FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An Insurance Score is a snapshot of your insurance risk picture at a particular point in time. It is based on information found in your credit report but is not a hard hit on your credit report. It helps determine the financial responsibility of an individual and is helpful in determining loss frequency by carriers. Insurance scores are highly accurate predictors of future loss.

Your credit score is typically used by banks and financial institutions for purposes of providing a credit account and qualifying you for a loan such as a Mortgage or Car Loan. A credit score is designed to predict the likelihood of a future delinquency on a credit account (e.g. failure to pay off a loan). An insurance score is designed to predict the likelihood of a future insurance claim. To develop insurance score models, statistical methods were utilized to determine the predictiveness of insurance losses using credit-related attributes. In other words, your credit score is a good indicator weather you are more likely to submit an insurance claim. The better your credit, the lower your insurance rates.

Comprehensive and collision coverage may be extended to provide coverage for the unpaid balance of a lease or a loan. Example: you totals your vehicle and the insurance company gives you a check for $10,000 but the you owe the lease/loan company $12,000. If the Loan/Lease Gap Coverage endorsement is on the policy it will cover this $2,000 gap.

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) Fee: This is a non-profit association established by the Michigan Legislature. Every person who has auto or Motorcycle insurance in Michigan must pay into this. Auto insurers pay for all medical expenses for people who are catastrophically injured in auto accidents and are reimbursed by the MCCA for medical claims exceeding $250,000.

Under the Mini Tort / Limited Property Damage you may collect up to $500 for uninsured collision damages. This optional coverage provides protection if you as the driver is 50% or more at fault in an accident and is liable for the other driver's uninsured collision damage. Usually people in Michigan try and collect this $500 from the other driver as a way to offset paying their deductible.
MICHIGAN NO-FAULT AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE was adopted to increase the level of benefits paid to injured persons and make sure such payments are made promptly.
This law reduces the proportion of premium dollars paid out for legal and administrative costs. It provides unlimited medical and rehabilitation benefits.
In Michigan you can only sue someone if they cause one of the 3D's to you:

This depends on the coverage you carry on your personal auto policy. But we always recommend you purchase it. If you have comprehensive & collision coverage on your own personal auto policy then the coverage will extend over to your rental car as well as the liability coverage you carry on your personal auto policy. Therefore, you could report the claim to your own insurance company and they would pay, but you would have the claim on your record of course.
This would also be covered if you buy the insurance offered by the rental car company and the best part is you could avoid having the claim on your record and avoid potential surcharges and rate increase. However, if you DO NOT carry comprehensive & collision on at least one of your vehicles listed on your personal auto policy, and then you have NO coverage if you have to make a claim.
This would be covered if you buy the insurance offered by the rental car company.

Furthermore, you have NO coverage for 'Loss of Income' that the car rental companies could bill you for. For example, you rent a car to take the family on vacation and get into an accident. While the car is getting repaired, the car rental company is unable to rent that vehicle out to another customer. (You will be billed for every day that car is in the shop X the Rental Car Company's daily charge. Ie. 14 days X $45.00/day = $630.00, ouch!
Again, this will be covered if you buy the insurance offered by the rental car company.

If you allow someone to drive your car, that person is covered by your insurance policy. Keep in mind that if the person who drives your car doesn't have insurance and causes an accident, you could be held responsible for the damage, which could make your car insurance rate go up. In addition, you could also be sued as the 'owner' of the vehicle in a liability lawsuit. Lawyers will try and sue everyone, the driver, owner, you name it. Lesson: Be careful who you loan you car to!

Usually around the 10 year mark ( ie. 2002 or older) do people start electing not to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage on their auto insurance. The real key to remember is to look at your vehicles blue book value, at such sites as www.kbb.com. If the value falls below your deductible amount then it know longer makes sense buying comprehensive and collision.

Well, Hannigan Insurance has actually been around since 1998 and we only market to select people like you to keep our costs down and then pass the savings on to you in the form of lower insurance premiums.

Citizens insurance has been around since 1915. They were actually the first insurance company to write auto insurance in Michigan. There headquarters is based right here in Howell, MI. So they are a Michigan Insurance company that is very stable and secure. They are not going to pull out of the state like some companies when thing don't go well leaving you without a policy.

No it is NOT! Matter of fact your insurance is with Citizens Insurance who is based in Michigan since 1915 so they are very consistent with their rates, I have been with them for many years and my rates have never spiked up out of control. That is why we represent them because they offer our clients and our agency stability.

You will have access to a network of preferred body shops and repair facilities that will be able to handle your claim. We also offer 24/7 claims reporting and a network of local claims adjusters to help make your claim process fast and easy. You also have the flexibility to take your car to a repair shop of your choice, but we also have a list of preferred shops in your area that we have contracted with and will provide direct payment to on your behalf.

If you have an active policy or are insured through a spouse or parent, you qualify as currently insured. You must have maintained 6 months of continuous coverage without any lapse.

Yes. You have insurance if you're a listed driver on another policy, such as your parent's.

he date when your existing insurance policy period expires. This date can be found on your existing policy Declaration (or DEC) page, insurance identification card, or recent cancellation notice. This date is not to be confused with the date of your next payment or the date when your renewal payment is due.
Not sure of the date? Give us your best guess now or use today's date to complete your quote, and then update the info when you buy your policy.

