Complete Insurance Services, Inc.

Auto, Homeowners, Business, Medical & Life Insurance

Auto, Homeowners, Business
Medical & Life Insurance

Call: 248-682-1510

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Understanding Ice Damns, Do You Have the Right Coverage?

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Understanding the Ice Damn

Making sure your home and property are protected is a safety net for your home when nature takes it toll. And if you live in Michigan, you know what to expect however, being prepared for the unexpected is the key.

Ice dams form when the snow melts on an upper, warmer part of a roof. The melted water then runs down toward the colder eave overhang, where it freezes. As the ice accumulates, it forms a blockage that prevents the snow to melt and flow off the roof.

The ice begins to back up under the roof shingles, where it melts again, soaking the roof sheathing. There, it soaks the insulation (rendering it much less effective) and can leak through the ceiling drywall below and into living space. In addition, large ice dams can be very heavy and can damage gutters and even present a safety hazard to people below.

There are measures you can take to help prevent ice damns from damaging your home and property.

However, in the case that damage does occur your homeowner’s policy should help protect you from costly repairs.

Do you have the coverage you need for your home and personal property? Complete Insurance Services in Keego Harbor can help. Our Personal Lines Department writes a full range of coverages for Michigan residents. We represent many excellent insurance companies that offer a variety of products to meet your individual requirements.

Michigan winters can be rough on a home, make sure you are protected with the right Homeowners Insurance. Whether you need homeowners’ insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, medical insurance, or business insurance coverage, there is a plan for everyone. Call and speak with an agent today for a Free No Obligation Quote for!

Homeowners Policy Debris Removal Coverage’s

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Somewhere in your Homeowners Policy is an important coverage called Debris Removal. The coverage I am speaking of is for removal of trees which have fallen onto the premise without hitting the home.

On all Homeowners policies there is a special sub limit of coverage that you need to be aware of.

In reviewing some of my insurance carriers, I have found that most will provide coverage up to a least $500.00. One carrier will increase this limit to $1,000 with the Homeowners Plus endorsement. Again, we are talking about a tree that just falls in the yard from windstorm or from an ice storm.

Some of my carriers, if you choose for example their Premier Homeowners policy will provide $5,000 per tree or $10,000 for more than one tree to remove from your yard. I have another company which will write up to $2,500 for debris removal, but the home must have a value of at least $750,000 on the dwelling.

After the last tornado that hit White Lake Michigan on July 24th, 2021, I have found that these limits may not be adequate. Again, we are talking about trees that did not hit the home but are strewn around the yard and must be removed. And of course, the tree trimmers are going to base the rate on demand and supply.

My recommendation is to ask about your debris removal coverage for trees, especially if you do have some large trees on your residence. Also, do make sure you know a good local tree trimmer, and be sure you have that number handy in the event of a storm like the one we had on July 24th, 2021.

If you have questions about your homeowners insurance coverage, Complete Insurance Services can help. We are an independent agency representing numerous insurance companies and specialize in providing personalized insurance coverage that meets the unique needs of families and businesses. Call and speak to an agent for a Free No Obligation Quote!

Car Rental Coverage – Here’s What You Need to Know

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We frequently gets calls from customers wondering if their rental vehicle is covered by their auto insurance policy while on vacation. If you have an Auto-Owners personal auto policy, it has specific coverage provisions that address whether an accident in a rental vehicle is covered.

Let’s look at a common example: You take a vacation to Las Vegas and rent a car.

How does coverage extend from your car to a rented car while on vacation?

Under an Auto-Owners personal auto policy, if you have comprehensive and collision coverage, it carries over to a rental vehicle. Liability coverage (coverage for another person’s medical bills or damage to another person’s property) extends only to the insured(s), a spouse, relatives who live with the insured, and anyone the insured gives permission to use the rental vehicle.

Physical damage coverage (coverage for the rental car if it is damaged or stolen) applies only to the insured(s), spouse and relatives who live with the insured. The broadest or best coverage from any vehicle on your policy extends to the rented vehicle. In other words, as long as one of the vehicles on your policy has both liability and physical damage coverage, the car rented on vacation will have those same coverages.

