Get Car Insurance Comparison Quotes From Irvine, CA Agents

Comparing car insurance rates in Irvine can be a lot of work since finding the best California auto insurance agent takes more work than just randomly choosing from the yellow pages. For the sake of this article, we’ll assume you require not only an excellent agent, but you also need the lowest possible price.

With companies like Allstate, Farmers, State Farm and many independent agents all competing for business in Irvine, it’s difficult to determine which will provide you with the lowest rates and best service. Fortunately, it’s easy to use insurance quotes online to assemble a group of insurance agents to choose from.

Irvine agents and online quotes

Good agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting local agencies is important especially in Irvine.

Upon completion of this simple form, your insurance data is submitted to participating agents in Irvine who will compete to get your business. There is no need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. How cool is that?!

Not all auto insurance agents are the same

When researching local Irvine agents, you need to know there are two types of agencies that you can select. Insurance agencies in Irvine can either be captive or independent. Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the differences since it may influence your selection of an agent.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

These agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you contact several independent insurance agents for maximum quote selection.Many can place coverage with smaller companies who may have lower rates.

Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Irvine that can give you rate quotes.

  • Patricia D Franks Insurance – 2350 Main St – Irvine, CA 92614 – (949) 580-6806
  • Invensure Insurance Brokers – 17912 Mitchell S – Irvine, CA 92614 – (949) 660-3700
Captive Agents

Captive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. They are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents mostly because of the prominence of the brand and solid financial strength.

Below are captive insurance agencies in Irvine that are able to give rate quotes.

  • Allstate Insurance – 400 Exchange – Irvine, CA 92602 – (714) 731-4969
  • State Farm Insurance – 2010 Main St – Irvine, CA 92614 – (714) 477-9000
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 17744 Sky Park Cir # 295 – Irvine, CA 92614 – (949) 752-5580

For a full directory of captive insurance agencies in Irvine, view this link.

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

  • Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
  • Are they full-time agents?
  • Will your rates increase after a single accident?
  • Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
  • How often do they review policy coverages?
  • Who are their largest clients?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
  • How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?

Once you have answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an insurance agency that can properly service your car insurance policy.

Don’t forget about online companies

Car insurance agents serve a purpose, but California drivers can also buy from companies direct over the internet. A few companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, that sell primarily through agents also give you the ability to get quotes and purchase online, so this should also be taken into consideration if you’re trying to lower your rates.

If you’re anxious about not having professional advice when buying online, this really isn’t an issue. Online companies provide toll-free numbers to answer any questions you may have. They also offer anytime access to help and a customer research section so you can feel comfortable buying online.

Are online companies cheaper? That question is hard to answer because of the fact that insurance companies use many factors that influence the price you pay. You may think that a consumer who buys direct saves by not paying a commission. In reality, marketing expenses are significant so this can offset any savings.

Additional California car insurance resources

Additional information is available on the California Department of Insurance website found here. Consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read state legal mandates and laws, and learn about insurance regulations.

The articles below may also help you learn more about car insurance in Irvine

Online plus local equals savings

When shopping online for car insurance, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are many occasions where someone dropped collision coverage only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap car insurance can be bought from both online companies and with local Irvine insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.