Insider Tricks for Cheap Saginaw Auto Insurance

Have you fallen victim to high-priced auto insurance? Trust us, there are lots of people in the same boat. There are many insurance companies to pick from, and even though it’s nice to have a choice, it can be more challenging to compare rates and cut insurance costs.

It’s important to shop coverage around quite often due to the fact that insurance rates trend upward over time. Even if you think you had the lowest price two years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance online but we’re going to give you some of the best ways to put money back in your pocket.

Buying car insurance in Saginaw is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can learn to find the best rates while maintaining coverages. Michigan vehicle owners just need to know the most effective way to shop their coverage around on the web.

Why your price might be higher

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in big savings.

Liability insurance protects assets – The liability section of your policy is the protection when a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Occupation reflects on rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as lawyers, social workers and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates in part from job stress and lengthy work days. Other jobs such as farmers, historians and homemakers pay the least.
More claims means more premium – If you file claims often, you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance companies in Michigan generally give better rates to drivers who are claim-free. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Verify your auto insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage.
No coverage gaps is important – Having an insurance coverage lapse is a sure-fire way to increase your auto insurance rates. And not only will your rates increase, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
Higher deductibles cost less – Physical damage deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The more you’re willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.

Verify you’re getting all your discounts

Companies don’t always advertise every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both well-publicized as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Multiple Cars – Buying coverage for all your vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Defensive Driving Course – Successfully completing a course in driver safety could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
Auto/Life Discount – Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Driver’s Ed – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course if it’s offered in school.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, you won’t be that lucky.

Buying car insurance locally

Some people prefer to sit down with an agent. Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After completing this short form, the coverage information is submitted to insurance agents in Saginaw who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You never need to even leave your home since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!

Choosing an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
Does the agency support the community they serve?
Are they full-time agents?

Is a captive or independent insurance agency right for you?

When finding local Saginaw agents, there are a couple of types of insurance agents to choose from. Agencies in Saginaw are either captive or independent. Both write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn the difference between them because it can influence the selection process.

Captive Agents

Captive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.

Listed below are captive agents in Saginaw who can help you get price quotes.

Liberty Mutual Insurance – 4800 Fashion Square Mall # 460 – Saginaw, MI 48604 – (989) 249-0321
Allstate Insurance – 9790 Gratiot Rd – Saginaw, MI 48609 – (989) 781-5300
State Farm Insurance – 7680 Gratiot Rd # 4 – Saginaw, MI 48609 – (989) 781-0600
Farm Bureau Insurance – 2463 Tittabawassee Rd – Saginaw, MI 48604 – (989) 791-1576

Independent Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you contact multiple independent agents for the best price selection.

Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Saginaw who can help you get comparison quotes.

Emil Rummel Agency – 4120 Davenport Ave – Saginaw, MI 48603 – (989) 793-2100
Diane Bowen Insurance – 5490 Swan Creek Rd – Saginaw, MI 48609 – (989) 799-1606
Heritage Agency Inc – 6660 Gratiot Rd – Saginaw, MI 48609 – (989) 781-3010
D J Shreve Agency – 1213 S Washington Ave – Saginaw, MI 48601 – (989) 755-5442
Future Insurance Inc – 5580 State St # 1 – Saginaw, MI 48603 – (989) 799-8808

For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Saginaw, visit this site.

After getting satisfactory answers to these questions and locked in a price quote, most likely you have located a car insurance agent that will adequately provide auto insurance.

Learn more about auto insurance in Michigan

Additional detailed information can be read at the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Michigan drivers can read consumer alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Better coverage you can count on

The cheapest auto insurance can be purchased on the web and with local Saginaw insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, an insured dropped physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.