What auto insurance do I need for my new vehicle

Posted on December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 by admin

Buying a new car is exciting. Choosing the options you want, the make and model, and of course, the color. You have your financing all lined up, and the only thing left is to get your auto insurance. A new car is unique in many ways, but there are auto insurance requirements that everyone has to meet in Michigan. At Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, we are your trusted independent insurance agency. We are committed to our community and our clients.

Michigan is a no-fault state and has been since 1973. You are mandated to carry no-fault overage. If you don’t, you not only won’t be covered for injuries and lost time, you may be fined up to $500 and placed in jail for up to a year or both. Why would you want to risk that? You will no be able to register your vehicle without proof that you have the required coverage. You need to have no-fault coverage, and additionally, your need residual liability coverage to protect you from the results of the exceptions to no-fault protection. These coverages are for everyone. But as a new car owner, you may have other requirements.

If you have a car loan, your lender will require that you have collision and comprehensive insurance. These protect the vehicle if you are the at-fault driver. Collision covers damage as the result of a vehicle accident. Comprehensive coverage covers events beyond your control like floods, high winds, hail, vandalism, and theft. Glass coverage is usually included with your comprehensive coverage.

You may want to consider road-side assistance converge as an add-on to your policy.

Contact Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI for your auto insurance needs and a no-obligation quote. Let us give you the advantage of our 25 years of experience.

What protection does commercial insurance offer my small business

Posted on November 24, 2020November 24, 2020 by admin

Running a small business comes with challenges that can seem overwhelming. Every small business has risks particular to their type of work. Commercial insurance has many different lines, and some of them can help you protect your business. By talking to an insurance professional you can trust, it helps take the stress out of getting the right commercial insurance for your small business. At Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, we are a locally owned and operated independent agency that has served the area for 25 years.

Commercial Property Coverage

Commercial property insurance is a valuable coverage whether you own the building your business is in or rent. It covers your business from perils such as natural disasters, theft, and fire. Beyond the physical structure, it provides coverage for the machinery you use to do business. It will replace office machinery, furniture, inventory, and records. If a covered hazard damages your business, you can get back to business sooner with commercial property insurance.

Commercial Liability Insurance

Commercial liability insurance does what all liability insurance does; it protects you from the result of legal actions against you or the results of an injury. It pays things such as medical bills, lost time, legal bills, and judgments.

Workers’ Compensation

In the state of Michigan, a private employer must carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have three or more employees at any given time or if they employ one or more workers for 13 or more weeks at 35 hours or more per week. This is actually a good thing and makes it easier to retain employees who know they are protected from job injuries.

If you have questions about your small business’s commercial insurance at Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, we have the answers. Please stop by our office or give us a call for a free quote.

Things that aren’t covered by home insurance

Posted on October 30, 2020October 30, 2020 by admin

Exclusions are things not covered by home insurance. Chances are you haven’t read your home insurance policy, and who can blame you? It is pages long. But you could be in for a nasty surprise when you file a claim if you don’t know the things that aren’t covered by home insurance. At Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, we are locally owned and operated and offer our customers our 25 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Flood

Flooding probably causes the most shock when homeowners realize that their home insurance doesn’t cover it. It is a common occurrence in many parts of the country and causes huge amounts of damage. The average home that is involved in a flood suffers nearly $40,000 in damage. The good news is you can get a separate policy to protect you from flood damage.

Wear and tear

Homes age and require maintenance. Your roof needs to be replaced before it allows water to damage the interior of your house. Your furnace will get older, and so will your air conditioning unit, but your home insurance won’t cover a unit that dies because it is past its useful life.

Earth movement

Earthquakes are a fact of life in some parts of the United States. For you, this is necessary coverage. You can buy this insurance on a separate policy or endorsement. Other types of earth movement are excluded as well, including landslides and sinkholes.

Expensive items

Your policy has definite limits on the amount of coverage that you have for expensive items. Jewelry is the most common issue. A large engagement ring probably is higher than your policy limit. Art and antiques are also a problem.

The best way to avoid being disappointed in your home coverage is to read your policy and talk to your independent insurance agent. At Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, we are here to answer any questions you may have. Please stop by or give us a call for a free quote.

