Don’t Trust Your Emergency Binder

With hurricane season upon us, it is important for all of us to be prepared in the event of a disaster. Many news stations may recommend creating a “red binder” with all the emergency contact information, insurance policies and medical records you may need, but what happens when your carefully created binder gets destroyed or lost from a hurricane, flood or severe thunderstorm? Even if you’ve created a “waterproof binder,” there’s no such thing as a hurricane-proof binder! 2mypolicies.com gives you access to all of your personal information anytime, anywhere.

Even if you are stuck in an area where you have no power and no Internet, even if you have lost your phone, all of your personal information is stored and backed up in a single secure, password-protected place so you will never be able to lose it. You can also provide a trusted friend or family member with access to your information in case of an emergency.

News stations recommend your “red binder” include copies of identification including driver’s licenses, passports, marriage licenses and social security cards; financial information including checking, savings and retirement account information, stocks and bonds and other investments; health care information including insurance cards and health insurance plans; insurance information including home and auto policies, property photos and jewelry records; wills including your last will and testament, power of attorney and attorney contact information; and important contact information, including family, friend and professional contacts. With all of that information and paperwork, you will definitely have one big binder on your hands! Or, you can upload all of that information on 2mypolicies.com and have access to it with a computer, tablet or smartphone. It’s that simple.

Don’t risk losing a binder full of all of your personal information! 2mypolicies.com’s secure website and mobile app will keep your information in one place and at hand when you need it most.

2mypolicies.com is a secure website and mobile app that manages all of your providers and documents in one place for the entire family’s access and use. You can store essential information about your insurance policies and contact information in one password-protected place, so you can file a claim faster and easier. For more information or to sign up for a subscription, visit www.2mypolicies.com.

77 Year Old Houston Area Man Co-Inventor of Innovative New Mobile App

Not Only Millennials Applying Smarts to the Mobile Market

John Sullivan, 77 year old insurance agent, co-invented 2MyPolicies.com the newly launched mobile website that allows the subscriber to securely upload all of their essential information such as insurance policies and ID cards, provider information, home inventory and other valuable information onto their Smartphones or tablets and share with all of the family members.

Sullivan and his business partner and wife Mary applied their 40 combined years of experience serving their clients in the insurance industry to building a product that empowers insurance policyholders with access to all of their policies when and where they need it. Studies show that the average American family of three spend over $12,000 per year on insurance premiums and yet, have no organized method to access their policy information when needed.

The Sullivans determined after experiencing flood, medical and auto claims of their own and assisting clients in managing their insurance plans that there had to be a better way to file, store, access and share the data for the family. When they couldn’t find a better way they invented it. They witnessed many cases of insurance consumers starving for insurance education. So articles and videos to create more transparency in the insurance industry are also an essential component of the new app.

2MyPolicies.com is the secure and affordable solution. For only $19.95 a month subscription, that’s less than 70 cents a day, the entire family is prepared for whatever emergency occurs with their vital insurance information. Parents can feel secure that their teen driver or college student has their insurance information on their Smartphone which we know never leaves their palms. The information is quickly and easily updated to everyone simultaneously.

Keep Your Insurance Policy at Your Fingertips

Summertime brings summer storms which can mean flood damage, roof damage from falling trees and hurricane season. If you are facing costly home repairs after a major flood or natural disaster, you want to take care of it immediately, without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses. With 2mypolicies.com, you can not only file a claim easier and faster than ever, but you will also be bumped to the top of list when there is a large influx of insurance claims in your area.

This mobile app will change the way you store your insurance information and file a claim. Instead of shoving large packets of insurance policies at the bottom of your junk drawer or at the back of your file cabinet, you can store all of your essential information on a secure mobile website and app with easy access from your smartphone, tablet or computer. With this new app you can find your policy and the contact information you need to file a claim faster and easier than ever. In addition to filing a claim faster, a subscription with 2mypolicies.com will also guarantee you will have your home repairs completed faster because you will be moved to the front of the line. This can really make a difference when there are many insurance claims in your area after a major flood or natural disaster.