Certain insurance companies offer special Group Rates for various occupations so you may qualify for a Big Discount!

Yes. The condo association should have a flood insurance policy in force which would cover the outside walls and roof of the condo. The unit owner would then want to purchase a flood policy for the inside walls and contents. If a flood occurs, if the unit owner has a flood policy that insures the condo for at least 80% of the replacement cost then the claim will be settled for replacement cost whether or not the condo association has a flood policy in force. If the unit owner does not have the unit insured for at least 80% the loss will be settled on an ACV Actual Cash Value basis.

Everyone is in a flood zone! Determination Zones A or V are considered a Standard Risk Policy. Zones B, C, D, and X are Preferred Risk Policies (which means you pay less, yipiie). Floods are 5 times more likely to occur in zones A or V. You need to be in a participating community in order to obtain flood insurance. Contact your City Office to find out your flood zone.

One month down.

Yes, and you even get to pick what day of the month is most convenient for you.

Yes. Off course we take care of everything, just give us name of your mortgage company, address, and Loan # and we bill them. Nothing out of your pocket!

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for all cars and Drivers License Numbers for all household members. Also, if you currently have auto insurance, a copy of your declarations page.

Instantly over the phone! You may use a credit card or check by phone with no fees!

Name of your mortgage company and your loan number.

All household members that are of eligible driving or permit age who operate a vehicle listed on your policy must be added as a driver (e.g. spouse, child, or roommate).

The Market Value (what you could sell your house for) has NOTHING to do with the cost to rebuild your house. The Replacement Cost of $275,000 is the estimated cost of reconstructing your home in the event it is completely destroyed. Replacement cost includes labor, building materials, overhead, profit, permits, taxes and other fees. This figure does not include the cost of the land or other structures on your property. To calculate the replacement cost of your home, insurance companies look at home construction costs in your area and consider your home's square footage, amenities, and built-in features.
Example: A 1,000 square foot house on the Lake St. Clair might have a Market Value of $500,000 because of its location on the water (Think location, location, location). However, the actual Replacement Cost of that home is only $135,000. In Contrast , a 3,000 square foot house in a decaying and declining neighborhood might have a Market Value of only $50,000 but the Replacement Cost to rebuild that same 3,000 square foot home is $405,000.
Bottom line, Market Value, ie the purchase or sales price of your home has absolutely nothing to do with your Insurance Replacement Value or re-construction costs. These two terms are as different or opposite as Justin Bieber vs. Kiss, (Detroit Rock City Baby!)

You have to purchase car rental coverage but some policies automatically come with $20/day for 30 days, higher limits are available. This coverage ONLY applies if your vehicle is involved in an accident, the insurance company will pay for your rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. It DOES NOT cover for you to rent a car to take the family on vacation to Disney World!

This depends on the coverage you carry on your personal auto policy. But we always recommend you purchase it. If you have comprehensive & collision coverage on your own personal auto policy then the coverage will extend over to your rental car as well as the liability coverage you carry on your personal auto policy. Therefore, you could report the claim to your own insurance company and they would pay, but you would have the claim on your record of course.
*This would also be covered if you buy the insurance offered by the rental car company and the best part is you could avoid having the claim on your record and avoid potential surcharges and rate increases!
However, if you DO NOT carry comprehensive & collision on at least one of your vehicles listed on your personal auto policy, and then you have NO coverage if you have to make a claim.
*This would be covered if you buy the insurance offered by the rental car company.
Furthermore, you have NO coverage for Loss of Income that the car rental companies could bill you for. For example, you rent a car to take the family on vacation and get into an accident. While the car is getting repaired, the car rental company is unable to rent that vehicle out to another customer. (You will be billed for every day that car is in the shop X the Rental Car Company's daily charge. Ie. 14 days X $45.00/day = $630.00, ouch!
*This will be covered if you buy the insurance offered by the rental car company.
Bottom line is its always better safe then sorry, so buy the coverage and enjoy your vacation!

Your windshield is covered subject to your deductible if you have purchased comprehensive coverage on your policy and we have to REPLACE the broken windshield. However, if the insurance company can REPAIR your windshield then you have no deductible and you get it fixed for free.

It stands for the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association set up by the state of Michigan to help insurance companies pay for Unlimited Medical Benefits you receive in case you are injured in an auto accident. The insurance company will pay your medical bills up to $250,000, and then the MCCA will pay the rest and it is unlimited!

If you can get the information on the person that hit your car, you can turn the claim into his auto insurance company and they will pay you on his behalf under the $1,000,000 Property Protection Coverage they have on their policy.
If it is a Hit and Run, then you will need to turn the claim into your auto insurance company. NOTE: You will need to show proof by getting a police report to have the deductible waived if you carry Broad form collision. If you carry standard collision then you will be subject to your deductible. If you carry PLPD Auto Insurance, then you're out of luck.
If the damage was caused by a shopping cart, snapped antenna, falling object�then the incident would be considered vandalism and you would have coverage under the comprehensive part of your policy.

NO. Flooding is Exclusion on ALL Homeowners insurance policies. You can purchase a separate Flood Policy from Hannigan insurance. The average premium is $300 for the year if your home is NOT in a Flood Zone. If your home is in a Flood Zone, then the average premium is $700/yr.