Protect your STUFF!! Be sure your have the right Insurance!

You need homeowners insurance to protect yourself from devastating financial loss should something bad happen to your home. Your home is likely your greatest asset, but within your home your personal property is likely what you cherish most. Protecting your possessions from loss is financially and emotionally important. You must make sure that you have the right amount of coverage for your belongings, and the right type of coverage.
How Much Personal Property Coverage Do You Need?
When you purchase your home insurance policy, do not overlook the importance of properly protecting what is inside of your home with personal property insurance. The sheer number of items within your home and how much emotional value you place on many of them may make it seem very difficult to quantify exactly how valuable your personal property is. If you are faced with losing some of those cherished possessions to a fire or some other disaster, having the right amount of coverage for the contents of your home is probably the only way to affect how completely you can rebuild after a disaster.
Homeowners insurance policies provide personal property coverage for loss or damage to your personal belongings including clothing, furniture, appliances and most other items in your home. This coverage gives you the ability to at least receive some financial reimbursement for those items that may seem irreplaceable. Most home insurance policies start coverage for personal property at approximately 50% to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home, and in many cases this may not be sufficient.
Do you need more personal property coverage? The best way to determine this is to prepare a personal property inventory, or a detailed list of everything you own and how much each item would cost to replace.
Insurance companies typically group like items into categories and assign coverage limits for those categories. For example, your homeowners insurance policy might limit jewelry coverage to $1,000 per piece of jewelry and $2,500 for all of the jewelry in the household. If you have a piece of jewelry that is worth $5,000, the basic coverage provided in your policy is inadequate.
There are two ways to increase the coverage limits for your special, high-value possessions. First, you can increase the “special limits of liability” for the categories in which you have more valuable items. In the example above, it would be wise to increase the entire jewelry category limit from $2,500 to $5,000 or more. Most insurance companies will increase the limit on any category of covered items in $1,000 increments, but there will likely be a ceiling to which you can raise any category limit.
If increasing the entire category limit is not the right way to get adequate coverage, you can use a scheduled personal property rider to increase the coverage limit on a certain item or items. This is also advantageous because these riders provide all-risk coverage, which means that the scheduled items are covered for all risks, not just the basic “covered perils” outlined in the main home insurance policy. In addition, scheduled personal property is typically not subject to the deductible that applies to all other losses.
Replacement Cost Coverage vs. Actual Cash Value Coverage
Like the dwelling coverage in your homeowners insurance policy, your personal property coverage can be based on your property’s actual cash value or replacement cost. Actual cash value policies pay to replace your possessions minus a deduction for depreciation. Replacement cost policies reimburse you for the actual cost of replacing the items with no deduction for depreciation. Replacement cost policies offer the best protection and ensure that you will be able to replace your possessions with similar ones at today’s process. This type of coverage generally costs about 10% more than actual cash value coverage, but is well worth the extra cost in the event of a loss.
Do you have sufficient coverage for your personal property? Do you have a significant amount of valuables, or just a few valuable pieces of jewelry or art? Do you have a home full of cherished, beloved possessions? We can help you determine how to approach coverage for your personal property and ensure that you will be properly reimbursed if you have a loss. Call us today to understand more about the importance of having the right amount of personal property insurance.


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, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, 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: info@southgropugulfcoast.com , 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 Suite 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.

Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!

#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

SHOW ME YOUR INSURANCE - Ask for a Certificate of Insurance from EVERYONE who works on your property!

There are always risks involved when a contractor or ANY worker works on another person’s property. Accidents happen and sometimes personal property is damage or someone is injured while performing the work. This even applies to your landscaper or tree trimmer or pool cleaner! Any time you or your company hires a contractor you want to be certain that you will not be held liable for injuries, damages or poor quality work. 








Trust - but Verify!





The easiest way to ensure you are not liable is to request to see a certificate of insurance. A certificate of insurance is a standardized document that provides evidence of insurance and liability coverage. It should always include the contractor’s coverage types and liability limits. This certificate also indicates that the policy is current and covers the days for which the work is to be done.

Even if the terms of your agreement with the contractor or subcontractor clearly state that insurance coverage is mandatory, you could face a serious lawsuit if the other party failed to secure that insurance.

Don’t trust past work as a replacement for the certificate of insurance. Even if you have worked with the contractor or subcontractor on numerous jobs in the past, you want to be sure they haven’t allowed their coverage to lapse. They may not even be aware of their loss in coverage. This certificate can protect both you and their business.