For less than 70 cents a day, 2mypolicies.com can make all the difference when you are looking at costly home repairs and it can get you and your family back in your house and back to normal as soon as possible.

Recently Launched Website Revolutionizes How We Handle Catastrophic Events

HOUSTON (June 23, 2015)—2MyBenes.com recently launched a website that securely stores your essential insurance information; changing the way you recover from catastrophic weather disasters or medical emergencies, all for less than 70 cents a day.

Consumers spend thousands of dollars every year for various insurance policies just to keep them at the bottom of their junk drawer. Finally there is now a tool that will move the volumes of policies and other important information from obscurity to the place they should be—at your fingertips. 2MyPolicies.com provides password-protected access via smartphones, tablets and computers.

For less than 70 cents per day consumers are empowered to access their essential personal information 24/7 in case of an emergency. The information needed is quickly retrieved so consumers can quickly file a claim. But that’s not all. Now there is peace of mind for travelers who will always have policy information for medical or dental emergencies, or auto or boating accidents. Even pet information can be included. Parents can feel secure that their children have up-to-date information whether they are away at college or on vacation. Less than 70 cents a day covers every family member and a single data entry will keep everyone’s information current.

This mobile app is changing the way consumers use and view their insurance. It provides access and transparency like never before. While using their policies, consumers will have immediate access to review and claim the benefits they are paying high premiums for every month. Insurance agents are using this invaluable tool to increase customer satisfaction and improve customer service. For more information or to sign up for your life-changing subscription, visit www.2mypolicies.com.

Accident Insurance Can Help Avoid Surprises

Don’t let the financial impacts of an accident take you by surprise.

Did you know?
One out of nine Americans each year seeks medical care due to injuries.*
Over 27 million people were treated in hospital emergency departments for non-fatal injuries.*
One-third of children under age 14 who play organized sports have experienced an injury.**
In 2008, over 20 million people were injured in non-work related incidents at home or in their community.*

Personal Accident Insurance can be used not only to offset the costs associated with an accident such as ambulance transportation, emergency room visits, X-rays and rehabilitative therapies, but also for ordinary daily bills, child care or even yard work. These types of policies can work well with both individual and group medical insurance plans.

Premiums can be competitively priced and some policies have decreasing deductibles over time. Call or contact me today for more details.

*National Safety Council, Injury Facts – 2010 Edition
**Safe Kids USA, A National Survey of Parents’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Self-Reported Behaviors Concerning Sports Safety, April 2011

Do You Need Flood Insurance?

With spring not only do we get warmer temperatures but we also get rain and melting snow. And, until the ground thaws, melting snow and rain can’t be absorbed. Once it melts, the water can result in the overflow of streams, rivers and lakes that flood nearby homes and businesses. All this may lead to flooding.

If you are in an area that may be susceptible to flooding, consider giving us a call to discuss your flood insurance needs.

What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is a special policy that is federally backed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).1
You may buy flood insurance that covers up to $250,000 for flood damage to your home. A standard flood policy will cover structural damage to your home, including damage to your furnace, water heater, air conditioner, floor surfaces (carpeting and tile) and debris clean up.
For an additional premium, you also may buy flood coverage for up to $100,000 of damage to the contents of your home due to a flood.
Coverage is available up to $500,000 for non-residential buildings and their contents.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines flood to be a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more adjacent properties (at least one of which is your property) from:
overflow of inland or tidal waters,
unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source,
mudflow, or
collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels

We can help determine if flood insurance is available to you and then help you buy NFIP flood insurance or determine the best options for your property.

Remember to Plan Ahead

It is very important to plan ahead. A flood insurance policy will not go into effect until 30 days after you buy the policy.

