How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Swartz Creek

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy overpriced auto insurance? Trust us, you're not alone.

Because you have many auto insurance companies to choose from, it can be hard to choose the lowest price car insurance company.

Finding affordable coverage in Swartz Creek is quite easy. In a nutshell, every driver who has to buy auto insurance will be able to save money. Nevertheless, Michigan consumers do need to know how insurance companies market insurance on the web and take advantage of how the system works.

Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Swartz Creek

Performing a rate comparison can be a daunting task if you don't know the most efficient way to do it. You could spend your day driving to local insurance agents in Swartz Creek, or you could use online quoting to get the quickest rates.

All the larger companies belong to a marketplace that allows shoppers to submit one quote, and at least one company returns a competitive quote for coverage. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here (opens in new window).

The only drawback to using this type of system is you don't know exactly which companies to get quotes from. So if you want to select individual companies to receive pricing from, we have a listing of companies who write auto insurance in Michigan. Click here to view list.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but compare apples-to-apples coverage limits on every quote. If you use differing limits you can't possibly make a fair comparison in Swartz Creek. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits can result in a big premium difference. Just keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies provides better odds of finding better pricing.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

It's important that you understand the different types of things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Careers like doctors, business owners and stock brokers have the highest rates due to job stress and long work hours. On the other hand, occupations like actors, students and retirees get better rates.
  • Safer cars cost less to insure - Safer cars can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts passed on to you as lower rates.
  • Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are quite a few extra coverages that can waste your money when buying auto insurance. Things like vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage may be costing you every month. They may seem good initially, but now you might not need them so remove them from your policy.
  • More than one policy can earn a discount - Some insurers provide better rates to insureds who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it's still a good idea to shop around to verify if the discount is saving money. Drivers may still find a better deal by buying auto insurance from a different company.
  • Pay less after the wedding - Being married helps lower the price on your policy. Having a significant other translates into being more mature and responsible and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance - Your policy's liability coverage provides coverage when you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. It provides legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.
  • Cautious drivers pay less - A bad driving record has a big impact on rates. Drivers who don't get tickets get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Even one citation can bump up the cost forty percent or more. If you have dangerous violations such as DUI or reckless driving may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to prevent a license revocation.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Car insurance companies don't always advertise every discount very well, so here is a list both the well known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Claim Free - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to frequent claim filers.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Safety Course Discount - Taking a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
  • Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Paperwork-free - Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing online.
  • Multiple Cars - Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Homeowners Discount - Simply owning a home can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house requires personal responsibility.
  • Lower Rates for Military - Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don't profit that way.

For a list of insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Michigan, click here to view.

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Visitors are able to read industry bulletins, find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, and read consumer alerts.

Other useful links include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in Michigan and this list of insurance agents in Swartz Creek.

auto insurance in Swartz Creek

Final considerations

Cost effective auto insurance is attainable both online as well as from independent agents in Swartz Creek, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who don't offer online quoting and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.