Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Welcome to the Shield Insurance Agency Blog. 

Here you will find a ton of articles on each of these topics: Auto Insurance, Boat/Watercraft Insurance, Business Insurance, Flood Insurance, Health Insurance, Home Insurance, Insurance, Life Insurance, Michigan Auto Insurance Reform, Recreational Insurance, Renters Insurance, RV Insurance, Things To Do At Home, Umbrella Insurance, and even a list of the Shield Agency Weekly Gift Card Winners,

If you have any suggestions for content, please drop us an email.

Google Takes on Auto Insurance

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Is Google taking over auto insurance???

Big in the news is that you can now get auto insurance quotes from Google (CA only so far). They’ll shop a bunch of different companies and show you all the rates, then you can choose a policy and buy it. Pretty cool, eh? Many experts are kind of freaking out about how this will affect the independent agent and if it is the beginning of our demise! I absolutely beg to differ!!

Here’s (partly) why: When google asks a question “What liability limits do you want” and you see options of ‘state minimum’, ‘100/300’, or ‘500CSL’, do you know what to choose? And more importantly, WHY you should make a certain choice? An independent agent can help you answer that question. An independent agent can also help you make strategic decisions on deciding whether to decline a specific coverage. We are your partner in helping you get a policy that doesn’t over or under-insure you. Google also has tons of analytical data, such as speed limits, crash statistics, traffic stats, etc, which should help make it be able to estimate a price for insurance if they ever actually decided to sell auto insurance themselves.

But another great thing about independent agencies is that we can sell many other products along with auto insurance! Such as home, health, life, or business insurance. So, it makes sense for a person to keep all their insurance in one place, to take advantage of “multi-policy” discounts, and even just for simple ease of doing business. So, the customer doesn’t have to keep track of lots of phone numbers of places to call for insurance!! This is just the tip of the iceberg on this topic! But it’s definitely an interesting topic to see how certain groups are responding. Have a great day!


Thanks, Andy

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Animals in the Spring

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Animals in the Spring

Remember: It’s getting warm out and that means that more and more animals will be on the move. So, stay alert. Pay attention to “deer crossing” signs. Scan down the road and off to each side. Be especially watchful in areas near woods and water. If you see one deer, there are probably several others nearby. Be especially vigilant during peak season. Though collisions can happen any time of year, fall is the peak time for deer-car crashes because it’s both hunting and mating seasons, forcing deer to roam outside their normal territory.

Use headlights smartly. At night, use high beams when possible to illuminate the road’s edges. If you see a deer far ahead, flick the brights on and off multiple times: Deer tend to fixate on headlights, so flashing them may cause the animal to scurry away. Watch out at mealtime. Pay particular attention at dusk and dawn, when these animals usually venture out to eat. Brake as necessary.

If you think you have time to avoid hitting the animal, reduce speed, tap the brakes to warn drivers behind you, and sound your horn. If there’s no vehicle close behind you, brake hard. Don’t swerve. If a collision seems inevitable, don’t veer off to avoid the animal. Your risk of injury may be greater if you do. Maintain control of the vehicle. Report the accident to the police and your insurance company.

by Dawn

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Escape to Best-Kept Secrets: Uncover Unique Michigan Vacation Spots!

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Shield Insurance Blog | Michigan Vacation Spots | Start a Quote Today!

About 2 hours north of Holland, Silver Lake has not only a picturesque lake for swimming, boating, and sunset watching but also dunes for buggies, trucks, quads, or jeeps; if you’re part of that club. With many cabins for rent and a few campgrounds, there is bound to be something for everyone.

A must on any unique Michigan vacation spot list has to be Mackinac Island. Accessible by ferry this island boasts many delicious fudge shops and quaint bed and breakfasts but NO CARS. That’s right, with no vehicles on the island (outside of public safety vehicles) you can ride around the island on bicycles or horse-drawn carriages without city traffic to slow you down.

And we can’t forget about the great city of Grand Rapids! Close to beaches and baseball, art and amazing food, Grand Rapids has the big city feel without having to leave West Michigan.

With only a few weeks left of Summer, there is no time to waste! Get out and enjoy our great state!

posted by Autumn

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Why Flood Insurance is a Must-Have – Don’t Get Caught in the Storm!