Choosing Dental Coverage

Proper dental care can be an important component of our well being. As with all insurance-related decisions, there are multiple facets that should go into your decision when purchasing coverage for yourself, family, business, or your employees. And, there many types of plans to consider such as a PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations), HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), dental indemnity insurance plans, and discount dental plans.

Why It’s Important

Dental coverage of some kind can help you ensure the health of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, if you are bearing the full brunt of the cost of dental care you may find it difficult to pay your dentist bills. Without dental insurance coverage, you may be tempted to skip regular cleanings and checkups, a decision that could lead to serious dental health problems.

Types Of Dental Insurance Coverage

Similar to medical insurance plans, dental insurance policies are often categorized as either Indemnity or managed-care plans. The major differences are concentrated around out-of-pocket costs, choice of dental care providers, and how bills are paid.

Typically, Indemnity coverage offers a broader selection of dental care providers than managed-care policies. With an indemnity policy, the carrier pays for covered services only after it receives a bill, which means that you may have to pay up front and then obtain reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Usually, managed-care policies maintain their own dental provider networks. Dentists participating in a network agree to perform services for patients at pre-negotiated rates and usually will submit the claim to the dental insurance company for you.

Basic Dental Insurance Coverage – What Is Included?

Understanding what is covered by your dental insurance can be challenging. Coverage differs from policy to policy and from provider to provider. Read the fine print of your policy or agreement to find out what your dental insurance covers. In general, basic dental insurance coverage includes three categories:

Preventive and diagnostic dental care: Almost all dental plans and dental insurance policies cover basic dental costs that are meant to prevent dental problems. For the policyholder that means, most plans covers a large part or all the dental costs associated with basic services such as cleaning, checkups, and other dental procedures meant to prevent tooth and gum disease. This coverage is important because it encourage people to seek regular dental care, which can prevent more complicated and costly problems.
Basic dental care and dental procedures: Most dental plans and dental insurance also cover basic dental procedures such as fillings, tooth extractions, fixing chipped teeth, and other such basic procedures. However, basic dental care varies from one provider to another. In general, since providers cover a significant portion of basic dental care, it makes sense to select a dental care insurance provider that covers as many dental care basics and procedures as possible.
Major dental care: While not all dental insurance plans cover major dental care, some do cover at least a portion of these costs. Major dental care can include procedures such as dental surgery, orthodontics, denture work, and other large, expensive dental procedures. If, you will require major dental care at some point in the future, you may wish to look for provider willing to pay for as large a percentage of this type of care as possible.

This is a brief overview of the coverage that can be included in a Dental Insurance policy. You should read a policy thoroughly before purchasing any insurance policy.

Motorcycle Insurance

You might be new to owning a motorcycle or you might be an enthusiast with years of riding experience. But, one thing that is consistent across the board is the importance of having the right motorcycle policy to meet your needs.

There are a variety of motorcycle policy options to meet your needs. Let your insurance agent explain the different liability limits; comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist and medical coverage, in addition to the various deductible options available to you.

Here are some things to look for when choosing a specialized insurance policy for your motorcycle:

Safety apparel coverage to help protect your investment in helmets, leathers, gloves and any other clothing designed to help minimize injury in the event of an accident
Optional equipment coverage for chroming, custom painting, side cars or anything else that was not included as standard by the manufacturer
Optional towing and roadside assistance in case your bike breaks down and can’t be ridden when you’re away from home because you run out of gas, get a flat, or have other mechanical issues
Optional replacement cost coverage on a bike purchased new and insured within 30 days
Remember, having the right motorcycle insurance coverage benefits you, your bike and others on the road.

About Homeowner’s Insurance

It’s your home and you want to protect it with the right homeowner’s insurance policy. To do this it’s important to understand what a standard homeowner’s insurance policy includes. There are four key components consisting of:

Coverage for the structure of your home.
Coverage for your personal belongings.
Liability protection.
Living expenses in case you are temporarily unable to live in your home due to a fire or other insured disaster.

