What information do I need to have for a home insurance quote?

Have you noticed that no company is touting that they are able to provide you with a homeowners insurance quote in 15 minutes or less? If so, I would have to say I am a little nervous about the situation.

 

Protecting your home is a big deal. Odds are, this is the most expensive investment you have made in your life and having the proper coverage in place with the right agency is important. We know how important our job is when we provide someone with a homeowners insurance quote. 

We take a lot of information because we need to complete a replacement cost estimator. A replacement cost estimator (RCE) is a tool our agency uses to make sure your home is properly insured. The RCE we use has been approved by all of our carriers in determining the coverage amount on your home. 

 

In order to properly rate the replacement cost estimator we need to know some of the following:

 

Year of Construction

Square Footage

Type of Construction (Brick, Frame, etc.)

Number of Stories

Number of Bathrooms, type of construction

Number of Kitchens, type of contruction

Number of Fireplaces or woodstoves

Any decks or porches

Attached or Detached Garage 

Crawl Space, Michigan Basement, Slap? Finshed or Unfinished basement?

 

Once we have this information we will need to know information on when updates to the home have been completed such as the roof, electrical, plumbing, or heating. 

 

The last details we we will need to know is about the owners of the home which includes the owners' names, address, date of birth, social security numbers, and association discounts. 

 

When we have all of this information and our replacement cost estimator is complete we will provide you with a homeowners policy quote tailored to you and your home. 

1 Tip to Help Avoid a Ticket or Accident during Winter

Like all of you, I awoke this morning to fresh powder covering my car. Like many people, the biggest pain in my morning routine is cleaning off the snow while braving the winter cold. 

Traveling down the road this morning I was amazed to see the amount of people who still had frost/snow covering their windows and side mirrors (only the insane would have left the windshield covered).

Seems pretty unsafe? We have all done this

or contemplated doing so in our mind. It looks 

something along the lines of this:

You step outside and realize

just how cold it is and how much snow is 

on your car. You then convince yourself that you only

have a short distance to drive or that all of the snow

will blow off once you get going. You hop in your car

after clearing off just enough room to see the road

on the drivers side and front windows to see cross

traffic.

Your journey has begun and safety be damned you

consider your time or warmth more important. 

By not taking the time to properly clean off your

car of snow/ice you are potentially setting yourself up for a car accident or ticket. 

If it is not laziness that prevents you from cleaning off your car, it must be a lack of knowledge on how to clean off your car. Luckily for you I have taken the time to provide a 4-Step process known as B.O.R.G. 

1) Buy an ice scraper and leave said ice scraper in vehicle.

2) Open your door car door and remove ice scraper when there is a need for the ice scraper.

3) Remove all of the snow and ice from windows, mirrors, and lights.

4) Get into vehicle and travel safely.

Seems like a pretty simple concept? Don't be too lazy to clear off the snow. Not only is this important for your safety but for the safety of others on the road. By clearing off your car you will decrease the chances of getting a ticket or  into an accident. 

Next time you come out to the car and there is snow on it, remember B.O.R.G. 

About Spalding Insurance Agency

Spalding Insurance Agency provides exemplary service and access to Michigan's finest insurance companies. We proudly serve the personal and business insurance needs of people in East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett, Lansing, DeWitt, Perry, Detroit, Holt, Mason, Grand Rapids, Laingsburg, Bath, and other great Michigan cities. For a quote on auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance, or life insurance click here. 

Driving Tips for Deer Season

It appears from the photos on Facebook and circling the web that this hunting season has been a success for area hunters. Sadly, this deer season has also had its share of car/deer accidents resulting in injuries and car damage for thousands of motorists throughout mid Michigan.

Having a deer run into your path while on the road is a very scary thing, if you're not prepared on what to do. Being quick to act and knowing some of these preventive techniques will go along ways for the safety of you and your passengers.

