Smart Shoppers Guide to Finding the Best Insurance Agent in Vancouver, WA

Comparing auto insurance rates in Vancouver can be a lot of work since finding the best Washington auto insurance agent is more difficult than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. You require a professional licensed agent, but also need the cheapest rates you can possibly find.

Multiple insurance agencies compete for your business, so it can be very hard to choose a insurance agency and get the definite lowest cost out there.

Local Vancouver auto insurance agents

Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you can get the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.

By using this quick form, your insurance data is sent to participating agents in Vancouver who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to leave your computer since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy!

Picking an insurance agent should depend on more than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

  • Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
  • How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
  • If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
  • What insurance company do they write the most business with?
  • How are claims handled?
  • Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?

Choose an insurance agent wisely

When searching for an insurance agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Vancouver are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive). While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning the difference between them since it can impact your selection of an agent.

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents can only write with one company like AAA, Allstate and State Farm. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captives are well schooled in insurance sales which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to buy insurance from these agents partially due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Shown below is a list of captive insurance agents in Vancouver that can give you price quotes.

  • State Farm Insurance – 8606 E Mill Plain Blvd # C – Vancouver, WA 98664 – (360) 256-7423
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 705 SE Park Crest Ave # A150 – Vancouver, WA 98683 – (360) 254-9247
  • Allstate Insurance Co – 1901 NE 162nd Ave – Vancouver, WA 98684 – (360) 896-4883
Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you get quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison. Many write coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.

The following is a list of independent agents in Vancouver that can give you rate quotes.

  • Hansen-Mc Donald Insurance – 9014 NE St Johns Rd # 112 – Vancouver, WA 98665 – (360) 574-7424
  • Joe Racanelli Agency – 14602 NE Fourth Plain Rd # C – Vancouver, WA 98682 – (360) 256-3787
  • Bob Brewer Agency – 4418 NE St Johns Rd – Vancouver, WA 98661 – (360) 694-8391
  • BKI Insurance Svc Inc – 300 E 17th St – Vancouver, WA 98663 – (360) 694-8548
  • Terry Cornelius Agency – 312 E Mill Plain Blvd – Vancouver, WA 98660 – (360) 695-4408

To view a complete directory of insurance agents in Vancouver, visit this site.

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy.

Also think about buying car insurance direct

Auto insurance agents are important to many people, but Washington drivers can also buy direct from companies online. A few companies who employ agents additionally provide the ability to buy a policy online, and that can save time if you’re trying to lower your rates.

If you’re worried about not getting advice from an agent when shopping online, don’t let it bother you. Insurance companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages provide access to licensed agents for getting questions answered.

Can buying online lower your premiums? The answer is complex because there are a lot of things which can adversely affect your policy premium. It’s a common assumption that a shopper who purchases direct lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. In many cases, it’s expensive to advertise and those expenses can offset most of the savings by selling direct.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable on the web in addition to many Vancouver insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not provide online price quotes and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

Drivers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as lack of trust in their agent, not issuing a premium refund, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even high prices. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be easy and end up saving you some money.

Some additional reading

Additional detailed information can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, find a variety of consumer forms, read consumer alerts, and report car insurance fraud.