6 Reasons you need umbrella insurance right now

Umbrella insurance is an optional supplemental insurance policy that fills the gap not covered by your home and auto liability insurance. Here are six reasons why you need umbrella insurance now:

You have a teenage driver

Young and inexperienced drivers who are new to the road increase the likelihood of being involved in a car accident. Umbrella insurance will pay over and above your policy’s liability limits if your teenage child is involved in a car accident and damages their vehicle or injures another person.

You have a swimming pool

Homeowners can be sued if another person is injured on their property. This risk is greatly increased if there is a swimming pool on the property, which can lead to a fall or a head or neck injury.

You have a long commute

Long commutes and heavy traffic can be dangerous. Car accidents can result in serious injury or even death. Drivers, their passengers, their estates, or their families may sue for lost earnings, past, and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and earning capacity.

You own a dog

If your dog bites another person or causes injury to someone else, whether on your property or off, you are held liable. This is where umbrella coverage can fill the gap between what your homeowners’ liability will cover and what you are being sued for.

Make sure though that there is no clause that states canine liability exclusion. 

You enjoy partying

Being a good host is all good and well until someone is injured on your property. Umbrella coverage can help fill the gap in your homeowners’ liability coverage. 

You own a trampoline

If you have kids and you own a trampoline, then there’s a possibility your children may invite their friends over to join in the fun. You will be held liable if someone is injured on your property and umbrella insurance can help.

Speak to an expert at Agency Advantage Insurance serving West Bloomfield, MI today to see what insurance policy is best suited for you and your family.

Questions to Ask an Agent When Purchasing Classic Car Insurance

Classic car insurance is the type of insurance that provides coverage options tailored to the needs of classic vehicle owners. Shopping for classic car insurance may be more complicated than buying a standard auto insurance policy for your car. If you are currently looking for a classic car insurance policy but cannot make an informed decision, Agency Advantage Insurance serving clients in West Bloomfield, MI prepared a list of questions you should ask an insurance agent: 

What Should You Ask an Insurance Agent?

The answers to the following questions will help you determine which policy will be perfect for you:

How Many Years of Experience Are Drivers Required to Have

Some classic car insurance policies require drivers to have at least a few years of driving experience. Even if you are an experienced driver, and you have spent years behind the wheel, you still should ask this question. The answer to this question will help you understand who you can let drive your precious classic car. 

Is Appreciation Covered By The Policy?

Usually, standard auto insurance policies do not cover appreciation because cars do not appreciate – they depreciate instead. However, classic cars are different, and most classic car insurance policies will provide at least some coverage for appreciation. 

Will Coverage Be Active While a Classic Car Is Being Restored?

You need to make sure that your policy will provide coverage while your classic vehicle is being restored. You also need to find out whether your policy provides coverage where the restoration process is being done. Thus, you need to confirm that it will be covered regardless of the location of your vehicle. 

Agency Advantage Insurance – We Help You Find a Policy You Need and Deserve

If you are a classic car owner from West Bloomfield, MI or any other nearby area, and you are looking for an insurance agent to purchase an insurance policy for your precious vehicle, Agency Advantage Insurance is exactly what you need. Our mission is to help our clients find their perfect policy based on their preferences and personal situation. You can always check our website for more information or give us a call. 

Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverages

A motorcycle can be a convenient means of transport in West Bloomfield, MI. You can quickly get around, running your errands efficiently while enjoying pleasant weather. However, to secure that investment, you should consider insuring it. And as Agency Advantage Insurance explains, here are a few coverages you can opt for when you decide to insure your motorcycle.

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

It helps cover things like lost wages and medical expenses arising from the injury or death of another driver in an accident where you were at fault. However, if you get injured, bodily injury liability does not cover your medical bills, and so you should get a different policy for that.

Property Damage Liability Coverage

You may get into an accident where you are at fault and end up damaging someone else’s property, including a car, home, fence, or any other object. With this type of coverage, the repair costs are covered, and you do not have to go back to your pocket to cover those expenses. Note that this coverage will also not cover repairs to your bike.

Medical Payment Coverage

Medical payment coverage helps cover the necessary medical costs resulting from an accident in your motorcycle. Those medical costs covered can be for both you and your passengers.

Collision Coverage

It provides cover for your bicycle when it gets damaged in a collision, whether with another bike, a car, a tree, or a building.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage comes in handy when your motorcycle gets damaged by any accident that is not a result of a collision. Therefore, damage caused by things like theft, wind, vandalism, and flooding is covered under this policy.

If you are having trouble deciding which coverage is necessary for you, contact us at Agency Advantage Insurance for assistance. Our team of experts in West Bloomfield, MI will see to it that you get the protection you need.

Who will need to have umbrella insurance in Michigan?

