Three Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

When you own a vehicle, you are required to have an auto insurance policy for it. It’s never a good idea to try to go without this insurance. This will put you in danger of fines and fees and make you vulnerable to the high cost of accidents. Different kinds of coverage can be included in auto insurance policies. Here are three of the types that policies should have to keep you protected. When you need auto insurance, call us at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, to get started. 

Liability Coverage 

Every auto policy needs to have two types of liability coverage. Both are required in Michigan. Your auto policy should have both property damage and bodily injury liability coverage. Each of these protects against different costs you may be responsible for. When you have property damage liability, this pays for the cost of repairs to the other vehicle involved in the accident. The bodily injury coverage pays for the other party’s medical bills when they are injured in an accident with your vehicle. 

Collision Coverage

When you have collision coverage, it protects you against damage to your own property. When you’re in an accident, this coverage can pay for the repairs you need for your vehicle when you’re at fault for the accident. This is important to have with the high cost of repairs today. 

Comprehensive Coverage

This protects you against the many dangers of your vehicle when it isn’t being driven. Many things can happen to a car; you can protect against them with this type of coverage. 

Get Auto Insurance in Rochester Hills, MI

If you don’t have the needed coverage, now’s the time to get it. Call us at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI.

Beyond Four Walls: Crafting a Comprehensive Home Insurance Policy in Rochester Hills

Nothing is worse than having your home vandalized or damaged by a natural disaster and caught without adequate home insurance coverage. The financial repercussions and the emotional toll taken on families can be overwhelming. Incidents like these highlight the importance of proactive planning and choosing a comprehensive home insurance policy that can help families quickly recover from unexpected losses. 

If you want to secure your Rochester Hills, MI home, a comprehensive home insurance policy is an excellent way to start! Insurance professionals at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills can help you craft a policy to protect your most important investment. 

How Home Insurance Protects Your Interests

Living in the tranquil city of Rochester Hills, MI comes with many upsides. However, like any other US city — it has at least one or two downsides. Home insurance protects your interests from extensive financial loss. 

Offset the Damages Associated with Natural Disasters and Theft

Home insurance can help cover the costs incurred during events like fires, vandalism, theft, or natural disasters that can strike your dwelling at any time without warning. Experienced insurance professionals at Guy Hurley McNeil can explain the benefits and coverage limits for dwelling insurance coverage, liability coverage, and additional living expense coverage. 

Trusted Insurance Partners Guide You Through the Process

In the face of uncertainty, having a trusted and reliable insurance partner is paramount. Get peace of mind and make sure your family’s financial interests are well protected with home insurance.

Our knowledgeable and friendly insurance agents are standing by to answer your questions, address your insurance-related concerns, and guide you through the intricacies involved in crafting a tailored home insurance policy. Contact an insurance expert to get a quote today! 

 

How do auto insurance companies assess my risk?

Auto insurance companies use various information sources to determine the risk they take when insuring an individual or family. Some information is the applicant’s demographic characteristics, previous driving and accident history, vehicles, and other factors. The information is used in formulas to determine the premium required to insure the applicant or others like them profitably. Guy Hurley McNeil, serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, is here to help you understand and acquire the insurance coverage that will best protect you and your family.

Auto Insurance Risk Factors

Auto insurance companies have decades of information on driver profiles, accident histories, claim volumes, and the money paid in claims. That information helps them understand how accidents and claims vary by age, gender, marital status, and similar applicant characteristics. While the insurance company cannot know how safe a specific 16-year-old driver will be, history tells them that new drivers experience more accidents than experienced drivers, so all else equal, younger drivers have higher premiums.

Besides demographic characteristics, previous accidents, traffic tickets, and other driver record elements influence the risk calculation. Likewise, the vehicle’s value, safety equipment, and performance characteristics affect the likelihood of accidents and the cost of repairs if one occurs. Of course, the coverage limits and deductibles an applicant chooses also affect the expected risk.

An emerging trend for assessing and incorporating risk is usage-based insurance (UBI). UBI uses vehicle telematics to track driving habits, such as speeding, hard braking, and miles driven, with premiums adjusted based on the risks posed by such driving.

Working With Guy Hurley McNeil

Our team at Guy Hurley McNeil serves the Rochester Hills, MI area and will happily answer your insurance questions and prepare a policy to meet your needs best. Call or stop in to see us today.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Our agents at the Guy Hurley McNeil Insurance Agency, serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, want you to know that auto insurance is required in Michigan.

