Author: admin

Commercial Insurance for A New Warehousing Operation

Posted on by admin

When opening a new warehouse, there are several types of insurance coverage to consider. Commercial insurance can protect your warehouse from theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events that may disrupt or halt business operations.

Building and Land

The first consideration should be the building where your business will operate and the land it occupies. Both should be thoroughly assessed to ensure proper coverage.

Your insurance policy should include protection against criminal activity and catastrophic events. Coverage for property loss will allow you to repair or replace essential warehouse components as needed.

Transportation

Transportation is another critical area to focus on. If employees are responsible for deliveries, you must account for potential risks such as vehicular accidents, package theft, and property damage.

Ensure that your vehicles and the items being transported are included in your commercial insurance policy. Providing adequate insurance protection for these business essentials can prevent significant financial losses.

Warehousing Equipment

Investing in warehousing equipment is often one of the largest expenses when opening a new warehouse. It’s essential to include this equipment in your insurance policy.

Without insurance, you would need to cover out-of-pocket costs if the equipment is vandalized, stolen, or damaged during a catastrophic event. Adding these items to your commercial insurance policy ensures timely repairs or replacements when needed.

Consultation with an Insurance Agent in Flushing, MI

If you’re ready to learn more about commercial insurance products to protect your warehousing operation, contact one of our agents. An agent from the Vernon Agency will be happy to meet with you at your convenience.

Understanding How Home Insurance Addresses Mold and Water Damage

Posted on by admin

When you own a home, unexpected issues like water damage or mold growth can quickly turn into a costly headache. At Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI, we know how confusing insurance policies can be when it comes to what’s covered and what’s not. That’s why it’s important to understand how your home insurance policy handles these common problems before they arise.

What Causes Water Damage?

Water damage can stem from a variety of sources, including burst pipes, overflowing appliances, or heavy rain that seeps into your basement. Most standard home insurance policies will cover sudden and accidental water damage. For example, if a pipe suddenly bursts and soaks your hardwood floors, you’re likely covered. However, gradual leaks or maintenance issues are typically excluded, which means it’s essential to keep up with routine home care.

Is Mold Covered by Home Insurance?

Mold is a bit trickier. If mold results directly from a covered water damage incident, such as a burst pipe, your policy may cover the cleanup. However, if mold is due to long-term moisture problems or poor ventilation, it’s usually not included. Some policies offer endorsements or riders that provide additional mold protection, so it’s worth asking your insurance agent about your options.

Prevention Is Key

While insurance can help with sudden mishaps, prevention is always your best defense. Regularly inspecting your home for leaks, using dehumidifiers, and addressing moisture issues early can save you from major headaches down the road.

If you’re unsure about what your current policy covers, or if you’re looking for more comprehensive protection, the team at Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI, is here to help. Reach out today to review your coverage and make sure your home is protected from the unexpected.

What to Know About Maternity Health Insurance Before Starting a Family

Posted on by admin

Michigan is one of the top fifteen most affordable places to raise a family. Flushing, MI, offers plenty of great parks, museums, and other family-friendly venues that kids of all ages can enjoy. Even so, deciding to start a family or have more children is a significant decision, especially if you have financial or career-related concerns. Maternity health insurance can help by covering many of the costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth, but it’s essential to understand how it works before purchasing a policy.

Coverage Options

If you don’t already have health insurance, it’s best to purchase a plan that complies with federal mandates. These plans are required to cover OB-GYN visits, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Additionally, ACA-compliant plans purchased through the health insurance marketplace cannot deny coverage for an existing pregnancy. Short-term health coverage that isn’t ACA-compliant typically won’t cover maternal healthcare.

If you’ve recently changed jobs and your employer offers healthcare, check the employer’s policy to see when maternal healthcare coverage begins. The waiting period may be up to 90 days, meaning you won’t receive maternal healthcare coverage if you were already pregnant when you started the job or became pregnant shortly afterward.

Call Vernon Agency for More Information

Health is the ultimate wealth, especially when you’re caring for yourself and an unborn child. To ensure you have maternity healthcare insurance that provides the coverage you need, contact Vernon Agency today. Our team serves families in and around Flushing, MI, and we can help you understand your insurance options and select a policy or policy bundle that offers the protection you deserve.

Is Auto Insurance Required to Drive My New Car Off the Lot?

Posted on by admin

Auto insurance is an essential part of driving. If you own a car, having car insurance is a legal requirement to drive the vehicle off the lot. If you’re in the process of buying a new car, it’s important to understand when to get car insurance and how to obtain it.

The professionals at Vernon Agency, servicing Flushing, MI, are here to assist you. We provide valuable information to our customers about car insurance, home insurance, and other related products. Here’s what you need to know.

Is Auto Insurance Required?

