Westland, Michigan is a city located in Wayne County with a population of over 80,000 residents. As a motorist in Westland, having proper car insurance coverage is crucial for protecting yourself financially in the event of an accident or other incident. But with so many insurance providers to choose from, how do you find the best car insurance in Westland for your needs?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about shopping for car insurance in Westland and provide tips for getting the best coverage at an affordable rate.
Overview of Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Michigan
Michigan is considered a no-fault insurance state, which means both parties’ insurance providers will pay out medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. However, Michigan drivers are still required to have a certain level of liability insurance coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $500,000
Liability coverage helps pay for damage or injuries you cause to others in an accident, while PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers. Failure to carry the minimum required auto insurance in Michigan can result in fines, license/registration suspension, and difficulty getting compensation after an accident.
Although these coverage amounts meet state minimum requirements, experts often recommend carrying more protection. Buying higher liability limits and PIP coverage can better protect your assets in a major accident.
Key Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates in Westland
Car insurance rates can vary widely between providers and depend on your individual risk profile. Some key factors that affect your auto insurance premiums in Westland include:
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Driving Record: Drivers with past speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUIs, or other violations see much higher rates. A clean record saves you money.
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Vehicle Type: Insuring a sports car, luxury vehicle, or high-performance model costs more than insuring an economy sedan. Newer cars also tend to have higher rates.
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Age: Teen drivers and seniors have the highest average rates. Drivers in their 40s and 50s tend to pay the least.
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Credit History: Michigan allows insurers to use your credit-based insurance score when underwriting. Maintaining excellent credit can significantly reduce your car insurance costs.
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Coverage Limits: Opting for lower liability limits or higher deductibles brings down your premiums. Increase these for more protection.
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Discounts: Most insurers offer discounts for things like bundling policies, going paperless, paying annually, and defensive driver courses.
Getting quotes from multiple top-rated insurance providers is the best way to find the cheapest rate based on your risk profile. Comparing Westland car insurance quotes annually also ensures you don’t overpay.
Top 7 Car Insurance Providers in Westland
Westland drivers have access to national insurance carriers, regional providers, and local agencies when shopping for coverage. Here are some of the top insurers to consider when getting Westland auto insurance quotes:
State Farm
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Overview: The largest auto insurer in the U.S. with extensive coverage options and discounts.
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Financial Strength Rating: A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $1,109 annual premium for full coverage on a 2010 Toyota Camry for a 40-year-old driver.
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Availability: 19 local State Farm agents in Westland.
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Discounts Offered: Steer Clear, Drive Safe & Save, defensive driving course, good student, and multi-policy discounts.
Allstate
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Overview: One of the largest insurers with standard and customizable coverage options.
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Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $1,456 annual premium for full coverage on a 2015 Honda Civic for a 30-year-old driver.
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Availability: Local Allstate insurance agencies available.
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Discounts Offered: Safe driving, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, new car, and bundling discounts.
Progressive
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Overview: Major national insurer with competitive rates and easy quoting/policy management.
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Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $1,092 annual premium for full coverage on a 2018 Toyota RAV4 for a 50-year-old driver.
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Availability: Quote and buy policies online or over the phone.
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Discounts Offered: Snapshot safe driving, continuous insurance, pay-in-full, online quote, and multi-policy discounts.
Geico
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Overview: Popular low-cost car insurance carrier with extensive online support tools.
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Financial Strength Rating: A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $960 annual premium for full coverage on a 2017 Ford Escape for a 35-year-old driver.
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Availability: Quote and purchase coverage online or over the phone.
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Discounts Offered: Good driver, seat belt use, air bags, anti-theft, defensive driver course, and multi-vehicle discounts.
AAA
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Overview: Competitive rates and customer service from this auto club insurance provider.
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Financial Strength Rating: A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $1,201 annual premium for full coverage on a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu for a 60-year-old driver.
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Availability: Quote and buy insurance through local AAA Michigan branch.
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Discounts Offered: AAA membership, anti-theft, young driver training course, and multi-policy discounts.
Liberty Mutual
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Overview: Full-service national insurer with personalized coverage options.
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Financial Strength Rating: A (Excellent) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $1,235 annual premium for full coverage on a 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid for a 25-year-old driver.
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Availability: Quote and purchase online, over the phone or through local agents.
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Discounts Offered: Safe driving, preferred payment, newly married, new graduate, defensive driving course, and homeowner discounts.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan
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Overview: Competitive rates from this statewide insurance provider. Must have Farm Bureau membership to buy auto policy.
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Financial Strength Rating: A (Excellent) from A.M. Best
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Sample Annual Premium: $851 annual premium for full coverage on a 2020 Nissan Altima for a 28-year-old driver.
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Availability: Call for quote or visit local office. Must become a MI Farm Bureau member ($55 annual dues).
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Discounts Offered: Multi-policy, mature driver, good student, and young driver training discounts.
Tips for Finding Cheap Westland Car Insurance Rates
Besides comparing quotes from the top insurers operating in Westland, there are some other ways local drivers can find affordable auto insurance rates:
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Raise your deductibles: Increasing your comprehensive and collision deductibles to $500 or $1,000 can reduce premiums 20% or more. Just have money set aside to pay the deductibles if you file a claim.
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Ask about discounts: Don’t forget to inquire about all possible discounts when getting a car insurance quote. Things like defensive driver courses, usage-based programs, affinity group memberships, and paying annually upfront can help lower costs.
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Limit your mileage: Some insurers provide a low-mileage discount if you drive fewer than 7,500-10,000 miles per year. This can help lower your rate if you have a shorter commute or are retired.
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Drop unnecessary extras: Consider removing extras like rental reimbursement or roadside assistance if you don’t use these perks often. Focus on core liability, collision and comprehensive coverage.
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Raise liability limits slowly: Increasing your liability limits to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident could improve protection without breaking the bank.
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Check rates every renewal: Get fresh quotes each renewal cycle as new discounts or life changes like marriage, new home, better credit, etc. could save you money on your existing policy.
Recommended Minimum Coverage in Westland
Though Michigan only requires liability limits of $50,000 per person/$100,00 per accident and $10,000 in property damage coverage, experts recommend buying higher limits and additional protection:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $100,000
- Personal Injury Protection: $250,000 to $500,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Comprehensive Coverage: $500 to $1,000 deductible
- Collision Coverage: $500 to $1,000 deduct
The Ultimate Guide to Car Insurance in Michigan – 101
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