Whether you’re taking a road trip or taking the family camping, driving with a trailer can be a challenge. According to eTrailer.com, when you add a trailer to your vehicle, the overall handling, and rules of driving dramatically change. Using your hitch to tow your favorite travel trailer means you should give yourself more time to slow down and turn corners. It’s important that drivers of all experience use trailer brakes to decrease speed evenly with the added weight that’s being towed. And, because trailers don’t follow the exact path as the vehicle on turns, always remember to safely swing out wider when traveling around bends and corners.
Here are some do’s and don’ts of towing to keep you safe on the road.
Do’s
Gradually reduce speed
Travel at an even, moderate speed
Steady the steering wheel — sudden turns can cause more sway
Be cautious of potholes and large bumps
Use a lower gear over large hills or down gravel roads
Avoid slamming on the brakes — jackknifing could occur
Don’ts
Consistently stay in overdrive and/or in a high gear
Attempt to steer out of trailer sway
Forget to add sway control or a weight distribution system
Be afraid to safely stop and reload trailer in case of engine problems, sway, flat tires, etc.
Even though you have a valid driving license, driving your car off the dealership won’t happen until you purchase auto insurance. While Michigan laws require every driver to purchase car insurance, there are plenty of other reasons to consider auto insurance coverage. Buying this coverage from Shield Insurance Agency protects you in the following areas.
Liability protection
Despite how keen you are on the road, accidents can still happen. Unfortunately, when deemed liable for an accident, you are likely to face bodily injury and property damage claims from third parties. Worse yet, you could face expensive lawsuits that could severely dent your pocket.
The good news is that auto insurance shields you from such nightmarish costs. Car insurance compensates you for liability claims up to your policy’s limit.
Asset protection
Whether you use your car to commute, for fun, or run personal errands, your vehicle is precious to you. And just like any other valuable asset, you would do everything to shield it from any harm. While installing car alarms and tracking devices is superb, car insurance protects your vehicle beyond theft and vandalism. It covers your vehicle from other perils, including fire, falling objects, accidents, and natural disasters.
Uninsured motorist protection
Did you know that about 25.5 % of motorists in Michigan are uninsured? Given this startling statistic of uninsured motorists, you are likely to be involved with a motorist carrying no insurance. Fortunately, you can purchase uninsured motorist coverage to compensate for bodily injuries and property damage when you collide with a motorist with no insurance. Besides, this coverage comes to your rescue in hit-and-run scenarios.
Medical coverage
When your purchase MedPay or PIP coverage, it pays for medical costs for you and your passengers following a vehicular accident. Besides, PIP coverage covers partial loss of income and funeral expenses for the injured.
Car insurance in Michigan
If you are shopping or looking to renew your auto insurance in Michigan, your search has ended. At Shield Insurance Agency, we have long-standing experience in auto insurance. Contact us today, and we will provide you with a car insurance policy that meets your needs.
Check out more blogs from Shield Insurance Agency!
By Kathy Komatz, National Structural Fire Training Specialist | NPS.gov
20,000 RV Fires Occur Annually
RV fire safety is of premium importance to the conscientious RVer. Unfortunately, fire is one of the leading causes of RV loss in the U.S. today. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 20,000 RV fires occur annually. Don’t let yours be one of them!
RV fires can start when your RV is moving or when it is parked. The following tips can help you recognize the most common fire hazards.
Types of Insurance Shield Insurance Agency Provides
Shield Insurance Agency has been in business for so many years, we can shop a lot of different companies for a lot of different types of insurance to be sure you get what you need for the price you can afford. Check out the list!
Personal
Auto Insurance
Boat Insurance
Condo Insurance
Dental Insurance
Disability Insurance
Event Insurance
Farm Insurance
Flood Insurance
Health Insurance
Homeowners Insurance
Mobile Homeowners Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Motorhome Insurance
Recreational Vehicle Insurance
Renter Insurance
Term Life Insurance
Business
Auto Facilities
Bond Insurance
Business Interruption
Cannabusiness
Church Insurance
Commercial Auto
Commercial Property Insurance
Contractor Insurance
Cyber Liability Insurance
General Liability Insurance
Group Health Insurance
Group Life Insurance
Liability Insurance
Professional Liability Insurance
Security Bond Insurance
Workers Compensation
Insurance Companies Shield Insurance Agency is Proud to Represent
AAA Accident Fund Aegis Ambetter American Modern ASI Assurity Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Blue Cross Blue Shield/BCN Bristol West Companion Life Conifer Delta Dental
Foremost Freemont Genworth Golden Rule Grange Hanover HAP Hiscox Humana ING Liberty Mutual Liberty Union Medishare Molina Healthcare National General Nationwide
North American Company Philadelphia Principal Financial Group Priority Health Progressive Reinsurepro RLI Safeco State Auto Superior Flood The Hartford Transamerica Travelers United Healthcare Unum Wolverine
A well-stocked Medication Go Bag can be used to soothe a cut or burn—or to save your life during a hurricane, flood, fire, or other emergencies.
