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Janis-Shunta Insurance

950 W. Norton #500
Muskegon, MI 49441

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Janis-Shunta Insurance Blog

Home Insurance for Vacation Properties

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.

What types of recreational insurance are available?

Many residents of Muskegon, MI enjoy recreational activities that involve vehicles. Whether it’s an ATV, boat, or snowmobile ride that’s the favorite, having the right insurance is crucial for peace of mind. Here are some of the different recreational insurance options that are available for these types of fun vehicles.

RV Insurance

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are a popular choice for exploring the great outdoors around Muskegon, MI, and in other states. Given the investment an RV represents, having insurance against damage is essential. So are liability protections in case something happens on the road.

RV insurance can cover various aspects, from collision and liability to personal property inside an RV. 

Boat Insurance

With the beautiful waterways around Muskegon, boating is a favorite local summer pastime. Boat insurance policies may protect against damages to a boat itself and offer liability coverage for any injuries or property damage caused by the boat.

Coverage options and costs can vary based on the type and size of the boat, as well as the waterways it is used in. At Janis-Shunta Insurance, we can ensure you find the right policy and protections for your type of watercraft.

ATV Insurance

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) provide easy access to the rugged outdoors near Muskegon, MI. ATV insurance typically includes protection against damages to the ATV and liability coverage in case of accidents causing injury or property damage.

Snowmobile Insurance

Snowmobile insurance is important for covering potential risks like collisions when snowmobiling during winter. It also usually has liability protections if someone is injured or property is damaged during the use of the snowmobile.

Get the Recreational Insurance You Need

For help getting recreational insurance for any of these toys you might use, contact us at Janis-Shunta Insurance today.

Do I need umbrella insurance for extra protection on every policy, or does it cover everything?

Everything in life has risks. If you have assets, you can use insurance to lessen those risks. Whether you need insurance for personal reasons or for a Muskegon, MI small business, Janis-Shunta Insurance can help you explore your options to see how umbrella insurance can benefit you.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is just extra insurance that provides extra protection beyond what your regular policy offers. Unlike other types of insurance, you can use your umbrella policy for several kinds of coverage.

So, for instance, if you have a homeowners policy, an auto insurance policy, and boat insurance, you can use one umbrella policy to add protection in all those areas. The same applies if you are using an umbrella for your small business: you can add an umbrella policy that protects your commercial property insurance, general liability insurance, and other commercial insurance policies.

How Does Umbrella Insurance Work?

You cannot have an umbrella policy without an underlying policy. For instance, you will need an original auto insurance policy to get additional protection with an umbrella policy.

If you are found to be at fault in an accident, your auto insurance will pay out until you reach your policy limits. Your umbrella policy will kick in with additional coverage once you reach the maximum amount your policy allows.

Call To Discuss Your Options Today

Living and working in Muskegon, MI, has a lot to offer, and you will feel more secure if you know you have the protection you need. If you would like to discuss getting an umbrella policy or have additional questions about umbrella policies, please call Janis-Shunta Insurance today.

Why Customizing Your Car Means You Should Update Your Auto Coverage

Buying auto insurance in Muskegon, MI is as simple as phoning the office at Janis-Shunta Insurance or visiting our website, but what you do with your automobile after buying insurance might change your coverage. Many vehicle owners customize their rides with various options, such as upgraded engines, spoilers, and custom wheels. These increases the vehicle’s value, which triggers a need for an insurance update.

Insurance Updates After Customization

When auto owners customize their vehicle after purchase, they alter it from its insured state. Therefore, they need to update their coverage to reflect the increase in value that the customization causes.

Many upgrades increase a vehicle’s value, and most auto insurance policies cap claims at the current fair market value of the vehicle. The insurer consults a tome like the Kelley Blue Book to find the fair market value of the precise make, model, and year vehicle you own. They won’t be covered unless you update your policy to list your specific upgrades.

Options for Fully Covering Your Vehicle’s Value

You’ve got two options to handle this update. The simpler of the two adds the customizations to the fair market value using scheduled items add-ons. Like a policy rider, when you schedule an item on an insurance policy, you fully cover it specifically. You can also fully cover your auto by switching to a policy that uses agreed-upon or stated value.

