What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

The Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

At Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, we are committed to empowering our clients with knowledge, particularly when purchasing an auto insurance policy. The importance of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on today’s roadways cannot be overstated. With numerous drivers lacking sufficient coverage to repair another driver’s vehicle in case of an accident, this kind of coverage is more crucial than ever.

Holding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is not merely about financial protection. It’s about peace of mind. It’s about knowing that you and your passengers are covered when sharing the roads with other drivers.

Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is available for drivers in an accident with a party lacking insurance. Liability, the minimum requirement by the state, pays for the injuries of others and repair or replacement of another’s property, if you are found liable for an accident. Suppose a driver is operating a motor vehicle without this minimum coverage and damages your vehicle. In that case, you can rely on your uninsured coverage to kick in and pay for medical costs for you and any passengers in your car. It can also pay for damages to your vehicle to repair or replace it.

Knowing Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) protects you and your passengers if your vehicle is damaged by another driver and/or you’re injured, and their liability is insufficient to cover the total cost of damages. Every state has different minimum requirements for liability, and another’s liability may not be adequate to cover your damages and injuries. In such cases, underinsured motorist coverage will pay the difference between the other’s liability and the cost of your damages up to the policy limit.

Reach Out To Us

If you have more questions about uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage or want to explore your options, contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, at (269) 789-0909.

Making an Auto Insurance Claim? Here’s What to Expect

If you’ve been in a car accident, it can be hard to figure out what to take care of first. After your immediate health and safety needs are met, the next step is to call your insurance agency. Great Michigan Insurance is proud to serve the Marshall, MI area. Here, we’ll discuss what you can expect when you make an auto insurance claim. 

First, you’ll need to provide the details of the accident to your insurer. If you have a police report, your insurance provider will likely ask for a copy. They’ll also likely want to see photos of the damage, if possible. Your insurance agent may also ask you questions about the weather at the time of the accident and the time of day that the accident occurred. 

Next, your insurance agent will discuss whether you’d like to file an insurance claim. It’s important to note that just because you called your insurance company does not mean that you have to move forward with filing a claim. You can simply get more information from your insurance agent to help you decide whether to proceed. 

If you decide to file a claim, your insurance company will usually send an adjuster to take a look at the damage to your vehicle. They’ll also provide an estimate that will help determine how much your insurance company will contribute toward your car repairs. 

Great Michigan Insurance: We’re Here for You. 

At Great Michigan Insurance, we’re proud to serve the Marshall, MI area. Contact us today to learn more about our auto insurance options—we look forward to getting to know you!

Required Auto Insurance in Michigan

When you own a vehicle in Michigan, there are specific types of auto insurance coverage that you’re required to have. You may also want to get additional coverage to protect you against a wider range of risks you run as a driver. In Michigan, it’s required that you get auto insurance before you can register your car or truck. When you need auto insurance, you can call Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI to learn more about these policies. 

No-Fault Insurance in Michigan

Michigan is classified as a no-fault state when it comes to auto accidents. When you have an accident, your no-fault insurance will pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs when needed. These expenses are covered no matter who was at fault in the accident. However, this type of insurance doesn’t cover your vehicle’s damages. You need to add extra coverage to have your own vehicle protected. The policy is required to have a certain amount of coverage for one injured person from an accident and another amount for everyone in the accident who was injured. It’s also required to have a small amount of property damage coverage.

Other Coverage

Property protection service pays for damage that your vehicle does to other property types. This includes buildings, fences, landscaping, etc. This coverage has a large amount of coverage and can pay for even serious damage that you do. Personal injury protection is another type of Michigan auto insurance. It pays for lost wages, medical bills, etc., for other people, such as your passengers. 

Get Auto Insurance in Michigan

If you’re a Michigan driver and need auto insurance or want to switch to a new policy, call us at Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI. 

What is Liability Auto Insurance?

Wondering if you need liability coverage as part of a comprehensive auto insurance plan? At Great Michigan Insurance, we’re providing quality auto insurance to the people of Michigan. Part of our thorough approach includes liability, a type of legal protection that covers the buyer in the event of a lawsuit or a court case. Many on-road accidents go to court over the damages incurred, which is where liability insurance comes in. 

When Do You Need Liability Protection?

