4 Flood Insurance Myths That Don’t Hold Water

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Owen Rosen

Flood insurance is kinda tricky. We get a lot of questions from our Michigan clients about concerns from ground water, sewer/drain backups, etc.

Do you know the truth about water damage and your home? Let’s set the record straight on a few myths:

1. Home Insurance Covers Floods
Flood insurance is not included in home insurance policies; it needs to be purchased separately, from an insurance agent (like us) or an insurer that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.

2. Floods Only Affect Certain Regions
All areas of the country (and Michigan) are at some risk of flooding. More than 20% of flood claims to insurance companies come from residents in moderate to low-risk flood zones.

3. Water Damage Isn’t Expensive
Flooding is the COSTLIEST natural disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. One inch of flooding can cause as much as $20,000 in damage to a home.

4. Flood Insurance Is Expensive
Someone who lives in a moderate to low-risk area may be eligible for flood insurance with premiums as low as $171 per year.

For more information, call us at (248) 682-7445 or email info@philkleininsurance.com

Can You Take Out a Life Insurance Policy on a Roommate?

Posted on February 26, 2018February 26, 2018 by agentinsure

When you rent a home with a roommate, you may find yourself reliant on your roommate to pay their portion of the rent. If they are unable to pay rent for any reason, you may be unable to afford the place you call home. As such, you may find yourself wondering if you can take out a life insurance policy on a roommate. While this is not a common question, we, at Phil Klein Insurance Group, serving the West Bloomfield, MI area, are occasionally asked this question.

Your Roommate and Life Insurance

In order to take out life insurance on someone, you must have an insurable interest in them. In order to have an insurable interest in them, you must prove that you would suffer financial loss if they were to pass away. As such, you can take out a life insurance policy on a roommate who is paying a portion of the rent and the bills.

To take out a life insurance policy on another adult, they must sign an affidavit acknowledging that you are taking out a life insurance policy on them and agreeing to it. If your roommate does not want you to take out a life insurance policy on their life and they will not sign the affidavit, then you will not be able to take out the policy, even with an insurable interest in them.

If you are looking to take out a life insurance policy for yourself or someone else, such as a roommate in the greater West Bloomfield, MI area, contact Phil Klein Insurance Group. We can help you find the right life insurance policies for your needs and get the policy all set up. Call us now to start the process and get a quote.

Coverage to Look for When Choosing Your Commercial Insurance Policy

Posted on January 24, 2018January 23, 2018 by agentinsure

Owning a business can be an incredibly rewarding experience, both financially and emotionally, but it is not without its headaches and pitfalls. The proper commercial insurance coverage can help to potentially limit the negatives and allow you to focus on the business at hand. If you are in the market for commercial insurance, would like to receive a review of your current coverage, or need to expand or contract your protection, the team at Phil Klein Insurance Group is prepared to meet all of your commercial insurance needs in the greater Birmingham and West Bloomfield, MI area.

What to Look for in Your Commercial Insurance Coverage

Commercial insurance can be an effective financial tool that protects you from many losses due to events such as the death of a business partner or other key personnel and loss of income due to a disruption to your business for which you are not at fault. The four items below represent some of the coverage types to look for:

Business Interruption can protect you from a loss in the event that you have an interruption to your regular course of business.
Key-Person Coverage is vital if you rely on a business partner or other team member whose death would create a negative effect on the company.
Auto Coverage for staff on company business will provide protection even when they are driving their own vehicle.
Loss of Income coverage may reimburse you up to a certain amount.

If you want to make sure that you have the commercial coverage that you need, please give us a call or stop by the Phil Klein Insurance Group office today. We are dedicated to meeting the comprehensive insurance needs of our clients in the greater Birmingham and West Bloomfield, MI area.

Give the Gift of Life

Posted on December 22, 2017December 20, 2017 by Owen Rosen

This holiday season it’s the gift that can last a lifetime.

How can you help a child in your life:

*Lock in a low life insurance premium for life?
*Build an asset (tax-deferred) that lasts a lifetime?
*Get insurance coverage started that he or she will need as an adult?

It’s simple: just give that child life-long protection with a life insurance policy from PKIG. You’ll not only provide a lifetime of security – you’ll provide solid financial options for life.

Best of all, when that young person becomes a bit older, the gift of life insurance you give provides other policy features such as receiving dividends, borrowing against the policy, or buying more coverage regardless of health down the road.