Auto Liability Insurance

All drivers in the state of Michigan must have at least an auto liability insurance policy. If you drive a vehicle, you better have auto liability insurance if you are pulled over or involved in an accident. The reason for this is to protect you and the other driver if you cause an accident and the other driver or their passengers suffer injuries or property damage. While auto liability insurance coverage is required, there are several different auto insurance options you can choose from to add to your policy.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive insurance is a wonderful policy to have in place. This is because it will help you financially if your vehicle is destroyed or damaged by a tornado or some other natural disaster. It will also help you cover expenses if your car catches on fire or someone vandalizes it. If you walk outside to get in your vehicle and it’s gone because somebody stole it, your comprehensive insurance policy will help you replace it.

Collision Insurance Coverage

Collision insurance is also important. This is because at any time, while you’re driving on the road, you could collide with another vehicle or some sort of object, such as a pole or sign. If this happens, this part of your policy will help you repair your vehicle.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage

You never know when you will become involved in an accident, and the other driver may not have enough insurance to cover your injuries or property damage. This is the reason it’s a good idea to have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to make up for the lack of insurance on the other person’s part.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil Insurance Agency

There are other types of auto insurance coverage that our agents at the Guy Hurley McNeil Insurance Agency, serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, can help you choose from, along with the main ones listed above. Call today for an appointment and get your policy started!

Home-Based Businesses and Home Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

Home-based businesses are on the rise, with more people turning their homes into hubs of entrepreneurial activity. If you’re one of these enterprising individuals, it’s essential to understand how your home-based business can impact your home insurance. Guy Hurley McNeil, providing home insurance to residents in the greater Rochester Hills, MI region, wants to help educate you on this topic.

Assess Your Current Coverage

The first step is to review your existing home insurance policy. Standard homeowners or renters insurance typically covers personal property but may not extend to business-related items or liabilities. Knowing what your current policy includes is crucial to identify any gaps in coverage.

Consider Business Endorsements

Consider adding business endorsements or riders to your policy to protect your home-based business. These specialized add-ons can broaden your coverage to include business equipment, inventory, and even liability related to your home-based business activities. Consult your insurer to discuss your specific needs.

Liability Protection

Running a business from home means interacting with clients or customers on your property. If someone gets injured during a business-related visit, your standard policy might not cover it. Liability protection is crucial in these situations. Discuss options with your insurer to ensure you have sufficient coverage.

The rise of home-based businesses is an exciting entrepreneurial shift, but it comes with insurance considerations. With the right insurance in place, you can confidently pursue your entrepreneurial dreams from the comfort of your own home. If you’re an entrepreneur who works out of your home, Guy Hurley McNeil can help you find the right home insurance policy for your needs in the greater Rochester Hills, MI region. Call us to obtain an estimate. 

Safe Driving Habits Every Driver Should Cultivate

Defensive driving is one of the best ways to avoid accidents. By cultivating safe driving habits, you protect yourself and other drivers on the road. The following safe driving habits compiled by Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI can make driving a safer, more pleasant experience for everyone.

Focus on Driving

When you’re on the road, focus on driving. Don’t let your mind wander or get distracted by phone calls, music on your stereo, or conversations in the car. Keep your eyes on the road and your mind on getting to your destination safely.

Respect Speed Limits

Respecting speed limits enhances safety for you and those around you. Adjust your speed accordingly during rush hour or adverse weather to avoid accidents. Also, use extreme caution in school zones or residential areas.

Stay Calm

Stay calm when you’re late for work and caught in a traffic jam. When the driver in front of you cuts you off, stay calm. Getting angry only provokes other drivers and increases your risk of accidents.

Check Blind Spots

Before changing lanes or passing other vehicles, check your blind spots. Looking in your rearview mirror isn’t enough – also look over your shoulder to make sure the lane is clear before shifting over.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Have your car maintained regularly to ensure it’s roadworthy. Remember that faulty brakes, worn tires, and defective windshield wipers can cause serious accidents.

Pull Over When You’re Tired  

If you’re feeling drowsy, find a safe place to stop and take a break from driving. Driving when you’re tired is a recipe for disaster.

Keep Your Auto Insurance Current

Ensure your auto coverage is current, relevant, and meets the legal requirements for Michigan drivers. For help obtaining quality auto insurance coverage, contact Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI.

What are my home insurance options?

Home insurance offers eight forms – five forms for houses, one for mobile homes, one for condos, and one for renters. This blog explains the differences between the home insurance forms, so clients of Guy Hurley McNeil can more easily decide which level of protection they want for their Rochester Hills, MI home.

Home Policies for Houses

Five forms of home insurance cover houses. Each offers a different amount of perils coverage, so you choose which best suits your situation. The options include:

  • HO-1 offers the most basic perils coverage of ten named perils. It protects your structure but doesn’t typically include personal property coverage.
  • HO-2 offers coverage for more perils, bringing the total up to sixteen perils. Some policies offer personal property coverage.
  • HO-3 offers all perils coverage, although many policies create an exception for earthquakes. All policies create an exception for floods. These policies cover structural and personal property damage and insure the home using replacement cost value.
  • HO-5 offers comprehensive coverage that extends to every peril except for floods. It covers the structure and its contents using replacement cost value.
  • HO-8 offers coverage for architecturally significant and historical homes. It only covers ten perils, the same ones included in an HO-1 policy.

If you don’t own a house but instead own a mobile home or a condo, home insurance provides tailor-made options for you.

Policies for Other Types of Domiciles

A condo policy, HO-6, covers the condo walls and everything inside them. It also protects your porch, patio, or balcony. An HO-7 policy protects your financial investment in a mobile home with a foundation and personal property.

If you rent an apartment, condo, or home, choose a HO-4 policy called renters insurance. It only covers your personal property.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil Today

Call or email our insurance agency to purchase the insurance policy to protect your Rochester Hills, MI home. Let us help you insure your home so you ensure your financial security.

Brake Maintenance and Car Safety

Staying safe out on the road involves more than having an excellent insurance policy. The insurance professionals with Guy Hurley McNeil want to help you stay safe on the streets in Rochester Hills, MI, and the surrounding areas. Keep reading to learn more about how brake maintenance affects your vehicle safety. 

Is It Time For Brake Maintenance?

Several signs will alert you that your brakes need servicing. One of the most obvious signs is that the brakes will start squeaking and making noise when you try to brake. This is caused by the material on the brake pads breaking down. When this happens, the metal is scraping against the metal. This creates an unsafe braking situation. 

Another sign is that you will have prolonged braking times. If you need to brake further back, it could mean your brakes need repair. 

What Are The Risks?

The most dangerous risk to avoiding brake maintenance is that you will not be able to stop in time when you need to. This can put you in a lot of danger. It would be best to have plenty of reaction time when braking on the roads. If you come upon a person, animal, or object in the roadway, you will need this quick braking. The worse your brakes are, the slower the reaction time will be in this type of situation. 

Who Should Work On Brakes?

Having a professional mechanic work on your brakes is always a good idea. This will ensure the job is done right and safely. 

If you would like to learn about auto insurance, don’t hesitate to contact Guy Hurley McNeil serving Rochester Hills, MI, and the surrounding areas. We will be happy to help you today. 

Safe driving tips for new drivers

As a new driver in the Rochester Hills, MI area, staying safe on the road should be your top priority.

Here are some essential, safe driving tips for new drivers from us at Guy Hurley McNeil to help you stay safe and avoid accidents: 

1. Follow the speed limit – Stick to the posted speed limits, especially in residential and school zones. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, so obeying the law is essential. 

2. Avoid distractions – Put away your cell phone while driving and stay focused on the road. Distractions such as talking or texting on your phone can take your attention away from driving, leading to an accident. 

3. Wear your seatbelt – Always wear your seatbelt when driving, as it will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in an accident. 

4. Pay attention to other drivers – Be aware of what other drivers are doing and give them plenty of space to maneuver safely. This can help you anticipate their actions and avoid potential accidents. 

5. Drive defensively – Always drive defensively by not assuming other drivers will always follow the rules of the road or drive safely all the time. Being proactive and taking extra precautions when on the roads can help keep you and others safer driving. 

By following these tips, you should be able to stay safer while out on the roads as a new driver! For more tips, give us at Guy Hurley McNeil a call today. We are proud to serve the Rochester Hills, MI area and would be happy to help you find an insurance policy to meet your needs and budget.

Home Insurance Coverage Options

Serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, the agents at the Guy Hurley McNeil insurance agency want you to learn about the different coverage options available for you to choose from when it comes to home insurance.

Your house may very well be the most significant investment you will ever make, so you will want to protect it with an adequate amount of home insurance.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

Home insurance is designed to cover the structure of your home. This means if it is damaged by vandalism, a fire, or even a natural disaster, your home insurance policy will help you repair or rebuild your house. It can also help you pay for alternate housing while your home is being repaired. It will also help you to purchase new clothing, appliances, personal belongings, furniture, and other things that may have been damaged inside your home.

Home insurance can also cover any outbuildings on your property, including decks and garages. It will also help you replace stolen items if your home is burglarized.

If you have a mortgage loan that you are paying on that you used to purchase your house, there is an excellent chance that your lender already requires you to have an adequate amount of home insurance in place. Even if you do not owe money for your home, having a home insurance policy is an excellent idea because you never know when disaster will strike.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil

The home insurance agents at Guy Hurley McNeil serving the Rochester Hills, MI area are here to serve you and all of your insurance needs. Call today to get your home insurance policy started!