Jay Swindle

Advocates against the Michigan Helmet law

Motorcycle safety tips when Michigan helmet law is repealed

• Take extra caution in checking blind spots, as a motorcycle may be hidden from sight by the body of your car or masked by objects such as bushes, fences and bridges.
• Motorcycles may appear to be going faster than the rest of the traffic, but don’t assume every motorcyclist is a speed demon.
• Motorcyclists can slow down without activating the brake light. Turn signals may not cancel after a turn.
• Allow greater distance between your car and a motorcycle for stopping and don’t assume turn signals mean they are going to turn again.
• Motorcyclists often adjust their position in a lane so they can be seen more easily, avoid debris or minimize the effects of passing vehicles. Don’t assume that this adjustment is a reckless maneuver.

Leave a legacy through charitable giving

Schools, hospitals, museums, zoos, arts organizations, recreational facilities and places of worship all strive to make the world a better place and to improve the quality of our everyday lives. Many, if not most, of these organizations are non-profit, which means they are supported primarily by public and private contributions.

Contributing money to a charitable organization is not only a generous act, but also one that is extremely rewarding. You may want to make a larger contribution to a local organization or cause but feel it would put a strain on your budget.

However, with a little advance planning, you can contribute a much larger gift than you ever thought possible in your lifetime. And you can do so with life insurance. Other options include remainder trusts, gift annuities or wealth replacement trusts. Depending on the product you select, you can determine the amount of your yearly charitable contribution and use your yearly contribution to purchase and pay for a life insurance policy. The charitable organization owns the policy and is the beneficiary of its proceeds. The organization may use dividends, borrow or withdraw cash values during the life of the policy to meet their organization's goals.

Use Life Insurance to start a Charitable Program

Participating in a charitable life insurance program not only offers opportunity to make a difference, it is also a resourceful way to meet your charitable giving goals without putting a strain on your budget. Meet with your financial and legal advisors to discuss what options are available to you to accomplish your charitable objectives.

In Michigan State Farm® Agent Jay can help you to start a life insurance program to leave a legacy to the charitable foundation of your choice. Call 248-888-1134 or click online Michigan Charitable giving to talk with an agent to start your life insurance program today.

A Personal Umbrella for a Rainy Day

There are so many "rainy days" that people can experience - a sick child, a broken-down car or a late mortgage payment. But what about a lawsuit?

These days lawsuits are being filed, not just against big corporations, but also against people like you and me. In the blink of an eye, you could be involved in a car or boating accident, or have someone become injured on your property that could result in litigation against you seeking thousands or even millions of dollars.

Even though your primary insurance policies, such as Auto, Homeowners, Boat owners, etc., may provide substantial liability insurance coverage, it may not be enough. A Personal Liability Umbrella Policy provides additional amounts of liability coverage at an affordable price.

What is an personal umbrella policy?

A Personal Liability Umbrella Policy provides additional layers of liability coverage over the liability coverage of your underlying policies. Personal umbrella coverage amounts typically begin at one million dollars and can be increased in increments of one million dollars.

Here's an example of how an umbrella policy could work: Let's say your car is insured for liability with limits of $250,000 per person. You pull into an intersection, strike another vehicle and severely injure the other driver. This insured person sues you and the judgment against you totals $800,000. Your auto policy will pay the first $250,000 but an umbrella policy would respond for the next $550,000.

Also an umbrella policy often insures against some types of losses for which there is no coverage in the underlying policy. Examples of such loss include libel, slander and defamation of character.

Why have an personal umbrella policy?

The value of a personal liability umbrella policy is to provide higher amounts of liability coverage for an affordable premium. It can help protect the financial assets of your household when you need it most and can bring confidence knowing that you have the coverage needed to help protect your family.

To see if a personal umberella policy can benefit you, talk to an insurance agent to see what type of policy would be right for you.

State Farm® AgenT Jay

Information pertains to renters insurance in Michigan, but may apply to other states.

