Why You Can’t Put Your Motorcyle on Your Auto Policy

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You’ve just purchased your first motorcycle in Clarkston, MI, and you call your insurance carrier to add the vehicle to your policy, only to discover you can’t. Most auto insurance carriers won’t let you insure your bike on the same policy as your SUV or car. So, how do you protect it? You need a dedicated motorcycle policy. The Ryan Insurance Agency can help you find the right policy for your new two-wheeler.

Motorcycles and Cars Have Different Risk Profiles

The main reason motorcycles can’t be added to an auto policy is that these vehicles have different risk profiles. Motorcycles are subject to unique insurance regulations and coverage requirements. Auto insurance policies are designed to protect four-wheeled vehicles, which weigh significantly more than motorcycles. This difference means that cars typically cause much more physical damage than motorcycles. However, motorcycles provide little to no protection for their riders, making them more vulnerable to injuries. They are also more susceptible to road hazards and adverse weather conditions.

How Motorcycle Policies Are Similar

Motorcycle policies include many of the same coverage categories as auto policies, such as liability, collision, comprehensive, and medical payments. However, motorcycle policies account for the unique risks associated with riding. Riders often experience more severe and life-threatening injuries, which is why motorcycle insurance must be separate. Additionally, motorcycle insurance can include special provisions for accessories and customized equipment.

Although you must have separate policies for your motorcycle and cars, bundling these policies together can help save on premiums. To find the best motorcycle and auto insurance bundling options and learn more about the differences between the two policy types, contact the professionals at The Ryan Insurance Agency, serving Clarkston, MI. Call today to get started.

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How to Extend Your Boat’s Lifespan

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While boats are designed to last, the harshness of the various environments they’ll encounter can quickly cause them to deteriorate. If you’re hoping to get the most out of your boat, it’s crucial to look for ways to mitigate damage early on. Here are a few tips on how to extend your boat’s lifespan, and why you should turn to us here at The Ryan Insurance Agency in Clarkston, MI when you need additional support that you can’t manage with self-maintenance!

How to Extend Your Boat’s Lifespan: Tips and Tricks for Improved Boat Longevity

If you want to keep your boat functional for longer, you should:

  • Hose Your Boat Down After Each Use: Corrosive or otherwise damaging substances and objects like salt or rocks will likely find their way onto your boat while you’re sailing around. Hosing it down after each use will remove these objects and substances, preventing them from causing further damage once your boat is out of the water.
  • Use Preventive Boat Products: Preventive and protective boat products, such as boat wax and bottom paint, can go a long way in defending your boat against corrosion, UV rays, and other forms of damage.
  • Conduct Regular Inspection and Maintenance/Repairs: The best way to deal with boat damage is to get ahead of it. Conduct regular inspections to make sure there are no signs of damage and that your boat is running smoothly. If anything starts to show signs of wear or malfunction, address it promptly.
  • Invest in Quality Boat Insurance: Boat insurance is crucial to boat longevity. Boat insurance won’t only cover repairs in the event of an accident, but it will also offer essential services like on-water towing should your boat need emergency support.

Find Quality Boat Insurance With The Ryan Insurance Agency

Here at The Ryan Insurance Agency in Clarkston, MI, we help you find and compare boat insurance quotes so that you can get the best policy for your boating needs. Get in touch with us today to get started!

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Can Umbrella Insurance Protect My Recreational Vehicles

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If you own recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, ATVs, or an RV, it’s crucial to ensure your investment properly to avoid potential losses or unexpected expenses. If you’re located in Clarkston, MI, determining if umbrella insurance will protect your recreational vehicles can help you find a policy tailored to your specific coverage needs. At The Ryan Insurance Agency, we’ll collaborate with you to review your recreational vehicle needs, seasonal usage, and existing policy limitations to find an appropriate solution that’s just right for you.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

When you own recreational vehicles, here’s what umbrella insurance can cover:

  • Property damage: Any property damage caused by your watercraft, ATV, or RV will be covered.
  • Injury: If your recreational vehicle causes injury to you or others while in operation, your umbrella policy will help cover potential medical and/or legal costs.
  • Lawsuits: If you face a lawsuit resulting from your recreational vehicle, ensuring you have an adequate and sufficient umbrella policy in place is crucial.
  • Court judgments and legal fees: In some cases, umbrella insurance can also help cover the cost of legal fees and court judgments, especially if the costs have exceeded the policy limits of the existing policies you already have (such as traditional auto or property insurance).

Understanding how umbrella insurance can provide additional protection to your recreational vehicles is essential anytime you’re considering investing in an RV, ATV, or if you already own a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile. If you’re located in Clarkston, MI, and you want to reassess your existing coverage and protection, we’re here to help. For more information about umbrella insurance and how it can contribute to your financial security for your collection of recreational vehicles, contact The Ryan Insurance Agency today.

