Category: Auto Insurance

If you live in Negaunee, MI, you understand just how cold and snowy it gets in the winter. The hard winter conditions in Michigan can have a disastrous effect on your vehicle if it isn’t properly maintained. At U.P. Insurance Agency Inc., we help residents of Negaunee, MI properly cover their used vehicles each winter. We understand how important it is to have a working car to get to work in the harsh conditions associated with a Michigan winter.

The following are three ways to make sure your used vehicle is properly covered this winter:

1. Comprehensive

Don’t just get liability insurance if you drive a lot in the snow. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle as well as the other party if you get into an accident on the slick roads. Comprehensive coverage also covers your classic vehicle if you choose to place it in storage until summer comes back around. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you should at least have comprehensive insurance. 

2. Storage Insurance

You may want to add supplemental storage insurance to your current coverage plan if you have comprehensive coverage. This is especially true if you have a valuable or classic car. This will ensure that your vehicle is properly covered if it is severely damaged while in storage. 

3. Full Coverage

The best way to have peace of mind is with full coverage. Full coverage includes comprehensive and liability coverage. You can also add any other supplemental coverage to this plan. It is the only way to ensure you are fully covered if anything happens to your vehicle or the passengers. 

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

If you have a used vehicle in Negaunee, MI, make sure it is properly covered during the winter. Contact us at U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. One of our representatives will be able to help you get the perfect insurance policy for your vehicle. 

U.P. Insurance Agency Inc., serving the greater Negaunee, MI community, understands the need to evaluate the insurance company and the agent you will be working with. You will need someone to encourage you during the process if you need to submit an insurance claim and your stress level is high.

The following are some questions to ask:

What Type Of Coverage Do I Need?

The state of Michigan requires all drivers to have the minimum state coverage. That means that every car owner must have insurance to drive. However, there are other extra types of coverage that you want to consider for extra protection. Make sure to ask an insurance agent about them. 

Is There Enough Coverage?

There is no such thing as "full coverage" because every state has a distinct minimum policy limit. Therefore, having "enough" insurance can mean different things to different people. Due to the ease with which one sizable claim might easily wipe out your policy limitations, consult with your agent about extra coverages and features and obtain quotes on additional policy limits. You might be surprised by how little your premium goes up for such a significant increase in coverage limits.

What Will I Have to Pay Out-of-Pocket in Case of An Accident?

The amount you will have to pay out-of-pocket depends on numerous factors. These factors include the type of accident, its location, and others. The at-fault driver’s insurance company and any ensuing damages or injuries will often be your obligation to cover if you were not the cause of the collision. However, if the at-fault motorist has insufficient or no insurance, you can find yourself paying the bill. To ensure that your policy will protect you in this situation, ask your insurance provider what you can do. 

Schedule A Consultation Today!

If you are currently shopping for auto insurance in Negaunee, MI or any other nearby town, but you do not know where to start, U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. is ready to assist you. We will answer all your questions and provide you with the information you need. 

There’s not much that feels worse than seeing police lights in your rearview mirror, knowing you’re about to get a ticket. Here, we’ll take a look at how getting points on your license can affect your insurance. 

Points on Your License & Auto Insurance

First, it’s important to know the laws around license points in your state. Not all states use a point system to keep track of driving records, which means that getting a ticket won’t necessarily add points to your license. When you get a speeding ticket, ask the officer whether points will be assigned to your license. 

If your ticket adds points to your license, explore whether you have options for having the points removed. In some cases, you can go to traffic school to have points removed from your license. 

Talk with your insurance agent after you get a ticket that adds points to your license for more information on how the points will affect your rates. It’s possible that the points added to your license will increase your premium for a time. You’ll want to know how long the points will affect your insurance rates, and whether you’re eligible for any discounts that can offset the increased premium resulting from the points on your license.

U.P. Insurance Agency Inc.: Proudly Serving Negaunee, MI

At U.P. Insurance Agency Inc., we’re proud to serve our Negaunee, MI area customers, and we’re excited to get to know you and talk about all of your auto insurance needs. Give us a call or stop by today to learn how we can work with you to create the perfect auto insurance policy for you.

Like most things in life, auto insurance is not one-and-done. It needs to change with the changes that are happening in your life. At U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. in Negaunee, MI we have been providing personalized service to our customers since 1987. As independent insurance agents, we can offer more choices and value. 

When should you review your auto insurance?

At renewal

Generally speaking, if no event has happened that requires that you review your insurance coverage, it should be done yearly when your auto insurance renews. When your new auto insurance policy arrives either in the mail or digitally, the front page is called the declaration page. It is a review of what your coverage is. It will list the drivers, the vehicles, the liability coverage, as well as any other coverage you may have. 

Take the time to make sure all the amounts make sense. If your assets have increased, you may want to increase your liability coverage. If you have added a teen driver, you may want to increase liability coverage. 

Look at your other coverage. Have any of your vehicles gotten to the age where paying for collision and comprehensive doesn’t make sense?  Check to see if you have full glass coverage, tow coverage or roadside service. Also, check your deductible. 

When you add a new vehicle

When you add a new vehicle, it is a good time to review all of your coverage. Is your deductible the right amount? Do you need to add gap coverage to protect your investment in your vehicle? 

When you add a new driver

When you add a new driver, it is the perfect time to make sure you review all of your coverage and make sure the right driver is attached to the correct vehicle. 

Call Us Today

Contact U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. in Negaunee, MI with any auto insurance questions or needs you may have. 

