Whether you plan to travel to Canada for a few hours, a few days or longer, you may want to be certain that your auto insurance affairs are in order before crossing the border.
Insurance coverage provided by most U.S. auto insurers will meet Canadian insurance requirements. But, if you think your regular auto insurance certificate will suffice, think again! According to the Ontario Provincial Police, you can be fined $60.00 for driving without a proper “Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province” auto ID card in your possession.
And, it gets worse! If you are caught driving without insurance, Ontario’s fine for the first offense is $5,000.00! The second offense is $10,000.00, and the third offense is $15,000.00 plus jail time!
A Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province ID can easily be obtained by contacting your insurance agent, and they are usually free of charge.
Don’t forget the identification requirements for U.S. Citizens returning to the United States that became effective in June 2009. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for further travel information to and from Canada.
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!
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!
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!
Tornados are nature’s most violent storms. They usually spawn from the trailing edge of a severe thunderstorm and can appear suddenly and without warning. According to FEMA, a tornado moves at an average of 30 MPH, but can travel up to 70 MPH. Winds can reach 300 miles per hour leaving a path of destruction and even death.
A Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. This is time to pay close attention to weather reports and to changing conditions in the sky. Be prepared to seek shelter immediately if weather conditions deteriorate. A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted or has been detected by radar. This is time to seek safe shelter and remain there until the warning is lifted.
If you live in an area that is prone to tornados, know the signs that could indicate a tornado may appear – rapidly changing weather patterns; a dark or sometimes greenish sky; large hail; low or swirling clouds and a loud noise often described as being similar to the sound of a freight train.
During a tornado high winds can drive debris through the air at incredible speeds, piercing windows and even walls. When in a building, move quickly to the lowest level. If the home or building does not have a basement move to a center area away from windows and doors. If possible, get below a heavy piece of furniture such as a desk that can provide protection from falling or flying debris. If you find yourself caught outdoors without shelter lie flat in the lowest place possible, such as a ditch. Do not stay in a vehicle or try to outrun a tornado.
This is a good time to review your policy to be certain the amount of insurance is adequate to pay for the replacement of your home or building. Know the the type of coverage in your policy, your coverage limits, and deductibles before something happens. Have the number of your insurance agent or insurance company available in the event disaster should strike.
Insurance Planning Serviceis 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!
It was a picture perfect day! Blue skies brought out 212 classic Mopars breaking all expectations. The club’s car show was held at Baker’s of Milford on Saturday, August 7, 2010 – a venue well known throughout southeast Michigan for its weekly Sunday afternoon classic car cruise-in.
Michigan Mopar Muscle was formed in 2004 and now has more than 100 members. Mopar enthusiasts and their families are welcome to join the club and take part in the club-sponsored events as well as many ad-hoc cruises and gatherings that its members participate in throughout the year.
Antique and classic cars, street rods and other special interest vehicles have unique insurance needs, so be careful when insuring that prized possession. There are several things in a policy you should understand…before it’s too late! For example, in the event of a total loss, some policies settle on actual cash value. Some use stated amount, and others use agreed or guaranteed value. What does your policy say?
No one likes to think about getting into an automobile accident. But if you are involved in an accident, the moment it happens is not the time to be wondering what types of coverage you have in your auto insurance policy. Take a few minutes to dig out your policy, dust it off, and really see how secure you are.
In Michigan, it is mandatory that you have insurance on your automobile before it is registered with the Secretary of State. However, auto insurance is not cut-and-dried: it can be tailor made to your specific needs. There are a lot of coverage options from you to choose from besides the several that are required. First, let’s go over which coverages are required by the state.
Bodily Injury Liability: Covers damages and legal defense costs resulting from injuries you may cause to another person while driving.
Property Damage Liability: Covers your legal responsibility for damage you cause to someone else’s property.
Property Property Insurance: Pays up to $1,000,000 for damages to stationary property caused by your motor vehicle.
Personal Injury Protection: Provides unlimited medical benefits for you and your family members for injuries arising from an automobile accident. It also includes a “work loss” benefit that pays up to 85% of your gross wages for up to three years if your injury prevents you from working.
MCCA Assessment: While not necessarily a coverage, the assessment is part of every policy sold in the state. Michigan is the only state in the nation that allows unlimited medical benefits in the event of an accident. This unique statute is carried out by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association and works by reimbursing the insurance company for medical costs over $480,000.
Now, let’s look at some additional coverages that are not required, but can all offer you more protection depending on your needs.
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist: Covers injuries to you as a result of a collision with an uninsured driver, or if the other driver has insurance, it will cover medical costs that exceed the other’s insurance limits.
Collision Insurance: For damage to your car from a collision with another car or stationary object (light post, fire hydrant, wall, etc.).
Comprehensive Insurance: For damage to your car that doesn’t involve a collision. It covers damages such as fire, theft, falling objects, explosions, riots, earthquakes, etc.
Visit Insurance Planning Service’s website to discover more about auto insurance, or call our office if you have any questions. Make sure you are well informed about your insurance situation!
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.
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