PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON YOUR INSURANCE!

 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON YOUR INSURANCE!

Having your property well maintained will help you save money on your insurance. Many new companies are now in our coastal area and offer better pricing, but the companies are very strict on the homes they will insure. Many insurance companies will send an insurance inspector or require a self-inspection where you send in pictures of specific areas of your home to document the condition and any problems areas. This helps in the event of a claim because the current condition is documented, and the company may more easily determine the extent of the damage, since they will have a before and after audit file. This also assists with risk management to possibly avoid insurance claims.

Insurance companies desire property which is free from liability hazards. A liability hazard is “an accident waiting to happen”. You will find insurance companies asking more questions about your pets and any history of biting. A swimming pool without proper fencing or not in proper working order could allow for injuries. Likewise, if you allow excessive debris to pile up, this could attract rodents or become a fire hazard. Lawsuits abound from accidents occurring from a trampoline, so many companies do not allow them at all. Your property should not have any existing damage or condition issues on the exterior or interior, decks and porches. Any dry rot or plumbing leaks lead to more damage. Mold or algae on siding is unsightly and should be pressure-washed off. Clogged gutters cause extensive home damage, so get those cleared annually.

In our area with the high probability of severe winds, many companies require tree limbs within 3 feet of the home or large trees close to the home be cut back for the protection of the structure. Excessive foliage growth and overgrown shrubs around the home should be periodically trimmed back so the insurance companies can visibly see that you care about your property and its condition and appearance.. Most companies require the crawl space under a home to be enclosed with lattice or some other material to prevent debris from accumulating under the home which could become a fire exposure. So many people fall off of stairs leading to lawsuits, that if you have more than 3 stairs leading to your property entry, the insurance company will require a handrail be installed to reduce the risk.

Many insurance discounts are available if you have installed wind or flood mitigation on your property. Be sure you provide pictures of a new roof, impact glass, or working shutters to your insurance agent for any available discounts. Tankless water heaters result in fewer water overflows, and your insurance company may offer a discount. Contact your insurance agent to discuss other ways to protect your property.

Angelyn Treutel Zeringue is President of SouthGroup Insurance Services, a CPA, PWCAM, CBIA, and licensed Trusted Choice Insurance Agent.  Reach Angelyn at www.southgroupgulfcoast.com, (228) 385-1177, or azeringue@southgroup.net.

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 convenient locations!

To help you through the maze of coverages, carriers, premiums, and find ways to save money on your insurance, if you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com/ , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Melissa Dunn,  Anne Gillam, Mark Strickland, Joseph Eagle, Michael Scardino, Melinda Teaford, Wendy Butler, Gabriella Scardino and Brittany Eagle at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: info@southgroupgulfcoast.com, phone or text:228-466-4498 or 228-385-1177, fax:888-415-8922, FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have more locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Workers Compensation, Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group and Individual Life/Health/Dental/Disability/ Vision/Long Term Care, Business Owners, Builders Risk, Commercial Crime, Errors and Omissions, Dwelling Fire, Commercial Flood, Group Accident, Garage Dealers, Inland Marine, Law Enforcement Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional Liability, Personal Umbrella, Commercial Fire, Commercial Umbrella, Excess Flood, Identity Theft, more…

We serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and many other states. We specialize in coastal exposures.
Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

Ho Ho Ho – How December Can Impact Your Insurance

 Ho Ho Ho – How December Can Impact Your Insurance

Tis the season for gifts and family celebrations – bonfires and feasts! In between all the festivities, please keep the following in mind:

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (www.samhsa.gov). If you are impaired while celebrating, don’t get behind the wheel to drive. An automobile crash is costly because you will have higher insurance cost, you will be inconvenienced while your auto is being repaired, and even worse, someone could be hurt or killed. Use a Designated Driver or an Uber to get you safely to your destination.

Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. Your health insurance may require that you first pay a deductible for treatment, and you will waste hours of your precious holiday sitting in an emergency room if a child or family member is injured by an unsafe toy. Balloons can choke or suffocate a child so discard any burst balloons right away. Toys with small parts could cause choking for young children. Be sure to review the age appropriateness of the gifts. Riding toys such as bikes and skates can result in falls with concussions, abrasions and worse. Ensure that proper safety helmets and other gear is worn. Discarded wrapping paper, boxes, and plastic should be disposed right away.

Expensive gifts may require that you alert your insurance agent so you are properly covered. Beautiful jewelry or art, vehicles, ATV’s and more require insurance protection for their value and any liability exposure. An appraisal or invoice may be required to add fine art or jewelry to your policy, and stand alone coverage may also be available.

With all the great parties and plentiful foods, be certain to keep up your exercise routine and medications, so you do not have to use your health insurance due to illness. Large events that you may host at your home or business with adult beverages served may increase your liability exposure, so for a large event, you should consider Event Insurance for your protection.

December brings colder weather in most areas and also brings dangers to your home and business with possible burst water pipes and for your auto with freezing ice or roads. There are more home fires during December, from kitchen fires due to more cooking, to holiday decorations catching fire, or candle fires, fireplace issues, or brittle Christmas trees. Take precautions to avoid having to file insurance claims. Confirm that your smoke alarms are functioning and that you have your escape plan in place and that all family members know what to do.

Be safe and enjoy your holidays! Merry Christmas!

Angelyn Treutel Zeringue is President of SouthGroup Insurance Services, a CPA, PWCAM, CBIA, and licensed Trusted Choice Insurance Agent.  Reach Angelyn at www.southgroupgulfcoast.com, (228) 385-1177, or azeringue@southgroup.net.

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 convenient locations!

To help you through the maze of coverages, carriers, premiums, and find ways to save money on your insurance, if you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com/ , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Melissa Dunn, Alex Treutel,  Anne Gillam, Mark Strickland, Joseph Eagle, Michael Scardino, Melinda Teaford, Wendy Butler, Gabriella Scardino and Brittany Eagle at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: info@southgroupgulfcoast.com, phone or text:228-466-4498 or 228-385-1177, fax:888-415-8922, FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have more locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Workers Compensation, Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group and Individual Life/Health/Dental/Disability/ Vision/Long Term Care, Business Owners, Builders Risk, Commercial Crime, Errors and Omissions, Dwelling Fire, Commercial Flood, Group Accident, Garage Dealers, Inland Marine, Law Enforcement Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional Liability, Personal Umbrella, Commercial Fire, Commercial Umbrella, Excess Flood, Identity Theft, more…

We serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and many other states. We specialize in coastal exposures.
Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

 We all love to get a new car!  The smell, the feel, the shiny paint and clean glass!! Wow!!  But then comes the "hidden cost" - insurance, parts, maintenance, gas, more.

Your Trusted Choice Advisor can help you SAVE MONEY ON INSURANCE!  

Here are the TOP WAYS TO SAVE WHEN YOU BUY A CAR:
+ Compare the cost of insurance for the vehicles you are considering to buy
+ Consider a car that is not frequently stolen, check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
+ Choose a type that has lower maintenance and repair costs, like these:

Subaru Outback.

Jeep Wrangler.

Honda CR-V.

Subaru Forester.

Ford Escape.

Ford F-150.

Chevrolet Equinox.

Jeep Cherokee.

Toyota Tacoma.

Toyota RAV4.

