SERVICES

Group/Individual Life and Health

• Term Life Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Dental
• Vision

Personal Lines

• Homeowners
• Auto
• Motorcycles, Boats, ATVs
• Recreational Vehicles
• Flood
• Personal Umbrella

 

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance or term assurance is life insurance which provides coverage at a fixed rate of payments for a limited period of time, the relevant term. After that period expires coverage at the previous rate of premiums is no longer guaranteed and the client must either forgo coverage or potentially obtain further coverage with different payments and/or conditions. If the insured dies during the term, the death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary. Term insurance is the least expensive way to purchase a substantial death benefit on a coverage amount per premium dollar basis. Here's the basics of a low cost term life insurance policy:

Purchasing a Term Life Insurance Policy
You buy a low cost term life insurance policy with a specified time period, usually one, five, or ten years. During that "term" you pay a specified premium. Your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit if you die during the term of the life insurance policy.

Facts About a Low Cost Term Life Insurance Policy
Seems simple enough, right? Well, as with all insurance, there are little complexities and loop-holes you need to fill. For instance, the death benefit may not be the same throughout the term life insurance policy depending on whether you choose decreasing, level, or increasing term life insurance. And, what about when your term is over? That's where renewable and convertible term insurance comes in. Take for instance you want a basic 10 year low cost term life insurance policy with the death benefit to stay the same throughout the term life insurance policy, and at the end of the term you would like to "convert" to a different term life insurance policy such as a cash-value policy, without taking another medical exam. In that case you would choose a level term convertible life insurance policy.

Deciding if a Term Life Insurance Policy is for You
Term life insurance does not build cash-value or have the tax benefits like universal or whole life, but it can be a great option for someone who would like life insurance, but can't afford the higher premiums. Here is a check-list to help you decide if a low cost term life insurance policy is right for you:

• You're on a budget and cannot afford a very high premium.
• You are young, and in good health.
• You are looking for a simple, straight-forward, low cost life insurance plan to protect your beneficiaries.

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Whole Life Insurance

A whole life insurance policy covers you for your entire life, not just for a specific period such as term insurance. Your death benefit and premium in most cases will remain the same. Whole life insurance also builds cash value, which is a return on a portion of your premiums that the insurance company invests. Your cash value is tax-deferred until you withdraw it and you can borrow against it.

Are there choices within whole life insurance?
Yes, the most common choices include traditional, interest-sensitive, and single-premium whole life insurance policies. A traditional whole life insurance policy gives you a guaranteed minimum rate of return on your cash value portion. An interest-sensitive whole life insurance policy gives a variable rate on your cash value portion, similar to an adjustable rate mortgage. With interest-sensitive whole life insurance you can have more flexibility with your life insurance policy such as increasing your death benefit without raising your premiums depending on the economy and the rate of return on your cash value portion. Single-premium is for someone who has a large sum of money and would like to purchase a policy up front. Like other whole life insurance options, single-premium whole life insurance accrues cash value and has the same tax shelter on returns.

What are the benefits of choosing a whole life insurance policy over other types of life insurance policies?
Unlike term life insurance, a portion of your premium money goes toward your cash value which in turn could pay off your entire policy only after a few years. Also, your premium will remain constant during the time you are covered unless you choose otherwise. And, unless you make a change to your whole life insurance policy, you have lifelong coverage with no future medical exams. Whole life is also a good choice because of the tax savings.

Should I purchase a whole life policy for an investment?
The rate of return on a whole life insurance policy is very low compared to other investments, even with the tax savings factored in. Most investment professionals would agree that life insurance should not be used solely as an investment tool and you should judge your policy choices on the protection and not the rate of return. But, if you are in need of life insurance, the tax benefits and cash value is an added bonus when purchasing protection for your loved ones.

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Health Insurance

Serious illnesses can be financially devastating, and even minor illnesses and injuries can cost thousands of dollars to diagnose and treat. Having adequate health care coverage not only helps ensure that you’ll get the care you need, but also helps protect you and your family from large financial losses in the event of an illness or injury.