You will need renters insurance if you live in a house, townhouse, rent a condo, studio loft or an apartment.

People have been under the misconception that if they are in an apartment they do not need renters insurance because it will be provided by the landlord. This is not true. The landlord's policy will only cover the building and not your personal property. Many Michigan landlords required tenants to purchase a renters insurance policy when they sign a lease.

Renters insurance can help to protect your personal property against fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, volcanic eruption, riots, aircraft damage, vandalism, vehicle damage, smoke or theft. You have two choices when it comes to insuring your personal property you can insure your property for the actual cash value (how much it is worth today) or its replacement value (how much it would cost to replace the item). You will have to pay a little more to get the replacement value coverage.

Renters insurance can also provide valuable protection if your home is made unlivable due to a loss. Your policy can pay for another place to live while your home is being repaired.

Your renter's policy can also provide medical payment to others for necessary medical expenses incurred or medically ascertained within 3 years from the date of accident or injury. This coverage does not apply to the insured or regular residents of the household and is $1000, but additional limits can be purchased.

This type of policy can also help to protect you in case of a lawsuit due to a liability claim caused by a bodily injury to another person or damage to someone's property. Limits start at $100000, but higher limits are available.

Most policies will also provide up to $500 for damage to the property of others subject to your deductible.

Discounts Available for your Michigan Renters Insurance:

Safety Discounts

Many companies offer discounts for installing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, central burglar and fire alarms and deadbolt locks on the doors.

Renewal or Claims Free Discount

Most companies have policies that reward loyalty or offer discounts if you have renewed your with the same company for a number of years. Companies can also offer discounts if you have not made a claims with your company. These discounts will be based on different criteria and will vary from company to company.

Senior Citizens

Many Michigan homeowners insurance companies offer some form of a senior citizens discount, the age requirement might differ from company to company, but could be as early as 50. You should check with your agent to see if this discount is available from your company.

Multi-policy Discounts

Check with your agent to see if your company offers a Multi-policy discount. This policy will reduce your premium if you carry different lines of insurance with the same company. For example, if your auto and home are with the same company both policies will receive a discount.

Deductible

Increase your deductible, you will have to pay more out of pocket to repair damage, but your premiums will be lower.

Please contact our office to answer all of your renter's insurance questions. A policy can be started with a phone call 248-888-1134 or you can visit our website local Michigan insurance agent for more information or to get a quote online.

Other helpful articles available at Michigan Insurance information site.

Don't invite burglars in Imagine coming home to find that someone has broken into your home and stolen valuable items and ransacked your personal possessions. The feeling of devastation can be overwhelming for victims of burglary. It's a crime we are all vulnerable to, whether we live in a city or rural area, have a high or low income, live in a house or in an apartment or condominium.

According to the FBI, a burglary happens every 15 seconds in the United States. It's a serious crime. The problem is many of us, through our own carelessness, make it easier for burglars to carry out their work.

A few simple steps can make your home a harder target for burglars:

• Lock all outside doors before you leave or go to bed.
• Lock all windows.
• Leave a few lights on when you are not home.
• Keep all garage doors closed and locked.
• Don't allow daily deliveries, like newspapers and mail, to pile up when you're out of town. Ask a friend or neighbor to pick them up for you or arrange to have deliveries stopped until you return.
• When you're on vacation, arrange to have someone take care of your yard.

Other things to consider to stop burglars

• Contact a locksmith for advice on pick-resistant locks for your doors, sliding glass doors and windows.
• Don't leave keys under flower pots, doormats or other "secret" hiding places - burglars know them all.
• Keep a detailed inventory of all your personal possessions. Include a description of the item, date of purchase, original value and any serial numbers. Creating a video can be helpful.
• Invest in an alarm to protect your windows and doors.

Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, contact the police immediately.

By

State Farm Agent If you like our burglars tips visit our Michigan Insurance site for more safety tips on keeping your home safe.