Don't Be Scared! It's A SAFE Halloween!

Our pride and joy are our precious children dressed up like little goblins for Halloween.  It seems that there are more dangers lurking in the dark from which we need to protect our Trick or Treaters. 

Let's spread the word and keep our Kids safe!  A few tips from safekids.org:
+ Be careful on the streets - watch for cars when crossing the street - stay on the sidewalks
+ Travel with an adult for proper supervision of smaller children
+ Use costumes that are fun but safe - not overly bulky, non-flammable, non-tripping, and good visibility
+ Spread the word for all drivers be extra cautious for the little cuties out and about.

The CDC shared a clever reminder:
S hort, soft, and flexible costumes
A void walking alone
F asten reflective tape to costumes
E xamine all candy before allowing children to eat

H old a flashlight as you walk
A void irritation to skin by removing makeup
L ook both ways before crossing streets
L ower risk by wearing eye protection
O nly walk on sidewalks where available
W ear well-fitting costumes
E at only wrapped treats
E nter only homes you know
N ever walk near flames

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, e company who provides good claims support to hep you get back going after an incident.  It does you no good to spend very little for a policy that will not pay you or treat you well after a claim. 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

I Felt The Earth Move Under My Feet! Do You Have Earthquake Insurance?

Everywhere you live, you could have a catastrophe.  According to the US Geological Survey, over 20,000 earthquakes occur in the US every year impacting 42 states.  And earthquake coverage may not be covered under your home policy unless you add it back as an endorsement.  Yikes!

Earthquakes cause a breaking and shifting of rocks can trigger landslides, flash floods, avalanches, tsunamis, and fires.  They can occur at any time without warning.  In earthquake prone areas, earthquake insurance for your home or business property may be harder to obtain but is highly recommended. Your auto damage would only be covered under your auto insurance policy's comprehensive coverage.

According to a 2015 Insurance Information Institute survey, only 10% of American homeowners carry earthquake insurance.  This is at the same time that the U S Geological Survey is warning of more fatalities and damage expected from catastrophic earthquakes due to higher populations and development in earthquake prone areas.

So what do you need to do?  check your home and business policy and ask your Trusted Choice agent to what extent you are covered.  The coverage usually has quite a hefty deductible --- usually 10-15%, so be sure you understand what that means to you in the event of a loss.  If you have a $200,000 home with a 10% deductible, you will need to pay the first $20,000 on a loss.  Check with your Trusted Choice agent to better understand your options, your deductibles and your coverages.

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, e company who provides good claims support to hep you get back going after an incident.  It does you no good to spend very little for a policy that will not pay you or treat you well after a claim. 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

Oh the Woes of Starting a Small Business and Buying Insurance Too!!

As if you didn't have enough to do with starting your business - you also have to determine a legal corporate structure, setup your tax id, register with the state, determine a location, hire staff, setup your accounting system AND BUY INSURANCE!

Thank goodness you can rely on your Trusted Choice Agent to assist you in understanding your risk exposures for your industry, and determining which options for coverage and pricing fit your particular need as you start out your business and as your business grows.

Coverages you will need to consider for your operations:
Commercial Auto - to protect your vehicles
Property Insurance - to protect your building, inventory, and contents
Liability Insurance - to protect from lawsuits
Cyber Liability - to protect from emerging risks related to technology
Business Interruption Coverage - provides for payment if your business is unable to operate due to a covered loss

Coverages for your staff:
Workers Compensation - for medical expense and lost wages if your staff gets hurt on the job
Group Health Insurance - for wellness and healthcare for your employees
Disability Insurance - provides compensation for employees unable to work
Group Life Insurance - provides for the families of employees and also can be used as a method of perpetuating your business

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, e company who provides good claims support to hep you get back going after an incident.  It does you no good to spend very little for a policy that will not pay you or treat you well after a claim. 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

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Life Insurance is not for you; it's for those you leave behind. To know how much you need, you should consider 3 factors - 1) Your Annual Bills Are, 2) Your Total Assets 3) Your Total Liabilities.

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, e company who provides good claims support to hep you get back going after an incident.  It does you no good to spend very little for a policy that will not pay you or treat you well after a claim. 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

Watch Out For What Is NOT Covered By Your Insurance!