Contact Janis-Shunta Insurance Today

Did you customize your vehicle after purchasing it? Don’t lose the money you spent getting it just the way you want it! Update your Janis-Shunta Insurance auto policy today to fully cover it before you pull out of your Muskegon, MI, driveway.

What is covered under condo insurance in Muskegon, MI?

Condo insurance can be confusing in Muskegon, MI. Unlike regular homeowners insurance, individual condo insurance probably doesn’t cover the physical building. It can be confusing where your responsibility ends when it comes to liability. At Janis-Shunta Insurance, we enjoy helping our clients learn how condo insurance can protect them.

Here are the three basic kinds of condominium coverage:

  • Damage to the physical building: Most people who own a condo share at least part of the physical space with other units. Even if you live in an area where the units are separated, there is likely at least some common shared space. A clubhouse or pool may be part of the shared space. As an individual condo owner, you are not personally responsible for those areas. The condominium association should have its own coverage for shared areas, including the shared floor, ceiling, and walls.
  • Damage to your personal possessions: Anything you own and keep in your condo is part of your personal property. This may include carpeting, curtains, furniture, and small and large appliances. It also includes clothing, books, electronics, and other personal items.
  • Personal liability for any injuries that occurred as a result of being on your property: Besides covering your personal property, your individual condo insurance will protect you in cases of personal liability. For instance, someone could visit you and trip and fall in your condo. Your insurance will help protect you if you are sued for those medical bills. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your coverage protects you within your four walls, while the condo association is responsible for the rest.

If you have a condo in Muskegon, MI, it is important that you have the right kind of protection. Call Janis-Shunta Insurance today so we can give you your options.

Four priorities when you buy auto insurance

If you are a motorist in Muskegon, MI, you need to make sure that you have adequate auto insurance. Are you looking for an auto insurance provider? We can offer you the coverage you’re looking for at Janis-Shunta Insurance.

The following are four priorities when you buy auto insurance. 

Meeting legal requirements in Michigan

Your number one priority when you buy auto insurance is to meet insurance requirements in Michigan. In Michigan, you need to carry at least $50,000 per person per accident, up to a total of $100,000 per accident. 

For adequate coverage, you should invest in increased liability coverage to protect you financially if you are deemed responsible for accident costs. 

Including collision and comprehensive coverage on your policy

Collision and comprehensive coverage allow you to protect the value of your own vehicle. If you invest in these types of coverage, you will get repair costs for your own car covered after an accident. 

Investing in gap insurance if you have an auto loan

If you borrow money to buy a vehicle, you could end up in a position where you owe more on your auto loan than your vehicle is worth. In this situation, it’s crucial to have gap insurance covering any difference between how much you owe on your auto loan and how much you’re compensated for your vehicle in the event of a total loss. 

Choosing the right insurance provider

It would be best if you bought auto insurance from a reliable insurance company that offers good customer service. Do your research and make sure that your auto insurance provider is convenient to work with. This can save you from many headaches when you eventually have to file a claim. 

Let us insure your vehicle in Muskegon, MI. Call us at Janis-Shunta Insurance, and we’ll answer any questions you have about auto insurance coverage. We can also provide you with a quote on an auto insurance policy.

What Does Recreational Insurance Cover?

It is that time of year when most people want to be outdoors and have fun in the sun. Our agents at Janis-Shunta Insurance serving the Muskegon, MI area want you to have the peace of mind you deserve while having fun outside. One way to achieve this is by having adequate recreational insurance.

What is Recreational Insurance?

Recreational, or specialty insurance, includes various policies that protect activities and vehicles with the appropriate amount of insurance while you are involved in recreational activities. Whether heading up the side of a mountain on an ATV or heading out on the water on your jet skis, you will want the appropriate insurance policy.

Types of Recreational Insurance

ATV and Off-Road Vehicle Insurance

ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and off-road vehicle insurance provide coverage for vehicles that are used for recreation, such as off-roading, hunting, and even trail riding. This type of policy normally covers damage from an accident or some other event and liability coverage for medical payments if there is an accident.

Golf Cart Insurance

Before you hit the golf course, make sure you have an insurance policy for your golf cart just in case of an accident.

Snowmobile Insurance

While some people have more fun during warm weather, others want to head outdoors in the wintertime for some recreational activities. One of those activities can include snowmobiling. If this is your thing, be sure to have a snowmobile insurance policy in place in case you have an accident or your snowmobile becomes damaged some other way.

