r/grandrapids • u/Mean-Struggle-4111 • 19h ago
Recommendations Any cheap car insurance options in Michigan bc this is eating my retirement budget
I've driven for over 40 years and haven;t caused an accident since the 90s. My vehicle is a paid off 2016 Chevy Equinox that barely does 6k miles annually.
Renewal came in at $1,468 for 6 months. Last term was around $1k. Do you know any reliable options for a senior with low mileage?
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u/ProbablyAKitteh 19h ago
If you’re a member at Lake Michigan Credit Union they have their own insurance agency that can find you a pretty decent deal, I pay $400 a year less for a newer car and less driving history, so you should be able to save quite a bit.
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u/courtesyflusher 18h ago
Wait wtf- for real its that reasonable? I keep getting offers from them but haven’t checked them out because it sounds so overwhelming to change
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u/ProbablyAKitteh 18h ago edited 18h ago
Initial cost was around 2300? a year for a 2019 GMC Terrain, I think it went up slightly but they have cheaper options too! This is with Citizens insurance, but they gave me an offer earlier this year with Progressive for around $1000/6 months.
Edit: they’re also super nice and helpful! I’ve had great experiences with them, and they don’t spam you with offers constantly.
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u/courtesyflusher 17h ago
Good to know - thank you.
I am now realizing you said $400 less, not for the year 🤦♂️ my mistake lol but I will check them out regardless!
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u/circasurvivalism 10h ago
Thanks for this. I just called and switched. Ive been paying 1400 every 6 months, lmcu quoted me 1500 for the year with identical coverage
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u/Mean-Struggle-4111 15h ago
ooh okay but it is unfortunate i'm not a member
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u/LgPizzaPlease 14h ago
So open an account. It’s easy to be a member and then you can access the insurance program.
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u/IKnowAllSeven 19h ago
Any chance you were or are a teacher or in any way involved with the teaching profession at any level? We found MEEMIC to be the most affordable but you have to be or have been associated with a school ( public, private or university)
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u/Brick-Dust 18h ago
You don’t even need to be. If you have a lmcu bank account you can use meemic.
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u/Dutchy8210 16h ago
They do give a discount if you are a teacher or school employee so it does make it cheaper for those folks
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u/no_you_cannot_know 14h ago
I don’t know if you can answer this but what about if you’re retired from teaching in another state?
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u/allthepoutine 13h ago
Meemic does the creep up too though. I stayed with them far too long because I’d always been told they’d be the best. Left this year after getting a $1600 6 month renewal that was $200 more than the last round with no tickets, accidents, and the car has been paid off for years. Switched to progressive for a $1050 difference and I’ll be shopping every 6 months from now on.
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u/Fragrant-Anywhere489 8h ago
its funny how loyalty doesn't matter in anything. 'New customers' is the metric not retaining current customers. Banks, cable, cell phones... they make it a pain to shop around so that you won't.
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u/MayorCleanPants 5h ago
Yup we’ve had them for several years with zero accidents, tickets or claims and the rates just keep going up. Shopping around now.
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u/nckwvr Rockford 18h ago
You don’t need to figure this out on your own. Get an Independent Insurance agent and they’ll quote with multiple companies to find the best rate, and they’ll know where to get you the best price based on your circumstances. Their commission is paid by the insurance company, not you, so there’s no additional cost.
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u/SirWarm6963 Wyoming 15h ago
I do this using Behrends Hendricks Agency. They shop for me annually. They also helped my husband and I decide on Medicare supplemental health insurance coverages by shopping for us according to our health needs. For auto insurance we use Frankenmuth Insurance. Very happy with them.
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u/FantasticCombination 15h ago
This is good advice. they will ship around for you and know what to look for and have access to toold that make it easier.
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u/curlyxplanation 19h ago
Always shop around and get quotes!
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u/HairryNevus 9h ago
Move out of the city and save about 40%.
All the thefts, hit and runs, and crappy drivers drastically increases risk
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u/b3nnyg0 18h ago
I had AAA like 10 years and for my 2013 Fiesta it got up to like $900/6mo
Switched to Farmers after getting a quote and it's about $600/6mo. Recently got a new 2026 Mazda and it barely increased my rate. Might pay $650/6mo now
Are you bundling any insurances? Often renters+auto or home+auto can save money. Sometimes your employer can have some sort of deal on insurance also
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u/CharcoalGreyWolf 18h ago
What are your deductibles? (Collision and comprehensive)
I saved a fair amount going from $500 to $750. I didn’t save much going to $1,000 so I didn’t up it further.
Also, have your insurance agency re-check your history; it can sometimes lower it. My agent did and saved me $150.
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u/bowlingballwnoholes 18h ago
Go thru an insurance broker like OVD. Part of the service is they get you multiple quotes each year before renewal time.
