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Gain an advantage with your insurance by staying on top of the latest trends, headlines, discounts and more. The Gardner Group strives to stay ahead of the ever changing insurance market and we want to pass that knowledge to you.
12/05/11
Allstate Drops North Carolina Homeowners Who Insurance Autos Elsewhere
Some North Carolina residents who insure their residences through Allstate are finding themselves dropped by the company for refusing to bundle their home and auto coverage.
Allstate Insurance Co. has informed 45,000 homeowners that it will non-renew their homeowner’s policy unless they also purchase a commercial or private automobile insurance from the insurer by Dec. 15, 2011.
Allstate spokesperson Tracy Owens, speaking from the insurer’s Southeast Regional Office in Atlanta, said the decision came about after an intensive review of the insurer’s North Carolina book of business.
“We wanted to be sure that we could manage our risk both now and in the future and protect the other 400,000 households we insure,” Owens said.
According to documents filed with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Allstate indicated that it would non-renew 30,400 standard homeowners policies, 10,500 landlord packaged policies, and 4,900 mobile homes policies.
Owens said that although Allstate has decided it must drop the policies, it is providing another coverage option from the Universal North America Insurance Co.
Allstate has reached an agreement with Universal whereby it will provide a quote for 26,150 of the affected homeowners. The Denver, Colo.-based Universal also is slated to submit a quote to 9,300 of the 10,500 landlords losing their Allstate coverage.
In a separate deal, the mobile home owners will have an opportunity to find coverage through the American Modern Insurance Group.
North Carolina Department of Insurance spokesperson Kerry Hall said that as a matter of professional courtesy Allstate informed the department of its decision to non-renew the policies, although the insurer had no legal requirement to do so.
“From our perspective, what Allstate is doing is legal as long as it gives consumers a 30-day notice before cancelling the policy,” said Hall.
Check out our new Gardner Group listing at For All Your Insurance Needs. If you like what we're doing at The Gardner Group please give us a recommendation. Your stamp of approval is one of the most helpful things you can do for us. It lets all the other people that are not currently using us know that we are doing a great job for you and that we'll do a great job for them as well. Our clients are our top priority and we thank each and everyone of you for your business.
Progressive Auto Insurance Rates Reduced October 1st, 2011
Progressive Insurance has lowered their auto insurance rates in North Carolina effective October 1st, 2011. Over the past two years, Progressive Insurance has completed four rate decreases that lowered rates in many segments.
Along with the rate reduction they have also enhanced many of their already great discounts.
Progressive's Paperless Discount is one of the newest. If you elect to receive your policy documents electronically through email instead of through regular mail, plan on saving up to an additional 5%.
Progressive's Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Discount applies if you elect to pay you auto insurance bill electronically by a recurring bank draft or credit card. By choosing this method of payment you can save up to an additional 8% on your auto insurance premiums.
Progressive's Paid in Full Discount is one of their biggest discounts. If you choose to pay your policy in full, then you can save up to 16% on your auto insurance premiums.
As always Progressive offers one of the top Multi Car and Homeowners discounts. Save up to 10%.
Progressive also offers an industry leading roadside assistance program. Progressive is there when you need them the most.
For more on Progressive Insurance and Auto Insurance offered by The Gardner Group, visit our auto insurance page.
You can also receive a quote online from Progressive Insurance. Enter you information and it just takes a few minutes to complete. An agent from The Gardner Group will contact you shortly after you complete the quote. Contact us today!
Indroducing MetLife Home & Auto to The Gardner Group. We've added MetLife Home & Auto to our already great list of carriers to best serve our clients by giving them the best options in property and liability insurance coverage. Take a look MetLife's GrandProtect policy information. For a MetLife Home & Auto quote click here.
GrandProtect by MetLife Home & Auto
The GrandProtect policy from MetLife Auto & Home is a comprehensive insurance plan that conveniently manages all your customer’s insurance needs, while minimizing gaps in coverage. It’s designed specifically for customers with high-value assets and demanding insurance requirements. One policy package creates a personal safety net for virtually all personal property and casualty insurance needs.
One Company, One Policy Package
With GrandProtect, the insurance process is simplified because there’s just one company and one policy package—and one premium payment—to cover everything, including:
Homes: Primary and secondary homes, condos, and apartments, as well as leased and investment property.
Vehicles: Autos, motorcycles, motorhomes, camper trailers, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles.
