Newsletter (page 10)

You've probably heard about identity theft on television or read about it in the newspaper, and you may already be aware of the damage these crimes can cause victims and their families. What you may not know is how to protect yourself from these attacks. Below you'll find ten steps that can help you minimize your chances of becoming another identity theft statistic.

1. Invest in a shredder – Never throw anything away without shredding it first. Identity thieves will dig through dumpsters and trash bags looking for credit card receipts, voided checks, paid bills, credit card offers, and other items that provide them with your personal information.

2. Mail everything from the post office – Leaving your outgoing mail in or on your mailbox is an invitation to have it stolen by an identity thief. Not only can they get all of your personal information from the check, but they can even alter the check and cash it themselves. Instead, drop it by the post office or another mailbox.

3. Use a post office box – Incoming mail is also a target for identity thieves. Your bills, checks, even junk mail can be used by these thieves to steal your personal information. If you have a post office box, then your mail will be delivered safely to that box.

4. Have a non-published phone number – Some identity thieves will also use the telephone in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, one scam involved a caller telling a person he or she had won a government grant that was going to be directly deposited into their checking account.

5. Check your accounts weekly – If you don't already, you need to get in the habit of checking the balances of all your financial accounts on a weekly basis. Waiting for monthly statements isn't good enough because by then, your account could have been completely drained.

6. Check your credit report yearly – Every year, you should request free copies of your credit report and check them for any errors, such as credit cards or loans you never took out. If you find out now that someone is using your identity, you can start correcting the problem before you need to use your own credit.
7. Memorize PIN numbers and passwords – Never write down your PIN numbers or passwords. No place is a safe place to keep these important pieces of information.

8. Keep only basic information on checks – Your checks should only include basic information about you, such as your name and address. Your social security number should never be printed on your checks. If it is, then you're basically handing over the keys to your identity to any thief who comes in contact with your check.

9. Eliminate unwanted credit card offers – Those credit card offers you throw away can be used by identity thieves.
 
10. Carry only necessities – Never carry anything in your purse or wallet that isn't necessary, such as extra deposit slips, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. The more personal information your purse or wallet contains, the more valuable it will be to an identity thief if it is lost or stolen.

11. Go electronic – Bank statements, most bills, and many other documents can all be viewed electronically, so you never have to worry about them being stolen out of your mailbox or your trash. Contact your financial institution, credit card companies, and utility providers about the availability of this option. As an extra bonus, many of these businesses offer incentives to individuals who sign up for these electronic programs.

While these steps can’t guarantee you won’t have a identity theft issue, it can help reduce the likelihood of having one.
 

Did you get an ugly tie or sweater last year for Christmas?  If this Christmas is a repeat of last year, the good news is that you can probably exchange the gift for something you can actually use. However, many other ugly things can happen during the holidays that you may not be able to take back. While the holiday season is a great time to celebrate with family and friends, it can also lead to fire, theft, and losses that will dampen your holiday spirit.

Now would be a good time to have us review your personal insurance to make sure you understand your coverage, and provide optional coverage for you to consider.

Typical Holiday Mishaps

House fires – Due to increased use of electrical cords, home fires rise during November and December. Make sure you use only UL approved appliances and electrical cords. Do not over-use outlets to string inside or outside lights. If you have a natural tree, keep it watered. Invest in a fire extinguisher, and keep it in the kitchen. The median cost of fire damage due to candles and fireplace claims can be around $9,000.

Theft –Criminals love the holiday season because they know you may have expensive items in your home. Keep your doors locked. Do not place gifts next to windows. It is not necessary to post all your holiday purchases on social media. Criminals love to “like” your posts, and then steal your gifts.

Use of alcohol - Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Designate a driver before the party begins. Offer non-alcoholic beverages at your party.

We are committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, life or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available at the lowest rate possible.
 

These Life Insurance Tips  Brought to You by Neate Dupey Insurance Group

Are you one of those people who think you don’t need life insurance? Please think again. Life insurance has been a part of estate planning in the United States for many years. Although life insurance does not need to be a part of every person's estate plan, it can be useful, especially for parents of young children and those who support a spouse or a disabled adult or child. Life insurance provides real security for those you care about. Life benefits can provide financial security and resources for your family or loved ones after you are gone. 