Liability is usually needed for businesses, particularly if a customer or an employee has suffered a bodily injury or experienced property damage of some sort. Aside from a business environment, drivers often get liability insurance in the event of an auto accident. On-road collisions are expensive, incurring hundreds or thousands of dollars in damages, medical bills, or wage losses. If an auto accident is severe or costly, one party might decide to sue a driver for negligence or malicious intent. If you drive regularly, it’s recommended that you find a liability policy as part of your auto insurance package. 

Getting Liability Auto Insurance in Marshall, MI

Great Michigan Insurance is a Marshall-based agency providing a variety of insurance types. When it comes to services, we design our insurance plans to suit every customer’s personal needs. Liability is just one of the many policies that we provide for auto insurance. Whether you’re a driver or a commercial trucker, your liability needs are covered. 

To hear more from our team of professionals, contact the agency at 269-789-0909. You can also email the agency at mark@greatmichiganinsurance.com. We’d love to schedule an appointment or answer any of your insurance-related questions.

Does auto insurance cover a rental car?

Vacations have been on hold for a few years, and it is finally time to get out and do those things that have been on your bucket list. Choose your hotels, book your flights and then get your reservation for a rental car. That is where the stress starts.

At Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, we are independent insurance agents who strive to educate our customers about auto insurance. We offer choices from the many carriers we have that will give you the highest level of service, coverage, and value. 

When booking your reservation online, you will need to put in your dates, the pick-up and drop-off locations, and your car type. That is the easy part. Now you need to start answering the insurance questions. It is tempting just to say yes and take the insurance that the car rental company offers, but it can double the price of your rental. Think of all the fun things you can do with that money if you don’t have to use it on insurance. The only destinations you can use your auto insurance are the US and Canada. 

Whether your auto insurance policy will cover a rental car depends on your coverage. If you have chosen to go with basic coverage, that is liability only. While that is necessary, it isn’t going to satisfy the rental car company. You need to protect their vehicle. To do that, you need full coverage, including collision and comprehensive coverage. You will, however, have to pay your standard deductible. 

You should also check the credit card that you plan to use for the rental. Many credit cards provide car rental coverage as one of their perks. 

Contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, when you have questions about your auto insurance coverage. 

Why basic auto insurance isn’t always the right choice

Sometimes, as a driver who must have auto insurance, you debate whether it is worth the extra cost to have more than basic auto insurance. Not everyone is a good candidate for basic auto insurance. The first thing you need to know is that basic auto insurance coverage is 20/40/10. This is $20,000 for the first person injured, with a total for the entire accident of $40,000. The final $10,000 is for property damage. At Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, we provide our customers with the customized service they want and deserve. 

If you have a car loan or leasing, you need to have additional insurance to protect the vehicle that the lender or lessor has an interest in. You will need to have collision and comprehensive insurance which covers the vehicle. You don’t have a choice. 

If you are like most people who own a car, you use it almost every day. It is hard to imagine your life if you didn’t have it available. How would you get to work if your car was damaged and didn’t have insurance to fix it? Would you be able to afford to pay for the repair yourself? If your answer is no,  you need to consider the insurance you need. 

Two types of coverage protect your vehicle. Collision will take care of any damage that has been done as a result of a collision. If you are the responsible party in an accident, if you have a one-car accident or your vehicle is hit by someone who runs, you will be able to get it repaired or replaced. 

Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damage and theft. It will cover weather-related damage, vandalism, and damage to your glass. 

Contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI when you are looking for a no-obligation quote.

What Should You Know About Auto Insurance?

In the state of Michigan, every car owner is required to carry car insurance, meaning that driving without car insurance is illegal.  Therefore, it is important to get a proper car insurance policy before getting on the road. If you are currently shopping for insurance but do not know how to choose it, Great Michigan Insurance serving clients in Marshall, MI, and other surrounding towns, prepared a list of things you should know about it:

What Should You Know About Car Insurance?

  • There are certain factors that may affect the cost of your car insurance. They are your driving experience, your driving habits, deductibles you decided to choose, the car’s make and its model, your gender, location, and credit score. 
  • There is a difference between collision and comprehensive coverage. Over 68% of Americans believe that comprehensive and collision coverage is the same. Yes, they both are optional insurance, but there are some differences. Comprehensive coverage pays for the damage caused by an incident other than a road accident. It can be fire, theft, hail, flood, vandalism, and others. Collision coverage reimburses damage caused by a collision with another car or object. 
  • There are ways to save money on your car insurance. You can do it by raising your deductible, reducing optional insurance on your other car, taking a defensive driving course, and other methods.

