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The Rathbun Agency Blog

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Insurance

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What is a Peril?

As an insurance producer, it's important to educate clients about the different perils that can affect their homes and the coverage options available to protect them. Understanding the differences between H03 and H05...

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Why does my agent ask me so many questions?

When purchasing insurance, you may have noticed that insurance agents ask a lot of questions. This can often seem like an intrusive and time-consuming process, but it is actually a necessary part of the insurance...

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Independent vs. Captive Agent

As you navigate the world of insurance, you may encounter different types of agents. Two common types are independent agents and exclusive or captive agents. While both types of agents can provide you with insurance...

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Why Young Adults Need Umbrella Insurance: Protecting Yourself from the Unexpected

As a young adult, you may not be thinking about purchasing insurance, let alone an umbrella insurance policy. However, it's important to understand that accidents and unexpected events can happen at any time and it's...

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Moving Out on Your Own? Why Insurance Should be at the Top of Your To-Do List

Moving out of your parents' house is a significant milestone and we understand how exciting it can be to finally have your own space and independence. With this newfound freedom comes new responsibilities, one of which...

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Dog Bites… am I covered?

When we considered adding Milo and Ash as our family pets, the thought of them potentially biting or injuring someone did not cross our minds. We couldn’t wait to snuggle them and watch them flourish as new members of...

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Before You Say "I Don't Need Renters Insurance..."

In December 2022, there was a devastating fire at Knob Hill Apartments in Okemos where two buildings were a total loss. Many of our neighbors and friends who rented there lost all of their belongings and were left...

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Why Does My Kid Need to Buy Renters Insurance?

Your college student child has moved into an apartment or your adult child has moved out “on their own” and you are all celebrating this next chapter of independence. A question we will often get is, does my kid need to...

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Why You Need to Be Concerned About Those Who Aren’t

As trusted insurance advisors, we are commonly faced with the question “What do I need to protect myself from?” When referring to automobile insurance, the reality is who you insure yourself against is equally important...

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Lumber Costs How Much!!!?!?

It's that time of the year when many people are thinking about working on home renovation projects. What a surprise after going to the hardware store when homeowners are finding lumber costs increasing significantly. We...

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Because You Never Know When Your City Will Pull A Surprise Code Change

Did you know that after experiencing a homeowners loss, rebuilding your home to meet current codes may cost more than the replacement cost on your policy? What happens when your city decides to pass a new ordinance,...

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What's So Special About the Special Homeowners Form?

When it comes to homeowners’ policies, there are three different coverage forms available: basic, broad and special. But what are the differences? And how do these differences play out in real-world claims scenarios? It...

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Holiday Travel Tips

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, more than 13 million Americans will travel this holiday season to spend the holiday with friends and family. To ensure a worry-free holiday, here are some convenient travel and...

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Rathbun Agency Adds Pioneer State Mutual To Carrier Lineup

For sixty four years, we have been proud to partner with the best insurance carriers that offer broad coverage and competitive pricing. We are very excited to announce that we have added Pioneer State Mutual to our...

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Do We Really Need Insurance Agents Anymore?

With access to just about all the information you need online to make purchasing decisions, do you really need an insurance agent anymore? The thought of interacting in person with a local agent seems like an obsolete...

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How Are My Insurance Policies Affected by Coronavirus?

We have had several questions the last few weeks on how to reduce premiums during the mandatory stay-at-home order for both businesses and individuals. Most all carriers are making accommodations if you call their...

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Should I Schedule My Cell Phone on My Home Insurance?

You can purchase personal articles coverage on your homeowners polices for cell phones. The price is typically less than purchasing the insurance directly through the provider, but the coverage is not as broad. There...

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Do I Need A Personal Umbrella Policy?

Yes. But what is an umbrella policy? A personal umbrella policy is an additional liability policy that provides coverage beyond the limits of your primary personal insurance policies. Typically, the umbrella is...

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What's the Difference Between Market Value and Replacement Cost?

One of the most common questions we get when insuring a piece of property is how we determine the insurable value. Oftentimes we present a home insurance proposal to an insured and they inquire as to why the dwelling...

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5 Tips to Keep Pipes From Freezing

With the extreme cold temperatures around Mid-Michigan the past few weeks, the risk of frozen pipes is more present than ever. As water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on pipes. When there’s too much pressure on...

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