Insuring Your Vacation Home: A Comprehensive Guide

Vacation times are synonymous with fun and relaxation. But the prerequisite for that perfect vacation is ensuring your vacation property’s security and safety. At Janis-Shunta Insurance, catering to the Muskegon, MI community and its neighboring areas, we offer custom-tailored insurance policies to address your unique property insurance requirements.

Safeguard Your Vacation Home

Owning a vacation home is exciting but not without its challenges. The utmost of these is ensuring protection against potential damage and hazards, more so if the property remains unoccupied for prolonged periods. Prior to the peak vacation season, it’s critical to weatherproof your vacation home for potential storms, rain, and snow. Look into setting up alarm systems and fortifying security to deter burglars. Remember, regular repair and maintenance are essentials, irrespective of the season.

Comprehending Your Insurance Needs

Choosing the right insurance coverage for your vacation home can be complicated due to multiple options and considerations. By partnering with us, you’ll get precise, easy-to-understand advice tailored to your property and individual situation. Our seasoned team is equipped to create robust policies to mitigate diverse risks associated with vacation homes, ranging from fire and flood to storms and other unpredictable weather events.

Relax, Your Vacation Home is Covered

Don’t leave securing insurance coverage for your second home to the last minute. Take the proactive route and connect with Janis-Shunta Insurance today. We’ll work to ensure thorough protection for your valuable vacation property in Muskegon, MI. Our comprehensive coverage will let you create memorable vacation experiences without worrying about possible risks. Get in touch with us for custom-designed policies to suit your specific needs.

No matter the cost or condition of your home, you need home insurance. It is a safeguard in an emergency and protects you from financial hardship if there is damage to your home. Sometimes it’s tempting to go for the most basic policy, but you may miss out on critical coverage, as many things are commonly excluded from home insurance policies. 

Coverage in the Event of Extreme Weather

We can control many things while maintaining our home, but the weather isn’t one of them. You may be surprised to learn that your policy might not cover earthquake, storm, and flood damage, even if you live in areas prone to these problems. Natural disasters are already devastating without dealing with the financial and logistical repercussions of not having full coverage. 

The Importance of Flood Damage Coverage

Flooding doesn’t just happen due to bad weather. While heavy rain and storms contribute, they can also occur due to leaks or issues with your plumbing, so you should always check that you have flood coverage, no matter what. 

Focus on the Add-Ons You Need for Your Property

Think about the add-ons you need. Remember, insurance is there to protect you in the event of the unexpected. Forecasting potential issues is crucial. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you look after your home; things age, break, and get damaged.

Expert Agents at Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI

At Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI, we know how complex the insurance world can be. Providing you with the best coverage is our focus, and we will work with you so you fully understand everything involved.

To learn more about Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI, call (231) 737-000 today. 

If you own a home, you know that home insurance is a brilliant idea to protect your investment. Many people don’t know that many types of coverage are included in every home insurance policy. When you need a home policy for your house, call us today at Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI. 

Coverage for the House

Part of the coverage that you get from home insurance is protection for the house. There is a wide range of risks that can befall a house and cause damage to it. When an incident happens that is covered by the policy, your home insurance will pay for the needed repairs so that you don’t have to. Repairs for significant incidents can be costly, so it’s wise to have home insurance so those repairs will be taken care of. This coverage can even pay to rebuild the entire house if an incident destroys it. 

Coverage for Possessions

In addition to home coverage, this insurance also covers your possessions inside your home. If an incident results in your possessions being damaged or destroyed, the policy can cover the cost of them. This will allow you to replace your items so that you don’t have to come up with the money yourself. This is important coverage when you consider how much each of your items costs and what it would cost to replace everything. 

Liability Coverage

This insurance also includes liability protection. If someone were to have an accident in your home, this policy would pay for the medical bills that you are liable for. This coverage can save you thousands in medical bills if the worst should happen. 

Protect Your Finances

With home insurance, you protect your financial future. Give us a call at Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI to find out more. 

Buying home insurance in Muskegon, MI may not be as exciting as buying the home itself, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a critical policy to have. Home insurance is designed to protect you, your family, and your investment if the unexpected occurs. If you have already decided to buy home insurance but are not sure how to go about it, you’re in the right place. In this article, Janis-Shunta Insurance will explain a few tips to get you in the right direction.

Assess Your Needs

Before you begin your shopping, make sure you know your home insurance needs. First, do little research to determine the average cost of insuring a home in your area based on the size and location. Next, calculate the price for rebuilding and know the value of your possessions. Lastly, create a priority list of the coverages and terms you would want to be included in your home insurance policy.

