Category: Auto Insurance

Living in Michigan means adhering to the state’s rules, laws, and regulations. This includes driving and auto insurance laws, which can slightly differ depending on your city. 

Learn more about how local laws can impact your auto insurance in Grand Rapids from the professionals at the Dalessandro Agency Inc.

How Local Laws Impact Auto Insurance in Grand Rapids 

• Strict Parking Restrictions Can Lead to Excessive Ticketing and Parking Violations: Drivers receiving numerous tickets or frequent parking citations may affect their auto insurance rates. 
• Road Safety Initiatives Impact Local Traffic Enforcement Policies: Local infrastructure improvements and road safety initiatives can often increase construction zones, detours around the city, non-fatal car accidents, and stricter enforcement of speeding laws, which can eventually affect the insurance rates of frequent violators. 
• Driving Without Adequate Auto Insurance Leads to Higher Rates: One of the worst things for Grand Rapids drivers to do is get caught driving without liability or comprehensive auto insurance. This can lead to traffic violations and higher insurance rates for frequent offenders. 

Understanding Your Coverage Options 

The best way to learn about your insurance options is to enlist the services of a knowledgeable and trusted local insurance agent, such as the Dalessandro Agency in Grand Rapids, MI. 

Licensed insurance agents can answer your most pressing questions about choosing the best auto insurance and the differences between comprehensive insurance and liability-only policies. They can also offer you the best rates for coverage based on your circumstances and your driving history.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to get adequate auto insurance coverage—contact an insurance agent at the Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, and get a custom quote today!

Many factors affect the price that you will pay for car insurance. At Dalessandro Agency Inc., providing auto insurance to residents in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area, we have recently seen an influx of customers asking if their credit score will be checked when shopping for car insurance.

Your Insurance and Credit Score

In Michigan, it is essential to note that the use of credit scores in determining car insurance premiums is restricted by state law. Michigan law prohibits car insurance companies from using credit scores or credit information as the sole basis for determining rates or eligibility for coverage. Under the state’s Insurance Code, insurers in Michigan are required to use other factors such as driving record, vehicle type, annual mileage, and other relevant factors to calculate insurance premiums. The law aims to prevent discriminatory practices and ensure that rates are primarily based on factors directly related to driving risk.

The reason why people ask if their credit score will be checked is because this practice is legal in some states. Some states allow insurance companies to run a credit check and use that information when determining how much an individual will pay for car insurance. As such, if you plan on moving out of Michigan, this may be something that you encounter in the future. However, this is not currently legal in Michigan. 

If you are looking for a new car insurance policy, you can rest easy knowing your credit score cannot be used against you. The team here at Dalessandro Agency Inc., serving the greater Grand Rapids, MI area, would love to help you find the right policy for you and within your budget. Call us now to obtain an estimate.

Michigan is known for its incredible scenery, especially when you go on a road trip. There are so many beautiful sights to see off the beaten path from the Grand Rapids, MI area, and they’re all waiting to be explored. If you need ideas, Dalessandro Agency Inc. has put together 3 of our favorites for you to enjoy! But first, make sure to get auto insurance for your car so that you can enjoy a stress-free trip. 

Scenic Road Trips Through Michigan

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a relatively short road trip that takes you through the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This road is excellent for all types of vehicles and offers a unique adventure for everyone. The drive is named after an early conservationist who helped to preserve this area, and it provides gorgeous views of the forest year-round. It spans about 7.8 miles in a loop.

Red Arrow Highway

The Red Arrow Highway is an iconic stretch between New Buffalo and Kalamazoo. It’s a fascinating gem known for the distinct red arrow signs marking the trail., so it’ll provide you with a refreshingly new experience. Named for this region’s WWII National Guard infantry division, it’s a fun road, especially during the fall.

Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway

The Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway runs along the shore of Lake Superior. It’s the ideal drive for an educational experience, with many historical sites, including the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, which serves as a visitor center museum. Come during the summer for some fun and informative events!

Don’t Head Out Without Auto Insurance

There are many reasons to explore the state outside the Grand Rapids, MI area, with its breathtaking landscapes and friendly people. Before you hit the road, make sure you have the appropriate car insurance with Dalessandro Agency Inc.

