When Can You Buy an Umbrella Policy?

Umbrella insurance is a secondary insurance type available from Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI. You must carry a primary insurance policy before you can add umbrella to it.

That means you need to own a home, auto, or business insurance to purchase an umbrella policy. You could potentially add it to a boat policy, too.

The umbrella policy adds to the liability coverage of the primary policy. So, anytime you purchase a primary policy with liability coverage, you can add an umbrella policy to it.

When do you use the umbrella policy?

When an event occurs that requires the use of the liability coverage that you purchased, the insurance company uses the primary policy first to pay off the medical bills or settlement of the individuals harmed. If the settlement and medical costs exceed the amount covered in the primary policy, the insurance company moves to the secondary umbrella policy.

Why would you need umbrella insurance?

High net worth individuals should acquire umbrella insurance because they’re more apt to get sued. If an accident occurs at their home, they’re more likely to get sued because the injured person knows they have money.

They also frequently host parties and fundraisers, bringing many people to their homes. This opens them to increased liability since they have more visitors on an increased frequency.

How much umbrella insurance do you need?

Because these policies cost very little in monthly premiums, most individuals purchase a $1 million policy. This also ensures that the policy can cover nearly any liability incurring situation.

Contact Us

Contact Agency Advantage Insurance serving West Bloomfield, MI for more information on umbrella insurance or to purchase a policy. We’ll work with you to determine the amount of coverage you need.

What Are The Benefits Of Having Health Insurance?

Health insurance can save you a lot of money and keep you from financial ruin in the event of a severe illness or accident. It also helps you get the care you need in a timelier manner, reducing the risk of further health complications. 

Health insurance also has other perks, like coverage for prescription medications, vision care, and dental care for your family. Having health insurance can also reduce your overall stress level since you no longer have to worry about how you will pay for a serious illness or accident. For inquiries in West Bloomfield, MI, call Agency Advantage Insurance.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance? 

Health insurance can make it easier for you to pay for the medical care you require now and in the future. It can also help you avoid hefty medical bills if you get sick or injured and have to go to the hospital. It is essential to research the available plans to select the plan that is most suitable for you and your family.  

The cover allows you to receive the care you need to stay healthy without worrying about how you will pay for it. Additionally, it pays for a sizeable portion of the cost of any medications that require a prescription. If you have a serious illness and require frequent doctor’s visits and expensive treatments, insurance can help you afford the care you need. 

Health insurance can also make it easier for you to afford the treatment you require to maintain your health. Most importantly, health insurance protects you and your family if you ever face a major medical event like a car accident, serious injury, or illness. 

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While health insurance comes with various benefits, it can be costly and not affordable for most people, especially if you don’t have a job. It may also come with a long list of things you can’t see a doctor for, such as plastic surgery or laser eye surgery. For expert help, consult Agency Advantage Insurance. The firm serves in West Bloomfield, MI.

What Are The Benefits Of Having Health Insurance?

Health insurance can save you a lot of money and keep you from financial ruin in the event of a severe illness or accident. It also helps you get the care you need in a timelier manner, reducing the risk of further health complications. 

Health insurance also has other perks, like coverage for prescription medications, vision care, and dental care for your family. Having health insurance can also reduce your overall stress level since you no longer have to worry about how you will pay for a serious illness or accident. For inquiries in West Bloomfield, MI, call Agency Advantage Insurance.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance? 

Health insurance can make it easier for you to pay for the medical care you require now and in the future. It can also help you avoid hefty medical bills if you get sick or injured and have to go to the hospital. It is essential to research the available plans to select the plan that is most suitable for you and your family.  

The cover allows you to receive the care you need to stay healthy without worrying about how you will pay for it. Additionally, it pays for a sizeable portion of the cost of any medications that require a prescription. If you have a serious illness and require frequent doctor’s visits and expensive treatments, insurance can help you afford the care you need. 

Health insurance can also make it easier for you to afford the treatment you require to maintain your health. Most importantly, health insurance protects you and your family if you ever face a major medical event like a car accident, serious injury, or illness. 

Contact Us

While health insurance comes with various benefits, it can be costly and not affordable for most people, especially if you don’t have a job. It may also come with a long list of things you can’t see a doctor for, such as plastic surgery or laser eye surgery. For expert help, consult Agency Advantage Insurance. The firm serves in West Bloomfield, MI.

Your home insurance needs can change over time

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!

Why Every Homeowner Needs Home Insurance

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.

My car is only 15 years old. Am I eligible for classic car insurance?

Classic car insurance is often a misunderstood or unfamiliar form of car insurance for many people. There may be many misconceptions about what it is and what makes a car eligible for this type of coverage. Simply owning an old car doesn’t necessarily make you eligible for classic car insurance. Our team at  Agency Advantage Insurance understands that many West Bloomfield MI residents may be confused about this form of insurance. As a result, we’re committed to educating West Bloomfield, MI residents about classic car insurance. 

What is Classic Car Insurance?
Many of us have old cars that have long since seen better days…these are usually not the types of cars that are eligible for classic car insurance. Classic cars are typically 20+ years older but not more than 40 years old. These cars are also kept in their original condition or near-perfect or mint condition. Classic cars are owned primarily as collector’s items that aren’t usually aftermarket or replica vehicles. Also, these cars are usually not driven daily. The owner can register a car that fits these descriptions as an antique car which may make it eligible for classic car insurance. 