Contact Janis-Shunta Insurance

For all your insurance needs, including recreational insurance, contact our agents at Janis-Shunta Insurance, serving the Muskegon, MI area, today!

Umbrella Insurance: The Ultimate Supplement

While standard insurance policies provide a certain level of protection in and around Muskegon, MI, they may not always be sufficient to cover unexpected events or high-value claims. This is where umbrella insurance steps in as the ultimate supplement. Various factors make it the proper customization for customers nationwide. 

Comprehensive Protection 

Umbrella insurance provides an extra cushion of liability coverage that goes beyond the limits of your existing policies, such as auto or homeowners insurance. It acts as a safety net, offering broader protection against liability claims, including bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. With its high coverage limits, umbrella insurance ensures you are adequately protected in the face of unforeseen circumstances.

Affordability

Contrary to popular belief, umbrella insurance is often more affordable than many realize. Considering its extensive coverage, the premiums for umbrella policies are reasonable. By paying a relatively small premium, you gain access to a substantial range that can save you from significant financial loss.

Additional Coverage Scenarios

Umbrella insurance offers coverage in situations where your primary policies may fall short. An excellent example is if you face a claim that exceeds the limits of your homeowners or auto insurance, umbrella insurance kicks in to cover the excess amount. It can also protect against personal liabilities, such as defamation, libel, or slander, which standard policies may not cover. 

Flexibility and Customization 

Umbrella insurance policies can be tailored to meet your specific needs. You can select the coverage limits that align with your assets and potential risks. This customization allows you to ensure that you have the right level of protection in place.

How Janis-Shunta Insurance Can Help You

Here at Janis-Shunta Insurance, we can help you with the ultimate supplement of umbrella insurance. We handle areas all around the Muskegon, MI region. Contact us today.

Why basic auto insurance may not be the right choice

Basic auto insurance is the amount of auto insurance that the state mandates. It is the least amount that is legal to drive in Michigan. While basic insurance is right for some people, it may not be right for you. At Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI, our team of insurance professionals will work hard to ensure that you have the right coverage for you. 

Michigan law requires that you have liability insurance in the amount of 20/40/10 and also to have PIP coverage. This protects other drivers from you and also protects you from any physical damage that happens to you due to an accident. But what about your vehicle? If it is damaged, can you pay for the repairs or replacement on your own? If it might pose a problem, you need to have insurance that can do that. 

Collision

Collision coverage protects your vehicle from the damage your vehicle may sustain due to an accident. It can be with another car, with some other object, or as the result of a hit-and-run. You will need to pay the deductible before the insurance kicks in. 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive auto coverage is often called non-collision coverage, even though it covers a collision with a large animal. Many weather events are covered, such as hail, flooding, and high winds. It also covers vandalism and theft. The deductible must also be met. 

Other coverage you can choose

Some types of coverage you may want to consider are:

  • Rental car
  • Full glass
  • Gap coverage
  • Roadside assistance

Give Janis-Shunta Insurance a call 

When you need to discuss your auto coverage, you can count on our team at Janis-Shunta Insurance in Muskegon, MI to provide the customer service you need. 

The difference between a condo unit policy and a condo master policy

Regarding condominiums, you should be aware of two types of insurance policies: a condo unit policy and a condo master policy. At Janis-Shunta Insurance, we want all Muskegon, MI area condo owners to know the difference.

A condo unit policy is designed to provide coverage for your individual unit and its contents from any damages or losses caused by events such as fire, theft, vandalism, and other perils listed in the policy. This type of policy usually covers liability for any injuries incurred on the property and personal property. 

On the other hand, a condo master policy provides coverage for common areas shared by all owners in the building—this includes the building structure itself, elevators, stairways, lobbies, and hallways. This type of insurance also covers liabilities from accidents that occur within these common areas. 

Both types of policies are essential in providing adequate protection for personal property and potential liabilities. It is important to understand the differences between a condo unit policy and a condo master policy to get adequate coverage for yourself and your family. You don’t want something to happen only to find out you are not covered.

For more information or to explore a condo policy, call us at Janis-Shunta Insurance today. We proudly serve the Muskegon, MI area and would be happy to help you find either a unit policy to protect you or a master policy from serving your whole building. Either way, we will ensure the policy meets your needs and your budget. So don’t wait! Give us a call today.