St. Clair Shores Car Insurance
St. Clair Shores, MI is just outside of Detroit, and residents in this area experience a fair amount of traffic. Whether you are passing a tractor-trailer on Interstate 94, cruising down the “Nautical Mile” portion of Jefferson Avenue or driving along 9 Mile Road while crossing town, your risk of a collision increases according to the number of vehicles you are sharing the roads with. Of course, accidents can happen anywhere at any time, so it is important that before you get behind the wheel of your car, you ensure that your finances are protected by a suitable St. Clair Shores auto insurance policy.
When you compare policies and rates from an assortment of reputable insurance companies, you have the potential to save a lot of money on your premiums. Comparison shopping is easy with the help of an independent insurance agent in our network. These agents are free to work with several different insurance providers so they can help you gather, review and compare competitively priced St. Clair Shores car insurance quotes. Find an agent near you to get started.
- National average cost per year: $1,311
- Michigan average cost per year: $2,476
- #1 most expensive auto premium in U.S.
Michigan’s average car insurance rates are the highest in the country. This makes comparison shopping for affordable rates even more important. The insurance companies you contact base your actual costs on a number of considerations including such things as your age, driving record, home ZIP code, credit score and vehicle information. All insurance providers have their own proprietary methods for assessing risk and calculating rates, so each of the companies you contact is likely to quote you a different price for your St. Clair Shores car insurance coverage. Comparing rates from a number of different providers puts you at an advantage by enabling you to choose the policy that offers you the best value for your money.
Michigan Car Insurance Requirements
- Bodily injury liability: required
- Property damage liability: required
- Personal injury protection (PIP): required
- Uninsured motorist coverage: not required
- Minimum liability limits: 20/40/10: Coverage up to $40,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $20,000 per individual, and $10,000 coverage for property damage
While the minimum coverage requirements issued by the state may be sufficient to protect your finances in the event of a typical motor vehicle collision (such as a fender bender), a serious accident that results in significant injuries, excessive property damage or fatalities can greatly exceed these limits. In that case, you are obligated to make up the difference out of pocket. To protect your finances and assets, such as your home, you may want to consider purchasing a policy that has much higher liability limits than the state requires.
Failure to carry car insurance that meets or exceeds Michigan’s minimum coverage requirements can result in fines between $200 and $500, the loss of your driver’s license for up to 30 days and the possibility of incarceration. Furthermore, you can face a hefty liability lawsuit if you are responsible for an accident while driving without coverage.
Number of Uninsured Motorists in Michigan
- Number of uninsured U.S. drivers: 12.6%
- Number of uninsured Michigan drivers: 21.0%
Although operating an uninsured vehicle is illegal in Michigan, approximately one out of every five motorists on this state’s roads are driving without coverage. This puts law-abiding citizens like you at risk because if one of these uninsured drivers is at fault for a collision with your vehicle, that person is responsible for covering your damage and medical treatments, if needed. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult, if not impossible, to collect this money — especially if the offending driver has no assets to go after.
You can avoid this risk and frustration by including the optional uninsured motorist coverage as part of your St. Clair Shores car insurance. When you have this coverage, your insurance company covers your losses following a collision with an at-fault uninsured driver. They then attempt to collect reimbursement from the responsible driver on their own behalf. This insurance also covers damage and injuries you may experience if you are involved in a collision with a hit-and-run driver.
Number of Auto Thefts in Michigan
- National number of thefts per 1,000 vehicles: 2.94
- Michigan number of thefts per 1,000 vehicles: 3.33
The auto theft rate in Michigan is higher than the national average; but it is lower in the city of St. Clair Shores. In recent years, there were only 78 auto thefts reported in this city. That equates to about 1.30 thefts per 1,000 cars — well below the national average. This is something that insurance companies may take into consideration when calculating your car insurance rates.
If your car is stolen, your St. Clair Shores auto insurance company can only compensate you for your loss if your policy includes the comprehensive, or “other than collision,” coverage option. This insurance covers noncollision-related damage, such as that caused by property crimes, falling objects, flying debris, floods, and fires — so long as it is not caused by a vehicular accident.
Find the Best St. Clair Shores Car Insurance Policy
If you bought your car insurance policy without first taking the time to compare rates from a few competing insurance companies, it is very likely that you are needlessly paying more than you have to for your coverage. Savvy vehicle owners in St. Clair Shores understand this, so they turn to independent agents in our network for assistance when they are shopping for affordable coverage.
Our agents make comparison shopping easy by contacting a selection of reputable insurance companies on your behalf to collect customized quotes. These agents can then help you choose the policy that best meets your family’s coverage and budgetary needs. Find an agent with an office near you today to learn more about your St. Clair Shores auto insurance options.