Finding a Good Car Insurance Provider in Cedar Rapids, IA

If you’re looking to buy car insurance, selecting the best Cedar Rapids insurance agency for your needs is harder than just driving to the closest agent’s office. Consumers require a great agent that can assess your needs, and also want to find the lowest rates for car insurance in Cedar Rapids.

You have so many auto insurance agents to pick from, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When choosing adequate coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions might point out whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.

  • When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
  • What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Should I buy only the required Iowa minimum liability coverage?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
  • Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an insurance agent.

Buying car insurance locally

Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain the lowest rates but also keep your business local.

To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your information is submitted to participating agents in Cedar Rapids who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to even leave your home since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!

Selecting an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. These are valid questions to ask:

  • If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
  • Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
  • If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
  • What insurance company do they write the most business with?
  • Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
  • Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?

The difference between Cedar Rapids auto insurance agents

If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Cedar Rapids agents are classified as either independent or captive. Either one can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they differ because it can impact your agent selection.

Captive Insurance Agents

These agents are contracted to one company and examples are AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers frequently buy from captive agents mainly due to the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

The following is a short list of captive agencies in Cedar Rapids that can give you comparison quotes.

  • Allstate Insurance – 1014 11th St NE # A – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 362-2545
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 5340 N Park Pl NE # 202 – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 373-1216
  • Shelter Insurance – 4837 1st Ave SE # 200 – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 447-2052
  • American Family Insurance – 3407 Mount Vernon Rd SE – Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 – (319) 365-6499
  • State Farm Insurance – 1221 Park Pl NE # G1 – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 395-0035
Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agencies are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When searching for an agent, you should always include price quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection. Most have the option of insuring with different regional companies which can be an advantage.

Listed below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Cedar Rapids who can help you get rate quotes.

  • Weidenhamer Andrews Agency Inc – 3343 Southgate Ct SW # 104 – Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 – (319) 364-4513
  • Ken Meisinger Agency Inc – 4403 1st Ave SE # 111 – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 395-7100
  • Weinstein Insurance – 1420 1st Ave NE – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 362-1674
  • J R Heefner Insurance – 3226 Center Point Rd NE – Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 – (319) 366-5745
  • Stamy Agency Inc – 2841 Johnson Ave NW # 1 – Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 – (319) 396-7304

To view a full list of Cedar Rapids insurance agents, visit this link.

After receiving acceptable answers as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your car insurance policy.

But what about Progressive, GEICO and other online companies?

Insurance agents are important to many people, but you can also find affordable Iowa auto insurance direct online. Some car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who sell through agents in Cedar Rapids also give you the ability to buy a policy online, and that can save time to possibly find a better rate.

If you’re uncomfortable with not getting advice from an agent when buying car insurance direct, that is quite common when buying online the first time. Online companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages provide toll-free numbers for getting questions answered. In addition, they usually offer extensive coverage information and 24/7 assistance to help you answer questions.

Does buying online save money? The answer is complex since there are many things that impact your final bill. Common logic is that a shopper who purchases direct saves money because there is no commission. In many cases, there are very high advertising costs and that can quickly cost more than paying an agent.

To learn more about car insurance in Iowa

Even more information can be found at the Iowa Insurance Division website. Iowa consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Additional helpful sites include this page for car insurance in Iowa and this page for help finding agents in Cedar Rapids, IA.

More comparisons equals lower rates

Cheap car insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Cedar Rapids insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection. Some car insurance companies do not provide online quoting and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

Find an agent in Cedar Rapids IA

Consumers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as an unsatisfactory settlement offer, not issuing a premium refund, poor customer service and policy cancellation. Whatever your reason, finding a new car insurance company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.