Consumer Information for Searching Online for a Flint, MI Car Insurance Agent

When shopping for car insurance, there are a lot of options and finding the best Michigan insurance agency is more difficult than just driving to the closest agent’s office. Most likely that not only do you want a friendly agent, but you also want to find the best rates possible.

With companies like State Farm, Allstate and many independent agents all competing for your business, it’s hard to tell which will provide you with the lowest rates and best service. To begin, consumers can use insurance quotes online in order to build a list of agents to choose from.

When should I use an insurance agent?

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Every insured’s situation is different.

For instance, these questions might point out whether you would benefit from professional advice.

Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Am I covered when driving a rental car?
Who is covered by my policy?
How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
What are Michigan no-fault laws?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent.

Car Insurance through a local Flint agent

Agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. Buying from small agencies is definitely important in Flint.

After completing this quick form, your insurance data is emailed to agents in your area who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! It’s the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Different types of Flint auto insurance agents

When looking for a good Flint insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents from which to choose. Agents are either captive or independent.

Independent Insurance Agents

These agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with lots of 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 won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to get quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.

The following is a list of independent insurance agencies in Flint who can help you get price quote information.

L A Insurance Inc – 2927 N Saginaw St – Flint, MI 48505 – (810) 785-9000
Jameson Westenbarger Agency – 2442 E Maple Ave – Flint, MI 48507 – (810) 742-8333
Action Insurance – 2113 W Court St – Flint, MI 48503 – (810) 235-2666

Captive Agents

Captive agencies are contracted to one company such as State Farm or Allstate. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Consumers often buy insurance from these agents mostly because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

The following are captive insurance agencies in Flint who can help you get price quote information.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 3023 S Dye Rd – Flint, MI 48507 – (810) 732-9770
State Farm Insurance – 2515 S Dye Rd – Flint, MI 48532 – (810) 732-6110
Farmers Insurance Group – 1342 W Bristol Rd – Flint, MI 48507 – (810) 767-2291
Allstate Insurance – 4526 Beecher Rd – Flint, MI 48532 – (810) 733-6666

To view a full list of car insurance agents in Flint, please view this page.

Deciding on an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

Are they full-time agents?
Do they assist clients in filing claims?
Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
Will your rates increase after a single accident?
How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?

After getting satisfactory answers to all your questions and an acceptable price quote, you may have just found an insurance agency that can adequately provide car insurance.

Can you save by buying online?

Insurance agents can be invaluable at times, but you also have the option of buying Michigan car insurance direct from companies online. Certain auto insurance companies that sell primarily through agents also give you the ability to buy direct online, so that should be considered as an alternative to contacting agents.

If you’re anxious about not having an agent to talk to, that is normal but is not a big issue. Auto insurance companies provide toll-free numbers for customer questions.

Can you save money buying online? It’s difficult to provide an answer because there are so many things that influence your rates. It’s often assumed that buying directly from the company saves the commission normally paid to an agent. For most online online companies, however, marketing expenses are significant so rates may not be all that different from traditional agents.

Much more information about car insurance in Michigan is located on the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, learn about specific coverages, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

The following information may also be useful.

One last thing about your coverage

Consumers leave their current company for any number of reasons including delays in paying claims, unfair underwriting practices, lack of trust in their agent or even high prices. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right car insurance provider can be easy and end up saving you some money.

Discount car insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents in Flint, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.