Three steps to selecting a recreational insurance policy

Posted on September 30, 2020September 30, 2020 by admin

Purchasing a recreational insurance policy is essential for both protecting your assets and your finances from liability expenses. We provide recreational insurance to consumers in Grand Rapids, MI at Dalessandro Agency Inc.

If you need recreational insurance, you should go through the following three steps as part of the process of selecting a recreational insurance policy.

Determine your RV type

When you purchase recreational insurance for your RV, you need to designate which type of RV it is.

There are many different types of vehicles or trailers that are classified as recreational vehicles. These include sport utility RVs, motorhomes, travel trailers, and more. Motorhomes are classified as either Class A, Class B, or Class C motorhomes.

The type of vehicle you’re insuring is an important consideration regarding your policy. That’s why you need to determine and be aware of your RV type as a step in finding the right insurance solution.

Consider feature options for recreational insurance policies.

There are numerous feature options when it comes to recreational insurance. These include total loss replacement coverage, vacation coverage, emergency expense coverage, and roadside assistance. Be aware of these options and decide which ones you want or need.

Comparing costs

One essential step in choosing a policy is comparing the costs of various policies available to you. To do this, you can get quotes from different providers out there.

When comparing costs, you shouldn’t evaluate the cost alone. Choosing the cheapest policy is never a good idea. Instead, you should compare the value provided by each policy. Please make sure you know exactly what types of coverage a policy is offering before deciding on purchasing it or passing it over.

Get started finding your recreational insurance solution today. We’re standing by to answer all your questions at Dalessandro Agency Inc. Let us help you find your recreational insurance solution in Grand Rapids, MI!

What You Need to Know When Updating Your Motorcycle Insurance Policy

Posted on August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 by admin

If you have a motorcycle, you probably already have insurance on it. But have you updated your policy lately? If you haven’t, now may be a perfect time. If you’re in the Grand Rapids, MI area, see us at Dalessandro Agency Inc. and let us look over your motorcycle insurance policy. We can help you make adjustments that will be right for your needs and lifestyle, so you have the right type and level of coverage. You don’t have to settle for less than quality coverage and peace of mind when you’re out enjoying warm days on your bike. We’re here to address what you need to know so that you can feel confident and secure with your insurance policy.

What should I know?

The biggest thing you need to know when you update your policy is that the coverage that worked for you in the past might not be right for you now. If you’ve purchased a different bike, you travel on it more or differently than you used to, or you’ve taken a safe riding class, for example, your policy may no longer fit. But that’s not a problem when you work with a trusted and knowledgeable agent who can help you make the right changes and feel good about your coverage for the future.

See us today at Dalessandro Agency Inc., and ask our friendly agents about your motorcycle insurance needs. We want to help all our clients in the Grand Rapids, MI area are able to protect themselves and their bikes with proper insurance. If you have questions or concerns, we’re also happy to help with those, so you aren’t left wondering whether your coverage is going to be adequate. You can update your policy at any time, and we’ll be here to make sure the changes you make are the right ones. Contact us for more information.

What does boat insurance cover?

Posted on July 31, 2020July 31, 2020 by admin

Your boat is more than likely one of your most prized possessions and a financial investment for you and your family. To protect it, you will need to obtain boat insurance.

A boat insurance policy can cover your motorboat, personal watercraft, or sailboat if it is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by a fire, lightning, or other disasters. Boat insurance can also protect you if an accident occurs, and it is deemed to be your fault. It will cover injuries sustained in the accident by your passengers or people in another boat, along with damage to other people’s boats or property.

Your boat insurance policy can cover more specific parts of your beloved boat too, such as the boat’s machinery, equipment that is permanently attached to the boat, the fittings of the boat, furnishings inside your boat, and your boat’s hull.

Property insurance coverage

This is the part of your policy that will repair or replace your boat if it is damaged in an accident, it is stolen, it is vandalized, or if it is damaged in a fire or natural disaster. This type of coverage protects your boat while it is in the water or on land.

