No one ever expects terrible things to happen. But they do, often without warning. That’s why insurance is crucial – to help protect you and your loved ones from the unexpected. One type of insurance that is often overlooked is umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance provides extra protection in case something happens that your other policies don’t cover. Umbrella insurance can help you protect your assets from the unexpected.

1. It Can Provide Coverage for Libel and Slander

One of the most common ways umbrella insurance is used is to provide coverage for libel and slander. If you are accused of either of these, your umbrella policy can help cover the costs of defending yourself and any damages that may be awarded. In addition, libel and slander are not typically covered by standard homeowners or auto insurance policies.

2. It Can Provide Coverage for Certain Types of Lawsuits

Another common way umbrella insurance provides coverage for certain types of lawsuits. If you are sued for something not covered by your other policies, your umbrella policy can help pay for the costs of defending yourself. Medical bills. Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI can help you get the coverage you need to protect your assets from the unexpected.

3. It Can Provide Coverage for Certain Types of Accidents

Umbrella insurance can also help protect you from certain types of accidents. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, and it is determined that you are at fault, your umbrella policy can help pay for the other driver’s damages up to your policy limit. In addition, if you are sued due to the accident, your umbrella policy can help pay for your legal fees.

Contact Us

Umbrella insurance is a type of insurance that can provide extra protection in case something happens that your other policies don’t cover. It can help protect you from libel and slander, certain types of lawsuits, and accidents. Contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI to get the coverage you need to protect your assets from the unexpected.

Condos are a great way to break into the housing market in Marshall, MI. A condo certainly is a home, but condo insurance is not the same as home insurance. Knowing what is covered and, more importantly, what isn’t covered, is vital for your peace of mind and protection. At Great Michigan Insurance, we have a team of agents who know condo insurance and can help ensure that you have the coverage you need.

The exterior of your condo

Your condo insurance does not cover the exterior of your condo. That is covered by the master policy that your condo association carries on the complex. How far it covers the building differs from policy to policy. It is vital that you read your policy from the association so that you have the right coverage when you purchase your personal condo insurance. 

Termite damage

Termite damage is considered owner neglect, and depending on how deep into the building the condo association policy goes, they may be responsible. This is another thing you need to double-check to make sure if you should be doing the termite treatment. 

Flooding

Floods are not covered by condo insurance. If you live in an area where there is the potential for a body of water to flood your unit, you should have additional flood insurance through the NFIP. 

Earth movement

Your condo insurance policy does not cover any earth movement. That includes not only earthquakes but also sinkholes, mudslides, and landslides. As long as the earth is moving, it isn’t covered. 

Sewer backup

If your sewer backs up into your unit, it will cause a very disgusting mess, and even more upsetting is that your condo insurance won’t cover it. 

Contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI to get the condo insurance coverage that your home requires.

Also known as permanent insurance, whole life is the most commonly sold life insurance in the United States. Compared to term life insurance, where the policy is only active for a specific period – usually 10, 20, or 30 years. Whole life insurance costs more money than term life insurance, but this is because the death benefit never expires – as long as the premium is paid – and it includes a cash value component that can earn interest and grow in value over time. 

Advantages of whole life insurance include that it is permanent, predictable in that the beneficiaries know what amount of money they’ll receive, and includes tax benefits that defer any gains in interest. The savings portion can be borrowed against as a loan if needed. However, if you need to borrow against the loan, it is not without repercussions, including reducing the death benefit if it is not repaid before the policyholder passes. 

While there are numerous benefits to whole life insurance, it does come with a few disadvantages. For starters, whole life insurance is costlier than term life insurance because it includes an investment component and covers your entire life. Second, the insurance company has control over the cash value of your account and can invest it how they choose, so savvy investors who repeatedly beat market returns may not appreciate the limited control they have of this portion of their life insurance account.

At Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, our friendly and knowledgeable team of insurance professionals is ready to help with your life insurance needs. Give us a call today to learn more information.

Small businesses are vulnerable to a great many risks. Many will fail in the first few years and by year 10, that number rises to 65%. By having the right commercial insurance, you can at least have a fighting chance of surviving. At Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI, we want to help your small business thrive, and we will take the time to get to know you and your business so that we make sure you have the protection you need.  

Commercial liability insurance is one type of insurance that every business needs to have. Getting sued is one way your business can be damaged beyond repair. Every year more than 30% of businesses are sued or threatened with a lawsuit. Losing a case can force your business into bankruptcy if you don’t have the money or assets to pay. Commercial liability insurance can mitigate the risk of a lawsuit and can even pay for your legal expenses. It can save your business from being forced to close. 

Commercial property insurance protects the property you need to do business. Even if you rent your space, it can save you by covering the things you need to do business, like your computers, office equipment, machinery, inventory, supplies, tools, and more. You can’t operate your business without the things you need to do business. 