If coverage can be extended to the rental vehicle it is not necessary to purchase the damage waiver from the rental car company.

The Auto-Owners policy is broader than the industry when it comes to rented vehicles regarding what is covered. If you have questions on this coverage, please contact us. Keep in mind that it will be important to understand why the vehicle is being rented and who will be driving it, as these facts are important in determining if coverage will apply for a potential claim. And please make sure the leased vehicle is rented for your personal use, and not for business.

Complete Insurance Services is located in Keego Harbor Michigan. If you are looking to learn more about car rental coverage contact us today for a Free Quote!

Five Tips for Buying Insurance for Contractors Equipment

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Theft of Contractors Equipment is getting bigger and more organized. Five suspects from Metro Detroit Area, were arrested for more than 50 thefts in Michigan, as well as Indian and Ohio.

Here are my Five Tips for covering your equipment:

1) Schedule the larger equipment: This gives you a lower rate. The Blanket rate is 3X as much as the scheduled equipment rate. It also will cover the exact piece of equipment, with description and the value, which makes it easier to process a claim.

2) Rental Equipment: Always add coverage for rental equipment. This will cover you up to a specific limit should you have to replace rented equipment or other losses that you are responsible for should you be held responsible for damage or to theft of rental equipment.

3) Rental Reimbursement and Extra Expense for your own equipment: What do you do when someone has vandalized your own equipment and you have to rent to finish the job? This coverage pays for the cost of the rental equipment and pays extra expense you incur to minimize your suspension of your business.

4) Replacement cost coverage: Did you know that on a new piece of equipment, you may be able to have replacement cost? Normally we insure equipment for Actual Cash Value which is subject to a lower value due to depreciation. If you have newer equipment, ask for replacement cost coverage.

5) Package your equipment with your other coverages: Insurance companies offer a 10% discount if you put both your equipment with your liability insurance coverages.

Questions on insuring your equipment? Complete Insurance understands businesses in the community and will find the best value for your coverage. Our agents are knowledgeable and experienced and take pride in reviewing your options with multiple insurance companies, comparing protection and prices to find the best value for your business.

Whether you need homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, medical insurance, or business insurance coverage we have a plan for everyone. Call our Keego Harbor insurance office for a Free Quote today!

John Linemeyer CCU
Complete Insurance Services, Inc.

Tips for Buying Car Insurance | Keego Harbor Michigan

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There are so many options to choose from when it comes to purchasing car insurance. You can choose from larger, national car insurance providers or choose from a local, smaller car insurance provider. Most people buy car insurance because it’s required in the state that they live in before they can drive. They usually choose a car insurance company that they saw on television or go with their parents’ car insurance provider. Very few people take the time to research which car insurance would be the best to have given their circumstances. If they do, they base their decision on cost only. Lower insurance costs may seem like a great idea when you are paying a premium and haven’t had an accident.

However, comparing rates shouldn’t be the only thing you learn about when shopping for car insurance.

Here are five other things to consider when deciding what car insurance policy to buy.

Can you get a great deal on car insurance because of your occupation or because you attend college?

Suppose cost matters most to you. Comparing rates between various insurance companies may not be your only option for getting a discount. Did you know that your occupation or where you attend college could also help you save on car insurance? Before you log onto the internet and start comparing rates, take time to research what kind of discounts are available based on your occupation or your status as a student.

Do certain car insurance companies offer cheaper rates than others for your occupation? Is this coverage cheaper than the options that you researched online? These are some of the things to keep in mind as you shop for great deals on car insurance coverage.

How much risk can you take with your deductible?

If you are still in the market for bargains, keep in mind that sometimes car insurance costs can rise or fall based on how much risk you are willing to take on your deductible. Are you generally a safe driver and have hardly been in accidents in the past 5-10 years? Also, can you afford a higher deductible if you should have an accident in the near future?

