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Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance

13892 Hough Road
Berville, MI 48002

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Why Pet Insurance Is Important for Outdoor Dogs

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At Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance, we carry pet insurance for a good reason: because it’s a good investment for most pet owners. This couldn’t be more true for dog owners with pets who frequent the outdoors, where a number of potential hazards await.

Here are four of the most common (and costly) risk concerns for these pets:

1. Hazards of Extreme Temperatures

Harsh temps like the frigid ones we face in Berville, MI can make it challenging to keep canines warm in winter, while warm summers can pose concerns, too. Predominantly hypothermia, heat stroke, and dehydration, both of which are potentially deadly and require immediate emergency attention.

2. Parasite Exposure

There are quite a few parasites outdoors, including fleas, ticks, and worms. Not only are they pesky for pets, but they can cause serious discomfort and even diseases, many of which are transmittable to other animals and humans. Many of these issues can be avoided through preventive medicine, but serious infestations tend to require medical treatment.

3. Increased Risk of Injuries

Outdoor activities can be riskier than indoor environments. Common injuries include:

  • Predator Attacks

  • Puncture Wounds

  • Vehicles & Traffic

  • Lacerations

  • Accidental Poisoning

4. Development of Behavioral Problems

Should your canine identify another human or pet as a threat, they can bite or attack them. This can lead to a costly lawsuit that results in thousands of dollars in legal fees. While renters and home insurance may cover that, those policies won’t cover any issues your dog suffers.

We Are Here To Help

If you have a furry friend, regardless of whether they are a cat or dog, having pet insurance helps them get the care they need during both emergencies and routine wellness needs. Contact us today to learn more or get a quote for coverage. Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance is here to assist the greater Berville, MI area residents. 

Preventing Home Insurance Claims: A Proactive Approach

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Protecting your home in the greater Berville, MI region goes beyond just having insurance coverage. Advocating for a proactive approach to prevent home insurance claims, consider these strategies from the Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance to save you both time and money.

Routine Home Maintenance Matters

Regular home maintenance isn’t just about curb appeal; it’s a key factor in preventing potential claims. Stay on top of maintenance tasks, from roof inspections to plumbing checks. Addressing issues promptly reduces the risk of larger, more costly claims down the road.

Security Measures for Peace of Mind

Enhancing your home’s security is a proactive way to deter potential risks. Install security systems, robust locks, and motion-sensor lighting to make your home less attractive to burglars. Explore these preventive measures, which not only safeguard your property but may also lead to lower insurance premiums.

Fire Safety Precautions

Fires are a significant risk for homeowners. Ensure your home is equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and practice fire safety. Emphasizing the importance of fire prevention, protect your loved ones and minimize the likelihood of extensive insurance claims.

Weather-Related Preparedness

Living in Michigan means being prepared for various weather conditions. Proactive measures such as maintaining trees, cleaning gutters, and reinforcing windows can mitigate the risk of weather-related damage. Be vigilant and take necessary precautions throughout the changing seasons.

Ready to take a proactive stance in safeguarding your home?

Contact us at Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance today to learn more about preventive strategies and comprehensive home insurance coverage in Berville, MI. Reach out for personalized advice and explore how a proactive approach can contribute to a safer, more secure home. Your peace of mind starts here.

Why do I need landlord insurance?

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Being a landlord is a lot harder than it looks from the outside. Berville, MI landlords have a lot of responsibility, and you are the one who has to step up when anything goes wrong. Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance can help you learn how landlord insurance can help. 

What Is Landlord Insurance?

Landlord insurance offers three basic kinds of protection:

  1. You have protection if your rental property is damaged.
  2. Landlord insurance helps cover expenses when a property becomes unlivable, such as after a fire or a tornado. You can’t collect rent on a property that is too damaged, but landlord insurance can help replace that lost income.
  3. If someone is hurt on the property, landlord insurance can provide protection in case the person files a lawsuit. This coverage includes assistance with the legal process, which can be the most stressful part of a case.

Landlord Insurance Does Not Protect Your Tenants’ Personal Belongings

There are a few ways to deal with this. Some landlords simply inform their tenants that they are not responsible for anything that happens to their personal belongings. That can lead to problems, including litigation if there is ever a question about who was responsible. 

You can avoid these kinds of problems by making it a mandatory condition of the lease that all tenants must carry renters insurance. Renters insurance is inexpensive, and your tenants won’t regret having it if they ever need to use it.

Consult With Us

Being a landlord in Berville, MI can be stressful, but you can reduce that stress by having the protection you need. If you are interested in learning about landlord insurance or if you would like to compare policies, please call Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance today.

Three Things You Probably Didn’t Know Your Auto Insurance Covers

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Choosing the appropriate auto insurance coverage isn’t just about choosing between liability, comprehensive, collision, and full coverage. Every insurance policy is different. Many policies include coverage of situations and items in your vehicle that most policyholders don’t even realize they have. This could cause them to supplement their coverage when it is not required.

