Life insurance for everyone

Most people think if they've been diagnosed with a critical illness such as cancer or HIV/AIDS that they could no longer purchase life insurance. That is not the case! There is coverage (limited amounts) available for those situation. We can take a look at the situation and see which policy is available for them and provide rates that they can lock in and pay for continuous coverage for life. Some clients like the option to pay this off in a shorter time period which is possible too. They can pay for 10 or 20 years and at the end of that they still have the coverage but no longer make payments. This is a nice option so they don't have to worry about continued payments later in life when they may have exceeding health care costs and reduced income from retirement or other reasons. 

So if you hear of someone that is complaining about the lack of life insurance available for someone that has recently suffered a stroke, heart attack, been diagnosed with HIV or Aids, cancer in any form, or one of the many other dreadful diseases that seem to shorten their options for coverage, let us know and we'll go to work for you and present the options available. 

For one of the policies we have, the only health question is  - Are you confined to a hospital or considered terminally ill (life expectancy less than a year)? If that is a NO then you can purchase the policy - no other health questions or exams required! This policy can be purchased in the amounts of $2000 - $25,000.

The other option for if your situation is a little better and maybe the health set back was a few years ago and well managed now, there are only 3 questions on this application and again  - No Exam!! It is available for $2000- $50,000 of coverage. 

In contrast, if you are a healthy individual and haven't reviewed your life insurance needs in awhile, we have many options for you as well. We can talk about what your needs are and find something to fit your budget!

The Big Freeze

These are some tips passed on to us from one of the Emergency Service Clean Up companies: Paul Davis Emergency Services

How to avoid pipes from freezing:

- Insulate all water pipes from cold moving air and keep the pipes dry.

- If electric power is unavailable or is lost, let the water run no faster than a slow constant drip; this is cheaper than repairing it.

- Always disconnect your water hose from your outdoor spigot in the winter, or before the temperature in your area drops below freezing.

-Open your cabinet doors to allow for heat.

If a pipe ruptures:

- Turn off the water main.

- If it’s heated water that’s coming from the broken pipe, you should also close the valve attached to your hot water heater.

- If the burst pipe is still frozen, don’t let it thaw.

- After you’ve shut down the water, call a plumber for help with repairing or replacing the burst pipe.

- Move any unaffected contents away from the water. This will not only keep your belongings dry, but it will also help our technicians dry the area more quickly.

