy a policy online, so this should also be taken into consideration as an alternative to contacting agents.

If you’re uncomfortable with having to choose coverages yourself when buying car insurance direct, this really isn’t an issue. Online companies all have client service departments for getting questions answered.

Do online companies provide lower prices? The answer is complex due to the fact that there are multiple individual factors that impact your premium. It’s logical to say that a shopper who purchases direct saves the cost of an agent commission. But the fact is, promoting brand recognition is pricey and this tends to eat up any savings.

More detailed California auto insurance information can be read at the California Department of Insurance website. California drivers can read consumer alerts, read industry bulletins, and find disaster information.

In Summary

Consumers leave their current company for any number of reasons including denial of a claim, being labeled a high risk driver, unfair underwriting practices or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new company is not as difficult as it may seem.

Cheap auto insurance is attainable online in addition to many Oceanside insurance agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.