The following are three things most policyholders don’t realize are covered:

1. Pothole Damage

There is no shortage of potholes in Berville, MI. These can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s suspension and tires over time. Nobody wants to pay for the exorbitant bills that come with repairing a suspension or an axle from something as avoidable as pothole damage. Did you know collision coverage generally covers damage from running over a pothole? Be aware that the claim could increase your monthly premium. 

2. Attorney Fees

If the other party sues you after an accident, your insurance could cover the costs associated with hiring a lawyer. Inform your insurance company right away if you are sued. Time is of the essence in any legal proceeding. The quicker you hire a lawyer, the better your chance of getting a favorable result. 

3. Hotels

You might need an accident if you are out of town when you get into a car accident. In many cases, your insurance policy will cover this cost. You will need to at least have comprehensive coverage if you want your lodging covered after an accident. Check your policy because each one provides a different ceiling for expenses and how long you can stay. 

Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance Is Here To Help

If you are looking for the ideal car insurance policy for your needs, contact us at Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance for guidance. We will design the best car insurance policy for you as we have been doing in Berville, MI for years. We will also strive to keep your insurance costs within your budget. 

Types of Pet Insurance and Coverage Options

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Pet insurance is a kind of health insurance policy for pets, and depending on the coverage you choose, it can pay for medical expenses and even other costs. Our pet insurance plans at Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance in Berville, MI may be reimbursement-based or directly paid to the vet after any deductibles. Let’s discuss the most common pet insurance plan types.

Policies to Protect Pet Wellness and Your Wallet

There are several plan options available for pet insurance, and it’s likely that we accept most provider’s policies. Some to consider include:

Comprehensive Coverage

If you want your pet to have the best coverage possible, choosing a comprehensive policy is the way to go. Often called a “nose-to-tail” policy, this option covers:

  • Routine Checkups & Wellness Plans
  • Vaccinations
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Injuries
  • Chronic & Hereditary Conditions
  • Flea, Tick & Heartworm Prevention

Accident and Illness Coverage

These policies generally cover veterinary bills related to physical injuries and hereditary and common conditions. Serious conditions, such as cancer, are also covered. However, routine wellness exams, vaccinations and other routine preventives are not covered under this policy.

Pet Wellness Coverage

For pet owners only looking to cover routine veterinary checkups and wellness-related expenses such as vaccinations and pest prevention this is an affordable plan. Those who want extra protection can add this coverage to an illness or accident plan.

Accident-Only Coverage

If a pet is injured in an accident, this policy will help cover related expenses. However, no illness-related or wellness coverage is included.

Schedule A Consultation Today

At Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance in Berville, MI, we offer a full array of insurance options for home, auto, life, and even your furry friends. We are locally owned and operated but offer those in Macomb County and all of Michigan affordable policies. Contact us today for a quote.

Chimney Safety Tips

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Leaning towards an old wood-burning fireplaces to help cut your heating bill this winter? Before you spark a log you should know, fireplaces and chimneys are involved in 42% of all home-heating fires. So before you use your fireplace, ensure you know how to properly use it and follow these safety tips.

  1. Hire a chimney sweep – The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys be swept at least once a year to remove soot and debris. A professional chimney sweep should also inspect for any damages.
  2. Cap your chimney – Chimney caps will keep rain, birds, squirrels, and debris from entering your chimney. Repair or replace a missing or damaged cap.
  3. Burn seasoned hardwood – Choose dense wood that has been split and stored in a high and dry place for at least 6 months.
  4. Don’t overload – Small fires generate less smoke and less creosote buildup. Large, hot fires can potentially crack your chimney.
  5. Build it right – Place logs at the rear of the fireplace on a metal grate. Use kindling instead of flammable liquids to start the fire.
  6. Use a spark guard. Spark guards will prevent embers from shooting out of the fireplace. A guard in front of the fireplace is especially important when the room is unoccupied.

Winter is coming. It will be here before we know it. Get everything prepared for the cold months now before it’s too late! Stay warm and safe all winter long. Another good tip is to contact our agency to review your homeowners insurance policy before you strike a match.




Source: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/fireplaces/21018422/how-to-prep-your-fireplace-for-the-cold-season

When should you review your home insurance?

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Home insurance is something that needs to change as you and your home change. It needs to be reviewed to make sure that it is meeting your current needs. At Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance in Berville, MI we have been providing personalized service to our customers since 2012.  

When your policy is renewed

Most home insurance policies are reviewed yearly. When you get your policy, whether it is a paper copy or a digital copy, you should read the Declaration Page. This gives you all the details of your coverage. You will see the amount of property coverage you have, coverage for additional structures, content coverage, and liability coverage. Any additional coverage and discounts you are eligible for will also be listed. You should study it diligently to determine if it makes sense to you. 

When you make major renovations

If you have increased the square footage of your home with an addition or by finishing your basement or attic, it can increase the value of your home. If you do bathroom and kitchen upgrades, this can also increase the value of your home. Be sure to let your insurance agent know if any of these things apply to you. 

