Perplexed by the number of auto insurance choices in Battle Creek? You’re not the only one! Consumers have so many options that it can turn into a real challenge to find the best price.
Consumers should take time to do rate comparisons periodically since rates tend to go up over time. Just because you had the best price a year ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Starting right now, forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because I’m going to teach you the only way to lower your annual insurance bill.
If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can use this information to find better prices and still get good coverage. Finding the cheapest protection in Battle Creek is easy if you know what you’re doing. Michigan consumers just need to understand the tricks to compare rates online.
Finding Auto Insurance Deals in Battle Creek, MI
Shopping for lower auto insurance rates is a ton of work if you don’t understand the best way to get rate quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to agents in Battle Creek, or you can utilize the internet to maximize your effort.
Many insurance companies participate in an industry program that enables customers to send in one quote, and at least one company provides a quote for coverage. This prevents consumers from doing repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company.
To compare rates using this form now click here to open in new window.
The only drawback to doing it this way is you can’t choose the providers to receive prices from. So if you want to select specific insurance companies to compare prices, we put together a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Michigan. Click here to view list.
However you get your quotes, make darn sure you compare the exact same coverages and limits on every quote. If you enter different values for each quote it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate in Battle Creek.
Beware of misleading auto insurance ads
Consumers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of State Farm, Geico and Progressive. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings after switching your coverage to them.
But how can every company make the same claim? This is how they do it.
Different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that is profitable for them. A good example of a profitable customer could be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has a short commute. A propective insured that hits that “sweet spot” is entitled to the best price and most likely will save a lot of money.
Drivers who don’t qualify for the requirements will be charged more money which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can truthfully advertise the savings. That is why it’s extremely important to get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.
Save Money with These Tips
It’s important that you understand some of the elements that play a part in calculating your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get better auto insurance rates.
- Your location is important – Living in a rural area can save you money when it comes to auto insurance. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Urban drivers have to deal with traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. More time on the road can result in more accidents.
- Multiple policies with one company can save – Some auto insurance companies give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even if you’re getting this discount you still need to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
- Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
- Your credit rating is important – Having a bad credit history is a huge factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. So if your credit is not that good, you could pay less to insure your by repairing your credit. Consumers who have high credit ratings tend to be less risk to insure than drivers with lower credit scores.
- Your spouse saves you money – Being married helps lower the price on your policy. Having a significant other is viewed as being more mature and it’s statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Companies offer discounts so take them!
Car insurance companies don’t necessarily list all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the more common and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If they aren’t giving you every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Sign Early and Save – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. It can save you around 10%.
- Seat Belts Save – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
- Drive Less and Save – Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Memberships – Affiliation with a qualifying organization may earn a discount on your policy.
- Multi-car Discount – Buying coverage for more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
- Save over 55 – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive reduced rates.
A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way.
But I don’t know anything about car insurance
When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you will benefit from professional help.
- Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
- What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in Michigan?
- I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
- Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
- Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Buying auto insurance from a local agent
Some consumers would rather visit with an insurance agent. Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find lower rates and still have an agent to talk to.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Battle Creek who will return price quotes for your coverage. You never need to leave your house as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!
Deciding on an insurance company requires more thought than just a cheap price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- How are claims handled?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Michigan?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
The difference between Battle Creek car insurance agents
When finding an insurance agent, there are a couple of different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Battle Creek can either be captive or independent. Both insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they differ because it can influence your agent selection.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents have only one company to place business with and some examples include State Farm or Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agencies are trained well on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Consumers sometimes purchase coverage from captives partially due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Listed below is a list of captive agents in Battle Creek that are able to give rate quotes.
- Farmers Insurance Group – 15151 C Dr N – Battle Creek, MI 49015 – (269) 963-4214
- State Farm Insurance – 7055 Tower Rd # D – Battle Creek, MI 49014 – (269) 962-4041
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 77 S 20th St – Battle Creek, MI 49015 – (269) 781-7901
- Allstate Insurance – 1700 Michigan Ave W – Battle Creek, MI 49017 – (269) 963-2055
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agencies are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When comparison shopping, you should always contact multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can be an advantage.
The following is a list of independent insurance agencies in Battle Creek that can give you rate quotes.
- Jeff Cope Agency – 812 Capital Ave SW – Battle Creek, MI 49015 – (269) 968-9800
- Worgess Insurance – 55 Mccamly St N – Battle Creek, MI 49017 – (269) 965-3221
- Ron Lapland Agency – 77 20th St S – Battle Creek, MI 49015 – (269) 963-4214
- Sylvia Parmelee Insurance – 676 Capital Ave SW – Battle Creek, MI 49015 – (269) 965-4565
- Jeff Lewis Agency – 4744 Beckley Rd – Battle Creek, MI 49015 – (269) 979-8244
For a complete listing of insurance agents in Battle Creek, please click here.
After receiving positive responses for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, you may have just found a car insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.
More comparisons equals lower rates
Consumers change insurance companies for many reasons like delays in responding to claim requests, high prices, questionable increases in premium and policy cancellation. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a great new company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
Cheap auto insurance is attainable both online in addition to many Battle Creek insurance agents, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.
When you buy insurance online, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to discover later that they should have had better coverage. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
Additional reading for auto insurance information
Additional detailed information can be read at the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Michigan consumers can find a variety of consumer forms, discover disciplinary actions, get help finding coverage, and view agent and company licensing information.
Also read more on this site for rates in Michigan and this link where you can make Battle Creek auto insurance comparisons.