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Understanding umbrella insurance

Muskegon, MI business owners rely on Janis-Shunta Insurance for their commercial insurance needs. If you are an owner in our community and would like to learn more about how umbrella insurance can help protect your company, give us a call today.

Understanding umbrella insurance

Commercial insurance is a great way to protect your company. Owning and operating a successful business is much more than a job! The dedication it takes to keep your business up and running day after day is a lot, so it only makes sense to protect your efforts.

Primary commercial policies have limits that can be exhausted over the policy’s life. Because of this, many business owners turn to umbrella policies to provide additional protection. 

You can have additional coverage if a significant loss exhausts your primary policy with this type of policy. There is no reason NOT to carry umbrella insurance to protect your company when you think about it. Without it, company assets can be seized, or principals can be held personally liable, depending on the structure of your company.

No one wants to experience a catastrophic event that depletes their primary policy and leaves the company and themselves on the hook. This can be avoided with a few smart decisions and the right policies in place. Now is a great time to review your commercial insurance and ensure you have what you need.

Call and schedule your consultation today.

Janis-Shunta Insurance is here for the Muskegon, MI business community. If you want to find out more about your commercial insurance options, you can rely on us. We would love the opportunity to work with you! Give our office a call today to schedule an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Benefits of umbrella insurance for business owners

Muskegon, MI area business owners can rely on the team at Janis-Shunta Insurance for all of their commercial insurance needs. If you are interested in learning more about how an umbrella policy can help protect your business, give us a call today.

How area business owners can benefit from having umbrella insurance

When it comes to protecting the hard work it takes to build and maintain a successful business, the sky’s the limit. We understand that owning a business takes a lot of dedication and want to ensure that you have the protection you need.

Umbrella policies are an effective tool when it comes to protecting your business. The main benefit that business owners receive from these policies is increased protection. Primary commercial policies have limits, and once they are reached, the policy is considered to be exhausted. 

This means that it will no longer provide coverage. Having an umbrella policy can be a lifesaver if your policy reaches this stage. You can enjoy additional protection above and beyond your primary policy and avoid personal financial responsibility. While insurance doesn’t always provide complete coverage, having robust policies can help minimize any risk of liability for the company and its principals.

If umbrella insurance is right for you, there’s no time like the present to learn more about the available options!

Let us be your commercial insurance partners.

Janis-Shunta Insurance is here for the Muskegon, MI area business community. If you seek a partner to help you with all of your commercial insurance needs, we are here to help! Umbrella insurance fills a vital need in any company’s insurance portfolio. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about this important tool!

These Hazardous Actions Cause the Majority of Michigan Car Accidents

Understanding the leading causes of car accidents in Michigan can help you prevent being involved in a tragic mishap yourself, bringing harm to yourself or someone else. The hazardous actions caused the most accidents, injuries, property damage, and fatalities in Michigan in 2020.

Unable to Stop 

Drivers who were unable to stop were involved in 45,227 crashes in 2020, causing property damage in 36,195 of them, injuries in 8,987 of them, and fatality in 45 of them. Driving cautiously, keeping a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you, and avoiding the roads when bad weather can help prevent catastrophes like these.

Failed to Yield

Drivers who failed to yield caused 34,404 accidents in the state in 2020. Of those, the vast majority resulted in property damage, but over 9,000 resulted in injury, and over 100 resulted in death. A minor infraction, like failing to yield, can have serious consequences. Staying focused on the road can help prevent disaster.

Speeding

As expected, speeding was a contributing factor in 22,391 motor vehicle accidents in 2020 in Michigan, causing fatalities in 190 of them. Of the remaining crashes, somebody was injured in 5,469 of them. Obeying posted speed limits helps prevent collisions – and helps avoid the severity of injury when collisions occur. 

Careless Driving

Another common contributor was careless driving, cited in 10,386 Michigan automobile accidents in 2020 alone. Of those 90 fatalities and 3,148 injuries occurred. Eliminating distractions can help prevent these tragic occurrences. 