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Shield Insurance Agency Blog | Flood Insurance | Start A Quote Today!

Many people think of flood insurance as only for those who live right next to a large river, lake, or ocean. Did you know that flood insurance can be purchased by almost anyone, whether you are in a flood zone or not? Your typical home insurance policy does not cover claims associated with a flood. So, what is the definition of a flood you ask? A flood is “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from Overflow of inland or tidal waters; Unusual and rapid accumulation or run-off of surface waters from any source; mudflow; Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or a similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood.” (FEMA NFIP)

That definition doesn’t sound like it affects Michigan too much right? Wrong! Michigan ranked in the top 10 states for the total number of claims filed and the total claim payments for 2014. The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) reports that in 2014 there were 495 claims filed in the State of Michigan with total claim payments totaling $8,816,751. That’s Michigan only! The NFIP paid out more than $345 billion total in flood insurance claims in 2014.

Is flood insurance right for everyone, not necessarily, but it is worth looking into to protect your family and your investment. It’s important to know what is covered under your regular home insurance policy and what would be covered under a flood insurance policy. Just a couple of inches of floodwater can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

The average flood insurance policy costs about $700 per year and there are a few different programs that homeowners fall into or qualify for. Every home location is different so it is important to check out flood rates for your specific location and not base your decision on your neighbor’s findings; yours might be very different.

I’ll blog next time about what is covered and what is not covered under a flood insurance policy. In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions or inquiries.

Tammy Kaptein

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ArtPrize

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Did you know that right here in Grand Rapids is an event going on that is very amazing to go see! This event is Artprize!!

What is ArtPrize?

ArtPrize began nearly seven years ago as an experiment – a totally new event, unlike anything the world had ever seen, filled with the experiments of artists and the opinions of everyone. Anything from paper-made items to huge metal sculptures and everything in between!

The event runs from Sept 23 – Oct 11th. For 19 days, three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, become an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, and it’s all free and open to the public. With $500K in prizes.

I have gone every year so far and am totally amazed at what each and every person submits for entry into this event.

Here are some websites that you can go to, to find out more about this event and to see things from the years past events. Hope you go!

http://www.artprize.org/

https://www.artprize.org/about

Submitted by Dawn

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Winter Car Hacks

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Shield Insurance Blog | Winter Car Hacks | Auto Insurance |

Winter Car Hacks

Every winter I vow to be better prepared for all the unique challenges that winter driving presents but never really have gotten my act together. This year I vow to do things differently! To that end, I am making my list of handy tips and tricks and checking it twice! You can take a peek at it too!

Here are some of the most unexpected and helpful winter car care tips I have found to help survive winter driving:

Fixing foggy windshields

Cold months often mean constantly being plagued with fogged-up windshields and windows, a dangerous condition if you’re on the road. To quickly clear fog without leaving a smudgy mess behind, keep a chalkboard eraser in your car.
Alternatively, rolling down the window and letting some fresh air in will quickly defog windows.

Fog-PROOFING your windshield

  • Put shaving cream on the inside of your windows and then wipe it off. Shaving cream has a lot of the same ingredients that commercial defoggers have, and it leaves a layer on the window to keep the fog off.
  • Fill a stocking with kitty litter which absorbs water and keep that in your car overnight.
  • Before you turn your car off each night, open the windows and let cold air in. The moisture from you breathing in your car will be replaced with dryer air.
  • Don’t leave water bottles or other drinks in your car because the water becomes frost on the inside windows of your car.
  • Also, the AC is one of the best defoggers around. The compressor takes the humidity out of the air.

SOCKS in the GLOVE box
Tons of people swear by this trick! During winter, keep a spare pair of socks in your car’s glove-box to put on OVER your shoes. This trick gives you better traction in case you have to push your car over ice, or you just need to walk in snow and ice for some reason.
Spare socks are cheap, compact, and always useful. Plus they’re convenient as a makeshift cloth in a pinch.

Socks as windshield wiper covers
Those extra socks can also come in handy for your wiper blades. Use an extra pair to cover your windshield wipers at night to keep the snow off of them. Raise the wipers off of the windshield and cover them up for easier de-icing in the morning.

Wiper blades are frozen to your windshield
Soak a soft cloth with full-strength rubbing alcohol and wipe each blade. The alcohol will keep the blades from sticking to the window so they’ll function properly even on the coldest day of the year.