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Explained: Cash Value in Permanent Life Insurance

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When people consider life insurance, they often envision a payout that only comes into play after their demise. However, permanent life insurance offers an additional benefit while you’re still alive: a cash value. This unique feature distinguishes it from term life insurance and can play a significant role in your overall financial strategy. Based in Clarkston, MI, The Ryan Insurance Agency offers a variety of life insurance products to cater to your financial needs.

What Does Cash Value Mean?

Cash value is a savings component integrated into permanent life insurance policies, such as whole life or universal life. As you pay your premiums, a portion contributes to building this cash value over time, in addition to covering the cost of insurance.

How Can You Utilize It?

Once a substantial cash value has accumulated, you can utilize it in several ways:

  • Borrow Against It: You can take out a policy loan without a credit check, using your cash value as collateral.
  • Withdraw Funds: You can access the money directly, although withdrawals may reduce your death benefit.
  • Pay Premiums: Some policyholders use their cash value to cover future premium payments.

Benefits and Considerations

The cash value grows tax-deferred, meaning you won’t pay taxes on earnings as long as they remain in the policy. However, accessing it can have implications, such as reducing the death benefit or creating a tax liability if not managed carefully.

Maximize Your Policy’s Potential

The cash value in permanent life insurance isn’t just a feature; it’s a financial tool that can support your goals throughout life. Whether you aim to build wealth, prepare for unexpected expenses, or enhance your retirement strategy, understanding how it works is beneficial. Ready to explore your options? Contact The Ryan Insurance Agency in Clarkston, MI, to get started.

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Why Is a Bike Considered an RV But Not a Traditional Motorcycle?

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Covering all the vehicles you use in your daily life can be a complicated process. When you want to drive your car around, you need auto insurance. You need RV insurance when you want to take your motorbike out into the hills. When you want to drive your motorcycle around, you need motorcycle insurance. However, certain types of vehicles may overlap. For example, you could get motorcycle insurance for your bike if it becomes a street vehicle, but you likely won’t get RV insurance for your motorcycle. Why is this? Here’s why a bike is considered an RV, but a traditional motorcycle is not. If you need to get coverage for your motorcycle, we’re here to help! The Ryan Insurance Agency team in Clarkston, MI is ready to help you find and compare policies to secure the right one for your vehicle.

Why Isn’t a Motorcycle Considered an RV?

RVs, like motorbikes, can be taken onto the street. When this happens, they become a vehicle you drive around and need the necessary insurance. However, these bikes are designed for many terrains, and most people use them recreationally to race around in nature. But motorcycles? Not so much. Traditional motorcycles are explicitly designed for the road. It’s akin to how you’re not going to be able to use a car you got at the dealership, like a dune buggy, and get RV coverage for it. It’s a fundamentally different vehicle that requires a different type of insurance. That’s where we come in!

Get Your Motorcycle Covered With The Ryan Insurance Agency!

If you’re in the market for motorcycle insurance, The Ryan Insurance Agency in Clarkston, MI, can help you find the right policy. Compare motorcycle insurance quotes with us now!

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Best Practices for Boat Safety in Clarkston

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Adopting safety precautions can help prevent accidents on the water. Excessive speed and unfamiliarity with boating rules and regulations are common factors contributing to boating mishaps. The team at The Ryan Insurance Agency in Clarkston, MI, has compiled crucial information to help you stay safe and avoid insurance complications.

Life Jackets and Reliable Communication

Life jackets are lifesavers, so make sure you have enough for everyone on board. Each passenger should have a life jacket that fits them properly. Consider having personal flotation devices readily available for additional safety during tubing and water skiing activities.

Protecting cell phones in waterproof dry bags can increase their chances of functioning even if your boat capsizes. However, remember that cell phone reception can be unreliable in remote areas. Also, ensure your VHF marine radio is working before venturing too far from the shore.

Safe Boating Practices

Experienced boaters typically check the weather forecast before setting out on the water. Want to enhance the safety of your family and friends? Consider taking a boat safety course and following these tips:

Check the fuel level, engine, and safety gear. Inform a family member, neighbor, or friend about your expected return time. Practice safe navigation and familiarize yourself with the lakes and waterways you plan to explore. Most importantly, never operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or any other substances that can impair your judgment.

What safety equipment should you have on board? Fire extinguishers, first aid kits, flares, whistles, and lights can help you treat injuries and signal for help if necessary.

Choosing the right boat insurance is almost as important as following safety best practices. Contact The Ryan Insurance Agency in Clarkston, MI to discuss the best boat insurance options to protect your vessel and everyone aboard.

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Does Umbrella Insurance Cover Lawsuits?

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Umbrella insurance, also known as additional liability insurance, provides extra coverage for your liability policy. This coverage can help protect your assets if your current liability coverage isn’t enough to pay for damages.

Coverage for Lawsuits

Yes, umbrella insurance through The Ryan Insurance Agency can cover lawsuits. That’s the primary thing umbrella insurance covers. This type of insurance can help pay for a legal defense, judgments against you, and more. It’s often used in addition to homeowners, auto, or liability insurance to ensure you don’t have to pay out of pocket for expenses.

