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Thursday, February 27, 2014

We love safe roads! Don't let a DUI ruin your day (or someone else's!)

February is coming to a close and we hope all of your Valentine wishes have come true. For us coastal folk, we have moved on to embrace another beloved holiday - Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras is a French term for Fat Tuesday, which roughly translates to party time in the Gulf South before Lent begins! Mardi Gras may hold the crown for the holiday with the most D.U.I.s here in the south, though all holidays tend to boast parties and drinking adult beverages. Even though we have our eye on the Mardi Gras prize, we haven't forgotten how much we love all of you or our love of safety.
 

The impact of Driving Under the Influence can go beyond measure. If you've simply gotten a ticket and lost your driver's license, consider yourself fortunate. Drunk driving always has the potential of taking lives or ruining lives at the very least, including your own. Fortunately, the unhappy endings caused by drunk driving incidents can be avoided by planning ahead.

When making plans to attend an event where you plan to consume alcohol, include a designated driver or taxi service in your plans. When hosting an event that you intend to serve adult beverages to your guests, have a secure plan in place to prevent your guests from driving home drunk. Have the phone numbers for your local taxi services on hand or a sober person available to drive your guests safely.
 

We all know alcohol is more than able to scramble even the best laid plans; sometimes your designated driver decides to indulge, maybe you end up having a drink when you didn't plan to, or it's a busy night so the cab you ordered may take longer than you're willing to wait. But, what you may not know is that even if you drink lightly and feel totally sober, you can still fail the tests police officers use to determine if you have alcohol in your system.
 

A D.U.I. conviction can result in possible jail time, a criminal record, lawsuits, fines, court fees, restitution, higher insurance premiums, revocation of your driver's license and a lot more problems. If a drunk driver is involved in an accident, expect a lot more negative back lash which could include harm to yourself or others. In other words, it can become a never ending nightmare for several people - a nightmare that can be easily avoided.
 

Wondering what else you can do to help lower D.U.I. incidents? If you see someone about to drive while intoxicated, offer them a ride home with a sober person or taxi service. If you see someone on the road who seems to be driving impaired, contact the police immediately. Signs of impaired drivers include; weaving, driving dangerously, driving too slow, not using lights properly and other erratic behavior. When you encounter an impaired driver, do not personally attempt to stop the driver. Give yourself plenty of distance between your vehicle and the intoxicated person's.
 

The average D.U.I. conviction costs an average of $10,000 in legal fees, fines, bail, and towing. This figure is only if there was no accident or injuries. In 2012 10,322 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving accidents and 16,792 were severely injured. Alcohol is a factor in 26% -30% of the U.S crash costs to the public, estimated losses at $144 Billion in 2012. A severe accident without fatalities can cost an average of $400,000 in medical bills and property damage. These figures are staggering, but you can make a difference.

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 Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso 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.

Love yourself & love your neighbors by always having a safe plan when adult celebrations are in order. SouthGroup Insurance wishes you all a very safe an happy Mardi Gras Season!

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!


Saturday, February 22, 2014

If I lend you my heart, shall I lend you my insurance?


Love is in the air all February long, but don’t be a fool in love.  Let’s discuss how lending your car to a loved one affects your beloved insurance policy!

 

Contrary to popular belief, car insurance follows the car – not the driver.  What this means to you is; if you lend your car to a loved one, and an accident occurs, you could be liable. If you give a driver permission to get behind the wheel of your vehicle, your car insurance would be liable in the event of an accident.  The permitted driver’s own insurance could serve as secondary coverage if the claim exceeds your policy limits.  For example, if you loan your car to your best friend for a quick run to the market and your friend rear ends a vehicle at a caution light during that run, you will have to do the following; file a claim with your insurer, pay your deductible, and possibly face a rate increase at your policy renewal. If your friend was not at fault in the accident , in most cases you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy and avoid a messy situation. 

