Basic Boating Safety Tips

In Birmingham, MI, your boat insurance provider will cover most reasonable hazards, but you might find your claim being denied if you don’t practice basic boating safety. Here are some tips:

  • Always check the weather beforehand. Even strong winds can make a simple boat trip a lot more dangerous than it needs to be.
  • Keep your life jacket on. If you’re on board, there’s no good reason to take it off.
  • Take it slow around the docks and other boats. A lot of the damages boats suffer comes from the wake kicked up by passing boats, knocking them into one another.
  • Don’t drink and boat. If you’re going to have a few beers while out on a fishing trip, sober up before bringing it home, or have someone else operate the vessel.
  • Keep your emergency kit on hand. Water, food, batteries, flashlight, first-aid kit, flares. Keep it on deck, and keep it stocked up.
  • Always shut your engine off when approaching swimming areas, and don’t let anyone board or step off of your boat while the engine is idling.
  • Make sure that everyone on board is briefed on boat safety. Failing to educate your passengers about the dangers of boating can be read as negligence.
  • In the event of a boat capsizing: If someone’s still on the boat, turn the motor off. If not, get everyone away from the boat. Float on your back, do a headcount, and carefully paddle to safety.

If you’re looking to get covered in Birmingham, MI, get in touch with us at High Favor Insurance. Call, stop by the offices, or visit the High Favor Insurance website and let us see what we can do for you.

Understanding Liability Coverage for Renter’s Insurance

If you’re renting a home or condo in Birmingham, MI, don’t neglect the benefits that renter’s insurance has to offer. Renter’s insurance from High Favor Insurance protects you against property damage and liability claims that may arise due to mishaps on your rental property. It doesn’t take much for an accident to happen. Liability protects you against slip and falls, kitchen accidents, dog bites, and other accidents that cause injuries or damage to someone’s property. Here’s what to expect from renter’s liability coverage in Birmingham, MI.

Financial Protection for Liability Claims

Personal liability insurance is an essential part of your renter’s policy. It protects you against accidental injuries or property damage to others when people visit your property. If a friend trips on your dog and falls down the stairs, you can be held responsible for his medical costs. Liability insurance protects you financially by paying your friend’s medical expenses. If your friend was carrying their laptop at the time and it gets damaged or destroyed in the fall, liability insurance will help pay for its repair or replacement cost.

Liability coverage protects you against accidents inside your rental home as well as in the yard or driveway. It covers accidents you or your children may cause while playing sports or incidents that may occur during a party. It also includes incidents involving your pet, such as dog bites.

Financial Protection for Lawsuits

If an accident leads to a lawsuit, renter’s liability insurance will help cover your legal costs and settlement, if you lose your case, up to the limits of your policy. Liability coverage only protects you against accidental mishaps, not events that are intentional.

To learn more about renter’s liability coverage and all that it has to offer, call, or visit High Favor Insurance in Birmingham, MI today.

Should Insurance Coverage Exceed The Value Of Your Covered Property

People who are shopping for commercial insurance may be uncertain about the amount of coverage that is adequate for their needs. One question that many have is how much is enough and should the amount of the policy exceed the actual value of the insured property.

Property Insurance

When purchasing commercial insurance for a specified property, it is important to consider a few factors first. If the business is located in the same building with other companies, or are located in a strip plaza or mall, they will need a greater amount of commercial insurance. Generally, they should carry a policy that reflects the value of the structure they reside in or around for liability purposes. Those who own a stand-alone business should calculate the value of the building and property, as well as any relevant equipment and supplies that are covered by the policy. Once a figure is drawn, select the next highest level of insurance coverage available. 

Let an Agent Assist You With Selection of a Policy

When sleeting a policy to protect a business or commercial scenario, make sure to work with a licensed and reputable insurance agency with agents who know the ins and out of commercial coverage. Those who own a business near the Birmingham, MI area can count on High Favor Insurance to provide them with answers to questions and high-quality commercial insurance products for all size endeavors. 

Anyone interested in getting the right coverage for their business, should call or stop by High Favor Insurance, serving the Birmingham, MI area to find out more about options and to speak directly with a qualified insurance agent. 

3 Tips for Buying Recreational Insurance in Michigan

Whether it’s winter or summer, there are so many recreational toys you can play outdoors with in Birmingham, MI. From snowmobiles to four-wheelers and boats, outdoor life in Michigan is so much fun. However, you’ll want to protect your toys with recreational insurance so you can keep on having fun. Not sure where to start? The team at High Favor Insurance has put together a list of tips to begin the process. Read on to learn more.

