EEK! Home Alone! and the Burglars are watching!

With the Christmas Holidays fast approaching, statistics show home burglaries peek during this period. Having a centrally monitored security system is always recommended, however some of us cannot afford to have such or other circumstances may prevent it. We've all seen "Home Alone" and wish that we were as skilled at boobie traps as the young lad in that Holiday Classic, but here are some logical tips to protect your assets instead:

1-Do not dispose of boxes for electronics in your front yard. This is like advertising that you just purchased a new TV.

2-If you're traveling for the Holidays, be sure someone is collecting your mail. Overflowing mail broadcasts you're away.

3-Burglars tend to head straight to the master bedroom where homeowner's keep their most valuable possessions. They also tend to avoid children's rooms or guest rooms which appear to be vacant. Store your cash, jewelry and other valuables in these rooms.

4-Keep your car keys by your bed. If you hear a suspicious noise, press the panic button on your keys to cause a disturbance.

5-Keep your purse and other important keys in your bedroom too. Leaving your purse on the kitchen counter allows a burglar to dash in and grab it quickly.

6-We're a little out of season on this good advice, but when springtime comes consider planting thorny bushes and shrubbery outside your windows that aren't in view to deter burglars.

7-Do not store anything outdoors that can be easily accessed by a burglar to use as a tool to break into your home such as stacked firewood, latters, tools, etc...

8-Any time you have a stranger in your home such as a repair man, yard worker, etc... be sure to follow their tracks to make sure they did not unlock your bathroom window for later entry.

9-Even though you may not have a security system, the decals can be purchased to place on your windows as a deterrant.

10-Safety deposit boxes are an inexspensive way to protect your jewelry and other small collectibles at your bank of choice.

11-Get to know your neighbors and exchange contact information so they will report any suspicious activity to you.

12-Set your lights on timers so your home appears active even if it is vacant.

13-Do not post about long term absences on social networking websites. It is always best to share the adventures of your vacation after you return home rather than while you're away.

14-And don't let someone burglarize your credit score! Credit card offers double during the holidays so be sure to destroy all offers including your personal info before disposing of the paperwork.

15-When you attend a large festivity, be sure your car is securely locked. Another popular target for burglars during the holidays is parking lots for special events. Lock your purse or wallet in your trunk if you will not be carrying it inside.

We hope this information is useful to you and we welcome you to share any other useful tips with us that you may have. Our goal is to protect you and while we hope you will never have to make a burglary claim on your insurance, we welcome you to call any of our 3 local offices to discuss your policy details regarding theft.

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent stands ready to assist you. We help you through the maze of insurance coverages, carriers, and premiums, and we find the best personal and business coverage for you at affordable rates. We help you save money on insurance --- and we save you time!  And remember, when it comes to insurance, one size does not fit all.

We are your LOCAL Trusted Choice Advisors, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail or in person: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone:228-466-4498, fax:888-415-8922,  FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel !

We have 3 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS. We write coverage in 40 different states and can assist you with Mississippi insurance, Louisiana insurance, and Alabama insurance and many other states.

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!

Life Happens-Can you afford it? Minimum auto insurance is the wrong answer!

You may think you’re paying too much for auto insurance or that you’re paying for coverage you don’t need, but the truth is you may be paying too little.  You may not have enough coverage for your protection.  You can’t afford not to be covered properly!

Liability is the most expensive coverage on an auto insurance policy.  Does this frustrate you because you consider yourself an excellent driver? Does this lead you to want only a minimum amount of liability coverage on your policy so that you can save money? Here are some factors to consider; the average vehicle on U.S. highways today is valued at $21,000 and the average medical bill for one individual in a vehicle accident is $68,000.  That’s just the averages!  Life happens, whether we like it or not.  The average person is involved in 1 vehicle accident every 15-17 years they are driving.  The National Safety Council states there are an average of 10 million car accidents per year ranging from minor to fatal. 

Today we are bombarded with auto insurance advertisements promising better rates, but we must also look at the amount of coverage they are offering for these rates.  Rates are not always be cheaper with the minimum coverage limits and, while minimum coverage is better than no coverage at all, these days it is simply not be enough.  The average legal minimum of liability insurance that most U.S. states require citizens to carry is $25,000/$50,000/$25,000. 

When you look at these figures, you may be wondering what they mean.  To translate, these are your liability coverages.  The first number represents up to $25,000 in coverage per injured person, while the second figure represents $50,000 in coverage as a maximum payout for medical bills for all persons injured by your vehicle.  The final number provides $25,000 maximum in property damage.  Remember, the average medical bill for one individual in an accident is $68,000.  What this means to you is; if you are at-fault in an accident which resulted in injuries to one other party, you could be facing a lawsuit for the gap in coverage ($68,000-$25,000=$43,000).   Can you afford to fill that gap?

The difference in premium from having minimum liability coverage to the next step up of 50/100/50 can average anywhere from $5-$20 in additional premium per month.  Basically, it will take you 215 years or more in insurance premiums to equal the additional $43,000.  So, the question is; are you really saving money?  The recommendation is that you carry enough liability coverage to protect your assets – so add up the value of your home and autos and investments, and be sure you are carrying at least that level of liability coverage to protect yourself from the very real probability of needing to pay for someone else’s injuries and damage to property.  The higher limits are a minimal cost to you by comparison of legal fees and medical bills.  As you increase your assets, you should also increase your liability protection.  The right coverage for you at age 20 is likely not the right coverage for you at age 30.   Also, let’s hope you don’t have an accident with the ever popular E-Class Mercedes currently averaging $52,000 in value or a $43,000 Dodge Charger.  Remember, with minimum coverage you only have $25,000, and the remaining balance is your responsibility. 

If you are at fault in an accident, even though you can’t imagine you would be, you are looking at an average legal responsibility of $132,000 total.  If your insurance doesn’t cover the full amount (or you don’t have insurance) you will have to pay for your own legal representation in court and could be forced to liquidate your assets (possibly including your property and bank accounts) as well as facing your wages being garnished. 

If you are still concerned you’re paying too much for auto insurance, we recommend you review your policy with your Trusted Choice insurance agent, who is able to offer options for coverages and companies.  There are other ways to save money, such as higher deductibles, which would be a safer decision. 

Southgroup Insurance Gulf Coast is a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency, which means we have the option to shop several auto insurance carriers for you and find the best coverage for you at the best rates available.  As a Trusted Choice Agency, we deal with only top rated insurers enabling our agency to offer superior protection to our clients.  Visit one of our 3 coastal locations today for your free auto insurance review, and find out if you’re prepared to face the averages!

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent stands ready to assist you. We help you through the maze of insurance coverages, carriers, and premiums, and we find the best personal and business coverage for you at affordable rates. We help you save money on insurance --- and we save you time!  And remember, when it comes to insurance, one size does not fit all.

We are your LOCAL Trusted Choice Advisors, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Kayleigh Davis, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail or in person: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone:228-466-4498, fax:888-415-8922,
FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel !

We have 3 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS. We write coverage in 40 different states and can assist you with Mississippi insurance, Louisiana insurance, and Alabama insurance and many other states.

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!