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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Do You Know What Your Home Insurance Really Covers?

WOW! According to a survey conducted by MetLife, 31% of Americans don’t know how much their home insurance coverage is, according to an Insurance Literacy survey. Many don’t know the difference between replacement cost and market value. Most believe their policy will pay “full cost” to rebuild their home after a major loss, and they don’t understand how the deductible applies.

More than half stated that they would rather pay more than not be covered for a loss. The BEST VALUE is  to select coverage that meets your needs, instead of just seeking the lowest price. Your Trusted Choice agent can help you get value for the money you pay.

Did you know - you have options available to protect the data and programs on your mobile devices?
Did you know – your college kids living on campus may be covered under your current home policy?
Did you know – earth movement and earthquake is not typically covered under a home policy and may require an endorsement or a separate policy?
Did you know – water or sewer backup into your home is typically not covered without adding an endorsement?
Did you know – there are limitations on your home policy for jewelry and collectibles?

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.

If you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://http//www.treutel.com  , Angelyn at Treutel Insurance. You can reach us by email: info@treutel.com  , phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook www.facebook.com/treutel.insurance , Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel  , or LiveChat: http://chat.livechime.com/treutel/blog , or on our new iPhone app http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/treutel-insurance-agency-your/id385707740?mt=8 !

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Workers Compensation, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group Life and Health/Dental, 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…

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina

The Insurance Information Institute offers advice on how to be prepared for the next Katrina, as we commemorate the 5th anniversary of the death and devastation from that horrific storm.  Certainly the hurricane was a major catastrophe, but almost as bad, many individuals and businesses suffered a second tragedy after the storm .... because they were not properly insured.

LESSONS LEARNED:
1) Be sure you have flood insurance
2) Businesses need businesss interuption coverage.
3) Strengthen your property  NOW with wind and flood mitigation upgrades and you will SAVE MONEY on your current home and business insurance (i.e.roof enhancements, windows and door protection, clear overhanging limbs and trees within 15 feet of your home, elevate low-lying structures and equipment, etc)
A great guide is located on the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting website (www.msplans.com/MWUA) under the MWUA Retrofit Mitigation Guidelines link).  Other excellent information is available at the Institute for Business and Home Safety website (http://www.disastersafety.org/) with downloads on Fortified structures.
4) Take a current inventory of your belongings for an easier claim process (i.e. use your camera or FLIP to take pictures or use free inventory software from III.
5) Have a disaster preparedness plan, so that you can quickly get "back into business".
6) Review your policies with your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent to ensure your property and content values are updated, so that you are not underinsured.
7) For your safety, follow the advice of the officials if you are told to evacuate.  Some policies even offer a limited reimbursement program for mandatory evacuations.  Check your policy.

If you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://http//www.treutel.com , Angelyn at Treutel Insurance. You can reach us by email: info@treutel.com , phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook www.facebook.com/treutel.insurance, Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel , or LiveChat: http://chat.livechime.com/treutel/blog.


We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Workers Compensation, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group Life and Health/Dental, 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…

Monday, July 26, 2010

How Your Lifestyle Impacts Your Auto Insurance

Insurance Journal just published an interesting article titles "Drivers Beware: Lindsay Lohan Offers Lessons in Auto Insurance".

The article shares how risky behavior impacts your insurability and your rates.  Using Lindsey Lohan as an example, with 2 DUIs, an at-fault accident, a single 24 year old female driving a convertible in California would pay over $7400 every six months for auto insurance.  A driver with a clean driving record would only pay around $2000 every six months.  Quite a difference!

Risky behavior also could impact life insurance rates.  So the moral of the story is to work diligently to keep your driving record clean and keep good credit to obtain the most favorable insurance rates. A DUI can stay on your record for 10 years!

If you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://http://www.treutel.com// , Angelyn at Treutel Insurance. you can reach us by email:info@treutel.com, phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook, Twitter, or LiveChat:chat.livechime.com/treutel/blog.


We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Workers Compensation, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group Life and Health/Dental, 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…

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Crazy Vehicles on a Road Near You!!

Don't miss the great slideshow of fun cars you may see on the highway - a Phone Car, a Three Wheel Car, a Corvette Stationwagon, a Clown Car, a Ghostbusters Wagon, a Pumpkin Chucker, a Star Wars Landcruiser, and more.

