I wanted to just blog a bit about life insurance since September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. I've thought about sharing this with my insureds in the past, but couldn't bring my heart to a place where I could talk about it. I suppose I haven't been ready, but this year I am.
Admittedly life insurance has not been my focus and for that I am truly questioning why I've been so quiet when I have so much to share on the subject. In December of 2011 my family suffered an unspeakable loss through the unexpected death of my Aunt. She was without a doubt a figurehead of our family and part of the core of what we were as a family. In the days that followed we were all in shock and in unbelievable pain it was unmanageable pain really. My Aunt was younger than most who pass and had one child in college and one in high school. My Uncle in one day became a single, one income parent. My Step Father and I are both insurance agents and within 24 hours we were already wondering if they carried life insurance beyond what they had at their respective jobs. We were terrified that the only insurance might in fact be with their employers and we knew it would not be sufficient for the needs that were in front of my Uncle. It was agonizing to even think about for him, but my Dad asked him and it seemed as though our deepest fears were on target.
On the evening of the visitation service a local agent approached my Uncle and let him know that my Aunt had taken out a life policy with him just a few years prior and that when he is ready he'd like to meet with him. She did this?? Really?? When?? Thank God were the only words I could even think when my Dad told me about the additional life insurance. There was no blessing in the situation my family suffered, but this preparedness made the world that was falling apart around us have one thing that would not add to the incredible suffering and worry that was on all of our minds and hearts for my hard working Uncle. For sure life insurance does not soften the blow of any kind of loss it is more like this one thing you don't have to worry about so your heart can begin the first steps in healing. So your heart and mind can stay focused on life and surviving the loss.
That was the life insurance lesson I learned as an agent. When anyone tells me I have $25,000 with my employer I cringe and secretly want to scream...NO NO NO NO don't you see!!! You have the immediate loss of your full salary, the loss of future preparedness for your children's college, your mortgage, you funeral, every single thing you have grown in life. The one thing you should insure above all is your life for the sake of those you could leave behind. I mean just how hard would you want to make it on those you leave? Ask yourself do I have enough life insurance for them to survive if I don't? Yeah it's scary to discuss or think about and likely may not even happen until you are a ripe old age, but what if? Would your spouse have enough to cover all debt you have accumulated together without you? Could he or she afford college for the kids without you? Is there enough to bury you on top of all of that? Is what you have right now sufficient?
So, this month I'm just going to lay it out there and be honest about how I as an insurance agent really feel about life insurance and why. We are all ships in this sea of life. If you have a hole in your sails you are not moving in any direction. Life insurance is the patch that can put the wind back in your sails and set you off in the right direction; which in life is always forward.
Heather Swank
Brookson Insurance
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Winter Safety Reminders
With winter storms we always prepare with bread, milk, even movies for the family to watch. We seem to forget the most important safety preparations. The overall safety of our homes and autos during these storms can make all of the difference when you are faced with a difficult situation. And as always keep our number handy 317-534-5202.
Before the Winter Storm
Before the winter storm strikes, it’s important to know the weather terminology that may appear across the bottom of your television screen or on the local radio station.
- Winter Storm Watch: Severe winter weather may affect the surrounding area within the next 36 to 48 hours.
- Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter weather conditions are on the way or will begin within 24 hours. Take cover and be prepared.
- Blizzard Warning: Blinding snow and dangerous wind chills are expected for several hours. Sustained winds of 35 mph are expected to sweep the area. A traveler’s advisory is issued if driving conditions are expected to be dangerous or slow moving.
Here are some other tips to help you prepare for winter storms:
- Winterize your car long before the first snowfall hits. Winter weather is unpredictable and may surprise you early in the season. Prepare a disaster kit for your vehicle that includes:
- Shovel
- Sand
- Tow chain
- Jumper cables
- Screwdrivers, pliers and a knife
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Spare change
- Blankets/sleeping bags
- Small can and waterproof matches for melting snow
- Windshield washer anti-freeze
- High calorie, non-perishable food items
- Warm clothes that can be layered
- Compass and map
- Cell phone and charger
- Winterize your trees and bushes by trimming long branches. The ice and wet snow that accumulates on branches can cause damage to your home, car or neighbors.
- Salt and shovel walkways often.
- Drain your pipes if you go on vacation or experience a power outage to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting.
- Make certain that each family member has warm winter gear, including a winter coat, gloves, hat or scarf and water-resistant boots.
- Keep your gas tank full in the winter months to protect your fuel line from freezing.
- Have your cell phone charged.
- Stock an ample supply of logs that can be reached easily during a storm if you have a wood burning fireplace.
Contact Us!
317-534-5202 Brookson Insurance
If you haven’t scheduled an annual insurance review, Brookson Insurance today. We will review your risks and help you make important decisions about your auto, home, life or business insurance coverage.
Keeping your family safe is our #1 focus all throughout the year.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Just How Cheap Should You Go?
I know these days we are cutting corners to save money everywhere we go from the grocery, to the car repair shop, we even cut back on use of our utilities at home. I know that I myself need to shave off costs somewhere so I run to three different stores, or buy bulk on some items,and use discounts & coupons often. When is going cheap okay with your insurance protection?