1. Work with a Reputable Insurance Agent

The first thing you should do is contact a reputable insurance agent who can help you find the right policy for a price you can afford. These agents know the world of insurance and have information at their fingertips that you don’t have. They will answer all your questions and guide you through the policy buying process from start to finish.

2. Compare Several Insurance Quotes

A reputable insurance agent will help you go over several quotes before narrowing them down and then finally purchasing a policy. It’s essential to compare several quotes to make sure you are getting the right coverage at a price you are happy with.

3. Bundle Your Insurance Quotes

When purchasing recreational insurance, you can save money on your premiums by bundling all of your insurance policies under one carrier. Your reputable agent can help you with this process by finding the best carrier that delivers both sound protection and cost-effective policies.

To learn more about purchasing recreational insurance, contact the reputable team at High Favor Insurance in Birmingham, MI today. We can be reached at 248-765-8675. Agents are standing by to take your call.

Condo insurance: Why it is different from home and renters insurance

Your home, whether it is a rented apartment in Birmingham, MI, a condo, or a house you bought, is your primary space for resting. It is where you keep your assets and valuables. That means that you need to purchase insurance to protect you, your family, and your loved ones, as well as the content.

Depending on where you live, you will need to buy either condo insurance, home insurance, or renters insurance. If you live in a condo, you will need to purchase condominium insurance. High Favor Insurance will help you discover why condo insurance is different from the others.

The difference

Condo insurance is a bit similar to homeowners’ insurance as it is for people who own a condo. Homeowners insurance is a policy for individuals who own their homes while renters insurance is for those who rent their homes.

The coverage difference

The coverage also differs from one insurance to the other. For instance, condo insurance covers damages to your personal belongings and the whole condo structure and complex.

Renters insurance only covers the contents of the home and not the walls, floor, ceiling, or any other external structure. In renter’s insurance, the landlord is responsible for the structure of the building and any external structures like the gate and fence.

Homeowners insurance covers the whole home structure, other structures like the stand-alone garage, shed, and contents of the home. It has a list of covered accidents and perils similar to condo insurance and renters insurance like theft, fire, storms, tornados, and lightning.

Insurance premiums differ from one insurance provider to the other. Speak to your High Favor Insurance expert to learn whether condo insurance is right for you. Visit our Birmingham, MI offices or call us today!

 

How RV insurance can help you in Michigan

One dream that a lot of people have is to drive around the country in their very own RV. If you do have an RV, you should make sure that you have it adequately covered by insurance. One of the best ways to do this is by getting an RV insurance policy, which can help someone in the Birmingham, MI area in several different ways.

Protects your RV

If you are going to buy an RV, you are going to be making a significant investment that you want to pay off well into the future. One way that you can lose on this investment is if your RV is damaged, stolen, or involved in an accident, and you do not have proper insurance coverage. A full collision and comprehensive policy will protect against a wide range of situations that could cause a loss.

Liability Protection

RV owners also need to realize that they are taking on a lot of liability risks when they take their RV out on the road. Since this risk is always present, you need to make sure that you have the necessary coverage in place. When you have an RV insurance policy, you will get coverage against this risk, which will also ensure you comply with all laws regarding liability insurance in Michigan. 

If you are looking for an RV insurance policy in the Birmingham, MI area, you should reach out to the team at High Favor Insurance. When you contact the team at High Favor Insurance, you can learn a lot more about all of the different RV insurance options that you have. This will help to ensure that you find a policy that adequately covers your RV and gives you the necessary liability protection that you need. 

An Intro to Motorcycle Insurance

There are several things to understand when you own a motorcycle in Michigan. Michigan does not just have a helmet law for its motorcycle riders but it does have insurance requirements.

High Favor Insurance of Birmingham, MI wants you to enjoy the state’s roads safely. So you not only should wear your helmet, but you also need the right vehicle insurance.

It is important to understand that you need insurance before you can register your bike. You must prove financial responsibility by showing you have obtained coverage at least at the level of the state minimum requirements. That means you need liability insurance with bodily injury and property damage policies.

Michigan’s no-fault insurance policy applies to four-wheeled vehicles, not motorcycles. If you drive a motorcycle or moped of 50ccs that can exceed 30 mph in speed, you must carry insurance.

To meet with Michigan legal requirements, you need a policy that provides for bodily injury coverage of at least $20,000, $40,000 of coverage for bodily injuries or deaths of multiple people in an accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.

You might need more than the minimums if you typically commute on your motorcycle or travel long distances on it. The more time you ride, the better your chance for an accident.