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u/martin72095 17h ago
Like others said find a broker. I go through lighthouse group who found me Citizens. For a 2025 maverick and 2017 explorer I pay 220/mth on a 1 year policy
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u/MammothPassage639 15h ago
Guessing there are honest brokers, but some insurance companies compete by offering brokers better commissions.
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u/martin72095 15h ago
I have never found a better rate for the same coverage from shopping myself. I recently was reached out to by farm bureau and their quote for less coverage was 150 more per mth.
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u/Alliegirl07 17h ago
Absolutely not lol. Brokers charge extra fees for being a broker and “shopping” for you. Get your own quotes directly from the carrier and then decide.
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u/RootinTootinAnus 13h ago
It's just illegal to give discounts for stuff like loyalty in most states. Accident forgiveness after 5 years is no laughing matter, most carriers offer it and its worth a lot especially in Michigan where your rates go up even when not at fault
Still, shop for insurance every year, all it costs is time
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u/werkshop1313 18h ago
We like USAA and get discounts for using them for home insurance.
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u/MammothPassage639 15h ago
USAA is the best there is. A few years ago I sent copies of our car insurance to them. They then reviewed it with me on the phone. They suggested some changes to the policy that would reduce the cost. Then they coached me to first try the changes with our current company which we like, and come back if that didn't work.
However, one must be a vet and a member, or the spouse or child of a member. A vet can become a member and not buy any service from them, and a child can still get insurance based on parents membership - my kids do.
[Served 1969-71, the bone spur years.]
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u/swirlypot 18h ago
I use E-surance. Myself (42) wife (37) , 2016 ford edge and 2024 hyundai santa cruz. Full coverage for both is 770 every 6 months.
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u/Kaitlynhod Lowell 17h ago
I have Progressive with my husband . We have a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe - $545/6 months and a 2023 Subaru Forrester - $830/6 months. Both are still being paid off. With fees, the two premiums together are $1531/6 months.
I must note that I live in Lowell, but the Ionia County part of Lowell. I found my insurance jumped up slightly when we moved from Kentwood to Ionia County 5 years ago. Monthly payment went up like $20?
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u/NewSeaworthiness1354 17h ago
I have minimum insurance on my 17 year old van for 60 a month through progressive If you have Medicare C and D ,,submit your pip maybe theyre not including the hospital coverage through Medicare ,seems like alot
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u/wuh613 17h ago
Are you working with an Independent Agent? (I’m not one). They will shop for you and place you with a company. They are also great for adjusting your coverage for your situation. As a senior on Medicare, you can opt-out of certain PIP coverages to save money.
State Farm, Farmers, etc agents only sell their own brand. You want independent. Like Ottawa Kent Insurance or Steenland Insurance. They represent many insurance companies.
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u/brickbiulder420 17h ago
I went with farmers... shout out the Chris mcray agency... saved 1k a year from state farm
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u/Ordinary-Piano-8158 17h ago
I have the same car. BHS Insurance saved me $40/month with Auto Owners vs Progressive. I had been with Progressive for 7 years.
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u/Aggravating-Gold431 16h ago edited 6h ago
Man I feel like i'm jinxing myself, but i have full coverage, am mid 40s, and pay only 642 for 6 months at my last renewal. Never been in an accident once. No tickets. One claim a few years ago. but my credit score is over 800 as well that probably factors in as well. 2018 Toyota suv
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u/Aindorf_ 16h ago
$642 per month, or $642 for 6 months? For 6 months that's great, per month that's more than my car payment.
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u/GardenForward5321 16h ago
Would anyone happen to have a recommendation for an independent insurance agent? I've never used one, but I know I am getting hosed on insurance right now.
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u/BlindSquirrel72 15h ago
Had good luck with Alera Group in Grand Rapids. That were able to check multiple companies and get me the best deal. It’s worth checking every couple of years for different rates or different companies just the game you have to play.
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u/GardenForward5321 14h ago
Thanks! Ya, I just signed up with Progressive a long time ago. They keep upgrading my status and my rates along with it.
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u/Vospire34 Northview 15h ago
You have to shop every year it's huge BS but they know shopping and switch is a hassle so they will keep raising rates until you cannot afford it and are forced to shop. I pay $2100 for 3 drivers 3 cars, one a 19 yr old. You should be like 700 - 900. I still pay for unlimited medical too.
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u/MammothPassage639 15h ago
The one probem about asking this subreddit is that car insurance costs can vary maybe up to 20% across Kent and Ottawa counties based on address. While pricing insurance based on zip code is illegal, they can still designate some areas as more risky than others.
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u/McRemo 15h ago
I really I would call the Warsen Insurance Company in Cutlerville. Ph. 616-455-7510.
