How to Get the Right Insurance Agency in Redding

When buying car insurance in Redding, there are a lot of options and choosing the right Redding auto insurance agent takes more work than just calling the closest agent. Chances are you require not only a highly trained agent, but you also want to find the best rates possible.

With American Family, Allstate, State Farm and Farmers having offices in Redding, it can be hard to know which car insurance agent will have the best rates, service and coverage. To help decide, consumers can get online quoting in order to build a list of agencies from which to choose.

Local Redding agents and car insurance

Insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you can get the best rates and still choose a local agent. And supporting local insurance agencies is especially important in Redding.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your information is submitted to local insurance agents in Redding who will return price quotes for your business. You won’t need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. Now that’s easy!

Is a captive or independent insurance agent right for you?

When searching for a good insurance agency, there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Redding agents are categorized either independent or captive. Both write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it may influence the selection process.

Independent Agents

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you get quotes from several independent insurance agents for the best price selection.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Redding who can help you get comparison quotes.

Michael B Walsh Insurance – 1193 Hilltop Dr # A – Redding, CA 96003 – (530) 222-1101
CNA Insurance – 1700 Pine St – Redding, CA 96001 – (530) 244-4300

Captive Agents

Captive agencies have only one company to place business with and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. Captives are well schooled on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Below is a short list of captive agents in Redding that can give you comparison quotes.

Farmers Insurance Group – 1556 Hartnell Ave # B – Redding, CA 96002 – (530) 223-0652
Allstate Insurance – 2477 Athens Ave – Redding, CA 96001 – (530) 246-2163
State Farm Insurance – 1117 Hilltop Dr – Redding, CA 96003 – (530) 221-3670

To view a complete directory of Redding captive agents, please go to this site.

Deciding on an insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?

After receiving answers to your satisfaction to your questions and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to provide car insurance coverage.

What coverages do I need?

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if you would benefit from professional advice.

Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent.

Is buying direct online an option?

Insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but California car insurance can also be bought from companies direct over the internet. Some companies who employ agents also allow you to get quotes and purchase online, so keep that in mind to possibly find a better rate.

If you’re uncomfortable with not getting advice from an agent, that is normal but is not a big issue. All companies provide options for answering any questions you have.

Are car insurance rates lower online? It’s difficult to provide an answer because there are a lot of things that influence how your policy is priced. Common sense would say that buying car insurance online saves money because there is no agent involvement. But in reality, there are high advertising and marketing costs so this can offset any savings.

Best coverage at the best price

Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, not issuing a premium refund, high rates after DUI convictions and unfair underwriting practices. No matter why you want to switch, switching companies is not as difficult as it may seem.

Discount car insurance is attainable from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Redding, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies don’t offer online price quotes and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

To learn even more about car insurance

Additional information is available on the website for the California Department of Insurance through this link. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, learn about specific coverages, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.