Personal Property: Highly valuable property such as heirlooms, silverware, jewelry, collections, and furs.
Boats: Sailboats, powerboats, and other watercraft.
Liability: Protection for legal responsibilities.
One Bill
All personal insurance coverages are consolidated on one easy-to-track billing statement, with a choice of payment options.
One Deductible
With GrandProtect, there’s only one deductible to pay for any one loss—even if more than one type of property is damaged. If your clients had separate policies for each coverage, they’d typically pay separate deductibles1.
Replacement Cost Coverage
GrandProtect provides replacement cost coverage on auto2, home, and most possessions, which means that they will be repaired or replaced without any deduction for depreciation. If a customer’s auto is totaled in a covered loss, we’ll replace it with a new, same model or comparable automobile. We also designed our GrandProtect coverage to meet the current cost to rebuild, ensuring the home will be put back the way it was, with no surprises.
Comprehensive Coverage
GrandProtect also expands protection through its Comprehensive Coverage feature, which means that if a loss is not specifically excluded in the policy, then it is covered.
Discounts
GrandProtect offers money-saving credits that can lower premiums when your customers take steps to improve safety, such as:
Installing home protection devices (smoke detectors, deadbolt locks, and a centralized alarm system) – up to 15% off!
Completing a defensive driving course or driver improvement course (not available in all states) – up to 10% off!
Additional Discounts:
Installing Automobile Protection Devices—anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft system, airbags, and passive restraints
Mature Driver Program—discounts for experience behind the wheel
Deductible Savings Benefit— earn $50 toward the deductible for every claim-free year (up to $2504)
Auto/Life Discount—additional savings with a qualifying MetLife annuity or life product
1 Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are excluded. 2 Within the first year of purchase or first 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Does not apply to leased, substitute, or non-owned automobiles. See policy for exact details. 3 Available as part of most auto, homeowners, renters, condominium, GrandProtect, mobile home (NY only), motorcycle, and recreational vehicle policies. Not available in NH and NC. 4 In NY, drivers must pay a state-required minimum deductible before using this benefit
With
Irene threatening a large portion of the coastal United States, people will be
looking to you as trusted authorities on what to do before, during, and after
the storm. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has developed a number
of resources that can help you communicate with residents about preparing for
and recovering from a hurricane.
After the Flood: Helpful information for residents as
they return home.
Understanding Your Flood Insurance: Talking points to
help you explain what flood insurance is, as well as what is and is not
covered by a flood insurance policy.
FloodSmart.gov Hurricane Widget: A widget you can post
on your Website with an interactive quiz allowing residents to test their
hurricane knowledge.
Cost of Flooding Tool: A shareable digital resource
that helps the public understand the likely costs of flooding.
FEMA’s
National Flood Insurance Program and the FloodSmart Campaign also offer helpful
tips on what to do to prepare before a flood. We encourage you to share this
information with residents of your community.
1.
Safeguard your possessions.
Create a personal flood file containing information
about all your valuable possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as
a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should include:
A copy of your insurance policies with your agents’
contact information.
A household inventory: For insurance purposes, be sure
to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of
all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements,
attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store
receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork
appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance
claims. For more information visit www.knowyourstuff.org.
Copies of all other critical documents, including
finance records or receipts of major purchases.
2.
Prepare your house.
Inspect your sump pump. If you have a sump pump, make
sure it’s working and then install a battery-operated backup, in case of a
power failure. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is
accumulating in your basement.
Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
Anchor fuel tanks.
Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets,
circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home's
projected flood elevation.
Place the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer on
cement blocks at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation.
Move furniture, valuables, and important documents to a
safe place.
3.
Develop a family emergency plan.
Create a safety kit with drinking water, canned food,
first aid, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight.
Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone and teach
your children how to dial 911.
Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your
family. Know safe routes from home, work, and school that are on higher
ground.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your
emergency family contact.
Have a plan to protect your pets.
We
also hope you are also taking this time to prepare your family and business
from the potential impact of the storm.
Please contact us if you have any questions about Flood Insurance, Floodsmart.gov and FEMA.
*This information is courtesy of FEMA and Floodsmart.gov
08/25/11
Important hurricane cell phone tips
Did you know texting might be a better option after a natural disaster?
Meteorologist Chris Warren has some simple things you can do to keep
your cell phone going when you need it the most.
