Finding the Best Insurance Agents in Traverse City, MI

Traverse City is a beautiful city located in northern Michigan, situated on the shores of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. With its natural beauty and small-town charm, Traverse City has become a popular tourist destination and place to live. As a resident of Traverse City, having the right insurance coverage is important to protect your home, vehicles, business, and family. With several insurance agencies to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best insurance agents in Traverse City to meet your needs. This guide will walk you through what to look for in an insurance agent and provide an overview of top insurance agencies in Traverse City.

What to Look for in an Insurance Agent

When looking for an insurance agent, there are several key factors to consider:

Local Knowledge

Working with a local agent who is familiar with Traverse City and the surrounding areas can be beneficial. They will have a good understanding of common risks and exposures unique to the area that should be covered under your policy. This includes things like typical home values, flood zones, accident rates, and local laws.

Range of Insurance Options

You’ll want to find an agency that provides a wide range of insurance policies. This includes auto, home, life, business, and specialty policies like boat and motorcycle insurance. Having all your policies with one agency makes managing your insurance much simpler.

Strong Financial Ratings

Only work with agencies that represent financially strong insurance carriers rated “A” or higher by rating agencies like A.M. Best. This ensures the insurance company will be there when you need them.

Customer Service

The ability to easily reach your agent and get questions answered is key. Look for an agency with extended hours and ones that allow you to reach them by phone, email, or online chat.

Experience

An established agency with years or decades of experience gives you confidence they know how to properly assess risks and handle claims. Avoid brand new agencies with little track record.

Top Insurance Agencies in Traverse City

With these criteria in mind, here are some of the top insurance agencies in Traverse City to consider:

McNish Agency

With roots going back to 1928, McNish Agency has been serving Traverse City for over 90 years. They are an independent agency with a staff of over 25 licensed agents. McNish provides a full suite of personal and commercial insurance products.

Contact: 134 W State St #203, Traverse City, MI 49684, (231) 946-0135

High Street Insurance Partners

High Street Insurance Partners is a full service, independent insurance agency serving northern Michigan since 1953. They represent over 20 top insurance carriers and provide auto, home, business, life, and specialty insurance policies.

Contact: 333 W Grandview Pkwy #201, Traverse City, MI 49684, (231) 933-8444

Hagerty Insurance

Hagerty Insurance specializes in insuring classic cars, boats, RVs and motorcycles. Their specialized knowledge makes them a go-to agency for owners of these types of vehicles. They can cover all your vehicles and homes under one policy.

Contact: 141 Rivers Edge Dr #200, Traverse City, MI 49684, (800) 922-4050

Todd Hart Insurance Agency

With over 36 years of experience, Todd Hart Insurance provides customized insurance solutions including auto, home, business, life, disability, and long term care insurance. They are an independent agency representing over 20 carriers.

Contact: 10161 E Pickwick Ct #B, Traverse City, MI 49684, (231) 946-8790

Cherryland Insurance Agency

Founded in 1948, Cherryland Insurance Agency offers a complete selection of personal and commercial insurance. They are an independent agency focused on finding tailored coverage at the best price.

Contact: 1235 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686, (231) 946-2515

###BURKE Insurance Agency

BURKE Insurance Agency has been serving Traverse City since 1953. As an independent agency, they provide customized coverage and work with top regional and national carriers. They offer auto, home, business, life, health, and specialty insurance.

Contact: 121 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686, (231) 946-3731

Moore Insurance Agency

With roots dating back to 1898, Moore Insurance Agency offers over 100 years of insurance expertise. They are an independent agency providing customized policies from top-rated insurance carriers. They focus on auto, home, business, life, health and disability insurance.

Contact: 125 Park St, Traverse City, MI 49684, (231) 946-0311

Working with a Local Nationwide or State Farm Agent

In addition to independent agencies, some customers prefer to work directly with a major national insurance brand. The two largest insurance companies with local Traverse City agents are Nationwide and State Farm.

Nationwide Insurance

Nationwide is the 7th largest property and casualty insurer in the United States. Key highlights of Nationwide include:

• Over 90 years of experience serving customers
• A+ rating from A.M. Best
• Over 10,000 local agents across the country
• Competitive rates and a wide selection of insurance products

To find a local Nationwide agent in Traverse City, visit their agent locator and enter your zip code.

State Farm Insurance

State Farm is the largest property and casualty insurance provider in the United States. What you can expect from State Farm includes:

• Nearly 100 years of experience
• Over 19,000 local agents nationwide
• Excellent financial strength ratings
• Broad insurance offerings with competitive pricing

To find a State Farm agent near you, check out their Traverse City agent directory.

Getting Quotes from Traverse City Insurance Agents

The best way to find affordable insurance is to compare customized quotes from multiple agencies. Here are some tips for getting quotes:

• Compare at least 3 quotes – This gives you an idea of pricing differences and what factors impact costs.

• Get quotes for identical coverage – This makes comparing apples-to-apples easy. Don’t take quotes with different coverage amounts or deductibles.

• Provide the same information to each agent – Consistently provide details on factors like your home’s square footage, your driving record, number of miles driven per year, etc.

• Consider bundled policies – Ask about multi-policy discounts for combining home and auto insurance or insuring all your vehicles with one company.

• Take advantage of discounts – Ask each agent what discounts might be available to help lower your costs.

• Consider adjusting your deductibles – Raising deductibles lowers premiums but increases out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.

• Compare claims servicing – Understand how responsive each insurer is for filing and resolving claims. Fast and fair claims resolution is crucial.

• Consult online reviews – Check reviews and complaints with the BBB to see feedback from other customers.

Combining these tips will ensure you get the best insurance deal from reputable agents in Traverse City. Don’t automatically renew your current policies without shopping around first. Comparing plans and rates could potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year.

The Importance of Insurance for Traverse City Residents and Businesses

Traverse City residents face various property risks that make insurance coverage essential. Situated on Lake Michigan leaves homes susceptible to water damage from flooding. The area also gets heavy lake effect snow, making home and auto coverage vital for handling winter weather claims.

For businesses, coverage like general liability insurance, commercial property, workers’ compensation, and business interruption insurance should be considered must-haves. Key risks like fire, vandalism, employee injuries, or loss of income from closures make insurance a smart investment.

Working with a reputable, local Traverse City insurance agent makes getting the right protection easy. Their expertise and knowledge can set you up with customized coverage at the best available price. Don’t leave your home or business inadequately covered. Reach out to leading insurance agencies in Traverse City today to discuss your insurance needs.