When should I review my home insurance policy?

It is always important to know what your home insurance policy covers. Here are four events that should trigger a review of your homeowner's policy.

1. When the homeowners policy comes up for renewal. While it is tempting to pay the renewal immediately, this is a perfect time to review your homeowners policy and contact your insurance agent with any pertinent questions. Some examples of these home insurance renewal questions include:

• Am I receiving any and all discounts available to me?


• Should I begin to comparison shop with other providers?


• Has my home insurance provider made any changes to my coverage?


• Does my homeowners policy include separate deductibles for certain risks?


• Can I raise my deductible to save money?


• Have I adequately insured all of my personal possessions?


• Do I need to increase coverage for liability or structure reasons?


• Should I comparison-shop for a cheaper rate?

2. When you make major purchases or alterations to the home. Building that deck? Got that big screen TV? Making new purchases or adding improvements to your house is usually a great time to look at your home insurance policy. A perfect example of major improvements includes adding or expanding a room, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Additionally, if you or a member of your family has received an expensive gift, such as artwork, a computer or even an engagement ring, talk to your agent about either increasing the amount of insurance you have for your personal possessions or purchasing a floater/endorsement for these items.

3. When you've made your house safer. Installed a fire or burglary system in your home? You may qualify for a new discount. Other examples include upgrading your heating, plumbing or electrical systems.

4. When someone moves out, or in. Obviously, when a marriage or divorce occurs, your homeowners insurance is affected, as these people take their belongings with them. However, other circumstances may also affect your homeowners insurance, such as when post-college children return home. And you may need additional coverage if there is a sizable increase in the value of the belongings in your home, such as new jewelry or fine arts.

Feel free to contact me with any insurance questions you may have or if you would like a homeowner insurance quote at 248-390-6345 and visit my website at http://www.roninsureme.com/ .

Questions About Auto Insurance in MI

We know citizens of Michigan are doing their best to abide by the state law and carry the required amount of auto insurance. We also know they are trying to find ways to cut back on expenses and save money wherever possible. Perhaps the suggestions below can help the drivers of Michigan not only save money on their policies but move forward in their understanding of insurance and get closer to full coverage.

Can I Save Money On Required Liabilities?
State legislation has declared a minimum requirement of coverage that must be purchased by every driver on the road, which is personal protection insurance for $1 million, personal injury protection, residual bodily injury for $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident, and finally $10,000 in property damage liability. Combined, these mandatory coverage types will pay for the other party’s property damage, their medical bills, and your medical bills. There is no way to lower the amount that is required to be carried because it has been said as being mandatory by the state.

It should be noted the liability limits required by the state were mandated by law well over 30 years ago and have not kept up with the true cost of inflationary expenses especially medical insurance. In today's world I recommend that no driver carry less than $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, and finally $100,000 in property damage liability. The ideal coverage for all drivers should be $500,000 per person and $500,000 per accident, and finally $500,000 in property damage liability, In addition, I recommend an optional umbrella liability policy that would provide additional liability coverage above your automobile insurance limits should you exhaust the limits on your automobile policy.

Most insurance company's encourage drivers to carry the minimal suggested liability limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, and finally $100,000 in property damage liability. Those that carry less coverage may actually see a surcharge on their policy negating any savings from lowering their liability limits.

What Coverage Is Necessary For MI Drivers?
As mentioned earlier, all drivers who live in Michigan must purchase personal protection insurance, personal injury protection, residual bodily injury liability, and property damage liability. Any other coverage is extra and can be added on to the policy for a price.

What Coverage Is Available In Michigan?
Each insurer in Michigan offers different coverage options so it’s best to check with your current insurer or prospective insurers to see what is offered. As a general rule of thumb, most insurers offer coverage types that will give the policyholder and members the ability to expect the insurer to pay for their accident related medical bills and property damage. There are also other add-ons that will cover rental cars or help with paying for a rental car when your vehicle is in the shop because of an accident. Options regarding towing services are also available. Figure out what you coverage you need to properly protect your assets and policy members, know your budget, and decide what coverage you can afford.

Where To Find Cheap MI Coverage
The best place to find coverage for Michigan drivers at a low price is right here at roninsureme.com. My agency the Berkfield & Co/Waterford Insurance Agency have come together with auto insurance companies to match drivers with low prices.


Feel free to contact me with any insurance questions you may have or if you would like a homeowner insurance quote at 248-390-6345 and visit my website at http://www.roninsureme.com .

Finding Deals on Homeowners Insurance

Do you think your home insurance premiums are too high? Or are you a new homeowners, maybe under the stimulus package, and you need to find a policy to satisfy your lender? Since your home is probably your biggest asset, and since policies will represent part of the cost of that asset, it is essential to educate yourself about homeowner’s insurance.

Think about the things that a good policy must cover. It is obvious, I think, that the actual home will need to be protected. But also consider any outside structures. If a visitor to your home claims injury or damage, you will be happy to have liability insurance. You also have the contents of your home, like tv sets, computers, and jewelry, and those may be worth many thousands of dollars to replace. Finally, consider how you would find a place to live if your home was damaged and needed to be repaired or rebuilt.

We are concerned with finding the best homeowners insurance rate deals, but also with finding the best coverage. Please be patient so you can understand your policy when you do buy it. I would hate for anybody to save twenty dollars on premiums, only to find they did not buy good coverage.

House Coverage – This protection extends to your actual building. You will probably need to cover it for the cost of rebuilding, and not just the value of the home. There is a difference, and it is especially true for older homes. A $150,000 house that is 25 years old may cost a lot more than that to rebuild from scratch!