Generally, the lower your deductible, the higher your car insurance premium. Suppose you can risk taking a chance that you won’t be in a severe accident in the next few years. In that case, accepting a higher deductible can get you more savings on your car insurance. The choice you make is all based on your aversion to risk. Do not go with a high Comprehensive deductible, there little savings. On the Collision deductible go with Regular, not Broad form there a 10% reduction. You can still go after the other at fault driver up to $3,000 for damages to your vehicle.

If you have an accident, does your car insurance cover rental vehicles while your car is repaired?

As a result of an accident, you may be without your car for days or weeks as it gets repaired. How good is your car insurance company at covering your rental car coverages as you await your car repairs? Some car insurance companies don’t provide this service at all. Those that do may have limitations on the costs and the number of days the insurance will cover the rental car. Being clear on this is critical because you may not have access to alternative transportation to get back and forth while your vehicle is repaired.

Does your insurance cover all damages associated with natural disasters?

One of the biggest mistakes people make with car insurance is assuming that all losses are covered. For instance, water damage to your car from a storm may or may not be covered. It depends on how the damage occurred and if you have the proper insurance to cover it. You may also assume that hail damage is covered in your car insurance policy, but it may not be in some cases. If it is, there may be stipulations. You may even think that your insurance covers damages associated with a storm. A tree that falls on your car may not be covered depending on the type of insurance coverage you have.

The key takeaway is that there is much more to purchasing car insurance coverage than merely deciding who has the best rates. Sometimes a fair rate upfront can lead to a massive headache when you have to use the car insurance. These are some things to consider before deciding on a policy, but your research shouldn’t stop with this list. Reviewing your car insurance coverage annually to ensure it is still adequate is more critical than all of these considerations.

More tips and considerations

Towing: Add towing and go higher than $100 per tow. During the flooded out freeways in Michigan the State Police were charging as high as $500 to get your car out. Towing is not expensive, includes any road services.

GAP Insurance: Gap cover’s the difference the insurance company pays on a total loss and the amount you owe on a loan or the value of the leased vehicle. If it is higher than what the insurance company will pay, you’re covered for the difference.

OEM Parts: Not everyone wants aftermarket parts that mainly come from China. With this option the parts are the Original Equipment Manufactured parts, not the aftermarket parts, reconditioned parts, and recycled parts for repairs from a covered loss.

Diminishing Deductibles: Starts with an automatic $100 credit towards your first At Fault Accident, and increases each year another $100 should you be accident free, up to $500 total deductible credit. Resets back to $100 credit should you use it.

Special Tort Liability: Make sure you have this coverage. In an at fault accident, you can be responsible up to $3,000 in damages to the other persons car that you hit. That is if they have a deductible or they do not carry collision coverage.

Pet Medical: Covers injury or death to your pet. Up to $750 per pet, or $1,500 for more than one pet in an auto accident.

Waiver of Deductible Glass Damage: Waives the glass deductible, for glass replacement. Not including sunroof, and mirrors.

Complete Insurance Services, Keego Harbor specializes in providing personalized insurance coverage that meets the needs of individuals, families, and businesses. You can build your own auto insurance policy and get the best combination of coverage, value and price. Do you need a basic policy or fully loaded coverage? Our local agents are here to answer questions and ready to help you determine the best coverage for your needs.

Want to find out more about auto insurance in Michigan? Call us for a Free no obligation quote and we’ll have you out on the road in no time!

Top Reasons to Consider Life Insurance | Keego Harbor

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There are plenty of reasons to have life insurance when you reach a certain age or encounter certain life events. You may think it’s not for you or fear it’s too expensive or even think it’s not worth it insuring for something that’s incredibly unlikely to happen. But life happens all the time and you never know what is coming around the corner.

You need to make sure the people you leave behind are protected if they depend on you, which means you need life insurance.

Life insurance isn’t for you, it’s for all those you leave behind. If someone relies on you for any sort of monetary support, you need life insurance to ensure they’re taken care of in the event of your death. Otherwise, they may be left not only on their own, but saddled with the huge bills of funeral costs.

Below are 5 big life moments that let you know it’s time for life insurance.

