Making the most of auto insurance in Michigan requires that you choose the right auto insurance company. You will need to ensure that your auto insurance is able to handle your claims efficiently, fairly and quickly. You may want to check a database of national claims for any complaints on a company. Another strategy is to check with your state's insurance department for the number of consumer complaints on a company compared to the number of policies it sold.

You should also feel comfortable with your method of purchasing automotive insurance in Michigan. You can buy insurance from a local agent, directly from the company or online. Auto insurance consists of the following types of coverage:

1. Liability coverage for personal injury and property damage; auto insurance companies in Michigan should provide the minimum coverage that the state requires;
2. Property coverage; this pays for damages and theft of your vehicle;
3. Medical coverage that pays for treating injuries and rehabilitation; this may also cover funeral expenses and lost wages.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out more about Michigan auto insurance laws

Each state has its own laws regarding auto insurance. These laws cover such issues as the minimum liability coverage, acceptable proof of financial responsibility and the procedure for obtaining license plates in Michigan.

I recommend: The Department of Labor and Economic Growth provides the specific requirements for Michigan auto insurance. CarInsurance.com provides detail information on the car insurance laws in Michigan.

Get quotes on Michigan auto insurance rates

There are many websites that provide insurance quotes online based on specific information about your vehicle. These websites may also provide other information on car insurance.

I recommend: Michigan Auto Insurance provides free quotes on Michigan auto insurance by zip code. Auto Insurance Remedy provides auto insurance quotes by state and zip code. It also provides the minimum insurance requirements in Michigan.

Find more information on auto insurance from a Michigan auto insurance company

Car insurance companies in Michigan frequently may be more familiar with local insurance regulations than national competitors. They may also offer articles on car insurance in Michigan.

I recommend: Auto Insurance Michigan.net specializes in auto insurance for Michigan and has a variety of resources for Michigan drivers. FKB Insurance provides auto insurance in Michigan and also has direct links to its carriers' websites.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get price quotes from at least three different car insurance companies in Michigan. You may also be able to get a comparison of prices charged by major providers of car insurance. Michigan premiums will also be partially based on your vehicle's sticker price, repair costs, safety record and likelihood of theft.
• •  Join a state assigned risk pool if you have difficulty finding auto insurance in Michigan. Each insurer in a state assigned risk pool must accept the drivers that are assigned to it and keep the profit or pay the loss associated with that customer.

Car insurance in Michigan, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, Michigan car insurance coverage isn't just something that drivers in the "Wolverine State" should have; it's something they must have.

Michigan auto insurance coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in Michigan, you need auto insurance in Michigan. Here's what kind and how much, according to Michigan state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in Michigan, drivers must purchase residual liability bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) insurance, as well as personal injury protection (PIP) and property protection (PPI) coverage; collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) and uninsured property damage coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. Auto insurance in Michigan must include PIP coverage, which will cover all of your medical costs if you’re in an accident and up to 85 percent of the income you would have earned if you weren’t injured.
3. Auto insurance in Michigan must include PPI coverage, which will pay up to $1 million for damage that your car does to other people’s property in Michigan.
4. In Michigan, car insurance must include residual liability insurance; your policy needs at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in BI coverage for costs associated with the injury or death of other people in a car accident, and at least $10,000 in out-of-state PD coverage in the event that you’re in an accident outside of Michigan.

Action Steps
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Browse Michigan auto insurance rates online

If you need Michigan auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major auto insurance companies in Michigan, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get comprehensive online quotes from Michigan car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit Michigan car insurance quotes from national providers

Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in Michigan and all provide competitive Michigan auto insurance rates.

I recommend: Among the largest and most popular car insurance companies in Michigan are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in Michigan.

Get car insurance in Michigan from local and regional companies

In Michigan, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend: For automotive insurance in Michigan, try Michigan-based companies like Michigan Insurance Company, Fremont Insurance and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company. Also consider local programs like the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility (MAIPF), which exists for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in Michigan.

Use an independent agent to find Michigan car insurance bargains

Buying car insurance in Michigan via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in Michigan, search the member directory at the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.

Choose Michigan auto insurance companies that you can trust

Before doing business with Michigan car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend: If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on car insurance companies in Michigan. Another good resource is the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services, which licenses auto insurance companies in Michigan and compiles statistics about complaints against them.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum Michigan car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• •  Penalties for drivers who don't have Michigan car insurance include driver's license suspension and cash fines. Furthermore, driving without car insurance in Michigan is a misdemeanor; those convicted face up to $500 in fines and up to a year in jail.
• •  If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better Michigan auto insurance than is required by state law.
• •  Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in Michigan.

Auto insurance in Michigan education and training will teach you how to evaluate multiple auto insurance policies and recommend the best one to benefit your customer. You may also need to know about the insurance business in general.

The requirements needed to work for car insurance companies in Michigan are determined by the state and also depend on the type of auto insurance coverage being issued. There are three general categories of car insurance coverage:

1. Collision car insurance in Michigan covers damage to the car due to a collision with some object. The cause of collision damage is typically another car but may also be a falling rock or branch. If the insured driver is at fault, collision coverage will generally cover the repair cost up to the coverage limit after the deductible has been paid.
2. Complete insurance covers damage to the insured driver’s vehicle caused by something other than collision. Non-collision damage typically includes damage due to burglary, fire and corrosive liquids.
3. Liability covers damages to other persons or other property that is the fault of the insured driver. It typically includes damage to other vehicles, medical bills of other people and legal expenses.
   

Action Steps
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Complete the courses needed to work for Michigan auto insurance companies

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students the various aspects of Michigan auto insurance rates. These courses should be updated frequently to reflect changes in federal and Michigan insurance law.

I recommend: FSI of Western Michigan offers pre-licensing and continuing education for insurance agents in Michigan. American Education Systems provides a pre-license course of study that is approved by the Michigan Department of Insurance.

Learn the laws regarding automotive insurance in Michigan

Auto insurance brokers and agents in Michigan will need to be familiar with the state laws about their profession. The required coverage limits on auto insurance vary widely by state.

I recommend: Farm Bureau Insurance provides a guide to auto insurance in Michigan, including coverage limits. Michigan Auto Law offers the liability limits and other aspects of auto insurance law in Michigan.

Obtain the license required by Michigan car insurance providers

Michigan has five different types of insurance licenses: accident and health, casualty, life, property and personal. Get licensing information necessary for a career in MI auto insurance.

I recommend: The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth provides the requirements for an insurance license in Michigan. Sandi Kruise summarizes the Michigan state requirements for an insurance license.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Michigan car insurance providers should set themselves apart by becoming a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). This designation is respected throughout the insurance industry and identifies the holder as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. A variety of insurance professionals may become CPCUs such as agents, brokers, claim adjusters and risk managers. Many attorneys, consultants and educators may also hold the CPCU designation.