This publication provides general information about health care coverage in Texas. You can also visit www.TexasHealthOptions.com to learn more about health coverage and the options available to you. TexasHealthOptions.com is a comprehensive online resource about health care and is a free service of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).

Note: President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – the federal health care reform law – on March 23, 2010. The act requires insurance carriers to provide significant additional coverages and strengthens consumer protections beginning with health insurance policies issued or renewed after September 23, 2010. For more information and regular updates, visit TDI’s Federal Health Care Reform Resource Page at: www.tdi.state.tx.us/consumer/cpmhealthcare.html.

Health Plan Basics

Health care plans pay for most, and sometimes all, of the treatment costs for illnesses and injuries. They are generally classified as either indemnity, fee for service, or managed care.

Indemnity Plans
With an indemnity plan, you can go to any doctor or health care provider you want, but you will be required to pay for the service when you receive it. You must then seek reimbursement from your insurance carrier. If the provider charges more than the amount stipulated in your insurance policy, you must pay the excess charges.

Fee-for-Service Health Plans
With a fee-for-service plan, you can go to any doctor you want, and the provider will usually bill your carrier directly for its shared of the costs of your care. The carrier pays a percentage of the cost of covered health services, rather than a fixed dollar amount. For instance, your carrier may agree to pay 70 percent of the cost of a covered health care service, and you would pay the remaining 30 percent. The percentage the carrier will pay varies by plan, but fee-for-service plans are required to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of covered services after any deductible has been met.

Managed Care Health Plans
Managed care plans use networks of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers that have contracted with the plan to provide health services to the plan’s members. Some managed care plans require you to use providers within the plan’s network for all routine care. Others pay for care from any provider, but offer financial incentives for you to use providers within the network.

In general, the trade-off with a managed care plan is that your choice of providers is restricted in exchange for more affordability. Managed care networks provide a built-in clientele for network providers, allowing the providers to charge lower rates. In addition, managed care plans control costs by emphasizing preventive care in an attempt to avoid serious medical conditions that would later require more expensive treatment.

Managed care plans will only pay for covered services deemed to be medically necessary. If the plan covers prescription drugs, it may have a list – called a formulary – that specifies the drugs it will cover.

There are three types of managed care plans, each with a different level of provider choice:

• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) usually require you to use providers within the HMO’s network. There are exceptions for medical emergencies and for when medically necessary covered services are not available within the network. With an HMO, you’ll choose a primary care physician to oversee all of your medical care and provide referrals to specialists and other providers. HMOs may pay primary care physicians a set monthly fee for each member, regardless of how many covered services they perform.
• Preferred provider plans (PPPs) are similar to HMOs but are more flexible. PPPs also have networks of doctors and offer financial incentives for you to use them. Although you don’t have to go to providers in the PPP’s network, your costs will be lower if you do. PPPs don’t require you to select a primary care physician, and you don’t have to get a referral to see an out-of-network doctor or specialist.
• Point-of-service (POS) plans are a combination of HMOs and PPPs. You will be required to choose a primary care physician, but you can go to out-of-network doctors without a referral. If you use providers outside the network, you’ll have to pay more. A POS plan may exclude the option for out-of-network care for certain medical conditions. POS coverage is usually offered as an add-on to the plan – called a rider – for an additional fee.

Group vs. Individual Health Plans

Most people obtain health coverage as part of a group – such as an employer, professional association, or other organization – that offers health coverage to its employees or members. Others buy individual health coverage directly from an agent or insurer. Individual plans usually cost more and may cover fewer conditions than employer-sponsored plans or other group plans. Group plans are less expensive because they spread the risk of claims over a larger number of people.

Individual Health Plans
Insurance companies and HMOs sometimes sell coverage directly to individuals. These policies can cover the individual only or can include a spouse and dependents.

