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Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance

13892 Hough Road
Berville, MI 48002

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How Familiar Are You With Your Home Insurance Policy?

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Homeowners across Olathe, KS, and other parts of the state might be encountering an unfamiliar term with increasing frequency. At the Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance, we’ve seen a recent increase in calls inquiring about "Force Place" insurance. Callers typically learn about it from their lenders following the lapse of home insurance policies. So, what does this term signify, and what measures should be taken to dodge it? Here’s everything you should identify about forced-place insurance.

What is Forced-Place Insurance?

If you hold a mortgage on your home, your lender will likely necessitate you to maintain homeowners insurance. Nonetheless, the lender will be informed if you fail to uphold payments on this homeowner’s insurance or cancel it. At this juncture, they will probably force-place home insurance on the property. Essentially, this infers that the lender will ensure insurance while you must accommodate responsibility for its payment.

The Problem with Forced-Place Insurance

You should undertake every conceivable precaution to evade having forced-place insurance on your home.

  • It is EXTREMELY costly.
  • It benefits the lender, not the homeowner.
  • It only covers the mortgage balance.
  • Doesn’t factor in your equity.
  • If you miss payments, it could result in foreclosure.

The bottom line is that you must maintain your insurance if you hold a mortgage. You are much better off upholding your personal insurance policy than allowing your lender to force-place insurance on your home.

Get a Home Insurance Quote Today

If you’re feeling the pinch of surging homeowner’s insurance rates in Olathe, KS, we might be able to assist. Contact the Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance for a quote today. You might hold options. Give us the chance to assist you.

Are Musical Instruments Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

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Standard homeowners insurance policies often cover musical instruments, but it might not include coverage if the instrument is being played for compensation. Situations including fire damage, vandalism and theft are often covered by homeowners insurance.

            You should check your policy to find out the total coverage limit for your personal property. If you have about $150,000 to replace all of your personal items in an incident of a fire or other disaster, but your instrument is worth $50,000 alone, that only leaves $100,000 for the rest of your belongings. In cases like this, it would be a good idea to insure your instrument separately. Here are some ways to determine whether or not you may need extra coverage for your instrument(s):

  • Take an inventory of your instrument(s).
  • Figure out the value of your instrument(s), and get a professional appraisal if your instrument(s) are extremely valuable.
  • If your homeowners insurance policy isn’t enough to cover your instrument(s) in addition to the rest of your belongings, consider getting extra coverage.

There are two options for getting extra coverage for your instrument(s). One option is to get add-on coverage on your current homeowners insurance policy. The other option is to get separate coverage for your instrument(s). Add-on coverage will most likely cover a larger range of disasters that involve your instrument(s) than a standard homeowners policy does. There may be a coverage limit, and if you perform for a compensation, the instrument(s) may not be able to be covered at all through a homeowners insurance policy. Like add-on coverage, circumstances that are not covered in standard homeowners policies would usually be covered by a musical instrument policy. Standalone instrument policies also often cover the instrument(s) no matter where it is at any given time. Musical instrument policies may cover the following circumstances:

  • Damage caused by temperature changes and/or humidity
  • Theft
  • Water damage
  • Flood damage
  • Earthquake damage   
  • Vandalism
  • Shipment damage
  • Repair damage

Musical instrument policies may not cover:

  • Gradual deterioration
  • Mold damage
  • Damage from insects, worms, rodents, or vermin

Separate musical instrument insurance policies usually provide an agreed value coverage as well. This is important for higher valued instruments that appreciate, so that they are being insured at their full value. Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/finance/theft-music-instruments-homeowners-insurance-1214015/

Protect You and Your Property with Landlord Insurance

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Property ownership brings many benefits and presents various opportunities, including rental property possibilities. Renting out your home, or even rooms in a home you own can generate a substantial additional income. However, the role of a landlord comes with several responsibilities and risks. Fortunately, landlord insurance can help manage the risks associated with landlord-related activities. If you are a property owner in the Berville, MI area, consider discussing plans to protect you and your property today with the professional and friendly agents at the Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance.

