What every first time homeowner needs to know about home insurance

Posted on by admin

Before you finalize the purchase of your first home, you must demonstrate to your lender that you have home insurance to protect your investment and theirs. This is a whole new world for a first-time buyer, and there are many factors to consider when choosing the right insurer and policy. In Rochester Hills, MI, the team at Guy Hurley McNeil is here to provide the guidance and information you need to make the right decision.

Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything

Home insurance covers many of the hazards that your home may face, but like most types of insurance, there are exclusions. Flooding is an exclusion, and if you think it could happen to your home, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. Earthquakes and other types of earth movement are also excluded. If your house gets invaded by termites, your insurance won’t cover the cost of remedial treatment, so you should anticipate this type of event and get preventive treatment.

Coverage Has Limits

Some areas of personal property do not have unlimited coverage. If you have a lot of jewelry, electronics, antiques, or art, you should get additional coverage to protect it.

Two Types of Personal Property Coverage

You can insure your personal property at its current value (with depreciation) or at the replacement cost.

Not All Dogs Are Covered

Some breeds of dogs are considered so high risk that your home liability insurance will not cover them. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent about what those breeds are if you plan to have a dog.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI for the help and choices only an independent insurance agency can provide. We know home insurance and are here to help you get the coverage you need.

How Michigan’s Winter Weather Impacts Auto Insurance Claims in Rochester Hills, MI

Posted on by admin

Understanding How Weather Impacts Auto Insurance Claims

Rochester Hills, MI, is known for its unpredictable, harsh winters, which include freezing temperatures and sudden heavy snowfalls. On average, the City receives approximately 40 inches of snow each year. Understanding how Michigan weather can impact auto insurance claims is essential for drivers so they can remain as prepared and protected as possible whenever they get behind the wheel.

Common Weather-Related Claims

Common weather-related claims by drivers in Rochester Hills range from windshield and tire damage to weather-related damage from falling tree branches, snow, and even hail. Accidents due to slippery roads and harsh conditions may require repairs and, in some cases, even coverage for medical expenses.

Increased Risks

Because of increased risks during the winter in Rochester Hills, higher premiums are not uncommon for drivers in the region. Insurers typically consider local weather patterns when calculating auto insurance rates. While this may change at times, it’s essential to review your policies routinely for optimal protection.

Potential Discounts

While Rochester Hills is known for heavier snowfall during the winter, it may be possible to obtain auto insurance premium discounts for safety features, such as anti-lock brakes and, in some cases, even upgraded winter tires. Guy Hurley McNeil can help you determine which upgrade options are viable for your vehicle and auto insurance policy.

Learning how Michigan’s weather impacts auto insurance claims for drivers in Rochester Hills, MI, is imperative whether you’re a first-time driver or if you’re committed to preserving your peace of mind. One of the best ways to guarantee adequate protection is to conduct a professional review of existing auto insurance policies before filing a claim. For more information, contact Guy Hurley McNeil to discover how Michigan’s weather is impacting your insurance claims and how to maximize coverage.

Is It Time to Update Your Home Insurance Policy?

Posted on by admin

If you’re a homeowner in the Rochester Hills, MI area, we invite you to visit us at Guy Hurley McNeil today to review and update your home insurance policy. It’s easy to renew your coverage yearly without making any changes, but this could mean you’re not fully protecting your home. Instead of just renewing, it’s time for a review. You may need crucial updates that will enhance your security and provide more comprehensive protection for your home in the future.

How Often Are Updates Needed?

Generally, it is advisable to review your home policy with an agent at least once per year. This allows one of our trusted agents to suggest any necessary changes or updates. If you’re unsure whether a change is needed, now is the perfect time to get in touch and ask. You don’t want to miss out on important coverage when an agent can easily make an update for you.

What Kinds of Changes Require a Review?

Any significant changes you make to your home or life should be reviewed. For instance, if you add to your home, you may need increased coverage. It’s always better to request a review and find that updates are unnecessary rather than assuming you won’t need changes and missing out on something. We’re here to help, and you can reach out to our agents at any time.

Get in Touch With an Agent Today

Contact us today at Guy Hurley McNeil if you live in the Rochester Hills, MI, area and want to update your home insurance policy. Updates and reviews are vital to keeping your coverage current, and we want to ensure you’re getting the right type and level of coverage.

Why is Gap Insurance Important When Purchasing a New Vehicle?

Posted on by admin

Did you know that when you purchase a new car, it begins to depreciate the moment you drive the car off of the car lot? Imagine financing a new vehicle for $35,000, getting into an accident, and totaling your car on the way home. Unfortunately, you financed the car for $35,000, but the book value for the vehicle is now $32,000. That leaves you on the hook for the additional $3000 when your auto insurance policy pays out. That is why it pays to have gap insurance.

Gap (Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance) is an optional coverage you can add to your policy when you finance your car to cover the gap between what you own on your car and the actual cash value your car is worth when you total it. At Guy Hurley McNeil Agency, Inc. in Rochester Hills, MI, we know this reality all too well, and we are here to help.

So, revisiting the earlier scenario about purchasing a new car for $35,000, insurance is only willing to pay $32,000 for the vehicle’s value. Gap insurance is designed to possibly cover the $3000 gap between what you owe the finance company and the amount your insurance policy paid out for the accident. Suppose you feel you may be about to be at risk of this type of situation when looking to finance your new vehicle. In that case, gap may be the wise choice to supplement your comprehensive and collision coverages on your auto policy.

For more information about Gap Insurance, Call Guy Hurley McNeil!

Call Guy Hurley McNeil Agency, Inc. in Rochester Hills, MI, at (586) 731-1180 to learn more about gap insurance and see if it may benefit you. We have the experience and expertise to give you peace of mind and protection when enjoying your new car.

Home Insurance and Protection for Your Belongings

Posted on by admin

A home insurance policy offers many types of protection for your home and your finances. It protects you against damaging events that may cause repairs to be needed to the house. It also gives you liability protection in case someone ever gets injured there. However, another of the best ways it protects you is by offering protection for your belongings. This is essential to have because of the many things that can happen to them. When you need home insurance, give us a call at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI.

Protecting the Items in Your Home

Next to your home, the items inside it likely represent your largest investment. It’s easy to lose track of all you have, but the average home has more than 100,000 items inside it. This can mean that it’s costly to replace even one room of items. If a damaging event happened to your home that ruined your things, most people would have a very difficult time replacing them on their own. That’s one reason that it’s so important to have home insurance.

Preparing for Damaging Events

Often, a damaging event happens to a home, and the home and many of its belongings are ruined or damaged. This can be extremely costly to take care of. There are many types of damaging events, from certain disasters to accidents. You never know when a damaging event may occur. That’s why having your belongings insured with a home insurance policy is so important. You should never be without one as a homeowner.

Securing Home Insurance

If you’re interested in getting a home policy, we’re here to help. Call Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, to get started with the coverage you need.

Roadside Assistance and Auto Insurance: Why the Two Go Hand-in-Hand

Posted on by admin

When cruising the highways of Rochester Hills, MI, peace of mind is as important as the destination. At Guy Hurley McNeil, we understand that life on the road can be unpredictable. We believe in integrating roadside assistance with auto insurance to provide a comprehensive safety net.

The Importance of Roadside Assistance

Imagine you’re on your way to an important meeting, and suddenly, a flat tire halts your journey. It’s scenarios like these where roadside assistance becomes invaluable. From towing services to battery jumps, having a reliable roadside plan ensures that help is just a call away, minimizing disruptions and stress.

How Auto Insurance Complements Roadside Assistance

Auto insurance is your financial safeguard against accidents and damages. But when paired with roadside assistance, it becomes a holistic support system. While insurance handles the big issues like collisions and theft, roadside assistance takes care of the smaller, yet equally inconvenient, hiccups. Together, they ensure you’re never stranded or financially burdened by unexpected car troubles.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing a policy that includes both auto insurance and roadside assistance means considering your driving habits and lifestyle. Are you frequently on the road for work or family trips? If so, this combination could save you time and money, providing reassurance whenever you travel.

At Guy Hurley McNeil, serving the greater Rochester Hills, MI, community, our goal is to keep you safe and secure wherever the road may lead. Reach out to us today to explore our tailored plans, ensuring you have the right protection when you need it most. Drive with confidence, knowing that we’ve got your back.

Choosing Between Comprehensive and Collision Auto Insurance in Rochester Hills, Michigan

Posted on by admin

In Michigan, liability insurance, or basic auto insurance, is required by law for all drivers. If you’re interested in securing the best possible protection for whenever you’re on the road, understanding how to choose between comprehensive and collision auto insurance is essential. For those living in Rochester Hills, MI, Guy Hurley McNeil is here to help you better understand the distinctions between collision and comprehensive auto insurance plans in Michigan.

Collision Insurance in Michigan

In Michigan, collision insurance provides the following protections and coverage:

  • Single-Vehicle Accidents: Damage from a single-vehicle accident is covered.
  • Vehicle Collisions: In Michigan, collision coverage covers collisions with other vehicles and objects (such as trees or guardrails).

Advantages of collision insurance in Michigan include:

  • High-Value Vehicle Protection: This is ideal for newer vehicles that may be more expensive to repair or find suitable replacement parts for existing damage.
  • Focused Protection: Specific protection for collisions can help you maintain peace of mind whenever you’re involved.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance in Michigan

Comprehensive auto insurance in Michigan offers coverage for the following:

  • Weather-Related Damage: Damage from storms, windstorms, floods, and lightning is covered.
  • Theft: Theft, vandalism, and malicious mischief are covered.
  • Animal Collisions: Collisions with an animal may be covered with a more comprehensive plan.
  • Glass Damage: Windshield damage or glass cracks may be covered.

Advantages of comprehensive auto coverage in Michigan:

  • Broader Protection: Comprehensive insurance expands traditional auto insurance protection to defend against a range of risks that may not even be related to driving.

If you’re living in Michigan and need a new auto insurance plan or policy, Guy Hurley McNeil can help. To learn more about the differences between comprehensive and collision auto insurance in Rochester Hills, MI, contact Guy Hurley McNeil today.

Single-Family Home vs. Townhomes When Looking to Purchase

Posted on by admin

Determining what type of home works for you and your lifestyle is vital, especially if you want to purchase a new home. Some of the most common dwellings available include single-family homes and townhomes. Both offer very different experiences while still being able to give you the square footage you’re looking for in a home.

Convenience

When it comes to convenience, you can always expect a townhome to be available and conveniently located in or near the city. For those who deem it necessary to live close to shopping centers and even have a short commute to their jobs in the city, a townhome may be the right option. They are built to save space in neighborhoods in these areas. Single-family homes can be found in these areas, but they are more likely to be built in suburban or rural areas. 

Privacy

When it comes to privacy, single-family homes are the clear winner. These properties do not share walls with others and even have separate yard space away from your neighbors. For townhomes, they aren’t as private. You share walls with at least one neighbor, and if your home is in a large row, you can share walls and space with neighbors on both sides. This means you have less yard space and more patio area that is easily seen and heard by your neighbors. 

Property Maintenance

Because townhomes share walls and have smaller properties, your property maintenance is less than a single-family home. Townhomes are usually associated with an HOA that will cover these maintenance expenses and are great for those who aren’t going to spend a lot of time at home. Single-family homes put full responsibility on you, as the homeowner, for the structure and the yard. 

If you need home insurance in the Rochester Hills, MI, area, contact our team at Guy Hurley McNeil today for more information. 

Auto Glass and Auto Insurance

Posted on by admin

Many of us in the Rochester Hills, MI, area have experienced that unsettling sound of a stone hitting our windshield as we travel down the highway. It can take a minute or two to process the event, and then we usually go on an immediate search to see if there was any damage.

At Guy Hurley McNeil, we frequently get calls asking who is responsible if a windshield gets damaged while traveling. The answer is that it will likely fall on you. Here’s why.

Proving fault is difficult.

When a stone or pebble gets kicked up on a freeway, it can be hard to determine what caused it. Even if you see a potentially liable vehicle, it can be challenging to prove blame.

You will likely need to pay your deductible.

While some states have a zero deductible for windshield repair or replacement, Michigan is not one of them. If you incur windshield damage, you will, at the minimum, be responsible for your deductible. In many cases, that deductible will cover the cost of repair or replacement. A claim would not likely result in a monetary reimbursement under normal circumstances.

Would a glass damage claim impact insurance rates?

It is not likely any glass damage claims would increase your auto insurance rates in Michigan. Many glass damage claims remain unreported.

The bottom line.

If you have windshield damage that will cost $700 to repair and you have a $1000 deductible, you will ultimately pay for the full cost of replacement. This is one of the downsides of increasing the deductible to save on monthly car insurance premiums.

Get a quote today.

If you live in the Rochester Hills, MI, area and have questions about car insurance, your specific coverage, or how you may be able to improve your protection, we invite you to contact us at Guy Hurley McNeil. We want you to feel comfortable about your coverage and what you pay. Reach out to us for a free, no-obligation auto insurance review and price quote today.

Surprising Things Covered by Home Insurance

Posted on by admin

You know your homeowner’s policy protects your investment in your home. However, there are some surprising things you may not know are covered by home insurance. We offer homeowner’s insurance to the metro Detroit area at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI. 

Identity Theft

Most homeowner’s policies offer protection from identity theft and online fraud. This has been the standard for about ten years, but most homeowners don’t realize they have this type of coverage. Your policy may cover lost wages, legal expenses, and other expenses associated with identity theft. 

Spoiled Food 

You may know that your homeowner’s policy covers your personal belongings. However, you may not know that this includes the food in your fridge. 

If food becomes spoiled due to a power outage, fire, or other covered event, your policy will pay to restock your fridge and freezer. 

Living Expenses 

Imagine your home is damaged by fire, and you have to live somewhere else until the damage is repaired. If your home is temporarily unlivable or destroyed, your homeowner’s policy will pay for your living expenses until you can get back into it. This includes rent or hotel room and food costs. 

New Door Locks 

You may be aware your homeowner’s policy covers theft and vandalism. If items are stolen, your policy will cover their value. You are also covered if your window or door is broken in a burglary. However, you may not know it also covers new door locks if they are damaged during a break-in. 

Homeowner’s Insurance at Guy Hurley McNeil

If you need a homeowner’s policy or want to upgrade your existing coverage, contact Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI. Our experienced agents are here to help you select the best policy for your needs.