Improper Lane Use

Improper lane use contributed to another 10,054 accidents, 17 fatalities, and 1,209 injuries in Michigan in 2020, changing or taking people’s lives. Property damage occurred in the remaining 8,828 accidents where improper lane use was the primary contributing factor. 

Careful driving is key to a safe experience on the road for all of us, but when you have an accident, having a trustworthy insurance carrier is important. To talk insurance, visit us at Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI today!

What Type of Commercial Insurance is Best for My Business?

At Janis-Shunta Insurance we know deciding on what type of insurance your business needs can be an overwhelming task. After all, there are many different insurance products out there, and depending on your business operations, you may need more than one.  

General Liability Insurance for Muskegon, MI Business Owners 

Also known as Business Insurance, this is an essential insurance policy every business owner needs. Liability insurance protects your business in a few different ways. Let’s look at these examples. 

If you operate a business where customers come to your location, General Liability insurance can offer protection from lawsuits stemming from a slip and fall injury. Yes, if a client falls in your office or while walking up to your office, you will more likely be responsible for any resulting medical bills. 

Let’s say your customers don’t come to you, but you go to them. General Liability insurance will offer protection if you or an employee damages a customer’s property. An example of this would be if a painter oversprays a vehicle in the driveway or spills paint on an expensive area rug. As the business owner, it would be up to you to replace or repair these items.  

You may want to consider adding a property policy to help cover the things you use every day in your business.

Bottom Line, Your Business Needs Protection 

At the end of the day, a commercial insurance policy is the best thing you can do for your business. The risk advisors at Janis-Shunta Insurance will take the time to get to know you and your business to ensure you are protected. Don’t leave your business unprotected another day. Our insurance experts are ready to help you today!

Does Condo Insurance Protect Against Storm Damage?

Whether you own or rent, a condo combines some of the best aspects of a large space for yourself and living in a more central location, like downtown Muskegon, MI. While owners and renters have different types of insurance policies, Janis-Shunta Insurance has general answers that will help both.

What Type of Damage Did the Storm Cause?

This question is the first step to determining if your insurance policy will cover the damage.

If a storm brings heavy rains that flood the area, then neither condo nor renters insurance will cover the damage. Flood insurance is a special type of insurance that is managed on a larger scale since floods can be devastating to a wide area. Both owners and renters can purchase flood insurance to cover that risk. A mudslide caused by water-logged ground falls under another type of insurance for earth movement, so typical condo or renters insurance won’t cover it.

Otherwise, water damage from the storm may or may not be covered. With specific examples and an existing insurance policy, we at Janis-Shunta Insurance can work towards finding a clearer answer for you.

Fires sparked by a thunderstorm are likely to be covered by an insurance policy, but circumstances may change the outcome. Two of the more common exceptions to fire damage coverage are arson and acts of war, and a thunderstorm is neither. The details of your policy and other factors will also weigh on the claim decision.

For colder storms, hail damage coverage can be part of a standard insurance package, but that changes depending on the area and the individual provider’s plan structures. Muskegon, MI is no stranger to hail, so that might influence whether it’s included. Other ice and snow damage will usually be covered as long as you take reasonable steps to prevent damage.

Michigan Auto Insurance: Winter Driving Tips to Stay Safe and Avoid Collisions

Driving in Michigan winters is an adventure, and can be a scary one. The best winter driving tip for Muskegon, MI drivers is to stay home when the roads are bad. At Janis-Shunta Insurance, we know that isn’t always realistic.

Use these winter driving tips to stay safe and avoid collisions during winter driving conditions this year.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Keep emergency supplies in your cars such as a blanket, non-perishable food items, a flashlight, scrapers and brushes, and even warm clothing in the event of an emergency.

Make sure that your car has at least half a tank of gas in the car during the winter. You will go through more fuel in tougher conditions.

Have your fluids topped up weekly, and your oil changed regularly, and make sure your tires are always inflated and in good condition. Winter tires in Michigan are also a great idea.