+ Check out a hybrid - many insurance carriers provide discounts for hybrids
+ Look at cars with lower repair costs, check with Consumer Reports
+ Buy a vehicle with automatic daytime running lights that make you easier to see on the road


TOP WAYS TO SAVE WHEN YOU BUY AUTO INSURANCE:
+ Check with your local Trusted Choice agent for multiple quotes
+ Bundle home and auto with the same insurance company for added savings
+ Pay for the full policy term instead of monthly installments to save 
+ Save your insurance for big claims - take care of the little things yourself so you have less "dings" on your record from turning in a number of small dollar claims
+ Bump up comprehensive and collision deductibles
+ Review your coverage to be certain you have the correct vehicles and drivers listed


TOP WAYS TO KEEP ON SAVING
+ Most insurance companies provide "good driver discounts" and "good student discounts"
+ Ask about "senior discounts" and credits for taking driver safety courses
+ Check into military and teacher discounts
+ Many companies are now offering "diminishing deductibles" 
+ Continue being a safe driver with a good driving record
+ If you drive less, let your agent know so you can receive credit for a low mileage vehicle
+ Improve your credit record
+ Use the driver monitoring devices; they are not as creepy as they seem, and you use them for about 30 days and then take them out and send them back --- and you can save a bunch on your insurance!!

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 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 2 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi 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!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

Happy New Year! What is YOUR New Year's Resolution? Better Get Life Insurance!

 You are not planning to have a heart attack tomorrow, or get a cancer diagnosis, or accidentally step out in front of a bus. For that reason, and especially if you are young and healthy and have no dependents, life insurance probably isn’t for you. Or is it?

Let’s look at what life insurance is, what it covers, and why people buy it. Then you can decide if now is the time to contact an independent agent in the Trusted Choice network who specializes in life insurance. Because these agents work with multiple life insurance carriers, they can compare policies and options on your behalf and help you make the best choice. Contact a local agentwww.southgroupgulfcoast.com for help meeting your life insurance goals.

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Life Insurance Statistics

• 40% of American adults have no life insurance
• Over 50% of U.S. households lack adequate life insurance coverage
• About 40% of people surveyed say they would have immediate financial trouble if the primary wage earner in their household died

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Why Buy Life Insurance?

As with all insurance, life insurance plans are about preparing for the unexpected. We don’t plan to have a heart attack or meet an untimely end. We may fret about the unforeseen, but there are few ways to prepare for it. Life insurance provides a way to be prepared and get peace of mind.

The main reason to buy life insurance is for financial protection for your family and dependents. If you are the sole income earner or the major provider in your family, then life insurance definitely makes sense. If you should die unexpectedly, your policy will help your loved ones pay your final expenses and potentially receive ongoing support. The amount they receive will depend upon the size of policy you buy.

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Do You Need Life Insurance When You Are Young?

Most people don’t think about buying life insurance when they are young, healthy and single. However, if something should happen to you unexpectedly, a life insurance policy could pay for your student loans or other large outstanding debts, as well as your funeral expenses. These are never fun things to think about, but evaluating risks is a first step to preparedness.

Another good reason to consider buying life insurance at a younger age is to lock in rates. The affordability of life insurance is based largely on your age and risk factors, and life insurance for adults becomes increasingly expensive. While you are young and healthy, you will pay lower premiums. With short term insurance you can choose a lock-in term, such as 15 or 20 years at a preferred rate.

It is important to know that many term policies can be converted into permanent policies later on, without having to re-qualify. If you develop a severe or chronic condition at any point, your life insurance is already secured. Essentially you can insure your insurability.

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Life Insurance Over 30

Most people begin seriously thinking about buying a life insurance policy at about the time they start a family. If you are like many people, the light bulb may come on at about the age of 30, when you realize that you are mortal, and that you have real financial responsibilities.

An important consideration for anyone who wants to purchase life insurance is that it will never be cheaper than it is today. It’s not too late at the age of 30, 40 or 50 or even later to buy life insurance that will protect your dependents from financial hardship or provide for you in retirement. But your costs will go up the longer you wait. If you do buy life insurance now, you can lock in a life insurance premium at a more affordable rate than it will be a few years down the road.

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How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

Choosing a life insurance plan requires a bit of math. You want to figure out how much your family needs for daily spending and major upcoming expenses in the event that you pass away too soon and cannot provide for them. Or, if you are young, single and healthy, you can look at the cost of paying off any debt you have accumulated, or the cost of care for an aging parent.