 

Of course, some at-fault drivers won’t have insurance or won’t have enough insurance.  This is when you would need to use Uninsured Motorist Coverage / Underinsured Motorist Coverage.  And now is a great time to review your insurance policy to be sure you are properly protected in the event of this type of claim.  Many people disregard Uninsured Motorist Coverage for various reasons, feeling the savings outweighs the need.  Truthfully, UM Coverage is relatively cheap and is highly recommended, because even if your state requires drivers to be insured, that law is broken daily by thousands of people on the road nationwide.

 

We all know love is blind, and we all love our best friends, but what if our best friend isn’t the most responsible person on the planet? Love them anyway, but know this – if you lend your car to that irresponsible friend who doesn’t have his or her own insurance, trouble can ensue.  What if, at that same caution light, your uninsured friend rear ends the car in front of yours? Well, you would file the claim as previously discussed, but if the claim pay-out exceeds your policy limits, the other party can sue you for the financial differences in medical bills, repairs, and more.  These things can add up quickly --- Very quickly.  Statistics show the average car repair claim is over $3,500, and the minimum medical bill per person in a car accident is $15,000.  These figures do not include other damages which can be added to a lawsuit.  So, if your friend injured 4 people in one accident, you could be facing a minimum of $63,500 being due to the injured party.  Does this exceed your coverage?  Again, we’d like to remind you that there is no time like the present to review your coverage, and make sure it is suited for modern claim costs and the value of your assets.  You should carry enough coverage to protect your assets – so if you own a home, your limits should be higher than the value of your home plus your other assets, because you have much to lose.

 

Unfortunately, when speaking about love, heartache is also on the forefront.  What if your loved one isn’t so beloved after all and takes your car on a joy ride without permission? Well, if that so-called-friend causes an auto accident, get ready for a lot of heartache! Pray that your so-called-friend has his or her insurance policy.  If your friend does not have his or her own insurance policy, plan on your insurance paying the full amount of the claim, and leaving a black mark on your record.  Also, unless you are able to prove that you did not give permission; most car insurance companies will usually assume that your loved one had permission to drive your vehicle. So, if an accident were to occur, chances are you'll still be liable for damages, even if you didn't personally or verbally hand over the keys.

 

Before you lend your vehicle to anyone; review your insurance policy with your Trusted Choice agent to verify policy terms, conditions or any restrictions, and verify your friend has a valid driver’s license and insurance policy.  If you have someone special that you allow to drive your vehicle on a regular basis, consider adding him or her as an additional driver to your insurance policy.  Take note that your insurer may consider a habitual borrower as a regular driver, and, if an accident occurs, and he or she is not listed as an additional driver, claim coverage could be denied. 

 

SouthGroup Insurance Services Gulf Coast is staffed with professional agents who are eager to answer all of your insurance questions.  We encourage you to contact our office to discuss any topic, like this, with those foggy areas that you want clarity on! A full insurance review is the best way to answer all of your questions and educate you on what coverages best suit your personal needs. 

 

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 Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso 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.

Don’t go breakin’ our hearts, come in today so we can share our love for our clients with you-no appointment necessary!  

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!

 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Love your heart? Let it know!


Lack of activity is a common factor for the roots of heart disease. Many Americans are too busy exercising their minds all day on the job, but seldom get enough physical activity to get the heart pumping as it should.  A healthy exercise regimen can do a lot of things for your heart, such as: -Strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system
-Improve your circulation and help your body use oxygen better
-Improve your heart failure symptoms
-Increase energy levels so you can do more activities without becoming tired or short of breath
-Lower blood pressure
-Help reduce body fat and help you reach a healthy weight

Many people find that they have the desire to improve their health with exercise, but don't know where to begin.  Should I join a gym? Should I use work out DVDs? Should I hire a personal trainer?  Before you consider these things, you should talk to your doctor and get recommendations of what would work best for you on a personal level based on your medical history.  New medications can affect your response to exercise and you should talk with your doctor regarding working with weight or intense cardio activities such as jogging. If you are the type of person that needs a group setting to get motivated, you should consider joining a gym.  Before you commit, shop local fitness centers to see if any offer free trials. If you have a friend that is already a member of a gym, you may be able to go along with your friend as a guest.  If you don't need the motivation of a group, you can always exercise at home.  Starting a personal exercise routine at home is always the best way to find what suits you, but when a professional trainer is not present you can make mistakes so be sure to research your routine thoroughly before beginning.  

Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise is a form of activity that increases your respiratory and heart rate, essentially challenging your heart to work harder and become stronger. Cardiovascular fitness will improve the way your body uses oxygen. As your heart becomes stronger, you will find that you aren't winded walking up the stairs, you can perform physical activity longer, and your resting heart rate will be lower, meaning your heart is more efficient at pumping blood through your body. Strengthening-repeated muscle contractions until the muscle becomes tired - should be avoided by people with heart failure. Stretching the arms and legs before and after exercising helps prepare the muscles for activity and helps prevent injury and muscle strain. Regular stretching also increases your range of motion and flexibility.

To achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, at least three times a week. Exercising every day or every other day will help you keep a regular aerobic exercise schedule. Every exercise session should include a warm-up, a conditioning phase, and a cool-down. A warm-up reduces the stress on your heart and muscles and slowly increases your breathing, heart rate and body temperature. During the conditioning phase, the benefits of exercise are gained and calories are burned. If you experience chest pain, significant breathlessness, or dizziness, you should stop exercising and let your doctor know about your symptoms. Cooling down allows your body to gradually recover from the conditioning phase by allowing your heart rate and blood pressure to return to near resting values.  Cool-down does not mean sit down. Do not sit, stand still or lie down right after exercise as it may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded or have heart palpitations.  The best way to cool-down is to slowly decrease the intensity of your activity.

Though any aerobic exercise is good for your heart, here are four simple exercises you can do to get you on your way to a healthier heart:

Brisk Walking: Whether you rack up the miles on a treadmill or hit the road, brisk walking is a natural way to improve your fitness. Though a leisure stroll is better than sitting on your couch, push yourself to walk at a fast pace to achieve a moderate intensity level.

Running: If you are a beginner to running, start out with a brisk walk and add 1 to 2 minutes of running every 5 minutes of walking. As you get more fit, you can increase the minutes you run until you don't need to walk in between.

Swimming: Swimming laps or even participating in water fitness classes will not only raise your heart rate and improve your heart health, the water provides multi-directional resistance that will improve your muscular strength and tone. Swimming is a safe alternative if you have joint problems that walking or running can aggravate.

Cycling: Cycling is a low-impact exercise that you can do solo in the gym, in a spin class, or outside on the road or trails. Make efficient use of your cycling time and bike to work or to do your errands. While your heart is pumping you'll also be building strength and toning your lower body as well as your core muscles.

If doing a solid stint of aerobic exercise bores you,  you can mix up your cardio. For example, for every 3 minutes of cardio, do 1 strength training exercise or a high-intensity burst of cardio for 1 minute. This type of training will not only keep you motivated to exercise, it will improve your muscular strength, endurance and heart health.

You don’t need to be an athlete or exercise fanatic to boost your heart health. Moderate exercise can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses as well as improve your endurance, strength and flexibility. Any amount and type of physical activity is beneficial for your overall health.  We encourage you to add exercise to your daily routine after consulting your physician for detailed advice based on your history.  This month SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast embraces our love of health and particularly our heart, and we wish you all a very healthy and happy Valentine's Day.

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 Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso 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!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Love your heart in the name of love!


Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Valentine's Day.  The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. Stories suggest that Valentine helped Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement signed "From your Valentine" (an expression that is still in use today). Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and--most importantly--romantic figure.
 
