Guide to Finding an Auto Insurance Agent in Seattle Washington

Selecting a auto insurance company in Seattle, Washington can be time consuming since there are a lot of options and picking a good Washington insurance agency is not as easy as just picking up the phone. It’s assumed you want a professional licensed agent, but you also want to find great rates as well.

With Allstate, Farmers, State Farm and many independent agents all competing for your business, consumers have a hard time knowing which one will have the cheapest rates and the best coverage. Thankfully, you can use online quoting to assemble a group of agents and price estimates.

Seattle agents and online quotes

Good agents can answer important questions and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you can get the best rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting local agencies is especially important in Seattle.

By using this form (opens in new window), your information is sent to insurance agents in Seattle who will battle for your coverage. You won’t need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy! You can find better rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Captive and independent Seattle insurance agents

If you’re trying to find a good Seattle insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Seattle agents can either be independent (non-captive) or captive.

Independent Agents

Independent agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.

When shopping rates, you should always include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.

Listed below is a list of independent agencies in Seattle that may be able to provide comparison quotes.

Fujiyama Agency Inc – 316 Maynard Ave S # 112a – Seattle, WA 98104 – (206) 682-3425
Jim Bird Insurance – 198 Nickerson St – Seattle, WA 98109 – (206) 286-5000
C Don Filer Agency Inc – 4201 Roosevelt Way NE # 200 – Seattle, WA 98105 – (206) 545-4800
Ellison Agency Inc – 13751 Lake City Way NE # 206 – Seattle, WA 98125 – (206) 528-0992
Alaska Pacific Insurance – 701 5th Ave # 3020 – Seattle, WA 98104 – (206) 625-8831

Captive Agents

Captive agents can only write with one company and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives receive extensive training in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents.

Below is a short list of captive agencies in Seattle willing to provide comparison quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 1738 NW Market St – Seattle, WA 98107 – (206) 783-2005
American Family Life Assurance – 11550 6th Pl NE – Seattle, WA 98125 – (206) 364-2554
Farmers Insurance Group – 12309 15th Ave NE # A – Seattle, WA 98125 – (206) 362-4350

To view a full list of captive agencies in Seattle, view this link.

Choosing a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
• Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
• Can glass repairs be made at your home?
• Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?

After getting satisfactory answers to your questions and locked in a price quote, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your auto insurance policy.

Include online companies when price shopping

Auto insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but Washington car insurance can also be bought direct over the internet. A few companies like State Farm and Allstate that sell primarily through agents additionally provide the ability to get a quote and buy online. This is something to consider if the lowest rate is your goal.

If you’re worried about having to choose coverages yourself, this really isn’t an issue. Auto insurance companies that allow you to purchase coverage have toll-free phone numbers and other options you can use to get advice on coverages. They also offer 24/7 live help and a car insurance FAQ section to help with the buying process.

Does it save money buying online? The answer is complex because there are many factors that are calculated into your premium. It’s logical to say that buying directly from the company lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. For most companies selling online, however, there are very high advertising costs so the lack of a commission may be a wash.

Additional consumer information websites

Additional information can be read on the website for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner through this link. Washington drivers can find disaster information, report car insurance fraud, read state legal mandates and laws, and get help finding coverage.

More effort can pay off

Cheaper auto insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Seattle agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where someone dropped full coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.