Preventative Techniques

- The most important safety tip is to travel at posted speeds or below them. The more conservative you are with your speed, the more time you will have to break for a deer.

- Drive with your lights on for better visibility.

- Scan the side of the roads for eyes shining in your headlights.

- When possible, drive with your high beams on. This is another trick to increase visibility which can help with your reaction time.

- Pay attention to the signs along roads that warn of high deer traffic areas. These signs are there to indicate problem areas for motorists and should not be ignored.

- Wear your seat-belt.

Where are the deer?

- Deer are frequently found in highly wooded areas and mostly on the outskirts of towns. Although it is not uncommon for people to see them within suburban areas.

- Deer travel in large packs. If you see one, you can assume that there are several more nearby.

- From October to January, Deer, are in heat and breeding. The effect of this is that they are highly active and tend to be on the move during prime hours such as dusk and dawn.

What to do when seeing a deer

- The golden rule is to never swerve to avoid a deer in the road. Swerving can cause for you to lose control of your vehicle, resulting in a potential head on collision, driving into a ditch or tree, which can lead to more serious injuries and vehicle damage.

- Slow down when you spot a deer.

If you have the unfortunate luck to actually hit a deer call the proper emergency services that are needed. If no one is injured it is still a good idea to get an official police report of the incident for documentation for the insurance company.

Stay alert and safe travels!

Progressive Snapshot Auto Insurance Comes to Michigan

As an independent insurance agent providing auto insurance in the East Lansing, Michigan area, it is our honor to introduce Progressive Insurance Snapshot.

Progressive Snapshot is a new technology brought to you by Progressive Insurance. This technology offers you the opportunity to earn additional discounts on your auto insurance based on your driving behavior.

How Does Progressive Snapshot work?

Progressive Snapshot is a small device that you plug into your car to monitor your driving habits. 

Will Progressive Snapshot help me?

The best part about Progressive Snapshot is that it cannot hurt you, or increase your premiums based on the information returned about your driving behavior. The program is meant to help good drivers earn additional car insurance discounts.

You should consider Progressive Snapshot insurance if you:

-Drive less than 15,000 miles a year

-Don't slam your breaks frequently

-Don't drive between the hours of midnight and 4 AM

How does Progressive Snapshot work?

Once you have an insurance policy with Progressive and enrolled into the Snapshot program, Progressive, will send you a small device. You will then plug this small device into your diagnostic port of your vehicle. 

This device will monitor your driving behavior. It will transmit your data directly to Progressive. So after your initial plug-in , you are not responsible for anything else.

After the initial 30 days of the device installed, you can earn a discount that will go into effect for the rest of your policy. You will continue to use the device until your next renewal at which Progressive will contact you to return your device. At this point you will be done with your device and any applicable discounts will be added automatically to your policy.

I am interested in learning more about Progessive Snapshot, where do I go?

As a Certified Snapshot Agency, Spalding Insurance Agency, is able to help you with any questions you might have on this Progressive Insurance program. You can call us at (517)337-3200 or e-mail Ryan@SIA1905.com for more information on how to qualify for the industry's newest car insurance discount. 

Spalding Insurance Agency is an independent agency with two locations in mid-Michigan to service your insurance needs. We represent Progressive Insurance for all of your car, commercial auto,boat, motorcycle  and recreational insurance needs. For a quote on your personal or business insurance click here.

Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill

It’s the end of your day and you walk into your house, saying hello to the kids. You’ll spend the evening with your family, maybe watching some TV, and finally going through your stack of mail.

In the mail is the dreaded monthly cell phone bill.  Although you love your smart phone and all of its features, much like insurance, you hate seeing that bill. All of the add-on’s, the taxes, etc. really add up, so you go over it for any possible reduction.

In the list of charges is insurance, which may be $6 to $10 a month depending on your carrier. $6 to $10 a month doesn't seem like a lot of money to offer protectio

n on a $700 phone (retail value, not the $200 it'd cost if this was for an upgrade), but what if you’re covering multiple phones?  Now the numbers really start to add up…..you’re paying anywhere from $300 to $480 a year to “insure” them!!

