The goal of insurance is to take some of the risk you are exposed to every day off your shoulders. You pay the insurance company and, in turn, they accept the risk that you might have an accident and agree to pay a certain amount.
Auto insurance often offers a sort of shared risk. Deductibles and limits divide the risk to make certain some of the risk is yours, and some of the risk belongs to your insurance carrier.
Deductibles are the amount of damages you’re responsible for before your carrier pays out. If the cost of your damage does not exceed your deductible, however, you’re responsible for the full amount.
Limits are the maximum amount that your insurance company will pay toward a claim. Any additional liability above your policy limits is your responsibility, unless you have an umbrella policy.
Setting higher deductibles and lower limits, allows your insurance company to assume less risk. By your carrier assuming less risk, your premiums may be significantly lower. In the event of an accident, your financial responsibility may be greater since you have an aggressive deductible and lower limits to make up for.
Ultimately, when using deductibles and limits to create an affordable auto insurance policy, you want to make sure you find the right balance.
Can you afford the deductible?You should be able to pay your deductible without going into debt or having to remove the money from an account with penalties for early withdrawal.
Do you have resources for claims that exceed limits? If you have a claim that exceeds the limits of your policy, you should try to pay the claim with funds that are readily available to you.
Is it worth the risk? Finally, make sure you perform many policy comparisons with lower deductibles and higher limits to make sure that your premium savings are really worth the increased exposure you have. Consider the changes in premium that these adjustments bring and then consider the amount of money you will need in reserves to pay your additional responsibility.
Shopping for auto insurance is not just about finding the lowest premium. With a little finesse, you and your agent can design a plan with an affordable premium that offers you the coverage you need.Call us today at 800-220-5582 for more information or get a free Michigan auto insurance quote.
In case you have been living under a rock for the last several months, Chrysler began an aggressive ad campaign with the above commercial during one of the most anticipated advertising events – the 2011 Super Bowl. The commercial was designed in collaboration with Portland, Oregon, based agency Wieden+Kennedy, whose broad portfolio boasts other such clients as Nike, Heineken, Coca Cola, Delta Airlines, Disney, and the wildly popluar, hilarious, and manly Old Spice campaign. Since its unveiling in February, the campaign has rolled out several other videos highlighting the 2011 Chrysler model line: the 200, 300, and Town & Country.
All of the spots feature prominent celebrities who have a Detroit connection. Eminem is a critically acclaimed rapper and recording artist who grew up and lives in Detroit, and whose lyrics portray many of the hardships that accompany a blue collar life in the city. His Academy Award-winning song “Lose Yourself” provides the soundtrack to several of the commercials, and garnered one of five awards for the spot at the Cannes Lions 58th Festival of Creativity held in Cannes, France.
Other celebrities include Dr. Dre, Ndamukong Suh, and John Varvatos. All have a “Detroit Connection.” USA Today describes the commercials:
Dre, a major figure in the West Coast rap scene, going back to his start in Los Angeles. His connection to Detroit? He played a big role in the career of Eminem. Dre is shown at work, not only in music, but with his premium headphones and iPod speakers business, Beats by Dr. Dre.
Suh, a Detroit Lions rookie who quickly became a star, returning to the family home in Portland, Ore., and getting hugs from his mom. The ad aims to show how far the 6-foot-4, 307-pound defense tackle has come in his 24 years.
Varvatos, a star of the fashion world for his hip, casual men’s designs, working late at night in his New York studio. Since he grew up in Detroit, the goal was to “show where you are going — without forgetting where you are from.”
What strikes me most about this entire advertising campaign is its distinct lack of advertising. None of the commercials discuss any technical features of the vehicles; in fact, the only one that even states the name of the car verbally is for the Town & Country after the humble tagline: “Quietly, convincingly, the best-selling minivan in America.” Other than that, none of the spoken material during any of the five commercials is devoted to the vehicles themselves; rather, they point to the deeper mantras and values of the City of Detroit and, consequently, its people. Chrysler is continually establishing that its values are intrinsically tied to those of the Detroit’s residents, and the values – hard work, determination, humility, respect – are what makes the product great.