Common Types of Individual Health Plans

• HMO plans pay for covered health services if you use your HMO’s network of providers or receive authorization before obtaining care outside the network.
• Major medical policies cover hospital stays and physician services in and out of the hospital. They may also be offered as PPO plans.
• Hospital surgical policies cover only expenses directly related to hospital and surgical services, such as daily room, surgery, and doctor charges.
• Hospital indemnity policies pay up to a maximum fixed amount for each day you are in the hospital.
• Specified or dread disease policies only cover specific illnesses listed in the policy, such as cancer or AIDS. This coverage may also be offered as a rider to extend the other types of individual coverage.
• Short-term policies are generally used to avoid a gap in coverage and protect you from the expense of a sudden serious medical condition when you are between traditional health insurance plans. Short term coverage is less expensive than traditional coverage and usually does not limit which hospitals or providers you may visit.

Carriers will evaluate your medical history and other health factors when deciding whether to offer individual plans. They may deny your application or only offer a plan with an exclusionary rider that eliminates benefits for certain conditions.

Group Health Plans
Employers commonly offer group plans as part of an employee benefits package. Some trade unions, professional associations, churches, and other organizations also offer them. Most Texans with health coverage are members of an employer-sponsored group plan.

Employers and groups aren’t required to offer health coverage to their employees and members. Those that offer health coverage are not required to contribute toward plan premiums. Some carriers, however, may require employers to pay 50 percent or more of an employee’s premiums.

Common Types of Group Plans
The state and federal laws for group plans are somewhat different depending on the size and nature of the group. Texas law contains special provisions for plans offered by small businesses. For instance, some state-mandated benefits that must be included in large employer plans do not have to be included in small-employer plans.

Following is a brief description of the most common types of group health plans:

• Small-employer plans are plans sponsored by businesses with between two and 50 eligible employees. Eligible employees are full-time employees who usually work at least 30 hours a week. They may not have another health plan and must not be seasonal, part-time, or substitute workers. If a small employer offers a plan, it must be made available to all eligible employees equally. State law prohibits small employer plan rates from increasing more than 15 percent annually due to members’ health status. State law also requires guaranteed issue for small employer health plans. This means that an insurer cannot refuse to sell a policy to a small employer solely because of the employees’ health status.
• Large-employer or other group plans are offered by businesses that don’t meet the small employer requirements and don’t self-fund. Other groups, such as churches, trade unions, and professional associations, may also offer the plans. If a large employer offers only an HMO plan, the law requires the HMO to offer a point-of-service option. Large employers may offer coverage to a specific class of employees – such as executives – and not offer coverage to everyone else. However, if employers offer coverage to a certain class, they must offer it to all employees in the class equally. They are also prohibited from using health status as a reason for not offering coverage to a particular group or excluding an employee from plan membership.
• Self-funded plans are governed by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). They are often called ERISA plans. Employers who self-fund their health plans pay the costs of their employee’s health care themselves, rather than purchasing coverage from an insurance company or HMO. Coverages may vary by plan and employer, but are generally more comprehensive and extensive than other plans. The law allows self-funded plans to operate in multiple states without having to meet each state’s insurance laws. Self-funded plans are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor, but there are only a few federal requirements. TDI has very limited authority over self-funded plans. Self-funded plans have their own procedures for complaints and dispute resolution, so it’s important to read your benefits handbook carefully. Unresolved questions and complaints should be directed to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). For more information, call EBSA, 1-866-444-EBSA (3272), 972-850-4500
• A Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) is an employer-sponsored plan offered by a group of businesses that have joined together to offer a plan. Self-funded MEWAs are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor and TDI. They must also obtain a license from TDI unless an authorized carrier has assumed 100 percent of the MEWA’s liabilities.

Covering Dependents

Children and grandchildren covered by a plan as dependents are eligible for dependent health care coverage until the age of 25. The plan may not require that the child live with the parent or within the service area. Children with mental or physical disabilities who cannot financially support themselves may be covered indefinitely.

Large-employer plans that include dependent coverage must also provide coverage for children up to age 25. Except for emergency care and authorized referrals, an HMO plan can require dependent students to return to the plan’s service area to receive health care services.

Self-funded plans may offer dependent coverage, but it’s not required by state law.

