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.

Insurance by the Numbers - 65

Medicare - quick overview

http://www.pceinsurance.com/

• For new enrollees, you can enroll anytime during the 3 months before you turn 65 and the 3 months after you turn 65 (a seven month window).


• You will automatically be enrolled if you are already drawing Social Security benefits.


• If you are not already getting Social Security you will need to enroll in Medicare by calling 1-800-772-1213 or going to their website http://www.ssa.gov/


• Simply put, Medicare part "A" covers the hospital and Medicare part "B" covers the doctors.


• Some individuals may choose to delay taking Medicare part "B" because they (or their spouse) are covered under an employee-sponsored health insurance plan. The general consensus is that if Medicare will be the primary insurer (if your current coverage is through an employee-sponsored plan with less than 100 employees) it is more cost effective to take the part "B" coverage at 65 and not delay enrollment.

Original Medicare...
Is managed by the federal government, and is broken into Part "A" (hospital coverage) and Part "B" (medical/physician coverage). With original Medicare you can go to any doctor, specialist or hospital that accepts Medicare. Original Medicare pays 80% of approved amounts so you are responsible for the remaining 20%. Original Medicare does not cover all costs, so many people buy supplemental coverage to fill the gap.

Medicare Advantage Plans...

Another choice is to use a Medicare Advantage Plan offered by a private insurer (this is Part "C" of the Medicare program). Under these plans, you will pay a set co-payment for doctors visits so you will know in advance your cost obligations.

Simplicity is one of the main advantages of having a Medicare Advantage Plan. These plans typically include the Part "D" portion which is for prescription drug coverage.

For further information, please contact us at 616-261-2222 or by email at jim@pceinsurance.com.

Insurance by the Numbers - 50 cents

http://www.pceinsurance.com/

I am overwhelmed by the response to my first blog post! Thanks to everyone for reading and asking questions. Can you guess the primary question?

Yes, how much... for how much?

Of course, "how much insurance" depends on your circumstances.

A single person with no children or financial obligations - like a mortgage - might not need much life insurance.

A person with a spouse; children; a mortgage; will naturally have greater insurance needs.

And the cost?

The cost is based on age and health. (50 may be the new 30 in many circles, but NOT when you are talking life insurance!)

The rule is simple - buy young and buy cheap.

A healthy 40-year-old male can get a $250,000 "term" policy for about $15 per month. (Yes, you really can protect your family's future for only 50 cents a day!)

For further help with "how much for how much" give me a call or send an email.

No pressure, no obligation, just a free quote.