Many employers offer a life insurance policy as a “perk” to its employees. Often times, employees assume this is all the life insurance they will need. Here are a couple reasons why additional coverage is practical to have. Readmore…
Earn Up to $100 Just by Referring Us!
February 25th, 2011
Allstate and the Ranek Spurgeon Insurance Group are now offering more than just our appreciation for referring your friends and family to us. For a limited time, you will receive a $10.00 gift card from your choice of Wal-Mart or Target as well (limited to a maximum of $100.00). The process and requirements are simple.
- Give us a call with the name of the people we should expect a call from. (We must know the individual is from you prior to completing a quote.)
- Ask your friends and family to give us a call prepared with their existing policy information.
- A full quote will be completed with the great benefits you would expect from Allstate.
- A “random act of kindness” registration form will be filled out requesting a $10.00 gift card on your behalf. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.
A customer referral is defined as a full quote completed or a new client of Allstate. The referral cannot be an existing Allstate client. The referral is not required to sign up with Allstate for you to qualify for the gift card. Only Auto and/or Homeowner customer quotes qualify. Please give us a call with any questions or referrals to (317) 845-5900.
What You Need To Know About Flood Insurance
February 25th, 2011
So often at Ranek Spurgeon Insurance Group we get questions about what is covered with basic flood insurance and what requires additional “riders” for coverage. What is discouraging to us and to a homeowner is when the questions arise after damage has occurred. Readmore…
Are you part of the 50% of Americans who will out life your assets?
February 16th, 2011
With Americans living longer, the country is facing a situation where nearly half (48 percent) of those ages 45-70 have no financial plans in place to protect themselves against outliving their assets and the rising care of healthcare according to a new survey from the Society of Actuaries (SOA).
Additional findings show more than one-third are worried about running out of money during retirement, but only 20 percent plan to purchase an annuity or other form of guaranteed lifetime income to protect their assets.
“It’s apparent that Americans, specifically the baby boomer generation – many of whom will be eligible for retirement the beginning of the new year – have not saved enough money for retirement,” says Anna Rappaport, FSA, MAAA and president of Anna Rappaport Consulting. “With the challenges in the housing and financial markets over the past few years, coupled with the fact that people are living longer, many baby boomers are finding themselves unprepared to maintain their lifestyle in retirement. As actuaries, we cannot stress enough the importance of having a plan in place that addresses all of the risks individuals may face in retirement, such as spending available assets too soon, meeting financial care needs, paying for the rising cost of healthcare and adjusting financially and otherwise to the loss of a spouse.”
Americans are continuing to rely on Social Security more heavily, with nearly three quarters (71 percent) of respondents saying they plan to claim it before the age of 70. Actuaries like Anna Rappaport emphasize the importance of claiming Social Security as late in life as possible to help secure more guaranteed lifetime income in retirement and help hedge against the risk of outliving assets.
Looking at other actions Americans take to protect themselves and hedge against potential future risks, the SOA survey found that 75 percent of Americans ages 45-70 protect their tangible assets, such as housing, through home or renter’s insurance; however, only 19 percent plan to insure the extra costs of disability and well-being by purchasing long-term care insurance.
“While long-term care insurance may be a complex and somewhat costly product, it can act as a financial safety net should people need extensive care in their old age,” says Dawn Helwig, FSA, MAAA and consulting actuary for Milliman, Inc. “Purchasing a long-term care policy or combination product can help mitigate the potential risk of having to pay out-of-pocket for unexpected health-related costs down the road.”
The SOA’s survey findings were based upon a nationally representative online survey of 1,006 individuals, ages 45-70, and had an error rate of plus or minus 3.10 percentage points.
Protect yourself from a possible claim when the snow & ice melt.
February 11th, 2011
As a result of the recent winter storms and frigid temperatures, I am reaching out to help you prepare for potential claims regarding ice damming.
The Allstate Claims Process
Should an ice damming claim occur we will be available to assist them at every step. As a reminder, affected policyholders may report their claim as using any of the three options: through my agency, on their own or by phone.
To report a claim:
1. Go to www.allstate.com OR
2. Call 1-800-ALLSTATE
3. Call my agency (however, filing online or on the phone will be effective immediately and is more efficient due to the specific questions they will need to ask to handle your claim properly).
About the Claims Experience
The length of time it takes to complete the claims process depends on several factors. Visit this Web page http://www.allstate.com/claims/claim-handling-process.aspx for other information about the claim process.
Please see below for information around ice damming that may be helpful to you.
What is ice damming?
Ice and snow build-up on a roof is an unprepared homeowner’s nightmare when heat from a roof covered with at least eight inches of snow melts, leaving the remaining liquid to seep into shingles and tiles. Ice dams can be lumps of ice that form on gutters, eaves and valleys, and prevent melting snow from running down. As the snow melts, the water backs up and seeps under shingles or tiles and eventually into your home.
Preventing ice dams can be as simple as mounting proper insulation and avoiding improper removal of ice and snow. Take a look at these other tips to help minimize ice dam formation on your roof and protect your home from winter damage:
Keep gutters and downspout clear of leaves and natural debris;
Identify areas of heat loss in your attic and properly insulate them to prevent heat from escaping;
Minimize heat loss through the attic by wrapping or insulating all heating ductwork;
Avoid using sharp tools or ice picks on gutters or downspouts, which can damage roofs. Use a snow rake or soft broom to clear fresh snowfall from gutters;
Contact a professional snow removal company to clear existing ice dams; and
Protect yourself by avoiding falling icicles or avalanching snow. Avoid getting on the roof and working on a ladder or beneath a roof that has accumulated large amount of snow.
Other helpful tips may be found by clicking on this link to the Insurance Information Institue website.