Landlord Insurance: Protection for You and Your Property

From handling troublesome tenants to addressing tenant injuries, every landlord has many considerations when renting out their property. The good news is that landlord insurance offers a buffer against liability and property issues. Leaving yourself or your property exposed can be financially devastating, but landlord insurance provides a solution to this predicament.

Whether you own and rent one property or many, one claim, accident, or catastrophic storm can cause a major setback. Thankfully, securing your assets only requires a solid plan and an insurance partner to keep you and your property protected.

All Your Landlord Insurance Solutions

If you are a landlord in or around Berville, MI, and have questions about or need landlord insurance, our knowledgeable and professional team at the Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance can assist you. Being a landlord can be significantly rewarding, and having adequate protection when needed makes it even better. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment today for the coverage you and your property need and deserve.

How an Independent Insurance Agent Saves You Time & Money

Posted on by BossFetty

Are you looking for an agent that can save you time and money on your insurance? Look no further! As an independent insurance agent, we are what you need. We are knowledgeable and versatile. 

Best of all we have options, and these options give you options and can save you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in premiums.  As an independent insurance agent, we can tailor each policy to your specific needs and price range. We can do this because we work with dozens of insurance companies. With these carriers, we can give you more options to choose from in all different price ranges.

We know the complexities of the insurance market and are knowledgeable about the laws that could apply to each policy type. This is invaluable knowledge when it comes to writing your insurance policy. 

How an Independent Insurance Agent Saves You Time

No one likes to waste valuable time trying to find the best deal on insurance to fit their budget. That’s the beauty of an independent insurance agent; we do all the work for you. Most independent agents are alerted when your policy has an increase of 10% or more. While it is normal for rates to fluctuate up and down over time, a 10% increase is when we typically start shopping with our other carriers. 

How an Independent Agent Saves You Money

You know how we can save you time, and in the same way, we can also save you money. Since we have access to several different insurance carriers, we can find pricing to fit your budget. 

Where there are more options, there are better rates, and that gives you a lot of flexibility. Most of the time, the lower premiums don’t mean less coverage. It just means we know where to look. 

You don’t have to sacrifice coverage for better rates and shouldn’t have to. With an independent agent, that’s the least of your worries. Source:  Candace Jenkins | June 23, 2020 https://www.trustedchoice.com/insurance-articles/i/how-insurance-agents-save-you-money/

Does Your Auto Policy Apply to Every Vehicle You Own?

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Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance has helped numerous Berville, MI residents obtain the necessary auto coverage to drive legally according to state laws. We appreciate that auto insurance topics can sometimes be baffling. Our aim here is to clarify how auto insurance works, specifically addressing how a full-coverage policy applies to every vehicle you drive.

Driver-Specific Coverage

The liability coverage you purchase is specific to you as the driver. This coverage extends to any vehicle you operate, explaining why your auto insurance policy’s liability coverage applies when renting a vehicle. Your bodily injury liability and personal property liability insurance are portable—they cover you regardless of whether you’re driving your own vehicle, your spouse’s vehicle, or renting a car. Other elements like uninsured motorist coverage and medical coverage attached to your policy also apply to any vehicle you drive.

Vehicle-Specific Coverage

Particulars like collision and comprehensive coverage correspond to an individual vehicle. This also applies to emergency roadside assistance and rental reimbursement. An auto insurance policy does not blanket cover all vehicles owned by a person. Each vehicle must be expressly listed on the policy when purchasing it. Although you can add a vehicle to your policy at any point, the coverage for that vehicle only begins from the date it gets added or from when you procure a separate policy for it. Each vehicle listed will incorporate its valuation under the policy if you choose to insure your vehicles under an agreed-upon value policy.

Contact Us for an Auto Policy Review

Contact Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance today to review your auto policy. Ensure you never drive out of your Berville, MI driveway without adequate coverage.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover? What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

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Pet insurance is a precious asset. Pet insurance can save families from making heartbreaking decisions about their pets’ care and lives when vet bills would otherwise be overwhelming.