Other Factors that Define Classic Car Eligibility…

Not all cars are eligible for this status, however. The classic car title isn’t designed to fit your daily use or common type of car. That Toyota or Volkswagen would probably not fall into the classic car category. There’s usually something unique, special, or exotic about the car in addition to its age. Modified/Customized vehicles and modern muscle cars are good examples of cars that would be eligible for classic car insurance.

If you have questions about classic car insurance and want to know if your car would be eligible, give us a call. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions. 

Is Basic Motorcycle Insurance Sufficient?

Are you one of the riders that stick to the state minimums when shopping for motorcycle insurance in West Bloomfield, MI? This move might save you some money, but it’s never a good idea, as you will find out from the below post by Agency Advantage Insurance.

Required motorcycle insurance in Michigan

To understand why state-required insurance is never enough, let’s explore the required insurance for bikers in Michigan. Motorcyclists are required to purchase at least $10,000 worth of property damage liability (PDL) in Michigan. On the other hand, riders must buy $50,000 bodily injury liability for an accident involving one person and twice the amount for accidents involving death or injury to more than one person.

While the above coverages might seem adequate, they are barely enough when faced with a significant claim. Unfortunately, when your liability coverages run out, you will have to cover the difference from your pocket! There is no fun when your assets and income are at stake.

State-required insurance doesn’t cover you

Another reason why you should explore beyond the state minimums is that liability coverage required by the state doesn’t protect you and your vehicle — it only covers other people. So, why would you pay for insurance if it doesn’t protect you and your assets? It doesn’t make sense!

At Agency Advantage Insurance, we usually advise our clients to increase the liability coverage limits and look at other options for optimal protection. We are not saying you buy all the motorcycle insurance options out there — just invest in those options that cover your unique needs.

Motorcycle insurance in West Bloomfield, MI

Need more information on motorcycle insurance? Ready to invest in motorcycle insurance? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, please reach out to Agency Advantage Insurance today.

Umbrella Insurance Basics

In July of 2020, Michigan’s auto laws changed. Now, drivers who are deemed responsible for causing a collision that results in injury can be sued for damages over their PIP limits. That means drivers in West Bloomfield, MI are now at increased financial risk every time they get behind the wheel, and that’s where umbrella policies can help. 

What is an Umbrella Policy? 

Simply put, it is a protection against financial liability if a significant accident leaves you responsible for someone else’s medical payments. Medical expenses in serious accidents can add up quickly, and even if you carry PIP, that will cover those expenses only up to your policy limit. Some still have unlimited PIP, but for those who do not, an umbrella policy is a way to cover that risk. 

What Kind of Coverage is Available? 

In Michigan, you can get an affordable umbrella policy with a coverage of one million, five million, or even as much as ten million for a surprisingly low rate. This stacks on top of your existing liability limits to ensure that even a significant accident will not harm your financial well-being. Accidents happen; it shouldn’t ruin you. 

What Assets are Protected?

Since damages from a significant injury can be expensive and ongoing, it’s not just your bank account that’s at risk. An umbrella policy protects you from the loss of your home, cars, investments, financial accounts, and any future income you might make. 

What Kind of Injury Claims am I Liable For?

Not only will you be potentially responsible for the initial medical bills that someone you’ve injured incurs, but you will also be on the hook for wage loss and pain and suffering. An umbrella policy is low-cost protection for you and your family. 

When you are ready to discuss what kind of umbrella policy works best for you, call or stop by Agency Advantage Insurance.  

Michigan Collision Auto Insurance: How to Drive in Low Visibility Conditions

Conditions such as fog, heavy weather, and even a bright sun, can cause low visibility driving conditions in Michigan. It’s important to know how to drive safely in these conditions, and you will avoid collisions and expensive car insurance claims.

At Agency Advantage Insurance, we want West Bloomfield, MI residents to be safe in all driving conditions. Follow these simple safety tips when driving in low visibility conditions.

Maintain for Visibility

In Michigan, you are going to have low visibility conditions all year long. Maintain your vehicle regularly so that it can accommodate these conditions. Maintain it before you drive as well.

Be sure that your wipers are good and working. Have your heating and defrost systems checked so that you can defrost front and rear windows effectively when driving. If you have fog lights, have them checked.

Clear your windshield and all windows before you leave the driveway or parking lot. Make sure that the roof of your vehicle is clear of all-weather or debris so that falling snow or ice does not impede your visibility on the roads.

Driving Tips

When you are driving in low visibility, follow your instinct.

•    Drive slowly at all times in low visibility
•    Brake slowly, or avoid braking at all. Braking in ice and snow leads to fishtailing and skids that cause collisions.
•    High beams aren’t as effective as fog lights in low visibility unless you are driving at night.
•    Pay attention and listen to other drivers in the event you can’t see them.
•    Get roadside assistance.

Drive Safely

When you have to drive in low visibility in Michigan, be alert, and make sure your vehicle is safe before you drive. That is half the battle. Take your time to avoid collisions. 

Have peace of mind before you go with add-ons to your insurance such as Roadside Assistance. You’ll be more confident on the roads, and that confidence breeds safety. At Agency Advantage Insurance, we prefer West Bloomfield, MI residents to stay home in poor conditions, but we know life and duty calls. Call us for a quote today.

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.