Let's Talk Turkey!

Welcome to the ever wonderful holiday season!  This is the time of year I start thinking about safety, not that safety is not the first thing on my mind the entire year through.  During the holiday season there are increased chances for "probability" of loss.  The trees, trimmings, extension cords, lights, candles, fireplaces all additions to your chances for a property loss.  Adverse weather conditions, slick roads when temperatures fall, ice, and snow, can all increase your likelihood of loss in your auto.  Toys, decorations, obstructions in walk ways, can all increase your chances for even a liability loss. 
Examine your home for possible exposures.  Here are some helpful tips to better prepare you for the holiday season.

• Keep your tree at least 3ft away from any heating sources such as a fireplace
• Keep decorations with small removable parts out of the reach of children
• Use lights that have been independent testing lab you will see this on the label
• New or old check all lights for any exposed wires or broken bulbs
• Fasten outdoor lights securely
• Water your tree daily
• Do not run cords under carpet or rugs
• Do not overload extension cords
• Use a sturdy screen in front of your fire place
• Place stockings and other trimmings away from direct heat
• Do not burn wrappings
• Never leave a fire unattended

For your auto

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated
• Always maintain at least 1/2 tank of gas
• Make sure you have washer fluid with a solvent in it to prevent freezing up
• Remember bridges and overpasses freeze much quicker than the roadway so be prepared for possible slick spots and slow your speed
• Keep an ice scrapper, commercial deicer, and snow brush in your car as a winter care kit
• Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle
• Make sure your vehicle has a spare tire
• Keep a blanket in your vehicle

In this new age of technology it is pretty hard to get stranded, but not impossible.  I know right here in our own state there are many places with spotty or no cell coverage.  Make sure you keep a blanket in the car and during the winter months keep a winter care kit in your car just in case.  More often than I want I hear people say this ever famous quote "I just never thought this would happen to me."

There of course are accidents and damage that occur all year long, but this season the chances are just increased and we should be conscious about that.  Most of the losses that occur are not because of just nature, but because we were not 100% conscious in our surroundings.  We left a candle unattended, it caught the curtains on fire which led to a small fire that destroyed our living room.  My cell phone dropped on the floor of the car and I reached down, when I looked up I hit the street sign and was off the road in someones yard.  This is how loss occurs!

An ounce of prevention does truly keep the agent away! Your insurance is here for these types of accidents and that is what makes it such an amazing product.  Think about it, really think about it, this policy is protecting you from all of those things that we could do that would cost our family financial difficulty.  In this day in age there is no better product out there.  Insure your piece of mind is what Brookson Insurance does. 

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!

Heather Swank
Owner / Agent
Brookson Insurance LLC
Heather@brooksoninsurance.com

It is about service these days, it is I tell you!

So I don't like to be that lady, the one who claims to give the best service possible then drops the ball completely.  Today it matters who you are to your clients, what you know, how you've educated yourself, especially in the isnurance industry.  Each family is truly unique, giving quotes is not as mechanical as it would appear on the outside.  Why does it matter?  Can't I just get a quote on the policy I have right now?  Why do you want to know "stuff" about me? 

To be quite honest the actual quoting part is the easiest part of my job it is getting to know the family, the business, the first time homeowner, the husband and wife expecting their first child that really makes "insurance" itself is an ever growing project.  Is this really important for an insurance agent to do?  I think so, you spend lots of money each year paying for your insurance protection the least your agent can do is make sure this is the product that you need at the time you need it the most. 

I have been in the insurance industry now for 13 years.  I worked in claims for property and businesses when I began my career and for years adjusted claims.  I learned all I needed to know as a claims adjuster, like what coverages does a business really need.   You know the coverages the owner does not think about, but I know he or she may well need someday.  There is the homeowner who has the most wodnerful finished basement and no sewer & drain or sump failure coverage.  Or what about a house that has a new roof, or is all vinyl and the home owner does not know that the insurance company does not owe to match the materials in the event of a loss?  What about the coverage's a business needs if it is out of business because of a covered loss?  All of these things are vitally important.

Before you SETTLE make sure your agent cares enough to get to know you and what your needs are today, make sure they ask again tomorrow, just make sure they care!

