7 Must-Know Techniques When Comparing Waterloo Iowa Auto Insurance

Finding lower rates for Waterloo auto insurance can seem to be difficult for beginners to buying insurance online. There are so many choices that it can turn into a challenge to compare prices in Waterloo.

It is always a good idea to check auto insurance prices periodically since insurance rates trend upward over time. Even if you think you had the best rates a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you’re about to find out the fastest way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

How to Get Waterloo Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

There are several ways of comparing price quotes and find the best price. By far the easiest way to compare insurance prices is to perform an online rate comparison. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

The most efficient way to find the lowest comparison rates is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This method prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for each company. Completing one form will get you price quotes direct from many companies.It’s the quickest way to get rates.
A harder way to get comparison quotes consists of visiting the website for every company you want to comare to request a price quote. For examples sake, we’ll assume you want rates from Farmers, Esurance and Allstate. You would have to go to every website and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Waterloo, click here.
The least efficient way of getting rate comparisons to local Waterloo insurance agencies. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you have a need for the personal advice only provided by licensed Waterloo agents. Drivers can obtain prices from the web but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll talk about that later.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just ensure you’re using apples-to-apples coverages and limits for each price quote. If you enter different liability limits then you won’t be able to truly determine the lowest rate in Waterloo. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits may result in large price differences. It’s important to know that comparing a large number of companies provides better odds of finding the best price.

Cut your auto insurance rates with discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but companies offer discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically when you get a quote, but a few must be inquired about prior to getting the savings.

Paperwork-free – A few companies give back up to $50 simply for signing digitally online.
Multi-car Discount – Insuring more than one vehicle on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you could save up to 5%.
Homeowners Discount – Owning a house in Waterloo may earn you a small savings because owning a home shows financial diligence.
College Student – Youth drivers who are attending college without a vehicle on campus may qualify for this discount.
Military Rewards – Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.
Anti-theft System – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Good Student – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
No Charge for an Accident – A handful of insurance companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
Memberships – Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on auto insurance.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, you’re out of luck. But any discount will reduce the cost of coverage.

To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Waterloo, follow this link.

Quote online but still have a local agent

Some people would prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is OK! One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find lower rates but also keep your business local. And supporting local insurance agencies is definitely important in Waterloo.

Upon completion of this quick form, your information is immediately sent to companies in Waterloo who will compete for your coverage. You won’t need to drive around as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How cool is that?! You can find better rates and a licensed agent to work with. auto insurance image

Two types of Waterloo insurance agencies

When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of agencies from which to choose. Agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive).

Independent Agents

These agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to contact at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.

The following is a list of independent agents in Waterloo that are able to give price quotes.

Elliott-Hartman Agency – 611 Ansborough Ave – Waterloo, IA 50701 – (319) 233-8459
Wobbeking Tjernagel Insurance – 2920 Falls Ave – Waterloo, IA 50701 – (319) 235-6719
Sinnott Agency – 632 W 4th St – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 233-6103
Duchene Insurance – 808 Amesboro Ave – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 236-8825
Miller Agency – 518 Western Ave – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 234-1596

Agency Captives

This type of agents write business for a single company and some examples include AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so keep that in mind. Captives are trained well on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently buy from captive agents primarily because of high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.

Listed below are captive insurance agents in Waterloo who can help you get rate quotes.

Farmers Insurance Group – 3510 Kimball Ave # E – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 232-2449
Allstate Insurance – 3120 Kimball Ave # A – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 235-3008
American Family Insurance – 820 Laporte Rd – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 233-1555
State Farm Insurance – 1935 E Ridgeway Ave – Waterloo, IA 50702 – (319) 232-6630
Shelter Insurance – 3017 University Ave – Waterloo, IA 50701 – (319) 235-8090

For a full directory of Waterloo captive agencies, simply jump to this page.

Selecting an insurance agency should depend on more than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:

Can glass repairs be made at your home?
Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
Which company do they place the most coverage with?
How often do they review policy coverages?
Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?

Upon receiving answers to your satisfaction to any questions you have and a good coverage price, it’s possible that you found an insurance agent that can insure your vehicles.

More information is located on the Iowa Insurance Division website found here. Consumers can view a list of available companies, read state legal mandates and laws, report car insurance fraud, and get help finding coverage.

Other useful links include this page for auto insurance prices in Iowa and this link which helps you find a Waterloo agent.

In conclusion

Budget-conscious auto insurance is available both online in addition to many Waterloo insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including lack of trust in their agent, extreme rates for teen drivers, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or poor customer service. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies is less work than it seems.