Ice-Scraper in a pinch
If you find yourself with frozen car windows but no ice scraper, you have a couple of options – grab a spatula if you’re at a home, or use any plastic card in your wallet to get under the ice and scrape it away. Hopefully, you’ll never forget your ice scraper again! 🙂

Mother Nature’s windshield defroster
Whenever you can, make sure to park your car facing east. Since the sun rises in the east, it will naturally defrost your windshield in the morning so you won’t be stuck scraping ice in the cold. With this trick, you should be able to use your windscreen wipers to do the not-so-heavy lifting for you.

Cheap and easy DIY de-icer
If parking facing east isn’t possible (or the sun isn’t cooperating)…mix three parts vinegar with one part water and spray the mixture onto your windshield to prevent ice from forming.

Keep plenty of windshield washer on hand
Here is an easy do-it-yourself recipe using basic household ingredients – Homemade Windshield Washer Fluid.

De-ice frozen car doors, locks, and handles
There are several clever ways to do this:
Heat your car key with a match or lighter, then gently push the heated key into the lock to melt the ice as you apply pressure. Just be careful as that key will be hot!
Another option is to take a regular drinking straw and blow it directly onto the frozen lock. The heat from your breath should melt the ice in no time.
Rubbing your key or door handle with a squirt of hand sanitizer will have the same effect. The alcohol in the hand sanitizer will melt the ice and shortly allow you to unlock your car.

Keep doors from freezing
Sometimes putting WD-40 in the keyhole before the winter will keep any ice from forming in there in the first place.
Cooking spray in the cracks of your doors and on the rubber will prevent them from freezing shut at night. Water that melts during the day runs in between your doors and freezes, but cooking spray keeps the water from resting in the cracks in the first place.

Frosty side mirrors
To prevent ice from forming on side mirrors, cover them the night before with plastic bags secured with rubber bands or clothespins. When you remove the bags in the morning, the mirrors will be ice-free.

Increase headlight visibility
With the harsh weather and road conditions, headlights are especially important during the winter. Cover each light with toothpaste and rinse off with warm water. This will drastically improve the clarity of your lights and is MUCH cheaper than the kits they sell at the store that provide the same service.

Headlight protection
For added clarity, apply a layer of wax after you’ve removed the toothpaste. It will keep snow and water from sticking to them for weeks!

Keep your car’s “underthings” clean!
Make sure to clean your car often during the winter, as de-icing products can damage a car after prolonged exposure. To clean all the dirt, salt, and ice off the more difficult-to-reach under-carriage, run a lawn sprinkler underneath the car on a slightly warmer day. Just slide it under your car and drive back and forth over it. It will work wonders.

Easy ways to get un-stuck
Keep keeping a couple of twenty-pound bags of kitty litter in your trunk on snowy days. They’ll put some weight on your back tires — which is great for traction if you have rear-wheel drive — and if you do get stuck you’ll have something to provide a little traction. Just spread some under the tires and under your feet. A small shovel is helpful as well.
Another great trick for getting your car out of a snowbank? Your floor mats. Take out a floor mat and use that under the spinning tire. Place your front floor mats under your tires to give you some traction when on an icy surface. Just don’t forget to pick them back up after you get moving.

And a few more Winter Car Hacks

And finally……A quick & easy emergency kit
Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it, but if you do, it could be a lifesaver!
Unzip a winter coat.
Inside, place extra socks and underwear, knit hat, gloves, scarf, and snow pants.
Zip the coat back up.
You now have a compact emergency cold outfit.
Also – a candle and some matches (it will heat your car and add light,) a warm blanket, charged mobile phone, hand/foot warmers, flashlight, a bottle of water, and energy bars are, necessities if you do any kind of winter driving more than walking distance from civilization.
Now we should all be better prepared to face whatever driving challenges winter has in store for us this year!

submitted by Joe

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Winter Driving

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Our winter driving season is here a little later this year than usual.

It’s amazing how many of us quickly forget our winter driving skills. For example, we all should know that you cannot stop as fast on an icy or snow-covered road as you can on dry pavement and that often the most slippery surfaces do not appear hazardous, like on bridges, overpasses, and underpasses. At intersections, the moisture emitting from the exhaust of cars waiting at a traffic light quickly freezes on the pavement and can be especially hazardous. And don’t be overly confident if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes; they are no substitute for using caution when traveling on slippery roads.