But it’s important not to wait until you’re faced with the need to leave your home in a hurry to assemble your medication go bag, says Geoffrey C. Wall, Pharm.D., a professor of pharmacy practice at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Whether you buy a kit from a drugstore or build it yourself, Wall recommends that all households keep a medication go bag on hand. It should contain the essentials, including:
At least seven days’ worth of over-the-counter and prescription medications you take on a regular basis. Label the containers clearly, and include a printed-out list of everything you take and the regimen for each medication, plus a copy of your health insurance card (in case you need medical care while you’re away from your home).
An antihistamine for allergic reactions, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy and generic) or loratadine (Claritin and generic).
Pain relievers, including acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and generic), or naproxen (Aleve and generic).
Stomach and antidiarrheal remedies, including loperamide (Imodium and generic) and bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol, and generic).
An antacid for heartburn, such as Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums, or generic.
Antiseptic wipes; an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin, Bacitracin Plus, Curad, or generic (use only for infected wounds); and bandages, gauze, and tape, for treating burns, cuts, and wounds.
Mosquito repellent to prevent bites, and aloe gel, hydrocortisone cream, or calamine lotion to soothe bites and skin irritation.
An eyewash solution for flushing out eye irritants.
Water-purification tablets.
Scissors.
Thermometer.
Tweezers.
If you and your family have special medical needs, you can build a more sophisticated medication go bag—for example, one that contains hearing aids with extra batteries, an epinephrine auto-injector, glasses, contact lenses, or syringes.
Fill Prescriptions in Advance
For prescriptions, you and your family members take, consider asking your doctor for 60- or 90-day refills rather than a month’s worth. That way, you’re more likely to have extras on hand for your medication go bag. (This can also save you money.)
Always fill prescriptions on the first day you become eligible for a refill, rather than waiting until the day you run out. If you are able to obtain an emergency supply, establish a plan for rotating your go-bag supply so that it remains up to date. And remember to check medications periodically to ensure that they have not expired.
“During an emergency, some states allow pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of medications without doctor authorization,” Wall says. But, he adds, “certainly if a known potential disaster, such as a hurricane, is predicted, make sure you have prescription meds and supplies before it hits.”
You might also ask your health insurance company to assist you in obtaining enough medication and supplies to have on hand.
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
By Jim Travers | July 12, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. | US News.com | Bundle Home and Auto Insurance
Insurance bundling simply means buying your home insurance and auto or other coverage from the same company. Bundling insurance policies can have some advantages; most notably, potential savings on your overall insurance costs. It can also simplify your bill paying and record keeping. But bundling doesn’t guarantee savings, and it may not be the right choice for you. We’ll explain why below, along with how bundling works, the advantages and disadvantages, and the potential pitfalls.
What Is Insurance Bundling?
Purchasing more than one insurance policy from the same company is a common practice known as bundling. It can sometimes save customers money compared to buying homeowners and auto or other insurance policies through different companies. More formally known as a multipolicy discount or multiple line discount, insurance companies encourage bundling as a means of saving money on your overall bill. Most insurers advertise savings of between 10% and 25% when bundling two or more policies, compared to what they would charge for each policy individually.
Insurance companies like bundling as a way to generate additional revenue from the same customer. Research has also indicated that customers who bundle policies tend to stay with the same company longer.
If you’re buying your first home, bundling is especially worth considering. It’s also an excellent time to review all your insurance needs and get competitive quotes from several companies, especially if you haven’t reviewed your auto policy or other coverage in a year or more. As your situation changes over time, it’s important to make sure your insurance keeps up.
