Life Insurance Terms You Must Know

As the head of a family in Marshall, MI, you might be convinced that it is high time that you bought a life insurance policy to cater for the living expenses of your family when you’re gone. This is a critical decision as it will play an essential role in ensuring that your family has the necessary financial stability even in your absence. However, before buying this policy, Great Michigan Insurance highlights some important terms that you should learn.

Actual Age

You will come across the term ‘actual age,’ which means the age with respect to your date of birth. This is your exact age, and it is vital in determining premiums in life insurance. It is different from ‘physical age, which refers to the age you are closest to because it is also highly analyzed when you are buying a life insurance policy. 

Adverse Selection

Naturally, people with very many risks in their lives will always look for life insurance policies compared to those who do not have very many risks. Adverse selection is a term used by most insurance companies to refer to the selection criteria used to avoid risky customers. There are very many guidelines that are included to prevent the welfare of a company when insuring high-risk individuals.

Beneficiary

There is always a major issue regarding who will be benefiting from the life insurance benefits after death. In this case, a beneficiary is a person, several people, or even an organization. It is important to highlight that the beneficiary of life insurance will be the person stipulated by the life insurance holder in the policy document.

According to Great Michigan Insurance, understanding life insurance terms is always a challenge. That is why the company welcomes all individuals in Marshall, MI who are interested in life insurance to learn the basic terms.

What is commercial insurance?

Organizations operate in a risky environment. When disaster strikes, the magnitude of losses can quickly bring a business to its knees. This is why your business needs commercial insurance coverage. Commercial insurance plans exist to protect your company from the risks that emanate from injury claims, cyber-attacks, and other liabilities. 

The risks that you are likely to encounter vary depending on your type of business. Luckily, Great Michigan Insurance offers broad-based commercial insurance plans for all our customers in Marshall, MI. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover? 

Commercial insurance cautions small businesses of a variety of losses. Claims made following injuries sustained by workers are often costly. Commercial insurance protects your business from such claims. 

The world is still coming to terms with the proliferation of cybercrime. Protecting your business against such losses caused by cybercriminals is essential. Commercial insurance helps ensure that your business is secure against losses due to cybercrime. Depending on your insurance provider, your commercial insurance plan may also cover other liabilities. 

Types of Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance comes in different forms. What you opt for depends on the dynamics of your business. Commercial insurance includes auto and property coverage. Commercial auto insurance protects you in case of accidents where your employee is at fault. On the other hand, property insurance covers physical property and other possessions following accidents. 

You may also consider a worker’s compensation insurance plan if you have employees within the organization. The other option that businesses in Marshall, MI can consider is commercial general liability insurance. The alternative is comprehensive and can help your business stay afloat in case of wide-ranging claims. 

It’s Time to Consider Commercial Insurance

Businesses operate in hazardous environments where losses and damages are common. Unless you consider commercial insurance coverage for your business, such unexpected turns can be detrimental to the company’s future. 

The good news is that at Great Michigan Insurance, we offer commercial insurance coverage plans for businesses in Marshall, MI, and surrounding areas.

Are you wondering how to access reliable insurance services? Contact our agents today for more information.

Do all people need to get umbrella insurance in Michigan?

Personal liability risk is something that people in the Marshall, MI area need to take seriously. If you are looking to mitigate this risk, a great option would be to purchase an umbrella insurance policy. There are several reasons why all people in this state should consider getting this form of personal insurance protection. 

Insurance Offers Protection for the Unknown

An important reason you should get umbrella insurance is to help you prepare for the unexpected. Most people are aware that accidents can happen on the road or in their homes, resulting in a liability claim. However, there are many other liability risks out there that are harder to predict. If you get an umbrella insurance policy, it will offer more coverage for a wider range of risks that are otherwise hard to predict.

Insurance Gives More Coverage

You will also want to consider getting an umbrella insurance policy as it can give you more coverage. When you get a home or auto policy, the liability coverage will protect you up to the policy limit. If there is ever a bad accident and damages exceed the policy limit, it will be up to you to pay the difference. An umbrella insurance policy could bridge this gap. 

People who live in the Marshall, MI area will need to assess all of their personal insurance needs. One important form of coverage to get is umbrella insurance protection. When you are going to get this type of insurance, you should call Great Michigan Insurance. The team with Great Michigan Insurance will help you better understand all of your needs and options. This will help to ensure that you can pick the best policy possible. 

3 Tips for Buying Condo Insurance in Michigan

Your condo association doesn’t cover what’s inside your condo. If you want to protect your furniture and other parts of the inside of your condo, you’ll need condo insurance. Worried about cost? Don’t be. Purchasing condo insurance is easy, hassle-free, and affordable. Read on to learn about three tips to help you get started, brought to you by Great Michigan Insurance.

