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Do You Own a Recreational Drone or Plan On Purchasing a Drone This Season?

Recreational drones, sometimes called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are growing in popularity. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that more than 506,635 drones have been registered for recreational use....

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Safeguarding Your Digital World- Guide to Cybersecurity in 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital world, cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy a staggering $8 trillion in 2023, as reported by Cybersecurity Ventures. At Rathbun Insurance, we understand the...

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Unlocking Home Insurance: Home Inspection 101

At Rathbun Insurance, we believe in providing comprehensive coverage that safeguards your home and valuables. When it comes to securing the right insurance policy, you may wonder why a home inspection might be required...

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Importance of timely insurance premium payments!

In the realm of financial planning, insurance serves as a safety net that shields individuals, families, and business from unexpected and potentially devastating losses. Whether it’s health, life, auto, liability, or...

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Demystifying Insurance Rates: How Carriers Set Premiums and the Role of Independent Insurance Agencies

Insurance is an essential aspect of financial planning and risk management. It provides a safety net that helps individuals and businesses safeguard themselves against unforeseen events and unexpected expenses. However,...

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Questions To Ask Your Home Owners Association Before You Buy

Homeowners associations (HOAs) often include many amenities but also many restrictions. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you sign on the dotted line.

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10 Reasons To Consider an Independent Insurance Agent

We live in an app-enabled world. You can order groceries, hire a dog walker and book a vacation without leaving your home or speaking to a real person. It makes sense to think insurance is something you can do online,...

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How To Avoid a Scary Homeowners Claim This Halloween: 13 precautions to make your home safe

Trick-or-treaters aren’t the only spooky thing you may see on Halloween. You also need to watch out for hazards that could lead to a scary homeowners insurance claim. Here are 13 precautions to make your home safe...

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The Hard Insurance Market: Navigating Through Cost Sharing

In the ever-evolving landscape of the insurance industry, we find ourselves in the midst of what experts refer to as a "hard market." This term is indicative of a phase where insurance companies face increasing...

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Understanding Underwriting Decisions vs. Coverage Decisions

At Rathbun Insurance, we understand that traversing the world of insurance can be complex and overwhelming. In this blog, we'll shed light on the crucial difference between underwriting decisions and coverage decisions....

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Winterize That Second Home To Prevent Damage While You’re Gone

Do you have a vacation cabin or another property that you use during the summer but leave empty during the winter? If so, you need to winterize your getaway so you don’t find a mess when spring arrives. Winterizing may...

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Prepare for Emergencies with Rathbun Insurance: September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and it's the perfect time to ensure you're ready for unexpected disasters. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is emphasizing the importance of...

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Navigating Storm Damage Insurance Claims

Strong winds and lighting have wreaked havoc on Mid-Michigan this evening, leaving behind damage and power outages. If you're one of the unfortunate individuals who have experienced storm-related damage in mid-Michigan,...

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Hammer Out Insurance Before Renovating Your Home

A home renovation can add value to your property and make it more livable. But before you hire a contractor, make sure you have the right insurance coverage in place. You may need to increase your homeowners insurance...

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Practice Due Diligence When Hiring Home Contractors

Is it time to renovate your kitchen, repair your roof, or add a new bedroom? Depending on the type and size of your project, you may need the services of a general contractor (who manages the entire project), an...

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Michigan Supreme Court Announces Seismic Shift in Premises Liability Cases

In a groundbreaking decision, the Michigan Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling that promises to reshape the terrain of premises liability cases. The ruling, arising from the consolidated cases of Kandil-Elsayed v....

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Weathering the Storm: Top Strategies for Hail Storm Preparedness

As your trusted independent agency in Lansing, MI, we are committed to ensuring your safety and protecting your property. With a severe thunderstorm watch in effect, there is a possibility of a hail storm heading our...

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What is Medical Payments on a Home Policy: An Overlooked Coverage Worth Considering

When it comes to homeowners insurance, most people are aware of the standard coverages like property damage and liability protection. However, there is one aspect that often goes unnoticed but holds significant value: ...

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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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