Boy in the 'Hood

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a neighbor who had a late dinner at my place. Karen has neighbors from the same family...except her neighbors are more respectful in their manners.

Karen went home for lunch yesterday, and found this guy waiting for her...

He hung around awhile....

They had a nice chat.

And like any good friend and neighbor, he didn't overstay his welcome.

Karen's cat was not as impressed and excited to have company as the people were. Cats are like that.

Trish

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Going Green

I have to tell you: I'm in love with email! I love it that I can get a memo or an ID Card or a quote to my client instantly. I love it that clients can have their entire policy in seconds; they don't need to print it. If they save it to their computer, they can look at it any time without having to dig in the file cabinet. When a client asks me a question, they can save my email response if it is something they might wish to refer to again or discuss with another person.

I also love that my clients can email me and give me information I might need, request a certificate, or set up an appointment, almost anything at their convenience and not wait for business hours. Especially for business owners, it isn't always easy to get out of the office or get in a phone call when you're making a living. I bet 90% of my commercial clients do their paperwork in the evening after the doors close. Now they can take care of insurance during that evening cram session, too.

Our computer system is very secure. We never spam you. We only share your email address with your insurance company if you approve it, such as to get a paperless discount. We're saving paper, ink cartridges, postage and time. We are also walking a little lighter on the earth. It's all good.

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Facebook

I just received word that one of our top insurance companies has launched a Facebook page. You might already be a client of Central Insurance. Check out their link, and don't forget to LIKE us on FB, too!

www.facebook.com/Central.Insurance.

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Rainy Days

It looks like we are in for a day of rainy weather here in Payson.  Many area roads are flooded so be careful.  Watch for floating debris, in other words, drive with caution.

As my husband and I drove in today (yes, we carpool everyday) from Pine, we saw a few deer crossing the highway.  They are just beautiful creatures; sorry Trish, I know they loved your flower garden and they will soon get into mine as well as the apple trees. 

So be safe friends and enjoy the cooler weather while it's here.   
~ Cris

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Canine Retirement

Does anyone know where I can file for social security benefits for my dog? She made it very clear this morning that she is officially retired.

Without so much as a yip, growl, whine or woof from her, two elk cows helped themselves to my entire garden this morning. They ate all the leaves off the sunflowers that were just about ready to bloom. My young pear tree is just a stick now. And they pulled the juicy hearts out of the native century plants, exactly the way I would eat an artichoke. Without the lemon-butter sauce, of course. They also did a fine job of getting birdseed out of the feeder. They didn't care for the tomato plants, although I've seen elk eat them in the past. All in all, I think they had a wonderful banquet. I hope they give me five stars in the restaurant reviews section of the Elk Newspaper.

I looked at the dog and asked her, "Do you call yourself a guard dog?" She looked at me with an expression that clearly said that she couldn't possibly care less. I suppose a herding dog disdains to chase off garden marauders?

The elk hopped over our 5' high fence. Then they waited until we were asleep again (knowing that our dog would not molest them), went around to the front yard and ate my maple tree.

And that right there, folks, is what I love about Payson. Where else can you set a table for your neighbors in such a way?

De-sunflowerization in Arizona. This was a lush green patch of heaven yesterday.

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Time. Where does it go?

If you are anything like me, you stay busy.  Not intentionally, but with stuff. Life stuff. Kid stuff. Spouse and Parents stuff. But, stuff molds us, and often creates happiness in our life.

So here is some Insurance Stuff that will make you think about your own stuff.

I want you to think about your Auto insurance today.  TV commercials are bombarding you for their attention about how to get cheaper insurance.  But if you're like me, I ask, "What's the catch?"  Go with what you know.  And here is a list of Top 10 items you need to know when you go shopping for auto insurance.

1. Know your privacy rights

2. Find your current policy for pertinent information (drivers, vehicles, limits, etc.)

3. Vehicle Identification No's (VIN)

4. Birth dates and Driver License numbers of all household drivers

5. Ask your agent about Bodily Injury/Property Damage (BI/PD) limits. State limits are convenient and may provide lower premiums; but in the event of an accident, if you don't have enough coverage, then you are financially responsible.

6. Driving history and claims can directly affect rates

7. Comprehensive with Full Glass Coverage is a great incentive to many buyers. My advice, don't abuse it, it's still a claim.  Yes, a Glass Claim.  This feature to a policy is not a maintenance program, and glass can cost several hundred dollars to replace. As mentioned in #6 - Claims can and do affect rates. 

8. Ask for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Paperless Billing Delivery (ebills) for additional discounts.  We all are looking for ways to save a few dollars.

9. Students: Grades will reward you! Even in the insurance world.  Good Grades = $ Saved

10. "Know what to do when involved in an accident."  Many companies offer Accident Scene Information Tips to keep in your vehicle glove compartment.  You will probably forget to obtain some information that will be pertinent to an accident.  These checklists are helpful when you are distracted.

I hope you learned something new, and maybe you'll even share this with a friend. If so, then I hope this Insurance Stuff has made it less stressful.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This is a question I hear very often: "Arizona requires that drivers have insurance; why do I need to insure an uninsured driver?" The answer is simple: you aren't! You are protecting yourself, not them.

In Arizona, Un/Underinsured Motorist coverage pays for YOUR injuries, or YOUR PASSENGER'S injuries, if you are hit by someone without insurance or without enough insurance. It has to be their fault. It does not pay for damage to your car. Just covers your injuries.

Why do you need this coverage when the state requires that drivers have insurance?

What if the other driver didn't pay their insurance bill and the policy cancelled? Or if they stole the car they just hit you with? What if they are a hit-and-run driver? That is considered an uninsured motorist, too. I am sorry to tell you that there are a lot of people driving without insurance in force.

Underinsured Motorist pays for injuries after the other person's insurance is exhausted. Once again, it has to be the other driver's fault. State minimum is $15,000 per person and $30,000 for the entire accident for bodily injuries. Suppose the at-fault driver causes a pile-up of several cars, maybe 6 people injured. That could potentially mean each injured person would get $5,000 of their medical bills paid. Five thousand. How much does a trip in the ambulance cost these days? Maybe it is only your one vehicle, but you have three passengers. Now you might get $7500. 

Many people feel comfortable rejecting Un/Underinsured Motorist Coverage because they have health insurance. That can be a perfectly logical and reasonable decision. Don't discount what Un/Underinsured Motorist Coverage would mean for your passengers who may not have the health insurance you do. And consider what your co-pays, deductibles and other expenses not covered by health insurance might be.

In a perfect world, every driver would have adequate liability limits, an active policy and excellent driving skills. Until that perfect world arrives, talk to your insurance agent about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Trish


We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.