Summer 2008

Printable Version (pdf)


In this issue:

How can high gas prices reduce your auto insurance premium?

Economy down, crime up?

Rising GPS thefts

Summertime fun, summertime safety

Health Insurance for your College grad

Long Term Care, long term peace of mind

 

 

 

We welcome your feedback! Please email us with your thoughts or suggestions.


 

 

Check out our new interactive website!
Get quotes, manage your policies, access important claims information. www.fallerinsurance.com

 

 

 

Refer a friend.
We'll send you a
Home Depot gift card.
Learn more about FALLERrewards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a road trip?

If you're one of the millions of Americans who will be vacationing by car this summer, don't go without a good Motor Club plan. Faller Insurance is happy to provide our clients with access to GMAC Motor Club. It provides coverage for any vehicle, for all your family members, for only
$59!

Compare Plans

 

 

 

 

 

Refer a friend.
Get a Home Depot gift card.

Learn more about FALLERrewards.

 

 

Check out our new interactive website!
Get quotes, manage your policies, access important claims information. www.fallerinsurance.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traveling abroad?

Consider purchasing Travel Medical Insurance which provides coverages such as:

Up to $1,000,000 Medical Coverage
Lost Baggage
Medical Evacuation Emergency Dental
Trip Interruption
Emergency Reunion

Visit
Global Underwriters
for a quote and apply direct.
Please use quotes@fallerinsurance.com email address

.

Turning 65 soon?

You may soon find yourself struggling with the task of finding the right Medicare Supplement and/or Medicare RX plan for you. Faller Insurance Agency is proud to represent one of the industry leaders, Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Call a Faller agent for more information.

 

Visit Medicare.gov for information about Medicare and Medicare Rx.

 

Greetings!

We hope you will take a few minutes to read our newsletter. You may find some of the information helpful. Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions regarding this information.

Sincerely,

The Faller Team

How can high gas prices lower your auto insurance premium?

Many motorists are finding that high prices at the pump are forcing them to evaluate their driving habits. Instead of driving to work, many have chosen to take public transportation, car pool, or ride a bike. Some employers are even allowing employees to work out of their home or adjust their workdays to 3-4 days a week instead of 5.

If your driving has been reduced, you may be able to lower your auto insurance premium. One of the factors that determines auto insurance rates is the usage; how many miles are driven one way to work or school, how many days a week, and an estimated annual mileage. Call a Faller agent to see if these changes will reduce your insurance premium.

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Economy down, crime up?

With a down turn in the economy, we may soon see crime on the rise. Currently, according to FBI statistics, a house, apartment or condominium is burglarized once every 15 seconds. But did you know burglary is probably the most preventable of crimes? Of course there are no guarantees, but by taking a few precautions, you can dramatically reduce the risks.

Most burglars like:

  • A home that is unoccupied
  • Something worth stealing
  • Easy access combined with low visibility

What they don't like are light, time, and noise.

Light

  • Install motion-sensitive lights.
  • Use a timer to activate lights inside your home.
  • Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows so burglars can't hide in the shadows.

Time

Make it time-consuming for a burglar to break into your home.

  • Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
  • Install double key locks in doors which contain glass.(Note: so that everyone in the house can get out in the event of a fire, be sure to keep the key in designated place).
  • Place additional locks on all windows and patio doors.

Noise

  • Install an alarm system that will alert neighbors of a burglar's presence. Most systems can even summon local police or an alarm servicing company directly.

Other tips:

  • "Case" your home the way a burglar would and look for easy ways to enter your home.
  • Work with your neighbors. Organize a Neighborhood Watch and let your neighbors know when you will be away for an extended period.
  • While on vacation, have someone pick up your newspapers and mail, so that they do not accumulate and alert burglars of your absence.

Sometimes, all your efforts won't stop a determined burglar. It's wise to take some precautions that will help you get your property back should a criminal break into your home:

  • Make a list, photos or video of your belongings (be sure to keep receipts, especially for expensive items like stereos and computers).
  • Be sure to update this list periodically. Keep copies of your inventory list and receipts in a safe deposit box or with a friend. (This is also important in the event of a house fire.)
  • Engrave your valuables with an identification or mark to deter burglary and to prove ownership should the article be stolen and recovered by the police.
  • Be sure you have the right coverage. You may need to purchase additional coverage to protect special items like expensive jewelry or rare antiques.