If two spouses are covered by separate health plans, and both plans cover their dependents, parent who has the earlier birthday in the calendar year pays first. However, if the first parent’s plan reaches its benefits maximum, the second plan can take effect. In the event of a divorce, a court usually determines which parent’s plan is a dependent’s primary coverage.

Preexisting Conditions

If you currently have a medical problem or have had one in the recent past, it may meet a plan’s definition of a preexisting condition. You must disclose any preexisting conditions in your application for any health plan.

Most plans will require you to wait months or sometimes years before paying benefits for treatment related to the condition. An individual carrier may decline to cover you because you have a preexisting condition or may insist on a special policy rider that excludes treatment for the condition. Except for association plans, group carriers may not insist on a preexisting condition exclusion rider.

Waiting Periods
The maximum preexisting waiting period for an individual health plan is two years. The maximum wait for employer-sponsored health plans is one year.

If you’re switching from one health plan to another or have recently had health coverage, you may have a shorter waiting period before your pre-existing conditions are covered as long as there is not a gap in coverage greater than 63 days.

The following table summarizes how health plans handle preexisting conditions:

	Group Plan	Individual Plan
Definition of a pre-existing condition	You received diagnosis, care, or treatment within six months prior to joining an employer-sponsored plan, or one year prior to joining a non-employer group plan	You had symptoms likely to cause you to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment, or a condition for which you received medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment, within five years prior to joining
Waiting period before a pre-existing condition is covered	12 months for plans offered by employers; up to 24 months for non-employer plans (from churches, unions, associations, etc). Carrier may also impose a general waiting period for up to 90 days for all coverage.	Up to 18 months (12 months for those 65 or older).
Prior coverage	Your waiting period is reduced on a month-for-month basis. If previous coverage lasted 12 months, there is no wait for an employer group plan. However, coverage is only required at the level of the prior plan. Carrier may not include a rider specific to the employee that eliminates coverage for the preexisting condition.	Prior coverage is credited on a month-for-month basis. Carrier may refuse to accept you because of a pre-existing condition or may include a rider eliminating coverage for the condition.

Health Plan Costs

With any type of health plan, you’ll have out-of-pocket costs. The costs will vary by the type of plan you have. Following are some of the costs you will have to pay, depending on the plan:

• Premiums. A premium is a fee you pay to participate in a health plan. Employers who offer health plans usually contribute toward some or all of your premium costs, but they aren’t required to do so.
• Deductibles. A deductible is an amount that you must pay for covered medical services and medications before your plan will begin to pay. You’ll usually have to meet your deductible each year.
• Copayments. Copayments are amounts you pay each time you go to the doctor, fill a prescription, or receive a covered health service. Most managed care plans cap the amount of your out-of-pocket costs for copays and deductibles over a certain period, usually a year. When you reach this amount, your plan will pay 100 percent of the costs for the remainder of the period.
• Coinsurance. Once you’ve met your deductible, some plans will pay a percentage of the remaining cost for covered health services and require you to pay the rest. The coinsurance will vary by plan. In Texas, health plans generally must pay at least 50 percent of the cost of covered services after the deductible has been met. As with deductibles, the higher the amount you pay in coinsurance, the lower your premium will be.

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Long-Term Care Insurance

Providing Long Term Care Insurance can help you protect your Family’s assets and give you peace of mind. One look at the cost of a nursing home and it’s easy to see why the number of people buying Long Term Care policies has doubled in the past five years.

Since there is no “single Best” Long Term Care plan for everyone, agents need access to multiple products in order to meet the varying requirements of their clients. We bring you quality Long Term Care Insurance plans from multiple carriers.

Our Long Term Care Specialists, in addition to preparing comparison quotes, are able to identify the particular strengths and differences in underwriting philosophies of the companies we represent. This information can be of great value to agents who are searching for the plans best suited to their client’s individual needs and circumstances.

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Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance Advantages
It is important that you do seek dental coverage of some kind to ensure the health of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, if you have to pay the full cost of dental care, you may find it difficult paying your dentist bills. Perhaps even more seriously, without dental insurance coverage, you may be tempted to skip regular cleanings and checkups, a decision that could lead to serious dental health problems.

