Author: Marketing

**Summer Safety ​T​ips**

Posted on by Marketing

As summer approaches, it’s essential to prioritize safety while enjoying the warmer weather and engaging in outdoor activities. Here are some tips to help ensure a safe and fun summer for everyone:

* **Water Safety:** Practice and teach your family and friends water safety. Never leave children unsupervised near water, even for a moment. Consider taking swimming lessons, CPR certification, and basic water rescue training. Always wear a life jacket while boating or participating in water sports, regardless of your swimming ability.

* **Fire Safety:** Practice and teach fire safety to your family and friends. Keep fire pits and grills a safe distance from structures, vegetation, and other flammable materials. Always do a quick check of your propane hoses for leaks. Keep your fire equipment and grills clean to prevent grease fires. Never leave your fire unattended, especially around children. Always have a water source or extinguisher nearby.

* **Hydration:** Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Ignoring dehydration can result in serious health issues like heat injury, kidney problems, and even death.

* **Sun Safety:** Use sunscreen, wear hats, and sunglasses. Avoid prolonged exposure, especially during peak hours (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Sun damage causes premature aging, skin cancer, and other visible changes. Did you know that sun damage to your eyes can cause permanent discoloration?

* **Heatstroke Prevention:** Never Leave Children or Pets in Cars. Temperatures on a hot day can rise to 130 degrees, sometimes even 170 degrees.

* **Vacation Insurance:** Have vacation insurance, which can provide financial protection against things like trip cancellations, interruptions, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen issues that might arise while traveling.

* **Summer Toy Insurance:** Keep insurance on your summer toys, such as ATVs, motorhomes (RVs), travel trailers, fifth wheels, Golf carts, personal watercrafts, boats, dirt bikes, and more. Having these insurances can cover a range of potential risks, including liability for bodily injury and property damage, collision damage to your ATV, and comprehensive coverage for events such as theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can also be included, as well as medical payments for you and your passengers. At the very least, have liability coverage. This coverage helps pay for medical expenses and other related costs if you injure someone in an accident while operating your recreational vehicle. It can also help pay for damages to someone else’s property if you’re at fault in an accident.

By following these simple guidelines, we can all have a safer and more enjoyable summer.

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Boat insurance?​

Posted on by Marketing

Does Michigan require boat insurance?​

While Michigan law does not mandate boat insurance, ​​we highly recommend​ it to all of our clients. 

Michigan is​ well known for ​its boating enthusiasts​.

We have over ​10,000 lakes and miles of Great Lakes​ shoreline.

Despite being freshwater, the Great Lakes​ are also known as “inland seas”​. This is because they present similar risks to ocean boating, including significant waves, strong currents, and considerable depths. 

Sadly, thousands of boating accidents and fatalities occur yearly on these waters, with some individuals still missing.

As ​Ted Karamanski, professor emeritus at Loyola University Chicago,​ said, “We know more about the top of Mount Everest than we do about the bottom of Lake Michigan.”

Even though it’s not legally required, ​here are some Benefits of Having Boat Insurance​: 

**Liability Coverage​: Protects you financially if you cause injury to someone or damage another boat, covering medical bills, legal fees, and repair costs.

**Comprehensive​ Coverage​: This can protect your boat​ or items in or on your boat ​that are stolen or vandalized​. It can also help cover repairs to your boat if it’s damaged in an accident involving other vessels or stationary objects.

**Medical Coverage​: This can cover medical expenses for you or your passengers if injuries occur on your boat, often without a deductible.

Some policies also cover wreckage removal, fuel spill cleanup, and coverage for water sports-related accidents.

Given the unpredictable nature of boating and the potential for significant financial burdens from accidents ​or theft,​​ ​this should be crucial ​for the protection​ of your property and loved ones. 

​We here at Shield ​I​nsurance Agency always strongly advise that you insure your boat​ to safeguard yourself and your investment​ during your priceless memory-making adventures.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss boat insurance options, please Call, Text (616-896-4600) or email us mailto:ContactUs@ShieldAgency.com.

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Spring is here, let’s get our recreational vehicles out

Posted on by Marketing

As the weather warms up and spring is in full swing, many of us are eager to get our recreational vehicles out and enjoy the season.

Whether you own a motorhome, pop-up, ATV, or other recreational toys, it’s crucial to ensure they have the right insurance coverage.

It’s a common misconception that standard auto insurance policies will cover recreational vehicles. In most cases, this isn’t true. Standard policies typically do not extend to these types of vehicles. That’s why it’s essential to work with a trusted agent who can explore your options and find a policy tailored to your specific needs. Ensuring your recreational vehicles are listed on the correct type of insurance policy is key.

Keep in mind that different types of recreational vehicles require varying levels of coverage. A Class A motorhome has different insurance needs than a pop-up camper, just as an ATV’s requirements differ from a golf cart’s. Even if you have an older vehicle like a dirt bike, while it might not need comprehensive coverage, liability protection is still important.

The cost of recreational vehicle insurance can vary based on factors such as the type and size of the vehicle, your driving record, and your location. However, there are numerous ways to potentially save on your premium.

Even if you only use your recreational vehicles occasionally for camping trips or monthly trail rides, having the right insurance in place is vital. Accidents happen, and if someone gets hurt, you could face significant out-of-pocket expenses without adequate coverage.