When you get one of these crazy vehicles, if you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama, contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://www.treutel.com/ / , Angelyn at Treutel Insurance. you can reach us by email:info@treutel.com, phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook, Twitter, or LiveChat:chat.livechime.com/treutel/blog.


We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Workers Compensation, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group Life and Health/Dental, 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…

Friday, June 11, 2010

HURRICANE SEASON - What happens when oil is in flood water???

Thankfully, BEFORE the actual event, FEMA has issued guidance on on the looming issue of oil and water claims which could result from a hurricane surge in the Gulf. FEMA has issued Bulletin W-10065 to clarify coverage under these circumstances (attached).

Coverage for Commercial buildings and contents damaged by pollutants is limited to $10,000. Coverage for Residential buildings and contents is only limited by the selected policy limits and is limited to direct physical damage.

Coverage is only provided for structures. There is no coverage for grounds or soil damage. There is no coverage for special removal methods used to comply with local ordinances.

Flooding (and anything carried in with the water, such as oil) is typically EXCLUDED from home and propoerty policies, so be certain you have flood insurance to protect your assets.  And remember that in most cases, there is a 30 day waiting period for flood coverage to begin, and you must purchase DWELLING and CONTENTS coverage separately.  Your Trusted Choice agent (http://www.treutel.com/) can assist you in placing flood coverage.
If you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://www.treutel.com/ , Angelyn at Treutel Insurance. You can reach us by email: info@treutel.com  , phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook, Twitter, or LiveChat:chat.livechime.com./treutel/blog or through our 24/7 Client Service Portal.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Hurricane Season is Here - Is Your Insurance Ready???

OK - It's back.  We all know the drill.  Hurricane season is upon us and we need to be ready --- again.  Let's pray that the meteorologists are wrong, and that our season will be non-eventful .... but let's be prepared for the worst.  Don't let your insurance situation become a SECOND disaster after a hurricane.

1) FLOOD DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER YOUR HOME OR FIRE POLICY.  You need a SEPARATE policy for each structure on your property.  There is a 30 DAY WAITING period for most flood insurance policies.  Contact Treutel Insurance for this valuable coverage!

2) Make or request a summary of your insurance coverages.  Be sure that your coverages are adequate and that your mortgage / lienholders are accurate.  Contact Treutel Insurance for needed assistance.

3) Make personal preparations for your home and business, and email Treutel Insurance with your contact information if you must evacuate.  This will expedite the claims processing.

4) Following a storm or any extreme weather, take pictures, make a list of damaged items with estimated pricing, and DON'T THROW ANYTHING AWAY until an adjuster has seen it.  Your adjuster will review which items are covered under your policy.

5) If you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://www.treutel.com//, Angelyn at Treutel Insurance.  You can reach us by email:info@treutel.com, phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook, Twitter, or LiveChat:chat.livechime.com/treutel/blog or through our 24/7 Client Service Portal.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Are You Ready for the Next Disaster?

Look out !!  Here it comes !!!  Another disaster !!!

Oil Spill, hurricane, earthquake, tornado, flood, extreme weather .... everywhere you live, you are at risk for a disaster.  do you have the right insurance coverage to help you recover from your loss?  Trusted Choice just conducted a survey which revealed that only 22% of the responders felt they were prepared.  What a sobering statistic!

For your own protection, setup a disaster and emergency plan for your family and business, make a video of your household belongings and business property or take an inventory, have supplies on hand (flashlights, canned food, etc) in the event you lose power for an extended time, AND MOST IMPORTANT, make sure that you have the right insurance coverage to protect what you have built through your lifetime.

Trusted Choice® and the Big “I” offer information on disaster readiness and recovery tips for consumers.
•Hurricanes
•Flooding
•Tornadoes
•Earthquakes
•Wildfires
•Where to start your disaster preparedness plan
•How to prepare a home inventory
•How to storm-proof your home

A Trusted Choice agent can help you understand your policy coverages and will recommend coverages which you need for your protection and help you save money on insurance.

If you are in Mississippi, Lousiana, or Alabama contact your Trusted Choice agent, Treutel Insurance - http://www.treutel.com// , Angelyn at Treutel Insurance. you can reach us by email:info@treutel.com, phone:228-467-5662, fax:228-466-4314, FaceBook, Twitter, or LiveChat:chat.livechime.com/treutel/blog.


We offer the following Lines of Insurance Coverage: Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Workers Compensation, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group Life and Health/Dental, 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…