Heather Swank
Owner
Brookson Insurance LLC
Serving Greenwood and the greater Indianapolis areas
"We do business better because of you"
http://www.brooksoninsurance.com/ or heather@brooksoninsurance.com

Making a difference!

As an agent I can always go on and on and on about why I chose to do what I do, but what is more important this week is who I chose do do it with.  I am currently at the Marion County 4-H Fair.  I have attended this fair before and one thing I noticed this year is people are really out there looking for service, quality, and just want their agent to be held to a higher standard.  I guess you could call it "Good old fashioned service."

I have a particular brochure at my table , "Who is Erie Insurance?"  This brochure has been very popular this year.  I noticed that people were actually reading this brochure.  Not an auto, home, or life brochure but a who are we brochure.  I know of course who I chose to represent but I take for granted that sometimes others want to know who represents them and their best interests.  We are after all the professionals, but it does not just stop at the policy sale.  A company or an agency shows its true colors after your insurance has been purchased. 

Erie has been an insurer since 1925 and a lot of change has taken place in that many years, but Erie Insurance has really not changed.  Erie truly does live by the Golden Rule, treating people the same way we'd like to be treated.  To Erie it makes sense in business, and it makes sense in life.  People say we're a big insurance company that does not act like one.  They use phrases like "Fair Price" or "That means knowing what's right and doing something about it" or "Good common sense."  This is the company I chose to represent  and that is why.  This insurance carrier quite simply put does it right each and every time, no complaints, no worries, my clients are 100% taken care of and covered with the best protection out there. 

Of course, since I like to stick my nose in the claims process I thought for sure I'd run into some kind of meaty issue I could work with but without fail it has NEVER happened.  I actually get to hear the words thank you after claims it still amazes me to this day.  Once people come to Erie they tend to stay because of that good common sense approach.  Why be frustrated by your pricing, your carrier, or your agent?  We are the place to be and Brookson Insurance is steadfast in its dedication to the core values of Erie Insurance.  That is why we say "We do business better because of you!"

Erie ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Shopping Experience, Three Years in a Row" by J.D. Power and Associates"

One of the "Ward's 50" Top Performers," Ward Group's ranking based upon financial performance

Rated A+ Superior by A.M. Best Company

18th largest property / casualty insurer in the U.S.

16th largest auto insurer in the U.S.

You ask me why?  Well, this is why!

Heather Swank
Agent / Owner
Brookson Insurance LLC

Insurance the Summer Sale!

Long before the thoughts of the Christmas shopping season abound pricing of insurance comes to mind.  In the insurance industry summer is particularly busy.  This is the time to quote your personal and business insurance needs!

Rates for insurance do in fact vary throughout the year.  Granted, this is not by much but it is worth pricing during a season of "better" than average weather.  Better driving conditions than winter, you are not using your furnace as much simple things like this can effect rates.  There is a month to month variance on rates. 

Often times when pricing for insurance people are looking for the save a buck rule, but checking out your actual coverage's to see if they are suiting your needs is just as important.  If you have not looked at or touched your insurance package for a couple of years it is simply time for a review.

Pricing against and getting a second opinion on your policy really is okay.  What if you are spending $400 a year or even more than you should be?  That is a great savings for any business or family.  Recently I had a gentlemen ask me to quote his home in downtown Indianapolis and we saved him $1,100 per year on the home alone. 

I understand the needs of a business or a family in this economy at it really is about the best protection at the lowest possible cost.  Take a look at your policies today and get the savings that you can use at the end of the year when you need it the most.

www.brooksoninsurance.com
317-534-5202
Thank you,
Heather Swank

From All Four Corner's

It seems as though when a losses occur they occur from all different types of things some we just never see coming.  Before becoming an insurance agent several years ago I was a claims adjuster.  If I showed up at your property it was never a good thing.  Not only did I handle claims, I handled the really really bad one's.  I was the one who showed up when there was no house or business after passing tornadoes, or I was the one who showed up when the fire took everything you worked so very hard for and you could not bear to even step foot inside.  I took the place of the insureds. 

