Selecting a car insurance company in Grand Rapids, Michigan can be time consuming since finding the best Michigan insurance agent is more difficult than just making a phone call. Most likely you’re not only searching for a professional licensed agent, but you also need the best rates possible.
With companies like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers and independent agents having local Grand Rapids offices, consumers have a hard time knowing which will provide you with the best service and rates. To begin, it’s easy to use insurance quotes online to get a list of insurance agencies to choose from.
When it comes to choosing coverage, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions may help highlight whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent.
Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is you can get lower rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local businesses is especially important in Grand Rapids.
To find an agent, once you fill out this short form, your insurance data is sent to insurance agents in Grand Rapids who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to leave your house as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How cool is that?!
When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are two types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Grand Rapids are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). Both write coverage properly, but it’s worth mentioning the differences because it can influence buying decisions.
Independent agencies are not locked into one company but rather can write business with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.
The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Grand Rapids that may be able to provide pricing information.
Indiana Insurance Co – 1946 Waterbury Dr SE – Grand Rapids, MI 49508 – (616) 281-5791
J Todd Agency Inc – 511 Wilson Ave NW # D – Grand Rapids, MI 49534 – (616) 791-9616
Agency Insurance and Financial – 4550 Cascade Rd SE – Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – (616) 988-4470
Grezak Agency Inc – 1815 Alpine Ave NW – Grand Rapids, MI 49504 – (616) 447-1234
Deyoung Insurance – 3085 Baker Park Dr SE – Grand Rapids, MI 49508 – (616) 245-5047
Captive agencies work for only one company such as American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agents are trained well on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Shown below are captive insurance agents in Grand Rapids who can help you get rate quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 3535 Plainfield Ave NE – Grand Rapids, MI 49525 – (616) 363-9797
Farm Bureau Insurance – 6740 Cascade Rd SE # 4 – Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – (616) 940-7039
State Farm Insurance – 1555 Diamond Ave NE – Grand Rapids, MI 49505 – (616) 363-4889
For a complete listing of captive insurance agents in Grand Rapids, please go to this site.
Picking an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
Once you have positive responses to these questions as well as a affordable price, you may have just found an insurance agent that will properly service your car insurance policy.
Insurance agents can be invaluable at times, but you also have the option of buying direct online. Even companies that sell primarily through agents also let you quote and buy online, and online price comparisons are easy if you’re trying to lower your rates.
If you’re concerned about not having someone to ask questions when shopping online, don’t let it bother you. Car insurance companies give you access to trained agents you can use to get advice on coverages. Many online companies also provide live help and an extensive research center you can access prior to buying.
Is car insurance cheaper online? Many people swear by it, but it’s difficult to answer since there are many things that influence the price you pay. It would make sense to think that buying directly from the company reduces premiums because there is no agent. For most online online companies, however, it’s expensive to advertise so the lack of a commission may be a wash.
Additional information can be found on the website for the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation found here. Michigan drivers can file complaints about a company, view a list of available companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
Lower-priced car insurance is possible online and also from your neighborhood Grand Rapids agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.
People who switch companies do it for many reasons like high rates after DUI convictions, high prices, delays in responding to claim requests or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right car insurance provider is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.