How to Find a Great Insurance Agent in Raleigh

To find a good Raleigh agent, we recommend you do the preliminary legwork by comparing prices online in order to save time. We’re assuming you want a great agent that can assess your needs, but you also want to find great rates as well.

With companies like Farmers, Allstate, and independent agents having offices in Raleigh, it can be hard to know which provider will give you the best service and rates. To begin, it’s easy to use online quotes to assemble a group of agencies and thier coverage prices.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether your personal situation might need an agent’s assistance.

Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Who is covered by my policy?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
Do no-fault laws apply in North Carolina?
Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?

If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent.

Neighborhood insurance agents

Licensed agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find lower rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from local agencies is important especially in Raleigh.

By using this short form, your insurance data is emailed to local insurance agents who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. How cool is that?! You can find better rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.

Auto insurance agents in Raleigh come in two varieties

When researching local Raleigh agents, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Independent Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage without you having to go to a different agency.

When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to contact at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.Many can place coverage with different regional companies who may have lower rates.

The following are Raleigh independent agencies that are able to give rate quotes.

Fair Agency – 9101 Leesville Rd – Raleigh, NC 27613 – (919) 782-2540
Peterson Insurance – 3336 S Church St – Raleigh, NC 27615 – (919) 524-0072
Insurance Building Manager – 336 Fayetteville Street Mall – Raleigh, NC 27601 – (919) 856-5777
Hall Agency – 8521 Brier Creek Pkwy # 105 – Raleigh, NC 27617 – (919) 361-5139
Frank Ascott Agency – 1731 Trawick Rd # 110 – Raleigh, NC 27604 – (919) 231-8244

Agency Captives

Captive agencies can only place business with one company such as AAA, Allstate and State Farm. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so they have to upsell other benefits. Captives are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents primarily because of the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Below is a list of captive agencies in Raleigh that can give you price quote information.

Liberty Mutual Insurance – 8816 Six Forks Rd # 105 – Raleigh, NC 27615 – (919) 676-1037
Farmers Insurance Group – 5925 Big Nance Dr – Raleigh, NC 27616 – (919) 713-0340
State Farm Insurance – 3029 Capital Blvd # 111 – Raleigh, NC 27604 – (919) 875-1955
Farm Bureau Insurance – 5211 Western Blvd – Raleigh, NC 27606 – (919) 851-4320
Allstate Insurance – 4000 Atlantic Ave # 194 – Raleigh, NC 27604 – (919) 876-0514

To view a complete directory of Raleigh captive insurance agents, click here to link.

Deciding on an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. These are valid questions to ask:

Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in North Carolina?
How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
How are they compensated?
If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?

After receiving answers to your satisfaction to any questions you have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that will properly service your auto insurance policy.

Online companies appeal to some consumers

Local insurance agents serve a purpose, but North Carolina car insurance can also be bought direct online. Some specific companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who have local agents in Raleigh also allow you to quote and buy online, so keep that in mind.

If you’re anxious about not having an agent to talk to when buying direct, that is quite common when buying online the first time. Online companies have customer service departments to help you decide which coverages are appropriate. They also have help pages and frequently asked questions so buying online is not difficult.

Is pricing better online? A lot of shoppers won’t buy anywhere else, but it’s impossible to say due to the fact that there are many factors that are calculated into your premium. Common sense would say that a customer who purchases direcly from an online company saves by not paying a commission. But the fact is, marketing expenses are significant and that can cost more than having to pay agents.

Additional information is available on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. North Carolina consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, find out which companies have the most complaints, and read consumer alerts.

The following information may also be useful.

More effort can pay off

As you prepare to switch companies, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many instances, an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price.

Cheap auto insurance can be sourced on the web and also from your neighborhood Raleigh agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. A few companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.