8/25/11
Irene on Path to Test Coffers of State-Run Insurers
Hurricane Irene could be a major test of "insurers of last resort" created by U.S. states to protect homeowners marooned by private insurers.
Of the 14 U.S. states in Irene's projected path as of late Wednesday, at least 10 of them run insurance pools for homes in vulnerable areas. Those insurers, which have ballooned in size in recent years, now have about 677,000 policyholders and overall exposure of $196.2 billion, according to the states.
But in many states, such pools rely on homeowners far from the coast to pay for any funding shortfalls if a mega-storm drains the pool's capital. In Florida, for example, people insuring their cars, boats and small businesses can also get hit with surcharges to help pay for the state pool's hurricane claims.
Many private-sector carriers began shrinking their exposure to coastal areas in the 1990s, often after complaining that regulators and lawmakers wouldn't let them charge rates that reflect the risks of doing business in areas where hurricanes hit. As a result, total exposure of state-created pools in the U.S. is up 81% to $757.9 billion of property from 2005, the last time a major hurricane hit the East Coast.
Most of us felt the 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake in Virginia all the way
in Hickory, NC. This is something we're not used to in the state of
North Carolina and that made me think about what should I do if another
earthquake hits? First of all to stay on topic with the insurance blog, earthquake coverage is not included in your homeowners or business policies. It must be endorsed. Secondly, I did some research on what to do if you find yourself in an earthquake and here is what I found.
What to Do During an Earthquake
Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware
that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake
might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe
place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped
and you are sure exiting is safe.
If indoors
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON
until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover
your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the
building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on
and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light
fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you
and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.
Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings
attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to
leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
DO NOT use the elevators.
If outdoors
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest
danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside
exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach
earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be
killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during
an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most
earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying
glass, and falling objects.
If in a moving vehicle
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid
stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads,
bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
If trapped under debris
Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if
one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to
inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
This information is courtesy of FEMA.
See more information on this earthquake at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html#details
8/2/11
Coverage with no copay extended to birth control
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press
Posted: Monday, Aug. 01, 2011
WASHINGTON - A half-century after the advent of the pill, the Obama administration on Monday ushered in a change in women's health care potentially as transformative: coverage of birth control as prevention, with no copays.
Services ranging from breast pumps for new mothers to counseling on domestic violence were also included in the broad expansion of women's preventive care under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
Since birth control is the most common drug prescribed to women, health plans should make sure it's readily available, said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Not doing it would be like not covering flu shots," she said.
Officials said the women's prevention package will be available Jan. 1, 2013, in most cases, resulting in a slight overall increase in premiums. Tens of millions of women are expected to benefit initially, a number that is likely to grow with time. At first, some plans may be exempt due to an arcane provision of the health care law known as the "grandfather" clause. But those plans could face pressure from their members to include the new coverage.
2011 GMAC Insurance Study Shows Youngest and Oldest Drivers Least Distracted
Unexpected results from the Distracted Driving Study from GMAC Insurance shows that the least experienced and youngest drivers are the least likely to have distracted driving habits. Apart from selecting songs on an MP3 player, teen drivers are far less likely than drivers ages 18 to 34 to engage in all other non-driving related activities. Not surprisingly, drivers over 60 years old are far less likely than young adult drivers to engage in any distracted driving habits.
Fifty-seven percent of young adult drivers say they eat while they drive, as opposed to only 39 percent of teen drivers and 38 percent of drivers over 60 years old.
About 30 percent of young adult drivers admit to adjusting their GPS, while only four percent of teens and only 13 percent of drivers over 60 years old admit to doing the same.
Only 28 percent of young adult drivers say they have completely eliminated using their smart phones to text, email, and make calls. That's opposed to 75 percent of teen drivers and 72 percent of drivers over 60 years old who say they have stopped using their mobile devices completely while driving.
The GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test allows agents to teach their policyholders about the importance of practicing safe driving and avoiding these distracted driving habits.
Visit www.gmacinsurance.com and click on the National Drivers Test button to take the test and see how you size up when it comes to knowing the rules of the road. If you’re on Facebook, check out the National Drivers Test Facebook App where you and your policyholders can “challenge a friend” to take the test!