On Valentine's Day, men and women around the world celebrate those closest to them with extravagant gifts commonly adorned with or designed in the form of traditional hearts. But how did this shape, ostensibly modeled after the internal organ, emerge as the universal symbol for the emotion of love? It was around the Middle Ages that the heart symbol took on its current meaning. At that time it was meant to represent Jesus Christ and his love. Devout Christians began to inject the icon into art and literature from that era. When Valentine's Day originated in England in the 1600s, the heart symbol was the obvious choice for symbol to reflect the new holiday.

This month our blog will honor the heart and how to return the love to your heart that it gives you every day!


Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States today.  To help prevent heart disease you can:
-Eat healthy
-Exercise
-Quit smoking/avoid second hand smoke
-Control your cholesterol
-Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation
-Take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes
-Manage Stress

Eating healthy always seems to be first on every list of what to do to improve your health in general, but how do we eat to make our heart healthy? Although you might know that eating certain foods can increase your heart disease risk, it's often tough to change your eating habits. Once you know which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit, you'll be on your way toward a heart-healthy diet.

Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals, also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.  Fresh or frozen fruits and veggies are recommended as well as low sodium canned veggies and canned fruit packed in juice or water.  Avoid coconut, veggies that are fried, breaded or in cream sauce, and fruit that is canned in heavy syrup or frozen with sugar added.

Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. You can increase the amount of whole grains in a heart-healthy diet by making simple substitutions for refined grain products. Or be adventuresome and try a new whole grain, such as whole-grain couscous, quinoa or barley. But, just like the fruits and vegetables discussed above, there are good and bad sources with whole grain too.  Remember that white, refined flour and white bread are bad while whole wheat flour and bread (or whole grain bread) are good.  Cereal high in fiber is good while muffins, frozen waffles, doughnuts, biscuits, and granola bars are bad for you.  You should probably ask your doctor about what diet would be best for you. 

Everyone should limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol as an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries called atherosclerosis which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for how much fat and cholesterol to include in a heart-healthy diet:

-Saturated fat: Less than 7% of your total daily calories, or less than 14 g of saturated fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet

-Trans fat: Less than 1% of your total daily calories, or less than 2 g of trans fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet

-Cholesterol: Less than 300 mg a day for healthy adults; less than 200 mg a day for adults with high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol or those who are taking cholesterol-lowering medication

The best way to reduce saturated and trans fats in your diet is to limit the amount of solid fats — butter, margarine and shortening — you add to food when cooking and serving. You can also reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet by trimming fat off your meat or choosing lean meats with less than 10 percent fat. You can also use low-fat substitutions when possible for a heart-healthy diet. When you do use fats, choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil. Polyunsaturated fats, found in nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet. When used in place of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower your total blood cholesterol. But moderation is essential. All types of fat are high in calories.  Per The American Heart Association, here are the fats to choose: Olive oil, Canola Oil, Margarine free of trans fat.  And fats to limit are: Butter, Lard, Bacon Fat, Gravy, Cream Sauce, Non-dairy creamer, Hydrogenated margarine & shortening, Cocoa Butter, Coconut, palm, cottonseed and pal-kernel oils.  

Keep watching our blog because we LOVE you and we want you to be our Valentines!

All month long we are going to highlight ways to keep a healthy heart for yourself and the ones you love! Follow us on facebook for posts about healthy heart tips too;
https://www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast 

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 Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso 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!



Saturday, February 1, 2014

10 Life Changes your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent Should Know About and Why

Our lives have never been busier than in these modern times.  Sometimes it feels our work is never done.  Even after work, we find ourselves checking emails and making phone calls while still tending to our own household needs.  Sometimes, in the midst of change, it's easy to forget the little things like contacting your insurance agent about household changes.  You may not even realize how these changes can benefit your insurance policies with discounts and premium changes. 

Here are the 10 life changes your insurance agent should know about and why:

A member of your household moves out of your home
A household member who establishes permanent residence away from your home needs his or her own policy. The members of your household sometimes affect your liability insurance premiums based on their age, status, employment and more. If your child is temporarily residing at a school residence, your homeowner's policy normally insures your child's belongings, subject to the terms in your policy. However, if your children are residing permanently away from home, they will need their own policies.  Should a household member be deceased, you should update the named insured on your policies with proper documentation such as the death certificate and copies of revised legal documents showing ownership changes.

Someone unrelated to you moves into your home
Tell your insurance agent immediately if someone unrelated to you moves into your home. It is very important that you discuss the situation to determine how the insurance needs of the new resident will be met. If a new resident of your household is renting from you, he or she should purchase their own renters or tenant insurance policy. In other situations, such as residents of your household who are under age 21 and in your care, or in the care of your resident relatives, coverage may be provided assuming that underwriting requirements are met and that an application for insurance is signed. Be sure to review your policy with your agent to verify that your policy coverage is current.

You change your name and/or Your marital status changes
If you change your name, you need to tell your insurance agent immediately so you are correctly and accurately listed as a covered person on your policy. Name differences are particularly an issue in the event of claim payments. Advise your insurance agent immediately to update named insured information on your policy and to include your spouse if recently married.  Your agent will also review your policy with this new information to make sure your policy information and coverage are up to date.

You have electrical updates or other updates to your home
If you have an older home and have recently updated your electrical service, breakers etc... This could mean savings for you in insurance premium. This is also often true for plumbing, roofing and other updates that you may overlook. Mitigation updates such as additional wind or flood protection may also provide you with insurance premium savings.  Let your Trusted Choice agent know!

You purchase a boat
Most homeowner policies provide limited coverage for small watercraft, such as a canoe or kayak, and related equipment such as trailers, accessories and some small outboard motors, but the best way to be certain your boat is insured properly is with a separate boat owner's policy, particularly for larger or more powerful boats.

You rent your home to others
Advise your Trusted Choice agent immediately if you rent your home to others. A review of your insurance needs will be conducted to determine that the correct policy is provided to cover your home. Your renters will need their own renter’s or tenant occupancy insurance. Failure to advise your insurer of residency changes can result in voiding of insurance contracts.

You accumulate alot of personal property
When you take into account furniture, clothes, personal electronics (TV, stereo, etc.) and appliances, you probably have more personal property than you realize! When you apply for coverage, take a complete inventory of your possessions to determine what you have and what it would cost to replace them. Whenever possible, include the approximate replacement cost of each item.

You work at home
If you have a home-based business, you may require additional insurance. You can change many homeowner, condo or renter's policy to include limited business or professional coverages.
Examples include:
•    Coverage for business or professional offices
•    Child care businesses in the home
•    Private schools or studios for music, dance, photography and other instructional purposes
•    Small service-oriented businesses, such as barber shops, beauty shops, tailors, dressmakers or shoe repair shops using handwork only
•    Property that provides merchandise storage

In some cases, a separate business insurance policy will be necessary. Your Trusted Choice Agent can advise you what you need for your protection.

You've renovated your home
If you've recently added square footage, decks, porches, workhops, swimming pools or any type of change that increases the value of your home, you should inform your insurer immediately. 

You are planning a major celebration
Many home policies provide liability coverage, but if you are planning a huge gathering such as a wedding or class reunion at your home, check with your Trusted Choice agent on liability options to provide you broader protection, particularly if you will be serving alcohol.

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Failure to update your insurance policy's home description can result in void of contract and/or unpaid claims, or other problems at the time of a claim.

Remember, these are just 10 reasons, but it is always best to check with your agent any time you make a change to your household just to be sure.  We also recommend that you regularly inventory your property to make sure you have enough coverage in the event of a total loss.  For a full insurance review, stop by one of our 3 convenient locations.  No appointment necessary, and we are always eager to assist.

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 Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso 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!