Name: Phil Klein Insurance Group
Address: 7125 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 302, West Bloomfield, MI, 48322
Telephone: 248-682-7445

When is commercial insurance needed in Michigan?

Posted on February 28, 2020March 1, 2020 by agentinsure

If you are in the West Bloomfield MI area and are looking for a new career path, starting your own business could be a great option. When you have a business here, you can benefit a lot from a good local economy and a growing population. If you do want to start a company here, you need to carefully consider all of your commercial insurance needs. There are several situations when you may need commercial insurance in this area.

When Staff is Hired

One situation when you are going to need to have commercial insurance is when you have employees working for you. Those that have employees on their payroll are required by the state to have workers compensation insurance, which ensures someone is covered if they are hurt while working. Those that have employees and do not provide this insurance could face serious penalization.

Lenders and Stakeholders

Many businesses need to get commercial insurance because of requirements set forth by their lenders and other stakeholders. Having commercial insurance can help to ensure a company remains solvent during some challenging times. Due to this, a lender will require that a business carry this insurance as it will help to protect their investment. Most lenders will also escrow for annual payments.

Those that have a business in the West Bloomfield MI area need to take their commercial insurance needs seriously. When you are looking for this form of insurance, it would be beneficial to reach out to the Phil Klein Insurance Group. The insurance team at the Phil Klein Insurance Group knows very well how important it is for a business owner to get a commercial insurance policy. They can review your situation and risks and help you to get into an appropriate insurance policy.

PKIG Winter Driving Tips

Posted on January 28, 2020January 28, 2020 by Owen Rosen

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. PKIG urges drivers to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.

PKIG & AAA recommends the following tips while driving in snowy and icy conditions:

Cold Weather Driving Tips
•Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more. Stop in to our office for a scraper or car emergency tool.
•Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.
•Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
•Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
•Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow.
Tips for Driving in the Snow
•Stay home if you can and only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
•Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
•Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
•Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
•Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
•Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
•Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
•Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips
•Be Prepared: Have your vehicle checked by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility before hitting the road.
•Check the Weather: Check the weather along your route and when possible, delay your trip if bad weather is expected.
•Stay Connected: Before hitting the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
If you get stuck in the snow:
•Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
•Don’t over exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired.
•Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
•Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
•Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency.
•Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel.

Michigan Auto Insurance Reform Update

Posted on December 16, 2019December 16, 2019 by Owen Rosen

Some Michigan auto insurance reform changes have already gone into effect. Others start in July 2020. With so many drivers unaware of the impact of the new law on their current car insurance policy, now is the time to review coverage. To help identify potential coverage gaps, please consider these questions:

• Are there drivers listed on your policy that do not reside with the named insured?
• Are there residents in the home that are not family members?
• Are there resident family members of driving age that are not listed on your policy?
• Is any vehicle on the policy owned by someone other than the named insured(s), spouse or resident family member?
• Does any driver not listed on the policy have regular use of one of the vehicles?
• Are any vehicles used for business purposes such as Uber or Lyft?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” your existing policy may have a gap in coverage and needs to be reviewed immediately. Please call us at 248-682-7445 to begin your policy review today.

Why Commercial Insurance Is Necessary For Your Business

Posted on November 29, 2019December 1, 2019 by agentinsure

When a West Bloomfield, MI business is looking to become established, they will need to meet with Phil Klein Insurance Group to learn more about the necessity of commercial insurance. There are few investments that are more important when a new company is being started.

That’s why the top businesses in the region will always take the time to obtain commercial insurance. For starters, the establishment must ensure that they are protected from all of the usual losses that take place in these instances.

Whether the business experiences theft, employee injury or property damage, the commercial insurance policy offers the proper coverage. When a business has already obtained the correct insurance policy, they are able to receive the compensation that they need to move on from the losses that they sustain.

Without commercial insurance coverage, the company is taking a major risk. When theft, employee injury or property damage takes place, the company is placing themselves in serious jeopardy. In many instances, the business will no longer be operational. All it takes is one lawsuit to put a business out of commission for good.