Like most other states, Michigan has requirements that all drivers must adhere to when it comes to auto insurance. You must have liability coverage and you can opt for complete coverage with collision and comprehensive. At U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. in Negaunee, MI, our team works with customers to personalize their coverage to their particular needs. Different carriers offer different options and not every policy works for every person. 

Can adult children stay on their parents’ auto policy?

Auto insurance is designed to cover all the members of the family who reside in one home. That can be a multi-generational family. So, if grandma lives with you, she can be on your family policy and if the kids live at home, they can be on the family policy. But what about adult children? This can be more difficult. 

If you have college-age children who are away at school, can they stay on the family policy while they are away at school? For the most part, yes, as long as they don’t make a permanent change to their address and they return home during the off-season. They should also be using what is considered a family vehicle. But not every carrier feels the same about this, so be sure to make sure your carrier is on board and, if not, consider finding one who is. 

What about after your children finish college? Can they stay on the family policy? Yes, if they have moved back into the family home and can still be considered a dependent. If they live in a family-owned home other than the main home that also works. They need to drive a family car, however. Check with your carrier to see what age they consider children no longer dependents. 

Contact U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. in Negaunee, MI with any auto insurance questions you may have. 

Michigan, like all states, has very specific laws about how much and what kind of auto insurance its vehicles have. If you drive in Michigan, you need at least the minimum amount of coverage decreed by the state. But, you can generally add on more insurance coverage to be better protected. If you need auto insurance in Michigan, give us a call at U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. in Negaunee, MI to talk to an agent about your insurance needs. 

Bodily Injury Liability 

There are two minimum amounts of this type of coverage required in the state. One amount is for one person who is injured in an accident that you cause. The other number is the amount available for more than one person who is injured. These liability coverages pay for someone else’s injuries when you have an accident that is your fault. While you have to have the minimum amount, you are free to add more coverage to your policy.

Property Damage Liability

This type of coverage pays for the damage done to another vehicle, or building, in an accident that you cause. This coverage minimum is relatively low in Michigan, so it’s often recommended that you add some insurance protection to this policy. 

Personal Injury Protection

This type of coverage is for your own injuries if you are in an accident. This will pay for your medical bills no matter who is at fault. Michigan requires a large amount of this insurance, so you are less likely to need to add any onto this coverage. However, there are other options for you if you are either a Medicare or Medicaid recipient. You may be able to waive this completely, or you can choose a lesser amount of coverage. 

Michigan Auto Insurance

If you’re in need of auto insurance in the state, call us at U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. in Negaunee, MI.

Whether you’re on your first car or your fifth, one thing that stays the same is the fact that you need insurance for it. Good insurance, too, that won’t have you nervous every time you sit behind the wheel or take your car somewhere. U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. is on hand for residents of Negaunee, MI to guide you on what to do and provide great covers for you.

How to Get the Right Auto Insurance

It’s not a simple matter of going to an insurers’ office and walking out with a cover; you need to do due diligence because what works great for your neighbor may not work well for you.

Here are a few questions to ask to get a cover that will serve you well:

• What factors affect your insurance premium? Knowing exactly what they are will help you know what covers to get, which affects how much you will pay in premiums.
• What are your liability coverage limits? If you want to keep assets like your home safe in case of an accident that needs to be paid for, you ought to raise your liability coverage limits at least to reflect the value of your combined assets.
• What do third-party ratings say? Despite the allure of simply picking the cheapest cover, pay attention to ratings by third parties and ensure that the carrier you choose offers quick, efficient service.
• Have you requested discounts available to you? Sometimes, you may be eligible for a discount, but unless you ask for it, you won’t get it. Always check that any discounts you’ve been given reflect in your bill as well.

Stay Safe and Secure with Quality Auto Insurance

If you’re in the Negaunee, MI area and need to get a quote, check out our site, and you will be sure to find something that can work for you. U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. is ready to answer any questions you may have, so talk to us today. You’ll go away informed and in a better position to decide on the auto insurance that’s right for you. 

No matter how new or old your car may be, being prepared for winter weather or unexpected car trouble is critical. Unfortunately, too many drivers find themselves stranded for hours at a time, waiting for repair or roadside assistance in uncomfortable temperatures. Below are a few things that all emergency kits should have handy and stored in an emergency. 

1. Flashlights

Nothing is worse than being stranded beside a dark highway and not being able to see. Having a flashlight with extra batteries in your emergency kit is essential so that you can scan the area and be able to look under the hood of your car for trouble. 

2. Blankets and Gloves

To stay warm when your car does not turn on, you need to keep blankets and gives in your emergency kit. Keep enough for you and the passengers that you usually carry, if any at all. Being able to stay warm without a heater is important during an emergency.

3. Non-perishable Snacks

In case you are going to be stranded for a while, you need some non-perishable snacks that will help curb your thirst or hunger while you wait for help to come to you. Pack things like granola bars, bottled water, and jerky as food options. 

4. Jumper Cables

It is a good practice to keep a set of high-quality battery jumper cables in your car should your battery die. This will help you get enough battery juice from a good samaritan to help you get your engine started and get home to safety. 

5. Portable Air Compressor

If you start to get a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere, a portable air compressor allows you to temporarily put air in your tire, holding you over until you can get to safety to have it patched or replaced. 

If you require auto insurance in the Negaunee, MI area, give our agents at U.P. Insurance Agency Inc. a call today.