Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Independent Insurance Agency in Central Michigan
Mid-Michigan Agency is an independent insurance agency dedicated to serving clients across Central Michigan. Founded in 1971 by Byron Bart Barton, the agency has grown through strategic acquisitions while maintaining a commitment to personalized service and community engagement. Our team of licensed professionals specializes in tailoring insurance solutions for personal and commercial clients, offering a wide range of products including auto, home, life, health, and business insurance. We represent multiple carriers to ensure competitive pricing and comprehensive coverage options.Our focus on customer satisfaction drives our approach of periodic policy reviews and proactive claims assistance. With offices in Alma and Shepherd, we combine decades of local expertise with industry certifications like the TQA designation and Fremont Insurances 5-Star Agent status. Our philosophy emphasizes integrating modern technology with traditional independent agency values to deliver exceptional service.
Services
Auto Insurance
Life Insurance
Business Insurance
Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We are independent agents representing multiple insurance carriers.
- Our team holds professional designations like Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
- We conduct periodic coverage reviews to adapt to client needs.
- We prioritize local community engagement and customer satisfaction.
- Our agency combines decades of experience with modern technology solutions.
Associations and certifications
- TQA (Total Quality Agency)
- Fremont Insurance 5-Star Agent
Services
Auto Insurance
We provide tailored auto insurance plans to protect vehicles and drivers. Our policies include collision, comprehensive, liability, and specialized coverage options. We help clients navigate rental car protections, deductible choices, and compliance with Michigan's mandatory insurance requirements while ensuring cost-effective solutions.
Home Insurance
Our home insurance solutions cover primary residences, condos, and rental properties. Policies include dwelling protection, personal property coverage, and liability safeguards. We explain replacement cost vs. market value differences and offer optional endorsements for sewer backups and other risks not included in standard policies.
Business Insurance
We create customized commercial insurance packages for diverse industries including restaurants, automotive dealerships, and manufacturing. Our offerings include property insurance, general liability, workers' compensation, and specialized equipment coverage. We help businesses understand their unique risk profiles and implement comprehensive protection strategies.
Life Insurance
We offer term and permanent life insurance solutions to protect families and businesses. Our agents help clients determine appropriate coverage amounts based on financial obligations and future needs. We address common misconceptions about affordability and provide guidance on policy selection for different life stages.
Health Insurance
We provide group and individual health insurance options from multiple carriers. Our experts help clients evaluate plans based on coverage levels, deductibles, and provider networks. We assist with understanding policy details and selecting plans that align with clients' healthcare needs and budgetary constraints.
People
Jeremy MacDonald
Agency Owner
Jeremy 'Rit' MacDonald, a licensed agent since 1998, co-owns Mid-Michigan Agency with his wife Katie. He specializes in property/casualty and life insurance while serving on insurance industry boards. He graduated from Central Michigan University and actively coaches baseball.
Ken MacDonald
Agency Founder
Ken MacDonald founded the agency in 1971 after working with major insurance companies. He received multiple industry awards and held leadership roles in local sports organizations. He transitioned to full-time agency operations after decades in insurance marketing.
Katie MacDonald
Owner & Agent
Katie MacDonald brings over a decade of insurance experience from her tenure at AAA. She manages the Shepherd office location and specializes in personal lines, life, and health insurance. She works closely with clients to develop customized insurance solutions.
Susan MacDonald
Office Manager
Susan MacDonald has over 30 years of insurance experience and managed daily operations after acquiring the agency in 1994. She expanded operations through additional acquisitions and maintains active community involvement in local athletic associations.
Mandy Thompson
Agent/CSR
Mandy Thompson joined Mid-Michigan Agency in 2016 after working at Lodewyk, Nesen, and McKim. She handles customer service, policy quoting, and claims assistance while drawing on her medical field experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant since 1998.
Questions
Am I covered if I rent a car?
Rental car coverage depends on your existing policy. Liability may extend to rentals, but physical damage coverage requires comprehensive/collision on your own vehicle. Coverage typically applies in the US, Canada, and US territories but not Mexico.
Should I remove full coverage from my older car?
Consider vehicle value versus premium costs. Options include keeping comprehensive coverage, choosing limited collision, or maintaining standard coverage. Consult agents to evaluate cost-benefit based on your specific situation.
Do I need to add licensed children to my policy?
Yes, all licensed household drivers must be disclosed within 30 days. Failure to add youthful drivers may result in claim denials, even if they rarely drive the vehicle.
Why does my home insurance cost more than market value?
Home insurance covers replacement cost rather than market value. This ensures rebuilding similar construction regardless of current real estate market conditions, which may differ from purchase prices.
Is flood insurance required?
Flood insurance is mandatory for mortgaged properties in flood zones. It's a federal program administered through insurers and covers surface water intrusion not included in standard home policies.
What is sewer backup coverage?
Sewer backup coverage is optional protection against water damage from drain backups or sump pump failures. It differs from flood insurance and may be recommended based on property-specific risks.
