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

Rental Car Coverage

Should I buy rental car insurance?

Does my auto insurance provide coverage for a rental car? We get this question a lot at Mason Insurance Agency. Unfortunately, this question is not followed by a simple yes or no answer.

Typically, a personal auto policy will extend coverage equal to what you have on your vehicle. For instance, if you have collision coverage on one of your vehicles then collision coverage is extended to the rental car. However, there are some significant gaps in coverage that you should take into consideration:

•  Loss of use: should you damage your rental car, you could be left responsible for the income lost while the rental car was in the shop and could not be rented out.
• Diminutive value: you could also be responsible for the difference in value of the vehicle pre-accident, and the diminished value after you damaged it. 

Some insurance carriers offer endorsements to cover these gaps in coverage. The best answer is to speak with your insurance agent before making a decision not to purchase insurance from the rental car agency.