I gave a speech last week about the agency and spoke really to my education and passion for this job.  To this day I look at the Katrina season, and the seasons prior where five hurricanes hit the coast of Florida.  It is about response in the insurance industry!  One thing most people do not consider when they file a claim is that the insurance company adjusters have an obligation first to you as the insured to find coverage where coverage is applicable.  I have heard so many stories of "that adjuster tried to rip me off", or my favorite " I have paid insurance on my house for 20 years and never filed a claim." 

Okay, the real picture of the insurance industry is this!!  Are you listening?
Insurance adjusters and agents alike are driven by pure passion for what they do and truly protecting the needs of the insureds that report losses.  It is their jobs to do so, they are there to pay what is right and fair and just under the contract of insurance.  If coverage applies we will pay what we owe, no more, no less.  That is the creed of every insurance carrier!

Why what we owe - because anything less is a failure to the insured
Why no more - because overpaying claims leads to inflated premium payments for all
Why no less - because the intention of any insurance policy is to put you back where you were pre-loss condition

Like kind and quality replacement is what the policy offers, not upgrades, like to what you had at the time of loss.  This is something to consider when obtaining estimates for damages.

The intention of your insurance policy is to protect those things you value most your homes, your businesses and in the case of life insurance the very people who live in them.  Insurance within itself is a very unique and exciting product.  It is the protection of everything you love!  It becomes the financial means to replace that which can be lost by accident.

Let's say you own a home just bought it five years ago.  The total value of your home is $225,000 and you pay insurance company Xtra-cool $725.00 per year to insure your home. 
A horrible thunderstorm comes through one evening, you are home, you smell smoke, before you know it the township fire department is at your home trying to put a large fire out.  You don't remember how you got out, when you noticed it was on fire you have no clue what has just happened to you. 

This is when your $725 for insurance on your home starts paying you back...

The cost to rebuild your home is $225,000
Your other structure deck burned and part of the privacy fence $15,900
Your personal property loss is $162,750
You were out of your home for 11 months during re-construction costs $25,000
Your lawn was damaged  $1,000
Your fire truck service charge paid $700
Debris removal charges $16,500
and the list goes on and on.... estimated total pay out on claim $446,850

Over the five years you have owned your home you have paid insurance company Xtra-cool
only $3,625 in premium to pay you back $446,850 worth of protection for your home.  Hm mm, seems to me like that is one amazing contract.  NO wonder mortgage companies require you carry this stuff.  Crunching the numbers, this really is an amazing product. 

Well, what if I never have such a loss?  Well, my answer to that is but what if you do?  As a matter of fact most Americans these days do not stay in their homes for 50+ years like we used to, but even if we did in your lifetime you will NEVER pay enough premium to equal the amount it takes to cover a catastrophic loss to your home or business.  If this same person had lived in their home and paid premiums in for 50 years they would have only paid in $32,650 in premiums and the value of their home would have been increasing every year so the pay out on the claim would have been even larger. 

This is an amazing product!  This "insurance contract" really is the most important thing you carry.  The people who work to service and supply these policies are passionate about what they do for a living because the rudimentary concept of insurance is doing the right thing to protect us all by paying in our fair share regardless of use because if we need it, it will be there to protect us ten fold what we have paid in.  It is truly disaster or accident protection for those things we have worked each day of our lives to own for pennies on the dollar.  It is valued, needed, even essential protection.

Does your current agency have this passion?  Did they just sell you a contract and move on?  Is that where you belong?  Give our agency a call 317-534-5202 our knowledgeable agency staff is ready to work with you today.  Take  a look at us at www.brooksoninsurance.com

Thank you,
Heather Swank
Owner / Agent

Preparing for the Storm!

Given recent storms here in Indiana I have more customers asking questions.  Is that terrible that I love storm season for this reason?  People asking questions about their insurance policy is exciting because I know my customers are really thinking about their protection. 

Insurance lingo can be beyond frustrating.  In generic terms one of the most commonly asked questions I receive is on fallen trees.  Do I have coverage for trees? Well...sort of!  By this I mean that yes there is some coverage.  Your insurance policy insures you buildings & structures on your property not land, trees, shrubs, plants.  However, there are some "additional coverage's" added back into the policy that does provide you some coverage for trees. 

