Sump Pump Failure

Tips to keep your basement from flooding

With Michigan's sporadic weather, it may seem like an uphill battle to protect and maintain your home from mother nature. If you live in Michigan, you have probably walked downstairs after a stormy night to find that your basement flooded.... again!

A typical homeowners insurance policy has a limit of $5,000 for backup or sewers and drains (less your deductible, of course). This includes sump pump failure/backup so it is important to have your water backup system in tip-top shape, especially if you have a finished basement.

If your sump pump isn't doing the job, you might want to install one of the following:

• backflow preventer or backwater valve
• water powered sump pump
• backup system with a generator
• battery powered backup sump pump

Top reasons why sump pumps fail:

1. Float switch is broken
2. Too much water, sump pump can't keep up
3. Clogged intake screen
4. Pump is air locked
5. Jammed by mud/stone
6. Power outage
7. Tripped circuit/blown fuse
8. Broken pump impeller or drive shaft
9. Clogged/frozen discharge

Personal Umbrella

What does a personal umbrella policy cover?

 If you are ever faced with a lawsuit, even if groundless, false, or fraudulent, chances are you are going to wish you had an umbrella policy to foot your defence costs.  Personal umbrella policies provide excess liability coverage for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage lawsuits beyond the limits of your individual insurance policies. 

Umbrella policies provide an emense amount of coverage, starting at $1 million of protection.  Even with this much protection umbrella policies are typically inexpensive, starting at about $130 per year depending on your underlying policies. On top of that, some carriers offer discounts on your home and auto policies to lower the cost even further.

Feel free to email us with questions or visit our website to inquire about a quote.

Auto Collision Coverage

What is the difference between limited, standard, and broad collision?

Most people know enough about insurance to know the difference between full coverage and PLPD, but did you know there actually three different forms of collision offered? It is important consider the advantages of each type when placing coverage on a vehicle.

Limited Collision: If you purchase limited collision, your insurance will only pay for collision damages when the driver of the insured vehicle is not at fault. If the driver of the insured vehicle is more than 50% of the cause of the accident, there is no collision coverarge.

Standard/Basic Collision: If you purchase basic or standard collision, your insurance will pay for collision damages regardless of who is at fault, less your deductible.

Borad Collision: If you purchase broad form collision, your insurance wil pay for collision damages regardless of who is at fault. If the driver of the insured vehicle is found not at fault, the deductible is waived.