Michigan

Michigan Supreme Court to hear car insurance case – will it lead to higher rates?

Michigan Supreme Court to hear car insurance case

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Michigan Supreme Court to hear car insurance case – will it lead to higher rates?

WXYZ.com | By: Kiara Hay | Posted at 6:25 AM, Sep 30, 2022 | car insurance

The fight over no-fault car insurance in Michigan could lead to higher premiums for all drivers next year.

It’s part of the fallout surrounding the 2019 reform law that is now heading to the State Supreme Court.

Every driver who received a $400 auto insurance refund check last year will likely slowly pay it back with claims that insurance rates will go up starting in July.

The Michigan Supreme Court will rule on whether or not people catastrophically injured before 2019 will continue to get their medical expenses covered indefinitely.

So, how did we get here?

In 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a no-fault reform law. It set a fee schedule and cap on reimbursements not covered by Medicaid, impacting people who have been severely injured in a crash.

In August 2022, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled it unconstitutional to cut payments off to people injured before 2019.

The state Supreme Court will now hear oral arguments in March 2023.

The decision is hitting everyone in their pockets with the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association saying it will increase rates in July.

It could go up $48 a year for people who select no personal injury protection, or limited protection, and a 42% increase for drivers who want unlimited personal injury protection, going from $86 per year to $122.

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Growing child care program splits costs between parents, employers, and the state

Growing child care program splits costs

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Growing child care program splits costs between parents, employers, and the state

Grand Rapids Business Journal | By Rachel Watson | Crain’s Detroit Business | October 19, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan is expanding a program to help cover the cost of child care thanks to $2.5 million in the 2023 budget.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Women’s Commission on Wednesday announced the expansion of the MI Tri-Share pilot, which divides child care costs evenly between employees, employers and the state, with coordination by regional “facilitator hubs.”

First piloted in March 2021, the program expanded to 59 Michigan counties earlier this month. That’s up from just three counties when it launched as a public-private partnership between the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Representative Greg VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores) with $1 million from the state. Lawmakers allocated another $2.5 million to the program in November 2021. By February 2022, seven hubs were added covering 52 counties and the city of Detroit.

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45 Halloween Party Games for Adults

45 Halloween Party Games for Adults

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45 Halloween Party Games for Adults That’ll Make This Year’s Bash the Best One Yet

Good housekeeping | BY AMANDA GARRITY AND MONIQUE VALERIS | Updated: Oct 11, 2022 | Halloween Party

Get ready for a spooktacular time with these activities and entertainment ideas (including drinking games!) for any Halloween party.

From trick-or-treating and baking spooky delicious desserts to assembling creative costumes, if you’re like most people, Halloween is usually all about your kids. This year, switch things up by settling on an array of Halloween party games that are perfect for adults.

You and the 21+ folks in your circle can celebrate the spookiest day of the year with exciting twists on traditionals games. But if that’s not your style, take the liberty of arranging a pumpkin carving contest or wreath-making session to put your creativity on full display. And if all else fails, there’s nothing like a good Halloween-themed drinking game (just make sure there’s a designated driver).

Halloween Party

Whatever you decide, this roundup of Halloween party games for adults are full of humor and a dose of fright — just what you need to make this year’s event one to remember.

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Not Sure What to Wear on Halloween? Google Just Ranked the Most Popular Costumes of 2022

Not Sure What to Wear on Halloween?

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Not Sure What to Wear on Halloween? Google Just Ranked the Most Popular Costumes of 2022

Expect to see a few familiar scary faces (and some pop culture favorites!) on Halloween, October 31.

MarthaStewart.com | By Nashia Baker | October 18, 2022

If you’re like Martha, dressing up for Halloween is probably one of your favorite parts of the spooky holiday. And on October 31, you certainly won’t be alone: Your neighborhood’s streets will be filled with trick-or-treaters (and their parents!) in costumes fit for the occasion.

When you do step out in character this year, you might notice a few recurring themes. According to Google Trends’ 2022 FrightGeist report, which highlighted the most-searched Halloween costumes across the United States, a few familiar monsters will prowl the streets, candy baskets in hand—but there will likely be some creative pop-culture references and beloved superheroes, too. As for the look you’ll see in droves on Halloween night? Google users searched most for a witch costume.

The runner-up spot was claimed by a famed movie and TV character: Spider-Man was the second most-searched costume. Rounding out the top three is an ancient, extinct creature that, on any other night, exists in fossil form only: Halloween enthusiasts plan to don plenty of dinosaur costumes in 2022.