It’s never too early to plan for the future and these types of policies are very affordable.

Is Your Home Ready for the Cold Weather?

Posted on December 21, 2017December 20, 2017 by agentinsure

Cold weather will be here before you know it in West Bloomfield, MI. You do not want it to take you by surprise and allow it to cost you money for repairs and other losses along the way. Before it gets too cold, consider implementing some of these tips from Phil Klein Insurance Group.

Get your heater checked. The last thing you are going to want to deal with this winter is a heater that does not work with freezing temperatures outside. You can avoid this from occurring in your home by getting your heater checked now. Have a professional come out to give it a tune-up and ensure that it is working properly before it gets cold outside.
Prep your pipes. There is no doubt that the temperature will get below freezing at some point this winter. You should make sure that all of your exposed pipes, both inside and outside of your home, have some protective covering to help prevent them from freezing. You can get some good covers from your local hardware store and install these yourself.
Check your windows and doors for leaks. Unless you want to help heat up the outside, you should check for any places your heat can leak out. You should consider caulking your windows as well as checking your doors for any gaps. If you find any, get them fixed so you can save on your heating bills.

Winters in West Bloomfield, MI can be brutal, but you can keep your home safe and protected with these tips and more. Another thing to do is get a great home insurance policy to help protect you from the things that you cannot predict. Contact Phil Klein Insurance Group to get started on your quote today or try our online rating tool.

Should You and Your Spouse Have the Same Amount of Life Insurance?

Posted on November 15, 2017November 14, 2017 by agentinsure

If you have recently gotten married or had a baby, you may be looking into purchasing life insurance for both yourself and your spouse or partner. One of the questions that we at Phil Klein Insurance Group are often asked about life insurance in the greater West Bloomfield, MI area, is whether spouses should have the same amount of life insurance coverage. In most cases, they need different amounts. Here are a few of the factors that are looked at when determining how much life insurance each spouse needs.

How Much Each Spouse Makes

One of the factors that determine how much life insurance each person should acquire is by determining how much they earn. If you make more than your spouse, you will need more in life insurance than your spouse does. This helps to make up for your lost income should you pass away.

The Amount Of Debt for Each Spouse

In addition to your current salary, you should also look at how much debt each person has. If you have student loans or other types of debt, you need more life insurance. This allows your spouse or partner to pay down the debt without the burden of having to cover your debts themselves.

What Household Chores Each Spouse Performs

The last factor that should be considered is what household chores each spouse performs. If these chores would be a burden for your partner, you want to have enough life insurance to cover the cost of hiring someone. For example, you may watch your kids while your wife works. If you were to pass away, she would need to hire childcare. Likewise, you may do all of the yard work and car maintenance. If you were to pass away, she may need to hire someone to complete these tasks, which should be accounted for in the amount of life insurance you have.

If you are looking to purchase a new life insurance policy for you and your spouse or partner in the greater West Bloomfield, MI area, turn to Phil Klein Insurance Group. Call us now to have your questions answered and to get a quote on your insurance policy.

3 Common Questions about Commercial Insurance

Posted on October 16, 2017October 12, 2017 by agentinsure

Whether you have just opened, inherited, or realized that your business is growing, one of the most important things you can do to protect your livelihood is to have commercial insurance in West Bloomfield, MI. Commercial insurance covers an array of situations and scenarios, some of which you may not have even thought about. From freak storms of nature to theft and employee safety, commercial insurance is a must-have if you own a business. Read on to discover three common questions people ask when looking for a commercial insurance policy for their West Bloomfield, MI business.

How Do I Select the Right Coverage Amount?

That depends on the size of your business, as well as what you feel comfortable paying as a deductible or premium. Essentially, you want to cover what your business is worth and then some. A reputable insurance agent at Phil Klein Insurance Group can help you make this decision.

What Kind of Coverage is Needed?

You will want to make sure every part of your business is covered. For example, if your business sees customers coming in and out of your store, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered just in case of a slip and fall or some other kind of accident that results in a lawsuit. Depending on the type of business you run, policies and coverage will vary.

How Do I Choose the Right Deductible?

To choose the right deductible, you will need to consider whether you want to pay a higher premium or a higher deductible. If you feel more comfortable paying a larger premium on your monthly or quarterly insurance bill, then you might be able to have a smaller deductible.

To learn more about the commercial insurance coverage for your business, contact the friendly agents at Phil Klein Insurance Group in West Bloomfield, MI today.