Some individuals choose not to get recreational vehicle insurance, believing their home and auto policies will suffice. While your auto insurance might extend to a personal trailer while it’s hitched, coverage typically ends once it’s unhitched. Home insurance may offer some coverage while the vehicle is on your property, but it won’t cover damages that occur during travel. Only a specialized recreational vehicle insurance policy provides full-time protection, whether you’re on the road or parked at a location away from your property. Additionally, filing claims on your home or auto insurance can potentially increase your premiums.

Now is the perfect time to review your insurance needs for your recreational vehicles. We can help ensure you have the necessary coverage to keep you and your family safe while you enjoy your toys this spring and beyond.

If you have any questions about recreational vehicle insurance or would like to connect with an agent to discuss your options, please contact us today. We are here to help you find the coverage that best suits all your insurance needs, including home, auto, commercial, and life insurance.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful tips and updates!

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Are your pets insured?

Posted on by Marketing

Today, May 8th, is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, as recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This day serves as an important reminder to consider the safety and well-being of our beloved pets during emergencies.

In any disaster situation, our animals depend entirely on us, making it essential that our emergency plans include them.

There are many important reasons to prepare for your pets’ safety. Given the potential dangers our pets can face, from wildlife encounters (Michigan reports around 60 animal rabies cases annually, with bats being responsible for approximately 90% of these) to accidents and illnesses, ensuring their protection is crucial. It’s also worth noting the significant costs associated with unexpected veterinary care, such as surgery to remove a foreign object, which can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.

For those involved in Michigan’s animal farming industry, where livestock insurance plays a key role in protecting against unexpected events, the principle of safeguarding animals is well-understood. Similarly, for pet owners, considering how to protect our companions from various risks, including poisonous plants common in Michigan like Azaleas and Lilies, is paramount.

Let’s use this important day to reflect on how we can better prepare for the unexpected and ensure the safety of our cherished pets. Numerous resources are available to guide us in effective disaster preparedness for our animals.

Have you considered if your pets are insured? Today is a good day to think about how we can better prepare for the unexpected to keep our cherished pets safe. Many resources are available to help us learn how to do this effectively.

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A great way to make an impact on your community

Posted on by Marketing

We here at Shield Insurance Agency wanted to thank Meals on Wheels Western Michigan for allowing us ​to volunteer this month.

​On Thu, Apr 3, 2025​, half of our “in-house” team ​joined ​the  MOWWM team to​ volunteer ​locally in our community; this included Andy and Dawn Simmons (owners of Shield Insurance Agency), Jade Browne, Patti McCarthy-Stejskal, Melissa Hunt, and Nate Schaap. We also had some out-of-office agents, Ruth Lian and Jordyn Tyler, join us.

We plate​d food for homebound clients; we made 1,663 meals that day! 

​The following week, on  Apr 11, 2025,​ the other half of the team was able to experience​ volunteering with MOWWM; this included Alisha Stankus,
J Vargo, Brianna Kornoelje, Sami Garcia, Leah Koets, Shantell Watkins, Breianna Larink, Paula Stein, and her Husband. We also had Joe Peiffer, an out-of-office agent, join us.
On this day, we assembled 2,587 meals​.

That’s a total of 4,250 meals we were able to help plate for our community.
 
​Our team will make this a yearly visit to volunteer​; this has been a gratifying experience. It allows us to connect with my community while providing essential services to those in need. MOWWM​ meals ensure that individuals receive proper nutrition, and the Delivery drivers offer companionship to those who may be isolated. Each visit is an opportunity to positively impact, highlighting the importance of community support and compassion. Knowing that we are improving others’ quality of life is fulfilling.
If you are interested in volunteering, I have attached information about upcoming volunteer opportunities​ with Meals on Wheels​; this is a great way to impact your community​.

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Trust, And Verify: Ensuring Your Insurance Coverage

Posted on by Marketing

In today’s fast-paced world, we often rely on others to handle essential tasks, and insurance is no exception. Trusting your insurance agent is crucial, as they play a vital role in protecting your assets. However, verifying that the necessary steps have been taken to secure your coverage is equally important. Let’s delve into why this “trust, and verify” approach is essential.

Recently, a situation arose that highlights the importance of confirming your insurance details. A client voiced a complaint online about a mistake they believed was made. Upon review, it was clear that while an error occurred on the agent’s part, there were also steps the client had not taken to ensure their desired coverage was in place.

Here’s what happened: The client requested to add a home to their insurance policy. The agent responded to an email and said, “I should have the policy ready for you tomorrow”.  And that’s where the communication ended.  The agent (who no longer works at our agency) failed to insure the home.  However, several key confirmations were missing. No payment was made for the added coverage, no invoice was issued or received, and no written confirmation was sent to the client verifying that the house was added to their policy. This lack of confirmation led to confusion and frustration.

This example serves as a reminder that while we strive for accuracy and efficiency, clients must actively verify their insurance details. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your coverage is in place:

  • Request a Written Confirmation: Always ask for written confirmation that any changes or additions to your policy have been processed. This can be an email, a letter, or an updated policy document.
  • Review Your Invoices: Carefully review your invoices to ensure all desired coverages are listed and paid for. If you don’t receive an invoice, request one.
  • Check Your Policy Documents: Review your policy documents regularly to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date.
  • Communicate with Your Agent: Maintain open communication with your insurance agent. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek clarification on any aspect of your policy.

Ultimately, a successful insurance relationship relies on both trust and verification. By taking these proactive steps, you can have peace of mind knowing that your assets are adequately protected. We value your trust and are committed to providing excellent service. However, we also encourage you to be an active participant in managing your insurance coverage.

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