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Social Inflation: What "Record Settlements" Mean for Your Insurance Rates

Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago

If you've driven any stretch of highway recently, you've likely noticed the countless billboards advertising the "largest personal injury attorneys" or touting "record settlements." These flashy signs beg the question: how are these settlements possible on such a massive scale, and what does this mean for the insurance industry—and you?

How to Choose the Right Insurance Agent for Your Business: Your Guide to the Right Partnership

Posted: in Commercial Insurance , Insurance , Risk Management , Small Business 2 weeks, 2 days ago

How to Choose the Right Insurance Agent for Your Business: A Guide for Michigan Business Owners In the world of business insurance, your agent is more than just someone who provides policies – they’re a key partner in safeguarding your business and setting it up for long-term success. So, how do you find the right one? Let’s explore the qualities ...

"Your Liquor License Has Been Suspended" - A Cautionary Tale and Hidden Risks of Working with the Wrong Insurance Agent

Posted: in Commercial Insurance , Insurance , Michigan , Risk Management , Small Business 3 weeks, 4 days ago

What would you do if you received this alarming message out of the blue?

How AI-Backed Automation is Transforming Our Insurance Agency

Posted: in Michigan , Small Business 1 month, 4 weeks ago

At Top O' Michigan Insurance, we’ve always been committed to providing exceptional service and building strong relationships with our clients. Recently, our president, Brian Bartosh, shared how we’ve integrated AI-backed automation into our agency—but not to replace the personal touch our clients rely on. Instead, AI helps us work more efficiently, allowing our team to focus even more on delivering the high-quality service and attention our clients expect.

In his article, Brian explains how AI has reduced the burden of routine tasks, helping our small team stay focused on what matters most: the client experience. To learn more about how AI is helping us streamline our workflows while keeping our relationships personal, check out Brian’s full article: “AI in Action: How AI-Backed Automation Reduced Routine Activities and Tasks from My Team’s Workloads.” Read it here.

Enhancing, Not Replacing, Client Communication

When people hear “AI,” they often think of robots taking over jobs or eliminating human interaction. But at Top O' Michigan Insurance, AI is simply a tool we’re using to improve efficiency behind the scenes. We’ve implemented AI to handle repetitive tasks like policy updates, renewals, and document notifications, ensuring our clients receive timely information—without sacrificing the human touch.

By using AI to automate routine workflows, we’re freeing up time for our team to focus on personalized communication and building stronger relationships with clients. The goal is to enhance the client experience, not replace the personal interactions that are central to our agency’s values.

The Four-Phase Approach to AI Integration

Brian’s article outlines the step-by-step process our agency followed to implement AI successfully. We took a careful, phased approach:

  1. Building a Solid Foundation – We started by ensuring data integrity, as AI is only as effective as the quality of information it processes. With consistent, reliable data in place, we could move forward with confidence.

  2. Creating Automated Workflows – Next, we identified key moments when clients expect communication, such as quoting, servicing, and renewal stages. We built automated workflows around these touchpoints, using AI to trigger personalized messages based on specific events.

  3. Testing and Refining – Before going all-in, we thoroughly tested the workflows to make sure everything worked smoothly. Adjustments were made based on feedback from the team.

  4. Ongoing Updates – AI is a tool that grows with us. We’re regularly updating our automated messages to ensure they stay fresh and relevant, using AI tools to keep up with changing client needs and industry trends.

The Human Element Remains Key

At the end of the day, our agency remains focused on personal relationships. AI has allowed us to streamline operations and communicate more effectively, but it’s our team that remains at the heart of every interaction. Clients can still expect the same personalized service they’ve come to rely on, with the added benefit of more timely and consistent communication thanks to AI.

Want to Learn More?

In his article, Brian breaks down how AI has impacted our agency’s workflow and the measurable benefits we’ve seen so far. If you’re curious about how AI can work for your business without sacrificing the personal touch, read Brian’s full article here.

The Ultimate Insurance Agent Vetting Checklist: What to Ask Your Agent

Posted: in Claims , Commercial Insurance , Construction , Insurance , Loss Control , Operations , Risk Management , Small Business 2 months, 1 week ago

Choosing the right insurance broker can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. If you're unsure what to ask when vetting potential agents, you're not alone. This guide will walk you through key questions you should consider to ensure you're getting the best service for your unique needs.

Who Are The Best Insurance Agencies in Traverse City, Michigan

Posted: in Commercial Insurance , Insurance , Michigan , Risk Management , Small Business 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Each year, our Top O’ Michigan team works with thousands of individuals and businesses throughout Michigan with respect to their insurance coverage. We are often asked who some of the other insurance agencies are in the area.

Contractor's Bonding Playbook: Strategies to Win Bigger Projects

Posted: in Commercial Insurance , Construction , Contractors , Insurance , Loss Control , Michigan , Renters Insurance , Risk Management , Surety Bonds , Workers Compensation 2 months, 4 weeks ago

As a contractor, securing bonds for large projects can be a significant challenge, especially for younger companies. Recently, we encountered a situation where a client needed a $1.5 million bond but was declined by standard surety underwriters due to their financial position. Ultimately, we were able to secure the Bid Bond with a path to their Performance/Payment Bond should they ...

We've Updated Our Contact Information! Please Note Our New Email Address

Posted: 2 months, 4 weeks ago

We've Updated Our Email Address!

To better serve you, Top O' Michigan Insurance and Spire Insurance Solutions have streamlined our communication. Please make sure to add "The Spire Team" to your safe sender list to continue receiving important updates and personalized service. Rest assured, Top O' Michigan remains a family-owned agency, and we're here to answer any questions you may have.

If you have any further questions, feel free to use our live chat feature during business hours, or reach out to our new email at Service@TheSpireTeam.com

How Business Owners Can Tackle the Top 4 Insurance Challenges

Posted: 3 months ago

It seems just about every new business owner that we've worked with is in a bind with the 1 (or more) of the same 4 problems. In today's turbulent business environment, insurance has become a major pain point for many companies. As someone deeply entrenched in the industry, I've noticed a recurring pattern of challenges that seem to plague business ...

Lessons from Costco: How Top O' Michigan Delivers Value in Insurance

Posted: in Commercial Insurance , Disability Insurance, Financial, Medical, Health , Health Insurance , Insurance , Operations , Risk Management , Small Business 3 months, 1 week ago

In the world of retail, Costco stands out as a beacon of success, known for its unique business model that prioritizes customer value and loyalty. As an independent insurance agency, Top O' Michigan Insurance Solutions shares many of Costco's winning strategies (even down to the hot dogs).  Now, I'm not claiming to be Costco but let's explore how we apply ...

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Our Locations

Alpena
514 N Ripley Blvd
Alpena, MI 49707

 Local: (989) 356-6133

Hillman
150 State St
Hillman, MI 49746

Local: (989) 742-4574

Traverse City
3183 Logan Valley Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684

Local: (231) 947-1164

Iron River
117 W Genesee St, Ste 1
Iron River, MI 49935

Local: (906) 265-5137

Petoskey
1170 Bay View Rd, Ste B
Petoskey, MI 49770

Local: (231) 347-4610

Gaylord
440 W Main St, Ste F
Gaylord, MI 49735-1401

Local: (989) 705-8664

Call: (800) 686-8664 Fax: (888) 686-8664
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