How to Find the Best Price on Midland Michigan Auto Insurance

Are you a victim of overpriced auto insurance? Believe me, you’re not the only one.

Having so many choices, it can be impossible to locate the right insurer.

You need to check auto insurance prices once or twice a year since insurance rates change quite often. Even if you got the best price a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting now, ignore everything you know about auto insurance because it’s time to teach you the best way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Compare Midland Auto Insurance Costs

The are a couple different ways to get quotes and find the best price. By far the easiest way to find the lowest rates is to get quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

The single most time-saving way consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This method saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. A single form gets rate comparisons from several companies.

A harder way to obtain and compare quotes online requires visiting the website for each individual company and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, let’s say you want comparison quotes from GEICO, Allstate and Farmers. To find out each rate you need to visit each site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Midland, click here.

The hardest way of getting rate comparisons is to drive around to local Midland insurance agencies. The internet has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the professional advice of a local Midland agent. Drivers can get the lowest quotes online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll cover that in a bit.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples coverages on every quote you get. If the quotes have different limits and deductibles on each one you will not be able to determine which rate is truly the best in Midland. Quoting even small variations in limits can make a big difference in price. It’s important to know that comparing a large number of companies will improve the odds of getting the best rates.

Lots of discounts mean lots of savings

Car insurance is not cheap, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Most are applied at the time of purchase, but a few need to be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit.

• Sign Early and Save – Some companies give discounts for switching to them before your current expiration date. It can save you around 10%.
• Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
• Anti-theft Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
• Accident Free – Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
• Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
• Drive Less and Save – Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with a substantially lower rate.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any amount of discount will cut the cost of coverage.

Quote online but still have a local agent

Some people prefer to talk to a local agent and that is OK! The best thing about getting online price quotes is you may find lower rates but also keep your business local. And providing support for local businesses is definitely important in Midland.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is emailed to local insurance agents who will give you bids to get your business. There is no need to drive around since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy! It’s the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

When looking for an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that you can select. Agents are either captive or independent.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, an independent agent can move your coverage and that require little work on your part.

When comparing rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.

The following are Midland independent agencies that may be able to provide pricing information.

Longuski Agency – 444 E Bannerstone Ct – Midland, MI 48640 – (989) 832-6290
Dorinco Reinsurance Co – 1320 Waldo Ave # 200 – Midland, MI 48642 – (989) 636-0047
Deford Agency Inc – 1022 S Saginaw Rd – Midland, MI 48640 – (989) 832-7700
Bailey Insurance – 512 W Buttles St – Midland, MI 48640 – (989) 631-3511
Dave Tuskey Agency – 5108 Eastman Ave # 3 – Midland, MI 48640 – (989) 832-0020

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents can only write with one company and some examples include American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. These agents are trained well on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage.

Listed below is a list of captive insurance agencies in Midland who can help you get price quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 5108 Eastman Ave # 2 – Midland, MI 48640 – (989) 631-5512
Farm Bureau Insurance – 240 W Main St – Midland, MI 48640 – (989) 631-5801

For a complete listing of captive agencies in Midland, view this link.

Deciding on a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
• Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• Who are their largest clients?
• Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
• Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
• Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?

Upon receiving acceptable answers for all questions you ask and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that is a good match to service your policy.

Midland Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

• Men fork out a little more – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. Now that doesn’t mean men are worse drivers. Men and women have accidents at about the same rate, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also receive more costly citations like reckless driving and DUI.
• Never let your coverage lapse – Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, getting caught without coverage might get you a revoked license or a big fine.
• Low deductibles can be expensive – Physical damage insurance, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. The more you’re willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
• More miles equals more premium – The more miles you rack up on your car every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles that are left in the garage can get a lower rate than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Verify your auto insurance policy is rated on how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.
• Liability insurance protects assets – Liability insurance is the protection when you are found to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
• Lower rates with optional equipment – Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent car theft.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm continually stream television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise that you’ll save big after switching to their company. How does each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and chooses high deductibles. Any driver who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and most likely will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential insureds who don’t measure up to these standards will have to pay more money which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That’s why companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It’s not possible to predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

In the end, you save

When shopping online for auto insurance, you should never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheaper auto insurance is attainable on the web and with local Midland insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not offer online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

Additional reading for auto insurance information

Additional information can be found on the website for the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation located here. Michigan drivers can read industry bulletins, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about specific coverages, and find out which companies have the most complaints.