Here is how that breaks down...
If the tree falls during a storm and damages something your insurance policy does cover like your home, or an out structure like a storage barn, or a fence then some coverage is available.  Now this varies from insurance policy to insurance policy.  Most policies pay whatever the cost to remove the tree off of the building or item it is resting on and drop it to the ground, once on the ground most carriers pay or allow up to $500 for removal from the property.  Always keep your deductible in mind as well.  Your policy deductible does apply to each claim you file on your homeowners policy.
It is complicated at times but that is what your agent is there for.  If you have a question just call.  Those questions keep us agents in the policies where we belong.  Your insurance policy is a contract you purchase for your dollars to protect what you work hardest for, make sure you understand what it protects.

When a bad storm has caused damage there are some steps you are required to do per the policy.  These words "protect the property from further damage" mean exactly what they say.  For instance, if you have damage to your roof after a storm that may have left an opening into your home.  This temporary repair, or tarping off the damaged area, whatever you need to do within reason to protect that property from being further damaged by rain or storms that continue is a duty you as an insured have under the policy provisions.
Getting repairs without contacting your insurance carrier is a big no no under the provisions of your homeowners policy as well. Under a section of your policy boldly labeled DUTIES OF THE INSURED you will find that the insurance company must have a right to inspect your damage.  If you quickly repair your damages without the insurance carrier having the right to inspect it first your claim could not be covered.

Things to consider if you do suffer storm damage.  Take photos of the damage, if you have damage to personal property make an inventory of those items, and have temporary repairs completed to protect your property from further damage.  Call your insurance agent or file a claim with your carrier as quickly as possible to get your claim moving faster.

As always, prepare your family for heavy storms and be safe.  Find a safe place in your home and ride out the storms there it is always a safe bet to seek shelter.  The National Weather Service website offers storm preparedness tips along with WTHR's weather page here in Indianapolis.  For coverage questions seek out your agent and read your policy.  At Brookson Insurance we've got you covered.

www.brooksoninsurance.com
Be safe out there!
Heather Swank
Owner / Agent
Brookson Insurance LLC

Why does your agent make a difference at Brookson Insurance

I know every insurance agent you have had throughout your insurance history has made a pledge to follow up and obtain the best policies for you and keep an eye out for your needs.  My question is, how often do you hear from your agent and I mean your real agent not some post card or letter?  When was the last actual conversation you had with your agent?  Now, ask yourself how many years you have kept your business with that agent?  Five, six, seven, years and post cards and photo Christmas cards is that what communication you have with your agent?
Why does a relationship with your agent matter?  Well, I think as an agent it has been my duty to know my clients to better understand their needs and how they change.  I mean did you buy a bigger house and have a baby?  Are you approaching time to think about retirement?  Are you already at retirement and ready to downsize?  All of life matters and your insurance moves right with you.  There is an element of true customer service which is really people caring enough to do the right thing for their clients all year long. 
Is your agent educated in the industry?  There are agents out there who moved into the insurance industry from a different industry to "try it on for size" so to speak.  It really does make and incredible difference to have an agent who truly understands the intricacies of the insurance contract.  Selling a package to a family without expanded knowledge of what that contract does for a family or business really makes all of he difference in the world.  There is a certain level of professionalism that comes from someone with longevity in the industry that includes a highly knowledgeable base for understanding the policies and how they should function for you.  You'd want your doctor to have eduction your insurance agent should as well.
Finally, what makes all of the difference in the world an agent that responds to you.  Ever notice you have to talk to anyone in the office besides your agent?  This popular trend is sometimes necessary for agents as they have a growing business too, but that relationship should always be with your agent and you should be able to reach them any day of the week.  You trust your home, auto, business, life, and retirement to them in some cases so they really should be one phone call away.
It is okay to tell your agent how you expect to be treated it only leads them to a more knowledgeable relationship with you.  Each client is different some want to come in to pay their bills, some want everything done online.  This important because then your agent knows how to communicate with you best.  When you purchase your insurance products have a conversation with your agent make sure that is the person you want to place your business with.  Good old fashioned customer service and the service of the new millennium should always be welcomed.
With Brookson Insurance we have made it our priority to be available whenever our clients need us.  There is no 8 to 5 limit on that, there is no I'll get back to you tomorrow, there is only you got it whenever you need it.  Sure this is not easy for us, but that is what good customer service is all about.  Jewelie and I both as agents decided that this agency would be technologically advanced for after hours service by a live agent.  Our office phones ring directly to our cell phones after normal business hours.  I guess you could say we are always on call!  Both Jewelie and I have an extensive claims background in both personal and commercial insurance as previous claims adjusters.  We didn't just happen into this business we were built for this business.  We have seen the tragedy of large losses, fires, tornadoes, and the aftermath they leave.
In my career I have stood on the foundation of a home torn away by a tornado and sat down at the hotel trying to explain what was going to happen next to a family who lost every memory they created. I sit and think about that with every policy I write.
At Brookson Insurance clients matter most.  It's not about just selling policies it's truly about PROTECTION and making sure you have it.  We refer to our agency as a family of clients because you matter first and then we get on with protecting you year after year.  Brookson Insurance where we do business better because of you!
Heather