How Dental Insurance Works
Dental insurance works similar to how health insurance works. For a specific monthly rate or "premium", you are entitled to certain dental benefits, usually including x-rays, cleanings, regular checkups, and certain services that promote general dental health. Some plans provide broader coverage than others and some require a greater financial contribution on your part at the time when services are rendered. There are some plans that may also provide coverage for dental implants, certain types of oral surgery, or orthodontia.

Dental Insurance Plan Types
Similar to medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans are often categorized as either Indemnity or managed-care plans. The major differences concern out-of-pocket costs, choice of dental care providers, and how bills are paid.

Typically, Indemnity plans offer a broader selection of dental care providers than managed-care plans. With an indemnity plan, the carrier pays for covered services only after it receives a bill, which means that you may have to pay up front and then obtain reimbursement from your insurance carrier later.

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Vision Insurance

Protect your eyes with VSP Vision Care for Life; an individual vision insurance plan that offers affordable benefits with yearly co-pays for prescription glasses or contact lenses. VSP also offers extra discounts on the cost of glasses, sunglasses, contacts and Laser Vision correction.

Summary of Vision Insurance Features

• No waiting periods
• Your choice of network providers
• Vision examination annually
• One pair of standard frames each 24 months
• One pair of single vision or standard lined multifocal lenses (Or)
• One pair of single vision or standard lined multi-focal lenses (or)
• Contact lenses every 12 months
• Extra discounts and savings
• Extensive network of providers

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Homeowners

Insurance is meant to protect the policy holder from a financial loss with the occurrence of some event. Almost everything can be insured. One of the most important insurance is the homeowners insurance. This is the one that protects a home owner from the loss occurred to its property or financial liability occurred to any third party by the property of the home owner.

In Texas homeowners insurance is the same as in any other state. Its is easy to get homeowners insurance in Texas. There are a lot of people who have the knowledge of this insurance and the homeowners insurance industry as a whole. There are a few things any home owners should know before buying a insurance policy for a home in Texas.

There are many types of homeowners insurance policies available for home owners to make use of. You have to decide on the one that suits you the best giving you the maximum value for your money by offering the maximum coverage for a given value.

Texas homeowners insurance rates are expensive as compared to policies in other states. The main reason for this being the natural disasters this state has to face every year. So the people here are more prone to financial losses caused by these occurrences. There are storms, hurricanes, tornados and hail storms which cause a huge loss to the property in Texas. This makes Texas homeowners insurance even more important.

A good homeowners policy may not necessarily be the cheapest one. It is the one that gives you the maximum value for your money. A person who wants a policy should ideally check out various policies available with different companies an get their quotes before deciding upon any of them.

Before choosing any type of policies available, you should know that the coverage differs from policy to policy and even between the companies. Some companies may offer a better coverage than others at the same premium. Checking out Texas homeowners insurance ratings by different agencies can help you choose the better ones.

A homeowners policy should cover the structure of the home. This is the most basic coverage you should have. The value of the structure of a home is not the same as the value of your whole property. You should get an insurance on the structure and not the land. A lot of people don’t know this and end up paying extra premium for this. Homeowners insurance should cover the cost of the structure of your home.

The possessions inside a home are also covered with homeowners policy in Texas. Though you will not get a full coverage with this, A 50 to 70 percent coverage for the possessions is good enough.

If anyone gets injured on your property you may be held liable for it and asked to pay the expenses or compensation. A homeowners policy will protect you here as well. The insurance company will be paying to anyone who gets hurt or injured on your property and you will not be held personally liable for any injury caused by any accident on your property. So these are some basic things that should be covered in a Texas homeowners insurance policy and you should be able to get a coverage for most of these.

