Consumer Information for Searching for a Visalia, CA Insurance Agent

When searching for a good insurance agent in Visalia, CA, you can do the preliminary legwork by comparing prices online rather than looking in the yellowpages. You need a good agent, but also need affordable rates.

With so many choices, it can be challenging to pick the lowest price company.

Compare online but buy from a local Visalia agent

Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is you can get the lowest rates but also keep your business local.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, the quote information gets sent to insurance agents in Visalia who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!

Selecting an insurance agency requires more thought than just the premium amount. These are valid questions to ask:

• If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
• What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
• Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?

How to choose the best insurance agent in Visalia

If you’re trying to find an insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies that you can select. Visalia agents are either captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning the differences since it may influence your agent selection.

Agency Captives

This type of agents have only one company to place business with like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.

Shown below is a list of captive agencies in Visalia that can give you rate quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 1608 E Mineral King Ave – Visalia, CA 93292 – (559) 741-2170
Farmers Insurance Group – 1700 W Caldwell Ave – Visalia, CA 93277 – (559) 622-8567
State Farm Insurance – 5139 W Goshen Ave – Visalia, CA 93291 – (559) 733-2046

Independent Agents

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, we recommend you include price quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison.

Listed below are Visalia independent insurance agents who can help you get price quote information.

Dashers Insurance – 1525 S Mooney Blvd # A – Visalia, CA 93277 – (559) 734-7202
Cost-U-Less Insurance Ctr – 2942 S Mooney Blvd # A – Visalia, CA 93277 – (559) 635-2444
Putnam Agency – 2912 W Main St # B – Visalia, CA 93291 – (559) 733-2513

To view a full list of insurance agents in Visalia, view this link.

Upon receiving positive responses and an affordable coverage quote, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that will adequately provide auto insurance.

Car insurance is unique, just like you

When buying the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• Will my rates increase for filing one claim?
• What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
• What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
• Am I covered when driving a rental car?
• When would I need additional glass coverage?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent.

But what about buying from online companies?

Auto insurance agents are important, but you can also find affordable California auto insurance from companies direct over the internet. Some specific companies like State Farm and Allstate who have local Visalia agents also permit you to buy direct online, so keep that in mind.

If you’re uneasy about whether or not you’ll have guidance, this really isn’t an issue. Companies provide toll-free numbers for getting advice on proper coverages.

Do online companies have better rates? Whether or not you’ll save is impossible to say since there may be dozens of rate factors that are calculated into your premium. You may think that shopping online for auto insurance prevents the agent from taking a cut. But that assumption is generally incorrect because marketing their products costs a lot of money and this tends to eat up any savings.

When shopping for low rates, the only way to find out if the cheapest policy comes from an agent or online is to get price quotes for both. It’s possible to get different rates for the identical company when comparing online quotes to a quote from an agent.

Keep this in mind

When you buy insurance online, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced liability limits or collision coverage and learned later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Consumers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including policy cancellation, being labeled a high risk driver, extreme rates for teen drivers and even denial of a claim. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new company is less work than it seems.

More detailed California auto insurance information is located at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, find out which companies have the most complaints, view agent and company licensing information, and find a variety of consumer forms.