Valuable Insurance Tips | Brownell Insurance

October 15, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

FEMER: Durable Protection for The Entire Family

This FEMER is NOT the strongest bone in your body, but it is the strongest formula to keep you protected – long term.

You plan for everything. Your career, your family, your home expenses, your children and grandchildren – your future. It’s hard to imagine that your future may not include YOU. These unforeseen circumstances happen every day. If your family suddenly had to continue without you – could you say confidently that they have everything they need to live comfortably?

If you have considered a life insurance policy to help protect your loved-ones, then you are moving in the right direction.

If you have considered a life insurance policy to help protect your loved-ones, then you are moving in the right direction. To figure out how much your family would require continuing to live the same lifestyle you all enjoy today, use the following formula to determine precisely what those needs would be.

F

Final Expense – The average funeral and burial costs range from $8,000 to $10,000 for the most basic services. Additionally, any outstanding credit card debt, and some types of loans may also need to be re-paid at that time. Without life insurance, your family would likely have to pay these expenses out of their own pocket.

E

Emergency Fund – Many families do not save enough money to get them through the next six-months, let alone cover their monthly expenses for an extended period. As part of your planning, it is best to obtain a policy which might cover a full two-years’ worth of total family expenses. This allows for those left behind to transition into a new life, with less stress and strain during the mourning period.

M

Mortgage – The death benefit can aid with things like mortgage payments, care of disabled loved ones and basic needs like food and child care. Review your mortgage commitments and plan for enough to carry your family through – or pay the home off entirely if possible.

E

Education – As a parent you of course want the best for your child. This includes ensuring a successful future – which will likely include some higher education. While most students maintain part-time employment while in college, the loss of a parent may force them into a more full-time job. A proper life insurance policy allows your children to focus full-time on getting that diploma sooner rather than later, and not having to choose between going to class or holding down a job.

R

Retirement – What would your spouse do without you – or the social security benefits you both planned on should you no longer be alive to collect them. Planning now for your spouse’s financial future if you were not here to help support them starts with a carefully selected life policy.

Once you have considered all the items just mentioned, you can better calculate the amount of money your family will need to live out the family dreams. You can tailor your policy to meet specific needs of your family, and account for unique nuances your family may require. A life insurance policy can help give you peace of mind that your affairs are taken care of no matter the needs of the family.

To help you better plan for your future, and the security and safety of your family, Brownell Insurance is offering a FREE no obligation consultation. Email Marie for more information or to schedule a time to speak. Marie@brownellinsurance.com.

July 17, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

5 Smart Offerings for Integrating Technology and Saving Money on Insurance

Which products are favored by carriers, and why are they important?

In this high-tech era in which everyone owns a smartphone, and has some access to advanced technologies, we are seeing trends in increased impact to our daily routines. Sure, making telephone calls to clients from the beach, answering inquiries while vacationing in Europe and submitting payroll from the slopes in Aspen are now customary functions, but did you know that many of these devices, when used in conjunction with service providers may offer significant savings on insurance?

Here are 5 tips for capitalizing on this savings to your homeowner’s insurance:

Home Security

The greatest savings for homeowners comes in the category of home security technologies. Well beyond the traditional deadbolt, or the standard home security system, today’s smart home technologies provide everything from video door bells to distance sensing door unlocking services. Various insurance companies have begun to partner with these smart home services to provide safety, security and protection packages for their clients. Some of the top picks include:

Canary Flex HD Security Camera – Canary Flex is the versatile indoor/outdoor weatherproof, HD security camera that works wire-free or plugged in. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Wink.Why the savings?
Canary has a member subscription service (required activation for discounts) the provide all around home monitoring services, including night-vision camera and sensors for things like motion, temperature, and air quality.
Vivint Smart Home – Vivint Smart Home is a professionally installed and monitored home security system. There are multiple packages available for consumers and each include 24/7 monitoring services.Why the savings?
A total home security solution, this platform also allows for the integration of smoke detectors, fire alarms and CO2 detectors. Window and door sensors can also be accompanied by indoor and outdoor cameras which provide users to see who is at the door from their smart phone or in-home screen.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro – Ring Video Systems provide affordability and simplicity of installation. Just about anyone with some basic do-it-yourself experience will be able to install. Once installed it allows for seamless two-way conversation prior to opening the door, and Alexa users can enable a skill which displays the camera image on a compatible Fire TV device.Why the savings?
Savings may be limited to partnership with professional monitoring systems. Check with insurance agent for options and discounts.
August Smart Lock – August Smart Lock attaches to your existing deadbolt, enables keyless (or keyed) entry, and sends you notifications when your door opens and closes. There are two lock options available, and add-ons include August Doorbell Cam Pro, August Smart Keypad and August Connect.Why the savings?
August Smart provides a simple solution to old fashioned keyed entry, and misplaced or plainly hidden spare keys. Also pairs to mobile phones so users are notified any time there is an incident. Liberty Mutual is an investor and currently offers a rebate on the cost of product plus a discount on the premium.