80s Montage with Flo - Progressive Insurance Agency, Hickory, NC
The Gardner Group is an authorized independent agent for Progressive Insurance for auto, business auto, motorcycle, boat and rv insurance in Hickory, NC. Watch Flo from Progressive Insurance in her 80s montage. Get a Progressive Auto Insurance quote on our auto insurance page. The Gardner Group writes auto insurance, car insurance, business auto insurance, motorcycle insurance and rv insurance in the state of North Carolina and is based in Hickory, NC.
7/26/11
Utilizing the Preventive Services features of your Health Insurance Plan to stay healthy and Tips to Lower your Overall Health Care Costs - Health Insurance, Hickory, NC
The cost of health insurance has been a growing concern of our nation and our community. In this article, learn about ways to utilize the preventive service feature in your health insurance plan as a tool to stay healthy and learn tips to lower your overall health care cost by preventing illness and disease before they become life threatening and extremely costly.
Preventive Services: The new health care reform law, officially known as the Affordable Care Act, will require many insurers to cover certain evidence-based preventive services at no cost to you. Preventative services are routine physical exams, including gynecological exams, screenings, check-ups, well-child and well-baby care including periodic assessments and immunizations, patient counseling to prevent illness, sickness, or other health problems 1.
Preventative services have been offered free of charge to encourage subscribers to utilize these services regularly. This idea is to detect serious health situations before they become life threatening and require expensive treatments.
Before using preventive services, first consult with a licensed insurance agent, your insurance carrier and your doctor about these preventive care services to see how they apply to your health plan.
Make sure you, your family and friends are taking advantage of preventive services offered by you insurance carrier on a regular basis. They’re free, they could save you thousands of dollars and they could save your life.
Ways to lower your overall health care cost
Weight Control – It’s not breaking news that obesity is a growing problem in the US; however, the problem is not improving. Like tobacco, your height and weight ratio (or BMI) play a large factor in your health insurance rate. It is important to be at a healthy weight to avoid premium rate ups or even have coverage declined. Obesity leads to many health problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, increased risk of certain cancers, heart disease and many others. These could require frequent doctor visits and a prescription drug regimen which will have significant cost associated with them.
It is important for your health and finances to get to a healthy weight and stay there. Balance the calories you take in from food and drink with the calories you burn off by your activities. Some gyms will offer discounts for insurance subscribers or to employees or union members of certain companies. Before joining a gym, call your insurance carrier, ask your human resource department and call a few gyms of your choice and ask them if they offer gym membership discounts.
Quit Smoking – Save money on your health insurance premiums by quitting smoking. Smoking will automatically increase your individual health premiums to around 30%. For example, let’s say that you’re a non-smoker and pay $280 per month in individual health insurance premiums. The smoker rate for the same person would increase to $400 per month. That’s $120 per month and $1,440 per year difference. The rate up is not without reason. It has long been proven that smokers will experience increased health issues over a lifetime compared to non-smokers, which could require the use of expensive prescription drugs and an increased risk for life threatening complications. Save your life, save your money and Quit Smoking. Learn more about quitting at www.smokefree.gov.
2011 GMAC Insurance Study Shows Increase in Distracted Driving: Women More Distracted Than Men Behind the Wheel - Auto Insurance, Hickory, NC
Along with gauging drivers' knowledge of the rules of the road, the 2011 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test also tested driver behavior. According to the study, women are more likely to engage in distracted driving habits than men. Distracted driving habits include eating, adjusting GPS devices, changing songs on MP3 players, taking pictures, applying makeup and even changing clothes. Here's a glimpse at some of the numbers:
Fifty-two percent of female drivers say they eat while driving (a 25 percent increase from 2010), as opposed to only 44 percent of male drivers
Eighty-three percent of female drivers admit to texting while stopped at red lights, as opposed to 71 percent of male drivers
Thirty-eight percent of female drivers said they did not engage in any distracted driving activities, as opposed to 46 percent of male drivers
The National Drivers Test encourages drivers to educate themselves on the rules of the road in order to prevent accidents that may result from distracted driving habits.
Be the safest driver on the road. Take the Test! Help promote safe-driving education and remind your policyholders to take the test! Visit www.gmacinsurance.com and click on the National Drivers Test button to take the test and see how you size up when it comes to knowing the rules of the road. If you’re on Facebook, check out the National Drivers Test Facebook App where you and your policyholders can “challenge a friend” to take the test! Your customers will be able to share and compare their scores with family and friends and see who the least distracted driver is.