Sometimes contractors present a falsified certificate of insurance. You can eliminate this type of fraud by requesting the business insurance certificate directly from the insurance company, which is always a good idea.

Some businesses and individuals take an additional step in safeguarding the project by requiring a surety bond for the work. If the contractor cannot complete the job, the project owner can then tap into the surety bond to finish the project as necessary. Surety business bonds are a three-party agreement between the surety company supplying the bond, the project owner and the contractor.



Some projects will require a surety bond and others may not. Many federal projects or those that cost a certain amount require surety bonds.

Knowledgeable, independent insurance agents at SouthGroup are always available to answer any questions you may have about a certificate of insurance or surety bonds. These qualified agents have years of experience working with contractors and project owners to ensure work is finished on time and with as little risk exposure as possible. Contact a SouthGroup agent near you to find out more.

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, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, 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: info@southgropugulfcoast.com , 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 Suite 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.

Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!

#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

It's Time To Die --- Do You Have Enough Life Insurance for Your Family?

Do you know if you have the right amount of life insurance? Are you confident that your family will be covered?
Determining the right amount of life insurance can be difficult. You must carefully consider the financial impact of your death on your spouse, children and other dependents. But how do you know if you have the right amount of coverage?
In order to determine how much life insurance you need, you must first consider your marital status, the size of your family, your current and future financial obligations, career stage, and your current and future goals. In addition, you need to know how you want the proceeds of your life insurance to be spent by your beneficiaries. And you must be sure that as you take on more responsibility in your life and your family grows and changes, you evaluate your life insurance needs and make appropriate changes.
When you begin to think about your life insurance needs, ask yourself the following questions:

• How do I want the proceeds from my life insurance policy to be spent? Do I want to provide financial resources for my family, or do I have to also provide for a business, charities, or other interests?
• Will my family need to pay my debts, funeral expenses and other expenses upon my death? What other immediate expenses might they face?
• How much of my current income is used for current expenses? How much do I save for the future?
• If I were to die tomorrow, for how long would my spouse and other dependents need financial support? Are my children young, college aged, or independent adults?
• Will I want to provide for my children’s education?
• Will I want to provide for gifts to my favorite charities?
• Will any other assets be passed on to my dependents upon my death? Will these assets provide any financial security for them? How do these assets impact my need for life insurance?
• Do I want my dependents to be able to continue their current standard of living upon my death? Would they be able to do that without me?

You will likely have other considerations, as well. And once you have determined how much life insurance to purchase, you will need to review your needs and the answers to these questions as your life changes. You should conduct a complete review of your life insurance policies at least every five years to make sure that your family is covered. In addition, your needs always change when you go through a major life event like marriage, a birth, divorce, or the purchase of a new home or a business.
As you age, your need for life insurance may decrease because fewer people will be financially dependent on you. But you may still want to have some type of life insurance for your entire life, especially if you want to provide some type of financial support for your family, no matter their age or stage of life.
Life insurance is a complex financial tool that can mean many things for different people. In order to make sure your family is covered, you need help from an experienced life insurance expert who can help you uncover your needs and explore all of your options. Contact the experts at SouthGroup Insurance Services to learn more about life insurance and how we can help you find the best coverage for your needs and budget.


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, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, 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: info@southgropugulfcoast.com , 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 Suite 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.

Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!

#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

Flood Flood Flood - URGENT!!! More Insurance Changes On the Way!! Here's What YOU Need To Do:

April 1 is fast approaching!  and no, it's not an April Fool's joke - the Flood Insurance rules are changing again!  If you want a good summary, click HERE, but if you would like just the highlights - here you go!

TO DO:    You MUST verify your Primary Residence, or you will be changed to non-primary status.  To verify your primary residence, you must submit documentation such as a copy of your Driver's License two months ahead of your renewal.  Non-primary residences will be surcharged $250.


TO DO:    Check into higher deductibles to reduce the cost of insurance coverage.  A $10,000 option will now be available - but remember that it applies to EACH coverage (structure and contents), so if you choose the highest deductibles available, you will have to pay $10,000 deductible for the structure AND $10,000 deductible for the contents.


TO DO:     Don't let your policy lapse.  Rewrites may be more costly to you.


TO DO:      Buy Flood Insurance NOW if you do not have it yet.  It's your last chance, if you do not have flood insurance, and your zone was re-mapped in 2008 or more recently, to purchase insurance at a reduced rate.  Make your purchase BEFORE April 1, 2016.




