What is the difference between Direct Write and Independent Insurance Agencies?

In the world of insurance there are many options for the customer, this week we will discuss two different types of agencies and how those differences affect you.

The first type is the direct write agency (for example, State Farm or Farm Bureau). So, what does direct write mean? It means that the agency works exclusively for a single insurance company that they represent; they are really just an extension of the parent company. This means you only get pricing from that one company when you request a quote. If you happen to have a claim, you deal with a claims adjuster that represents the insurance company. Many times the agency through which you bought your policy has very little to do with the claims process.

In contrast, an independent insurance agency (for example, PCE Insurance) works for YOU. They are able to write policies through multiple companies, which means they can shop around for you to find you the best coverage for the best price. Also, as your policies near the time of renewal, your independent agent can review your policy to make sure your needs are still being met, and that you are still getting the best value possible. Another bonus is that if you happen to run into any questions or issues with the insurance company, your agent can and will be there to assist you every step of the way.

Bottom line your local independent agent has your best interests in mind and they are not beholden to a single, larger parent company. They have so many more options, and really, who would want fewer options?

Call us today to learn what your options are at 616.261.2222

What Do YOU Wonder?

Insurance can seem complicated and confusing, but it doesn't have to be that way. At PCE, our desire is to answer your questions as simply and straightforward as we can - and that is exactly what we are going to start doing using this blog. We will be answering a new question every other week. (This is the part where we ask you to think of that insurance-related question you've always wondered about and email it to us at info@pceinsurance.com)

To get things started, here is a question we hear frequently...

Where in the world did insurance come from and what made it necessary in the first place?

While it was not the first example of insurance found in history, Lloyd's of London is the one that most closely resembles what we think of as insurance today and is arguably one of the oldest insurers in the world.

Lloyd's of London did not actually start out as an insurer, but as a coffee house. Sailors, merchants and ship owners frequented this coffee house - here they were able to exchange information about ships, shipping routes and cargoes. Due to the large risk (but also proportionally large reward) of shipping around the globe there became a need to spread out the financial risk of any given ship, cargo and crew. At Lloyd's one could sign their name under a ship's name.  By "underwriting" their name, they then assumed a measure of risk if that ship was lost.  Of course, if the ship made a successful voyage, they would then receive a predetermined financial reward. Thus, the concept of modern insurance was born.

Be sure to "Like" our Facebook page and check our blog often - we may be answering your question soon!  Oh, and by-the-way, we have some pretty cool ideas for video posts - featuring you and your friends...auditions will be held soon.

Michigan's New Motorcycle Helmet Law

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and I'm sure you've heard by now that Michigan has changed it's helmet requirements.  By signing Enrolled Senate Bill No. 291, Governor Rick Snyder amended Michigan State Law to make wearing a helmet while riding optional.  But, before you jump on your motorcycle and ride off with the wind in your hair, here are a few things to know about the changes and what it means for you.
• All riders under 21 years of age must still wear a helmet.
• Riders must have had their cycle endorsement for at least 2 years or to have taken an approved safety course
• Each rider not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle must have a minimum of $20,000 of first party motorcycle medical coverage.  Additional health insurance will not satisfy the requirements of the new bill.
Speak with your PCE Insurance agent to make sure that you have the proper coverage today and as always, Ride Safe!

Renter's Insurance: Don't Leave Home Without It!

This weekend there was a fire at a Grand Rapids home; it was started by a cigarette butt that wasn't quite extinguished.  The fire spread from that home to 11 other homes. Many of these people, who had no control over what happened, lost everything.  The fire was at a local apartment complex, and while this is a very sad and tragic story, it is made even worse by the fact that many of those people did not have Renter's Insurance to cover their losses.  Many people don't realize that they are at risk for this type of loss, but the truth is that the actions of others can affect us all.  Also, many don't know that while their landlord does carry insurance on their buildings, that insurance does not cover the resident contents.  For just a few dollars a month you can protect the contents of your home and have your housing expenses covered until you can be restored or moved to your new residence.  Renter's Insurance can't prevent tragedies like this one, but it can help to alleviate much of the stress.  Talk to your friendly PCE Insurance agent for more details on how to make sure you are properly covered.  See photos and the MLive.com article here.  See the WZZM13 story here.

