Michelle Gutting, Insurance One

If you're prepping to open the pool or put up the trampoline soon, you may want to consider an umbrella policy. This kicks in when your basic liability limits run out.

If a major accident or liability lawsuit happened, your umbrella policy is extra protection so your assets (savings, home, retirement fund, investments, etc.) are not at risk. While we all want to have fun in the sun this summer, accidents do happen and it's always smart to plan ahead.

Reach out and I can share more!

When it comes to your insurance, are you covered properly? Before working with me, many of my clients admit they aren't totally sure what their current policies include.

While it's always a goal to save you money, it's an even bigger priority for me to help you know what you're buying. With just one quick call, you'll feel confident about where your money is going and how it's protecting you.

Make sure your home is protected from basement to roof! Water damage, resulting from backed up drains or failed pumps, is one of the most common homeowners insurance claims.

Water incidents like these are often not covered by a basic home policy. Fully protect your home with a backup water endorsement like Personal Line coverage. I can share more details with you!

Boat season is on the horizon! After a relentless winter, I'm sure boat owners are beyond ready to get in the water. Let me help you get the most competitive rate for your boat insurance this summer season.

Reach out today and I can pull quotes for you from a variety of insurance companies.

With the temperatures finally heating up, outdoor projects are starting to break ground. Many homeowners do not realize they are responsible for the repair or replacement of damaged service lines on their property, such as underground wiring and piping.

Service line coverage is added protection for what's underneath your home, should damage to these lines unexpectedly occur. Reach out and I can share more!

If you refinanced this past year, make sure to contact me. It's important to verify that we have the correct lender on file. While I'm at it, I can pull some free quotes for you, too and see if there's any wiggle room for you to save!

If you're thinking of refinancing, I can connect you with my HomeSuite mortgage partner, John Adams Mortgage NMLS #140012.

If you're a homebuyer this spring, be proactive about looking for items that could affect your homeowners insurance. These include loose/missing railings or bad stairs, pools or hot tubs without fencing, and dead trees or limbs hanging over the house. You'll want to request that these areas are addressed before your deal closes.

It's never too soon to reach out for an insurance quote. I can share more about what to look out for while you're shopping, too.

Detroit was listed as the 8th most affordable place to buy a newly constructed home in 2022.* If you're prepping to build your dream home this spring/summer, make sure to consider builder's risk insurance. It will cover your new home while it's being worked on, including the building materials being used. This is also handy if your home is going through a heavy renovation.

Reach out to me today and I can help you check out your options!
*Source: Realtor.com

After this long winter, I think we all are ready to welcome some April Showers. This is a great time to remind you about flood insurance. Homeowners insurance policies do NOT cover flooding or water back-up from sewer or drain.

Prep for the incoming rainy season by adding flood insurance to your insurance bundle. I can help!

If installing solar panels on your home is on the list for upcoming summer projects, make sure to research your homeowners insurance coverage. Some insurance policies exclude coverage for solar panel damage caused by wind or hail.

The average cost of a full solar panel array runs from $15,000 to $25,000, according to the Center for Sustainable Energy. You definitely want to ensure this awesome investment is protected, even if that means taking out a separate policy.

While we are huge dog lovers over here at Insurance One, dog bites are the most common homeowners insurance claim relating to pets. This is why it's always important to be an honest Dog Mom or Dad when applying for homeowners insurance, so you'll be covered for pet-related liabilities.*



*Certain dog breeds with higher bite rates may be restricted from home insurance coverage entirely. Talk to your insurance provider about your specific furry family member.

If you're starting a rideshare gig as an Uber or Lyft driver, it's nice to know in advance that you'll likely be required by your insurance company to add rideshare coverage onto your auto policy. Rideshare companies do provide coverage, but usually it's only during rides, not in between rides.

The cost of a rideshare add-on depends on your vehicle, state, driving history, and your policy's existing coverages and limits. Though it's worth it as it keeps you protected while you work!

Michigan Drivers, get ready to add $400 to your bank account soon! Stay alert and be on the lookout for scammers trying to exploit the recent announcement that Michigan drivers will be receiving refunds from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) in 2022.

You won’t need to do anything to claim your refund and should not be contacted by an auto insurer for personal information. Decline and report these calls.

It's a great feeling when a car you own is officially paid off - then your only cost is gas, maintenance and auto insurance. If you're planning on driving your car on many road trips, there's good news on the insurance front.

While your car's age will impact your overall price of your car insurance, the odometer reading is completely meaningless to insurers. So don't worry about hitting 100,000 miles, take those adventures on the open road!

If you've found a better rate for homeowners insurance, you'll likely want to switch from your current policy. First, give me a call because I may be able to find an even better rate than your current better rate!

Second, you'll want to buy your new policy before canceling your current one. This prevents any lapses in coverage. You can then request for your prior policy to be canceled on or after your new policy's effective date. You'll be issued a refund if you had paid in advance for the policy you're canceling.

It's a simple strategy and a great way to save, too. Give me a call for a quote!

If you're in-between homes and temporarily renting, you may need renters insurance (your landlord may even require it).

Most renters policies have personal property coverage, in case something gets stolen while you're there. You should choose a limit amount that covers the cumulative worth of your belongings... factor in your TVs, jewelry, even your clothes!

Ask me about adding bicycles, too. Some insurance companies may require you to add an insurance rider to your renters policy to insure your bikes.

More Michigan drivers are getting an umbrella policy or bumping up their current policy limits. This is mainly due to the state's recent auto insurance overhaul, which allowed motorists a choice in the amount of medical benefits in their no-fault policies. Previously, all motorists had to buy unlimited medical coverage.

Now, if you're in an accident and you are the negligent driver, the victim can sue you for their current or future excess medical bills (if their medical coverage runs out). Before the overhaul, the accident victim's medical bills would have been completely covered because it had to be unlimited.

If you have an umbrella policy, it will kick in to protect you from losing your assets (savings, home, retirement fund, investments) if you get sued for an amount above your policy's limit. Typically, people have been raising their current umbrella policies from $1 million to $2-3 million, but it truly depends on your individual situation and assets. The more you have, the better it is to get this extra coverage.

With these recent auto-insurance changes, it's definitely worth giving me a call to see what the best action plan is for you. This coverage isn't too expensive and I can compare quotes across a variety of companies to get you the best rate.