“Apples to Apples” comparisons are what most people believe they want when they are shopping for Home  Insurance.  The idea is good.  People want to make sure they are getting at least the same coverage they had when comparing policies.

At the Steve Bedgood Agency we start by making sure they have good apples to start with.

More important than just comparing one policy to another,  we need to compare what coverage they have to what they actually need should they experience a loss.

For example, with the housing market being the way it is, people are bragging about the “good deals” they are getting on homes.  It is a definitely a great time to buy a home. However, a person insures the home for just what he bought it for, he won’t be able to rebuild his home for that low price.

Liability is another area where people could be underinsured. So rather than just trading your policy for another, cheaper one, let’s make sure you really have everything covered that you feel is important to cover and cover them for the proper amount.

As an agent, there is a concern I have that other agents may not worry about. That is, if the home or car isn’t insured properly, it’s me the client will be calling, personally. It’s in my best interest to do the job right for my clients the first time and every time.

If you would like to make sure that you have your home insured properly, feel free to give me a call at (231) 744-9099 or start by a visit to www.muskegonhomeinsurance.com.

 Recently I’ve been helping a number of small business owners sort through the confusing topic of Workers Compensation Insurance.

 Contractors who hire  workers as 1099 employees can get confused as to who they are responsible to cover.

 It gets a little tricky when they hire some legitimate contractors who may have their own coverage and some of the people they may hire for a few days  to help with a big job.

If  you hire another contractor like a plumber or electrician who has his own Workers Compensation policy, make sure you get a copy of their certificate for your audit at the end of the year or you could end up having to cover them.  You are charged a percentage of what you paid them.  It’s about 14.5% .

 Just because you hire someone as a 1099 employee does not let you off the hook for Workers Compensation Insurance.  A lot of contractors are having their guys go get their own Liability Insurance. That’s OK but it will not mean that you won’t have to pay for their Workers Compensation Insurance.

 If you hire guys (or gals) who have an LLC or have formed a corporation they will either need their own coverage or a form of exclusion from the state.

Hopefully this helps. Please feel free to call me at 231-744-9099 or start by visiting my web site at www.muskegoninsuranceagent.com for more information.

Just as it has been said that “Necessity Breeds Invention”, it can also be said that in hard times people who are looking for them can find great opportunities.

I’m not speaking of those with money who swoop down and buy some poor peoples homes at auction, I’m talking about people who create new opportunity for themselves.

I’m talking about the man or woman who gets let go from a job and begins to figure out they may be able to stand on their own two feet. They start to take stock of themselves, their network of friends and their resources. They make some decisions about how they want their life to turn out and then start to make it so.

What’s the difference between this person and the person who gets laid off, takes the maximum unemployment and then complains about the last company, the government, their lack of money etc.?

It’s attitude.

I’m not saying it’s easy to look at a bleak future and think only of the possibilities. I’m saying it is essential. No one who ever achieved anything great did it without setbacks. Blaming others or your circumstance will not help. The beginnings of fortunes are being made right now. Look for opportunities. Be willing to do something new. Read some self-help books. Ask people you trust and respect what they think you may be good at. Be careful who you get your advice from. Find people who are already successful to get advice from.

If I can help you “not participate” in this recession, I’d be glad to communicate with you. You can visit www.muskegoninsuranceagent.com or e-mail me at steve.bedgood@gmail.com

1.To an insurer, you’re not a just person;

you’re a set of risks. An insurer bases its homeowners insurance premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your “risk factors,” including your occupation, who you are, what you own, and how you live.

2. Know your home’s value.

Before you choose a homeowner’s policy, it is essential to establish your home’s replacement cost. A local builder can provide the best estimate. Also, your agent should have a replacement cost calculator.

3. Insurers differ.

As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can be priced differently by different companies. A good local agent can make a world of difference.

4. Don’t just look at price.

A low price is no bargain if a home  insurer takes forever to service your claim or if a 1 800 number is all you have for an agent. Research the insurer’s record for claims service, as well as its financial stability. (The Ward’s Group is a great place to look)

5. Go beyond the basics.

A basic homeowners policy may not promise to entirely replace your home.

6. Ask about discounts.

Insurers provide discounts to reward behavior that reduces risk.

However, Americans waste some $300 million a year because they forget to ask for them!

7. At claims time, your insurer is looking for the facts.

Keep records and receipts. (keep a copy off premesis) Your idea of fair compensation may not match that of your insurer. Your insurer’s job is to restore you financially. Your job is to prove your losses so you get what you need.

8. Prepare before you have to file a claim.

Have an inventory of your personal belongings. (Stored somewhere other than your home)

9. Demand an annual review.

Keep your policy updated, and reread it before you file a claim so there are no surprises. Many people are upset and embarrassed when they try to file a claim and find they have no coverage for a particular loss.

If you are in the Muskegon area and if your agent doesn’t conduct regular reviews or you don’t feel you know where where you stand, just give me a call at (231) 744-9099 or start with a visit to www.muskegonhomeownersinsurance.com