As we at Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance often remind our customers in Berville, MI, and throughout the state, pet insurance in Michigan opens doors for pet owner services you might not expect.

What can you expect from your pet policy?

Almost any pet qualifies for accident-only coverage. These policies cover vet bills for bites from other animals, bee and wasp stings, broken bones, car accidents, cuts, lacerations, eye injuries, broken teeth, poisoning, ruptured tendons and ligaments, torn or broken nails, and swallowing foreign objects.

Younger pets can also be insured for illnesses such as arthritis, allergies, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, ear infections, skin conditions, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, skin conditions, and urinary tract infections. Getting coverage for puppies and kittens as soon as they are eligible, usually at the age of eight weeks, and keeping up your premiums is the best way for you to avoid the severe financial costs and tragic decisions involved in taking care of older pets.

In Michigan, your pet insurance also helps you get your pets chipped for easier recovery should they get lost or run away. Your Michigan pet insurance will help you find a home for your pet if keeping it proves to be impossible. Your pet insurance can also help in the event of legal consequences of an animal attack.

Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance, serving Berville, MI, and all of the state, can also help you find insurance for exotic pets, such as rabbits, birds, fish, reptiles, and other mammals.

What doesn’t pet insurance cover?

Routine checkups and immunizations are still your responsibility. Older pets may not get illness coverage if they have not been insured before. 

But don’t give up on insuring your pet! Call Mitten Heritage to get the insurance your pet needs today!

Three Types Of Siding Upgrades You Can Make for Your Home

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Many homeowners in the Berville, MI area, and surrounding communities often look for the best ways to improve and upgrade their homes. Below are three types of siding upgrades you can enjoy at home and get a higher property value. 

1. LP SmartSide

One of the newer siding options, LP Smartside, is a siding that is highly durable and easy to customize if you like to change up the look of your home pretty often. This is an engineered hardwood that is treated and meant to manage different weather exposures. It has a lifespan of up to 50 years as long as you maintain it regularly and use the right paint when changing the color. It is more expensive, but it’s an investment that will make your home look great and protect it from the elements. 

2. Hardie Board

The love for the Hardie board has grown substantially in the last decade. It is one of the most durable options and gives your home a modern look and appeal you’re finding in custom home builds and even in some suburban communities. It has some cement in the siding, and if you want to have the boards painted, the manufacturer does this in-house. 

3. Metal Siding

Another trend taking off is the addition of metal siding to homes because of their durability and low maintenance. They are also more affordable than some of the other options out there and help make the home more sustainable. You can easily upgrade as long as you’re happy with this more modern look in your home. 

If you’re looking for a personal quote for home insurance in the Berville, MI, area, contact Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance today. 

What to Ask Your Agent About Landlord Insurance

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Property investment and renting can be excellent strategies for building a wealth portfolio, preparing for retirement, and dipping your toes in the world of real estate. One crucial step in the process is ensuring that these properties are rightfully insured to safeguard your investment. If you’re in the Berville, MI, area, the Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance can assist you in acquiring a a reliable landlord insurance policy tailored to your needs.

Why Trust Mitten Heritage with Your Insurance Needs?

Before securing a policy for your rental properties, it’s essential to have a few candid discussions with your agent. We recommend soliciting quotes from various insurers, allowing you to juxtapose the advantages and variances between them. Our skilled agents strive to simplify your search by employing their extensive knowledge, thus speeding up the otherwise arduous process.

Make Informed Decisions

Rely on our experienced agents for advice and insights from their time in the insurance industry. They comprehend the fine points of landlord policies and can guide you on coverage limits and other significant details. By asking the right questions, you’re better informed to pick a policy that will serve your short-, medium-, and long-term needs.

Get in Touch with Us Today!

If landlord insurance is on your agenda and you’re located in the Berville, MI region, contact Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance today. Our primary goal is to help you feel secure and assured with a policy that matches your requirements. Managing rental properties shouldn’t be permeated with dread of unforeseen circumstances. With our dedicated agents and their commitment to reliable coverage, we’ve got your back.