  

How your Homeowners or Renters Insurance can help save you $410 a year.

Assume you have the same family of 4 and you're shelling out $480 a year for coverage on your smart phones.

Here is a little secret on how to reduce this cost, schedule your phones on your homeowners or renters insurance policy.

What does it mean to “schedule” an item on your homeowners/renters insurance policy?

Scheduling an item means you’re listing the item on your policy, and paying the additional cost to insure it.  The value is usually determined through an appraisal or receipt of purchase.

For example, you would schedule your phone not for the promotional price you received as an update but for the price to replace your phone should you not receive promotional pricing.

How would scheduling my cell phones save me $410 a year?

Let’s continue our assumption that you are paying $480 a year under your insurance program with your carrier for four phones and their insurance.

The average rate you can expect to pay on your homeowners/renters insurance policy is $17* a YEAR per phone. With four phones your out of pocket expenses for the YEAR is $70*.

So instead of the current $480 you’re paying your costs are now $70, which is a savings of $410.

By scheduling your smartphones on your policy you can reduce costs on your cell phone plans.

Think about all that you could do with an extra $410 a year.

-Buy tickets to more concerts or sporting events

-Stay an extra day or two on your vacation

-Invest in life insurance or more life insurance

We Can Help!

We can, in all probability, reduce this cost and improve your coverage!    Are you aware of the Deductible under your cell phone carriers plan?   Depending on the type of phone you have, it might be as high as $99.  Our companies are offering better rates, with no deductible, by “scheduling” your phone on your homeowners/renters insurance policy.

*All figures are used to represent the potential savings and cost to schedule your cell phone. This information was taken from current clients accounts. 

Spalding Insurance Agency is an independent agency with two locations in mid-Michigan to service your insurance needs.We love to save you money in life and on your car, home, and business insurance. For a quote on your personal or business insurance click here.

How an Open House Can Become a Nightmare.

One of the most exciting times in any young persons life is when they put on a cap and gown for high school graduation. One could argue that only a first kiss or getting their drivers license might rival this milestone.

Traditionally, parents throw an open house to celebrate the graduates past success and dreams for their future. These events are always an enjoyable experience but come with some risks that you most likely don't come across very often..

Serving Alcohol to a Minor, Criminal Implications

The legal drinking age in the State of Michigan is 21. As much as you may agree or disagree with the law, it is important to remember that if a minor at your event is served alcohol and you're somehow caught by law enforcement you may receive a $1000 fine and up to 60 days in jail. 

You can be held responsible for the actions of a minor if you provide them alcohol. It is considered a felony, should the minor you provide alcohol to die or is responsible for the death of another. This can be punishable up to 10 years in prison and a $6000 fine. 

Serving Alcohol to a Minor, Civil Implications

Providing alcohol to a minor makes you directly responsible for their actions. Even if the minor is 20 years of age, you're still responsible for any damages that occur while they are considered to be under the influence. 

For example, at your child's graduation party you are serving their friends, all under the age of 21. One of the boys in the group, Jeremy, has had too much and is getting angry at Floyd for talking to his girlfriend. Jeremy decides to take a swing at Floyd and knocks Floyd out. Floyd is taken to the hospital and has suffered vision damage for the rest of his life. As the hosts of the party and adults serving Jeremy, you can be legally found responsible for Jeremy's actions and dragged into a civil lawsuit. 

Serving Alcohol to someone 21 or over

With any celebration and party you might have a guest that gets carried away. Please keep in mind that Michigan is a social host liability state. This means is that you can be held liable if a guest injures themselves or someone else as a result of alcohol consumption from your party.

