How To Buy Car Insurance In Lansing
Purchasing car insurance in Lansing shouldn’t feel like a daunting task that takes up a lot of your time or requires complex decision-making. You can go about it in two ways: the traditional way of working with an agent, or the more modern approach of shopping online. Either way, by following these simple steps, you’ll save both time and money.
Do Your Information Gathering
Don’t rush to begin your search on the internet or dial up a nearby agent, it’s crucial to gather certain details that they require from you for a precise quote:
- Name and birthdate of everyone who will be on the policy
- Drivers license numbers for each person to be covered
- Driving history for all drivers, including tickets, accidents, or any other violations
- Your current insurer, if applicable, and your current coverage limits
- Facts about the car: make, model, vehicle identification number, safety features, current odometer reading, annual miles driven
Determine Your Coverage Needs
It’s essential to be aware of how much coverage you require before purchasing car insurance. If you’re uncertain, you can refer to the Michigan minimum car insurance requirements:
- Property protection within Michigan: $1 million
- Personal injury protection: $250,000 (lower limits are allowed for some Medicare and Medicaid recipients)
- Bodily injury liability per person: $50,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $100,000
- Property damage liability per accident outside Michigan: $10,000
In case you’re still uncertain about the coverage you need, it might be a good idea to work with an agent who can assist you in determining your requirements.
Choose Your Buying Method
Buying the most affordable car insurance ultimately comes down to these two main ways:
One option is to get in touch with an insurance agent. But don’t worry, it’s not as intimidating as it may seem. There are different types of agents, such as captive agents who work with only one insurance company like Nationwide or State Farm, car insurance brokers who deal with multiple insurers like Progressive and Geico, and specialty agencies that help drivers with a rocky driving history – think recent accidents, DUIs, tickets, or lapses in coverage.
If you’re not keen on talking to an agent, don’t fret! You can buy car insurance directly from the insurer online. Just enter your details, and you’ll get a quote(s) that outlines all your policy options and pricing. And the best part? You can complete the application right then and there!
Ultimately, it all depends on whether you’d like to speak with an agent or go straight to the source online. No matter which option you choose, you’ll be able to find affordable car insurance in Lansing in no time!
Compare Companies
If you’re on the hunt for car insurance, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few different companies before settling on the one that’s right for you. But don’t just look at the prices and call it a day. It’s important to compare the same coverage limits so you’re truly comparing apples to apples.
Once you’ve got your quotes in hand, take a few extra minutes to dig a little deeper. Head over to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website to check out how many complaints have been filed against each insurer. After all, you want to make sure you’re choosing a company that’s got your back in case you ever need to file a claim.
Buy Your New Policy And Cancel Your Old One
If you’re in the market for a shiny new ride, don’t even think about driving it off the lot without making sure you’ve got car insurance in place. Trust us, you don’t want to be caught without coverage if something happens.
Now, if you’re just swapping out coverage for an existing vehicle, be sure to give your old insurance company a call and let them know you’re cancelling your policy. But make sure your new coverage is set up and ready to go before you cancel. You don’t want any gaps in coverage, and you may be eligible for a refund of any unused premiums (minus a possible cancellation fee).