Drive Slowly and Carefully

It’s common sense to drive slowly and carefully in winter, but too often, we don’t do it. We don’t want to be out there and want to get home or to our destination as quickly as possible. Be slow and careful.

Don’t use your cruise control in winter driving, as this could lead to skids.

Don’t brake when you are in bad weather. Instead, accelerate and decelerate as slowly as possible. Braking on ice could cause a problem you can’t undo. Keep your heel on the floor if you do need to brake sharply.

Keep Your Distance

Keeping a safe distance is an excellent habit to get into for winter driving. You will likely see other drivers on the roads in winter doing the same. Follow suit, and keep your distance. When you need to brake or exit, you will have plenty of room to do so.

Update Your Michigan Auto Insurance

When you are driving in the winter in Muskegon MI, you want to take every precaution. Go slow, keep your distance, and keep your car maintained. You can also update your auto insurance and add on elements such as Roadside Assistance to stay confident on the roads. At Janis-Shunta Insurance, we want you to have every coverage you need. Call us for a quote today.

When Should I Review My Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance, also known as HO-6 insurance, while not legally required, is often required by the HOA and mortgage provider. It’s worth periodically reviewing your coverage to make sure you are adequately protected. 

Review When:

  • Moving in is a good time to take a home inventory and assess your coverage needs. 
  • After a major remodel, you may wish to review your coverages. 
  • Expensive purchases may need protection beyond usual limits.
  • Before you travel or relocate for a while, consider a vacant or unoccupied policy.

 

What’s Included?

There are four basic types of coverage included in condo insurance:

  1. Liability and medical payments: If an injury happens to a visitor in your unit, this coverage can pay medical bills and cover legal expenses if you are sued. It can sometimes cover animal bites or damage you accidentally cause to another’s property. 
  2. Personal property: There are two primary types. Actual cash value pays current value even if it’s less than the original purchase price; this is the more affordable option. There is also replacement cost, which pays out based on the current average cost to replace. 
  3. Loss of use: If displaced for repairs during a covered claim, this can pay for a hotel, meals, and laundry for the duration. 
  4. Dwelling/Building property: This varies depending on what your HOA carries with the condo’s master policy. Through your HOA, you may have coverage as follows:
    1. All-in/all-inclusive covers all items built into your unit, including upgrades. You would not necessarily need to pick up additional coverage to protect your appliances and fixtures.
    2. Single entity covers only fixtures original to your condo; your upgrades would not be covered. 
    3. Bare walls include only the walls, floors, and ceiling.  
  5. Optional coverage: This can include flood, vacant or unoccupied coverage, identity theft coverage, and water backup coverage. 

When you are ready to ensure your Muskegon, MI condo is adequately protected, call or stop by Janis-Shunta Insurance today. We can help you find the best policy to fit your needs.

Umbrella Insurance Policy – A Must-Have for Both Small and Large Business Owners

If you are a business owner, you must be familiar with the risks and uncertainties of running a business. It’s vital to get total insurance coverage for your business, and an umbrella insurance policy helps cover any gaps left in basic liability insurance policies. If you are looking for extra coverage for your commercial business, Janis-Shunta Insurance can help. We are a full-service insurance provider serving the residents of Muskegon, MI.

Is Umbrella Insurance Necessary For Businesses?

Umbrella insurance policies step in to complement other policies where coverage limits are exhausted. Commercial umbrella insurance covers similar costs like liability insurance for businesses, including attorney fees, medical expenses, and damages from lawsuits. Unanticipated things happen all the time, and it may not be possible to estimate how much coverage you need for these uncertainties. Umbrella insurance offers small and large businesses an extra layer of financial security on depleted coverage.

Small Businesses And Umbrella Insurance

Most business owners make the mistake of thinking only large businesses need additional coverage when basic policy coverage is depleted. Businesses of any size are prone to risks, and without extra capital on hand in emergencies, even small businesses could use the help. It is a better option for raising limits on existing insurance policies as you can expand the coverage across many policies and under one umbrella.