When it comes to commercial insurance, there are three types for a client to consider: workers’ compensation, property insurance and liability coverage. All three forms of coverage are needed if the company is going to survive over the long haul. There are also additional forms of coverage that are more specialized in nature and an experienced agent will be glad to explain each of them to a West Bloomfield, MI client.

That’s what makes the assistance of skilled insurance agents so important. A client that is looking to learn more about the options that they have available to them from a commercial insurance standpoint will definitely want to take the time to visit the Phil Klein Insurance Group website as soon as possible.

Michigan’s Overhauled No-Fault Insurance Laws Take Effect July 1, 2020

Posted on October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 by Owen Rosen

On May 30, 2019, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a bill that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s no-fault auto insurance laws. The primary goal of the new legislation is to reduce auto insurance premiums, as Michigan has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation.

Though the new legislation provides numerous changes to the auto insurance industry in Michigan, the following are the key takeaways:

•Drivers will no longer be required to purchase unlimited no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which guarantee lifetime medical benefits for catastrophic crash injuries. After July 1, 2020, and through July 1, 2028, drivers may select their own no-fault PIP coverage. Under the new law, drivers may choose between $50,000 coverage (if enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare), $250,000 coverage, $500,000 coverage or unlimited PIP coverage.

•Once the new legislation takes effect, drivers could enjoy an auto insurance premium cost reduction depending on which PIP coverage they select. Note that all savings are limited only to the no-fault portion of a driver’s auto insurance bill (typically around 40% of the total premium), not the entire bill. Furthermore, the legislation does not address what the insurance providers may charge on other portions of insurance bills.

•A no-fault fee schedule was established to regulate the rates charged by medical care providers (e.g., doctors and hospitals) regarding medical care associated with auto accidents. Note that the fee schedule will not apply for the entirety of the first year the law is in effect.

•Drivers who choose any PIP coverage lower than unlimited will pay reduced fees to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA), an entity that bears responsibility to pay catastrophic injury benefits.

•Insurance providers will be prohibited from considering “non-driving factors” when determining insurance rates. Those factors typically include sex, marital status, educational level and occupation. However, providers can still set rates based on “territories” of the state. For example, providers could set higher rates for those who live in a region in which there are heightened instances of accidents or car thefts.

We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

Please contact us at (248) 682-7445 or info@philkleininsurance.com for more information.

Don’t Make These Mistakes

Posted on September 26, 2019September 26, 2019 by Owen Rosen

You bought a term life insurance policy, checked it off your to-do list and tucked it into a drawer. You’re good now, right?

Not so fast. Click here for the most common mistakes.

Michigan Auto Insurance Reform (PIP) Part 1

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Owen Rosen

You’ve probably heard that the Michigan legislature recently passed significant changes to our no-fault auto insurance laws. You may have questions as to what the changes mean for you and your family’s insurance plan. We have answers and will continue to publish updates over time.

Most of the changes do not take effect until July of 2020 but the first change is effective now. The reforms revolve around the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) portion of the no-fault policy. In Michigan, PIP basically means medical payments required as a result of car accidents. The coverage is expansive though and can cover things such as renovations to a primary residence to make them accessible to the disabled, physical therapy, transportation to medical appointments, etc.

The first amendment clarifies the definition of the insured for PIP coverage to:
•the named insured(s)
•the named insured(s) spouse
•resident relatives (must be both a blood/legal relative and a permanent resident at the primary address)

Common situations that this will directly impact would be a boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance, children that no longer reside in the household of the insured parents, etc. Those individuals, if uninsured, would be limited to $250,000 medical coverage through an entity called the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. Regular coverage has no dollar limit.

If you think you might be affected by these changes (whether you are insured by PKIG or not) please give us a call and we’ll walk you through what you need to know. If you have any other questions, please call for clarification. Stay tuned to this space and our social media for further updates and crucial information.

(248) 682-7445

info@philkleininsurance.com

3 Reasons To Update Your Commercial Insurance.

Posted on July 25, 2019July 25, 2019 by agentinsure

Phil Klein Insurance Group serves people in and around West Bloomfield, MI with the best in insurance services. We want our local businesses to be protected no matter what may come. One way to protect your business is by having the best commercial policy possible. Here are three tips for making sure you have the best policy for your situation.

