Home Insurance News from Around the United States.

According to researchers, Florida governor Ron DeSantis’s new home insurance reform bill could positively impact policyholders. The bill is said to bring more competition to the market and make it easier for consumers to shop around for the best rates.

The new bill will also make it easier for policyholders to file claims and get their claims paid out promptly. This is good news for Florida homeowners dealing with insurance companies that are slow to pay out on claims or deny claims altogether.

What Reforms Were Enacted?

The Florida Legislature passed a bill in 2022 that reformed how insurers can calculate premiums for homeowner’s insurance. The reforms aim to make premiums more fair and affordable for policyholders. Some of the key reforms that were enacted include:

  • No attorney fees for assignees
  • Adjustment of claims
  • Pre-suit notice before policyholders can file suit
  • No attorney fee multipliers

How Will These Reforms Impact Policyholders?

The most significant impact of these reforms will be felt by those paying higher than average premiums. Many of these policyholders may see their rates go down due to the reforms.

For example, if you have been paying higher than average premiums because you live in a high-risk area, you’ll no longer be penalized for that risk factor. Insurers can now use different risk factors when determining rates, which means your premium could go down.

Conclusion

The new home insurance reform bill in Florida could be good news for policyholders. The reforms enacted should make premiums more fair and affordable. They’ll also make it easier for policyholders to file claims and get their claims paid out on time.

If you’re a homeowner, contact Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, today to learn more about how home insurance can benefit you and to get a quote on a new policy. Our team is here to help you navigate the Michigan home insurance market changes so that you can make the best decision for your family.

Auto Insurance Reform: What to Expect in The Future

There have been many changes in the insurance sector over the last couple of decades, and one of the segments that has experienced tremendous reforms is auto insurance. Auto insurance is poised to undergo more extreme changes soon, thanks to the fast-evolving environment. As a car owner in Rochester Hills, MI, here are the auto insurance reforms that you should expect in the future.

A Reduction in Premiums and Cost of Insurance

Autonomous vehicles are already catching on momentum, and they will soon be the norm thanks to improved autonomous technology. Autonomous cars are perceived to be safer than standard vehicles because of the numerous driver-assist and safety technologies. At Guy Hurley McNeil, we believe that drivers will experience up to a 26% reduction in the premiums and the cost of their insurance due to this improved safety.

A Reduction in Claims Denials

Most auto insurance claims that insurers deny are turned down based on a lack of sufficient evidence supporting the car owner’s claim. However, moving into the feature, most vehicles will be fitted with multiple cameras that record what’s happening around the car at all times. The captured footage will be irrefutable evidence for car owners making claims on theft or accident compensation. This means they will likely get compensated, and there will be reduced claims denials.

An Increase in Damage Severity

Although autonomous vehicles will reduce the likelihood of accidents, the accidents will cause more severe damage to the cars. This is because, in the future, cars will have more sensors like radar mounted on their bumpers to enable autonomous driving. Damage to the front bumper resulting from an accident will also mean damage to the radar, resulting in more expensive repairs. Those with lean coverage will feel the pinch of the increased damage severity and the associated high repair cost the most because they have to pay for most repairs out of pocket.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil to get the best auto insurance deal in Rochester Hills, MI.

What Michigan residents need to know about home insurance reform

If you live in the greater Rochester Hills, MI area, you may be wondering about home insurance reform. The team here at Guy Hurley McNeil is here to answer your questions and address the concerns that you may have. Give us a call or stop by today to learn more about our area’s home insurance options.

Home insurance reform

After the state passed auto insurance reform measures, many Michigan residents wondered if there would soon be changes coming to home insurance. As of the writing of this article, there have been no such measures taken. This is an area that many people are paying attention to, and there is no doubt that if it does become an issue, there will be plenty of press coverage. 

While we await home insurance reform, it is a great opportunity for residents to take a closer look at their current policies. Many home prices in our area have increased significantly in recent years, and it’s vital that your homeowner’s policy also keeps pace with those increases.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had a review of your insurance portfolio, now is a perfect time. Our insurance needs can change, and we often don’t address those changes immediately. If we wait too long to make adjustments, we may end up with gaps in our insurance protection. Why not take the time now to ensure that all of your ducks are in a row?

We are here for you!

The community of Rochester Hills, MI can count on Guy Hurley McNeil as its insurance resource. We are here for you, whatever you need! When it comes to insurance, you can count on us. Call or stop by our office today.

What Michigan residents need to know about home insurance reform

Rochester Hills, MI area residents may be familiar with all of the recent changes due to auto insurance reform. These policies were enacted in 2020 after being introduced in 2019. These reforms have gotten a lot of people wondering if other insurance reforms may occur in the future. The team at Guy Hurley McNeil is staying on top of the situation to keep our clients informed.