Winter Weather - Property Protection

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PREVENTING FREEZE UP - FROZEN & BURST WATER PIPESCold weather freeze-ups can cause vital fire protection systems to malfunction. Cold temperatures can cause sprinkler piping to burst resulting in major water damage to buildings, contents, and equipment. Pipes bursting can also impair automatic sprinkler systems and leave a major portion of your facility without fire protection. A fire during this situation may result in a major interruption to your business and a huge loss. In the interest of preventing water damage claims for your property, designated key personnel should be aware of freeze protection and emergency preparedness procedures. Utilize the Winter Weather Precautions Checklist to assist with your risk control program. Best Practices include: Building temperature should be monitored, documented, and maintained at 55° F or higher • Perform freeze protection inspections and be cognizant of shutdown procedures • Have a contingency plan with contractors and suppliers • Pre-emergency planning for fire, water damage, and snow removal should be established • Boilers, furnaces, heaters, and flues should be serviced regularly • 24 hour building surveillance • Enforce a no smoking policy • Safeguard flammable or combustible liquids Water Supplies • Tanks should not leak and pressure should be checked • Water temperature should remain at 42°F or above • Check fire hydrants for proper drainage by outside contractor or water department • Buried sprinkler control valves and valve pits should be marked in the event of heavy snowfall • Fire pump room should not drop below 70°F • Post indicator valve, OS&Y valve, and test header to pump inspected regularly Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems • All areas of buildings with sprinkler systems should maintain a temperature of 40°F or above • Cold weather valves should be closed while all others remain open • Windows, skylights, and doors should be in good condition and sealed tightly • Check temperatures with thermometer Dry Pipe Systems • Dry lines should be checked for proper drainage so trapped water doesn't cause breakage • Check drains located in cold places for freezing • Dry-valve clapper should be properly set with temperature maintained at 40°F or above • Low air pressure alarms should be provided, calibrated and connected to constantly attended locations • Low pressure switches should be set at 5 psi which is above trip point of dry pipe valve • Air pressure checked regularly with records maintained to indicate normal pressure • Air drying equipment available to supply air to system as designed PREVENTING HEAVY ROOF LOADING & COLLAPSE Snow and ice build up can wreak havoc by placing additional loads on roofs, and supporting bearing members. Snow and winter storm event severity can be hard to predict depending on the location and geography of your facilities. It is best practice to plan ahead to have a written plan in place when the snow or ice arrives. Roofs collapse mainly due to weather patterns that produce a cycle of 2 events: • a rapid freeze • a rapid thaw This rapid freeze and thaw cycling produce weighty snow/ice buildup that places excess stress on your roof. Flat roofs are especially prone to excessive accumulation and build up by the lack of natural grading, pitch and lack of runoff. Best practices include: Maintain all roofs and keep current with repairs. Winter weather will only further damage any underlayment and the damaging effects of water infiltration will be costly and may cause business interruptions. Arrange to have all roofs cleared of snow especially where snow drifts are visible. Hire a competent contractor for this dangerous task. Request contractor to clear any and all roof drains to allow for runoff and limit ponding especially on flat or relatively shallow pitched roofs. Clear pathways to the eaves in situations where there is a pitched roof without drainage pipes. PREMISES AND FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTSRemoval of accumulation of snowfall from your driveways, sidewalks and entryways is essential to maintain safe access to your facility by emergency responders. Clear all driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, access ways, bulkheads, portals, entryways and exits to allow for emergency to safely access your premises. Onsite fire fighting workers enhanced if hydrants are accessible and clearly marked with colored marker flags in high snow drifts. Unoccupied buildings:Vacant, idle, or otherwise “unoccupied” buildings or large buildings with unused space (compartments, floors, rooms, or basements, etc.) present another set of hazards that an organization must consider for best practice winter weather controls. Inadvertent releases of water, left unchecked or allowed to flow unnoticed, usually results in extensive interior damage. Best practices for these situations involve: • Maintain fire protection services including water based fire protection services (sprinklers) - consult your contractor to maintain these systems in service • Maintain interior heat at 40°F or greater • Maintain remote (electronic) monitoring of indoor temperatures • Visit and survey daily to verify conditions of building or space • Install water alarms to detect of release of water, burst pipe, etc. Unheated Space: • Close main water valves with potable/domestic water • Contract a plumbing professional to drain all piping from water heaters, faucets, and supply piping • Notify proper authorities when plans call for fire protection system (sprinkler) impairment For more information on freeze protection, winter weather precautions, or any additional safety information, please log on to our risk management services website and register at PHLY.com. IMPORTANT NOTICE - The information and suggestions presented by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company in this e-brochure is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.

Missed Opportunity

I was recently at a training conference and there was a segment that the presenter talked about the greatest missed opportunity of his career and a very painful life experience. He talked with great passion on the subject, I can't claim this story as my own but it impacted me and gave me a new purpose in my business. I wanted to share, as best I can repeat. Jim was an insurance agent for many years but before that he had begun a life long friendship with a guy he deeply cared for and met with weekly as a spiritual partner and mentor. Jim had been through ups and downs with his friend and he was with him through it all as a listener and comforter. The friend was always there to build him up and support him. Their families became great friends and they were closer than ever when news struck that Jim's friend had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was inoperable and time with his friend was very limited. The pain of losing his confidant was difficult enough but after the funeral when the realization of the missed opportunity came was when he experienced another great loss. The wife of Jim's friend came to him and asked if her husband had purchased life insurance through Jim. Jims only answer was, no. He felt like when he replied with that simple no, it was like he just told this widow that he didn't care about her husband and that he didn't care what happened to her. She didn't hear that of course, she just heard no, and went on her way to figure out how she would go on with her life. Jim would have rather said, Yes and handed her a check or let her know it is on the way for any amount of money. At the very least he would have liked to say, "I'm sorry but when I asked him if he needed life insurance, he said no" but out of all of those years, Jim never asked. He assumed that his friend would have told him  if he wanted a policy.