Related: 15 Last-Minute Costume Ideas for Halloween

Creatures of the past and champions of the present aren’t the only costume themes that have captured trick-or-treaters’ interests this year: Google users are also planning on dressing up as characters from Netflix’s Stranger Things, which clocked in at number four (not Eleven!). And if you were considering being something more fearsome, think again. The fifth most-searched pick, a fairy, proves that ethereal and whimsical options are trending, too.

Want to see how your Halloween costume ranks on Google Trends’ list this year? Discover the 20 most-searched costumes, below—and visit FrightGeist for the full list.

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How Long Do Carved Pumpkins Last?

How Long Do Carved Pumpkins Last?

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Martha Stewart.com | By Lauren Wellbank | Updated August 01, 2022 | Carved Pumpkins

Plus, How to Make Carved Pumpkins Last Longer

You don’t want a moldy, bug-infested Jack-o’-Lantern to be your scariest Halloween decoration.

Carved, painted, or simply stacked on your front steps or porch, carved pumpkins are the quintessential Halloween decoration. But, like all vegetables, gourds eventually decay, and that begs the question: How long do carved pumpkins really last? And is there anything you can do to prolong the life of your creative gourd?

If you don’t take the right steps in caring for your pumpkin, they can become a haven for mold, bugs, and other frightful pests. Fortunately, our experts share a few tricks for keeping your prized Jack-o’-Lantern looking fresh throughout the spooky season.

How Long Carved Pumpkins Last

As soon as you carve a pumpkin, the clock starts counting down to its inevitable decline, says Ashley Renne Nsonwu, host of the show Ashley Renne on Smart Healthy Green Living. “You have anywhere from three to five days max before they start to soften and get moldy,” she says. That’s because once the insides of the pumpkin are exposed to the elements, the rotting process begins.

Source an Unblemished, Local Pumpkin

Make sure you start with the best-looking pumpkin you can find. “Look for ones with the least amount of bruises and blemishes,” says Renne Nsonwu. “You’ll have better luck if you get them locally. Less transport means less bumping and bruising—and as a bonus, it’s more eco-friendly because the pumpkin has a lower carbon footprint!”

Carve Immediately

If you want your pumpkin to last more than five days, Renne Nsonwu says you’ll need to make sure you’re getting the timing right. “You’ll want to get your pumpkin within a week of when you plan to carve it,” she says.

Consider the Weather and Your Location

n addition to picking the right pumpkin, factors like weather and geography will impact how long it lasts, according to Kevin Busch, VP of operations of Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly brand. “The colder the climate, the longer your pumpkin will last,” he says. That means those who live in areas that are already experiencing chillier temperatures will see their pumpkins remain in good shape longer than those who live further south.

How to Make Carved Pumpkins Last Longer

To extend the life of your pumpkin just a little bit more, Renne Nsonwu says you should clean it out well and disinfect it with a solution.

Castile Soap

“Some swear by bleach, but I’m not a fan,” she says. “Bleaching your pumpkins means you can’t compost them later!” Instead, she says to make a Castile soap spritz, which will delay the decay process.

  1. Combine 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap ($10.79, target.com) with 6 drops of peppermint oil in an 8-ounce spray bottle.
  2. Fill the bottle with water.
  3. Thoroughly spraying your pumpkin inside and out.

Vinegar and Petroleum Jelly

Another method that Busch swears by includes spraying your carved pumpkin down with a white vinegar solution. After you have spritzed on the vinegar, he suggests applying petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to the exposed areas and the interior of your pumpkin. “This will create a barrier that won’t allow the pumpkin to dry out, and also protects [it] from external humidity, rain, or other elements that can jumpstart the rotting process,” he says.

Skip Carving

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Decorating Pumpkins

The Best Paints to Use for Decorating Pumpkins

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Marthastewart.com | By Blythe Copeland | Updated August 17, 2022 | Decorating Pumpkins

From spray paints to acrylics, experts weigh in on the top tints for every Halloween Decorating Pumpkins project.  

Decorating pumpkins may be a traditional Halloween activity, but trading your X-Acto knife for a paintbrush has its benefits: Painting pumpkins is easier and safer for young kids, presents more design freedom for adults, and leaves you with an autumnal decoration that lasts until you trade your fall décor for holiday lights.

“When we carve pumpkins, if we get a week out of it, that’s pretty good—but a painted pumpkin can last months,” says Marc Evan, founder and co-owner of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers. “A carving is going to rot in as soon as three days, sometimes even quicker. The nice thing about a painted pumpkin is it could theoretically last the entire season and look great through Halloween.”

