Extreme Weather and Floods Impact YOU!

Most natural disasters in the United States involve flooding, and spring is the peak flood season. Last week a new Web page launched by the National Weather Service and FEMA marked National Flood Safety Awareness week. The site shows the effect and cost of flooding throughout the U.S. and makes the point that floods can happen anywhere at any time of the year. Last year, the Midwest floods of June 2008 led to severe flooding in parts of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin and caused total damages of more than $5 billion. In September 2008, Hurricane Ike slammed into the Texas coast with storm surges up to 17 feet causing an estimated $20 billion in insured losses and produced heavy rainfall and flooding all the way up to the Great Lakes.

Don't be unpleasantly surprised. Most homeowners and renters policies exclude flood damage. A separate flood insurance policy is available from your Trusted Choice Agent (http://www.treutel.com/ The cost is typically less than $1/day ... well worth the investment!

Impacts of the economy on small businesses

Merchant Circle recently conducted a Small Business Economic Survey which revealed a very sobering view of our economy. Of the over 8,000 respondents, the majority employed 5 or fewer staff. These small businesses are seeing a moderate decline in revenue and feel that the most important 'stimulus' needed is to have more tax and business breaks to ensure long term viablity. Lowering costs, retaining good staff and soliciting good customers are critical for small businesses.

From an insurance perspective, small businesses may benefit from choosing a Trusted Choice agent who can provide a choice of coverages from multiple companies. Higher deductibles will reduce the total premium and may be a good way to lower costs in the near term, until the good times are rolling again!

Life Insurance - can you live without it?

In the midst of an economic slump in early 2009, many consumers aren’t likely to have “buy life insurance” at the top of their to-do lists. Yet life insurance is indispensable. Parents and business owners—indeed, anyone who has people dependent on them financially, either at home or at work—can benefit from the unique advantages of life insurance. What is life insurance? Life insurance is a financial contract in which a life insurance company agrees to pay an amount of money to a person upon the death of another person, in exchange for regular payments (known as premiums). To better understand what life insurance is and why it is so important, read this article. To begin a discussion of life insurance needs and solutions, contact Angelyn or Becky at Treutel Insurance, your Trusted Choice insurance agency.