What Jim wanted us to take from his experience is for us as agents to not wait for those we care about to ask us about coverage. We say we care about our clients and the most important way we can show that is to offer them life insurance. We can't assume they have it taken care of or don't need it. We can't put ourselves in their shoes and assume what they will need or want in the event of a loved ones passing. We sell car insurance all day long with the promise we will be there if they have an accident which may or may not ever happen. We all know our life has an expiration date, we just don't know when so why wouldn't we provide the protection that is guaranteed to be paid out at some point and make a life changing difference to the recipients.

One last thought, for those that are trying to find room in the ever tightening budget for life insurance, I just encourage you to consider even the least expensive option. "This check is too much" said no beneficiary ever!



*Jim shared this story with greater detail and passion than I can portray but I hope the point is made clear through my recount of his experience.

Fire Prevention Week 2013

Fast Facts about Fire

Home Fires

• In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths, $6.9 billion in direct damage.
• On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.
• Cooking is the leading cause home fires and home fire injuries, followed heating equipment. Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
• Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2011, 12 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 67 deaths.

Cooking  

• U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated annual average of 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007-2011, resulting in 400 civilian deaths, 5,080 civilian injuries and $853  million in direct damage. 
• Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen.
• Unattended cooking was a factor in 34% of reported home cooking fires.
• Two-thirds of home cooking fires started with ignition of food or other cooking materials. 
• Ranges accounted for the 58% of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16%.
• Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being burned in a cooking fire.
• Microwave ovens are one of the leading home products associated with scald burn injuries not related to fires. Nearly half (44%) of the microwave oven injuries seen at emergency rooms in 2011 were scald burns.
• Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of home cooking fires, but these incidents accounted for 16% of the cooking fire deaths.

Heating

• The leading factor contributing to heating equipment fires was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• Portable or fixed space heaters, including wood stoves, were involved in one-third (32%) of home heating fires and four out of five (80%) home heating deaths.
• Half of home heating fire deaths resulted from fires caused by heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.
• In most years, heating is the second leading cause of home fires, fire deaths, and fire injuries. Fixed or portable space heaters are involved in about 4 out of 5 heating fire deaths.

Smoking Materials

• During 2007-2011 smoking materials caused an estimated 17,900 home structure fires, resulting in 580 deaths, 1,280 injuries and $509 million in direct property damage, per year.
• Sleep was a factor in one-third of the home smoking material fire deaths.
• Possible alcohol impairment was a factor in one in five of home smoking fire deaths.  
• In recent years, Canada and the United States have required that all cigarettes sold must be “fire safe,” that is have reduced ignition strength and less likely to start fires.

Electrical

• About half (49%) of home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Other leading types of equipment were washer or dryer, fan, portable or stationary space heater, air conditioning equipment water heater and range.
• Electrical failure or malfunctions caused an average of almost 50,000 home fires per year, resulting in roughly 450 deaths and $1.5 billion in direct property damage.  

Candles

• During 2007-2011 candles caused 3% of home fires, 4% of home fire deaths, 7% of home fire injuries and 6% of direct property damage from home fires.
• On average, there are 32 home candle fires reported per day.
• Roughly one-third of these fires started in the bedroom; however, the candle industry found that only 13% of candle users burn candles in the bedroom most often.
• More than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.

Escape Planning 

• According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
• Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, more than half never practiced it .
• One-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out! 

Smoke Alarms

• Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 92% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 77% of the time.

Source: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week/fast-facts-about-fire

Back to School

School’s Back in Session: Back to School Tips

By Staff Writer

https://www.trustedchoice.com/content/2013/09/back-to-school-tips/

It is that time of year again! Uniforms are laid out, lunches are packed, and school buses are on the road everywhere. As the school year begins, you may think, you have everything in order, but here are a few things to consider adding to your Back-to-school list of things to do for children at every age:

Tiny Tots (Infants-toddler aged children)

Most day care facilities require every child to turn in a medical review form, ensuring that little Timmy has had the proper shots and vaccines before the school year begins. Most of these forms require parents to make a trip to the doctor’s office, so be sure to include this on your list of things to do, prior to the beginning of the school year. Also, check with your local government about free back to school immunization clinics that are usually offered in August and September.

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Little Lads and Ladies (preschoolers)

Children are our most precious and valuable assets. Just as parents know, day care centers and pre-schools know this and should have policies in line to cover little Timmy, should he hurt himself under their negligence. Most facilities provide day care insurance liability information within the packet you are given when you register your child. Be sure to dig through those mounds of paper and read over that information to understand how to protect little Timmy when he does his monkey-bar stunts at preschool.
This is also the time to talk to your Trusted Choice ® Independent Insurance agent about term life insurance policies for college planning for Timmy’s future if you plan to take out loans. “In the event that something should happen to your child before the loan is paid off, proceeds from a life insurance policy can be used to pay the balance of the loan,” said Kathy Cunningham, assistant vice president, Life Marketing at Grange Insurance. Premiums are usually lower when children are young, as they are usually in good health at this age.

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Kool Kids (school age and preteens)

As a regular soccer-mom/dad, you have given your share of rides to Little Timmy’s teammates, but use caution! Transporting other peoples’ little ones to events can be tricky. From a legal standpoint, always be sure to have contacted the other child’s parents and get their permission to have their children in your possession. As far as insurance goes, most policies would cover bodily harm to passengers in your vehicle in the event of an accident; however, it is EXTREMELY important to understand YOUR personal auto policy coverage, in order to ensure safety for every person that rides in your vehicle, big and small.

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Teenage Dreamers (teenagers)

For some reason, your state believes that Little Timmy should be allowed to operate a vehicle and breathe at the same time. Before you pass out from pure shock, call your Trusted Choice ® Independent Insurance agent to talk about auto policy additions and coverage. Remind Timmy to study hard also- some insurance agencies offer a discount on the premium as a reward for young drivers with good grades.
Be sure that you and Timmy both remember to be a bit more cautious while driving in the neighborhood this time of year. With school in session, there is a change in traffic, which means more buses and children crossing the street in the morning and afternoon. And not that you need the reminder, but tell Timmy NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING!

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Growing Graduate (college-age children)

He no longer wants to be called Timmy, just Tim, and you’re in dire straits- from him leaving and the tuition bill you just paid! Eliminate extra stress by calling your Trusted Choice ® Independent Insurance agent to go over you homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure Tim is covered while away on campus. Most policies cover Tim as he is considered a resident of your home, but ask questions and be specific in what is covered- laptops, personal belongings etc… This is also a good time to talk about the auto policy, and update all of your information. Also look into Renter’s insurance, in the event that Tim gets an off-campus apartment or goes away for a long summer vacation.
Beyond warning him to wash his clothes more than twice a year, and to avoid eating pizza EVERYDAY, talk to him about being careful with his credit cards and personal information to avoid identity theft issues. After this, all you can do is cross your fingers, watch Tim drive away, and thank your Trusted Choice ® Independent Insurance agent for guiding you along the way.

MVP Quarterback Boomer Esiason shares his story

A Crisis of Underinsurance
According to LIMRA Statistics from 2012, both men and women are less likely to own life insurance today than they were in 2004, and the likelihood of being without life insurance has dramatically increased for every age group since that time.
• Only 61% of men and 57% of women have some sort of life insurance coverage—half as many in 2004.
• The likelihood of husbands having any life insurance has declined across every income level—low, middle and affluent, since 2004.
• Women of all ages average smaller amounts of individual life coverage than men of similar ages.
• On average, women have $129,800 of individual life insurance, while men have $187,100 of individual life insurance coverage.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), and it is time to take personal financial responsibility to determine if life insurance should be part of your planning and how much is appropriate. Whether you choose to research online or pick up the phone to call your agent or advisor, now is the time to take action. Do it today!

Who Needs Life Insurance? Click here to learn more!