IS IT CHEAPER TO BUY CAR INSURANCE FROM AN AGENT OR ONLINE?

Question by Prissy:
Is it cheaper to purchase automobile insurance from an agent or online?
I just bought a car and I have not had a car in a while. Usually I’d get insurance from an agent in an office. I usually get a pretty good deal, but a lot of people are doing things on the web now for the convenience. What should I do?

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Answer by LeAnne
This is a case where “cheaper” might not be the deal that it’s cracked up to be.
If you have questions or a claim, it’s awful nice to be able to simply speak one on one with your local agent.

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What do you think? Answer below!

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Comments (7)

#1 written by Michael M
about 1 year ago

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I still have traditional with a local agent. When I get into a pickle, at least I know someone will be there and help me. Also they do my house and that helps keep costs down.
On line, I would be nervous. I had a Dell Computer and they had the most stupid people in the world answering the phone. So, I would be cautious with insurance. What if they are a bunch of off shore people, they will never help you.
I had an issue with my credit card and was talking to these people from a third world nation. I told them to mail the new card to me in the US Mail. All they could say is FEx Ex. I work strange hours and cannot sign for deliveries, so the card would be worthless. They had no idea what I was talking about. So, consider my comments please
#2 written by sensible_man
about 1 year ago

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many of the newer companies are going “paperless” to save money. Should you have an accident or other claim, do you really want to explain everything in writing and hope someone reads it and takes action?
#3 written by Dtownfb
about 1 year ago

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Why not try both? Call an insurance broker that writes for multiple insurance companies and get quotes from him/her. Try a couple of online insurances like progressive, geico, aaa, etc.

Compare. If the broker is close to the online prices, go with him/her so you have a real person to deal with.
#4 written by David
about 1 year ago

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Do what you feel baby.
Getting quoted is free at:
http://insurance.moneysavecenter.com?id=xy-1oN0v-o9
and also:
http://insurance.moneysavecenter.com/insurance-quotes.html?id=xy-1oN0v-o9
maybe if you are going to save half the money, it might be worth it.
It’s free to get quotes.
#5 written by entidtil
about 1 year ago

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No one can tell you what to do. I will say that I prefer a large, well established company with a local office and an agent who I can speak to face to face. I don’t like playing phone tag with a mindless voice on the phone (who may be in a foreign country) or emailing a robot when I have a question or a concern or especially a claim.
#6 written by fighting saints
about 1 year ago

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Unless you are an expert in car insurance I suggest you go with a local agent who can guide you through the tons of options that come with buying an auto policy.

As a claim adjuster I see the down side of what happens when people buy their policies on line without an agent. They too often don’t buy enough coverage or don’t buy the right ones. Our office had a claim in October where the person bough a policy online, but didn’t actually buy collision coverage. They ended up paying for $3300 of damages themselves.

When you have a claim you will appreciate having a local agent to help you through the mess instead of 5 different people at an 800 #.
#7 written by Anne
about 1 year ago

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I used an agent the very first time I bought insurance, after that I have always gone direct as it saves me around 40% !!!
If it were for me there would be no agents so any agents here feel free to thumb me down at will