Serve Your Guests Responsibly

If you are going to serve your guests here are some tips:

- Limit your own alcohol intake so that you can better judge your guests sobriety

- Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated

- Stop serving alcohol at a certain time, switch to other products such as pop or coffee

- Encourage guests to have a designated driver 

- If you have guests who are intoxicated without a ride, offer to call them a cab or allow for them to stay at your home.

Be Responsible and Enjoy Your Time

Although the graduate loves this time of year and looks forward to their graduation party, there is a lot of stress that goes into planning an open house. As our agency staff knows these parties keep you busy with planning, cooking, and cleaning. So although you're putting on the party, don't forget to enjoy the celebration.

Spalding Insurance Agency is an independent agency with two locations in mid-Michigan to service your insurance needs. We want to wish all of the 2013 graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors. For a quote on your personal or business insurance click here.

'Merica

Memorial Day is a day to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Nothing says 'Merica like Memorial Day Weekend. It is the unofficial kickoff to the summer season and with summer comes grilling, beaches, bonfires, and boating. With all of these activities we can assume that you will decide to enjoy one of America's other favorite "b" words, beer. Please remember to enjoy all of these activities responsibly this weekend.

The forecast in Michigan is calling for sunshine and perfect weather to be out on a boat. We would like to remind you of some basic boating safety rules.

Boat Safety

1) Make sure you know the weather and water conditions. The internet and television is where you should check first. If you're truly in the great outdoors without access to these luxuries, use common sense by looking at the sky and your surrounding environment.

2) Have a pre-departure checklist so that you can make sure that your equipment is running correctly and that you have emergency equipment handy. Emergency equipment should include but not be limited to life-vests and flashlights.

3) Designate an assistant skipper, think Gilligan, to help you with any issues that might arise. Some issues you might face is out of control guests, needing navigational help, or help locating emergency gear.

4) Make sure as the captain you limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol plays a major role in boating accidents. Enjoying alcohol responsibly will lead to helping keep your guests and others on the lake safe.

5) Have a trip plan and make sure someone on the boat knows what your plan is. A lot can happen on a lake and sometimes it is not all fun and games. Make sure someone who is not on the boat knows your intentions and is able to have an idea of your location should you not return at the time you're supposed to.

Enjoy Your Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is not only a time to remember those who lost their life while serving but also a time to celebrate. So whether you are celebrating with your friends or family on a lake or a golf course, take the time to enjoy yourself.

Our office will be closed on Monday May 27th, 2013 for the holiday weekend. Please keep in mind that our website has a list of emergency phone numbers for you to use should an emergency arise.

Spalding Insurance Agency is an independent agency with two locations in mid-Michigan to service you. We hope you enjoy your holiday weekend, we know that we will. For a quote on your personal or business insurance click here.

Severe Spring Weather

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Oklahoma who are dealing with the aftermath of the tornadoes. It is a sad day when any community goes through a great loss of life and devastation to their homes and surrounding environment.

With such a tragedy the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the American spirit and willingness to help out complete strangers. Over the next few days we will here stories of people who will travel from all over this great country of ours to lend a hand to a community in need.

If you would like to donate to help the victims of these storms you can text RedCross to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Get Prepared!

As you know the weather in Michigan, like the mood of an infant, can change in a heartbeat. For instance look at the past couple of days, we have had sunshine and literally minutes later we are in the eye of a severe thunderstorm. Being prepared takes time and planning but here are some quick tips for you to get a plan in place.

Before the Storm

So you don't have a plan in place for your family? Good news for you is there is still time. But before the storm you need to know what to do. Here are ideas of the things you should do before a storm.

1) Build an emergency kit. This kit should include; a flashlight, non-perishable food, water, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a radio, and a cell phone in case you're trapped by debris.

2) Have an emergency plan. Make sure your family knows where to go in case of severe weather. Include information on where to meet when the storm is over, in case not everyone was together.

During the Storm

1) Use your weather radio to listen to updates about your local weather

2) Avoid contact with cords and electronics plugged into outlets.