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Auto Insurance

When you buy an auto insurance policy, you are buying a package of individual coverages, with each coverage protecting you against different types of loss. Once you understand the various types of coverage, you can decide which ones to include in your personal insurance package. You can also determine the limits of coverage you will need. The following are some common areas of coverage found in an auto policy:

Bodily Injury (BI) Liability Coverage pays, up to the coverage limits, for damages due to injury or death of others in a vehicle accident for which you or the operator of your vehicle are legally responsible. It also pays your legal defense costs. In most states, this coverage is mandatory.

Property Damage (PD) Liability Coverage pays, up to the coverage limits, for damages to another individual's vehicle or property resulting from an accident for which you or the operator of your vehicle is legally responsible. In most states, this coverage is also mandatory.

Medical Payments Coverage pays, up to the coverage limits, for reasonable and necessary doctor, hospital, and funeral expenses for you and your passengers injured or killed in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Payments are usually limited to one to three years after the accident. This coverage is optional in most states which do not have no-fault insurance systems.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (UM/UIM) Coverage pays, up to the coverage limits, for pain and suffering which is not covered by medical, disability, and PIP plans. Underinsured motorist coverage pays for bodily injury to you or your family resulting from the negligence of someone whose liability insurance limits are insufficient. The definition of an underinsured motorist varies from state to state.

Collision Coverage pays, up to the coverage limits, for damage to your vehicle or a vehicle you are operating caused by a collision or rollover. This coverage is usually required if you have a vehicle loan.

Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage pays, up to the coverage limits, for damage to your vehicle or any vehicle in your custody resulting from theft, fire, vandalism, flooding, hail, or other perils (but not damage by collision or overturning). This coverage is usually required if you have a vehicle loan.

Rental Reimbursement pays, up to a specified amount, for rental vehicle charges while your vehicle is being repaired for damage covered under your policy. If you prefer not to incur the cost of renting a vehicle yourself and cannot be without a vehicle while yours is being repaired, you might consider this coverage.

Towing and Labor covers some costs incurred for services rendered at the place of breakdown or for towing to a repair shop. It covers the delivery of gas, oil, or a battery but not the cost of these items. If you lock the keys in the vehicle or need to have a tire changed, related services may also be covered. These services are often included in auto club memberships, which can result in unnecessary duplicate coverage.

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Motorcycles, Boats, ATVs

In my opinion we have some the best roads in Hill Country for nice afternoon ride on your bike. It's about the open road, leather and chrome, bugs in your teeth. When you're out riding, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you have the right insurance policy. Whether you're cruising on your moped during your daily commute or riding your road bike across the country, we offer a comprehensive list of coverage options to fit your needs.

We provide coverage for all bike types: Classics, Cruisers, Custom, Sport, Touring, and Trike Conversions.

For real peace of mind as you travel the highways and byways, you need a policy that provides a wide range of coverages. These should include:

• Collision Coverage
• Other Than Collision Coverage
• Liability Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Safety Apparel Coverage
• Optional Equipment Coverage
• Transport Trailer Coverage

Just in case you want extra peace of mind we also offer: increased limits on liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, replace cost total loss settlement coverage, increased limits on optional equipment coverage, towing and roadside assistance, and coverage on transport trailers.

Collision Coverage
Generally, Collision Coverage reimburses you the amount needed to repair or replace your damaged bike, minus the deductible. This coverage is normally required if your bike is leased or if you have an outstanding loan on the motorcycle.

These are just a few good reasons for getting Collision Insurance:

• It pays for damages to your motorcycle even if you are not at fault
• Your motorcycle can be fixed right away, if there is a debate over who is at fault and you don't have Collision Coverage, you may have to wait a long time for the funds to repair your bike; you also run the risk of never receiving payment for incurred losses.
• The other person may be at fault but may not have insurance.
• You hit a telephone pole because the roads were slippery, you hit an object late at night; the unexpected happens and sometimes it can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. Collision covers the unexpected. If you have a new or newer vehicle it covers damages that can be extremely costly.
• If you can't afford to replace your current motorcycle, Collision Coverage helps get your bike back on the road without costing you an arm and a leg.

Other Than Collision Coverage
Other than Collision Coverage does the same and reimburses you the amount needed to repair or replace your damaged bike, minus the deductible. This coverage is extremely priceless if your motorcycle is stolen.

