By Kelly Hudson, CIC
February 2, 2021
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in package shipments, many of our carriers recognize the U.S. Postal Service is experiencing service delays.
To help you avoid late payment fees and policy cancellations, we are sharing 5 tips so your payments can be made on time.
Many of our companies offer the following:
- Electronic check payment using a checking or savings account — You can usually call in a payment and provide the bank account and routing number. Your payment will come from that account as long as the funds are available. Usually, the amount shows up on your bank account as a payment within 24-48 hours of making the payment.
- Credit Card payments – Almost all of our companies accept major credit cards with the most widely accepted being Visa and Mastercard. Some companies also accept Discover or American Express. You may call in a payment with a credit card for an instant payment. Note that you may also need to provide your zipcode in addition to the information on your card. Many of our clients prefer to pay with a credit card when they can due to rewards, travel miles, or points programs associated with their credit cards.
- Online, through the carrier’s website – If you haven’t set up a username/password for your insurance yet, now would be a great time! You can pay your bill directly through the user profile once you log in and oftentimes access other policy documents as well. It’s a lot like online banking… but for your insurance!
- Mobile Apps – A great option for people on the go! Some of our companies have developed and implemented their own mobile apps within the past few years. You can find these available for free download on the Apple App store or the Google Play store. Once you log in, you can pay your bill, view your auto certificates, or even report a claim. Companies that currently have mobile apps are Auto Owners, Frankenmuth Insurance, Pioneer State Mutual, and Michigan Insurance Company.
- Recurring EFT (electronic funds transfer) – The recurring EFT option allows you to use your checking or savings account and choose the payment plan that works best for you. Payments come out of the account automatically on a preset date, so you don’t have to worry about mail delays.
If you’re unsure about what options are available, you can locate all of our companies and the payment options available on the Companies We Represent page. This page also includes company phone numbers, websites, and mobile app links if available.
Whenever you have a billing question or need to make a payment, it’s best to contact the company directly; however, our agents are also available and happy to help whenever possible!