Few things would be worse than thinking you are covered for something that you are not.  Have you reviewed your policy and coverages lately?  Is there something on your policy you do not understand that you need to review with your Trusted Choice Agent?  The best time to do this is NOW!

 Here are the top things you should know about your insurance contract:

1)      What perils are covered under your policy?  Many policies have exclusions that limit or eliminate coverage.  You may be able to purchase the coverage under a separate policy, such as flood, or add back the coverage through adding an endorsement and paying an additional premium.  Know what you have!

2)      Is your policy providing Replacement Cost coverage?  It is difficult to replace “depreciated” items that are insured at only Actual Case Value.  Ask for Replacement Cost!

3)       Do you have enough coverage for your structure and personal belongings?  A good idea is to use your smartphone to make a visual inventory of all your stuff, and develop an estimate of the cost to buy everything again, because that is the coverage level you should have on your policy.  You may need to raise your coverage!

4)      Do you need “excess” coverage?  Many policies limit the coverage, but umbrella or excess polices may be available to provide you the extra protection needed for liability, flood, or high value items that should be separately scheduled for your home or business.

5)      Do you have coverage to provide living expenses or lost income while your home or business are not available for use during serious repairs to your structure after a claim?  Many policies allow for Loss of Use or Loss of Business Income Coverage.  You need to know your options!

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 

Born To Be Wild But Save on Your Motorcycle and Boat Insurance

Oh, to feel the wind blowing through your hair on the road or on the water. Whether you relieve your stress by riding on a motorcycle or a boat, there are a few things you can do to reduce the worry about your insurance and lower the cost. 

Most preferred insurance companies now base part of the rate on the consumer’s ability to pay their bills on time.  Just like with auto insurance, your credit history will impact your motorcycle or boat insurance cost. Insurance is based on the risk associated with the operator, so your age and driving history will also impact your rate.   The location where you use your bike and boat could impact the rate also, particularly if there are many thefts in your area.  If you ride frequently may impact the rate because the more you use, the odds of a claim are higher.  More powerful bikes and boat engines impact the rates and any special customizations.

For your protection, you will want to ensure that your coverage is adequate to protect what you stand to lose in the event  a major claim.

                Collision – in an at-fault accident this coverage will pay to repair your bike/boat

                Comprehensive / Other Than Collison – covers damage for “acts of God” like weather and also theft, vandalism, and any collision with deer or wildlife

                Medical payments – covers  doctor and hospital costs or burial costs resulting from an accident

                Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist- protects the policy holder if the other party in the accident is not properly covered

                Accessories/ Custom Parts – for an after-market additions to your toys

You can take safety courses and use protective gear to increase your level of protection. And discussions with your Trusted Choice Agent will help you understand your options and ways to save money on your 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, e company who provides good claims support to hep you get back going after an incident.  It does you no good to spend very little for a policy that will not pay you or treat you well after a claim. 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

Wherever You Live, A Catastrophe Can Strike

I always prefer to be an optimist, but the reality is that anywhere you live, a calamity can strike. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Blizzards, Terrorism, Earthquakes, Floods, Fire, and more. 

 It's down right depressing!

Mitigation efforts and improved Building Codes can assist in protecting structures.  Many grants are available for consumers to use to retrofit their homes.  Check out The Institute for Business and Home Safety (www.DisasterSafety.org) to find out how to obtain a "Fortified" designation which may be used to get a credit on your property coverage.

There are many ways to reduce or eliminate risk.  Insurance is available to protect your property from catastrophes.  Check with your Trusted Choice Agent to find out your options. 

 You can save money on your insurance by insuring your property correctly and making your property attractive to the insurance marketplace.  Maintaining good credit, paying your bills on time, and maintaining your property will keep the insurance companies vying for your business.

Your Trusted Choice agent can help you understand the risks you face, and provide you with options so you can decide on coverages and deductibles for the policy you choose. 

 With a good agent and good insurance, you can sleep well at night knowing that you will be able to rebuild your home or business after the worst happens.

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 Coasthttp://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,  FaceBookwww.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