Primary Policy

Your primary policy will kick in before your umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance is reserved for scenarios when your current policy limits are exhausted. For example, if you’re being sued for $1 million, and your liability insurance won’t cover the cost of legal defense, your umbrella insurance may cover it. If there’s a judgment against you for $1 million, and your insurance will only cover $250,000, your umbrella insurance will cover the remaining $750,000.

Uncommon Situations

Umbrella insurance in Clarkston, MI, is commonly used to cover certain risks that most people don’t face daily. For example, most people don’t deal with slander or libel lawsuits, but defamation lawsuits are typically covered. Some pet owners have umbrella insurance to protect themselves if their dog bites someone. Others may have it to cover lawsuits if injuries happen on their property, such as a trampoline accident.

Exclusions

Many umbrella insurance policies have exclusions. For example, most don’t cover intentional acts of harm. For instance, if someone sets out to ruin someone else’s life and gets sued for defamation, the insurance policy will not cover legal expenses because their actions were intentional. Agents at The Ryan Insurance Agency serving the Clarkston, MI area can answer any questions you have.

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Umbrella Insurance: Covering What Your Standard Policy Doesn’t

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No one ever wants to be in a position where they need to rely on their insurance, but everyone is grateful to have it when they do. Discovering "gaps" in their policy or a "lack" of coverage can be a painful surprise, leaving policyholders to manage unexpected expenses on their own. These are a few reasons why people from in and around the Clarkston, MI area turn to the professional and proven team at The Ryan Insurance Agency for all their umbrella insurance needs and solutions to potential gaps in their coverage.

Fill the Gaps in Your Standard Policy with Umbrella Insurance

The good news is that those painful and shocking situations can be avoided with the right umbrella insurance policy. This is where the help and importance of working with knowledgeable and friendly agents can make a difference. At The Ryan Insurance Agency, our professional team will work with you to assess your coverage and policies and help you determine any potential areas of coverage that could be improved with the right umbrella insurance solutions.

Umbrella Insurance Solutions for Clarkston, MI Residents

If you live in or around the greater Clarkston, MI area and have questions about your coverage, or would like to learn more about how umbrella insurance could help, contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment for the umbrella insurance plan you need and deserve at The Ryan Insurance Agency today. Be better protected and cover what your standard policy doesn’t with the right umbrella insurance solutions.

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Life Insurance: Caring for You and Them

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Life can come at us fast, and it is never predictable. The good news, however, is that we can often prepare for many things that might not be predictable but are inevitable. Like health insurance, we know that we will all get sick or hurt one day and need help. That is also a lot like life insurance because we all know that we have a limited time here, and life insurance can help us prepare for what we know lies ahead. That is also why so many people in and around the Clarkston, MI area rely on the friendly and professional team at The Ryan Insurance Agency for all their health insurance needs.

Life Insurance: Caring for You and Them When the Inevitable Arrives

Like everything else, the cost of end-of-life expenses is rising. Life insurance can help with these types of costs and during the most challenging times. Life insurance is about more than caring for your needs; it is also a major component of end-of-life planning for many people. From leaving something for those you love and care about to caring for your inevitable exit, insurance is a sure way to care for you—and them.

Health Insurance Solutions for People in the Clarkston, MI Area

Do you live in Clarkston, MI or the surrounding area? Do you have questions or want to learn more about how life insurance can help you? Then, our experienced and proven team at The Ryan Insurance Agency can help with all your questions and, most importantly, your life insurance needs. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment today at The Ryan Insurance Agency for the protection and coverage you need and deserve for you and your life.

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The Role of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

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Driving without adequate insurance can be a risky endeavor, particularly considering the number of uninsured drivers on the road. At The Ryan Insurance Agency, we serve the area in and around Clarkston, MI, and we’re here to help you understand why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is crucial for your protection.

How to Protect Yourself from Uninsured Drivers

Regrettably, despite it being a legal requirement, not everyone on the road carries insurance. If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you could be left covering the costs yourself. Uninsured motorist coverage steps in to protect you, covering medical expenses and damages to your vehicle.

The Importance of Underinsured Motorist Coverage

At times, drivers have insurance, but it’s not sufficient to cover the full extent of the damage they cause. Underinsured motorist coverage is vital in this scenario. It covers the gap between the at-fault driver’s insurance limits and the actual costs of the accident. This means you won’t have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses if their coverage falls short.

The Significance of Adequate Coverage

The financial impact of an accident can be devastating, especially if the other driver lacks adequate insurance. Having uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage ensures that you and your passengers are safeguarded, regardless of who’s at fault. This peace of mind allows you to focus on recovery rather than financial stress.

Take the Next Step With Auto Insurance

Understanding these coverages can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Ryan Insurance Agency, proudly providing auto insurance throughout the greater Clarkston, MI region, is dedicated to helping you find the right coverage for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can protect you on the road and ensure your peace of mind.

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