Shop Around

Like any other item in the market, don’t just shop blindly. Instead, use your priority list to determine which companies offer what you need at relatively low rates.  Most insurance companies in Muskegon, MI will generally have similar items but charge different rates based on your insurance needs.

Read and Understand Your Policy

Don’t sign anything if you don’t understand what is written. Read the terms and conditions provided by the insurance company, and if you have any questions, ask before signing. Let your insurance company explain the entire process of filing an insurance claim and what is covered in your policy. Take your time to read, fill forms, and sign where necessary. Remember, your home insurance policy is equally important as it is supposed to protect your home and loved ones. 

Your home is a valuable investment; you should protect it with enough home insurance. If you’re not sure which company to approach for your home insurance needs, Janis-Shunta Insurance is here to take away your worries. Call us today!

The Muskegon, MI area can be a great place for someone to invest in their home. Property owners here will benefit from price appreciation and will enjoy having a consistent place to call their home. When you are going to purchase real estate in this area, you need to get proper home insurance for it. There are several tips that should be followed that can help you pick a quality home insurance policy. 

Consider Requirements

One tip that you need to follow when you are looking for a new policy in this area of Michigan is to consider your needs. Anyone that is in this area of the state will need to consider requirements that are set by their mortgage lender and home association, if applicable. When you get the insurance that meets your requirements, it will keep you in good standing with all of your requirements. 

Consider Unique Needs

Another factor to consider when you are shopping for property insurance is to consider your specific needs. The home insurance needs are not always the same for all people. Due to this, you should spend time considering your individual risks and how you can cover them with insurance. One form of coverage you may need can include additional protection for your personal assets, which can be obtained through a policy rider. 

There continue to be many advantages that come with getting home insurance in the Muskegon, MI area. When you want to get a new policy here, it would be a good idea for you to call Janis-Shunta Insurance. The team with Janis-Shunta Insurance understands the complexities that come with picking a new policy. The team here can then help you choose a policy that will continue to provide the right coverage for your situation. 

Condos remain a popular housing choice in Muskegon, MI for many reasons. For example, they allow homeownership and customization while still having convenient surrounding property and common areas cared for by another entity. Like all home investments, it’s important to protect your condo by getting a good insurance policy. But here’s where many people get confused because condo insurance policies are actually separate types of policies than homeowners insurance. Our team at Janis-Shunta Insurance examines the difference. 

What is Condo Insurance (and Condo Association Insurance)?

Condo insurance covers your individual unit. While personal property and dwelling coverage are often aspects, it’s worth noting that one of the most important aspects of condo insurance is often liability coverage. This prevents you from having to pay all costs out of pocket for incidents that happen on your property. 

Now, condo association insurance is often a separate form of coverage that is built into your condo/community fees. This coverage will generally take care of any damages to the exteriors or anything considered community space. If you are not aware of this form of insurance is in place within the condo community, it’s important to ask.  

Why Condo Insurance is Not the Same as a Homeowners Policy

A homeowners policy is generally more extensive than condo insurance. Homeowner’s policies usually cover the property as a whole, both inside and outside. This is the kind of insurance needed for homes that are not attached to any other homes. As a condo owner, however, you’ll need to primarily worry about only your individual unit and everything inside it. Since you most likely share walls with neighbors, that’s where condo association insurance comes in as over-arching community coverage. 

Don’t Wait to Find Coverage

You’ll be expected to carry condo insurance coverage in just about any Muskegon, MI condo dwelling community. If you don’t have it and an incident takes place on your property, you could wind up facing hefty out-of-pocket costs or even find yourself facing fines from the condo association. Contact the experts at Janis-Shunta Insurance to learn about your condo insurance options today!

To keep your home insurance coverage up to date and get the best rate, there are times it’s necessary to update your home insurance policy. At Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI, we are happy to help you update your coverage or choose a new policy.

Improvements

The first, and most obvious reason to update your homeowner’s policy, is that you’ve made improvements to your home. If you have remodeled your home, replaced the roof, or added a new structure like a garage, it’s important to update your policy. Improvements can make your home more valuable, and you’ll want to make sure the insurance company has the updated worth of your home. Improvements like a new roof may result in a lower premium as well.

Security System

A security system can also result in a lower premium. An alarm system makes your home three times less likely to experience a break-in. They also result in quicker alerts and fewer damages in the event of a fire. 

Swimming Pool

Unfortunately, not all improvements to your home will lower your premium. A swimming pool presents an extra risk that could increase your premium. You’ll need to inform your insurance company to be sure you are covered in the event of an accident.

New Pets

Pets can also increase your premiums, particularly dogs. Your homeowner’s policy should cover the damages if your pet injures someone, but only if you inform them that you have a new furry addition to the family. 