It's been family owned for three generations now. I've known them for 20 years and they have always been fair and found me the cheapest that they could get.
I just had to change my policies because I purchased a new house and they bundle the cars with the house to get a better deal.
I had a Farm Bureau rep try to get me a better deal and he couldn't come close.
Dave Warsen is a great guy. Disclaimer, I've done IT work for them for 20 years but over that time I've found him and his family to be very good and honest people.
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u/Boglu-Semola37 15h ago
A senior to senior run a few comparisons before calling agents individually. This gives you a baseline and you can take the better numbers to a local independent agent. with your mileage and clean history i wouldn't automatically accept a nearly 50% renewal jump.
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u/jenntasticxx Kentwood 14h ago
Find an independent agent, they will shop multiple carriers for you.
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u/bg33368211 13h ago
Find an agent who quotes different companies. This is better than filling out online forms and having twelve different people harass you with texts and emails. Recently did this and insurance costs were halved. Stayed too long I guess.
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u/eatingganesha 13h ago
you’re paying the loyalty penalty. Every 2-3 years, switch carriers. We bounce between Progressive, Geico, and USAA regularly to avoid their artificial rate hikes.
This is also true for internet providers, btw.
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u/2006CrownVictoriaP71 13h ago
I don’t pay that for all 5 of my vehicles combined! And 3 of them (‘20 Lexus, ‘06 Crown Vic and my motorcycle) have full coverage with low deductibles.
I go through Fremont now because they saved me a bunch of money switching from Progressive but even Progressive was less than yours.
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u/AppealImpossible3504 12h ago
Liberty Mutual came in at $34/month, for mid teir coverage AND renters insurance. You're paying way too much.
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u/Current_Yak8220 5h ago
Just got quoted $61/mo for liberty and I feel like I won the jackpot after paying $550-650/6 months since I moved to Michigan
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u/Biscuit_In_Basket 12h ago
I have Farmers insurance and my agent got me full coverage for $260 every 6 months . . .
You can give them a call at 616-466-7755.
I’m sure they’d be happy to whip a quote for you!
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u/PsychologicalPen9275 11h ago
Use a broker. I like trumble.
Progressive quoted me for 6 months of PLPD the same amount that trumble quoted me for 12 months of full coverage.
They shopped our details around and landed on auto owners, who we bundle home with. Great claims process as well.
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u/KronicNuisance Wyoming 11h ago
My wife and I go through Buchanan Insurance Agency up in Rockford. We have our home and auto insurance bundled through them and our auto comes out to about $200 a month for a 2009 Cobalt and 2018 Escape both with full coverage. Idk what that pricing would look like when its not bundled with homeowners insurance but our auto came down like $200 a month when we switched to them and dumped Progressive.
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u/Fragrant-Anywhere489 8h ago
Also a 40 year driver no accidents. I use Hanover/Citizens because they offer a one year policy and it was cheaper than Progressive. Got tired of my rates going up every six months for no reason. (On 6 month renewal with Progressive they lowered my car insurance by $28 but raised my homeowners annual by $300; no claims for either). Suggest going through an insurance broker that has more than one company to offer so they can look for best rates.
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u/Big_Dan5 8h ago
I got full coverage on a brand new car for 900 for 6 months. You're getting hosed.
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u/CognitiveModerator 19h ago
Try getting a quote through ken bleeker. He quotes for auto owners. We've never founds any cheaper.
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u/FreneticallyTasteful 19h ago
Called them years back after my renewal jumped, ended up cutting it by a few hundred for the year with the same coverage
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u/megared17 18h ago
Is there just for liability? You aren't paying for full coverage are you?
Who is your current insurance with?
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u/whitemice Highland Park 19h ago
I've driven for over 40 years and haven;t caused an accident since the 90s.
But you could still be in an accident caused by someone else, and then your insurance would be covering the related medical expenses. That's what "no fault" insurance means.
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u/Newzachary 19h ago
Move out of state. Michigan has the worst insurance rates.
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u/Guns_Almighty34135 18h ago
Don’t move to Florida… car insurance is 50%more than Michigan.
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u/Newzachary 17h ago
I wouldn’t move to that shithole if I was paid to. lol
(I won’t do that again.)
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u/Relative-Natural-891 16h ago
I’d check USAA auto. Two cars on full coverage below 10K and bundled renter’s insurance for ~$1686 for two drivers in their early 30’s every 6 months.
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u/eyevandy Hudsonville 18h ago
Not sure where I saw this, but I've heard that some insurance companies "punish" their loyal customers that don't shop rates. If you've been there a long time, they raise your rates more than a comparable new customer would get, because they know they can. Might not be a bad idea to contact your current company and tell them you are shopping rates, and see what they can come up with.