These are just a few good reasons for getting Other than Collision Insurance:

• Your bike gets stuck outside in a hailstorm
• Your motorcycle is parked in your garage when the house burns down
• Your bike is stolen
• Your motorcycle is damaged by flood
• Your bike is damage by animals

Liability Coverage
You never know when someone might get hurt in an accident. You could stand to lose a lot if you are at fault. Liability Coverage provides protection again financial loss.

Liability Coverage protects the insured against financial loss arising out of legal liability imposed upon him/her in connection with bodily injuries (or death) suffered, or alleged to have suffered, by persons or the public, or damage caused to property other than property owned by or in the custody of the insured as a result of the maintenance of the premises, or the business operations of the insured.

When accidents occur, individuals in the accident are compensated for injury or losses caused. Usually the largest expenses are medical; however fees and costs can be exorbitant if a lawsuit occurs. Some individuals may want to consider Umbrella Liability Insurance to protect against catastrophic loss.

Medical Payments Coverage
It's been a month since the accident and you just received your first hospital bill. Medical Payments Coverage makes sure you're protected against the income losses caused by medical and funeral expenses. This very inexpensive coverage can come in real handy if you accidentally lay your bike on its side and get injured in the process. I know that anyone I have ever known to be involved in a motorcycle accident is usually seriously injured and with this coverage they can be assured that any portion of a health insurance deductible they would need to pay out of pocket for would be paid for. Most people that we talk to about motorcycle get several recommendations on their coverage which always includes Medical Payments Coverage and Life Insurance.

Safety Apparel Coverage
Helmets, gloves, and boots are all the stuff that protects you in an accident and they are expensive. It costs nothing when you know that it may one day save your life. After all, your gear is replaceable, you are not. But, if you end up getting into an accident you will have to replace some if not all of your protective gear and that can get expensive.

Safety Apparel Coverage is designed to provide coverage for all of the protection and safety gear related to your recreational equipment. Check to see if it is currently part of your motorcycle coverage, or consider adding it to your coverage if you don't already have it.

Optional Equipment Coverage
Adding features to your motorcycle may add a personal touch but they can get "pricey". That's why we provide Optional/Add-on Equipment Coverage.

Under the Comprehensive and Collision portion of your policy, optional equipment (a pair of leather saddlebags for example) is covered only if permanently installed in the opening of the dash where the manufacturer would normally install such equipment.

An endorsement is available to provide coverage for optional equipment not permanently installed in the dash and for theft of items such as tapes, discs or other equipment designed for the reproduction of sound.

Transport Trailer Coverage
Sometimes transport trailers cost just as much as the vehicles that you own. That's why we offer Transport Trailer Coverage to make sure that your transport trailer is protected.

For most of us, the best terrain isn't in our back yard, and even if it was, we would probably get a little bored with traveling the same trails. That means we need a reliable bike to take us to new and exciting places. Many carriers we work with can provide coverage for transport trailers valued up to $7,500 so that not just your vehicles are covered. Trailer coverage is provided under most motorcycle policies but it is always good to check with your agent to see which coverage options best fit your needs.

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Motorhome/RV/Travel Trailer Insurance

It's time to get out on the open road. And, now more than ever, you may be likely to choose a home on four wheels rather than on a permanent foundation. It's important to make sure that you and your home have the right protection no matter where you are.

Take to the road in your motor home and choose your own adventure. Will you drive to camp in the mountains or to take in a sporting event? You know the great outdoors. And with the open-ended possibilities that lie ahead, the right insurance shouldn't be a question.

Here are some of the Motor Home coverages we offer that aren't included in a typical auto policy:

• Comprehensive Coverage for protection from just about any direct, sudden, and accidental loss, including: collision, fire, smoke, flood, landslide, hail, windstorm, animals, vandalism, low branches or overhangs, theft and lightning.
• Coverage for Attached Accessories, including awnings, satellite dishes and TV antennas.