If you are a homeowner in Muskegon MI, contact us at Janis-Shunta Insurance. We are happy to discuss a new or existing homeowner’s policy with you, and ensure that you get the right coverage for your needs. 

Homeowner’s insurance policies are typically geared toward homeowners who want to protect their own residences. But what if you’re a landlord who wants to protect the property you own but don’t necessarily live in? Do you still need home insurance?

The short answer is "yes." However, the policies you will be looking at will be most often referred to as "landlord insurance" rather than a typical homeowner’s policy. Likewise, your policy will be focused more on covering the building itself, the surrounding property and any structures (sheds, garages, etc.) that may be on it. 

What Landlords in Michigan Need to Know

As of 2018, the state of Michigan now requires both landlords and their tenants (renters) to have insurance. This is because neither should rely entirely on the other party’s insurance policy. While your landlord insurance will cover the general property itself and help protect you from losses and liability claims, your tenants’ renters insurance policy will help protect their personal possessions and help protect them from their own liability situations. 

Naturally, there is no "one size fits all" insurance policy for landlords. The amount of insurance coverage you need as a landlord will depend on the type of property itself, particularly when it comes to size and the amount of units/tenants within. Be sure to ask our insurance experts at Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI about all your specific concerns and coverage needs. 

What if I Want to Start Renting Out My Home to Tenants?

If you want to start renting out your personal residence to tenants, you will still need to get a landlord insurance policy. After all, your insurance will cover you in a wide variety of liability situations that may only affect landlords, such as wrongful eviction cases or property damage that may affect tenants. 

Have questions or simply want to learn more about your landlord insurance coverage options in the Norton Shores or Muskegon, MI area? Contact us today at Janis-Shunta Insurance! We’re ready to help you find a policy that suits your needs. 

What Contents Does My Home Insurance Policy Cover?

One of the most common types of insurance, Janis-Shunta Insurance of Muskegon, MI wants you to understand homeowners’ insurance and what it does. Most people understand that it helps repair their home when it gets damaged by a storm or fire. They also understand that it protects them by paying for a visitor’s medical treatment for injuries if your dog bites them. Few people understand the contents portion of the policy though.

The contents section of a homeowners’ policy covers every piece of personal property in your home. Note the personal property designation. That means that your home business equipment is not covered. Neither is the business equipment of anyone visiting or your inventory you keep in the garage.

Your contents coverage usually equals between ten to 20 percent of the value of your home’s value as it’s insured. That may not cover everything you own that you lose. Some items, like jewelry, have a limit of $1,500 coverage. Chances are your furniture alone would eat up your contents coverage. Then you are left with your clothes, electronics and other jewelry to replace.

That’s why insurance companies let you add additional coverage for contents to your policy. You can insure your personal property at a higher rate than the standard coverage. You can increase it to 50 to 70 percent. Choose replacement value rather than actual cash value so that the insurance will pay for a new item at the cost you’d have to pay to replace it.

Call or visit Janis-Shunta Insurance of Muskegon, MI to learn more about how you can protect your belongings. We can help you make sure you have the coverage to protect your personal property.

The start of a new year is an excellent time to review your home insurance. If you’ve made major changes to your home, received costly gifts, or altered your lifestyle since purchasing your policy, upgrading your coverage with Janis-Shunta Insurance will ensure you have the protection you need. Here are three reasons to update your policy in the New Year.

To Maintain Maximum Protection for Your Dwelling

Significant home improvements that enhance the appearance, function, or security of your home will increase its value. If you made such changes to your Norton Shores or Muskegon, MI home since purchasing home insurance, you might need to increase your dwelling insurance to match the new value of your home.  

Dwelling insurance should cover the cost of replacing your home in the event of total loss. Anything less could result in your paying thousands of dollars in rebuilding costs out of pocket. Upgrading your insurance ensures your home has adequate protection for the New Year. 

To Cover Costly Gifts or Purchases

If you received costly gifts over Christmas or purchased pricey electronics, these need to be added to your insurance policy to protect them from theft or damage. Including these items in your personal property coverage may require an upgrade to your plan. If the limits on your property insurance aren’t high enough to cover these items, you can obtain an insurance rider to protect these valuable goods.  

To Protect You against Lawsuits

If you added a pool to your home or adopted a dog, you may need to increase your liability coverage to protect yourself against lawsuits in case of an accidental drowning or dog attack. Liability coverage pays for injuries visitors may sustain while visiting your property, so you don’t have to dip into your savings to cover these costs.

To upgrade your home insurance or to learn more about insurance options and costs, contact Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI.