Category: Insurance

Preventing damage from occurring to your home helps keep your home safe. However, that doesn’t mean the work needed to prevent damage will be covered by homeowner’s insurance. For example, your current policy might not pay for a dangerous tree to be removed before it topples onto your home. It would be wise to speak with an insurance agent, such as the Phil Klein Insurance Group, to ensure you have adequate coverage for surprises like this in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Removal vs. Repair

Homeowners often don’t realize that the removal of dangerous trees isn’t covered by their homeowner’s insurance because that same policy often covers damage from a fallen tree, or tree removal once the tree falls. For some policies, removing a dangerous tree may be viewed as maintenance that the homeowner is responsible for, rather than an actual claim. If it can be proven that the tree became dangerous despite the homeowner’s best efforts to protect the tree, then the policy could conceivably pay for removal. But this is not guaranteed.

You can avoid this mess by re-evaluating your homeowner’s policy and discussing ways to make the policy broader and more likely to cover situations like tree removal. There are still situations in which policy might not cover the removal; for example, if it can be proven that the tree’s condition was the result of bad care from a landscaping company, then you need to deal with the landscaping company.

But to ensure that removal would be covered in cases where it wasn’t clear why the tree became dangerous, speak with an insurance agent serving Bloomfield Hills, MI, such as the Phil Klein Insurance Group. Our agents can help you create a homeowner’s policy that will be more proactive.

If you are looking to buy a new car in West Bloomfield, MI, you may wonder how car insurance works when you buy a new car. Obviously, you cannot add a new car to your policy before you go to the lot, as you won’t know what you are getting and the VIN. And you may be a car on a day or time when your insurance office is closed. This may leave you wondering if you have to insure a new vehicle you just purchased before you drive it off the lot. Here is some information you will want to know.

Insuring the Car

If you already have an insurance policy, it likely covers brand new cars for a brief period. This may be anywhere from 48 hours to five days, depending on the insurance company. This gives you time to add the car to your insurance policy. Regardless of how long you have to add the car, it is always wise to add the car to your existing insurance policy, or take out a new policy for it, as quickly as possible after buying the car.

Call Your Insurer

If you plan on buying a new car, give your current insurer a call. Ask them how long you are covered under your existing policy if you buy a new car. Secondly, if you know what types of car or cars you are interested in buying, ask them to give you a quote. This helps you to know approximately what your insurance costs will be, so you can appropriately negotiate a car payment amount that fits within your budget at the dealership.

If you are in need of a new auto insurance policy, let Phil Klein Insurance Group, serving the greater West Bloomfield, MI area, help you. Contact our office today to get a price quote or begin the paperwork for a new policy.

Deciding how much life insurance coverage to take out can be complicated because your family’s needs will change over time. You may purchase a new or more expensive home. Marriage, children and the changing needs of you and your loved ones could require additional coverage. At Phil Klein Insurance Group, our professionals are available to help members of the Birmingham, MI community select a policy that meets your needs. We’ll work to answer questions and help you with a life insurance policy that ensures financial security.

How Much Life Insurance Is Adequate?

Some people follow the simple rule of multiplying their income times 10 and stick with that figure. Regarding uncomplicated approaches, it’s not without merit. If you earn $100,000, then $1 million in coverage seems reasonable on the surface. After all, your mortgage and expenses should be in line with annual income. That figure should allow a spouse to pay off a home and provide living expenses for several years. But what about children and college tuition?

The cost of caring for a child from birth to 18 years old can exceed $300,000. College tuition currently hovers at around $30,000 per year, and that does not include living expenses. Those two expenses alone will cut the $1 million life insurance coverage nearly in half. Factor in paying off a mortgage, the high cost of health coverage and unforeseen expenses and the Times 10 rules appears strangely inadequate.

To calculate adequate life insurance coverage for the people left behind, you’ll need to account for many things that are unique to you and your loved ones. It’s also imperative to reconcile today’s costs with future increases.

At Phil Klein Insurance Group, we are committed to serving the good people of Birmingham, MI. Our professionals are available to create a life insurance policy or update an existing one that provides your family with secure coverage. You’ll sleep better knowing that a comprehensive policy is in place.

Homeowners insurance can be tricky to calculate.  There are several questions to answer about what is covered and what should be covered.  The professionals at Phil Klein Insurance Group in West Bloomfield Hills, MI have put together a list with short explanations of what exactly is covered by homeowners insurance.

The structure of the Home – The structure of your home is insured should an insurance covered disaster strikes, such as a fire or storm.  The amount of coverage is the dependent on the total cost to rebuild the existing home.  To calculate this amount, it is important to not add the value of land or to assume the amount paid for the house is the amount the structure would cost to rebuild.  Depending on the bank, some banks require that the homeowner’s insurance at least covers the cost remaining on the home mortgage.

Personal Possessions – Typically, the amount of insurance that is dedicated to personal possessions within the home equals about 50% to 70% of the total amount dedicated to rebuilding the structure of the home.  It is important to regularly conduct an inventory of everything in the house and determine how much it would cost to replace each item.

Additional Living Expenses – This part of the homeowner’s insurance covers the cost of living if the home is inhabitable while repairs are being conducted.  A normal policy covers about 20% of the amount that is dedicated to the structure of the home.  If part of the home is rented, then this part of the homeowner’s insurance would cover lost income.

Liability – The liability portion of homeowners insurance covers the insurance holder against any lawsuits that may arise from damages that your property may cause to other people.  The minimum amount to be insured for is $100,000.  Typically, though, the recommended amount is between $300,000 and $500,000.

Michigan is notorious for its harsh winters characterized by snow-covered, icy roads. Learning how to drive safely under these conditions is a must to reduce the risk of accidents. Auto insurance coverage from Phil Klein Insurance Group in West Bloomfield, MI ensures you are well protected against accidents. The following winter driving tips can increase safety during winter travels.

Tires

Worn tires won’t give you the traction you need when driving on icy roads. If you’re going to drive extensively during winter in Michigan, consider investing in snow tires for optimum safety. Another alternative would be to replace worn tires with a good pair of all-season tires to keep you safer on the road.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC):

ESC can help reduce skidding when driving on slick roads. By keeping this system activated in your vehicle, you reduce the risk of an accident when driving on snowy roads.

At the same time, you can’t count on ESC to protect you from all eventualities. You still need to do your part to drive carefully during adverse weather to enhance safety. Be sure to reduce your speed and keep a safe distance between other drivers when driving in snowy weather. It’s also important to stay alert by eliminating texting or talking on the phone when driving.

Windshield Wipers and Brakes

Upgrade your windshield wipers as needed to maintain good visibility during snowy weather. Make sure your brakes are inspected periodically to ensure they’re working at top capacity. Good brakes are essential year-round, but even more so during the winter where slick roads make driving conditions even more dangerous.

A safe vehicle, careful driving habits, and comprehensive auto insurance coverage from Phil Klein Insurance Group will provide West Bloomfield, MI drivers with the protection they need on the road.