As the cooler temperatures arrive, getting sick is back in season, and there are several vaccines you can get to prevent a severe illness this year. Our team at Agency Advantage Insurance wants our customers in West Bloomfield, MI and other areas to know what is available for them. 

Influenza Vaccines

Maybe the most popular vaccine during the cooler parts of the year, the influenza vaccine is suitable for one year and is designed to fight several strains of the dangerous and potentially fatal Influenza or Flu. Because this illness can be spread so quickly, it is easy to get others you care for sick with the flu if you have not been vaccinated. 

Tdap and Booster

Many adults may not have had an initial Tdap vaccine. Once you have the initial immunization, you should follow up with a booster in 10 years. If you have not had this vaccine, there is no time like the present to prevent illnesses such as tetanus and pertussis. 

MMR

For those who were born after 1957, getting an MMR vaccine prevents several illnesses that are starting to spread thanks to global traveling, mumps, measles, and rubella. With so many travelers and immigrants coming to the state of Michigan, it is critical for those who may have missed this vaccine early in their childhood to go back and get it now. 

Make the Right Choice With Health Insurance

When you purchase an individual health insurance policy, you are able to properly vaccinate and get the coverage you need against these dangerous illnesses. Health insurance allows you to secure your health in West Bloomfield, MI. If you do not have health care coverage and would like to talk to someone about a policy, call our agents at Agency Advantage Insurance today. 

Have you been thinking about getting an umbrella policy? Have you been asking yourself, why do I need an umbrella policy? If either of these is correct or if you’re just curious about what an umbrella policy is and what it does, then hopefully, you will find your answer here. If you live in West Bloomfield, MI, or the surrounding area, you can turn to the staff at Agency Advantage Insurance to provide the guidance that you need to make an educated decision. 

An umbrella policy is an excess liability policy that can be used to help you in case you are sued. In order to buy an umbrella policy, you must already have an auto, business liability, home, or boat insurance policy. It is additional coverage; it can only be in addition to a policy you already have. Most basic liability policies have adequate limits, but you should consider the amount of money that is awarded in judgments these days. It could mean that you might exceed the maximum on your policy. 

If you have any assets or if you have a lot of assets, you could be in danger of losing them. If you do not have enough assets to pay a judgment against you, your future earnings and assets could be garnished. If you have an umbrella policy, it will kick in when you have reached the maximum of your original policy. This can protect your current and future assets. Considering that an umbrella policy is very affordable, not having one is something that can leave you devastated. 

Why not give Agency Advantage Insurance a call to discuss why you need an umbrella policy. We are here to help the residents of West Bloomfield, MI, and those throughout the state. Give our office a call or stop by for a discussion of your personal needs. 

The question of whether to purchase classic auto insurance or obtain a standard policy amounts to how you want to use your vehicle. Agency Advantage Insurance wants West Bloomfield, MI drivers to remain safe on the road and understand what their classic car insurance does for them.

If you want to drive your car or truck daily, standard auto insurance provides your best choice.

Classic car insurance limits your use of your vehicle. Most policies limit you to about 1,000 driving miles per year. That falls far under what you would need for commuting or errand running. If you violate the policy and drive it for more miles, you void the policy. That means you lose all the premiums you paid.

Insurance companies expect you will only drive the classic car in parades, auto shows, and special events. It is this limited amount of road time that enables the companies to afford to pay for the full replacement value of a vehicle if it gets totaled.

Another requirement most insurance agencies use is that you have already restored the vehicle completely. You cannot get classic car insurance on a vehicle while you work on it. You can get standard coverage. Standard coverage typically costs more for full coverage, but it lets you drive the car as much as you want. That’s important since many cars insured under classic car insurance fall into the classic or vintage category, not antiques. A classic car may only be ten years old but will qualify if it was a limited edition or had a manufacturing run of only a few years. You’d still probably want to drive these cars, but classic car insurance would limit the amount you could do so.

The real benefit of classic car insurance is its payout. You can purchase a replacement vehicle of the same make, model and year outright with its insurance payout of full coverage. If the vehicle sustains repairable damage, the insurance company pays for the replacement parts. Some agents will even help you locate appropriate parts.

Contact Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI, to learn how classic car insurance can benefit you. Even if your car isn’t a 100-year old antique, it may qualify for classic car insurance.