Just as important as good driving skills, however, are some commonsense issues that could save your life in the event you become broken down or stranded. A good place to start is with some “preventive maintenance.”

Make sure your car is in good mechanical condition. Temperature extremes always bring out the worst in your car, like dead batteries, soft tires, gasoline freeze, and carburetor and heating problems. Make sure that your antifreeze is at the proper level and that your wiper blades are new and your washer reservoir is full.

Prepare an emergency kit for your car. Include things that prepare you for the unexpected — what would you need if you found yourself stranded miles from help during a snowstorm? Include things like warm clothing, boots, stocking cap, gloves or mittens, flashlights with fresh batteries, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, blankets, and fresh first-aid supplies. You may also want to include candy bars or other nutritious snacks, as well as a supply of small candles and matches to light them with. A single lit candle in your vehicle can provide warmth that will help you survive for many hours, and with precautions is much safer than letting the engine run.

During inclement weather let people know where you are going, your route of travel, and when you expect to arrive. Cell phones are great safety insurance against breakdowns and getting stranded — but they do little good if you don’t know where you are! Stay alert and know precisely where you are at all times in the event you need to call for help. Watch for road signs and landmarks.

There are almost as many opinions as to how to drive safely on ice or snow as there are automobiles. Most crashes occur when you don’t expect the surface of the road to be slippery.

Many people get into trouble by assuming the roads will not be slippery unless the temperature is freezing or below. Ice can form on road surfaces, however, anytime the air temperature drops to 40 degrees or less, especially when it is windy. Bridges and underpasses can be especially hazardous, but these are not the only locations “black ice” can form. Any low or shaded area, area surrounded by landscape, or area that has a source of water running over the pavement can also be quick to form ice. Early morning hours are especially dangerous as the moisture has had an opportunity to sit on the cold pavement and freeze.

Others find themselves in trouble during the winter while driving on roads seemingly clear or only slightly wet, and then try to stop at an intersection only to discover that it is ice-covered and slippery. This is caused by the moisture emitting from the exhaust of cars waiting at a busy intersection and quickly freezing on the pavement.

Always approach intersections cautiously.

Some other basic safety tips for winter driving include allowing extra time to arrive at your destination. Slow down and be alert for other vehicles around you that may lose control and allow at least 4 seconds between vehicles. Troopers also recommend you allow no less than a car length in front of you when you are stopped behind another vehicle at a slippery intersection, and then watch your rear-view mirror for cars that may approach you too fast from behind. Often this extra margin of safety will allow you to pull forward if an approaching vehicle begins to slide. If the intersection is slippery, you can signal other drivers to the danger by turning on your hazard flashers.

If you find yourself beginning to slide on snow or ice, DON’T PANIC. Take your foot off the gas and DO NOT hit the brakes. Steer the front of your vehicle into the skid (the same direction you are sliding). This technique is used in both front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles. If you must use the brakes, do not allow them to lock up; gently pump the brake pedal, unless your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes. If your car has anti-lock brakes, use a firm, steady pressure WITHOUT pumping. The grinding noise you hear and the surging you feel in the pedal are normal and indicate the brakes are working properly, allowing you to continue to steer and control the vehicle. And for you 4-wheel-drive enthusiasts, always remember that a 4-wheel-drive vehicle provides additional traction that is useful for going through deep snow, but it does not stop any faster.

State Police Troopers would like to remind you to “Don’t Wreck Your Life!” Use cautions this winter and always plan. Keep your eyes on the road, never drink and drive, and always wear your safety belt.
Submitted by Dawn

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Springtime in West Michigan means tulip time!

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Spring is here despite the snow and cold which means Holland’s Tulip Time is right around the corner! A long-established tradition for not only West Michigan but the world, Tulip Time helps Hollanders and others alike remember the area’s Dutch roots.  This year’s celebration is set for the second week of May from the 7th through the 14th. Starting with a 5k/10k run and ending with fireworks Tulip time has something for the whole family.

Did you know??

