Springtime in West Michigan means tulip time!

Posted on June 22, 2019August 29, 2021 by Shield Insurance Agency

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

RANT: Why Do Some People Hate Insurance Companies?

Posted on June 22, 2019August 31, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

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

End of Summer Road Trip? Be safe! Be Smart!

Posted on June 22, 2019August 31, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | Summer Road Trip | Start A Quote Today!

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a buddy, or with your spouse and a car full of kids, there are few things more “American” than the long-distance road trip. Countless vacation travelers will drive the highways looking for fun and making memories with every mile. If traveling down the “holiday road” is in your plans, take the time to prepare for your trip. You’ll have a more enjoyable vacation if you plan carefully. Here are a few driving tips, courtesy of Shield Insurance:

Summer Road Trip Safety

1) Maintain your car. Make sure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule, and be sure to check the battery and tires.

2) Plan your trip and know where you’re going. Call ahead for proper and safe directions to get you to your destination safely and have maps of the area on hand to help you navigate once you are off the main road. You’re more likely to make good decisions, even in dangerous situations, if you’re clearheaded and know where you’re going.

3) Be alert. Seems obvious, but driver inattention is surely the cause of a lot of accidents. If you stay focused behind the wheel and plan carefully, you will have a wonderful summer road trip.

4) Take precautions with a cell phone. Cell phones can be a lifesaver when you need immediate access to emergency services after an accident. Keep your phone within easy reach and get to know its features. However, use it prudently. Reports suggest that driving while talking on the phone increases accident rates.

5) Wear your seat belt. Whether or not it’s required by law in the state through which you’re driving, always wear your seat belt as a safety precaution.

6) Protect your car against theft. Help deter criminals from taking your car with steering wheel locks, switches that disable fuel or ignition systems, and electronic tracking devices.

7) If you’re in an accident. Taking immediate steps if you’ve been in an accident can protect your family and your car from further damage. Stop immediately and make sure your car is not blocking traffic. Turn off your car to keep it from overheating or catching fire. Warn oncoming cars using road flares or orange triangle reflectors. After you have protected yourself and your family, call your insurance company immediately.

8) Make sure your auto insurance is up to date. Before you even leave the driveway, you want to be sure you’re protected when you’re on the road and far from home. An independent insurance agent can provide the personal service and advice you need to travel in confidence.

submitted by Joe

Recent Blog Articles

Happy Groundhog Day, 2018

Posted on June 22, 2019August 29, 2021 by Shield Insurance Agency

Updated: Aug 6, 2018

Written by Shield Insurance Agency on Feb 2, 2018

Groundhog Day 2018

Punxsutawney Phil indeed communicated in “groundhog talk” that he had cast a shadow. According to legend, that means the weather will be wintry for the next 6 weeks. OK! So if he wouldn’t cast a shadow, then we would have an early spring. Which either way you look at it, March 20th is the 1st day of Spring regardless. I will always remember when the first day of Spring is because it is my sweet Mother’s Birthday, a nice way to welcome the season.

Of course, visually seeing the 1st Robin of the season helps too! 🙂 In the meantime, we are getting a bunch of snow right now and still have to be extra cautious when we are driving. But, if you are a true Michigander, you do appreciate the beautiful, majestic, gorgeous Wintry splendor. The warm weather will be on us soon enough, but sit back and read your favorite book by your crackling fire or take a walk outside and marvel at the beautiful snowflakes casually drifting down on you and realize that the warmer weather is just around the corner.

submitted by Dawn

Recent Blog Articles

Captive vs Independent Agents

Posted on June 22, 2019August 31, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | Captive vs Independent Agents |

Written by Shield Insurance Agency on Apr 11, 2018

Captive vs Independent Agents

Hello Friends, Family, Clients, Potential Clients.

I am writing this Blog Entry today, because my Dad, Andy, the owner of the Agency, is asking me to. We believe that a website with Blog entries every so often will get more views than one that has none. We are always looking for ways to get our Business more Business, and if a Blog is one, then we will have a Blog!

I was struggling very hard on what to write about for this blog, as I am not exactly a person who just writes for fun by any means. I thought that I would tackle the thought process of buying from an Independent Agency, versus Buying from a Captive Agency. Not a lot of people know the difference, and not a lot of people even know there IS a difference.

First, let me explain the Difference between Independent Agency and a Captive Agency. A Captive Agency is an agency that can only sell one single Insurance Company Product. For example; State Farm, Farm Bureau, Farmers. These type of Captive Agents sell their Customers that specific companies Products, and then after the Policy renews, they renew with that Specific company. Year after year the customer stays with that specific company no matter what happens to the Price or coverage because that Captive Agency only sells that company. Captive Agencies have the Majority of Personal lines, customers, in the United States, but I personally think that is because of the Marketing these captive Agencies do.

An Independent Agency sells many company’s products to their customers. Shield Insurance is an Independent Agency, we sell 8 different Home and Auto Companies to our Customers. Here is the List; Wolverine Mutual Insurance, Fremont Insurance, State Auto Insurance, Foremost Specialty Insurance, Progressive Insurance, AAA Insurance, Safe-co Insurance, Grange Insurance. When an Independent Agency Writes a policy for a client, they quote all of their companies to figure out which one is going to give that client the lowest price, with the best coverage, and that is who they put the client with. After 6 months when the Policy Renews, the agent will evaluate the Price, and if there is any sort of Increase, the agent will check all of the Other companies they Represent, and see if any of them have a cheaper price, and if they do, they will present that to their Client, and save them money on the renewal. (Some agencies don’t check, but we do!).

This is the Process of a Captive Agency, Versus an Independent Agency. The Independent Agent Shops for you, Year after Year. The Captive agent, keeps you as a Client Year after year, while your Policies are stuck with one Company. Obviously, I am a bit bias being an Independent Agent, but just think about the Thought process, would someone want to go somewhere they can only receive the same quote, or would they want to go somewhere that shops for them, and find the best price for them. I have yet to find More Benefits to being with a Captive Agency, versus an Independent Agency, but if anyone knows any, feel free to email me about it! Thanks for reading my Blog Entry today Folks, Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

submitted by TJ

Latest Blog Posts

Why You Should Buy Term Life Insurance

Posted on June 22, 2019August 29, 2021 by Shield Insurance Agency

This Blog is about life insurance. I honestly don’t understand why people don’t buy more term life insurance. It’s so dang cheap!!! And so so smart!! And for the people that have life insurance through their employer, I can guarantee you that it’s not nearly enough!!!

Some people do get more voluntary life insurance through their employer which is sometimes portable, but most employers don’t offer that and even if they do, most employees don’t buy it!

So if you have a policy through your employer and you get sick and lose your job, then what? Well, you can’t buy a different policy since you’re sick, so you’re just outta luck!

I keep hearing stories of people dying and their family having to scrounge money together for a cheap funeral… can’t afford even an obituary…. can’t even rent a casket…. stories like that…. C’mon, man! Take better care of the ones you love!!! That doesn’t even address lost wages or other future financial plans that are now demolished…. Take care of your loved ones!!

This stuff costs SO little! And the younger and healthier you are, the cheaper it is. So your best bet is to get a policy that lasts 30 years while you’re in your 20’s. How much coverage should you purchase? Well, Dave Ramsey says to get a policy for about 10 times what you earn in a year, but for most people, that just seems like too much! Most people end up getting $250 or $500K. If a healthy 25-year-old guy buys a $250K plan that lasts for 30 years, it could cost as low as $18 a month or $215/year with that price locked in for the whole 30 years. That’s so cheap for great peace of mind!!

So buy this stuff… take care of your loved ones!!!

Thanks and have a great, SAFE day!

Andy

Recent Blog Posts

O’ Christmas Tree Don’t Burn Down On Me!

Posted on June 22, 2019August 29, 2021 by Shield Insurance Agency

‘Tis the season, the busy Christmas season. All of us are busy decorating our homes, buying gifts, and preparing to spend time with family and friends.

For some of us, myself included, decorating our homes for the Christmas season is a longstanding tradition. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage.

Here are some tips to protect your Christmas Tree:

Keep the tree watered
Choose a freshly cut tree. You can tell if the tree has been cut for a long time by bouncing the trunk on the ground. If needles fall off the tree, it’s been sitting too long and will be a fire hazard.
Do not place your tree near a heat register or heat source like a fireplace.
Do not block doorways or exits.
Turn the lights off when you leave or go to bed.
Test the lights to be sure they are all working to prevent and electrical short.
Do not overload your electrical outlets.
Do not connect more than 3 strands of lights together, unless the package says that it is safe.
If you have an artificial tree, choose one that is fire resistant. This may not always mean the tree can not catch fire, but if it does, it will be more easily extinguished.

Taking just a few extra steps and precautions will help protect your home and family this time of year. We hope that you all have a safe and blessed Christmas Season!