Teen Drivers and Insurance

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Most parents have a handle on their insurance needs. But when teen drivers are involved, the questions seem a little less straightforward. Here are some things that you need to know about teen drivers and insurance from Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI.

Learner’s Permits

Some insurance companies require that you notify them when your teen gets a learner’s permit, while others only want to know about teens with a regular license. It never hurts to give your insurance company a call when the driver’s status in your family is about to change. You may want to do this before your teen gets a restricted license just to avoid any surprises.

Comprehensive Coverage Vs. Liability Coverage

All drivers in Michigan are required to have at least liability insurance, the type of insurance that only pays for repairs to the other party’s vehicle in case of an accident. However, some people opt for comprehensive coverage, which will repair both cars involved. Liability insurance is less expensive than comprehensive insurance. However, whether you want to pay for comprehensive coverage depends on several factors. Will your teen be driving a newer vehicle that will be costly to replace or an older model that can be less expensively replaced? How often will your teen drive? Do you have savings to replace or repair the car if they were to damage it in an accident severely? Your agent can help you determine the answers to these questions and decide which option makes sense for your family.

It’s always best to ask all of your teen driving insurance questions before your teen gets his or her license. You can avoid unpleasant or expensive surprises by knowing ahead of time what the cost will be. If you have questions about teen driver insurance, contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI. 

Getting the Most Out of Your Commercial Auto Insurance Policy

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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.

How Can Home Insurance Protect You?

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Your home and personal possessions likely represent your largest assets. As such, it is important to protect the things you’ve worked your entire life for. Look to insurance professionals that understand the nuances of home insurance to identify how this type of policy can protect you.

If you’re financing the purchase of a home, your lender will require you to obtain homeowners insurance. Even if you don’t finance the purchase, it is still important to get coverage to protect your financial investment. You also want to protect your personal property up to the coverable amount stated in your policy. There are different types of home policies in Michigan depending on your situation and risk profile.

Types of home insurance include:

  • Broad
  • All-risk
  • Renters
  • Condominium

Broad coverage covers damage to your dwelling and possessions from specific risks identified in your policy. All-risk coverage, however, covers your dwelling and possessions from a larger number of risks, except for threats specifically excluded in the policy. When you visit Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, you can explore these policies and decide the right amount of coverage given your budget and net-worth.

Whether it is receiving money to replace lost and stolen possessions or having portions of your home repaired in instances of a covered peril, home insurance can protect you and your family. Do not let unforeseen problems disrupt your everyday life – get insurance now.

Home insurance is a necessity on multiple levels and can give you peace-of-mind. To learn more about the benefits of home insurance, please contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI today. We are ready to help you mitigate risk and hedge financial exposures.