What is Outside the House? Most homes have other structures outside that can cost a lot to repair. Fences, landscaping, decks, etc. are some examples of this.

Liability – If a visitor to your home claims injury, you could be sued. Make sure your insurer will back you up!

Relocation – If you cannot stay in your home because it needs repairs, an insurer can help you out.

Personal Property – Do not neglect to cover your belongings. Just like the building, you probably want to cover them at the replacement cost, and not just the value. Your tv set may only be worth $100 at a second hand store, but may cost you $500 to replace!

I hope you understand the basics of normal home owners insurance policies. Now it is time to look for a good rate on that policy.

Insurance rates are local, but beyond that, different companies offer their own premium schedules, and their own discounts. One insurer may reduce their premium for customers who also cover their car with them, but they do not all do this. Another may cut 10% for installing a burglar alarm, while another may cut rates fifteen percent. It is important to find the best insurer for a person like you.

Feel free to contact me with any insurance questions you may have or if you would like a homeowner insurance quote at 248-390-6345 and visit my website at http://www.roninsureme.com .

Prepare Your Home For Winter

Preparing for winter is best done a few weeks before the season gets underway. Winter preparation checklist includes winter clothes, fireplace, hot chocolate, and one more thing – house repairs.


The cold season usually takes its toll on homes. Hence, it is wise to do some minor renovations ahead of time so as to enjoy a hassle-free winter.


To avoid unnecessary costs, follow the succeeding tips:

• 
  House should be kept warm during the winter season. Home temperature must not fall below 65 degrees as this would cause the pipes to freeze and eventually result to other problems. This can be achieved by adding weather stripping to windows or setting up storm windows. Also, all gaps must be closed.


• 
  Make sure that the heating system is functioning well. Before youstart using the fireplace, have your chimney cleaned by a professional.


• 
  Check whether the roof is intact. Loose shingles must be repaired. Gutters must be cleaned and overhanging tree limbs must be removed. Also, it will be extra helpful to put a screen at the top of the fireplace to be free from falling fragments.


• 
  Familiarize yourself with your pipes. As soon as they freeze, water must be turned off. Warming pipes with heating tape is necessary during particularly cold instances.


• 
  Immediately address small structural problems. Seek help from a professional.
  When away from home, turn off the water and drain the system with the help of a professional.


• 
  Have the house checked regularly so that small damages can be promptly addressed.

For a free quote on home insurance please feel free to call me at 248-390-6345 or visit my website http://www.roninsureme.com for more information.

Homeowner Insurance Buying Advice from Insurance Institute

You may already have applied several recommended ways to cut your homeowner insurance costs, but check the following tips from the Insurance Information Institute. You may find additional strategies to reduce your home insurance premiums or get more features to protect yourself from losses in case of disasters.

It is most probable also that you already have a home insurance from a certain company and it is up for renewal. If you have been with this insurance firm for many years, check if you can get a substantial discount for being a loyal customer. Just make sure that this insurance firm is financially stable by checking its financial condition at the web sites of rating firms such as Standard & Poor’s, your state insurance commission and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Compare also price ranges using online insurance quotes, consumer guides and the web sites of other insurance firms to see if your insurance firm is giving you a great price. But make sure that when you are comparing prices, you also consider features and services. A certain home insurance may be cheaper, but it has certain separate deductibles.

One of the ways to reduce your premium is to make your house more resistant to disasters. Ask your insurance firm what it is looking for when it is considering disaster prevention features. You may have to add storm shutters, replace or reinforce your roofing materials or modernize your plumbing systems to prevent water damage.

Another is to check if your firm considered your credit rating when it priced your insurance. It may have found something that was erroneously included in your credit report. A good credit report is also beneficial in other aspects of your life, so maintain your good credit record. Keep your credit card balances low and make your monthly payments on time.

You can also get at least 5 percent discount for improving your security and safety systems, such as installing a burglar alarm, smoke detector or deadbolt locks. There are other safety systems such as sophisticated sprinkler systems linked with monitoring stations, but these are expensive systems. They may get you added discounts but you may have to make big investments.

Before you buy a home, check the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report for the house. This report shows you the claim history of the house and can help you check out the problems or disasters that the house has undergone.

Feel free to contact me with any insurance questions you may have or if you would like a homeowner insurance quote at 248-390-6345 and visit my website at http://www.roninsureme.com .

Berkfield & Co Ltd./Waterford Insurance Agency Garden Project

This past summer my agency the Berkfield & Co. LTD/Waterford Insurance Agency celebrated its 30 years in business and to recognize this milestone our agency decided to create a commuity Garden Project in the open lots next to our office.

We thought what better way to thank the community that supports us by giving back.

To learn more about the garden you may wish to visit our blog site at http:///wiacommunitygarden.blogspot.com/ .

Our goal for the Garden Project was to plan, grow and harvest and and donate 500lbs of organic vegetables to charity. The charity partner we chose was the Open Door Outreach Center in Waterford, MI . To learn more about this charity please visit http://opendooroutreachcenter.com/. At the end of the harvest season we have donated 850lbs of food!.

The Open Door Resource Center will be celebrating 30 years of Service in 2010 and to help them celebrate, the Berkfield & Co Ltd./Waterford Insurance Agency will be working to raise 30,000 lbs of fresh and non-perishable food by August of 2010. Stay tuned for news about this project and how you can help reach our goal.