Yes, auto insurance is required to drive vehicles in the state of Michigan. If you’re planning to buy a new car, you will likely need to show proof of auto insurance before driving it off the lot. Additionally, if you are financing your vehicle with a loan, you may be required to purchase full coverage auto insurance.

Most lenders will not approve the purchase of a vehicle without proof of this type of insurance. Be sure to consult with your car dealer and lender to confirm whether insurance is required before finalizing the sale.

I’m Buying a New Car – When Should I Get Auto Insurance?

Contact your insurance company before purchasing the vehicle. While you may not be able to finalize an insurance policy without a vehicle, your insurance agent can help set up the policy or provide an estimated cost for coverage. This allows you to be prepared when you’re ready to complete the purchase.

How Can I Get Started With an Auto Insurance Policy?

To get started with an auto insurance policy, contact Vernon Agency, servicing Flushing, MI. We’re here to help you find the coverage you need.

How Will My Home-Based Business Benefit from Commercial Insurance?

Posted on by admin

One fundamental rule of running a small business is to keep personal and business finances separate. However, some home-based business owners overlook this rule when it comes to insurance, mistakenly depending on their personal insurance to cover business assets and activities. If you reside in or near Flushing, MI, and require insurance for your home and business, consider our team at Vernon Agency.

Insurance Considerations for Home-Based Businesses

Almost every home-based business possesses office electronics, supplies, furniture, or inventory owned by the business. Some store tools, equipment, or inventory at home, and as the business grows, these assets increase in value, making their proper insurance crucial. It’s important to note that many home policies cover no more than $2,500 in business assets. Assets exceeding this value require the protection of a commercial insurance policy. Besides asset protection, many home-based businesses have other commercial insurance needs.

If your home-based business is a small side gig, a home policy rider may provide sufficient coverage by doubling your business asset coverage to $5,000. Businesses with more assets or needing professional, liability, or other commercial insurance protection should acquire commercial insurance to safeguard themselves and their business.

Simple in-home business insurance providing property, liability, and other insurance elements often suits companies with $250,000 or less in revenues. Businesses with over $250,000 in revenue frequently opt for a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that bundles multiple types of insurance. You can add Workers’ Compensation coverage to the BOP if you have employees.

Partnering with the Vernon Agency

The Vernon Agency team serves homeowners and businesses in and around Flushing, MI. Call us today at (810) 230-1375 to schedule an appointment to develop an insurance plan that meets all your needs.

What Documents Do I Need to File a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim?

Posted on by admin

While you may have insurance for your home in Flushing, MI, you hope you’ll never need to use it. However, the reality is that most homeowners will need to file a claim at some point. The process of filing a claim can be straightforward, but overlooking a detail could potentially jeopardize your chances of receiving reimbursement. The agents at Vernon Agency are here to guide you through this process.

Guidelines for Filing Your Claim

When filing a claim, you will need to provide basic information, such as your name, address, contact details, and policy number. Additionally, you’ll need to provide the date and a description of the loss. Having a home inventory can be extremely helpful when filing a claim. If an injury occurs during the covered risk, you will also need to provide medical records. Although you typically have one year from the event date to file a claim, it’s best to do so as soon as possible.

If the damage to your home poses a threat to your safety, take steps to mitigate the damage immediately. Your insurance company may require you to complete specific forms that detail the loss. After you’ve done this, you can meet with an adjuster to review the incident and determine the cost of settling your claim. Before deciding on the claim, obtain several quotes from contractors to repair the damage.

What to Avoid When Filing a Homeowner’s Claim

When filing a claim, avoid speculating on the cause of the damage, admitting liability, or making unsupported statements about what caused damage to your property. Also, refrain from making threats or discussing litigation at this stage. When working with your insurance adjuster, please focus on the current claim and avoid discussing other claims; their job is to assess the damage.

If you need to file an insurance claim and are unsure of the process, Vernon Agency, serving Flushing, MI, is here to help. Contact our office today to discuss your homeowner’s policy.

Terms you need to understand before choosing health insurance

Posted on by admin

At Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI, we aim to help our customers find the right health insurance for their needs and budgets. As an independent insurance agency, we can offer more choices than a captive agency. We work with several top providers to ensure we suggest policies that will work for you.

Understanding Health Insurance Networks

Every carrier has a network of medical professionals who have been contracted to provide services to the policyholders at a prearranged fee. This allows both the carrier and the providers to survive and is designed to provide affordable patient services. With some managed care insurance, you are required to choose a primary physician from their network. It is essential that you make sure your preferred providers are in the network to guarantee that you are covered.

Considering Health Insurance Deductibles

The deductible is the yearly amount you will need to pay before your health insurance starts to cover you. High deductibles offer the best rates, but you need to decide how much you can afford to pay before your coverage starts.