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Rising GPS theft

If you open the local paper to the police blotter section, you may see a special section dedicated to GPS thefts alone. What makes this product desirable to thieves is that they are small, high-end items bringing in quick cash. Many people are unaware that unless the GPS is permanently installed in your vehicle it is not covered under most auto insurance policies.

Even though many people hide their GPS devices when they park their car, they usually don't bother to take down the mount from the windshield or dash. And when they do, thieves also know it's there by the tell tale signs of marks left by the suction cup.

Some tips for preventing your treasured GPS from being snatched:

  • Consider using a friction mount. Friction mounts rest on the dashboard instead being attached to the glass, and can be easily hidden under the seat when the car is parked. Plus, there's no revealing ring on the windshield to tip off thieves.

  • If you do use a windshield mount, remove it when parking the car and wipe off the suction cup smudge.

  • Write down the serial number of your GPS and register it with the manufacturer. That way, if it ever goes missing you can prove the unit was yours.

  • If your GPS includes a lock/password feature, use it. These simple passwords / PIN combinations are easily cracked within a day or two, but you might as well make things as difficult as possible for the thieves!

The best thing you can do is to keep all signs of your GPS and other personal property out of sight when your car is parked.

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Summertime fun, summertime safety

Summer's here along with summer fun of swimming, sailing, skating and more. But did you know more accidents happen in the summer than any other season. You can prevent injuries to you, your family and guests by reviewing the summer safety tips from the Red Cross and American Academy of Pediatrics.

This may also be a good time to review your liability protection. Liability coverage protects you, and relatives who are part of your household, if you're legally liable for injuries to other people either on or off your property, or if you cause damage to anyone else's property.

Typically your liability protection should be greater than your net assets. Homeowner's insurance policies are usually issued with liability limits of $100,000, $300,000 or $500,000. Up to $5 or $10 million more protection is available by adding a personal umbrella policy.

A swimming pool, even an inflatable pool, can increase your liability exposure (learn about home swimming pool safety ). Insurance companies provide liability coverage at no extra charge for in-ground or aboveground swimming pools when the property is fenced in and there are no diving boards.

A trampoline is also a liability exposure. Many insurance companies will not provide homeowner's insurance when there's a trampoline on the property. Also, because many children have been injured playing on home trampolines, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises, "Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines." (See Consumer Product Safety Alert .)

Skateboarding is another very popular sport for many young people. But having a skateboarding ramp will increase your liability exposure. (Learn about skateboarding safety.) The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, "Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home."

Having a watercraft, including a jet ski or wave runner, is another increase in your liability exposure. (Learn about water safety.) While many homeowner policies provide coverage for some types of watercrafts such as a sailboat less than 26 feet, the majority of vessels will require additional coverage.

Evaluating your liability exposures can be challenging. You can always call a Faller agent for expert advice.

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Health insurance for your college grad

You can't believe it. Your son or daughter just graduated college. Employment prospects are in sight but not settled yet. Did you know that most health insurance plans, group or individual, discontinue coverage for dependants once they are no longer full time students?

A dependant coming off a group plan has the option to continue coverage under COBRA if applicable, but will need to pay 100% of their premium. If the COBRA option is too expensive and your child does not have any pre-existing conditions, a short-term option may be the solution. If you would like to get a quote and apply for coverage go to our Assurant Weblink or call a Faller agent for more information.

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Long Term Care, long term peace of mind

Research shows nearly half of all Americans will need long-term care at some point in their lives, and one in five Americans over the age of 50 is at a high risk of needing long-term care in the next 12 months. Additionally, the cost of long-term care services may be surprising.

That's why it's such a good idea to consider long-term care insurance as an integral part of a well-rounded financial plan. It may help protect your hard-earned assets, and provide more control over how and where you receive care should you need it.

Faller Insurance represents MetLife, a recognized leader in long-term care insurance. We can help you better understand your options, explain how the coverage works, and where you can get a policy that best meets your needs and budget. Helping you make an informed choice is our goal. Please call a Faller agent for more information.

Learn more about Long Term Care insurance.

Go to MetLife Mature Market Institute for up to date research on aging