If you skip the insurance and get caught, you could get a traffic citation. You can typically get it waived if you can prove you did have coverage at the time. If you cannot, you may lose your license and your registration.

Just visit us at High Favor Insurance of Birmingham, MI to discuss your motorcycle needs. We can help you understand the coverage you need to safely stay on the road.

How Old Do You Have to be to Legally Drive a Boat?

At High Favor Insurance, the agents know how much people who live in the Birmingham, MI area love to take to the water when it’s time to relax or go fishing. People of all ages love spending time boating, swimming, and fishing. Many kids learn to drive their parents’ boats and watercraft at an early age, but when is too early?

Under the Age of 21

Individuals between the age of 12 and 21 must have a safety certificate that indicates they have attended the mandatory safety class and passed. In order to legally drive the boat, the safety certificate must be in their possession while they are in the boat. The Boat Ed class can be found online and includes a series of quizzes that will test your knowledge of what to do if an emergency occurs. In order to pass the class and receive the safety certificate, the applicant must score 70% or higher. 

Size Matters

If a boat has a motor that produces less than 35 horsepower, kids under the age of 12 can drive it but there are key restrictions that must be adhered to. To operate any watercraft that produces over 6 horsepower, kids 12 and under must have a safety certificate and have someone 16 years of age or older in the boat to supervise. If the boat operates under 6 horsepower, there are no restrictions on age.

If you have questions about the boating laws in Birmingham, MI and whether or not your child can legally drive your boat, call the agents of High Favor Insurance today. They have the answers you’re looking for and can get you on the right track in a matter of minutes. 

How to Ensure You Have an Appropriate Umbrella Insurance Policy

Chances are you already have auto and homeowners insurance if you own a home. Having an umbrella insurance policy can be a way to protect all your assets and earnings. If you find yourself in a severe bodily injury liability lawsuit or are being slandered, legal fees can be expensive. Umbrella insurance can help you cover expenses and losses from these costly types of proceedings. High Favor Insurance of Birmingham, MI can help with exploring your options to make sure you the right umbrella insurance policy to keep you protected.

If you are interested in keeping all your assets and belongings completely protected, this type of insurance may be right for you.

Benefits

There are many benefits to having umbrella insurance. It can help cover things regular auto and homeowners policies do not. Some of the benefits are:

  • Renting a property and the liability suits that may follow with renters

  • Bodily injury suits involving your home and guests or individuals that are injured

  • Paying expensive legal fees to defend yourself

  • extensive property damage

Staying Protected

Homeowners and auto insurance will only cover specific amounts of property damage and bodily injury. With umbrella protection, incidents that go beyond typical liability claims will be covered. For instance, if you are in an auto accident, and the other person vehicle is destroyed, your auto insurance may not cover this. An umbrella policy will step in and reduce costs.

If you are interested in getting an umbrella insurance policy, High Favor Insurance in Birmingham, MI can help. Our agents are knowledgeable about umbrella insurance matters and what will be covered. We can help you create a policy that works for you. Give us a call and speak with an agent today to discuss different umbrella insurance options in addition to other insurance you may need.

Renting a Home? Why You Need Renter’s Insurance

Homeowners aren’t the only ones who need insurance protection. As a renter, you can benefit from renter’s insurance to protect your personal goods. Your landlord’s insurance is designed to protect his structure, not your personal possessions. With renter’s insurance from High Favor Insurance in Birmingham, MI, you can protect your personal property against theft or unforeseen disasters. Here’s what a renter’s insurance policy can do for you.

Covers Damage or Loss of Personal Goods

If your personal goods are stolen or damaged in a major disaster, your renter’s coverage would help pay to have them repaired or replaced, according to the type of coverage you have and the limits on your policy. You can’t predict when disasters will happen but you can be prepared with insurance protection.

Renter’s insurance covers all manner of goods, from furniture and electronics to clothing, jewelry, artwork, appliances and more. If you own expensive goods, consider replacement cost coverage as it covers the cost of replacing your goods if they’re stolen or totally destroyed in a covered peril.  

Renter’s insurance protects your goods at home, in your car or even when you travel. If your luggage is stolen while traveling abroad, you can make a claim under your renter’s policy.

Provides Liability Protection

Renter’s insurance comes with liability coverage to protect you against lawsuits if someone were to have an accident on your property. If a friend slips and falls down your stairs and you’re found at fault, you could be held liable for injuries he sustains in the accident. Liability coverage pays for medical costs of accidental injuries so you don’t have to cover these expenses out-of-pocket. It also covers legal fees if you’re sued for damages.

To learn more about renter’s insurance options and costs, contact High Favor Insurance located in Birmingham, MI.