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Why should I work with an auto insurance agent in Georgia?

Picture of <h5>Written by <a href="https://rateretriever.com/about/katie-dee/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Katie Dee</span></a></h5>
Written by Katie Dee
Written by Katie Dee
Picture of <h5>Edited by <a href="https://rateretriever.com/about/alyssa-dicrasto/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Alyssa DiCrasto</span></a></h5>
Edited by Alyssa DiCrasto
Edited by Alyssa DiCrasto
Published on 2024-02-16

Read time: 3 min

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When beginning your car insurance shopping journey, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Between the sheer number of providers to consider and the numerous personal factors to take into account, it may feel like the questions keep piling up with nowhere to turn for answers. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone.

In Georgia, there are local car insurance agents available to help you along the way. These agents function as a resource to help make the insurance shopping process less stressful and – most importantly – to help you feel confident that you’re getting the best rate for the coverage you need. If you’re not sure whether or not working with a local agent is right for you, don’t worry, we have broken down all the necessary information below to help you decide.

Types of car insurance agents

In Georgia, there are two categories of agents to consider: captive and independent. A captive auto insurance agent works exclusively with one carrier, such as Allstate or State Farm, and only sell the services of the provider they work for. These agents are good for consumers who already know which insurer they want to use but are looking for help deciding the specifics of their policy.

Independent insurance agents are different because they are contracted to work with multiple insurance companies. This means that they can offer policies from several providers to help drivers find the cheapest option. This type of agent is best for consumers looking to get a wide range of insurance options so they can compare rates from different providers side by side.

Car insurance agents in Georgia offer necessary guidance

car in hands

According to Darrin Quick, an Allstate Agency Owner in Atlanta, insurance agents in Georgia offer consumers invaluable guidance while they try to navigate through turbulent times in the insurance industry. Quick warns that by merely going through an online insurance agency or calling an 800 number, drivers may be unknowingly foregoing necessary coverage in order to cut costs.

“We see numerous policies that have liability only on newer vehicles, and the most egregious one that we see is that they have no Uninsured Motorist coverage,” said Quick. “[These policyholders] are saving money until they get in a hit and run or collision with an uninsured motorist.”

Additionally, Tony Barr, an Allstate Agency Owner in Augusta, explained that having a local agent to advise on coverage is vitally important because the average consumer does not have the knowledge base required to make important insurance decisions.

“A good local agent will save the client money by assuring that there are no coverage gaps that could possibly cost the client tens of thousands of dollars,” Barr said. “The average person knows very little about the specifics of auto insurance and is not qualified to make an informed decision while choosing coverage.”  

Agents help consumers find and apply discounts

Working with a local agent can also help consumers save money on car insurance because they offer certain discounts that the driver would not have access to or have been aware of otherwise. Quick explained that Georgia agents often conduct annual policy reviews in order to make sure the driver is getting all the discounts they are eligible for. While agents have no control over rates, they can help consumers apply discounts such as Defensive Driver, Mileage verification, Drivewise monitoring, and multi-policy to ensure they are getting the lowest rate possible.

There are several options for car insurance discounts out there, you just have to know where to look for them. Trying to hunt them all down on your own can feel like a losing battle, and having a local agent there to help point you in the right direction could mean the difference between a premium that breaks the bank and one that fits perfectly into your budget.

Jason Wootton, CSO of Rate Retriever and a licensed insurance agent explained, “The goal of local agents is really to demystify car insurance for the consumer. We are here to turn over every stone and make sure you are utilizing every applicable discount and promotion so that you are properly protected on the road without putting too much strain on your wallet. Insurance shopping shouldn’t be a dreaded experience, and working with a local agent can be the game changer consumers are looking for.”

Local agents make things simple

At the end of the day, insurance shopping is something you need to do, not necessarily something you want to do. It can feel like an almost deliberately convoluted and stressful process, making consumers in Georgia less likely to shop around as thoroughly as they should. Local agents help to carry the burden.

Quick emphasized that car insurance agents are really there to simplify the process. He explained that by providing a true apples-to-apples comparison of different types of coverage, agents can help consumers easily identify gaps in their coverage as well as potential savings they’re missing out on with their existing policy.

How to be sure you’re not overpaying for car insurance in Georgia

Georgia car insurance is constantly evolving. With the impact of inflation, manufacturing shortages, increased accident and crime rates, and more, car insurance rates in the state reached $1,642 on average in 2023.

To be sure you’re getting the best rate, we recommend comparison shopping to see what you can expect to pay from providers near you and when in doubt, reach out to a local agent!

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