Let’s look at a few of the reasons to consider life insurance: 

1. Payment on Debt- If you have any outstanding debt (like a mortgage) at the time of your death, it does not go away. Your estate will still be responsible to settle all accounts. 

2. Continuation of Income- Life insurance can provide the funds to replace your income upon your passing. Family income will certainly diminish, and there’s a very good chance that your family will experience a lower standard of living.  

3. Unpaid Medical Expenses- It is highly likely that you will have medical expenses prior to your death; some of which may not be covered by health insurance. Adequate life insurance proceeds ensure that these final expenses are well taken care of. 

4. Funeral Expenses- Most people don’t plan or fund their funeral expenses; again, life insurance is there to help.  

The good news is that life insurance rates are low, and there are many different kinds of products from which to select. One question we often get is, “How much life insurance do I need?” That depends on your individual situation, but here is our general guideline. We think you need to consider a life insurance limit of at least ten times your annual gross income. For example, if you earn $50,000 per year, your family would need to replace some-where close to that amount. A $500,000 life policy could return $45,000 to $50,000 depending on interest rates. 

Term life insurance

Term life insurance is designed to provide financial protection for a specific period of time, usually 10 or 20 years. Typically, premiums are level and guaranteed for that time. Term life insurance is generally a less costly option than permanent life insurance.

Think you don't need life insurance if you don't have kids? Think again. It may seem like an unnecessary expense. But there are many reasons to have life insurance. Please call us at 480-391-3000 for additonal information and a quick quote!

Homeowners don't always review their policies until they have a claim. Only to discover that their coverage isn't what they expected. That is why it is critical to understand what you are paying for. We believe it is important to understand what you are purchasing. So let's start with this overview.

Here are a few of the coverage you need to consider. So what's in your policy?

Are you covered for flood loss? 
Most basic homeowner's insurance policies exclude flood coverage. A separate flood insurance policy is required, which can be acquired through the National Flood Insurance Program. Your agent can assist you.

Do you know your deductibles? 
You will be responsible for a deductible if your house and goods are harmed in a covered loss. Your agent can tell you the amount if you don't know.

Do you have ACV or replacement cost coverage?
Actual Cash Value (ACV), which reflects depreciation, and Replacement Cost (RC), which is what it costs to replace the item today, are the two ways claims are settled. Ask your agent if you're not sure what you have.

Have you considered a personal umbrella policy? 
Umbrella insurance is a type of personal liability insurance that covers claims in excess of regular homeowners, auto, or watercraft policy coverage. Get a quote today.

Our agents will give you great service and the products you require, whether you need to safeguard your car and home, want insurance for the contents of your apartment, or need a general umbrella policy for peace of mind. We take satisfaction in providing personal insurance coverage that safeguards your most valuable possessions. We want to make sure that your insurance coverage covers your most important people and resources.
 

Saving money on business insurance is not always an easy thing for many companies to do. You have many options regarding insurance agents and insurance companies that at times can be confusing. We specialized in the entertainment industry that is all we do. We have a proven track record of providing the right combination of pricing and coverage, along with experience and responsive service.

There are a number of ways to reduce your business insurance cost without jeopardizing coverage. Here are a few:

1. Use a broker who knows and understands your industry. Having an understanding of the risks, and what markets best are suited for your risks, can result in lower costs. Have us shop your insurance. We have access to many insurers, which allow us to offer many options.
2. Provide driver’s training- having educated and trained drivers can reduce your business auto insurance cost up to 5%.
3. Have proper safety equipment.
4. Use special markets. There are insurers that specialize in your industry. .
5. Increase deductibles. Insurers often will provide good credits if you increase your deductibles on property or auto physical damage.
6. Reduce your risk, Talk with your insurance agent about how you can help prevent insurance losses. You may be able to reduce your exposure to fires, work-related accidents, disasters or lawsuits. Reducing these risks may lead to fewer claims, which may lower your insurance premium.

7.Keep up to date with current liability trends; liability claims tend to be the most significant claim with most aspects of insurance.

Having insurance premiums reduced by cutting corners is not the ideal way to deal with high insurance premiums. That’s a case of addressing the symptom – not the problem. Lowering premiums by reducing the risks posed and faced by your business is a far healthier solution.