When your need for liability coverage increases

If you have added a pool to your home or gotten a trampoline for your children, your liability has increased. If you have added a dog to your home, this also increases your liability. 

When you install safety equipment

If you have added a home security system to your home this can make you eligible for a discount. This also applies to other safety equipment like smoke detectors. 

We Are Here To Help

Contact Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance in Berville, MI when you need an independent insurance agency to help you with your home insurance needs. 

Making sure your home is properly covered for a disaster

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How to avoid being underinsured

For many people, their home is their greatest asset, so it is crucial to avoid being underinsured. To properly insure your home, it is important to ask your insurance professional four key questions.

1. Do I have enough insurance to rebuild my home?

Your policy needs to cover the cost of rebuilding your home at current construction costs. Unfortunately, some homeowners simply purchase enough insurance protection to satisfy their mortgage lender. Others confuse the real estate value of their home with what it would cost to rebuild it.

2. Do I have enough insurance to replace all of my possessions?

Most homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for your personal possessions for approximately 50 percent to 70 percent of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. If you have $100,000 worth of coverage on the structure of your home, you would be covered for $50,000 to $70,000 worth of the contents of your home, depending on the policy.

The best way to determine if this is enough coverage is to conduct a home inventory, which details everything you own and the estimated cost to replace these items if they are stolen or destroyed by a disaster.

3. Do I have enough coverage for additional living expenses?

Coverage for additional living expenses pays the extra costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can’t live in it due to an insured disaster such as a hurricane. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals, transportation and other living expenses incurred while your home is inaccessible or being rebuilt.

4. Do I have enough insurance to protect my assets?

Although not a key element in disaster planning, it is also important to have adequate liability protection. This covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or your family members may cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by pets.

Your answers to these 4 questions will give you a good idea if your home is properly covered.  Don’t wait until it’s too late to know if your home insurance policy will cover your home and its possessions.

Source:  https://www.iii.org/article/making-sure-your-home-properly-covered-disaster

Importance of Obtaining Landlord Insurance

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Landlord insurance protects you against perils that can cause damage or loss to your rental property. As renting a home, condo or apartment is a business, landlord insurance is actually a form of business insurance to protect your valuable investment. If your rental unit is hit by an unexpected disaster, landlord insurance will help cover the repair costs.

At Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance, we can customize your Berville, MI landlord policy to provide the exact protection you need. 

Importance of Landlord Insurance

As the owner of a rental property, you’re responsible for its upkeep and care. If your unit suffers structural damage due to a storm, your tenant will expect it to be repaired so he or she can continue living there. By covering the cost of repairs, landlord insurance can save you thousands of dollars out of pocket. If your unit is totally destroyed in a disaster, landlord insurance can save you from financial ruin.

Coverage Options

Landlord policies offer various coverage options to protect your rental property. These include:

  • Dwelling insurance to cover structural damage to your home, condo, or apartment
  • Other structures coverage to pay for damages to detached structures on the property such as a fence, shed, or garage
  • Personal property coverage to protect equipment that services your rental unit, such as a lawnmower, leaf or snow blower, etc.
  • Liability protection to pay for someone’s injuries on your property if you’re found negligent in causing an accident.

You can also obtain additional coverage against vandalism, burglary, or floods. By working closely with our agent, you can determine the type and amount of coverage you need, taking into consideration the condition and value of your property, the risks of damage, what you stand to lose, and your budget.

Reach Out To Us

To learn more about landlord insurance policies, contact Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance. We proudly serve the greater Berville, MI region.

Tips to keep your car running like brand new

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Having a car that is running like it did when you first bought it can seem like an impossible task. But, with the right maintenance and care, you can keep your car running like brand new for years to come here in the Berville, MI area. Here are a few tips from us at Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance for keeping your car in top shape. 

Tips to keep your car running like brand new

1. Make sure to change your oil regularly

The oil in your engine helps reduce friction and keeps all parts moving smoothly. To ensure this keeps happening, make sure you’re changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles (or as recommended by the manufacturer). 

2. Keep a close eye on fluid levels

In addition to oil, there are other important fluids that need to be maintained in order for optimal performance. This includes coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Check the levels monthly and top them off if needed. 

3. Replace air filters

Replacing the air filter can help keep your engine breathing properly and prevent dust and debris from clogging up important components. It’s recommended to replace it at least once a year or more often if you drive in dusty conditions. 

4. Get regular tune-ups

Scheduling regular tune-ups with a certified mechanic can save you time and energy down the line by catching small problems before they become bigger issues. This should include checking all belts, hoses, spark plugs, and ignition wires as well as checking the compression in each cylinder of the engine. 

Keep Your Auto Insurance Updated

For more tips, give us at Mitten Heritage Fraternal Society of Insurance a call today. We are proud to serve the Berville, MI area and would be happy to help.

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