The risk of liability is something that all people in the West Bloomfield, MI area need to take seriously. Most people will need to continue to carry some forms of insurance coverage, including home or auto coverage, which will provide liability coverage. However, having the additional coverage provided with umbrella insurance is always helpful. There are multiple examples of why having this form of coverage will be helpful for someone in this area of the state. 

Coverage Provides Additional Coverage

A key benefit of having an umbrella coverage plan is that it will give you additional liability insurance coverage. Most people that are in this area of Michigan are going to have some liability support in their home or auto insurance plans. While this is often more than enough, there are policy limits to consider. If there is an accident that results in excessive damages, you may be responsible for damages that exceed your plan. With an umbrella policy, policyholders will receive coverage on top of those policies.

Coverage for More Risks

You may also want to have an umbrella coverage plan as it will give coverage for far more risks. Any standard home or auto insurance plan will give coverage for some situations, but there are many liability risks that are not protected by the existing plans. If you get an umbrella policy, you will receive more blanket coverage that will protect against other situations not covered in your existing plans. 

There are a lot of advantages that come with having umbrella insurance in the West Bloomfield, MI area. If you are in need of coverage here, speaking with the Agency Advantage Insurance team is a great option. Agency Advantage Insurance knows the importance of umbrella coverage and will help you choose a plan that offers the right protection. 

Choosing The Best Health Insurance For Your Family

Keeping your family’s health on track involves a lot of different things. You want to make sure they are eating well, getting plenty of exercises, and getting the necessary medical treatment they need when they need it. This is where health insurance comes in. Having a reliable health insurance plan in place will help you provide medical services for your family when they need them. At Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI, we make it our top priority to help families like you find the best insurance products. Keep reading to learn more about choosing health insurance for your family. 

Consider Your Budget

Health insurance plans come in many different types of packages. This means that they cost differently too. When you sit down with an insurance representative, they will be able to help you choose a plan that can accommodate your budget. 

Consider Your Family’s Health

One of the reasons that health insurance plans come in many different types of packages, is so that families can get the services they need and not worry about paying for services they do not need. If your family does not have serious medical issues, you can choose a basic plan that focuses on health maintenance. If your family does face many medical issues, you will want a comprehensive plan that will provide all of the services you need. 

Consider Timing

Health insurance companies require that you enroll in a new health insurance plan during open enrollment. It is important that you know when these dates are so that you can keep sufficient health insurance for your family. 

If you would like to know more about our services, please contact us at Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI. 

What You Need to Know About Classic Car Insurance

Classic cars are a great hobby and a great investment. Some people even feel that their classic car hobby is helping to preserve a part of history. To make the most of your classic car investments, it is important that your vehicles be properly insured. At Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield MI we understand that in order to make the best insurance choices, you need the best insurance information. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about classic car insurance.

Isn’t Regular Auto Insurance Enough?

Although it is possible to cover your classic cars with a regular automobile policy, the truth is that a regular auto policy will not truly protect the investment you have made into your classic car. Regular automobiles are not valued the same way as a classic car would be. An automobile policy is based on the usual method of determining value. Classic cars need to be evaluated on an individual basis. This will entail documenting how much money was invested into the car and what the car would value to other classic car dealers. 

How Much Coverage Do I Need?

Because each classic car is very different, there is no one size fits all policy. This is why classic car insurance is done on an individual basis. The best way to determine how much insurance you need will be to sit down with a knowledgeable insurance representative to discuss your particular car. Our team will be able to help you value your car accurately to make sure the insurance coverage is sufficient. 

If you would like to learn more about classic car insurance, or any of our other insurance products, please contact our office at Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI. We will be happy to answer your questions today. 

Who needs motorcycle insurance in Michigan?

If you are in the West Bloomfield MI area, it will be very important for you to be able to get around the community. When you are looking for a fun and efficient mode of transportation, getting a motorcycle can be an ideal option. Along with your purchase of a motorcycle, you also need to get proper insurance for it. There are several situations when someone will need to have a full motorcycle coverage plan.

When Riding Motorcycle on Public Road

A common situation when people need to have a motorcycle insurance plan in Michigan is when they want to drive the motorcycle on a public road. Any motorist in Michigan is required to carry liability insurance. If you do not have this protection, you will be out of compliance with the law and will face penalization. If you get the proper motorcycle insurance you will get the coverage needed to stay in good standing.

Those that Have a Loan

You will also need to get motorcycle insurance if you have taken out a motorcycle loan. Anyone that is going to finance a vehicle with a loan will need to have insurance coverage with collision and comprehensive protection. Lenders always require you to have this as it protects their interest in your motorcycle. You may need to provide evidence of this coverage from time to time. 

There continues to be a lot of situations when someone in the West Bloomfield MI area will need to have motorcycle insurance. If you are going to get this coverage here, it would be a good idea to call Agency Advantage Insurance. The professionals with Agency Advantage Insurance understand the importance of this coverage. They can help you assess your options and give guidance as you are building your next plan. 