A New Baby

As soon as you and your partner decide you want to start having kids, it’s time to get life insurance. Even if the baby is a year off, the sooner you get it the better. Why is this? Because the older you get the more it will cost you as your health declines with age. While a year may not seem like much, in the life insurance world there is a big difference between 29 and 30.

Marriage

If you and your partner decide it’s time to get married, you need life insurance, especially if you’re the main earner in the relationship. A life insurance policy ensures your partner, despite their own paycheck, will be able to receive comparable money to what you provide after your death to help with cost of living, funeral costs, and more.

You Have Dependents

Most people think of kids when they think of dependents, but many young adults are the breadwinners for their aging or otherwise infirm parents. Even if you’re not in a relationship or have no kids, if your parents rely on you for money or support, you need to protect them in the event of your death.

Debt

When you die, the benefactors of your funds and estate also inherit your debt. Even if no one will lose financial resources with your death, someone is going to be footing the bill for private student loans, mortgages, and other debts that are not forgiven upon death. Life insurance can be the key to doing this.

You Work a High-Risk Job

While an accountant or stockbroker may only have to worry about the dangers of the morning commute when it comes to their job, some such as police officers, EMTs, construction workers, and miners work high risk jobs with a stronger likelihood of an unforeseen accident. This can make life insurance expensive but is important to have for those you leave behind.

Related Questions

Are there other factors that play into life insurance?

If you regularly participate in a high-risk activity or hobby, such as skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, or other extreme sport, you might want to consider getting life insurance.

What does life insurance cover?

That depends on the plan you select. Most will have a set amount that is paid out to your dependents, some are based on your current earnings, and some allow for disability riders. You need to shop plans to find the one right for you.

Talk to an insurance professional to find out more about how life insurance can benefit your loved ones.

Complete Insurance Services has been providing the best insurance protection at the most reasonable prices for nearly 60 years. As an independent agency representing numerous insurance companies, we specialize in providing personalized insurance coverage that meets the needs of families and business.

Call us to speak with an experienced agent about your personalized insurance needs and a Free no obligation quote.

Four Questions to Ask Tree Service Companies | Homeowner’s Insurance Keego Harbor

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1) Are you insured? If they do damage to your home your insurance company can get reimbursed for the claim.
2) Will you haul away the limbs and wood? Sometimes the lowest price may not always include removal of the debris.
3) Are you familiar with my tree? Good to know what is going on and maybe you’re going to have more problems due to a certain type of disease or bugs.
4) What type of equipment do you have? Harnesses, bucket truck, hard hats, and newer equipment that can carry the debris without damage to your lawn.

We are also asked about whether or not a neighbor’s tree that falls on your property is the neighbor’s responsibility. The answer is based on “Negligence”. If a tree that is healthy falls due to an act of God such as a windstorm, your neighbor is not responsible for the damages. But if the tree is dead, and you have given your neighbor written notification that he should remove the tree before it hits your home, the neighbor can be responsible for your damages.

Do keep your tree branches away from your roof. If the branches touch the shingles, it can do damage to the roof. Be careful with the do it yourself approach. Many people get injured or die from being hit by the dropping of trees or the tree limbs. Windy conditions are to be avoided when you are dropping a tree. If you do it yourself, make sure you have leather boots, proper gloves, eye protection, and some ear plugs.

Also, do shop around. The last tree I had taken down, the first quote was around $1,400, and then it was $1,000 with a lot of pressure to do it now as the tree removal company was in the neighborhood. I told him I was in the insurance business and was in no hurry. He hung up on me. I ended with a better price of $800 including the removal of all debris. I paid by check when the job was finished.

John Linemeyer, CPCU

Complete Insurance Services, Inc. specializes in providing personalized insurance coverage that meets the needs of families and business. If you have questions about your homeowner’s insurance coverage, we can help!

We are an independent agency representing numerous insurance companies, so you get the best insurance coverage and protection at the most reasonable price. Whether you need homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, medical insurance, or business insurance coverage, Complete Insurance Services has a plan for everyone.

Call today for a Free no obligation quote!

Homeowners Coverage’s That You Should Know About

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Most clients know that jewelry insurance can be added to the Homeowners policy. Did you know that there is an optional coverage you can add called Agreed Amount? The purpose is to have the insurance company agree with the appraised value.