Fire Protection

Nest Protect – Nest Protect sends notifications to your smartphone when it detects danger from smoke or carbon monoxide, tells you specifically where the problem is located, and self-tests so you don’t have to remember.Why the savings?
This multi-service company also offers a variety of home security services and applications for keeping family comfortable and protected. Insurance providers, through the Nest Rewards program, can maintain information about active contracts and working units providing assurance that clients are protected.

Home Maintenance

La Crosse Temperature Monitoring System – This Home Temperature Monitoring System helps monitor indoor temperature and indoor humidity, records MIN and MAX values, and can connect with home security systems to provide alerts to homeowners when extremes in temperature occur.Why the savings?
Homeowners are typically concerned with saving on their heating and cooling bills, but this type of smart devices provide added protection for loss of home goods and damage to pipes cause by freezing temperatures. Insurance companies are invested in the home protection provided by this technology as it reduces the risk of damage to floors, basements and other parts of the home when leakage is deterred.

Other smart devices which provide cyber security measures, surveillance in-home and outdoors, and many more may also positively impact your insurance premiums. New devices and services are constantly entering the market place, and new partnerships with providers are ever-changing. For a current explanation of discounts and benefits contact our office for a free consultation and policy review.

Contact Brownell Insurance at Phone: 603.437.1992 or info@brownellinsurance.com.

May 17, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

New Medicare Card Arriving Soon!

This past month Medicare began mailing out new cards to everyone enrolled in the Medicare program. There are many things to keep in mind while you are waiting for your new membership card, including proper disposal of your existing card once you receive your new one. Ensure that you are not compromising your identity or insurance benefits by allowing your social security number to be stolen due to improperly discarding your old card.

When you receive your new card – note that your card has a new number instead of your Social Security Number. This new number is unique to you. Only give your new Medicare Number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers, or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.

For more great tips please see the Medicare Tips Page Here

March 19, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

5 steps to finally capturing your home inventory

You have worked hard for the things you have and want to protect your investments. Will you be able to recall everything that you have bought in the past ten years? A home inventory can help you file a claim.

Remember to include items like antiques and artwork. If you are like many Americans, you have been meaning to create a home inventory to catalogue your belongings in case of fire, flood or other catastrophe. Sure, there are checklists available to make it a bit easier but finding the time to do a walk through and create the lists can be a challenge. Here are 5 tips to make it easier for you to get started…

USE VIDEO & PHOTO
Beginning the inventory process can be simplified by making good use of your mobile phone. There is an abundance of home inventory applications available through iTunes and Google Play. Many of them are free. They all offer a way of cataloguing contents of your home with descriptions, images and values.

If you are not sold on the idea of using an app to summarize your household contents, then consider making a 360-degree video of each room. Be sure to include content of closets, attic and basement, as well as special items such as jewelry, artwork and electronics. Both methods will prove to be useful if you need to file a claim.

USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM
Many Insurance providers offer tools to make tracking your belongings easier. Whether a home inventory checklist or a handwritten list of high-value items, cataloguing your items will reduce the stress of filing a claim in the event of a loss. To make this process easier join forces with your spouse, adult child or trusted friend.

Divide and conquer, with each person covering a room or set of rooms. You may also to opt to work as a pair, with one person calling out the items, including serial numbers and model numbers, while the other records the information. Either way, it will make the task less daunting when a team approach is used.

SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS
Many homeowner policies of replacement cost coverage. To gauge the proper costs associated with lost items, keep a file of your receipts along with the manual showing model number and/or serial number. Often times we neglect adding new purchases to an existing home inventory list. By using this filing system, you will be sure to have all of the information necessary to file a claim should tragedy occur before you’ve had a chance to update your inventory checklist.

SEPARATE VALUABLE ITEMS LIST
Whether or not you have separate insurance policies for your more valuable items, you will want to keep a separate inventory of these items. In times of distress, it will be difficult to remember all of the costly treasured you have amassed over the years. Remember to include items such as: Jewelry and engagement rings; Silverware, china and crystal; Antiques; Fine art; Stamp and coin collections; Bicycles; Trophies; Sound equipment (recorders); Sports equipment (archery, camping, fishing, skiing); Wedding gifts; Cameras; Computers; Musical instruments; Golf Equipment; Furs; Firearms; Pedigreed dogs; Garden tractors and Political campaign collections.

Check with your agent to make sure that you have adequate insurance coverage for these items as they may need to be insured separately. Consider putting jewelry or other valuables that you don’t often wear or use in a safe deposit box.

MAKE A COPY
Once you have completed your home inventory list (remember a partial or incomplete list is better than none at all) you will want to keep it safe. If you have the inventory recorded digitally, consider using cloud storage to keep it “offsite” but accessible if or when you need it.

If you do not have access to cloud storage options back up digital files on a thumb drive and save handwritten files safely outside of your home. Consider a locked box at your office, or a safe deposit box through your local financial institution.