1. Work with a Reputable Agent

Your first step in obtaining condo insurance is to work with a friendly and reputable insurance agent. These knowledgeable professionals will answer your questions, help you compare quotes, and bundle your policies under one carrier. They’ve been doing this for years and can easily navigate the maze of insurance. You’ll want a trusted agent by your side.

2. Compare More than One Quote

Purchasing the first quote you view is never a good idea. Of course, you can go back to this quote, but it’s a good idea to compare several insurance quotes before deciding on condo insurance. Your insurance agent will help you do this by first asking you questions to determine which quotes to compare. From here, he or she will go over each quote with you and make sure you understand coverage vs. cost.

3. Bundle Your Policies

Adding condo insurance to your list of other insurance policies, like auto insurance, and then bundling them under one carrier will help you save on your premiums. Insurance agencies love to reward loyal customers, and this is one way they do it.

To learn more about securing a condo insurance policy in Marshall, MI, contact Great Michigan Insurance, serving this area. Friendly agents are waiting to take your call right now. 

 

Protect Your Family’s Well-Being With Life Insurance

One of the best ways to protect your family is with life insurance. If you’re in the Marshall, MI area, we can help you with that at Great Michigan Insurance. We know that keeping your family safe from harm is one of the most important things to you, and the right insurance is among the ways you can do that more easily. You don’t have to settle for a policy that isn’t complete or that you’re not sure about. There are better options, and we want to help you find and choose the one that’s truly going to be right for your needs and goals.

When you choose an insurance policy, there are several things you have to consider. The first one is that the policy needs to be focused on what you actually need and want from it. Some policies are great choices for other people, but they might not be right for you. When you work with dedicated professional agents who are knowledgeable and committed to helping you find what you need, you can get the policy that works for you instead of what others might assume you need. We won’t make assumptions because we know everyone is unique.

If you live in or around Marshall, MI, you can get the life insurance policy that’s truly best for you. At Great Michigan Insurance, agents are waiting to help you protect your family and make sure they’ll be well cared for if you should pass away. Not only is insurance a good choice for protecting their future, but it’s also a great way to give yourself the peace of mind you’re looking for. You don’t have to settle for anything less than that when you work with the right insurance company to meet your policy and coverage needs.

5 Reasons You Need a Commercial Insurance Policy

When you have a business in or near the Marshall, MI area, you’ll want to consider a commercial insurance policy that meets your needs. But it’s important to remember that not every type of business needs this insurance and depending on the business, the level and type of coverage may be very different, as well. That’s where we come in at Great Michigan Insurance. Our dedicated agents are focused on making sure the coverage you get for your business is the kind of coverage you need and want.

We can talk about the type of business you have, and help you find the right policy that’s going to work for you, along with discussing how you might want to update it in the future as your business grows and changes. Protecting your company, assets, customers, and employees all matters, and you need the right policy to do that effectively. Here are five of the biggest reasons you’ll want to talk to us about a commercial policy.

  • Commercial policies protect your business from claims and risk.
  • Depending on your business, a commercial policy may be legally required.
  • Customers will feel safer when you take the right steps to protect them.
  • Employees will want to work for you because they know they’re covered.
  • A commercial policy reduces your personal risk as an owner.

Don’t settle for less than a quality policy for your commercial insurance needs. You want and deserve comprehensive coverage you can rely on. At Great Michigan Insurance, we’ll work hard to help you get that. We want all of our Marshall, MI area clients to feel good about the coverage they have, and to know that they’re adequately protected from risk. Let our dedicated agents help you today, so you can have peace of mind when it comes to the right kind of insurance for your business.

Three reasons why you need umbrella insurance

Consumers need to know what umbrella insurance is and how it works. They also need to understand why this type of coverage is essential.

At Great Michigan Insurance, we offer umbrella coverage. The following are three reasons why this type of insurance coverage is vital for consumers in Marshall, MI. 

A lawsuit or accident can cost you more than your insurance policy maximum coverage amount.

Unfortunately, many home and auto insurance policies have coverage limits that are too low to provide adequate coverage in the event of a costly accident. Umbrella coverage is a convenient solution for extending insurance coverage over policy limits.

Accidents and lawsuits are unpredictable. It’s difficult to determine in advance how much they might cost you. To be safe, you can invest in umbrella coverage so that your liability expenses will be covered regardless of how high they are. 

Umbrella insurance coverage protects your assets.

Any assets you have are at risk if a considerable liability expense comes up that exceeds your insurance policy maximums. Umbrella insurance is a necessity for anyone with assets to protect. 

An umbrella insurance policy is a relatively inexpensive way to get a significant amount of additional coverage.

When you shop around for umbrella insurance coverage, you may find yourself surprised at how much coverage you get for relatively inexpensive premiums.

