Is Your Grand Rapids Car Insurance Too High? Learn How to Lower Your Rates

Are you tired of scraping the payment together to buy car insurance? Your situation is no different than millions of other consumers. Because you have many different company options, it’s difficult to choose the best car insurance company.

Choosing the cheapest car insurance in Grand Rapids is not rocket science. If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can follow these tips to find better prices and still get good coverage. Michigan vehicle owners only need to know the proper methods to compare prices on the web.

Compare the Market for Car Insurance in Grand Rapids, MI

Performing a rate comparison can be a daunting task if you don’t know the most efficient way to do it. You could waste time driving to insurance companies in Grand Rapids, or you can utilize the web to get pricing more quickly.

Most of the larger companies belong to a marketplace that enables customers to submit their information once, and every company returns a competitive quote based on that information. This saves time by eliminating form submissions for every car insurance company. To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to open in new window.

One minor caviat to doing it this way is that you can’t choose the insurers to get quotes from. If you prefer to choose specific providers to request quotes from, we have assembled a list of car insurance companies in Michigan. Click here to view list.

Which method you use is up to you, but ensure you’re using apples-to-apples coverages and limits on every quote. If each company quotes unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s impossible to make a fair comparison in Grand Rapids.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

• Traffic citations inflate rates – Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even a single ticket can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Good drivers tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
• Marriage pays dividends – Being married helps lower the price on your car insurance policy. It translates into being more mature and responsible it has been statistically shown that married couples file fewer claims.
• The type of vehicle makes a difference – The performance level of the car you own makes a huge difference in your rates. The lowest base rates are usually for low performance passenger models, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
• Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Having an insurance coverage lapse is a fast way to bump up your car insurance costs. Not only will you pay more, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time.
• Keep rates low by being claim-free – Insurance companies in Michigan award lower rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
• Liability coverage is cheap – The liability section of your policy provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
• Safer cars cost less to insure – Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles result in less severe injuries and fewer injuries means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don’t necessarily list all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so here is a list some of the best known and the more hidden car insurance savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less than drivers with accidents.
• College Student – Any of your kids who are attending college without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
• Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Memberships – Participating in a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings when buying car insurance.
• Discount for New Cars – Insuring a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
• Good Student – Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.

To choose companies with discount car insurance rates in Michigan, click this link.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation may require specific advice.

• What are the financial responsibility laws in Michigan?
• What are Michigan no-fault laws?
• Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
• Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
• Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
• Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
• Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
• Am I getting all the discounts available?
• Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.

Quote more, save more

In this article, we presented some good ideas how you can get a better price on car insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest priced car insurance comes from a small mutual company. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like Allstate and Progressive.

Cheaper car insurance is possible online and with local Grand Rapids insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

Additional reading for car insurance information

Additional detailed information is available at the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Michigan drivers can file complaints about a company, read state legal mandates and laws, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and view agent and company licensing information.