3) Avoid contact with plumbing. Try not to wash your hands, shower, do laundry. These fixtures can conduct electricity.

After the Storm

1) Stay off of the roads and allow for emergency crews to clear roads and provide assistance.

2) Try to use your phones for emergencies only, it is important for cellphone lines to be open for people who truly need to contact help.

3)Watch out for debris such as tree limbs, power lines, and other hazardous debris.

4) Help injured or trapped persons. Do not attempt to help those who are seriously injured.

Severe Weather Resources

Before the internet, how were we taught to be prepared? Our local schools who taught us it was important to have fire safety and severe weather plans. The great thing about the internet is there is still a lot of information available and that a plan is important.

For more information and to help prepare a plan, I would recommend using Ready.Gov as a resource in preparing your family for all emergency situations.


Spalding Insurance Agency is an independent agency with two locations in mid-Michigan to service your insurance needs. We want to make sure you and your family are prepared for natural disasters. For a quote on your personal or business insurance click here.

What Guy Fieri Knows About Grilling Safety

The three d's might have been one of the best TV shows over the past decade. Unaware of what the "three d's" is, no worries, it is a slang for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives a show hosted by Guy Fieri, one of America's original bad boys.

So what exactly does Guy Fieri know about grill safety? I am sure that he knows a lot about it but there weren't any direct tips that I could find online. In fact, most of the stuff I found online was under his name was some great recipes that you can try out this summer.

Since Guy wasn't able to provide us with any grilling safety tips we figured we'd share with you some tips from our very own experience.

Grill Safety Tips

1) Location

Do you have a nice deck or patio that you store your grill on? If so, make sure that upon starting your BBQ you move the grill or smoker away from your garage or home. Every year we hear the horror stories of homes catching on fire because the grill wasn't it a safe location.

2) Fire

What is your contingency plan if your grill gets out of control? Having a bucket of water or hose nearby is never a bad idea. For those of you who are using a gas grill, do you know the safest way to cut the fuel supply if the fire gets out of control? In case you didn't know, charcoal and gas grills should only be used in an outdoor area.

3)Food Safety

Growing up, I was always preached to the importance of food safety. This could be something as properly cooking your meat to the right temperature or making sure you wash your hands after touching raw or uncooked meats.

Now I am not saying that I am by any means the safest man on the grill but the one thing I can tell you is that common sense pretty much applies to grilling safety. So next time you light up that BBQ make sure to remember that thousands of injuries and fires occur each year from a grilling related incidence. They are called accidents for a reason.

Spalding Insurance Agency is an independent agency with two locations in mid-Michigan to service you. We want to be invited to your next BBQ. For a quote on your personal or business insurance click here.

Winter Driving Tips!

So the weather looks like it is going to be a rough for commuters on their way home tonight. It is important that we take these conditions as a serious driving hazard. There are a lot of tips about driving in these winter months. My favorite tip sheet comes from one of our carriers, Fremont Insurance. 

Here are some great winter driving tips! 

Clean off your car!!!

I awoke this morning to fresh powder covering my car. Like many people the biggest pain in my morning routine is cleaning off the snow while braving the winter cold. 

Traveling down the highway this morning I was amazed to see the amount of people who still had frost/snow covering their windows, side and rear-view. (only the insane would have left the windshield covered). 

All I could think about was how difficult and unsafe it is to make a lane change in what was already pretty difficult driving conditions. Why is it that people cannot spend the extra minutes before driving to help improve their own vision? If it is because of lack of knowledge of how, today is your lucky day. Here are some tips for cleaning off your car:

1) Buy an ice scraper and leave said ice scraper in vehicle.

2) Open your door car and remove scraper upon the need for ice scraper to be used

3) Remove snow and ice from windows, mirrors, and lights.

4) Get into vehicle and travel safely. 

Seems pretty easy? A couple of minutes is all it takes. So buck up, buttercup. Brave that cold for just a few more minutes to make make it safer for us all.