Great Michigan Insurance – We Make Insurance Easy For You

Having car insurance is a must in Michigan – whether you live in Marshall, MI or any other surrounding town. Therefore, if you do not have a proper policy, it is the right time to get it. Great Michigan Insurance is ready to help you find a perfect policy that fits your needs and budget. Do not hesitate to give us a call to get more information. 

What you need to become a driver in Marshall, MI

The process of becoming a driver in Michigan is not always smooth. There are many steps to take and numerous paperwork to be done whether you are a young driver or a veteran. The process starts from learning, which involves going through the Driver Education System to determine if you can drive. If you are looking to be a driver in Marshall, MI, Great Michigan Insurance recommends finding an expert to take you through the process. Here is what you need to become a driver in Michigan.

A valid driving license

Driver’s license applications vary based on age. It is also different if it is your first time. The government will require you to prove your identity, lawful presence in the US, Social Security number, and residency in Michigan. You will also need to read the Michigan Driver manual and take an online practice exam. Next, you can apply for a Temporary Instruction Permit by submitting all the required documents, passing the road sign test, written test, and vision test.

No-fault insurance

Michigan law also requires you to have no-fault insurance, which pays for your medical expenses, replacement services, wage-loss benefits, and property damage. This insurance does not cover your damaged car, and it doesn’t matter who caused the accident. Basic no-fault insurance has three primary coverages—personal injury protection, property damage liability, and bodily injury liability.

Other things to keep in mind

If you add a motorcycle endorsement or commercial driver’s license, you must pass the written test, obtain the learner’s permit and pass the driving skills test. Additionally, only US citizens and residents with permanent or temporary legal presence can apply for Michigan Driver’s license.

Need help becoming a Marshall, MI driver? Our insurance experts at Great Michigan Insurance can help simplify the process for you. Feel free to call us for a chat.

Why should I get auto insurance in Marshall?

If you are in the Marshall, MI area, there is a good chance that owning a car is going to be a practical necessity. When you do own a car here, there are a variety of responsibilities that you will have to protect the vehicle and yourself. One thing that you must do is take your auto insurance needs seriously. There are several reasons why you should get auto insurance when you are in this area of Michigan.

Required by Law

One reason that you will need to get insurance for your vehicle here is that it is required by law. Similar to other states, Michigan has basic auto insurance requirements that need to be met. At a minimum, you are going to need to have liability insurance. Having this coverage will ensure that you can pay for damages if you cause an accident while driving. 

Protects Vehicle

Beyond complying with state law, having insurance is also beneficial because it will protect your vehicle. Anyone that owns a car will have made a significant investment to own and care for it. If you want to protect this investment, you need to get proper insurance. An auto insurance policy can ensure that you can repair or replace your vehicle when it is necessary to do so. 

As you are looking for auto insurance in Marshall, MI, you need to make sure that you speak with someone that can guide you and answer your questions. The team at Great Michigan Insurance can help you to understand your insurance options and how it can protect you. Great Michigan Insurance can help you build a policy that will give you the proper protection and meet your needs based on your personal situation. 

Teen Drivers and Insurance

Most parents have a handle on their insurance needs. But when teen drivers are involved, the questions seem a little less straightforward. Here are some things that you need to know about teen drivers and insurance from Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI.

Learner’s Permits

Some insurance companies require that you notify them when your teen gets a learner’s permit, while others only want to know about teens with a regular license. It never hurts to give your insurance company a call when the driver’s status in your family is about to change. You may want to do this before your teen gets a restricted license just to avoid any surprises.

Comprehensive Coverage Vs. Liability Coverage

All drivers in Michigan are required to have at least liability insurance, the type of insurance that only pays for repairs to the other party’s vehicle in case of an accident. However, some people opt for comprehensive coverage, which will repair both cars involved. Liability insurance is less expensive than comprehensive insurance. However, whether you want to pay for comprehensive coverage depends on several factors. Will your teen be driving a newer vehicle that will be costly to replace or an older model that can be less expensively replaced? How often will your teen drive? Do you have savings to replace or repair the car if they were to damage it in an accident severely? Your agent can help you determine the answers to these questions and decide which option makes sense for your family.

It’s always best to ask all of your teen driving insurance questions before your teen gets his or her license. You can avoid unpleasant or expensive surprises by knowing ahead of time what the cost will be. If you have questions about teen driver insurance, contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI.