As a homeowner, checking in on your home siding and determining if you need to upgrade is a good idea. With the new types of siding available, you can change the entire look of your home and make it more secure. Below are a few signs that let you know it’s time to upgrade the siding. 

1. Cracks and Chips

One of the first signs you need to upgrade your siding is having many cracks or chips throughout the home. These cracks will let in water and debris, causing water damage to the property. They also allow pest infestations to get into the next layer of your home, which can be expensive to repair. Small cracks can be repaired, but if you’ve already patched the siding once and that’s now cracking, it’s time to do a full repair.

2. Energy Costs Rising

Many new types of siding are meant to help regulate your home’s temperature. If you notice that your electric bill is rising and you’ve replaced energy units in your home, your energy will likely get out by the siding. You’ll want to look into more energy-efficient options to help keep the heat in during the winter and cool during the summer months.

3. Mold and Mildew

One of the biggest signs that your siding needs to be replaced is when you find mold and mildew in different areas throughout the house. When it’s connected to the siding, it lets you know that it is beyond repair and it’s time to remove it, clean the mold, and add new siding. If you have wood siding on your home, you’ll want to check that regularly to make sure you aren’t infested with mold spores. 

If you’re a homeowner in the West Bloomfield, MI, area, contact our agents at Agency Advantage Insurance for a personal home insurance quote today.  

Your Guide to Safeguarding Your Home from Natural Disasters with Insurance

Did you know that preparation is paramount when it comes to defending your home from the unpredictable forces of Mother Nature? Illustratively, unforeseen natural disasters such as storms, floods, and extreme weather can leave disastrous impacts in their wake. Hence, a comprehensive home insurance policy becomes a necessity. Offering services to West Bloomfield, MI, and surrounding areas, we at Agency Advantage Insurance, hold paramount the need to ensure that your property is always ready to withstand any disaster.

Why You Should Review Your Insurance Policy Regularly

Having a comprehensive understanding of your specific coverage needs is fundamental to safeguarding your property. However, laws and policy options vary significantly across states, necessitating the regular review of your insurance details. It’s important to note that standard policies may not adequately cover all potential disasters, especially those common in certain regions, such as severe storms or flooding. Therefore, an open dialogue with your insurer to identify and fill any gaps is crucial for comprehensive protection.

Enhancing Your Home’s Resilience

Beyond securing optimal coverage, taking proactive measures to fortify your home against harsh climatic conditions can drastically reduce potential damages. Through home improvement efforts like strengthening your roof, storm shutter installation, and improving drainage, you not only promote resilience but also stand a chance to qualify for insurance premium reductions.

Let Us Protect Your Home

Our team at Agency Advantage Insurance is devoted to supporting you throughout your homeowner insurance journey. Serving West Bloomfield, MI, and surrounding areas, we aim to provide you with personalized coverage that fills you with confidence despite nature’s unpredictability. Through identifying optimum solutions, fostering smart preparedness, and maintaining an active role in policy updates, we help secure your home. Contact us today and profit from our dedication to ensuring your home is always ready to weather any storm.

Filing a home insurance claim can be daunting, especially if you have never had to file one before. But understanding the things you should do can make it smoother. Here at Agency Advantage Insurance, providing residents in the greater West Bloomfield, MI region with home insurance, we want to make the process as simple as possible. Here are some of the critical steps you should keep in mind for a successful claim.

Document the Damage

Do take clear photos and videos of the damage as soon as it’s safe to do so. These visual records will serve as crucial evidence for your claim. Make sure to capture all affected areas and items.

Contact Your Insurance Company Promptly

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident. Delays in reporting may affect the processing of your claim. Be prepared to provide all necessary details and information.

Keep Records of Expenses

If you need to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, keep receipts and records of all expenses. Your insurance policy may cover these costs, and having documentation will help you get reimbursed.

Communicate Clearly

Maintain open and clear communication with your insurance adjuster. Answer their questions honestly and provide any requested documentation promptly. This cooperation can expedite the claim process.

Navigating a home insurance claim is challenging, but following steps can help ensure a smoother process during difficult times. In addition to knowing what to expect, it’s essential to be fully protected and covered if the unexpected happens. At Agency Advantage Insurance, serving the greater West Bloomfield, MI, we want to help you find the right policy with the ideal coverage amounts for you. Call us today to get started. 

Investing in yourself by acquiring your own home continues to be a good idea. When you do so in the West Bloomfield, MI area, you will find there are long-term benefits, including value appreciation and housing stability. When buying a home here, you need to get the right insurance. You will need to have a home insurance plan in this region for various reasons. 

Cover Dwelling

A reason you will want to have home insurance in this area is so you can cover your dwelling. If you choose to buy a home here, you will want to know that your long-term investment is protected. The best way this can be done is with a home insurance plan offering support if you are a fire victim or in other situations that cause damage. This coverage is also necessary if you have a mortgage, as it will protect the bank’s collateral. 

Reduce Liability Concerns

All people need to be aware of various personal liability risks that they take on. These risks can include if you are found liable for damages from an accident on your property. Continue to carry home insurance at all times. It will provide the ongoing support needed to mitigate this concern, as the policy will include a provision for liability coverage. 

When you are going to buy a home in the West Bloomfield, MI area, it will always be vital that you get proper insurance for it. There are many choices to make when looking for coverage, and calling our team with Agency Advantage Insurance can help. Our professionals at Agency Advantage Insurance know the value of this coverage and can help you build a plan that will meet your needs and protect your dwelling. 

Home insurance is a worthwhile investment if you want to protect your home. However, before purchasing home insurance in West Bloomfield, MI you may ask: is umbrella insurance mandatory in Michigan? If you want to find out, please keep reading as Agency Advantage Insurance answers.

Is home insurance mandatory in Michigan?

If you want to purchase home insurance in Michigan, you may wonder whether it’s a legal requirement. The reality is that no law in the Great Lake State requires homeowners to invest in home insurance. However, if a mortgage finances your home, your lender may require you to purchase home insurance.

It’s wise to remember that your lender’s insurance requirement is just a minimum. Mostly, your lender only wants dwelling coverage equivalent to or more than the outstanding loan. But what about your assets? How about the expensive liability claims? You can’t rely on your lender’s insurance requirements if you want to enjoy all-rounded protection.

Why home insurance is more than compliance

Unlike auto insurance, home insurance isn’t required by your state. But does that mean it’s optional? Home insurance is a worthwhile investment because it protects you, your loved ones, and the dwelling structure when the unthinkable happens.

Whether mandatory or not, all homeowners must invest in home insurance to enjoy protection in the areas below:

• Dwelling coverage — it cushions your home against fire, falling objects, natural perils, and other risks in your policy
• Personal assets coverage — home insurance covers your furniture, electronics, and other personal belongings
• Loss of use — home insurance covers additional living expenses when your home is rendered unlivable
• Liability coverage — home insurance protects you when accused of bodily injury and property damage

Would you like to invest in home insurance in West Bloomfield, MI? Please talk to Agency Advantage Insurance for an affordable quote.

Agency Advantage Insurance is here for the greater West Bloomfield, MI community. If you have questions about home insurance policies, we will answer them! We are proud to provide our area residents with the insurance solutions they need. Give us a call or come by our local office to learn more.

How your home insurance needs can change

Home values are not static, and they can change over time. If it’s been a while since you have taken a close look at your homeowner’s policy, now is a perfect time to do so. Not only can your home’s value change, but the value of your belongings can also change too. For example, there are likely single-item limits associated with your policy. This means that your insurance provider will only pay up to a certain amount for the loss of a single item. This can be a problem if you have artwork, jewelry, or electronic items that exceed those limits.

And, if you have undertaken a large home improvement project in recent years, you will need to look closely at your current protection levels. For example, if you have added a new room to your house, your property value may have increased significantly. The same is true for projects like updating your kitchen and bathrooms. Be sure that your home’s value is reflected correctly in your homeowner’s policy with a review today.

Let us help you find the solutions to your insurance needs

West Bloomfield, MI area residents can count on the team at Agency Advantage Insurance. If you want to make sure that your home insurance policy is still suitable for your needs, give us a call or stop by today. We look forward to working with you!

Owning a home comes with many important responsibilities, and carrying a home insurance policy is one of those. This insurance type protects you in several ways, all of which are essential protections for you to have. If you need a home policy, give us a call now at Agency Advantage Insurance in West Bloomfield, MI.

Protection Against Damage

Protection for the actual home is vital to have, and this protection is included in home insurance. Should your home be damaged or destroyed by an event covered by the policy, your policy will pay for the rebuilding or repairs. This would be prohibitively expensive for most people to pay for on their own, making home insurance a must. This can save you from financial ruin and loss of the value of your home. 

Coverage for Your Belongings

Another coverage type that you get with these policies is possessions protection. It protects everything inside your home so that the policy can pay for them to be replaced. This is essential coverage because of the expense of replacing a whole room, or a whole house, with items from your pocket. Imagine everything being ruined and how much it would cost for you to replace it all. 

Protection Against Liability

When you are a homeowner, you are generally liable for whatever happens on your property. This includes any accidents that people have. If a third party were to come onto your property or in your house and have an accident, those injuries could cost a lot to treat. You would be liable for paying them. With home insurance, those bills are covered so that you won’t have to pay them. 

Get Covered by Home Insurance

If you own a home and haven’t yet gotten a home policy or are about to buy a home, find out more by calling us at Agency Advantage Insurance in West Bloomfield, MI.

When you are a first-time homeowner, all the legalese, paperwork, and insurance matters can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.

At Agency Advantage Insurance, we want first-time homebuyers in West Bloomfield, MI to be excited about this next chapter. We can help you with some of that, by guiding you through the very simple process of Michigan home insurance.

How Much Michigan Home Insurance Do You Need?

In Michigan, home insurance is not required by federal or state regulations. Your bank or mortgage lender may require it.

You will be required to purchase liability coverage, in the event that something happens on your property. Building and property coverage will also likely be required, but every lender will be different.

In addition, you can add more coverage than the minimums that your lender requires. You might want special valuables coverage, flood insurance, and other protections for your home.

Types of Home Insurance Coverages

You can cover your home for almost anything that is in it or around it.

• Building coverage: This coverage will protect your home if there is damage sustained due to weather or perils specified in your policy.

• Property coverage: Covers the contents of your home and any outbuildings on it. 

• Liabilities coverage: If an accident occurs on your property, or you are sued, your liabilities coverages will cover your legal costs and/or settlements.

These are just a few of the coverages that you can get with Michigan home insurance. Talk to a broker today to find out how much coverage you can get.

Get a Quote

At Agency Advantage Insurance, we know that when you are a homeowner in West Bloomfield, MI the first time, you will need home insurance that protects the dreams you’ve worked so hard for. Call us for a quote today.