“That’s who we are; that’s our story.” When I first heard these words in the middle of the Super Bowl ad – quietly and raptly attentive to the phrases rolling off the raspy, worked voice of Michigan native Kevin Yon – I got chills, and I teared up a little. While many critics have decried the ad for being overly sentimental and a false portrayal of Chrysler’s corporate status, I disagree. Remember that Chrysler, as has Detroit, went to the brink of bankruptcy, and has been clawing its way back ever since. It has rebounded well: leaned up and presenting well-designed vehicles, it has returned to the values that have kept Detroit in the map and continue to reshape it today.
A continuing series of videos highlights interviews with other Detroit natives who may not have the high-profiles of Eminem and Ndamukong Suh, but have the same drive and ambition bred in “the hottest fires that forge the strongest steel.” Warren police officer Rowland Bell speaks on dedication; figure skating two-time national champion and world champion hopeful Alissa Czisny talks about perserverence and hope; and Pastor Larry Callahan and his choir from Praise Tabernacle sing of the voice, soul, and music that runs “in the water” of Detroit. These extra stories, which have no real advertising momentum, speak to the deeper motives and values that Detroit has always held dear.
The opening line of this more recent Chrysler 200 ad says it in chorus with the motto of the City of Detroit: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus. The translation from Latin reads “We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.” Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, Chrysler, and The D, have begun to do just that.
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Insurance Planning Service is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products – auto – home – business – life – health – to individuals, families and businesses throughout southeastern Michigan. Call or visit us on the web today for a quote on your insurance!
This year, from June 21-26, marks Livonia’s 38th annual Spree, a celebration of the city’s founding in 1950. The Spree is held at Ford Field at the corner of Farmington Road and Lyndon Street, and has a carnival-like atmosphere that promises fun for everyone. Rides, hot dogs, elephant ears, face painting, classic car shows, live music daily, and the Grand Finale Fireworks Extravaganza work together to make the Livonia Spree an annual event that should not be missed!
Last year Rick Bernard’s 1969 Plymouth Road Runner was entered into the classic car show, along with several of his fellow club members’ cars from the Michigan Mopar Muscle Car Club. The turnout for this year’s Spree and classic car show should be even better!
If you live in Livonia or any of the surrounding cities, and you have not checked out the Spree, you are missing out! Make sure to head on over this year and have a great time, for the whole family.
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Insurance Planning Service is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products – auto – home – business – life – health – to individuals, families and businesses throughout southeastern Michigan. Call or visit us on the web today for a quote on your insurance!
Okay, so your car broke down. Here you are, in an unfamiliar area, and you are not even sure what happened. A few helpful tips may go a long way toward easing your distress and getting you back on the road safely.
First thing’s first – don’t panic! Safely get your vehicle off of the road. The shoulder is okay, but the nearest parking lot is safer. If you are on the shoulder, or for some reason can’t move your car out of the street, make sure your hazard lights are on and visible. Before exiting your vehicle, make sure you and your passengers are safe, unhurt, and calm.
If you can’t drive the vehicle, it may be safer to stay in the vehicle and wait for help or use a cell phone to call a tow truck, friend, the police, or your insurance agent. Standing outside the vehicle, especially in the flow of traffic, is in most cases a bad idea.
If you’ve had a blowout or a flat tire, get the vehicle to a safer place before attempting a repair – even if you have to destroy the wheel to get it there. The cost of the repair is relatively minimal when compared to a fatal injury.
One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself for an emergency, besides your vehicle’s regularly scheduled maintenance, is to prepare a basic emergency kit that you can keep in the trunk of your car. Consumer Reports has a nice list of things you should have in an emergency kit.
