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Why
an Independent Insurance Agent?
Some people
think it doesn't really matter where they buy their insurance.
But this misconception could be costing them money, service
and protection. Buying insurance is an important safety net
for your family, your home, your car or your business. Don't
treat the purchase lightly! There is a difference in where
you buy your protection.
Many people don't
realize there are three sources for insurance:
- Captive
Agents, who can sell you the insurance of only one company.
- Telephone
Representatives, who can offer you the insurance of one
company, and only on the phone.
- Independent
Insurance Agents, who represent an average of eight insurance
companies, and research with these firms to find you the
best combination of price, coverage and service.
Your
Independent Insurance Agent . . .
- Is a licensed
professional with strong customer and community ties.
- Gives
you excellent service and competitive prices because your
agent can access the insurance coverage from more than one
company.
- Unlike
other agents, is not beholden to any one company; thus,
you don't need to change agencies as your insurance and
service needs change.
- Assists
you when you have a claim. Is your consultant, working with
you as you determine your needs.
- Offers
you a choice of insurance plans and programs.
- Is a value
hunter who looks after your pocketbook in finding the best
combination of price, coverage and service.
- Offers
one-stop shopping for a full range of products -- home,
renters, auto, business, life and health.
- Can periodically
review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance
needs.
- Treats
you like a person, not just another number.
Customer
satisfaction is the key to an independent agent's livelihood.
So, serving you is your independent agent's most important
concern. There Is A Difference!
DID YOU KNOW?
The following is a listing of some
of
our investment services:
- Annuities
Guaranteed Interest
Tax Deferred Annuities
Variable Annuities
Immediate Annuities
- Retirement
Plans
IRAs
Roth IRAs
- Business
Retirement Plans
Simples
- Money
Market Accounts
Taxable
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- Mutual Funds
Growth
Income
Growth and Income
- Insurance
Long-term Care
Long-term Disability
Permanent Life
- Survivorship Life
Term Life
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Credit
Checks by Insurance Companies?
Afraid so, sad but true. Personal information
about you, including information from a credit report,
may now be collected from some insurance companies.
Such information as well as other personal and privileged
information collected by the insurance company, may
in certain circumstances be disclosed to third parties.
You have the right to review your
personal information in their files and can request
correction of any inaccuracies. We can give you information
on who to contact if you are rejected due to a credit
score.
Please understand, this is action
taken by the insurance companies. This is not action
taken by Padgett-Young Agency. Our agency does not
see the credit report and does not obtain your credit
score. We are only advised if the application is acceptable
by the insurance company credit score standards.
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Our
Lodi Office
Diane Dickinson
is now our customer service representative for life, health
and mutual funds. If you have a question and your agent is
not available she will be able to assist you.
What
To Do After An Accident
You've been
in an accident. Here are some general guidelines about what
to do next.
- Stop at
once. Never leave the scene of even a minor accident.
- Seek medical
assistance and summon police.
- Do not
admit fault. Do not comment about the accident to anyone
but your insurance representative and call the police. Never
accept or make an offer of cash, check or "private" settlement.
- Gather
accident information: Note the date and time of the accident.
Obtain information on the other driver including: name,
address, phone number, makes of car, vehicle license number,
and insurance company. Obtain the name, address, phone number
of passengers in the other vehicle and witnesses to the
accident. Record a description of what occurred. Draw a
diagram of the accident showing the direction of both cars
and the point of accident. Include street names and location
of traffic signs and signals.
- Report
the accident promptly to your insurance agent.
Most
Homes Underinsured, New Study Finds
According
to a study of claims records filed in the last three years,
nearly 70 percent of all homeowners have insufficient insurance
coverage to rebuild homes destroyed in a disaster. The study
examined files of losses on 10,000 homes valued under a half-million
dollars.
The study
was undertaken to better understand the widespread problem
of underinsurance and the difference between what a new house
costs, and what it costs to rebuild a home that has been declared
a total loss.
Approximately
70 percent of home were consistently undervalued by 25 percent,
and 30 percent were insured adequately or overinsured. Researchers
also learned that 60 percent of the claims studied, which
were believed to be total losses by carriers, were in fact
for partial losses that exceeded policy limits.
Upgrades
and renovations, including remodeling, repairs and additions
that add value to a property are often not made part of the
policy's coverage, according to the study's findings. Such
physical improvements as porches, decks, kitchens, bathrooms,
and finished basements, can significantly alter the true replacement
cost of a home.
Ohioans'
Homeowners Insurance Second Lowest In Nation
The average
homeowners insurance premium paid by Ohioan is the second
lowest in the United States, said Lee Covington, director
of the Ohio Department of Insurance. He based his comments
on a new report conducted by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners (NAIC).
According
to the study, the average premium for homeowners and dwelling
fire insurance in the Buckeye State was $292 in 1997, the
last year for which figures are available. Ohioans paid $153
less than that of the national average premium of $445, the
study noted.
"In Ohio,
citizens enjoy a tremendously competitive market that leads
to the lowest possible premiums," Mr. Covington said. "The
department will continue to work toward fostering a competitive
regulatory environment that benefits consumers."
Congratulations,
Jerry!
For the second
year in a row Jerome Linnen, CLU, ChFC, with Padgett-Young
and Associates, Inc. has earned membership in the prestigious
Million Dollar Round Table.
Only those
who have demonstrated exceptional professional knowledge,
expertise and client service are eligible. The Round table's
membership represents the top life insurance and financial
service professionals worldwide.
As a service
to our clients, Jerry is available to help you with your financial
planning.
NEWSLETTER
INDEX
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