For the following simple example, we will pretend there is no interest or tax. But in reality those factors will affect the amount of benefit your beneficiaries receive.

Example:

• You purchase a $500,000 life insurance policy.
• Upon your passing, your family spends $10,000 for your final expenses, leaving $490,000 to be divided up over the payout period for your designated beneficiaries.
• If the payout period is 20 years, the payments would be about $24,500 per year, or about $2,040 per month.

Again, interest and tax are not figured into this simplified example. What makes life insurance so confusing is that there are several different types of coverage, including term life and whole life or permanent life insurance. Additionally, the details of the policy you choose will be unique to your personal situation.

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Life Insurance Terminology

It can be difficult to make sense of life insurance terminology. Here is a brief overview of the most common terms:

• Accidental death insurance: Also known as accidental death and dismemberment insurance, or AD&D, this coverage pays you or a beneficiary a benefit if you are in an accident that results in your being killed or dismembered.
• Annuities: An annuity is a type of insurance that either pays income after your initial investment (immediate annuity) or accumulates income (deferred annuity). Either of these types of annuities can be fixed (guaranteed) or assigned a variable rate that pays out based on the policy’s associated investments. Life insurance companies typically offer annuities to help people  obtain a stable income during retirement.
• Critical Illness Insurance: While not a life insurance policy, critical illness insurance is often available through life insurance companies. You might buy critical illness insurance (or CI) if you have a family history of heart disease or cancer in order to ensure that you have the financial resources to pay for your care if you are diagnosed with a severe illness.
• No exam life insurance: This is life insurance coverage that some companies offer without requiring a medical exam first. Typically, this option will be more expensive because without submitting the results of a medical exam to the insurance company, you are an unknown and potentially greater risk.
• Term life insurance: This is a life insurance policy that provides a death benefit only. Your annual premiums are locked in for a set term, such as 10 or 20 years. In the event that you pass away during this period, a death benefit is paid to your beneficiaries.
• Permanent life insurance: This is a long-term policy, such as universal life insurance or whole life insurance, that includes an investment component and can cover retirement expenses in addition to providing a death benefit.
• Universal life insurance: A permanent life insurance policy with a “liquid” account that accrues cash value, as well as interest, with each premium you pay. You can take out loans as needed for unexpected expenses or opportunities, such as a home purchase. You also can pay more than the scheduled premium, or take breaks from paying premiums.
• Whole life insurance: Whole life is a permanent policy with an investment component that provides for your financial needs similarly to universal life insurance, but without the liquidity of the funds. This life insurance policy accrues a cash value and pays out at the end of the policy, if it is kept current.

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Finding the Right Life Insurance for You

Life insurance causes more confusion for people than perhaps any other type of insurance, partly because there are several different types of life insurance products, and partly because the best life insurance is unique to each individual. Should you buy term life or permanent life insurance? Do you need a broker or can you get life insurance from an agency? Should you buy life insurance coverage online or is that too risky?

While you can buy online life insurance, it may be difficult to know what you are getting and whether it will adequately meet your family’s needs. Buying life insurance is a very personal decision. You may want a policy that builds cash value over time, or you may simply want to purchase coverage that will provide a death benefit if you should pass away within a specific term.

Depending upon the ages of your children and how long it is until they graduate from college, a 10-year, 20-year or 30-year life insurance term policy might be appropriate for you. Or, you may need life insurance to cover only your final expenses. These choices are individual, and for this reason it is smart to consult with a knowledgeable life insurance agent.

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How an Independent Agent Can Help Find the Best Life 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, Tracy Arnold, 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@southgroupgulfcoast.com, phone: 228-466-4498 fax:888-415-8922,  FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast, or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! 