Smart Choices, Safe Roads: Options to Avoid DUI and Insurance Premium Increases

Posted on by BossFetty

The consequences of driving under the influence (DUI) extend far beyond legal repercussions; they can significantly impact your auto insurance premiums. Fortunately, there are various responsible choices and alternatives available to ensure you stay safe on the roads without jeopardizing your insurance rates. These options may help you make informed decisions and contribute to safer streets.

Designate a Sober Driver
One of the simplest and most effective ways to avoid a DUI is to designate a sober driver. Plan ahead and ensure that someone in your group remains alcohol-free to take the wheel. This not only safeguards you from legal troubles but also keeps your insurance premiums in check.

Use Ridesharing Services
In the era of technology, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have made it incredibly easy to secure a safe ride home. These services are cost-effective, convenient, and eliminate the need for you to drive under the influence. Spending a few dollars on a ride is a small price compared to the potential increase in insurance premiums after a DUI.

Public Transportation
If available, public transportation can be a reliable and economical option to avoid driving under the influence. Buses, trains, and subways provide a safe and responsible way to get home without the risk of a DUI impacting your insurance rates.

Stay Overnight
If you find yourself in a situation where driving is not an option, consider staying overnight. Crash at a friend’s place or book a nearby hotel to ensure you’re well-rested and sober before hitting the road. This decision not only keeps you safe but also protects your insurance premiums.

Arrange for a Taxi
Traditional taxis remain a viable option for those looking to avoid a DUI. Although they may be less prevalent in some areas due to the rise of ridesharing, taxis provide a reliable means of transportation without the risk of an insurance premium hike.

Community Programs and Services
Some communities offer programs or services that provide safe rides home for individuals who have been drinking. Look into local initiatives, such as designated driver programs or free ride services during certain events, to help you make responsible choices without affecting your insurance rates.

Utilize Driving Alternatives
Explore alternative modes of transportation that don’t involve driving under the influence. Consider walking, biking, or carpooling with a sober friend. These alternatives not only keep you from facing a DUI but also contribute to environmentally friendly and socially responsible choices.

The options to avoid driving under the influence and prevent increases in insurance premiums are numerous and accessible. By making smart choices and taking advantage of alternative transportation methods, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to safer roads for everyone. Remember, the impact of a DUI goes beyond legal consequences, and the best way to navigate these challenges is by prioritizing responsibility and safety on the road.

Coverage Options of Auto Insurance

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Optimizing Auto Insurance with Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance

Purchasing auto insurance from Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance offers you the unique opportunity to personalize your policy. In Romeo and Berville, MI, as part of the state’s mandatory requirements, auto insurance is vital for the privilege of driving. While the state’s minimum standard is 50/100/10 for this type of insurance, it’s customizable to your personal needs.

Expanding Coverage Beyond the State Requirements

Auto insurance encompasses more than just liability coverage. Some drivers, influenced by the mandatory nature of this coverage, may perceive it as the sole provision of auto insurance. However, this is a misconception. An automotive policy can include various coverage types, offering expansive protection for your automobile and well-being.

The state law update in 2020 increased liability requirements and introduced personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as a requisite. PIP safeguards the driver, providing medical coverage even in the event of a single-car accident. PIP coverage can be enhanced, working effectively as a solid supplement to your existing health insurance.

Additional coverage options include comprehensive, collision, and roadside assistance. Collision covers any vehicle damage resulting from an accident, be it a single-car or multiple-vehicle situation. At the same time, comprehensive coverage ensures financial protection if your vehicle suffers damage from a peril named in the policy, such as vandalism or theft. Including roadside assistance guarantees peace of mind, knowing that your policy covers services such as towing, tire service, fuel replenishment, lockout service, and much more. Other coverage options include loss-of-use coverage and rental coverage.

Upgrade Your Existing Coverage

Let us assist you in strengthening your existing auto insurance coverage. By contacting Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance, you can comfortably review your auto insurance options and customize your coverage for enhanced protection on Romero and Berville, MI roads.

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