To protect your boat or watercraft from various risks, you need to obtain a boat insurance policy. For example, if you accidentally hit another boat while out on the water and damage is caused, the property damage portion of your policy will pay for the other person’s boat to be repaired or replaced. This insurance will also replace your boat if someone steals it. This part of your policy will protect your boat, whether it is docked in the water or parked in your driveway at home. When you obtain property insurance for your boat, you may be able to choose between two coverage types: actual cash value coverage or agreed amount coverage.

Liability Boat Insurance Coverage

In the event you cause an accident to happen that results in the damage of someone’s property or injuries to someone, liability coverage will pay the expenses incurred.

Medical payments coverage

This part of your boat insurance policy covers anyone who is injured in an accident you are involved in with your boat. This coverage will help pay for medical expenses, hospital bills, medications, or X-Rays.

Uninsured or Underinsured Watercraft Coverage

This type of boat insurance covers damages to your boat that are caused by someone who does not have any boat insurance at all or not enough.

To create the best policy for you and your boat, you need to enlist the assistance of a boat insurance agent like the trusted agents at the Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI. Contact our office to have your questions answered and learn more about your options.

Reasons Why Umbrella Insurance Is Important

Posted on June 27, 2020June 27, 2020 by admin

For most of us, protecting our family and our belongings is the number one priority, and the best way to do it is to have insurance. However, sometimes your coverage might not be enough, and you need an extra level of security. That is where umbrella insurance steps in. Umbrella insurance offers additional liability protection above the limits of your other insurance policies. Since it is not a mandatory type of coverage, you might think of skipping it. However, before you decide to do it, Dalessandro Agency Inc., serving Grand Rapids, MI, urges you to check the list of reasons why umbrella insurance is worth getting.

You Entertain Guests At Your Home

If you invite people to your house, getting umbrella insurance is important because anything can happen. Your guest can injure themselves in your swimming pool, be bitten by your dog, or simply trip on a sidewalk leading to the porch of your house. These unfortunate events might result in serious injuries, liability claims, and high medical bills that you will have to pay. If you have an umbrella insurance policy, you have nothing to worry about because it will cover all the expenses.

You Are Active On Social Media

If you actively use any type of social media and communicate with other people, you should consider getting umbrella insurance that covers slander and libel (written and spoken defamation). For example, if you post a review about the restaurant and complain about their unhygienic kitchen, the restaurant might sue you for libel.

You Are A Parent

If you have dependent children, umbrella insurance will protect them if they cause an accident. For example, let’s say that your teenager caused an accident by damaging somebody else’s car or property. Umbrella insurance will kick in and cover the damage inflicted by your child. Another example is when your younger kid is playing outside with a ball and breaks your neighbor’s window by accident. Your umbrella insurance policy will provide additional liability coverage in this case.

If you are a resident of Kentwood or Grand Rapids, MI and you are searching for a way to protect yourself and your family, Dalessandro Agency Inc. is ready to assist you. Give us a call to learn more about umbrella insurance and find the policy you need.

An Introduction to Life Insurance

Posted on May 30, 2020May 30, 2020 by admin

When you begin shopping for life insurance, you will find a plethora of terms specific to its policies. While there exist only two major types of life insurance – whole and term – more than ten policy types exist within those two categories. Here’s a short primer on the significant terms and policies.

Whole Life

This insurance policy provides a death benefit during your whole life so long as you pay the premiums. It also gets referred to as permanent insurance. Many of its policy types combine the death benefit with an investment fund component.

Term Life

Juxtapose that with term life, which insures your life for a finite period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. If you die within that time, so long as you have paid your premiums, your beneficiary will receive the death benefit.

Policy Types Within the Categories

Life insurance companies like Dalessandro Agency Inc. provide a vast number of choices. You can purchase more than one policy so that you can mix and match. Choose from the following:

universal life
variable life
variable universal life
survivorship life
increasing and decreasing term life

Whole life insurance policies like universal life, variable life, and variable universal life provide permanent insurance options. Each offers both a death benefit and a cash value account that lets you save money in a tax-deferred account. Universal policies invest this cash value in a money market account that earns or losses depending on the market performance. Variable life and variable universal life provide a death benefit and a cash value investment fund linked to a mutual fund with stock and bonds.