Even if you keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, roadside tragedies can still happen to anyone. Knowing what to do in an emergency and keeping a cool head can go a long way toward getting you back on the road swiftly and safely.
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Insurance Planning Service is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products – auto – home – business – life – health – to individuals, families and businesses throughout southeastern Michigan. Call or visit us on the web today for a quote on your insurance!
Insurance Planning Service has been an integral part of the Metro Detroit community since 1957. Even though we are located in Livonia, we have clients all over the area, and love seeing revitalization efforts being made throughout the city of Detroit where it is needed the most.
That’s why we are starting a series called ”Our Detroit” that will chronicle new and exciting things that we see going on in and around Detroit and helping to move it in the right direction. Feel free to suggest topics for discussion, businesses to highlight, movements moving, or any generally good thing going on in the city of Detroit.
Detroit may have been through some rough times, but things are looking up and it is our responsibility, as friends, neighbors, and residents of the city, to help it on its path of recovery.
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Insurance Planning Service is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products – auto – home – business – life – health – to individuals, families and businesses throughout southeastern Michigan. Call or visit us on the web today for a quote on your insurance!
Richard D. Bernard, AAI, CIC, was recently honored for his ongoing pledge to education, commitment to excellence, and dedication to the insurance profession. The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) presented Mr. Bernard with a formally-inscribed certificate for his continued participation in the CIC program.
Earning his CIC designation and maintaining all update requirements for twenty years places Mr. Bernard in the top one percent of all insurance professionals in the country. “The high standard maintained by Mr. Bernard not only benefits Insurance Planning Service, but the insurance profession as a whole,” said Dr. William T. Hold, CIC, CPCU, CLU, President of the Society of CIC.
Mr. Bernard is the president and owner of Insurance Planning Service, an independent insurance agency in Livonia, Michigan. The agency has been family owned since its inception in 1957, and is built on integrity, honest advice and professional attention.
The Society of CIC is an organization nationally recognized as a leading continuing education program of insurance professionals. A not-for-profit organization, the Society of CIC is the cornerstone program for The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Nowadays, insurance rules and regulations are changing constantly. It can be difficult to keep up with all of the information swirling around regarding policies, prices, and most important, coverages, that affect you and your family. Reading up on a topic can help you make informed decisions, and insurance is no exception. While talking to a licensed independent insurance agent is the best option for finding information that affects you, there is plenty of information and pertinent news available on the internet just a click a way.
At Insurance Planning Service, we pride ourselves in offering you the best services and resources. With our new and powerful website, we have developed a live news feed that updates constantly, giving you direct access to a vast database of internet news articles from trusted sources related to insurance, right from our website! These articles are updated via Google News, and customized to display topics that we think will help you in the search for insurance truth.
Next time you are on the hunt for relevant insurance information, look to IPS. We’ve got you covered!
Welcome to the IPS Blog – your source for news, updates, info, and everything else regarding Insurance Planning Service in Livonia, MI. This blog is just one of many new and exciting things happening here at IPS. When the company was founded in 1957, our motto was “Where Plans for Tomorrow are Made Today.” Staying true to this important ideal, we are looking to the future to improve the was we serve you. In this time of constant change and technological updating, only one thing is constant: our commitment to our customers and our desire to provide the best service we can.
Besides this blog, there are many new ways to keep tabs on Insurance Planning Service. Watch our videos and videoblogs on our YouTube Channel,subscribe to our Twitter feed, and soon, “friend” us on Facebook. Our website is also constantly changing, so make sure to go back often to see what we can do for you at www.ipsagency.com.
If you like what we do for you at IPS, please leave us a friendly review on our Google listing, our Yelp! page, or our new Manta listing. But most of all, remember that we are here to serve you and you can get in contact with us by email via our website, phone at (734)421-9900, or visiting us at our office located at 15624 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154.
The goal of insurance is to take some of the risk you are exposed to every day off your shoulders. You pay the insurance company and, in turn, they accept the risk that you might have an accident and agree to pay a certain amount.