In the event the ring is lost, the insurance company cannot offer you less for your ring.

Sewer Back Up and Sump Pump Failure

This is one of our most common losses. The important question is how much coverage do you need? A finished basement needs to have a higher limit. This coverage applies both to the damage to the home and contents. Make sure you check the limit for these coverages.

Why is the dwelling limit so high?

The dwelling limit is high due to the cost to rebuild a home after a loss. We are not insuring your home for the Market Value. We insure a home for the cost to rebuild it new. Our values are going to be high. You should ask to see the valuation in order to see if the value is accurate. Most carriers will pay more than the dwelling limit if you add some type of guaranteed replacement cost endorsement. This is important as our values are an estimate. We try to determine the cost to rebuild your home, but are we correct?

Hail and Wind Damage to your roof, do we replace the entire roof, or just the part that is damaged?

Insurance companies are only obligated to put you back to where you were before the loss. They will limit your payment to the damaged portion of your roof. Will you get a new roof if only a portion of your roof sustains a loss? Probably not. You may be able to add coverage for undamaged siding or roofing to your Homeowners policy. This form limits coverage to replacing the undamaged sections only when siding or shingles are no longer available. Coverage does not include mismatching due to fading or weathering.

Ordinance and Law Coverage

An example of this is you have a home on the lake. You have a covered loss to the home which is destroyed and has to be rebuilt. If the local ordinances have changed since the home was built, now requiring the home to be rebuilt in a different spot. This ordinance ends up costing more to rebuild the home. Without Ordinance and Law Coverage, you will be paying for this increased cost yourself.

Power Surges

Yes, a direct hit by lightning is coverage on your Homeowners policy. But what about power surges that was not caused by a direct hit from lightening? Or what about brownouts where the current is reduced? You need to have Equipment Breakdown added to your home or your condo. This will include mechanical breakdown but does not include normal wear and tear of your equipment. Make sure you add this coverage.

Earthquake and Flood claims excluded but can be added

Flood or Surface Water losses excluded but a separate flood policy can be purchased. Especially if you have a man-made dam in your area. A new endorsement available is called Inland Flood. This form adds coverage to cover your home that is not subject to flooding, but you sustain an unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source including rainfall and ice melt. A walkout basement is a reason to consider adding this coverage.

Service Line Endorsement

This adds coverage for piping or wiring that provides services to your home. Must be underground. It can cover a leak, break, tear, rupture, collapse, or arcing from underground service lines. If you have an older home, you should consider this.

This is just a sample of some of the options you should know about. Talk to your agent to find out more.

John Linemeyer CPCU

If you have questions about your homeowner’s insurance coverage, Complete Insurance Services can help! We are an independent agency representing numerous insurance companies and specialize in providing personalized insurance coverage that meets the unique needs of families and businesses. Call us for a Free Quote and to learn more!

Equipment Breakdown Coverage – Insurance Agency Keego Harbor

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Protect the largest investments in your home with Equipment Breakdown Coverage from Auto-Owners Insurance.

As a homeowner, you depend on any number of mechanical and electrical equipment systems, from air conditioners and heating units to computers and major appliances. At Auto-Owners, we understand that any equipment failure is inconvenient, costly, and not always covered under the intended warranties. Simplify all of this, and give yourself peace of mind with Auto-Owners Equipment Breakdown Coverage.

Equipment Breakdown Coverage

Equipment Breakdown covers all of your important home systems and personal property due to loss by mechanical or electrical breakdown. The coverage is convenient and seamless — there are no separate warranty programs or fees to manage the systems you depend on most:

• Air-conditioning systems
• Compressors, pumps, engines
• Computers and other home electronics (e.g., televisions, audio systems)
• Electrical systems
• Furnaces
• Generators
• Home appliances (e.g., dishwashers, washing machines, electric dryers)
• Hot-water heaters
• Motors, fans, vacuum systems
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Security systems
• “Smart home” automation systems
• Swimming pool heating and filtration systems
• Lawn mower

LIMITS AND DEDUCTIBLES

Equipment Breakdown Coverage is offered on a per occurrence basis. A $500 deductible and a limit of $100,000 is available.

WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN COVERAGE

• Your property is hit with an artificially generated power surge. The boiler and water heater controls, security system and media equipment were damaged and need to be replaced. Amount of Loss: $18,300

• The relay on your dryer shorted, causing the unit to overheat. Due to the extent of damage, the unit could not be repaired and needs to be replaced. Amount of Loss: $1,250

• Your air conditioning system experienced an electrical short causing loss of cooling to the home. The air conditioning compressor needs to be replaced. Amount of Loss: $2,400

WHY AUTO-OWNERS?

• We offer more than just auto insurance – with our wide array of car, home, business, and life insurance products, you can look to Auto-Owners for all your insurance needs.

• Highest rating by national insurance company rating services such as A.M. Best, which ranks Auto-Owners among the highest in the industry with an A++ (Superior) rating.

• A national consumer magazine ranks Auto-Owners among the top companies for customer service at the time of a claim.

• Auto-Owners is among the largest insurance providers in the United States.

• Auto-Owners is an industry leader in controlling expenses, resulting in savings to our policyholders.

Note: The analysis of coverage is in general terms and is superseded in all respects by the Insuring Agreements, Endorsements, Exclusions, Terms and Conditions of the Policy. Some of the coverage mentioned in this material may not be applicable in all states or may have to be modified to conform to applicable state law. Some coverages may have been eliminated or modified since the printing of this material.
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Service Line Coverage

As a homeowner you’re responsible for the service lines that run from the curb to your home. When your service line is damaged it can be a very costly expense to repair or replace. From identifying the problem to excavation to repair, Service Line Coverage has you protected.

Are you protected from an unexpected leak, break, tear, rupture, collapse or arcing of a service line? Talk with your agent today to learn how this product protects your home by extending coverage to the following:

• Underground piping
• Wiring
• Valves
• Attached devices that connect your home to a public utility service provider or to a private system.

LIMITS AND DEDUCTIBLES

Service Line Coverage is offered on a per occurrence basis. A $500 deductible and limits of $10,000 or $15,000 are available.

WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED SERVICE LINE COVERAGE

• A tree root grew through a sewer pipe located on your property causing it to leak. The sewer line was 300 feet long and required a backhoe to dig up the damaged piping and replace it. The cost to replace the sewer line was $3,500 and the excavation cost totaled $8,100. Total Amount of Loss: $11,600

• An underground power line providing electrical service to the home significantly deteriorated over time and resulted in arcing, which interrupted electrical service to the home. The underground power line had to be excavated and replaced due to extensive damage discovered during the repair work. The cost to replace the power line was $2,500. The excavation costs totaled $5,300. Total Amount of Loss: $7,800

WHY AUTO-OWNERS?

• We offer more than just Auto insurance – with our wide array of Car, Home, Business and Life insurance products, you can look to Auto-Owners for all your insurance needs.

• Highest rating by national insurance company rating services such as A.M. Best, which ranks Auto-Owners among the highest in the industry with an A++ (Superior) rating.

• A national consumer magazine ranks Auto-Owners among the top companies for customer service at the time of a claim.

• Auto-Owners is a Fortune 500 company and is among the largest insurance providers in the United States.

Note: The analysis of coverage is in general terms and is superseded in all respects by the Insuring Agreements, Endorsements, Exclusions, Terms and Conditions of the Policy. Some of the coverage mentioned in this material may not be applicable in all states or may have to be modified to conform to applicable state law. Some coverages may have been eliminated or modified since the printing of this material.
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Have questions about equipment coverage? Complete Insurance Services can help! We are an independent agency representing numerous insurance companies and specialize in providing personalized insurance coverage that meets the unique needs of families and businesses. Call us to speak to with an experienced agent!

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Contact Information

Contact Information

Complete Insurance Services, Inc.
1717 Cass Lake Rd, Keego Harbor, MI 48320

Phone: (248) 682-1510
Fax: (248) 682-1703
contact@completeins.com