Did you just buy a new car? Have you recently relocated to the Grand Rapids, MI area? Are you interested in upgrading your auto insurance policy? Then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you want to purchase a new auto insurance plan or upgrade an existing one, the friendly and knowledgeable agents at Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI are here to help with all your auto insurance needs! Call or stop by today to get started!

In the meantime, here’s info about how auto insurance can help you!

Most states require drivers to have some form of insurance coverage, or, at the very least, be able to provide proof that they can afford to pay for damages if they are at fault in an accident. In Michigan, it’s mandatory for all drivers to carry a minimum of No-Fault auto insurance, a.k.a. personal injury protection (PIP). This policy protects you and any passengers in your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident, regardless of whom is at fault. Under Michigan’s No-Fault policy, an auto insurance company assumes responsibility for your medical bills and any lost wages if you’re involved in an accident.

Many Michigan drivers invest in extra coverage to cover costs not included under the state’s No-Fault policy. This includes liability, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you lease a car, it’s likely that you’ll be required to purchase additional coverage, such as collision coverage and/or comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is beneficial for all drivers because it encompasses damages not caused by accidents, such as theft. 

Let’s face it – accidents happen. Don’t wait until the damage is done. Get the protection and peace of mind you deserve with the help of Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI!

Buying a new car is exciting. Choosing the options you want, the make and model, and of course, the color. You have your financing all lined up, and the only thing left is to get your auto insurance. A new car is unique in many ways, but there are auto insurance requirements that everyone has to meet in Michigan. At Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, we are your trusted independent insurance agency. We are committed to our community and our clients. 

Michigan is a no-fault state and has been since 1973. You are mandated to carry no-fault overage. If you don’t, you not only won’t be covered for injuries and lost time, you may be fined up to $500 and placed in jail for up to a year or both. Why would you want to risk that?  You will no be able to register your vehicle without proof that you have the required coverage. You need to have no-fault coverage, and additionally, your need residual liability coverage to protect you from the results of the exceptions to no-fault protection. These coverages are for everyone. But as a new car owner, you may have other requirements. 

If you have a car loan, your lender will require that you have collision and comprehensive insurance. These protect the vehicle if you are the at-fault driver. Collision covers damage as the result of a vehicle accident. Comprehensive coverage covers events beyond your control like floods, high winds, hail, vandalism, and theft. Glass coverage is usually included with your comprehensive coverage. 

You may want to consider road-side assistance converge as an add-on to your policy.  

Contact Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI for your auto insurance needs and a no-obligation quote. Let us give you the advantage of our 25 years of experience. 

A bad driving record can negatively impact your insurance premiums in Michigan. However, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting into an accident. Contact Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI for information on your car insurance and follow the tips below to avoid an accident.

Tips to Avoid an Accident (and Insurance Claim)

These tips can keep you and your passengers safe and help you avoid an accident.

Drive Defensively not Offensively

Teens and adults alike are usually in a hurry to get where they’re going. Rather than driving aggressively, try to follow traffic rules and stay under the speed limit. In short, focus on arriving alive and pay attention to what’s going on around you.

Wear Your Seatbelt

Wear a safety belt and ensure your passengers do too. This may not prevent an accident, but it’s an essential habit for responsible drivers. 

Stay Sober

Whatever you do in your own life is your business. However, when you get behind the wheel after a few drinks or taking drugs, it puts others at risk. It may also impact the viability of an insurance claim you file after driving under the influence. 

Limit Your Passengers

New drivers should limit their passengers to avoid distractions.

Train for Driving in Bad Weather

Practice slowly on local roads or an empty parking lot during a light rain shower. This helps you understand how driving conditions change in poor weather and may prevent an accident.

Pull Over to Answer Texts and Calls

If you can’t turn your phone off, pull off to the side of the road to answer texts, or take emergency calls.

These tips and tricks may be obvious, but it’s very easy to set them aside when they aren’t convenient. Follow up with your Dalessandro Agency Inc. representative to make an appointment to get a car insurance quote in Grand Rapids, MI today.