Personal insurance - saving for this economy

Your personal insurance encompasses your home, auto, life, and health insurance needs.  Within each product there are so many coverage variations to chose from.  It can often be confusing to chose the proper protection for your family.
Worse still, this economy is driving families to cut coverage that is vital protection for them to carry.  Making small sacrifices in coverage can lead to a big gap in protection that could cause financial difficulty in the future for your family.  There are companies in the industry that will quote your policy "apples to apples" comparisons for you and end up costing you even less than you may be paying right now.  There is no need to sacrifice coverage or quality in this economy.  Just be a smart shopper! 
Get several quotes on your home and auto insurance and make sure that you are not paying too much.  83% of families stay with their carriers for 5+ years at a time.  While others are reaping the benefits of checking on the insurance pricing year after year.  Just like a business your families bottom line must be maintained. 
If your agent is not doing their do diligence and pricing your policy on review every year then what service is that agent really offering you?  I know that some of the families I insure have had to look at the policies and decide what is really important to them while I work to make sure they are not sacrificing any vital coverage.  Hand in hand with my insureds making insurance affordable can be accomplished.
Partner with one of our agents today to review your insurance needs, costs, and where they need to be for you during this difficult time in our economy.  Rest assured that when your policy does renew if it is with us it is being reviewed, we will reach out and work with your growing and changing family needs.
That is what service is all about and that is why we do what we do!  Be there for our families when times aren't so easy..
Heather

Life Insurance - Why it matters so much to my clients!

This is such a touchy subject with most families.  The big "Life Insurance" question.  When considering life insurance consider this, it is the most important insurance protection you carry.  We are expected to carry auto insurance by the state of Indiana, or by our lien holder.  We are expected to carry homeowners insurance by our mortgagee.  I often wonder if no one is really carrying the appropriate amount of life insurance just because no one is expecting us to do it or forcing us to do it?
Yes Yes I get that this is never the best conversation to have,  yes I get that it makes us "feel" funny, but it is a fundamental must for our families and those we could leave behind unexpectedly.  It is unacceptable that we do not see this as the FIRST insurance product we purchase. 
I get this all the time..." I carry life insurance with my employer." Okay, well just how much do you carry?  Most employers offer minimal coverage that would allow for burial.  There are options to buy more but often times the employee does not.
  I lost one of my dearest friends who was an attorney in the prime of her career / life to a stroke five years ago.  I ended up being the executor of her estate to assist her parents who lived out of state. This young lady and attorney to boot, had no will, no estate planning, and $25,000 in life insurance through her employer.  She also had a mortgage, a car loan, credit card debt, school debt, and much more. Now in this situation there were no children, no spouses, leaving her parents and I to finish up what was left. 
That situation is not typical for most of us.  Most families today have children, which adds for future care and education expenses.  We have larger mortgages, spouses, double debt that can cripple a family if one of the wage earners is lost.
Before you buy any insurance product you are looking for the right protection correct?  Well, in this instance the right protection is the most important product you will ever purchase.  It is the power to leave your family, your financial situation in a place of safety.  These are some categories to consider when speaking with your agent.
Cost of final expenses
educational costs per child
salary loss
credit card debt
mortgage and car loan debt
other total debts
Are you a business owner?  If you are then you may have some special life insurance needs for consideration of your business continuation planning. How to make it easier in the event your family does suffer a loss is no less important than insuring your home or car, in fact it is so much more so important.  "Life Value" this is a term many insurance agents know well and I think it is time most families just sit and ponder the same thought what is my life value if I am gone tomorrow?
Too many stories can be told about people who did not prepare, did not have enough, or just thought they were too young to need it.  There is a LIFE product out there for every stage of your life.  There is affordability, there is long term needs, there is a flexible way to carry life insurance.  Have the product discussion with your agent after reviewing your family needs.  Some life insurance can be coupled with or acts like a retirement vehicle as well. So many options to chose from.  Actually, much more options to chose from with life insurance vs. home or auto.  Tailor make this product to fit your life.  It is the most important protection you will ever purchase and the #1 product you should have already.
If you would like to discuss your life insurance needs and options available let us know.  Consider this is is protecting your family, not a car, not a house, the children and spouse you love.