Three Reasons to Update Your Commercial Insurance Policy Today:

A commercial policy is not like an auto insurance policy, it is very personalized to your business. if your business has gone through any changes over the past year it is important to update your policy by reporting these changes and protecting your assets.
You may have a new risk and need umbrella coverage. It is easy to just assume that you are covered enough, but if your business has just reached the public eye in a big way you have a risk of litigation that was not so high before. If your business has grown to new areas you are susceptible risks unique to that area, there are many reasons to discuss further coverage occasionally.
If you have changes in your personal life, it may affect your commercial policy. You want to update all policies when any big changes occur. Whether you are married and want to add your spouse to business documents, you adopted another dependent, or even move homes, report changes to your agent to see if it affects your policy.

Contact us a Phil Klein Insurance Group for all of your insurance needs in Bloomfield, MI. Do not let the asset that supports your lifestyle be at risk for a single moment this year.

What is Recreational Insurance?

Posted on May 16, 2019May 16, 2019 by agentinsure

If you love the outdoors of West Bloomfield MI, chances are you have one or more recreational toys that needs to be insured – or you’re thinking about getting some. At Phil Klein Insurance Group we help customers find the right policy at the right price, tailored to your specific recreational needs. So what exactly is recreational insurance and what does it cover? Read on to find out.

Recreational Vehicles

From motor homes to travel trailers and everything in between (teardrop trailers, pop up trailers, etc…) protect your vacation asset with the right insurance policy. Recreational insurance also covers all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. With the right policy, your toy will be covered from theft and damage. Also, if you cause an accident with your recreational vehicle, your insurance will kick to protect your liability.

Watercraft

Do you love going fishing or out on the lake for the day with family and friends? Having a boat is often a dream come true for many people. Protect this asset with recreational insurance that fits your watercraft, whether that be a fishing boat, sailboat, speed boat, seedoos, and more. An insurance policy will protect your watercraft from theft, fire, damage, and liability. In the long run, it gives you peace of mind and helps you save money if anything were to happen.

Antique Cars

Are antique cars your passion? If so, they need their own insurance policy. Oftentimes, these classic cars qualify for amazing rates so there’s no reason not to insure it, and if you plan to drive it on the road, insurance is required by law.

To learn more about purchasing recreational insurance in West Bloomfield, MI, contact the Phil Klein Insurance Group who serves this area. Our trained, knowledgeable, and friendly staff will answer all of your questions and concerns and help you compare quotes to find the right policy for your recreational vehicle, boat, or classic car. You can contact us today at 248-682-7445.

How to Protect Your Family and Property on the Water

Posted on March 11, 2019February 28, 2019 by agentinsure

Boating safety is sometimes buried under excitement when people first buy their first watercraft. It’s much easier to picture summer outings and late-night rides than it is to picture conducting emergency drills over and over again until you’re sure everyone knows what to do. But boating accidents and emergencies may not be as uncommon as you think. Phil Klein Insurance Group wants the people of West Bloomfield, MI to be prepared for anything no.

Seasonal Maintenance

Ensuring your boat is water-worthy will always be your first priority. From cosmetic concerns to inner mechanics, maintenance can help your boat stay safe on the water. Make sure to wash your boat regularly, change its oil, and check the propeller. If you come across anything questionable, hiring an outside inspector is the best way to catch any potential safety hazards before you take it on the water.

Drills, Drills, and More Drills

When emergencies arise, it’s easy for panic to set in. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you or your family, having regular safety drills can make it easier to navigate an already treacherous landscape. These drills should be put into motion so that emergency responses become second nature. This way, no one even has a chance to contemplate their fear (because they’re already too busy springing into action).

Get the Right Insurance

Boats are a substantial investment for most people and there’s a lot that can happen when you’re at the mercy of the water. If you want to learn more about how to get the best policy for you, give Phil Klein Insurance Group a call today. We’re here to help the people of West Bloomfield, MI get the coverage they need to safeguard themselves, their property, and their family.