Understanding Health Insurance Copays

A copay is the amount you pay at the time of service. It is often different for each service.

Reviewing Health Insurance Formularies

The formulary lists the drugs covered by your carrier and policy. It is divided into tiers; the higher the tier, the higher the copay. If a generic drug is available, you will usually need to get it. However, not every drug is covered, so checking if you take prescription medication is important.

Our team at Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI, can help you choose the right health insurance. Call or stop by for a quote.

Choosing PIP Medical Coverage

Posted on by admin

If you drive a car in the State of Michigan, you know that you’re required to carry auto insurance. Many car owners have questions about their auto insurance policies. If you live in the Flushing, MI area, our team at the Vernon Agency will take the time to answer your auto insurance questions. We’ve been working with clients in your area since 1960.

Choosing PIP Medical Coverage

If you get involved in an auto accident, there is a chance that someone riding in your car may become injured. According to Forbes, auto owners can select PIP medical coverage, which pays for medical expenses caused by a car accident. The PIP option will pay for those expenses whether or not you’re found to be at fault for the accident. The same policy option will pay for wages you can’t earn due to your injury.

According to the Michigan Department of Insurance, a new law requires insurance companies to provide information about PIP to their potential auto insurance clients. There are six potential insurance levels, and the level you choose will provide the highest dollar amount that your insurance company will pay because of the accident. Available levels range from $50,000 (for Medicaid clients) to $250,000. Clients who have Medicare A & B can opt out of including PIP coverage in their auto insurance policy.

Call Us Today for Your Appointment

You may have questions about the differences between comprehensive and collision coverage for your auto. Our agents at the Vernon Agency bring years of expertise to our discussions with clients. Clients in the Flushing, MI, area can feel confident when they purchase an auto insurance policy from our team. Call us for an appointment today, and let’s talk about auto insurance.

What Types of Commercial Insurance Products Should Independent Contractors Look Into?

Posted on by admin

Being an independent contractor offers many benefits, such as flexibility and control over your work. However, it also means you’re solely responsible for protecting yourself and your business from potential risks. Without the safety net of employer-provided insurance, having the right coverage is crucial to protect you from financial setbacks. At Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI, we’re here to help you understand the commercial insurance options every independent contractor should consider.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is often the foundation of any independent contractor’s coverage. It provides protection if you’re held responsible for third-party injuries or property damage caused during your work. If a client trips over equipment you brought to their property or you accidentally damage their premises, this policy ensures you’re not stuck paying out of pocket for legal or medical expenses.

Professional Liability Insurance

For contractors who provide specialized services or advice, professional liability insurance is a must. Also known as errors and omissions insurance, it protects you against claims of negligence, missed deadlines, or mistakes in your work. Whether you’re a consultant, freelance writer, or designer, this coverage can shield you from costly lawsuits if your client isn’t satisfied.

Commercial Property Insurance

Do you rely on tools, equipment, or technology to get your job done? Commercial property insurance protects these valuable assets from theft, fire, or other damage. Even if you work from a home office, this coverage ensures your business property is safeguarded.

Securing Your Future

Independent contractors need a safety net, too. Contact Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI today to learn more about commercial insurance products tailored to your unique needs. Let us help you protect your business and focus on what you do best.

The Role of Home Insurance in Protecting Your Backyard and Outdoor Spaces

Posted on by admin

When most people think about home insurance, they picture their house—the roof, walls, and everything inside. But what about your backyard? Outdoor spaces like patios, fences, pools, and garden sheds are just as much a part of your home as your living room. At Vernon Agency in Flushing, MI, we want homeowners to know that a comprehensive home insurance policy often extends protection to these outdoor features, giving you peace of mind for your entire property.

Home Insurance: Coverage for Structures Beyond Your Home

Your backyard isn’t just a space for relaxation; it’s also an investment. Features like decks, patios, and fences can be costly to repair or replace if damaged by storms, falling trees, or other covered events. Fortunately, many home insurance policies include coverage for these structures under the "other structures" portion of your policy. This means that should disaster strike, you won’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone.

Protecting Your Pool and Sheds with Home Insurance

Pools and garden sheds are two backyard staples that can also be protected under your home insurance policy. If your pool is damaged by a covered peril or your shed is broken into and valuable tools are stolen, your policy may help cover those losses. However, reviewing your policy limits is important to ensure these features are adequately insured.

Secure Your Home Insurance with Vernon Agency

Your backyard is an extension of your home and deserves the same level of protection. By having the right home insurance policy, you can rest easy knowing your outdoor spaces are covered. If you live in Flushing, MI, Vernon Agency can help you find a home insurance policy tailored to protect your entire property—inside and out. Contact us today to learn more and get started.