Umbrella insurance is an insurance product that helps to maximize the value you get from insurance coverage. Personal umbrella insurance coverage can enhance a policyholder’s home and auto insurance coverage. 

Get started finding the right umbrella insurance policy in Marshall, MI. We’re here to help you at Great Michigan Insurance. Get in touch with us to learn more about our policy offerings. 

Different Types of Condo Insurance

 While condo insurance is sometimes confused with your condo association’s insurance, they are two different things. The fees you pay to your condo association and the insurance the association obtains is intended to cover the common areas- outside of your individual condo unit.

Protecting the inside of your condo requires you to purchase a separate policy. However, your condo association’s policy can impact the type of coverage you need, and Great Michigan Insurance is here to help Michigan residents find the best coverage for their needs.

The most common condo insurance coverage includes:

Building Property Protection

This coverage may help cover damages to the interior of your condo, such as your walls and other permanent fixtures.

Personal Liability Coverage

If a guest is injured while in your condo and you are found at fault, personal liability coverage may help cover medical and other related expenses. There is also guest medical coverage, which might help cover costs related to a visitor’s injury even if you are not found to be responsible for said injury.

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property insurance is designed to cover damage and loss of your personal belongings, such as your clothes and appliances.

Umbrella Insurance

Sometimes standard, and even additional, coverage is just not enough. If your net worth is high or you feel that you need more coverage than what you currently have, consider an umbrella insurance policy.

Flood Insurance

Standard condo insurance does not usually cover flood damage, so this is one you would need to add on yourself. If you have a mortgage on your condo, there is a good chance that your lender will require you to get it, especially if you are in a flood zone.

If you own or are buying a condo in the Marshall, MI area, reach out to us at Great Michigan Insurance. We can help you get the coverage you need so you can focus on loving your home.  

Life Insurance: Luxury or Need?

If you consider life insurance a non-essential entity in your life, it’s time to think again. Life insurance has so much to offer in the way of financial security for those you love in the event of your unexpected demise. A life insurance policy from Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI offers your loved ones the following benefits and more:  

Financial Support  

If your loved ones count on you for financial support, your unexpected demise could put them in financial straits due to the sudden loss of income. Life benefits can help replace your income so your loved ones can carry on. Whether you’re supporting a spouse, children, or aging parents, benefits from a life insurance policy can provide essential financial security for their future. Life benefits can help supplement your family’s budget, pay for medical expenses, cover school needs, and more. You can even designate those benefits to be put aside to help pay for your children’s college after they’re grown.

Paid Debts

Life benefits can be used to pay your outstanding debts, so your spouse, parents, or other relatives don’t have to assume this burden. This includes co-signed student loans, the mortgage on your home, car loans, or business loans. You can have peace of mind that your debts will be taken care of in the event of your untimely demise.

Paid Funeral Costs

If you’ve made no previous arrangement for your funeral, your loved ones will have to assume this responsibility if you were to pass on suddenly. Life benefits can be used to help cover these costs. Your loved ones won’t be weighed down with this financial burden at a time when they’re mourning your loss.

For more information about life insurance options and costs, contact Great Michigan Insurance. For your convenience, we serve residents in Marshall, MI, and surrounding communities. 

Getting the Most Out of Your Commercial Auto Insurance Policy

A commercial auto insurance policy protects the mobility of your Battle Creek or Marshall, MI area business. However, multiple claims can negatively impact your profit potential. These tips from Great Michigan Insurance will help you decrease the possibilities of claims, increase the longevity of your work vehicles, and improve driver performance.

  • Install GPS-capable tracking devices in all company vehicles. Some devices are able to record mileage, driving habits, and other bits of information as well. These trackers help you understand how your drivers operate, which offers opportunities for more effective training. The digitally collected data also makes it easier to determine operating costs and create more effective maintenance schedules.
  • Designate a fleet manager. Even if you only have 2 company vehicles, a dedicated fleet manager simplifies your management processes. Having one person in charge of keeping track of maintenance logs, fuel records, purchasing, and other details decrease confusion that could lead to poor vehicle performance.
  • Opt into roadside assistance. For smaller businesses, roadside assistance is a cost-effective way to keep your vehicles operative. Instead of paying for a dedicated emergency response employee or shelling out big bucks for independent towing services, commercial roadside assistance can help you get moving after an emergency without a large investment.
  • Contract all of your mechanical work to one shop. Find a mechanic or shop that can serve all of your maintenance and emergency needs. Use the volume of work you offer to negotiate discounted rates or premium services.

Your Battle Creek or Marshall, MI area business can’t run without properly maintained vehicles. Let Great Michigan Insurance customize your commercial auto insurance contract to fit your needs. Contact us to learn how to maximize the value of your commercial auto coverage.