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You may note an increase in the Total Amount Due on your flood policy renewal.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is in the process of implementing Congressionally-mandated reforms required by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA), that repeals certain sections of the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. As a result beginning on April 1, 2015 Flood Insurance Rates, Surcharges and Fees will affect the total amount all policyholders pay for a flood insurance policy.　

Changes taking place in April include "Rate Increases" for most policies, the implementation of an "Annual Surcharge" on all new and renewed policies, an increase in the "Policy Fee" and an increase in "Reserve Fund Assessment".

NFIP annual policy rate increases, with some exceptions*, will be between 5% and 15% with individual policy premiums to be capped at 18% before applying the Annual Surcharge and Federal Policy Fee; which may increase the Total Amount Due on your flood policy, even if your rates went down.


The NFIP Reserve Fund is now being applied to Preferred Risk Policies at 10% and has been increased to 15% on all other policies. (The Reserve Fund is calculated into the 18% HFIAA annual per policy premium cap.)


Federal Policy fees are increased slightly this year. (The Policy Fee is not included in the calculation of the 18% HFIAA annual per policy premium increase cap.)


The new HFIAA Surcharge is federally mandated and has been newly initiated at $250 for all policies unless it is your verified primary residence*. Primary residences verified through your agent are eligible for a $25 HFIAA Surcharge. (The surcharge is not included in calculation of the 18% HFIAA annual per policy premium cap.)　

There is also an additional deductible option being introduced that may lower the premium you pay.

A new deductible of $10,000 for both building and contents is now available for 1-4 residential policyholders. The deductible is selected separately to reduce claim payments for both building and contents separately.　 If flood insurance was required by your lender, please check if they will accept the higher deductible.　 If you are interested in this higher deductible, be aware that high deductible amounts reduce the amount of any claim payment at time of loss.

　

In summary, NFIP Flood Reform Implementation continues:

April 1, 2015 annual premium increases move the NFIP one step closer to full risk rates


Generally, highest increases on high risk policies, non-primary with subsidized rates (No EC applied)


Encourage subsidized policyholders to get EC to determine actual risk


Primary residences see less impact-


Complete the Percentage of residency transaction prior to 60 days before renewal billing is mailed to avoid unnecessary sticker shock.


Assessment, Fees and Surcharges are applied and are increasing


Reserve Fund　 (included in 18% premium cap)


Federal Policy Fees (not included in premium cap)


New HFIAA Surcharges　　 (not subject to premium cap)


Prepare for policyholder questions


Get staff up to date on steps to retain policies.


Review policies for primary residence, raise deductible, lower coverage but don't lapse.

To help you swim through all of the Flood Insurance Changes, contact your Trusted Choice Agent! 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, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, 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: info@southgropugulfcoast.com , 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 Suite 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.

Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!

#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

Be Sure Your Insurance Protects You Agains The "Other Guy"!

Even though all but two states require minimum standards of liability vehicle, many motorists fail to obtain this important coverage before driving. Unfortunately, the insured driver usually ends up paying the most after an accident with one of these motorists. You might think that because your state requires auto insurance, most people have it. However, according to the Insurance Research Council, the number of uninsured drivers can reach 25 percent in some states. What can you do to protect yourself in the event you are involved in a collision with an uninsured vehicle?

If you are involved in an accident and the other driver does not have insurance, you may be entitled to recover under your own uninsured motorist coverage.  This is a provision in your insurance policy that protects you in case you are in an accident with someone who is uninsured.  Underinsured motorist coverage protects you in cases of serious accidents.  Even if the other driver has insurance, it may not be enough to reimburse you for the medical expenses you have incurred as a result of an accident.  Underinsured coverage provides another layer of protection for you when you are seriously injured.

The way it works is your insurance company pays your medical bills, and would essentially sue the uninsured/underinsured driver for the difference in costs. Some states require an uninsured motorist clause in any insurance policy sold, while others may require you to specifically ask for it to be added.

This type of car insurance coverage can also help you in the event you are victim to a hit and run collision. In most cases, the insurance company will treat the other driver as uninsured and compensate you accordingly.

In some states UM/UIM insurance is mandatory, in Mississippi it is not. Even if it is not required, this coverage can help make you financially whole following a collision with an uninsured motorist.
Knowledgeable, LOCAL, independent insurance agents at SouthGroup are always available to answer any questions you may have about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. We can help identify this and any other car insurance coverage options you may need. We will also locate you a variety of quotes from a number of providers, ensuring the policy you choose offers the best coverage at the most affordable rates. Contact an agent near you to find out more about this important coverage.


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, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, 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: info@southgropugulfcoast.com , 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 Suite 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.

Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!

#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel