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Thursday, June 30, 2016

An umbrella policy is just what you need --- for a rainy day!

Have you ever wondered if you should buy an umbrella policy?  Do you have assets?  children? a business? a car?  If so, an inexpensive umbrella may be the best purchase you ever make.
 A good home and auto insurance policy will provide you with a reasonable amount of liability protection which will provide you with litigation support up to your policy limits.  How much liability coverage do you need, you may ask?  You need enough coverage to cover your assets!  So spend a few minutes thinking about all that you have --- and how much it would cost you to replace if you lose it all.  If you own  a home, you should be carrying AT LEAST $300,000 liability coverage. 

So if your home and auto have a reasonable amount of liability coverage, why would you want an umbrella?  The umbrella protects you from that really bad lawsuit, the one where you are responsible for a tragic accident with extensive injuries or even a fatality, and you are sued for $1 million.  If you are sued and exhaust your policy limits on medical bills and property repairs and legal fees, all of your assets are at risk.  An umbrella insurance policy may save you from financial ruin.


A $1million umbrella policy will add to your liability limits and costs very little -- usually under $150-200/yr.


There may be some limitations to the coverage, so be sure you ask the questions before you make your purchase.  Check for coverage related to libel or slander or social media exposures.  Check if the policy extends to your child's college apartment or for a wild party at your home while you are out of town.  Verify that your policy will cover your rented vehicles and punitive damages. 


Your Trusted Choice agent will spend time with you and explain what your policy really covers. Insurance is a complex contract and NOT something you can buy “in a box”, even though advertisers try to convince you to believe this.


Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our 3 convenient coastal locations!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@southgroupgulfcoast.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

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Don’t be late on your flood insurance renewal payments! or you could pay THOUSANDS more!!!

FEMA has changed the rules again!  And this time, a forgotten payment could really be a disaster!

As of April 1, 2016, the Homeowners Affordability Act (HFIAA) requires the NFIP to track and apply rating changes to certain flood policies that lapse.

The Moral of the Story - DON'T LET YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY LAPSE!!

The Short Version -
a) Flood gives you a 30 day grace period for payment, if you pay, your policy is in good shape.
b) If your payment is late between 30 and 90 days, you can get your policy reinstated (only one late pay allowed during the life of your policy!)
c) If payment received over 90 days past due, or you pay late for the second time, you lose your policy and have to start over --- the rates may be THOUSANDS higher :(

The Long Version -
A lapse is defined as:
1) Premium paid after the policy's 30 day grace period ends, but is paid within the 90 days of the policy's expiration (effective) date.
*this first offense forgiven, but not forgotten
 OR
2) Premium paid after 90 days past the policy's expiration (effective) date.

Payment made within the 30 day grace period is not a lapse.  However, payment made after the grace period expires will trigger the Lapse rule to become active, and the following outcomes applied:

Policy  A  Premium Due Date Premium paid within 30 days (the grace period)
                 No Lapse Policy keeps the same rating criteria and effective date
Policy  B  Premium Due Date Premium paid after 30- day grace period BUT within 90 days of the policy expiration date
                First Lapse occurs- No change in rating, but policy is flagged and lapse is reported to the
                        NFIP
                 Policy will renew and the effective date will be  30 days from the date the renewal
                        premium is received.
Policy  B  Premium Due Date Premium paid after 30 day grace period BUT within 90 days of the policy expiration date Second  Lapse occurs (anytime during the life of the policy)
                 Policy is re-rated   Policy will not renew.  A new policy will be issued and the effective date will be 30 days from the date the premium and, in some cases a new application may be required, is received (see below).

Policy  C  Premium Due Date Premium paid after 90 days or more from the policy expiration date Policy fully Lapsed -noted as expired or cancelled
             New Application required
New Policy: a new application will be required and the standard waiting period rules apply.

As mentioned above, the certain policies that are subject to the "lapsed policy rules" apply to:
Pre-FIRM subsidized rated policies in SFHAs:  When a new policy is required as noted above, the building must be rated using full risk rates which means a new application and an Elevation Certificate (EC) will be required.
Policies rated with Newly Mapped rates:
o if Pre-FIRM--full risk rates apply and a new application and EC is required;
o If Post-FIRM--full risk rates based on current flood zone and BFE, or if eligible, may use built in compliance grandfather rule.
Grandfathered based on continuous coverage: no longer eligible due to break in coverage.

Check out this Don't Pay Late consumer resource to understand the NFIP rules on policy lapses to clients.  You can avoid potential rating changes by paying policy premiums on time.

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our 3 convenient coastal locations!

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, Johnny Walton, and Whitney Zimmerman Webb 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

Don’t pay your flood insurance renewal payments late! or you will pay THOUSANDS more!!!

FEMA has changed the rules again!  And this time, a forgotten payment could really be a disaster!

As of April 1, 2016, the Homeowners Affordability Act (HFIAA) requires the NFIP to track and apply rating changes to certain flood policies that lapse.

The Moral of the Story - DON'T LET YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY LAPSE!!

The Short Version -
a) Flood gives you a 30 day grace period for payment, if you pay, your policy is in good shape.
b) If your payment is late between 30 and 90 days, you can get your policy reinstated (only one late pay allowed during the life of your policy!)
c) If payment received over 90 days past due, or you pay late for the second time, you lose your policy and have to start over --- the rates may be THOUSANDS higher :(

The Long Version -
A lapse is defined as:
1) Premium paid after the policy's 30 day grace period ends, but is paid within the 90 days of the policy's expiration (effective) date.
*this first offense forgiven, but not forgotten
 OR
2) Premium paid after 90 days past the policy's expiration (effective) date.

Payment made within the 30 day grace period is not a lapse.  However, payment made after the grace period expires will trigger the Lapse rule to become active, and the following outcomes applied:

Policy  A  Premium Due Date Premium paid within 30 days (the grace period)
                 No Lapse Policy keeps the same rating criteria and effective date
Policy  B  Premium Due Date Premium paid after 30- day grace period BUT within 90 days of the policy expiration date
                First Lapse occurs- No change in rating, but policy is flagged and lapse is reported to the
                        NFIP
                 Policy will renew and the effective date will be  30 days from the date the renewal
                        premium is received.
Policy  B  Premium Due Date Premium paid after 30 day grace period BUT within 90 days of the policy expiration date Second  Lapse occurs (anytime during the life of the policy)
                 Policy is re-rated   Policy will not renew.  A new policy will be issued and the effective date will be 30 days from the date the premium and, in some cases a new application may be required, is received (see below).

Policy  C  Premium Due Date Premium paid after 90 days or more from the policy expiration date Policy fully Lapsed -noted as expired or cancelled
             New Application required
New Policy: a new application will be required and the standard waiting period rules apply.

As mentioned above, the certain policies that are subject to the "lapsed policy rules" apply to:
Pre-FIRM subsidized rated policies in SFHAs:  When a new policy is required as noted above, the building must be rated using full risk rates which means a new application and an Elevation Certificate (EC) will be required.
Policies rated with Newly Mapped rates:
o if Pre-FIRM--full risk rates apply and a new application and EC is required;
o If Post-FIRM--full risk rates based on current flood zone and BFE, or if eligible, may use built in compliance grandfather rule.
Grandfathered based on continuous coverage: no longer eligible due to break in coverage.

Check out this Don't Pay Late consumer resource to understand the NFIP rules on policy lapses to clients.  You can avoid potential rating changes by paying policy premiums on time.

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our 3 convenient coastal locations!

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, Johnny Walton, and Whitney Zimmerman Webb 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

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Until death --- Life Insurance will help those you leave behind



Life insurance is not for you - it's for those you leave behind.  If you are no longer in the picture, there are many expenses that will have to be paid on your spouses sole income, and funds will be needed to continue your business and pay for your child's college.  This is a huge burden on those you leave behind.  Plan ahead and have a good life insurance policy in place.  You should do some planning to determine how much coverage you should obtain, and the younger and healthier you are, the lower the rate you will pay.

This is a good Life Insurance Calculator  you could use:  http://finance.yahoo.com/calculator/insurance/ins01/

Next, you will need to decide what type of coverage to purchase - Term or Whole Life.  Term Life has a definite period of coverage with the lowest premiums.  Whole Life is sometimes referred to as Permanent Coverage because it does not expire and may also provide a cash buildup and/or dividend option. Which is better depends on your personal needs.  As you age, your financial needs and obligations will change, so if you have a good retirement plan, you may not need permanent coverage.  If you are not disciplined about saving or anticipate ongoing needs, whole life may be a better option.  Your Trusted Choice Agent can assist you with evaluating the amount and type of coverage that would be the most beneficial

There are hundreds of companies and hundreds of options that can be very confusing.  Add to that the line of Annuity products that are available to provide fixed income and tax savings, you could easily be overwhelmed.  Check with a Trusted Choice Agent to better understand your options and to obtain a solution crafted to meet your individual needs.

How to save money on life insurance -   insure now instead of later and have your Trusted Choice Agent offer options from multiple carriers.

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our 3 convenient coastal locations!

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