  • Tulip time started in 1928 to celebrate the area’s Dutch heritage. Only during WW2 did they discontinue the major festivities and only held a small flower show and music.
  • They first purchased 100,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands to plant around the city. They now have 4.5 million planted around the greater Holland area.
  • The festival activity of Klompen dancing started with just 12 dancers and has grown over the years to 1,000.

If you want to track the progress of the Holland Tulips you can visit the tulip tracker at http://www.cityofholland.com/parksandcemeteries/tulip-tracker-centennial-park 

Windmill Island is a special place during Tulip Time. The island is 36 acres with 150,000 tulips and a working 250-year-old windmill.

For more information on the parades, dancing, food, and tulips visit: http://www.tuliptime.com/

submitted by Autumn

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Flood Insurance: What is Covered

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Shield Insurance Blog | Flood Insurance | Contact our office!

Back in August we talked about the definition of a flood and how it affects clients in Michigan. I would like to continue that topic and discuss what is actually covered by a flood insurance policy.  According to the NFIP, generally, physical damage to your building or personal property “directly” caused by a flood are covered by your flood insurance policy.  Here is a brief list (not limited to) of what is covered under “Building” coverage:

  • The insured building and it’s foundation
  • The electrical and plumbing systems
  • Central air conditioning equipment, furnace and water heaters
  • Refrigerators, cooking stoves and built-in appliances like dishwashers
  • Permanently installed carpet over an unfinished floor
  • Detached garage (up to 10% of building coverage)
  • Debris removal

A brief list of what is covered under the “Personal Property” coverage:

  • Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture and electronic equipment
  • Curtains
  • Portable and window air conditioners
  • Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers
  • Carpets not included in building coverage
  • Clothes washers and dryers
  • Food freezers and the food in them

What is not covered by either Building or Property Coverage:

  • Damage caused by moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner.
  • Currency, precious metals and valuable papers such as stock certificates.
  • Property and belongings outside of a building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs and swimming pools.
  • Living expenses such as temporary housing
  • Financial loss caused by business interruption
  • Most self propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts.

Now, with all of the above being said, we will discuss next time the coverage limitations in a basement.  Stay tuned because I think you will be surprised.

*Lists taken from the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage.*

Submitted by Tammy

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RANT: Why Do Some People Hate Insurance Companies?

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Shield Insurance Blog | Insurance Companies | Contact Us Today!

Why do some people hate insurance companies?  

OK… The big giant asterisk here first… Some of what I’m about to say is unproven, although I believe it to be true.  Feel free to email me to dispute what I say and I will be happy to listen to what you have to say about this.  Education on a topic is sometimes skewed by one’s beliefs, so I’m going to try to be unbiased.  🙂

Insurance company’s profits are usually around 3% !!!  They are highly regulated by the States. People complain that their rates are too high.  Can people see that insurance companies are simply a pass-through for our money?

Car crashes… SOME car repair companies sometimes over-quote since they know insurance is involved.  We tell people to please get 3 quotes.  Sometimes, they are 50% apart!!  I KNOW this is true SOMETIMES for glass companies too.  You can tell them that there’s no insurance involved and get a quote for $180 for a windshield, and someone else calls back on the same day for the same exact car and they say there is insurance involved and it’s over $400??  The list of examples goes on and on and on.

How about Fraud.  

Insurance companies have to employ people to fight this!  I don’t have a lot of stats on this, but I know it’s a HUGE deal and it makes our premiums go up and up and up! Some fraud is black and white, but others… not so much… did you have a fire?  how much was that watch that got burned up worth?  Even some good people will stretch the truth!

Frivolous lawsuits.  

Yep, they’re out there… lots and lots and lots of them.  Here again, I don’t have stats at hand, but I know it’s another big deal that the insurance companies have to hire people to fight against and many times just payout to settle to reduce court costs whether right or wrong!  Not to mention valid lawsuits where people get more than they deserve?  OK… I know this is debatable on many levels, so please don’t grill me or razz me on this one!!

You can apply these issues to any type of insurance!  Car, Home, and Health (have you seen pharmaceutical profits!!??) are probably the big ones.  I know Medical Malpractice is a big one too, but I’m not much of an expert on this one, but I heard 1/3 of doctor’s salaries go to pay for this.

So the next time you want to complain about your insurance rates, trust me, I completely agree…. but please don’t blame the insurance companies!!!

Submitted by Andy

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