Home insurance reform

Presently, there are no home insurance reform measures in place. Of course, we all know that this can change in the future, but there is nothing active at this article’s publication.

If you are concerned about insurance reform and how it could impact you and your current policies, we are here to tell you not to worry. When it comes to governmental change, these things take time. You will surely hear about any attempts at reform long before they become enacted into law.

There is always a time for discussion after reform is introduced, and those talks usually receive a lot of attention. If you are worried, there’s no need to be, as any change that does occur will take time. And, even after reform is introduced, discussed, and becomes law, the changes will not be immediate. 

Any change voted into law will not be enacted until a future period, and the public will be given plenty of notice. 

Give us a call today!

Guy Hurley McNeil is here to provide the greater Rochester Hills, MI area with the insurance guidance it needs. If you have any questions or concerns about insurance, give us a call or stop by our office today. We are here to help you!

This is How Michigan Auto Insurance Reform Affects Motorists

If you are a motorist in Michigan or any other state, you need to stay in touch with the state requirements to ensure you don’t fall on the wrong side of the law. In Michigan, for instance, there was an update of car insurance laws in 2020 that you need to know about. At Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, we take a deep dive to help you understand how the reforms affect you.

Michigan auto insurance reform

Until 2020, the Michigan law required motorists to purchase unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage gave the injured optimal protection by covering medical expenses, partial wages lost, and final costs.

While this coverage favored the victims, it had its downside. The insurance companies faced expensive claims, fraud, and legal suits from medical providers. Insurance companies raised car insurance rates to ensure that their costs were covered, making Michigan one of the most expensive states to insure vehicles.

After long debates between drivers and lawmakers on reducing car insurance rates, change finally came on July 2, 2020. Here are some of the reforms introduced:

  • There were new PIP insurance coverage options — motorists could either keep the unlimited PIP coverages or opt for lower coverages with greater discounts.
  • Increased liability coverage — previously, drivers needed to maintain a minimum of $20,000 for one person killed and twice the amount for multiple persons killed in a road accident. Today, motorists must carry $250,000 for one person killed and twice the amount for multiple persons. However, drivers can apply to reduce the amounts to $50,000 and $100,000, respectively.

If you need to learn more about Michigan car insurance in Rochester Hills, MI, don’t hesitate to contact Guy Hurley McNeil for more information. Our work is not to sell you coverages only. We educate you about the policy you are interested in so that you can have sufficient information to make an informed decision.

 

Is homeowner’s insurance reform relevant to MI residents?

Residents in the greater Rochester Hills, MI area may have heard some recent rumblings about home insurance reform. While this is not happening now, you can rely on Guy Hurley McNeil to pass on any pertinent information if these changes do occur.

Is home insurance reform happening in MI?

Some states are beginning to pass home insurance reforms. These changes are similar in nature to the auto insurance changes that went into effect in 2020. At this time, there is no homeowner insurance reform happening in Michigan. We advise all of our clients to keep in touch throughout the year. If you are speaking to your agent on a regular basis, likely at renewal time, you will stay informed of any relevant changes or reforms that may occur.

Our team prides itself on staying up-to-date on all of the insurance reforms and changes that affect our clients. If there is any reform that occurs in MI, it will likely take some time to pass the legislation. And, once the measures cross this hurdle, it would take some time for the measures to be enacted.

The short answer is that there are no reforms to home insurance happening right now in the state. This does not mean that these changes can’t happen in the future. Maintaining communication with your insurance agent can help you stay on top of the information that you need to know. Count on us for all of your insurance needs.

We are here to answer all of your insurance questions!

If you are a resident of Rochester Hills, MI or the surrounding area, you can count on Guy Hurley McNeil for all of your insurance needs. We are here to answer any questions that you may have. Give us a call today!

Why You Need an Updated Home Inventory

If you haven’t taken a look at your home inventory recently, here’s your reminder to update it today. A good home inventory is a complete account of all your possessions, with a visual record, description, receipts or appraisals of worth, and necessary details like serial numbers, make, model, and other relevant information.  This task is easy to overlook but a vital one for a few reasons.

Protect Your Assets

You can’t protect what you aren’t aware you have. An updated home inventory allows you to make a knowledgeable assessment of how much your property is worth. You can make adjustments to your insurance and talk to your agent about additional coverage for items of particular worth if you have a solid understanding of the value of your property. The only way you can do that is to keep an up-to-date list of your possessions. 

Don’t Leave Money on the Table

If you need to make a claim, not having an updated home inventory could cost you money. You don’t want to rely on your memory after a loss to determine what you had. Nor is that the time you want to be scrambling to find proof of what you owned and what it was worth. An updated inventory makes the claims process easier, faster, and ensures you’ll get all the money you deserve. 