We have 2 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi 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!
#trustedchoice #southgroup @southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

Recommended Insurance for Your New Business - Coverages and Explanations

Blood, sweat, and tears go into a new business startup.  You have enough to worry about with establishing your corporate structure, your accounting system, your location, your office layout, your stock, your inventory, and more --- but you also need to protect your investment -- and you need HELP!

This is where a good Trusted Choice Insurance Adviser comes in (www.southgroupgulfcoast.com).  Your Independent Insurance Agent will conduct a through Risk Assessment and will offer suggestions for mitigating or eliminating your risks.  If the risks cannot be eliminated, your Trusted Adviser will provide you with options to insure your exposure.

Forbes (www.forbes.com) provided a good outline of some coverages you will want to consider for protecting your assets and your investment.

1) General Liability Insurance - provides both defense and damages if you, your employees or your products or services cause or are alleged to have caused Bodily Injury or Property Damage to a third party
2) Property Insurance -  provides building, and business personal property, including office equipment, computers, inventory or tools protection from fire, vandalism, theft, smoke damage etc.  You may also want to consider business interruption/loss of earnings insurance coverage to protect your earnings if the business is unable to operate.
3) Business Owner's Policy - Often, BOP’s will include business interruption insurance, property insurance, vehicle coverage, liability insurance, and crime insurance- and you can tailor it to your specific needs.
4) Commercial Auto Insurance - protects a company’s vehicles and vehicles that carry employees, products or equipment.
5) Worker's Compensation -  provides wage replacement and medical benefits payments to employees who are injured on the job.
6) Professional Liability Insurance -  provides defense and damages for failure to or improperly rendering professional services, and is critical for any professionals such as lawyers, accountants, consultants, agents, and any profession providing services.
7) Directors and Officers Insurance - protects the directors and officers of a company against their actions that affect the profitability or operations of the company.
8) Data Breach Coverage -  provides protection in the event of data loss of sensitive or non-public information and all of the compliance requirements and legal action necessary following a breach.
9) Homeowner's Insurance - protect against damage to your home and against damage to items inside the home, and protects you for accidents for which you are deemed personally liable.
10) Renter's Insurance - protects against damage to the physical property, contents of the property, and personal injury within the rented dwelling.
11) Life Insurance - provides funds to your family or beneficiary in the event of your death.
12) Personal Automobile Insurance - protects against both physical damage and bodily injury resulting from a crash, and also any liability that might rise from the collision.
13) Personal Umbrella Insurance -  an extension to an already existing insurance policy and covers beyond the regular policies.

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 2 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi 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!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

How to Save Money on Auto Insurance

Ummmmm - the smell of a new car!  The clean seats, the heated steering wheel, the spacious back seat!  We all love to get a new car!  We are so happy when we drive it off of the lot -  But then comes the "hidden costs" - insurance, parts, maintenance, gas, more.

Here are the TOP WAYS TO SAVE WHEN YOU BUY A CAR:

+ Compare the cost of insurance for the vehicles you are considering to buy

+ Consider a car that is not frequently stolen, check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

+ Choose a type that has less documented claims, like these:

·  Buick Rendezvous

·  Pontiac Solstice

·  Buick Terraza

·  Honda Odyssey

·  Mazda MX-5 Miata

·  Subaru Outback

·  Ford Five Hundred

·  Volvo V70

·  Chrysler Town & Country

·  Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

+ Check out a hybrid - many insurance carriers provide discounts for hybrids

+ Look at cars with lower repair costs, check with Consumer Reports

+ Buy a vehicle with automatic daytime running lights that make you easier to see on the road

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Advisor can help you SAVE MONEY ON INSURANCE! 

