How to Get the Best Auto Insurance Rates From Agencies in Chicago

If you’re looking for an insurance agent in Chicago, IL, we recommend you start your research on the web rather than picking up the phone. Consumers require a decent agent, but also the best possible rates.

Lots of insurance agencies contend to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurance agents to find the absolute lowest price

Shop online but buy locally

Agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to.

After filling out this quick form, the coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents in Chicago who will return price quotes for your coverage. You never need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. Now that’s easy!

Choosing a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:

  • Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
  • If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
  • How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
  • Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
  • Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
  • Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

When looking for a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are a couple of types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agents are classified as either independent or captive. Both types can write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it may influence your selection of an agent.

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with like State Farm or Allstate. They are unable to shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. They are well schooled in insurance sales which can be an advantage.

Below are captive insurance agents in Chicago who can help you get price quotes.

Alton Williams State Farm Ins – 3406 W Irving Park Rd – Chicago, IL 60618 – (773) 463-4343
Farmers Insurance Group – 4424 N Broadway St – Chicago, IL 60640 – (773) 769-0600
Allstate Insurance – 4425 S Archer Ave – Chicago, IL 60632 – (773) 927-4280
American Family Insurance – 3848 W 63rd St – Chicago, IL 60629 – (773) 776-2600

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.

When searching for an agent, we recommend you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.

Below are Chicago independent agents that can give you rate quotes.

City Squire Agency LTD – 639 W Diversey Pkwy # 220 – Chicago, IL 60614 – (773) 737-2000
Batastini Agency – 6739 W 63rd St – Chicago, IL 60638 – (773) 586-1610
Colletti Mary Agency – 6206 W 63rd St # B – Chicago, IL 60638 – (773) 229-0100
Chubb Group Of Insurance Co – 233 S Wacker Dr # 4700 – Chicago, IL 60606 – (312) 454-4200
All American Insurance – 1932 E 95th St – Chicago, IL 60617 – (773) 374-4000

For a full directory of Chicago insurance agents, visit this site.

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction to these questions and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy.

Are online companies an option?

Professional insurance agents are important to many people, but you also have the option of buying Illinois car insurance direct online. Even companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who have local agents in Chicago also give you the option to get a quote and buy online, so that should be considered if you prefer not to work with an agent.

If you’re anxious about not having someone to ask questions when buying car insurance direct, this is normal but is quickly overcome. Insurance companies all have client service departments for getting the best coverage.

Are online rates lower? That is a tough question to answer because there are so many things that impact your final bill. Common sense would say that shopping direct saves the commission normally paid to an agent. But in reality, there are high advertising and marketing costs and that can cost more than having to pay agents.

Additional detailed information can be read at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois consumers can file complaints about a company, find out industry alerts, learn about specific coverages, and read industry bulletins.

Chicago Illinois car insurance quote

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Smart shoppers get results

Cost effective auto insurance can be bought online and with local Chicago insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, high prices, policy non-renewal and even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is actually quite simple.