With term life, you only receive the death benefit. You show evidence of good health when purchasing the policy initially. You renew it year-to-year, but do not need to renew your proof of good health.

A survivorship life insurance policy covers more than one person. It typically pays out when the first person on the policy dies, but you can also obtain a joint and survivor policy, also known as a last to die policy. You can obtain these as a whole or a term policy.
A final expense or burial policy pays for the funeral and related expenses like the headstone and services. These small policies of about $10,000 of coverage can be permanent or term. Most life insurance policies require a medical exam, but you can find no exam policies.

A decreasing benefit policy proves popular with those who have a large mortgage to pay and want the family to be able to cover the payments. As time passes and the mortgage gets paid off, the policy benefit decreases until it reaches zero. At that time, the policy expires. An increasing benefit policy lets a young professional provide a more significant income for their family commensurate with their increased earnings.

Corporations often obtain key man life policies to protect the corporation from the effects of the loss of an executive officer, a superior salesperson, or a specialized skill player.

The variety of life insurance possibilities remains vast. Contact Dalessandro Agency Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI to learn more about your life insurance options and how we can help you provide for your family’s future now.

Tips to Avoid an Accident in Michigan

Posted on April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 by admin

A bad driving record can negatively impact your insurance premiums in Michigan. However, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting into an accident. Contact Dalessandro Agency Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI for information on your car insurance and follow the tips below to avoid an accident.

Tips to Avoid an Accident (and Insurance Claim)

These tips can keep you and your passengers safe and help you avoid an accident.

Drive Defensively not Offensively

Teens and adults alike are usually in a hurry to get where they’re going. Rather than driving aggressively, try to follow traffic rules and stay under the speed limit. In short, focus on arriving alive and pay attention to what’s going on around you.

Wear Your Seatbelt

Wear a safety belt and ensure your passengers do too. This may not prevent an accident, but it’s an essential habit for responsible drivers.

Stay Sober

Whatever you do in your own life is your business. However, when you get behind the wheel after a few drinks or taking drugs, it puts others at risk. It may also impact the viability of an insurance claim you file after driving under the influence.

Limit Your Passengers

New drivers should limit their passengers to avoid distractions.

Train for Driving in Bad Weather

Practice slowly on local roads or an empty parking lot during a light rain shower. This helps you understand how driving conditions change in poor weather and may prevent an accident.

Pull Over to Answer Texts and Calls

If you can’t turn your phone off, pull off to the side of the road to answer texts, or take emergency calls.

These tips and tricks may be obvious, but it’s very easy to set them aside when they aren’t convenient. Follow up with your Dalessandro Agency Inc. representative to make an appointment to get a car insurance quote in Grand Rapids, MI today.

How commercial insurance can save your business

Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by admin

As a business owner in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area, you know that there are things that can happen that can harm your business. You have a lot of work to do between your customers and staff. You have records to keep and bills to pay, and it can be a little overwhelming. Having someone to help you navigate the complicated world of commercial insurance can take one worry off your plate. The agents at Dalessandro Agency Inc. can tailor a policy to fit your particular needs.

Commercial insurance is not one size fits all. Not every business will need every type of commercial coverage. Depending on the type of business that you are conducting and the location of your business, your needs may not be the same as any other customers.

Liability coverage is something that just about every business will need at one point or another. It covers a variety of things that you can be sued for. It could be that someone is hurt on your premises or by one of your products. It could be something you said that someone took offense to, or it could be a disgruntled former employee. No matter what, this coverage will keep you in business.

In Michigan, most employers need to carry worker’s compensation for their employees. The agents at Dalessandro Agency Inc. know the rules and will help to make sure that you comply with the law.

Commercial property insurance protects the building where you do business, whether it is Grand Rapids, MI or another area city. But there is more to your business than the building. There is the inventory, the machinery, the office equipment, and supplies. You can’t do business without these.

Commercial insurance can save your business. Come in and sit down with the agents at Dalessandro Agency Inc. and let us talk to you about the perfect coverage for your business.

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