The Costs For Umbrella Insurance For Small And Large Businesses

The cost of an insurance policy for commercial purposes depends on the nature of the business, your claims history, and the limits bought. As such, large businesses with greater risks pay more for an umbrella than small businesses with low risks. The policy is inexpensive, especially for small businesses, and a worthy investment for large business owners.

Umbrella insurance acts as a surplus coverage for small and large businesses, and it comes into effect when basic liability policies can’t cover an outstanding financial liability. If you want to keep your business protected with umbrella insurance, let Janis-Shunta Insurance help. Contact us for your business’ umbrella insurance plan in Muskegon, MI.

Recreation Insurance Explained

Recreation Insurance Explained

Any outdoor recreation company in the Muskegon, MI area needs recreation insurance, a type of general liability insurance that protects businesses when individuals incur bodily injury or property damage from their operations, equipment, or products. Janis-Shunta Insurance wants you to understand how this necessary insurance covers your business from loss.

The term outdoor recreation company applies to any company operating leisure, sports, recreation, or outdoor business. That means everything from canoe and kayak rentals to a rock climbing wall needs this type of insurance. Outdoor tour guides of any type and rope courses fall into this category, too.

How Does Recreation Insurance Fit Many Businesses?

Rather than a one-size-fits-all policy, we tailor these policies to fit your business’s needs. This customization lets us serve each unique sport or recreational activity without requiring any coverage the business would not need.

When an accident happens, your company becomes legally liable for the injuries caused during participation in your business activities. This includes indemnification, punitive damage, and legal fee costs. To properly protect your business, your recreational insurance policy can include the following types of coverage:

  • Accident Medical,
  • General Liability,
  • Inland Marine,
  • Inland Marine,
  • Professional Liability,
  • Property Insurance,
  • Umbrella Coverage.

Insurance That Grows with Your Company

Since a recreational policy gets customized, you can easily scale its coverage. Let’s say that your business starts out renting canoes and kayaks, but you decide to expand it to also rent bicycles and tandem bikes. You would need to add to your policy and that is easy to do since you can simply call us to add new coverage. The same is true of scaling the opposite way. You might only rent jet skis, for example, during summer. You can drop that coverage when you don’t need it.

Call Janis-Shunta Insurance today to learn how recreation insurance can protect your Muskegon, MI business.

Are Damages From Road Hazards Covered Under Auto Insurance?

Some road hazards can jump out of nowhere and are completely unavoidable. Unfortunately, when Muskegon, MI roads have those unexpected hazards, accidents can occur with vehicle damage and injuries. Determining if your auto insurance covers damage to your vehicle from a road hazard depends significantly upon your insurance coverage, what the object was, where it came from, and the damage caused. 

Learn more about insurance coverage options by calling the agents at Janis-Shunta Insurance. 

Comprehensive and Collision coverage

Those who carry comprehensive and collision coverage in their auto insurance policy have coverage should their vehicle get damaged. However, all expenses get paid out after the applicable deductible is subtracted from repair and replacement costs. 

Objects Lying on the Road

Sometimes objects fall off trucks or blow into the road. When this happens, they can cause unavoidable accidents with drivers who cannot swerve out of the way or do not see the object in time to stop. When striking an object lying on the road, the driver that struck the object is responsible for paying for the damages and filing an insurance claim. However, if the owner of the fallen thing is identifiable, they may be responsible for the damage caused to the vehicle. 

Flying Objects

An object moving at the time of the accident is considered a flying object. Therefore, the damage is covered under your comprehensive car coverage in your auto insurance policy. Flying objects can include falling rocks or kicked-up debris. As with objects lying in the road, if the person responsible for the flying object is identified, they would be accountable for the damage. If they cannot be identified, the driver would be responsible for the damage to their vehicle. 

Muskegon, MI drivers know there is a risk of encountering road hazards while out driving. To learn more about road hazards and insurance coverage, call the experts at Janis-Shunta Insurance today.