But choosing the best type of paint to use when decorating your pumpkin matters. Some are too translucent, while others are too oily, making them take longer to dry. Here, experts convey the best paints for decorating pumpkins so you can have a festive final product.

How to Pick a Pumpkin to Paint

The first step in designing a painted pumpkin is looking carefully at its shape. “Painting a rounded surface is a little more difficult than a flat surface like canvas,” says Becki Thomas, art manager at Painting with a Twist. “Try and choose a pumpkin with the smoothest surface possible, and plan your design, keeping the pumpkin’s natural ridges in mind.”

Next, clean your pumpkin so that the paint will stick to the surface. “It’s a good idea to wash the pumpkin and dry it really well,” says Evan. “That way, you’re not putting paint on a fine layer of dirt—you’re putting paint right on the skin of the pumpkin.”

Use Acrylic Paint for General Decorating Pumpkins

“I love to paint pumpkins with chalky acrylic paint,” says Roma Stiff, senior creative project designer for Michaels. “The coverage is good, and the matte finish gives an updated home décor look and feel. The paint comes in a variety of home décor colors and is just enough to do a project!”

Choose Acrylic Over Oil Paint for Decorating Pumpkins

Thomas agrees and recommends acrylic paint instead of oil-based when painting pumpkins. “It’s quick-drying, easy to use, and clean-up is a breeze,” she says. “Because acrylic is water-based, if you mess up, you can wipe it off with a rag and start over! Oil-based paint takes a long time to dry and can be fumy. [With oil,] you’ll also need paint thinner to clean the paintbrushes.”

Work in Layers

Most acrylic craft paints will require more than one coat to prevent the bright orange of the pumpkin rind from showing through, but acrylic’s fast-drying properties—and low cost—let you layer several applications for solid coverage in the shortest amount of time. “It’ll work for big shapes and tiny stencils,” says Thomas. “Have a few different brush sizes ready to go, and you’ll be able to paint anything with acrylic.”

Wear Protective Clothing

One caution from Thomas: “It does stain clothing, so make sure to wear an apron or an old shirt and to protect the table you’re painting on.”

Use Spray Paint for All-Over Color when Decorating Pumpkins

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The History of Halloween

The History of Halloween

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Halloween 2022

HISTORY.COM | UPDATED:OCT 3, 2022 ORIGINAL: NOV 18, 2009 | Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2022 will occur on Monday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

Ancient Origins of Halloween

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1.

This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.

When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

Did you know? One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.

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Should everyone in Michigan get auto insurance?

Should everyone in Michigan get auto insurance?

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In the state of Michigan, owning a car is a good idea. When you are a car owner here, you will have an easy and convenient way to get around the state and enjoy all that it has to offer. When you are going to drive a car here, you also need to carefully assess your auto insurance needs.

There are various reasons why you should always get an auto insurance plan:

Protect Your Car

A reason that all people here should have an auto plan is so they can protect their car. If you are going to buy a car, you will want to know that it is covered in the event there is an incident of theft or an accident. When you are insured with auto insurance, you will have support in these cases. It is important to select a collision and comprehensive plan to ensure you have full coverage. 

Meet Auto Insurance Obligations

You also should obtain auto insurance coverage to meet any of your insurance obligations. People that live in Michigan will need to have liability coverage in order to drive their car on a public road. Further, those that have taken out a loan when buying a car will need to have comprehensive and collision coverage. If you remain properly covered, it will ensure you are in good standing with your obligations. 

Get The Right Coverage For Your Needs

It is always a good idea for someone here to get auto coverage. As you shop for insurance, discussing your insurance needs with the Shield Insurance Agency is always a good option. Our team of insurance experts at Shield Insurance Agency will give you the guidance to build your next plan. This can help ensure you are properly covered and in good standing with any obligations. 

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You should buy life insurance in your 20s if another person would face a financial burden upon your death, including your spouse, partner, children, parents or a business partner.

Should I Buy Life Insurance in My 20s?

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Experian | by Tim Maxwell | Life Insurance

Quick Answer

You should buy life insurance in your 20s if another person would face a financial burden upon your death, including your spouse, partner, children, parents or a business partner.

In your 20s, buying life insurance likely isn’t at the top of mind. You’re probably focusing on paying off student loans or meeting basic expenses, and adding yet another bill to the mix can be hard to justify. Still, making room for life insurance in your financial plan may make sense.