Why Now is a Great Time to Repair Your Roof

Posted on September 19, 2017September 18, 2017 by agentinsure

As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your home and the structures on your property. Part of this includes making needed repairs to your roof. At Phil Klein Insurance Group, serving the greater West Bloomfield, MI area, we try to remind homeowners that a home insurance claim can be denied if you fail to maintain the premises and the claim is a result of this negligence. If your roof is in need of repair, the end of summer and fall months are a great time to make these repairs. Here is why:

The Weather is Optimal for Repairs

The biggest benefit to having roof repairs done in late summer and early fall is that the weather is optimal for repairs. Making repairs in wet conditions or freezing temperatures is not ideal. Having the repairs done now helps to keep the roofer safe and ensures the repairs are not negatively affected by inclement weather. The heat will also be less apparent since it is not directly taking place in the mid-summer months.

Prepares Your Home for the Wet Season

The other benefit to having repairs done to your roof now is that it prepares your home for the wet season. If you fail to have repairs done before the wet and rainy season hits, your roof may leak. Minor cracks can quickly turn into major leaks when left unrepaired. Repairing the damage now helps to prevent it from worsening, allowing you to prepare your roof and home for the rain and snow that will hit during the winter months.

Maintenance is important to your home insurance policy. If you are in the market for a new home insurance policy in the greater West Bloomfield, MI area, call Phil Klein Insurance Group. We would love to answer your questions and help you find a policy that fits your needs.

You’re a New Parent: What to Know About Life Insurance

Posted on August 14, 2017August 1, 2017 by agentinsure

As a new parent, you have many responsibilities to handle. In fact, you probably have too many responsibilities. One of the most important things that all new parents should think about is securing life insurance for their newly born child.

Understanding how life insurance works and why you should get it as soon as your baby is born is essential. Here’s what you need to know:

First, understand term life insurance. A fixed rate is provided for term life insurance. This plan is generally for 10, 20, or 30 years. When a policy expires, you need to renew it again. Younger families will benefit from these types of insurance plans.
There are also whole life insurance plans. These are permanent and cover you for as long as you live. Experts agree that younger families should avoid these types of coverage because they tend to be more expensive.
Getting life insurance for your child when they are young is an excellent idea because they are at their healthiest and the youngest they can be. They can start with a low rate from the get-go.
Keep in mind that as parents, you need to be insured just like your child. This will give them financial stability should anything happen to either of you.

Contact Phil Klein Insurance Group for More Information

If you are a new parent in West Bloomfield, MI and are interested in learning more about life insurance options for your child or children, contact Phil Klein Insurance Group at your earliest convenience. We are proud to serve the residents of West Bloomfield, MI, and one of our agents would be happy to speak with you about your available life insurance options.

We can discuss options for your children as well as for you and your spouse. Visit our nearest location or give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Consumer Home Insurance Tips in Birmingham, Michigan

Posted on July 19, 2017February 19, 2017 by agentinsure

Phil Klein Insurance Group in Birmingham, Michigan was created for you – the customer. Phil and his team not only want to offer you affordable home insurance coverage; they want to make sure that you understand your policy; enabling you to sleep in complete confidence.

Consumer Tips in Birmingham MI

Home Insurance is not required by law in Michigan; nor is owning an umbrella. But when you are caught in a downpour-the coverage sure is comforting. Homeowners Insurance is designed to protect you and your family when the unexpected happens.

Insuring your home through the Phil Klein Insurance Group is comforting and provides that needed coverage for unexpected downpours in your life. Invest in your home wisely with these tips.

Shop around. Companies in Birmingham, Michigan are competing for your business. Stop by and meet the agents. Get quotes online or by phone. Quotes are free and help you categorize your options according to your budget.
The economic rules of Insurance can cause higher priced companies to lower their rating due to pressure brought on by consumer choice.
Shopping for insurance will never be as exciting as shopping for shoes, but by becoming knowledgeable about which questions to ask – you will find the best fit.

Top Questions to Ask

By asking questions, you can chart the answers and have a comparable resource to help you choose the best home insurance coverage.

What losses does your policy cover? What loses are not covered by your policy?
The Michigan state law allows all companies to offer discounts on insurance coverage. Ask which discounts are available to you. Each one will save you some money.

Be sure and add Phil Klein Insurance Group in Birmingham, Michigan to your shopping list-we have you covered.