A good place to start is by seeing if you can get a better rate with your existing insurance company by adding a homeowners policy – just make sure you get competitive quotes from other providers first. You might end up switching to another company with lower overall rates, or you may be able to use a lower quote as a negotiating tool with your current insurance company.
While you’re getting quotes, think about all your insurance needs and consider any changes or updates you want to make to all your policies. The more types of insurance you bundle, the more money you may be able to save. It’s possible that not all insurers will offer all the coverage you need, so focus your search on companies that do.
Bundling insurance has other advantages, like allowing you to track and update your policies through one company website or app. It can also simplify paying your bills.
Finding a company that will give you the best discount will probably require some research, and rates will vary depending on the types of coverage you need, your location, your credit status, your claim history, and other factors. It’s worth doing your own research online, because everyone’s situation is different. Just because a friend or relative gets a good rate with one company doesn’t mean that you will.
Does Bundling Insurance Save Money?
There’s a good chance you will save money by bundling your home insurance with another policy such as your automobile, boat, RV, or life insurance. Your specific savings will vary, depending on where you live, how many policies you bundle, your credit rating, your claim history, and other factors.
Safeco® Captain’s Package Coverage: Set sail with peace of mind
Four reasons you can set sail with peace of mind when you enroll in the Safeco Captain’s Package. One New Boat Price Protection: in the event of a total loss, replaces boats/watercrafts less than two years old with a new boat/watercraft. Two Roadside Assistance: covers the boat/watercraft, trailer, and the car or truck you tow it with. Three Personal Effects Protection: increased protection limits to your base coverage. Four Emergency Assistance: Increases this coverage to $1,000. Connect with your Safeco independent agent today to find out more: http://spr.ly/6051yTUv3 Disclaimer: Subject to policy terms, conditions, and limitations. Discounts and savings available where state laws and regulations allow and may vary by state. State insurance requirements apply. Insurance offered by Safeco Insurance Company of America and affiliates, Boston, MA.
We are pleased to announce that Shield Insurance Agency has been nominated for the prestigious Business Excellence Award. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional insurance services and our dedication to our clients.
The Business Excellence Award is given to companies that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership in their respective industries. It recognizes organizations that have achieved significant growth, maintained high ethical standards, and made a positive impact on their communities.
We are honored to be considered for this award and would like to express our gratitude to our clients for their continued support and trust in our services. This nomination serves as motivation for us to continue delivering the highest level of service and to constantly improve our offerings.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to our dedicated team members who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of our agency. Their hard work, expertise, and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in our nomination for this prestigious award.
Winners of the Business Excellence Award will be announced at a ceremony later this year. We are excited about the opportunity to be recognized among other outstanding businesses and look forward to the results.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our success and helped us achieve this nomination. We remain committed to providing exceptional insurance services and being a trusted partner for all our clients’ insurance needs.
Thank you for your continued support.
Big News from the Hudsonville Chamber of Commerce!
It’s Awards Season!
The Chamber is SO excited to be hosting the Chamber Awards once again this year!
Here are our nominees for the 2021 Awards! ::::: drumroll :::::
Business Excellence Award
Hudsonville Physical Therapy
Advent Physical Therapy
Shield Insurance Agency
Leadership Award
Dr. Therese House-Vereeke
Patrick Waterman
Mary Jane Schreur
Spark Award
Hand 2 Hand Ministries
Meijer
Joy 99
The winners of the Awards will be announced at our official Awards Ceremony MEAL. June 17th at noon at the Pinnacle Center.
Make sure to get registered, we hope to see you there!
Visit the Shield Insurance Blog for some great reading…
Car insurance is necessary to protect you financially when behind the wheel. Whether you just have basic liability insurance or you have full auto coverage, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible. Wondering how to lower car insurance?
Here are 15 strategies for saving on car insurance costs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
One of the ways to lower car insurance is through a discount bulk rate for insuring several vehicles and drivers at once.
Lower car insurance rates may also be available if you have other insurance policies with the same company.
Maintaining a safe driving record is key to getting lower car insurance rates.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost?
Car insurance costs are different for every driver, depending on the state they live in, their choice of insurance company, and the type of coverage they have. But when trying to save money on car insurance, it helps to know what the typical driver pays.
On average, the typical person spent $1,190 on car insurance in 2018, based on the latest figures available from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)1. According to the NAIC data, car insurance premiums rose 30% between 2014 and 2018, despite the number of insured vehicles only rising by 7%1.
Data from AAA put the average cost of car insurance for new vehicles in 2020 slightly higher, at $1,202 annually2. The numbers are fairly close together, suggesting that as you budget for a new car purchase you may need to include $100 or so per month for auto insurance.
NOTE
While some things that affect car insurance rates–such as your driving history–are within your control others, costs may also be affected by things like state regulations and state accident rates
.
How to Save on Car Insurance Costs
There are a number of strategies you may use to save on car insurance. Once you know how much is car insurance for you, you can put some or all of these tactics to work.
1. Take Advantage of Multi-Car Discounts
If you obtain a quote from an auto insurance company to insure a single vehicle, you might end up with a higher quote per vehicle than if you inquired about insuring several drivers or vehicles with that company. Insurance companies will offer what amounts to a bulk rate because they want your business. Under some circumstances, they are willing to give you a deal if it means you’ll bring in more of it.
Ask your insurance agent to see if you qualify. Generally speaking, multiple drivers must live at the same residence and be related by blood or by marriage. Two unrelated people may also be able to obtain a discount; however, they usually must jointly own the vehicle.
If one of your drivers is a teen, you can expect to pay more to insure them. However, if your child’s grades are a B average or above or if they rank in the top 20% of the class, you may be able to get a good student discount on the coverage, which generally lasts until your child turns 25. These discounts can range from as little as 1% to as much as 39%, so be sure to show proof to your insurance agent that your teen is a good student.
Incidentally, some companies may also provide an auto insurance discount if you maintain other policies with the firm, such as homeowners insurance. Allstate, for example, offers a 10% car insurance discount and a 25% homeowners insurance discount when you bundle them together, so check to see if such discounts are available and applicable.3
2. Pay Attention on the Road
In other words, be a safe driver. This should go without saying, but in today’s age of increasing in-car distractions, this bears mentioning as much as possible. The more mindful you are, the more accidents or moving violations you’ll be able to avoid—events that raise your insurance rates. Travelers offers safe driver discounts of between 10% and 23%, depending on your driving record.4
For those unaware, points are typically assessed to a driver for moving violations, and more points can lead to higher insurance premiums (all else being equal).
3. Take a Defensive Driving Course
Sometimes insurance companies will provide a discount for those who complete an approved defensive driving course. Drivers may also be able to reduce the number of points they have on their licenses by taking a defensive driving, accident prevention, or other course.
Make sure to ask your agent/insurance company about this discount before you sign up for a class. After all, it’s important that the effort being expended and the cost of the course translates into a big enough insurance savings. It’s also important that the driver sign up for an accredited course. Every state has its own rules about accredited defensive driving courses.
4. Shop Around for Better Car Insurance Rates
If your policy is about to renew and the annual premium has gone up markedly, consider shopping around and obtaining quotes from competing companies. Also, every year or two it probably makes sense to obtain quotes from other companies, just in case there is a lower rate out there.
Remember, cheap doesn’t always mean good, and going with the lower-priced company isn’t always the wisest decision. That’s because the insurer’s creditworthiness should also be considered. After all, what good is a policy if the company doesn’t have the wherewithal to pay an insurance claim?
To run a check on a particular insurer, consider checking out a site that rates the financial strength of insurance companies. The financial strength of your insurance company is important, but what your contract covers is also important, so make sure you understand it. Insure.com’s site bases its insurance company ratings on data assembled by Standard and Poor’s.6
In general, the fewer miles you drive your car per year, the lower your insurance rate is likely to be, so always ask about a company’s mileage thresholds.
A high deductible is often a great way to keep your insurance premiums down. However, you shouldn’t set a deductible that is so high that you cannot afford to pay the deductible when you have a claim. I’ve seen people change their collision deductible from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible because money was tight and this allowed them to save about $10 per month on the premium.
Wouldn’t you know it, but not even 2 months later they ended up in an At-Fault accident. Money was tight so they didn’t have that $1,000 to get the vehicle repaired. It took forever to save up that $1,000 so they were down to one vehicle which made it tough getting back and forth to work.
Please make sure you have something in savings for an emergency. Whether it’s a car accident or your furnace breaks down. Emergencies will happen, but if you’re prepared, you can transform that emergency into an inconvenience.
by The Foremost Creative Team
