Tips to Finding the Best Insurance Agent in Albuquerque

When trying to find a good insurance agent in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can begin your search by comparing prices online in order to save time. It’s assumed you’re looking for a professional licensed agent, but you also want to find affordable coverage.

With companies like State Farm, Allstate and many independent agents having local Albuquerque offices, consumers have a hard time knowing which insurance agency will provide the best rates, service and coverage. To begin, consumers can use online price quotes to get a list of insurance agencies from which to choose.

Is my situation unique?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions may help you determine if you might need professional guidance.

  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
  • I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
  • Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
  • Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
  • Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an agent.

Your local neighborhood insurance agent

Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The best thing about price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting small agencies is important especially in Albuquerque.

For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, the coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents who will give you bids for your coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to your email. Now that’s easy!

Pick the best auto insurance agent in Albuquerque for you

If you’re trying to find a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of agencies that you can select. Agents are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive). Either one can write coverage properly, but it’s worth mentioning how they differ since it may influence buying decisions.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

These agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. When searching for an agent, we recommend you get quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection.Most can insure with different regional companies who may have lower rates.

The following are Albuquerque independent insurance agencies that are able to give price quote information.

  • Carmen Villa Agency – 2929 Coors Blvd NW # 106 – Albuquerque, NM 87120 – (505) 839-4113
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance – 6100 Uptown Blvd NE # 340 – Albuquerque, NM 87110 – (505) 881-2007
  • Steven Rea Agency – 2201 Chelwood Park Blvd NE – Albuquerque, NM 87112 – (505) 298-7555
  • Steve Cartmell Agency – 6303 4th St NW # 7 – Albuquerque, NM 87107 – (505) 344-1213
  • A Auto Insurance America – 1309 Broadway Blvd SE – Albuquerque, NM 87102 – (505) 243-6337
Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents work for only one company such as AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Below are captive agents in Albuquerque that are able to give price quotes.

  • Farm Bureau Insurance – 3109 Carlisle Blvd NE – Albuquerque, NM 87110 – (505) 889-8000
  • State Farm Insurance – 4801 Montano Rd NW # A5 – Albuquerque, NM 87120 – (505) 898-3648
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance – 6100 Uptown Blvd NE # 340 – Albuquerque, NM 87110 – (505) 881-2007
  • Allstate Insurance – 10224 Coors Byp NW – Albuquerque, NM 87114 – (505) 890-0490
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 5509 Central Ave NW # E – Albuquerque, NM 87105 – (505) 839-2900

For a complete listing of captive agents in Albuquerque, click here to link.

Selecting an insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

  • Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
  • Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
  • Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
  • If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
  • Is working in the agency their full-time job?

Once you have reasonable responses to these questions and a low price estimate, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that can adequately provide car insurance.

Online insurance company options

Licensed agents are important, but you also have the option of buying direct online. Certain companies that are more known for using agents, also give you the option to get quotes and purchase online, and online price comparisons are easy and can also potentially find you lower rates.

If you’re concerned about selecting your own policy coverages when buying direct, don’t be too concerned. Online companies that allow you to purchase coverage provide phone numbers and online resources for getting questions answered. They also have live help and 24/7 access so buying online is not difficult.

Does it save money buying online? The answer to that question is complicated because there are many components that can increase policy rates. Some people think that buying directly from the company lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. In many cases, marketing expenses are significant so the rates may be similar to buying from an agent.

More information is located on the New Mexico Insurance Division website found here. New Mexico consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, and learn about specific coverages.

In the end, you save

Cheap car insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Albuquerque, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

Albuquerque insurance agent

Insureds switch companies for any number of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, denial of a claim, poor customer service and even high prices. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new company is less work than it seems.