Obviously, me being an insurance agent my first response is really never but I know that is not realistic for most families. I always suggest you NEVER skimp on coverage, but shop carriers to make sure you are getting the best deal for the most comprehensive insurance protection you can have.
Start out with a bullet list of what is important to your family with both your home and auto protection. For instance, if one of your vehicles was in the shop as a result of an auto accident or hail damage would you need a rental car? Do you have your pets in the vehicle often and are they covered? If your car breaks down while you are away from home would you need assistance on the towing bill, or the roadside repair to get you back up and running? What is the most you can afford out of pocket for a deductible if you do suffer an accident? Any damages you suffer as a result of a covered loss that you report to your own carrier (regardless of fault) your deductible will always apply. That is a top consideration on what you can afford out of your pocket should you suffer a loss. You can go with a higher deductible and add diminishing deductibles to the policy with most carriers now, so be sure to ask if your carrier offers that program. Roadside is a very low cost way of adding valued protection to your auto policy from pennies per month to as low as $1 per month. New car coverage, or GAP for your loan if you are upside down. There are tons of extremely low cost options out there.
On your home you should consider the deductible you can afford if you suffer a loss as well. Some additional coverage's that you should not EVER skimp on include sewer, drain, sump failure protection. Any water that backs up through a sewer or drain or overflows from a sump pump is never covered on a standard home policy. There is an additional charge for this coverage, but it is one that you need especially if you have a basement. What about jewelry or guns you may have in the house are they properly protected. Did you know they are limited by theft on the home policy? Think of the things in your home that you could be exposed to if someone came into your home and took them. The more precious it is to you, the more you need to discuss those items with your agent.
When adding coverage make sure you ask the details of that plan don't just assume it has it all. For instance, towing and roadside normally have a per use limit of $50 or $75 per disablement and no more so if the tow bill is $150 you are paying the rest. Also know that this coverage is truly for when you are "away" and have a break down. Not my car broke down or wouldn't start in my driveway. Sometimes diminishing deductibles are only on the collision deductible and not the comprehensive and there is a cap on how much they will diminish in some cases. Make sure you know the additional coverage you do purchase.
Sometimes making insurance fit not only your financial needs, but making sure you have what you need as an individual or family is best discussed with your insurance agent. People choosing not to have an insurance agent can run into severe coverage gaps which is never a good thing. These professionals know what coverage is their to fit the needs of their clients and can find the right price fit at the same time.
Don't give up vital protection for pennies or a couple of dollars a month. Work with your agent to build the protection plan you need at the cost you need it to be. And as always if there are questions we are here to help!
Make your insurance protection plan the best money can buy!
Heather Swank
Brookson Insurance
317-534-5202
Obviously, me being an insurance agent my first response is really never but I know that is not realistic for most families. I always suggest you NEVER skimp on coverage, but shop carriers to make sure you are getting the best deal for the most comprehensive insurance protection you can have.
Start out with a bullet list of what is important to your family with both your home and auto protection. For instance, if one of your vehicles was in the shop as a result of an auto accident or hail damage would you need a rental car? Do you have your pets in the vehicle often and are they covered? If your car breaks down while you are away from home would you need assistance on the towing bill, or the roadside repair to get you back up and running? What is the most you can afford out of pocket for a deductible if you do suffer an accident? Any damages you suffer as a result of a covered loss that you report to your own carrier (regardless of fault) your deductible will always apply. That is a top consideration on what you can afford out of your pocket should you suffer a loss. You can go with a higher deductible and add diminishing deductibles to the policy with most carriers now, so be sure to ask if your carrier offers that program. Roadside is a very low cost way of adding valued protection to your auto policy from pennies per month to as low as $1 per month. New car coverage, or GAP for your loan if you are upside down. There are tons of extremely low cost options out there.
On your home you should consider the deductible you can afford if you suffer a loss as well. Some additional coverage's that you should not EVER skimp on include sewer, drain, sump failure protection. Any water that backs up through a sewer or drain or overflows from a sump pump is never covered on a standard home policy. There is an additional charge for this coverage, but it is one that you need especially if you have a basement. What about jewelry or guns you may have in the house are they properly protected. Did you know they are limited by theft on the home policy? Think of the things in your home that you could be exposed to if someone came into your home and took them. The more precious it is to you, the more you need to discuss those items with your agent.
When adding coverage make sure you ask the details of that plan don't just assume it has it all. For instance, towing and roadside normally have a per use limit of $50 or $75 per disablement and no more so if the tow bill is $150 you are paying the rest. Also know that this coverage is truly for when you are "away" and have a break down. Not my car broke down or wouldn't start in my driveway. Sometimes diminishing deductibles are only on the collision deductible and not the comprehensive and there is a cap on how much they will diminish in some cases. Make sure you know the additional coverage you do purchase.
Sometimes making insurance fit not only your financial needs, but making sure you have what you need as an individual or family is best discussed with your insurance agent. People choosing not to have an insurance agent can run into severe coverage gaps which is never a good thing. These professionals know what coverage is their to fit the needs of their clients and can find the right price fit at the same time.
Don't give up vital protection for pennies or a couple of dollars a month. Work with your agent to build the protection plan you need at the cost you need it to be. And as always if there are questions we are here to help!
Make your insurance protection plan the best money can buy!
Heather Swank
Brookson Insurance
317-534-5202
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