Here are some of the popular optional Motor Home coverages:

• Total Loss Replacement Coverage that protects your motor home from the effects of depreciation. If your new-model motor home is destroyed within its first five years, we'll pay to replace it with a brand new one of similar kind and quality no matter what it costs. In years six through ten, we'll give you up to what you paid for it originally toward the purchase of another motor home. This option can save you literally thousands of dollars when compared to typical auto policies, which pay only the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your motor home at the time it's destroyed. ACV is the current value of your motor home.
• Emergency Expenses Coverage that pays for lodging or travel home if your rig is damaged or destroyed by a covered loss more than 50 miles from home.
• Campsite/Vacation Liability Coverage that provides liability coverage when you are parked and using your motor home as a residence.
• Replacement Cost Coverage on personal belongings destroyed or stolen.
• Towing and Roadside Assistance eliminates the hassle of buying a separate towing plan. Towing, jump starts, roadside service, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and locksmith services are just a toll-free phone call away. There are no out-of-pocket payments required, either. Just sign and drive. What's more, your motor home is covered regardless of who is driving!
• Full-Timer Coverage provides liability protection very similar to a homeowners policy. While an auto policy will only provide liability protection when you are using your motor home as a vehicle, a Foremost Full-Timer policy covers you when you are parked and using your rig as a residence, too.

We offer optional coverages that let you customize your policy. Some coverages may be subject to company approval or may not be available in all states. Contact me at any time for more information.

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Flood Insurance

Everyone lives in a flood zone.
You don't need to live near water to be flooded. Floods are caused by storms, melting snow, hurricanes, and water backup due to inadequate or overloaded drainage systems, dam or levee failure, etc.

Flood damage is not covered by homeowners policies.
You can protect your home, business, and belongings with flood insurance from the National Flood lnsurance Program. You can insure your home with flood insurance for up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for your contents.

You can buy flood insurance no matter what your flood risk is.
It doesn't matter whether your flood risk is high, medium, or low, you can buy flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. And, it's a good idea to buy even in low or moderate risk areas: between 20 and 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from low -to moderate-risk areas.

There is a low-cost policy for homes in low-to moderate-risk areas.
The Preferred Risk Policy is available for just over $120 a year. You can buy up to $250,000 of coverage for your home and $100,000 of coverage for your contents.

Flood insurance is affordable.
The average flood insurance policy costs a little more than $350 a year for about $100,000 of coverage. In comparison, a disaster home loan can cost you more than $300 a month for $50,000 over 20 years.

Flood insurance is easy to get.
You can buy NFlP flood insurance from private insurance companies and agents; call yours today! You may be able to purchase flood insurance with a credit card.

Contents coverage is separate, so renters can insure their belongings too.
Up to $100,000 contents coverage is available for homeowners and renters. Whether you rent or own your home or business, make sure to ask your insurance agent about contents coverage. It is not automatically included with the building coverage.

Up to a total of $1 million of flood insurance coverage is available for non-residential buildings and contents.
Up to $500,000 of coverage is available for non-residential buildings. Up to $500,000 of coverage is available for the contents of non-residential buildings.

There is usually a 30-day waiting period before the coverage goes into effect.
Plan ahead so you're not caught without flood insurance when a flood threatens your home or business.

Federal disaster assistance is not the answer.
Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster. More than 90 percent of all disasters in the United States are not Presidentially declared. Flood insurance pays even if a disaster is not declared.

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Personal Umbrella Insurance

Litigation is a fact of life. Every day there are stories about lawsuits filed for every possible reason. So, it is important that you fully understand your current insurance policy's coverage to make sure you are adequately protected. Your home, auto and watercraft policies are designed with a limit on liability insurance coverage. Personal umbrella insurance affords extra liability coverage once your other policies have been exhausted to provide an extra layer of protection.

If you don't have enough liability coverage to resolve a claim or a lawsuit, the person bringing the action might go after your home or other assets. Umbrella policies cover damage claims that you are liable for.

Umbrella policies aren't just for the wealthy—they're for anyone who has assets that might be at risk if they are sued.

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