It may be a good idea to buy life insurance in your 20s if you have dependents who rely on your income, you have a lot of debt or if you want to lock in a low rate while you’re young and generally in good health. Locking in a good rate now can give you peace of mind knowing there’s a financial safety net for the people you care about most.

When It Makes Sense to Buy Life Insurance in Your 20s

Purchasing life insurance may protect anyone who would be financially impacted if you die by providing them with a cash payout. The following are some instances where buying life insurance while you’re young may be a wise choice.

  • If someone relies on you financially: Life insurance can protect anyone who depends on your income, whether it’s your partner, spouse or children, or a parent, sibling or business partner.
  • You have a family or plan on having one: If you have a partner, spouse or children who rely on your income, getting life insurance is essential to help cover your family’s living expenses and debts if you die. If you’re single but want a family in the future, getting life insurance now can save you money in the long run since premiums are less expensive when you’re younger and healthier.
  • You have large debts: Life insurance can make sure student loans, mortgages or other large debts are not passed on to your family upon your death. While federal student loans are discharged when you die, most private loans are not. Even if loans are forgiven, they can leave behind with a large tax bill.
  • You want to cover your final expenses: The average funeral costs $7,848, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. While you shouldn’t have to worry about your funeral for years to come, anything can happen. Final expense life insurance can cover funeral costs so your loved ones don’t have to.

Consider getting life insurance if you want to help mitigate the financial burden your loved ones might face if you die. Your beneficiaries can receive a tax-free death benefit, which they can use to pay debts, living expenses, college tuition or for any other purpose.

What Type of Life Insurance Should You Buy?

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Specialty Insurance

Specialty Insurance Policies For Your Recreational Toys

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What specialty insurance?

In simple terms, specialty insurance coverage is exactly what it sounds like: It’s insurance that can be purchased for items that are special or unique. Specialty insurance policies are important for items that are not typically covered under other insurance policies.

From motorcycle insurance to boat insurance, protect your unique items.

We hear it all the time: “Specialty insurance? What’s that and why do I have it or why do I need it?”

In simple terms, specialty insurance coverage is exactly what it sounds like: It’s insurance that can be purchased for items that are special or unique. Specialty insurance policies are important for items that are not typically covered under other insurance policies.

Type of Specialty Insurance Coverage Available

Consider the items you own that are not covered by other insurance policies. For example, what vehicles do you drive that aren’t included on your auto insurance policy? What additional coverage is required to protect your home in the event of a flood? Specialty insurance policies complement your existing auto, home and umbrella policies. Types of specialty insurance offered through CONNECT and its partners include:

Classic car insurance – Whether you’ve spent hours and hours on restoration or bought a one-of-a-kind collector’s item, protect your antique car with classic car insurance.

ATV insurance – Enjoy the ride with coverage for your all-terrain vehicle. This specialty insurance coverage will protect you whether you ride for fun or function.

Flood insurance – Find coverage for your home or car—and yes, there is a difference!

High-value homes and rental insurance – Take the worry out of being a landlord or covering your high-value home.

Motorcycle insurance – In case of storm, accident or other natural disaster, make sure your bike will be still be ready to ride with motorcycle insurance.

RV insurance – Recreational vehicles give you the freedom to adventure anywhere. Whether you travel cross-country or simply use your RV for weekend camping, stay on the road with RV insurance.

Boat insurance – From sailboat to pontoon or even jet ski, stay afloat with boat insurance coverage.

Added Protection from our Agency Partners

Losing a one-of-a-kind item or a unique vehicle to fire, theft or flood damage is painful enough. Finding out your insurance doesn’t cover the replacement of the item, vehicle or your home or auto would make a heart-breaking situation even worse.

That’s why we’ve developed partnerships with industry leaders in specialty insurance. Our goal is to help you find coverage for these unique items. Through our trusted partnerships, you can purchase insurance policies for a wide range of specialty items.

This is a great compilation video of some of the specialty insurance products Shield Insurance can offer our clients from one of our many carriers.

  • Is your RV ready for winter?
  • Do you need umbrella insurance?
  • Safe Boating Checklist
  • Looking for fully loaded Watercraft coverage? Check out Safeco’s Captain’s Package
  • Choose Safeco’s Captain’s Package and get fully loaded watercraft coverage
  • From motorcycles to ATVs: Do you have enough custom parts protection?
  • Safeco’s Classic Car Insurance
  • Safeco’s RV Insurance
  • Safeco Insurance & Liberty Mutual Small Commercial
  • Safeco Boat and Personal Watercraft Insurance

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