TOP WAYS TO SAVE WHEN YOU BUY AUTO INSURANCE:

+ Check with your local Trusted Choice agent (www.southgroupgulfcoast.com) for multiple quotes

+ Bundle home and auto with the same insurance company for added savings

+ Pay for the full policy term instead of monthly installments to save

+ Save your insurance for big claims - take care of the little things yourself so you have less "dings" on your record from turning in a number of small dollar claims

+ Bump up comprehensive and collision deductibles

+ Review your coverage to be certain you have the correct vehicles and drivers listed

TOP WAYS TO KEEP ON SAVING

+ Most insurance companies provide "good driver discounts" and "good student discounts"

+ Ask about "senior discounts" and credits for taking driver safety courses

+ Check into military and teacher discounts

+ Many companies are now offering "diminishing deductibles"

+ Continue being a safe driver with a good driving record

+ If you drive less, let your agent know so you can receive credit for a low mileage vehicle

+ Improve your credit record

+ Use the driver monitoring devices; they are not as creepy as they seem, and you use them for about 30 days and then take them out and send them back --- and you can save a bunch on your insurance!!

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 #savemoney

COVID Getting Back to Business Using Risk Management

We are all getting excited about getting back to business, but none of us wants to have to deal with another bad situation, so there are some important risk management steps we can take to bring our businesses alive again in the safest possible manner.  There are several really good implementation ideas in this article from our HR Partner (www.myhrconcierge.com)

Start by Conducting a Risk Assessment to identify hazards and high-risk areas such as breakrooms or other places where people may gather and if there is possible exposure while staff is performing their duties.  Identify any high-risk individuals that need to be afforded extra protections.  Then evaluate the likelihood of infections and how you will deal with the situation.  Think of your worst case scenario.

Following your Assessment, work on a plan to control your risk by avoiding it altogether if possible, or taking preventive action to control it. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and OSHA provide guidance on workplace controls to consider.  Alternating work schedules may be helpful in reducing exposure and continuing social distancing.  Use of masks and gloves and good hygiene are recommended, in addition to changing air filters frequently.  Host meetings virtually and discourage hand shaking.

Become knowledgeable of the symptoms of illness and take proactive measures to confidentially handle the situation by expressing sympathy because there will be a lot of fear, and then have the individual identify any others they have encountered in the past 14 days who may also be exposed and will now need to be isolated, and then direct the employee with symptoms to seek medical attention.

Frequent environmental cleaning to sanitize your facility is recommended including cleaning and disinfecting any surfaces or devices touched by humans – keyboards, doorknobs, light stitches, desks, etc.

Our world will be changed and we will all be more cautious, but we can work together to get back to business!

To help you through the maze of coverages, carriers, premiums, and find ways to save money on your insurance, if you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com/ , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel,  Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, Johnny Walton, Tracy Arnold  and Whitney Zimmerman Webb at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone or text:228-466-4498 or 228-385-1177, fax:888-415-8922, FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! 

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Workers Compensation, Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group and Individual Life/Health/Dental/Disability/ Vision/Long Term Care, Business Owners, Builders Risk, Commercial Crime, Errors and Omissions, Dwelling Fire, Commercial Flood, Group Accident, Garage Dealers, Inland Marine, Law Enforcement Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional Liability, Personal Umbrella, Commercial Fire, Commercial Umbrella, Excess Flood, Identity Theft, more…
We serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and many other states. We specialize in coastal exposures.
Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

It's a New Year!! Top 6 Reasons To Review Your Insurance Policies!

It's a brand new year filled with resolutions of things we all plan to do to better our lives this year. We think about our diet, our lifestyle and our habits for starters, but who thinks about their insurance?

Like any good and necessary financial review, looking over your insurance policies is equally important and here's the top 6 reasons why you should!

1) Changes to your property could make a difference in the event of a claim!
Have you added a room to your home? Changed the style of roofing material from shingle to tile?
Added a workshop to your property? There are so many simple changes you can make to your
property that are more significant than you realize when it comes to making a claim. If you spend
$10,000 on an addition but failed to inform your insurer to increase your coverage then face a total
loss later on, that addition will not be included in your claim pay out and can cause problems by
delaying the claim processing. This is just one example of many ways these types of changes can affect your policy.  When reviewing your insurance with your Trusted Choice Advisor, be sure to mention any updates you've made to your home regardless of how significant you think they are!