Should I get umbrella insurance in Michigan?

The West Bloomfield, MI area is a great place to live and visit due to the strong economy and variety of recreational amenities. When you are looking to move here, getting the right personal insurance plan in place is very important. For those that are looking to move to this area of the state, getting umbrella insurance coverage would be a good investment. There are several situations when someone should get umbrella coverage here. 

Coverage Protects Against Catastrophic Claims

Most people are going to receive personal liability coverage through home or auto insurance policies. However, these policies will have a policy limit and if there is ever a very significant claim that exceeds this amount, you will have to pay the rest out of pocket. In these situations, an umbrella policy will come in handy as it will offer the additional coverage you need.

Protection for More Situations

You will also want umbrella coverage as it can provide protection for more situations. An umbrella policy offers very broad coverage that can include protection for a wide range of potential risks. This can ensure that you have protection for situations that would not otherwise be covered. This can offer you peace of mind and comfort knowing you are prepared for the unexpected. 

Getting umbrella coverage in Michigan continues to be a good option for anyone that is looking to protect themselves. Those that are in the West Bloomfield, MI area and are looking for a new policy here should call Agency Advantage Insurance. The team with Agency Advantage Insurance understands how important this type of coverage is. Based on their review of your individual situation, they will be able to help you pick a policy that provides the right coverage for your situation. 

How to preserve your classic car with classic car insurance

As a collector, you spend most of your time restoring your dream car and always keeping it in its best condition.  Classic car ownership means protecting your investment at all costs, and that’s why at Agency Advantage Insurance in West Bloomfield, MI, we recommend buying enough classic car insurance. How do you preserve your car to ensure that it is always looking sleek all-year-round?

Storage is key

Where you store your classic car matters the most. Most insurance agencies have stringent rules on how and where to keep your precious jewel. Each insurance plan is calculated based on this factor. For instance, if you have a home garage, you want to make sure that your antique car is not affected by elements. Dedicated storage facilities are considered the best and safest ways to protect your vehicle.

Keep essential documents away.

Classic cars have a history. If you were lucky to get your hands on your car’s old photos or videos, those are precious documents. So, keep them as far away as you can unless they are needed. They will help you appreciate your investment and even help increase its value.

Conduct thorough research about your car, particularly maintenance,

Find books, catalogs, vintage magazines, and other memorabilia that document your vehicle. The West Bloomfield MI libraries can help you find them. Research can be fun as it will help you understand your investment better. It will also help you verify and confirm the originality of parts and ensure the proper installation of everything like bumper guards.

Take your car for a ride once in a while

If your vehicle doesn’t leave the showroom or garage, which is the case with most classic cars, consider taking it out once in a while. This helps keep the engine and lubrication lively. Even if you want to keep the mileage low, a short trip once a month won’t hurt your car’s value.

For more information about classic car preservation, call Agency Advantage Insurance or visit us at our West Bloomfield, MI offices.

What are the State Minimums for Motorcycle Insurance in Michigan?

The state of Michigan is one of the states that requires all motorcycle operators to carry motorcycle insurance. Just like auto insurance, the state has required minimums that must be met by motorcycle operators. Motorcycle operators need to understand what those minimum coverage requirements are and purchase coverage to meet the required minimums. 

Michigan’s New No-fault Law Increased the Required Coverage Limits
Michigan’s new no-fault law became effective July 1st, 2020. This state law changed the minimum coverage amount that is legally required for motorcycle operators. The state requires all motorcycle operators to carry liability coverage. The new coverage amounts required by the state increased. Motorcyclists must currently carry liability insurance in the amounts of $50,000 for bodily injury and a single death, $100,000 for bodily injury and more than one death, and $10,000 for property damage. 

The Agency Advantage Insurance of West Bloomfield, MI understands how changes to the state minimum requirements may create some confusion. We are committed to making sure motorcycle operators understand the minimum state requirements for coverage and purchase motorcycle insurance that meets both state minimums and their specific needs. Our team at the Agency Advantage Insurance of West Bloomfield MI can educate Michigan motorcycle operators on the need to purchase state liability insurance for motorcycles for bodily injury, death, and property damage. Visit us online or give us a call. We look forward to answering all of your questions. 

Other Considerations Regarding State Minimum Coverage…
The state’s no-fault policy won’t provide additional coverage beyond the preset limits. As a result, you may want to consider purchasing much higher levels of coverage to cover an accident. It should also be noted that the state of Michigan doesn’t reduce motorcycle operator’s financial responsibility just for wearing a helmet. Motorcyclists’ in Michigan will have to meet the insurance requirements set by the law. Visit us online or give us a call. We’re standing by.