Business interruption insurance can make sure that even though you can’t do business at the moment because of a covered hazard, you will still be able to pay your bills and your payroll until you can open your doors again. It makes the difference between surviving a hazard and being closed forever by a hazard. 

Contact Great Michigan Insurance in Marshall, MI when you are ready to discuss your commercial insurance needs. Call us to make an appointment or drop in if you are in the neighborhood. 

At Great Michigan Insurance, we suggest umbrella insurance to all our Marshall, MI business clients. Not enough of them take us up on that offer and end up going out of business. Thankfully, an umbrella insurance policy can minimize this risk and keep you making good money.

How Lawsuits Drive Companies Out of Business

When your company suffers from a lawsuit, there are a few things that could drive you out of business. Let’s take a look at a potentially real situation to give you an idea of what could happen:

• You get sued for $100,000 and lose 
• Your liability coverage maxes out at $50,000
• You pay for the rest of the cost 
• Your company struggles to pay bills 
• Your employees start abandoning you 
• Your business shuts down 

This situation is all too common with companies that don’t take the time to get an umbrella insurance policy. This surprisingly fairly priced option is fairly simple to understand with minimal challenge.

How Umbrella Policies May Help 

Umbrella insurance policies kick in when your normal liability is paid out. It typically works well for businesses with a high risk of lawsuits or those with a high capital range. For example, in the situation above, most umbrella policies would easily pay the $50,000 you needed to cover your lawsuit. 

In this situation, everyone is happy. The person suing you or who needs money due to your company’s mistakes is paid, and you can stay in business. That makes it essential to talk to your insurance company right away to learn more about your options.

Let Us Help You

As you can see, getting the high-quality insurance that you need is critical for your business’s continued operation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Great Michigan Insurance to learn more. Our team can set your Marshall, MI company up with the policies that it needs to stay operational.

While condo insurance in Marshall, MI and the state is not required by law, it’s a great way to provide peace of mind on your investment. Great Michigan Insurance team is here to help with any questions or concerns you have about purchasing condo insurance. 

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

Coverage can vary depending on the development and whether there is a condo owner’s association involved. Additionally, if you used a lender to secure a loan to purchase your condo, chances are good the lender will require condo insurance to protect the interior of the home. Typically, COA (condominium owner’s association) will cover damage or repairs to the exterior of the condo.  

So, the exterior of your condo is most likely covered. However, the condo insurance you purchase on top of that can provide protection for the belongings that you store inside the home. This includes personal property, computers and devices, furniture, appliances, and more. Should your belongings be stolen or damaged, condo insurance can cover these unfortunate situations. 

Whether you’ve purchased a condo for your primary residence or as an investment property, insurance is essential to protect this valuable investment. You may never need condo insurance, but having it will give you invaluable peace of mind. We can’t predict or plan for weather damage, burglaries, or natural disasters, but things happen and the best thing you can do is to be prepared. 

Failing to invest in condo insurance can result in financial ruin if you are forced to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacements in any unfortunate scenario. Condo insurance allows you to enjoy your home or investment property without the stress of worrying about what could happen.

Questions about condo insurance in Marshall, MI? Contact Great Michigan Insurance today!

Life insurance is a topic that many don’t like talking about. Mainly because it’s a conversation that talks about one’s death. However, if you want to secure your financial future, it’s a topic worth discussing. You see, as you grow older, start businesses, and build families, it’s when you realize that a sound financial plan is crucial. And life insurance is all about finding comfort that money will be there to protect your loved ones if you are no more.

If that still sounds complicated, worry not. Great Michigan Insurance of Marshall, MI has prepared for you all you need to know about life insurance. Let’s explore. We promise it’s not that overwhelming.

There are different plans of life insurance

The different plans are available to you to choose a plan that best suits your needs. There are several, but the common ones are:

• Term life insurance: Under this policy, you pay a low premium for a specified period, like 20 years. The insurance coverage ends after that period.
• Permanent life insurance: Under this policy, you pay high premiums in the short term and accumulate cash value with time. The coverage will last as long as you pay your premium.

Life insurance is a sound financial plan

If you need a long-term solid financial plan, then life insurance is the real deal. Life insurance gives your loved one’s health, education, and happiness assurance when you are long gone.

Life insurance is not expensive as you think

Most people shun life insurance because they think it’s costly. The reality is that life insurance is fairly affordable, especially if young and healthy. Plus, given the numerous coverage options, there is always a plan for everyone.

Life insurance only comes through when you die

While life insurance takes care of your financial interest when you die, this is not always the case. When you invest in a whole life insurance policy, it accumulates a cash value that can supplement your retirement income when alive.

Life insurance in Marshall, MI

Ready for your life insurance policy? Contact Great Michigan Insurance for an affordable quote.