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

In all the years I’ve been selling insurance in the Muskegon area, I’ve often wondered why more about insurance isn’t taught in school.

Young drivers, who spend a ton of money on car insurance, don’t take a class on Insurance. Why not?

I always take an educational approach to helping my clients get the right Insurance. I meet people of all ages and I’m always amazed when people tell me “No one ever explained this to me before.”

I don’t believe Insurance is too hard for people to understand. I do believe that there are agents who just peddle policies. They aren’t concerned (on the front end) with educating their clients. Of course, they have to educate them when a claim isn’t going to be paid.

If you’d prefer to understand what you’re spending your hard earned money for, give me a call or start by checking out my web site at www.muskegoninsuranceagent.com.

Also, if you’d like to have a class taught in the Muskegon area, give me a call at (231) 744-9099.

Recently we had some bad weather in our neighborhood (the Muskegon area).

We had a young couple near by. They had a two year old daughter. The women was pregnant for their second child.

Before the storm got too bad the young man, his friend and the young daughter headed to Home Depot to get some paint for the new baby’s room.

On the way there a large branch from a tree fell on the car and killed the young man. It did spare the friend and the young girl.

As I read this tragic story I was struck by an ending that made the story even worse. I read that there was no Life Insurance on this man. They were asking people to donate to an account set up at a local bank.

How much do you think they’ll collect? $10,000 or $20,000 maybe? How long will that last, especially after the funeral? Will in replace his income? Pay off debt?

Please protect your family. Whether you feel strongly about Term Insurance or if Whole Life Insurance makes more sense to you, a small $100,000 life insurance policy for a man in his twenties is affordable for most of them.  Men need to teach their sons how to protect their families. They need to lead by example.

Let us at the Steve Bedgood Agency help you. It would be an honor to serve you.

Please call me at (231) 744-9099 or contact me through my web site at www.muskegonlifeinsurance.com