You have a series of tasks you should do each year before you retire your bike for the cooler seasons. The maintenance doesn’t stop there. At Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI, and the general vicinity, our agents advise motorcyclists to make the most out of their bikes by properly maintaining them, even in the summer. 

Coolant Levels 

If your bike doesn’t have enough coolant, it’s possible for it to overheat. Your engine may stop at that point. If a car or bike behind you can’t stop in time, you might end up getting into a serious accident. You can prevent your bike from overheating by checking your coolant levels regularly. If they need to be replaced, it’s important to do so immediately. Generally, you should only need to replace your coolant once per year. 

Tire Pressure

If you don’t have enough pressure in a tire on your bike, you’re putting yourself at risk for getting into a serious accident. We advise clients to regularly check their tire pressure to ensure it’s adequate. This is particularly advisable to perform before you take your bike on a long road trip. 

Check Your Brakes

Being able to stop immediately is vital when you’re riding a motorcycle. Whether you’re just starting to take your bike out or you’re venturing on a long journey, we recommend checking your brakes. Brake fluid should be a light yellow color. If it’s a darker yellow, you should replace it. 

Insurance

Although it isn’t actually part of the maintenance routine. It does keep you safe on the road and prevent you from getting a ticket. 

Make sure your insurance is updated for the summer by contacting Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI and the surrounding region, by calling 248-855-9090.

Umbrella insurance is a bit of a mystery: What does it cover? Who needs it?

If you’re a resident or business owner in West Bloomfield, MI, read on to find out whether umbrella coverage from Agency Advantage Insurance might be useful to you.

It Can Cover Your Home And Auto

Umbrella insurance is an all-encompassing type of policy. It is the type of insurance that can fill in and cover when other, more specific types of insurance run out of coverage.

For instance, if you get into an accident and your auto coverage won’t extend to the full price of the damage, you can put in a claim with your umbrella policy provider to cover the outstanding costs. This is especially helpful if you’re at fault in the accident and your auto insurance provider is giving you a hard time about coverage for the other party’s vehicle.

Umbrella coverage is also very useful for homeowners. In most home insurance policies, whether for a West Bloomfield MI home or beyond, there are certain excluded circumstances that will not be covered. For instance, no home insurance policies include damage due to a flood. In such a case, instead of purchasing an expensive flood insurance policy that you may or may not need, your umbrella insurance can kick in if necessary.

In business And In Life

Your umbrella insurance coverage from Agency Advantage Insurance can come in handy if you’re a business owner, too. Of course, if you run a legitimate business, you do need to obtain commercial coverage for legal reasons. However, if your commercial policy is a bit skimpy, your umbrella insurance can keep you from having to declare bankruptcy.

If you own a life policy and you are hurt or ill, your umbrella insurance can help pay for your end-of-life expenses. Furthermore, you can appoint a beneficiary on your umbrella policy. This way, your coverage extends beyond your life insurance, and it can benefit your surviving loved ones.

Ready To Buy An Umbrella Insurance Policy?

At Agency Advantage Insurance, our agents are happy to answer any questions you may have about umbrella insurance and how it can fit into your life. Give us a call or visit us in West Bloomfield, MI to discuss your limitless options today.

There are currently government requirements in place for an individual which require them to have health insurance. Many people do not understand what these requirements entail, however. You should be familiar with what the government has termed “minimum essential health insurance” and follow the guidelines for coverage to avoid penalties.

Minimum Essential Coverage

When you are shopping for insurance, you want to be certain that you purchase at least a minimum essential health insurance coverage. This outlines 10 points of coverage related to providing services, inpatient and outpatient services, and prescription coverage. In order to ensure you make the right selection, you will need the help of a licensed health insurance agent who is familiar with each policy and can help you avoid the pitfalls that come with shopping for health insurance coverage. 

Working With A Licensed Agent

You always want to work with a knowledgeable, licensed agent who can offer you options that will meet or exceed the government’s health insurance requirements. If you don’t choose at least minimum essential coverage, you will incur a hefty fine in the following year. If you live near the West Bloomfield, MI area, you can count on Agency Advantage Insurance to provide you with the products and information you need to avoid those fines and give yourself adequate insurance protection.

Shopping for the right health insurance policy is much easier with the assistance of one of the top insurance representatives at Agency Advantage Insurance, serving West Bloomfield, MI. Call or stop by today to get more details or to schedule a consultation with one of our helpful agents.