Insider Advice on Lower Houston Car Insurance

Finding affordable Houston car insurance is always nearly impossible for beginners to shopping for insurance online. There are so many options that it can easily become a real challenge to find lower rates in Houston.

Smart consumers take time to compare rates at least once a year due to the fact that insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal two years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Starting right now, block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in how to use online quotes to find lower rates on car insurance.

Comprehensive Houston Car Insurance Comparison

Lowering your car insurance rates doesn’t have to be difficult. Drivers just need to invest a little time comparing price quotes from different insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

1. Probably the best way consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quotation requests to each individual car insurance company. Taking the time to complete one form gets you coverage quotes from many national carriers.It’s the quickest way to get rates.
2. A different way to analyze rates consists of going to the website for every company you want to comare to request a price quote. For instance, let’s say you want to compare rates from USAA, Farmers and State Farm. You would have to take the time to go to each site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a handy list of car insurance company links in Houston, click here.
3. The most time-consuming way to get comparison rates is to drive around to local Houston insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to get prices online and still use a local agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just make darn sure you compare the exact same coverages and limits with each company. If you have different limits and deductibles on each one it’s not possible to determine the best price in Houston.

But don’t I need an insurance agent?

Some people would rather buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for small agencies is important particularly in Houston.

By using this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents who will battle for your business. There is no need to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!

Different types of Houston insurance agents

When searching for a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents that you can select. Insurance agencies in Houston can either be captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can do a good job, but it’s good to learn how they differ because it can influence buying decisions.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agents are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to contact multiple independent agents to get the best comparison. They also have the ability to place coverage with different regional companies who may have lower rates.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Houston that are able to give price quotes.

• Derrick Murphy Agency – 19748 State Hwy 249 # 302 – Houston, TX 77070 – (281) 376-1000
• J V Insurance – 6133 Airline Dr – Houston, TX 77076 – (713) 699-0969
• Allen Agency – 5810 Southwest Fwy – Houston, TX 77057 – (713) 783-1515
• Harco Insurance Svc – 2223 Mangum Rd – Houston, TX 77092 – (713) 681-2500
• Hight Agency – 742 W 41st St – Houston, TX 77018 – (713) 694-8516

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents can only place business with one company and some examples include Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. Captives are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to buy from captive agents mostly because of the brand legacy and solid financial strength.

Below are Houston captive insurance agents willing to provide comparison quotes.

• Dao Kim State Farm Agency – 10218 Westheimer Rd – Houston, TX 77042 – (713) 244-0300
• Farmers Insurance Group – 8866 Gulf Fwy – Houston, TX 77017 – (713) 378-9122
• Allstate Insurance – 4400 North Fwy – Houston, TX 77022 – (713) 694-7990
• Southern Farm Bureau Casualty – 3200 Wilcrest Dr # 550 – Houston, TX 77042 – (713) 243-5700
• American Family Insurance – 10603 Grant Rd # 210 – Houston, TX 77070 – (281) 955-7332
• Liberty Mutual Insurance – 13201 Northwest Fwy # 400 – Houston, TX 77040 – (713) 460-4650

To view a complete directory of captive agencies in Houston, view this link.

Picking an insurance agency requires more thought than just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Does the agency support the community they serve?
• If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
• Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
• Do they assist clients in filing claims?

Upon receiving positive feedback and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance agent that is a good match to insure your vehicles.

Additional Texas consumer information

Much more information about car insurance in Texas is available on the Texas Department of Insurance website through this link. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read consumer alerts, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.