All-Season Tires vs Snow Tires

Name: Shield Insurance Agency
Address: 3214 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, MI, 49426
Telephone: 616-896-4600

Posted on June 22, 2019August 29, 2021 by Shield Insurance Agency

Updated: Aug 6, 2018

Written by Shield Insurance Agency

All-Season tires vs Snow Tires?

The tread compound of All-season tires can harden in low temperatures, so there’s less traction between the road and your tires. But snow tires use special rubber compounds that stay pliable in the cold, giving them better grip and improved braking, even in extreme conditions.

Sometimes Michigan cold temperatures tend to drag on for longer periods. If it’s still below the 45–50-degree mark, leave the tires on. If the temperatures are well above freezing, the 50s, and above, then make sure to get those winter tires off and get your summer tires placed back on your vehicle. The longer you leave your winter tires on, the faster your treads are going to wear off your tires.

I love my snow tires! They help my vehicle a lot! But I will not take them off until the freezing temperatures are over. Since Memorial Day is almost here, I would say “get those winter/snow tires off of your vehicle”.

Submitted by Dawn

Written by Shield Insurance Agency

Commercial General Liability Insurance: Are You Properly Covered?

Posted on June 22, 2019September 5, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | General Liability Insurance | Contact our office today! | Start A Quote

Commercial General Liability Insurance: Are you properly covered? Should a contractor you perform work for be listed on your policy as an additional insured?

These are very common questions in the insurance world today. Typically, your general liability policy covers you & your employees for liability in the work that you perform for your customers. Adding an additional insured to your policy protects that additional insured from liability “arising out of work you perform”.

One example I can think of would be that of a cleaning company: Company A (you) does the cleaning at Company B (additional insured). One of Company A’s employees mops the floor with the wrong cleaner and leaves the floor extremely slippery. A customer goes to Company B & slips/falls causing injury. The customer files suit against Company B for liability. Because this slippery floor is a result of the work of an employee of Company A and Company B is listed as an additional insured on Company A’s insurance policy, Company B has additional liability coverage under Company A’s policy because the incident occurred “arising out of” work Company A performed.

General Liability Insurance

If you have any questions or would like to explore your options for health insurance, it is always a good idea to contact your insurance carrier or speak with an insurance agent. Shield Insurance Agency represents over 40 insurance companies and can provide you with a free quote and personalized advice. Contact Shield Insurance Agency at (616) 896-4600 for a free quote today or start the quoting process by visiting this LINK and an agent will be in touch soon.

Be sure to check with your agent to make sure you are properly covered for all liability exposures. Submitted by Tammy

Recent Blogs

Captive vs Independent Agents

Posted on June 22, 2019August 31, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | Captive vs Independent Agents |

Written by Shield Insurance Agency on Apr 11, 2018

Captive vs Independent Agents

Hello Friends, Family, Clients, Potential Clients.

I am writing this Blog Entry today, because my Dad, Andy, the owner of the Agency, is asking me to. We believe that a website with Blog entries every so often will get more views than one that has none. We are always looking for ways to get our Business more Business, and if a Blog is one, then we will have a Blog!

I was struggling very hard on what to write about for this blog, as I am not exactly a person who just writes for fun by any means. I thought that I would tackle the thought process of buying from an Independent Agency, versus Buying from a Captive Agency. Not a lot of people know the difference, and not a lot of people even know there IS a difference.

First, let me explain the Difference between Independent Agency and a Captive Agency. A Captive Agency is an agency that can only sell one single Insurance Company Product. For example; State Farm, Farm Bureau, Farmers. These type of Captive Agents sell their Customers that specific companies Products, and then after the Policy renews, they renew with that Specific company. Year after year the customer stays with that specific company no matter what happens to the Price or coverage because that Captive Agency only sells that company. Captive Agencies have the Majority of Personal lines, customers, in the United States, but I personally think that is because of the Marketing these captive Agencies do.

An Independent Agency sells many company’s products to their customers. Shield Insurance is an Independent Agency, we sell 8 different Home and Auto Companies to our Customers. Here is the List; Wolverine Mutual Insurance, Fremont Insurance, State Auto Insurance, Foremost Specialty Insurance, Progressive Insurance, AAA Insurance, Safe-co Insurance, Grange Insurance. When an Independent Agency Writes a policy for a client, they quote all of their companies to figure out which one is going to give that client the lowest price, with the best coverage, and that is who they put the client with. After 6 months when the Policy Renews, the agent will evaluate the Price, and if there is any sort of Increase, the agent will check all of the Other companies they Represent, and see if any of them have a cheaper price, and if they do, they will present that to their Client, and save them money on the renewal. (Some agencies don’t check, but we do!).

This is the Process of a Captive Agency, Versus an Independent Agency. The Independent Agent Shops for you, Year after Year. The Captive agent, keeps you as a Client Year after year, while your Policies are stuck with one Company. Obviously, I am a bit bias being an Independent Agent, but just think about the Thought process, would someone want to go somewhere they can only receive the same quote, or would they want to go somewhere that shops for them, and find the best price for them. I have yet to find More Benefits to being with a Captive Agency, versus an Independent Agency, but if anyone knows any, feel free to email me about it! Thanks for reading my Blog Entry today Folks, Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

submitted by TJ

Latest Blog Posts

Insurance for your Home-Based Business – To Have or Not to Have?

Posted on June 22, 2019August 30, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | Home-Based Business | Business Insurance | Start A Quote

Having a home-based business is a booming trend these days. Who wouldn’t want to work from home (in their slippers if they want), be their own boss, and avoid the traffic and corporate office hassles? Just a couple of examples are Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Lu-La-Roe, Photography, Real Estate Sales and so many more. Most home-based business owners have homeowners insurance and assume they are completely covered for whatever goes on inside their homes. This could not be more wrong! It is important to talk to your insurance agent about what actually is covered & what is excluded since most business exposures in the home/on-premises are excluded. Also, operating your business from home without telling your insurance company could also void your entire homeowner’s insurance policy and result in a claim being denied. So how will you know if you need a separate insurance policy for your business? Answer these questions and talk to your agent:

Do I have clients come to my home?
Do I keep inventory or supplies in my home or in an off-site location?
Do I have client or employee records on my computer?
If I had to close my business due to damage to my home would I lose income?

Having the right coverage for these and many more scenarios is key to a successful and financially responsible business. Why leave yourself financially responsible for lawsuits or issues related to data loss? There are so many options available for the right coverage for your small business! Give us a call and talk to one of our commercial experts today & protect your investment!

-Tammy