Selecting a auto insurance company in East Lansing, Michigan can be time consuming since choosing the right East Lansing insurance agent is more difficult than just picking up the phone. For this article’s sake, it’s assumed that not only do you want a decent agent, but you also want to find great rates as well.
With companies like Farmers, Allstate, and independent agents all competing for business in East Lansing, it can be hard to know which insurance agency will provide the lowest rates and best service. Thankfully, consumers can use online price quotes to build a list of insurance agents from which to choose.
Working with a local agent
Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you peace of mind. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for local businesses is important especially in East Lansing.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to companies in East Lansing who will battle to get your business. You won’t need to drive around as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How cool is that?! You can find the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.
Independent or Captive: It’s your choice
When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents from which to choose. East Lansing agents are either captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to contact multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.
The following are independent insurance agencies in East Lansing that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.
- Scw Agency Group – 2501 Coolidge Rd – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 336-8972
- Ben Brewer Agency – 716 Abbott Rd – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 203-0349
- Abbott Insurance and Finance Ctr – 2205 Abbott Rd – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 351-5785
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 2200 Coolidge Rd – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 333-2060
- Winston Agency – 927 E Grand River Ave – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 337-8222
Agency Captives
These agents write business for a single company such as American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so keep that in mind. Captive agencies are trained well on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent partially due to the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Below are East Lansing captive insurance agencies that are able to give price quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 735 W Lake Lansing Rd – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 351-5600
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 2200 Coolidge Rd – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 333-2060
- Farmers Insurance Group – 210 Abbott Rd # 22 – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 333-8812
- Allstate Insurance – 6516 English Oak Dr – East Lansing, MI 48823 – (517) 339-0960
For a full directory of East Lansing captive insurance agencies, simply jump to this page.
Choosing an insurance agency requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:
- How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
Once you have received good answers to all your questions and a good coverage price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that will properly insure your vehicles.
How do online company rates compare?
Professional insurance agents serve a purpose, but you can also find affordable Michigan auto insurance direct online. Some car insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate who sell through agents in East Lansing also give you the option to get a quote and buy online, and consumers should do that if the lowest rate is your goal.
If you’re anxious about not having professional advice, that should not be a issue. Online companies that require consumers to choose their own coverages have customer service departments for customer questions. Additionally, most companies also offer 24/7 live help and a car insurance FAQ section you can access prior to buying.
When shopping for low rates, the only way to find out if the cheapest policy comes from an agent or online is to compare price quotes from both. It’s even possible to receive different pricing from agents as you do online from the same insurance company.
Are online premiums lower? Many people think so, but it’s hard to say for sure because there are many factors that impact your rate calculation. It’s a common assumption that shopping online for auto insurance lowers rates due to not having any agent compensation. In reality, online and traditional media advertising are expensive and that can cost more than having to pay agents.
In Summary
When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to find out they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Consumers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, being labeled a high risk driver, high rates after DUI convictions or even unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason, switching companies is less work than it seems.
Online resources for education
More information is available on the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website through this link. Michigan drivers can read industry bulletins, get help finding coverage, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
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