Car Insurance...Do you stick with the tried and true?

HA! I keep VERY friendly with my agent... he's my husband! He is an independent agent and shops our rate around every 6m to a year because things change that fast. I highly recommend developing a relationship with an independent agent... they have more clout with the companies when underwriting (getting approved) and when trying to get claims paid. I've seen lots of horror stories about those who went internet shopping simply because they have no one to go to bat for them. They are one lonely consumer, where an independent agent has a longstanding relationship with companies and can pull in favors when necessary.... provided he/she has a good relationship with their client (you).

After searching for a few years I found a company that charged us half what we were paying with the other companies. We have been very happy with them so we have not looked in a few years. We will stick with them until we feel like it is time to look again.

It's money-wise to shop for insurance every year, or at least every other year. Online comparisons make that easy. I buy insurance online and am now only paying around $300 a year. I don't need full coverage and my car is an older one, but the insurance I had before (American Family, been with them for years, personally knew the agent, etc.) was costing over twice that. My loyalty is to my bank account. I need the money more than any insurance company does.

I have had the same agent for the past 18 years and it is comfortable to pick up the phone and talk to a friend when I have a question.

i use a local agent & have been w/him for years.

I stick with my agent. If it is time to renew and they don't come up with a good price for me, I just let them know "hey I need it to be cheaper than that!" They normally get it done for me. I like the fact that they know me and even though I don't always go to the office and make my payment I do renew at their office. I would rather have someone there that I know if there is a problem I can get face to face with them and get it fixed!

I've tried to look online for a better insurance price but the thing is I've never found a better price than from my insurance agent. My insurance has gone down a lot since I've had my insurance through my agent. If I were to buy insurance from other sources I'd be spending several hundred dollars more a year than I am now.