1. Your House

This part of your policy generally pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other disaster listed in your policy. It generally does not pay for damage caused by a flood, earthquake or just wear and tear. When purchasing coverage for the structure of your home, make sure to buy enough to rebuild your home. Also, review this coverage on an annual basis to make sure you have sufficient coverage.

2. Your Personal Belongings

Your furniture, clothes and other personal belongings are usually covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured disaster. Most companies provide coverage between 50% to 70% (this is just an average, every policy is different) of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. The best way to determine if this is sufficient is to conduct a home inventory, in case you need to increase your coverage. If you have questions about what is covered by a specific policy, contact us.

This part of your policy may also include off-premises coverage, which means that your belongings are covered anywhere in the world, unless you have decided against this coverage.
Expensive items such as jewelry, furs and silverware are covered, but there are usually dollar limits if they are stolen. To insure these special items to their full value, consider purchasing a special personal property endorsement or floater and insure these items for their appraised value.

Trees, plants and shrubs are also covered under standard homeowners insurance. They are protected against theft, fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, riot and even falling aircraft. They are not covered against damage by wind or disease.

3. Liability Protection

Liability protects you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to someone else. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. So, if your child or dog accidentally breaks something in your neighbor’s yard, you are covered. The liability portion of your policy also pays for both the cost of defending you in court and any court awards—up to the limit of your policy.

Liability limits generally start at about $100,000. Many recommend that you have up to $300,000 in coverage. Some people feel more comfortable with more coverage. You can also purchase an umbrella or excess liability policy which provides broader coverage, including claims against you for libel and slander, as well as higher liability limits.
Your policy also provides no-fault medical coverage. If a friend or neighbor breaks an ankle playing basketball in your back yard, he or she can simply submit medical bills to your insurance company. Expenses are paid without a liability claim being filed against you. You can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 worth of this coverage.

4. Additional Living Expenses

If your home is damaged because of a fire, storm or other insured disaster and you can’t live in it, this coverage pays the costs of living someplace else while your home is repaired or you find another place to live. While your home is being rebuilt, hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses are covered. Coverage for additional living expenses differs from company to company.

Footnote: This is a brief overview of the coverage that can be included in a Homeowner’s Insurance policy. You should read a policy thoroughly before purchasing any insurance policy.

What Should I Consider When Choosing Or Changing My Coverage?

Convenience

Where are the doctors’ offices? What are their hours? Do the doctors use electronic health records or prescribe electronically?Which pharmacies can you use? Is the pharmacy you use in the plan’s network? If it’s in the network and your plan has preferred pharmacies, is your pharmacy preferred? (You may pay more at non-preferred pharmacies.) Can you get your prescriptions by mail?

Cost

How much are your premiums, deductibles, and other costs? How much do you pay for services like hospital stays or doctor visits? Is there a yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket? Your costs may vary and may be different if you don’t follow the coverage rules.

Coverage

How well does the plan cover the services you need?

Doctor And Hospital Choice

Do your doctors and other health care providers accept the type of coverage you have? Are the doctors you want to see accepting new patients? Do you have to choose your hospital and health care providers from a network? Do you need to get referrals?

Prescription Drugs

Do you need to join a Medicare drug plan? Are your drugs covered under the plan’s formulary? Are there any coverage rules that apply to your prescriptions?

Quality Of Care

Are you satisfied with your medical care? The quality of care and services offered by plans and other health care providers can vary. Medicare has information to help you compare how well plans and providers work to give you the best care possible.

Travel

Will you have coverage in another state or outside the U.S.?

Your Other Coverage

Do you have, or are you eligible for, other types of health or prescription drug coverage (like from a former or current employer or union)? If so, read the materials from your insurer or plan, or call them to find out how the coverage works with, or is affected by, Medicare. If you have coverage through a former or current employer or union or other source, talk to your benefits administrator, insurer, or plan before making any changes to your coverage. If you drop your coverage, you may not be able to get it back.

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