Easy as 1, 2, 3...

I wanted to share this nice note with everyone that I received from a customer along with a few before & after pictures that they sent.  Thanks so much to the Rogers for sharing this with us!

"One evening in June 2011 we experienced a severe thunderstorm with strong winds that brought down several large branches from our backyard oak tree.  During the height of the storm one large branch broke through the roof and in through our kitchen ceiling creating quite a mess inside and outside.  We immediately called our insurance agent, Jim Engelking of PCE Insurance, at his home and he said he'd take care of it right away.

The next morning a Grange Insurance adjuster called and then came over.  He spent around two hours measuring the roof and kitchen and entering data on his computer.  Before he left he gave us a nice check on the spot.  We were able to hire a tree trimming company to take down loose branches from the tree and haul away all of the debris, plus hire a contractor who did a temporary patch on the roof as it was still raining.  The check from Grange will allow us to get new shingles put on the whole roof and any expense incurred with clean-up, along with repairing and painting the kitchen ceiling.

We are very pleased with the quick and professional response of PCE and Grange Insurance and will highly recommend them to others.

Ron & Sandy Rogers,

Wyoming, Michigan"

If you're concerned, confused, or just plain curious about what type of insurance will best fit your needs and your budget, we'd love to answer any questions you have and provide you with a free, no-pressure quote.

Call or click today to contact us!

616.261.2222  |  www.pceinsurance.com

Oh Deer!

The white-tailed deer population in Michigan is estimated to be about 1.7 million. Michigan ranks #5 in the nation for deer/auto collisions.

The Insurance Information Institute offers these tips to avoid hitting a deer:

• Be particularly alert for these animals in the early morning and evening.

• Use high-beam headlights when possible since these will reflect in the deer’s eyes and make it easier for you to see the deer in advance.

• Reduce your speed, especially where “deer crossing” signs appear, and blow your horn to help frighten the animal away.

• Brake firmly when you see a deer. Swerving the vehicle confuses the animal, and you may both choose the same path. Or you may lose control of your vehicle and hit something else - such as a tree or another car.

• If you see a deer, be on the lookout for more since they seldom run alone.

If you hit a deer, do not touch the animal. If possible, move your car off the road, call the police and report the accident.

Insurance by the Numbers - 219 to 212
http://www.pceinsurance.com/

Did you see any of the news related to the health care vote over the weekend?

This is not a commentary on the bill, or what may or may not happen in the years to come as it relates to health care coverage, but I was shocked to hear the things grown people were saying...

Sexual and racial slurs; the malicious tone; even a Congressman shouting "baby killer" on the House floor.

Granted, emotions run high in political circles, but as the party line splits, do good manners simply fall through the crack?

What would cause an otherwise normal person to talk like this? Does hearing the expression "health care reform" make something "snap"? And, where does that "something" come from anyway? Could that "something" be lurking inside ALL of us? Ooh! When, and on what public platform might we sink to the same outrageous low?

I can only hope that - by observing such awful behavior - the rest of us will be reminded of how NOT to act!

As a child, I recall that my mother would not allow me or my siblings to use the expression "cotton-picking" (you know, like when the lawnmower wouldn't start and you were tempted to say; "that cotton-picking thing"). We didn't understand why we could not use the expression, but we certainly understood mom's rule. Later in life, we came to realize that - unlike the lesson in the children's rhyme - sticks and stones could hurt one's bones but the words could hurt even deeper.

As the countless words of the Health Reform Bill unfold, we can only hope that the uninsured and the uninsurable will find that the words "just as the doctor ordered" can apply even to them.