2) Lifestyle changes can create a demand for more or less insurance coverage.
Do you have any new household members? Did someone move in or out? These things may affect your coverage needs. Employment changes, driving distances, and so much more may cause you to need to make important changes to your coverages. In some cases marriages, safer jobs, installing a security system and so much more can be beneficial to your insurance and reduce your rate. Make a list of changes in your life to review with your Trusted Choice insurance agent today. 

3) You could have too much or too little coverage?
Most people purchase an insurance policy when they first purchase their home, but never review
the policy again after years of ownership. Changes in market values, building supply costs, changes to your home design or even the contents of your home are just a few items that need to be discussed with your insurance agent on a regular basis. Does your home or wind or flood policy provide an inflation guard?  Are your coverages consistent on all of your policies?   Your Trusted Choice insurance advisor can tell you after reviewing this information if you have the right amount of coverage for your protection. In some cases you may even have more coverage than necessary, causing you additional expense that you don't need.

Unlike your home policy, however, when you first purchase an auto policy it's usually for a new car
and the value of the car decreases over time. Also, the way you use your vehicle may change over
time. Are you traveling more or less? Are you using your car for business? Is anyone new driving
your car or has a driver previously listed left your household? These are just a few questions to
consider when reviewing your auto insurance policy with your Trusted Choice Agent. 

4) You may be too complacent
Your life and surroundings are constantly changing, but you've had your faith for years now that your insurance will automatically do what you need it to do. Without your input or updates, your policy will remain as it was written years ago, but that may not be suited for you. Have you become complacent? Are you forgetting something? You may not even realize you are, but sitting down with your Trusted Choice insurance agent may spark your memory! 

5) Your business may not be accurately protected
In Business, owners are very focused on day-to-day activities, and small business changes could effect insurance rates. For example, new equipment for your business may have been purchased or new insurance products and services are now available. Have your sales increased significantly? You may need to adjust your coverage.  Have you downsized in some way? This could result in a premium reduction. If you have made any changes during the year, be sure to discuss these with your Trusted Choice Advisor. 

6) When your child goes away to college, what will YOU learn?
As the primary purchaser of your child’s belongings, you are truly aware of the value, so protecting your child’s possessions against loss is a financial priority. Is your child taking a vehicle to school? This is an important consideration as it can have an impact on your auto premium. Planning ahead will help make sure your child is properly insured while away at college. Having the right coverage in place could save you money in the long run.

We're just scratching the surface here! 

Make a list of your questions to bring to your insurance review. Remember no question is foolish. We are licensed Trusted Choice agents with training and education in the industry, and we don't expect our clients to fully understand the ins & outs of insurance, but we are eager to share our knowledge with you. "Do I need extended coverage for my valuables?" "Is my landscaping covered?" "Do I qualify for any discounts?" "Has the rating of my insurance company changed since my policy was written?" These are just a few examples of important questions you need answers to.

Schedule your appointment at one of our convenient locations today. We are looking forward to your review!

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.

To help you through the maze of coverages, carriers, premiums, and find ways to save money on your insurance, if you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com/ , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel,  Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Mark Strickland, Johnny Walton, Tracy Arnold  and Whitney Zimmerman Webb at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone or text:228-466-4498 or 228-385-1177, fax:888-415-8922, FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! 

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Workers Compensation, Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group and Individual Life/Health/Dental/Disability/ Vision/Long Term Care, Business Owners, Builders Risk, Commercial Crime, Errors and Omissions, Dwelling Fire, Commercial Flood, Group Accident, Garage Dealers, Inland Marine, Law Enforcement Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional Liability, Personal Umbrella, Commercial Fire, Commercial Umbrella, Excess Flood, Identity Theft, more…

We serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and many other states. We specialize in coastal exposures.
Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel