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Showing posts from 2018

Should I buy the “loss damage waiver” (insurance) for my rental car?

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This is a question that most insurance offices get on a regular basis and unfortunately you will find many different answers so I thought it would be helpful to break down some of the reasons that this is a complicated question and how to help you answer, “Should I buy the insurance?” First, I want to clarify that you are not actually buying insurance for the rental vehicle. In actuality you are paying the rental company to waive their rights to come against you for any losses they sustain due to damages to their vehicle. It is often called insurance, even by the rental car companies, but if you read the fine print you will find that it is in fact a waiver. Think about it, in order to sell insurance in the state of Michigan, you need to be licensed, they are assuredly not licensing all the counter people at the rental car companies. In Michigan rental vehicles are typically included in the definition of non-owned auto and therefore are usually covered under both Liability

10 Tips to Stay Warm

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The chill is in the air. While you are busy carving pumpkins, getting together your Halloween costume and taking trips to an apple orchard remember these cold weather tips to stay warm. 1. Wear a hat Don’t skip out on the winter gear. Keep heat in by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves. Send an extra pair of mittens to school with your kids. 2. Layer Up Wear an extra layer of clothing before stepping out in the cold or turning up the heat. 3. Block drafts There are several DIY ideas to block drafts. Remember to block drafts on the basement door if you have one. 4. Program your thermostat Stay warm on a schedule and save money by setting your thermostat. Home sweet home will be warm and toasty when you get home from work. You’ll save money on your heating bill too. 5. Update your car emergency kit As the seasons change it’s a good idea to restock and change items in your emergency kit. Here is the CDC’s recommendations and checklists for winter weather. We

My Fire, Your Fence

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Often when we think of home fires, we think of damage to the house, but home fires frequently occur in detached structures and even in outdoor spaces with no buildings in the immediate area. Fires can start in junk heaps, leaf piles, wood stacks, trash cans and wooded areas. If you leave tires, oil pans, paints or other flammable items outdoors, you could be creating a fire hazard. Even mulch spread around your home or fence can be a ready fuel source. Fires can start from wafting ash or embers from a fireplace or fire pit, a cigarette butt, a lightning strike, or even spontaneous combustion. In fact, heaped mulch and grasses, such as straw and hay, build considerable internal heat, as do bagged oiled rags. If you are composting, holding mulch or grass for later use, or saving cloths soaked with gasoline or oils, keep other flammable items far from these to reduce the likelihood of combustion. If you have planned well enough to keep your own house and structures saf

How can I lower my motorcycle insurance cost?

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As local agents we are here to make sure you receive the best coverage for you and hopefully save you money while doing so. Saving money is such a great feeling! Here are some tips on how you can lower the cost of your motorcycle insurance: Ask your agent about motorcycle insurance discounts There are multiple motorcycle insurance discounts available such as: multi-policy discount, claims free discount, loyalty discount, and anti-lock brakes. Ask an agent if you qualify. Look at your billing and payment options Many insurance carriers offer multiple payment options and some of them can save you money. Have you considered automatic payments and/or paperless billing? Where do you park your motorcycle? Do you park your motorcycle in a lockable structure such as a garage? This can affect your rate because most theft and vandalism occur when a motorcycle is parked outside. Have you taken a motorcycle training or safety course? We mentioned motorcycle insurance di

What information do I need to get auto insurance?

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You just graduated and received your diploma. Now it’s time to set out into this big world, live in a dorm, further your education. Except, Mom and Dad just told you it’s time to get your own auto insurance. Are you asking yourself:   how do I get auto insurance? We have good news! We’re here to help. Here are the key things you need to know as you set out on your journey to get great coverage: Shop local. An independent agent such as Michigan Insurance Group has a team of people that will work to find you the best rates and the best coverage for you. They will also answer your questions, educate you and shop for better rates on renewal through the life of your policy. Research. Do some research and get to know insurance terms like: comprehensive, collision, and deductibles. Understanding these terms will help you prepare for the conversation you’ll have with an insurance agent . Do you own your car? In order to insure a vehicle your name must be on the title.

I am required to get Renter's Insurance. Where do I begin?

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You thought you didn’t need to worry about any other insurance beyond car insurance until you owned a home. Think again! Many apartment complexes are starting to require or already require tenants to have Renter’s Insurance. Although required insurance might seem like a nuisance, it’s a benefit to both the Apartment Complex and yourself and could come in handy down the road. However, if you’ve never had to have Renter’s Insurance you may not know where to begin. Here’s a few ideas and tips on how to begin the process of getting Renter’s Insurance: First it’s important to know that Renter’s Insurance is put in place to cover a few major things – personal contents and liability. It’s also there to help with the cost of staying in a hotel or staying with a fried if you’re displaced from your home during a claim. Renter’s insurance can also help cover medical payments that arise when a visitor is hurt, and you’re deemed liable. Determining your risk and the value of your belon

Distracted Driving And Technology

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In our multitasking society, people have taken to doing all sorts of things while driving, and many lives have been ruined because of it. Nobody — NOBODY — who drives distracted thinks they will be the cause of someone else’s death or dismemberment. They wouldn’t do it if they thought they would harm a passenger in their car or someone on the road. That’s why this message cannot be repeated enough times: Stop creating circumstances known to cause accidents! Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for five seconds, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Imagine repeating that action throughout a multi-text conversation. Some people even take photos with their phones while driving and then post them to social media — all done with the belief they will never cause a collision or death. Keep in mind, however, that even swerving in

7 Insurance Renewal Questions to Ask Yourself

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With such a fast-paced world, life changes happen often. You can go through more changes than you may realize during the average six to twelve-month insurance policy term. Here are a couple of question we ask our clients when their policies come up for renewal. These are questions that help us ensure their renewal policy will cover them properly. While reviewing your renewal policy, whether it be home insurance or auto insurance, keep these questions in mind: Are there any new licensed drivers in your home, drivers that have moved out, or maybe a student driver is now on the honor roll at school? Have you purchased any new vehicles or trailers not listed on your policy? Have you changed jobs, retired, or updated your medical insurance? Have you remodeled your home, built a garage, pool, or finished your basement? Did you purchase any “toys” like an ATV or snowmobile, or any jewelry or collectibles? Have you added an alarm system to your home? Have y

7 Ways to Get Affordable Car Insurance

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If you’re asking yourself “how do I find affordable car insurance?,” then we are glad you found us. We’re here to show you a few ways to find car insurance that is affordable. 1. Find a local insurance agent. Local insurance agents, especially those that work with Trusted Choice , "are dedicated to you and are committed to treating you as a person, not a policy." What does this mean? Trusted Choice agencies are here to offer you quality service and a quality product at a competitive price. Michigan Insurance Group agents love saving you money by educating you so that you can make decisions about insurance that are best for you.  2. Drive safe. Do you have a few points on your record? An accident? Granted sometimes these are unavoidable but sometimes they are not. The good news is the points and accident will be removed from your record in time. Becoming a safer, cautious driver can have its rewards; including a better rate on your auto insurance. 3. Ask a