Sufficient Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage

It’s easier to do now than it’s ever been before. Cell phones make documenting your items a breeze with a built-in high-quality camera and free and simple apps designed to help you create, maintain, and easily update a home inventory. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing your inventory is secure and stored remotely. If you are in Rochester Hills, MI and ready to go over your newly updated list, call or stop by Guy Hurley McNeil today and we can help ensure your homeowner’s policy meets your needs.

Michigan Auto Insurance: What No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform Means

Michigan no-fault auto insurance reform is confusing a lot of Michigan drivers. These are changes to auto insurance laws that every driver should be aware of so that you can get the best coverage for your needs.

At Guy Hurley McNeil, we can help Rochester Hills, MI drivers to decode Michigan no-fault auto insurance reform so that you can keep your coverage up to date. 

Follow this guide for some tips on what Michigan no-fault auto insurance reform means.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP coverage is the coverage you get for damages after an accident that goes beyond medical and includes lost wages and pain and suffering. Unlimited PIP insurance is no longer available. 

There are coverage selections for drivers on Medicaid, and not on Medicaid. If you have Medicare, you can now choose to opt out of PIP protection.

Attendant Care

Auto insurance companies will no longer offer attendant care for more than 56 hours weekly. If you are in an accident and require home care afterwards, you will not get coverage for family-provided care for more than 56 hours a week. 

If the care is provided by a nurse or practitioner, this does not apply.

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA)

Reform here indicates that the MCCA will continue paying for the health care costs of accident victims in a catastrophic accident, but only if you selected unlimited no-fault PIP medical coverage.

Bodily Injury Liability

This reform has increased the limits on bodily injury liability.  You will be permitted to purchase lower limits of bodily injury liability for third party car insurance.

Get Help Understanding Changes

These are just a few of the changes that have come to Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance reform. We can help you understand them all. At Guy Hurley McNeil, we want Rochester Hills, MI drivers to have the coverage they need, without paying too much. Call us for a quote today.

Michigan Homeowner’s Guide to Insurance Reform

With recent changes to auto insurance for Rochester Hills, MI residents and our neighbors around the state, you might be wondering if any potential changes are on the horizon for other important policies like your homeowners’ insurance policy.

When to Worry about Insurance Reform

At Guy Hurley McNeil, we think it’s always a great time to learn more about insurance, but there is a limit to how much information will impact the average person’s experience with insurance. As long as you know your current policy – especially its renewal date – you should be fine. The amount of time between renewals will be different between providers and policies, but it’s usually 12 months. A little before your renewal is the best time to check in with your insurance provider. The provider may contact you about changes that would affect your plan or reminders about your renewal before then, and you can contact them if you have additional questions or just forgot something.

That said, the most impactful policies will likely be in the news while they’re still in the formulating process, and the actual implementation may take a year or more. For example, the auto insurance reform was signed in May of 2019 and took effect in June of 2020. If someone had no other outside contact except to check on their insurance around its renewal dates, they would have found out about the upcoming changes.

The best way to alleviate your worries is by having a quality provider for your insurance. The people of Rochester Hills, MI and the surrounding Metro-Detroit area can count on Guy Hurley McNeil to help you find one.

How Are Consumers Protected Under the Auto Insurance Reformed Plans in Rochester Hills, MI?

Governor Whitmer changed the way auto insurance is practiced in the state of Michigan in an unprecedented way. Anyone purchasing an auto insurance policy after July 2020 will benefit from maintaining the best coverage options at a lower cost and enjoy unparalleled consumer protections. Guy Hurley McNeil has analyzed the changes and presents the following summary of the benefits.

1. The what that insurance companies set their rates has changed.

Insurance companies can no longer count applicants’ sex, marital status, and what zip code they reside in to set the insurance rates. Other non-driving factors that no longer apply are the applicant’s education, occupation, and credit score.

2. A new Fraud Investigation Unit was established to reduce insurance fraud.

Fraudulent insurance claims drive up the premiums for everyone. The Fraud Investigation Unit will work with law enforcement to deter anyone from submitting fraudulent claims, thereby reducing fraudulent claims burden on the system.

3. Consumer’s who lapsed their policies will not be penalized.

The new law prohibits insurers from charging reinstatement fees or increase premiums because the driver did not pay their insurance premium for a period of time. This amnesty needs to be redeemed by applying for insurance coverage before January 1, 2022.

4. Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) needs to approve insurer’s rates.

Before an insurance company sets new rates and policies that will be charged to the consumers, they need to obtain approval from DIFS.

5. Increased Fines and Penalties.

The reformed plan sets much higher fines for insurance companies and their agents if they violate the law in any way.

If you are about to purchase a new auto insurance policy, chat the Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, and let him help you choose the policy that regards all the above benefits and provides the most value to your unique circumstances.