Heather Swank
Owner / Brookson Insurance LLC
www.brooksoninsurance.com

Business insurance and why you should be looking at your package.

Business owners throughout this economy are growing stronger, more efficient, and cost effective.  One of the clearest cost cutting opportunities is to review all incoming billing and find solutions to grow your business cleaner.  It's true, all insurance agents want your business.  It is also true that all insurance companies want to insure you.  As the insurance consumer you hold all of the cards and have the power in the purchase.  Pricing your insurance package can result in instant and sometimes substantial savings. 
The price is in fact negotiable on some products.  Most carriers want to do better than the one you are with.  I have found that most companies pricing out there insurance packages are pleasantly surprised at the savings they find.  It is a cost cutting measure that you can take that makes an immediate impact on your monthly expenses.  Go shopping and reap the rewards of taking the time to do so.  More often than not you will find cost savings in doing so. 
Making sure your insurance package quote includes "apples to apples" coverage for proper price comparison is important.  Have your current insurance declarations pages outlining your current coverages available to the quoting agent.  Also, if you carry multiple policies such as commercial auto, worker's compensation, general liability, and property policies ask your current carrier for your "loss runs".  All of this information can be readily provided to the quoting agent or agents and make the quoting process smooth and easy for you.  You'll find the quotes can be provided quickly!
Of course, so some quick research on the companies or agents you are chosing to quote with.  Has the agent only been an agent for a few months?  How do you feel about the promise of service?  Research the company the agent represents.  Most insurance carriers have websites where you can find information about the type of businesses they insured, where to find an agent, and you can get a feel for how user friendly that company really is.
As your business grows so do your insurance needs it is important to have an agent that grows with you and touches base with you.  Really understanding your business is part of knowing how to insure it.  There are key exposures and changes that take place in business insurance that could affect your coverage.  Is your agent making sure your business does not have a new exposure each year.  Gaps in protection absolutely do result in money out of a businesses pocket.  Don't just purchase insurance, purchase a business partner!

Heather Swank
Agent / Owner
Brookson Insurance
http://www.brooksoninsurance.com/

Insurance and why we do it!

Using insurance as a means to take the burden off of the shoulders of a family in the event they suffer a loss is a wonderful concept.  Unlike others, I suppose I beleive that insurance is a noble endeavor.  I have been personally working in the field for twelve years now and each year offers more experience than the year before.  Before opening Brookson Insurance I was a claims adjuster working for one of our countries largest insurers.  I have experience the worst possible losses hand in hand with insureds.
When opening the agency I wanted to make sure I was providing protection that was top notch all while making sure famlies were not over spending on insurance, or just being left each year without anyone taking another look at their policies.
Other agents talk the talk, but I walk the walk and follow through with the protection need while making sure my clients are not over charged or ignored once the policy is written.
In doing so I made sure that I would be available even after normal business hours, that my insured's could reach me on the phone, and that I would keep their needs in mind by reviewing and touching base with each family every single year.  It is important as we have learned during the last year things change, a families needs change and we need to change with them. 
This is what I am passionate about making sure the protection we all need to protect our assets and lives is available with a strong carrier, but also treating people just as they should be treated.  It is quite simple, go above and beyond and just do unto others.
With my years of experience I have learned this protection works when a loss occurs.  Insurance is at its finest during a loss.  In this blog I will talk about coverage, losses, why we need the protections we need and be a sounding board for my insured's to learn more about the policy they have purchased and the person they have trusted their insurance products to.