FingarTips - Insurance News You Can Use

Clear Up Flood Insurance Misconceptions


Flooding is the United States’ No. 1 natural hazard so it’s important to remind your insureds that Fingar Insurance offers affordable personal and commercial flood insurance through our companies backed by the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

A lot of people are under the misconception they are ineligible for flood insurance because of where they live or their mortgage status. However, as long as their hometown is an NFIP community, most homeowners, business owners and renters can easily obtain this critical coverage.

Plus – many home and business owners do not realize their homeowners or business policies will not cover them against flooding.

When speaking with your customers about why they should consider flood insurance, remember to drive home these key facts:

Flood insurance is available nationwide. Flood insurance is available if you live in a floodplain or high-flood-risk area. If you live outside a floodplain or in a low-to-moderate flood-risk area, you can still get flood insurance and at a lower cost. Even if your property has been flooded before, you can still obtain flood insurance. You can – and should seriously consider – buying flood insurance, even if your mortgage broker does not require it.

Armed with accurate information about their flood risk and protection options, your customers can make more informed decisions about how to best protect their financial investments.

For more information about flood insurance and to access free policyholder resources, please visit http://www.floodsmart.gov/.

Get your flood quote today.  Email mark@fingarinsurance.com your name and street address and I will email you a flood quote...it's that easy!!!  Don't delay though.  Flood Insurance has a 30 day waiting period so if you are waiting for the next flood warning...it's too late.

WHY FINGAR INSURANCE

I am tired of hearing folks say "I'm with Geico so you probably can't beat their price". Fact of the matter is, sometimes we can, sometimes we can't. Don't believe all you hear in advertising. So what is the advantage of doing business with a locally owned independant agency? Here's a few actual events we have handled in our office that a Direct Writer insurance company would brush you off quicker than you could dial 1-800...

FROM THE DESK OF DOROTHY LaBOUNTY


1. Calvin and Virginia K - Client just had an Allstate auto policy with us and came in as rates went up. Re-quoted auto and rewrote with New York Central. They asked about a defensive driver class that didn’t cost $40.00. I told them I just had to cancel my class. I called the instructor and got them registered for the class at a cost of $10.00. Also, they had their homeowners with National Grange with another agent. I rewrote that with NYCM with Coupler Discount.

2. Driver insured with GEICO struck porch of our insured’s house. GEICO advised our insured he should collect under his homeowners policy as they don’t have property adjustors. Our insured did not want to use his homeowners insurance- I called GEICO several times, faxed papers, etc and followed up with the until they finally paid the claim.


Client lives on Worth Ave- can’t remember the name.

WHY FINGAR INSURANCE?

I am tired of hearing folks say "I'm with Geico so you probably can't beat their price". Fact of the matter is, sometimes we can, sometimes we can't. Don't believe all you hear in advertising. So what is the advantage of doing business with a locally owned independant agency? Here's a few actual events we have handled in our office that a Direct Writer insurance company would brush you off quicker than you could dial 1-800...



FROM THE DESK OF TAMMY VINCENT:

1. William G. - rewrote his auto due to Allstate rate increase.
    Erin H. - rewrote her home due to Allstate rate increase

Now keep in mind neither one of them called me- I was pro-active in making sure they rec’d the best rate. Both thanked me for being so pro-active and have referred people to me. They left here with smiles on their faces knowing their agent was looking out for them. ( okay I might be exaggerating a bit, but you get the point)

Of course one of our biggest selling points is being an independent agency where we have several companies. Do you think Geico could have done this? NO, they are exclusive.

2. William B. - got into an accident out of state- other party at fault. The other company was dragging their feet, so I made several calls to get this handled correctly.

3. Mike B. - NYCM was making us increase the liab on sons auto to meet U/W guidelines, plus added the son to the PUP which would have been an increase of $191.00. Mike was highly upset about this…called Leigh @ NYCM to see of we could up-tier them due to being a client for so long- they allowed DP tier 1 on renewal which was an annual savings of $464, less the $191 inc, he still saved $273.00- and I came out looking like a hero :)

4. Caroline F. - NYCM wanted off the house due to conditions- got the insured to do some of the work - forwarded photos to NYCM- they agreed to stay on with some changes to the policy form, ded’s etc.

5. Client couldn’t come in for photo inspection within 5 days. I stopped by their house on my way home and took care of it for them.

6. I just wanted to comment on what a wonderful job one of your staff members is doing.  Last week we ran into a insurance issue and Tammy Vincent took care of it within two hours. She was fast,friendly, and very easy to work with.  I wish their were more people in the world like her!


Thank you

Vanessa S.

(AGENCY OWNER'S NOTE - WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING TAMMY CLONED AFTER THIS COMMENT)

WHY FINGAR INSURANCE?

I am tired of hearing folks say "I'm with Geico so you probably can't beat their price".  Fact of the matter is, sometimes we can, sometimes we can't.  Don't believe all you hear in advertising.  So what is the advantage of doing business with a locally owned independant agency?  Here's a few actual events we have handled in our office that a Direct Writer insurance company would brush you off quicker than you could dial 1-800...

FROM THE DESK OF DENISE SPERL:

1. Insured went to pick up their car from the body shop. The body panels painted were a different color blue than the rest of the vehicle. The body shop said they had problems with the paint and the Insurance Company will not pay for another paint job so she has to take vehicle as is. The insured refused and left the vehicle at the body shop and called us for help. We called the insurance company and had a representative call the body shop. We were on the other line & resolved the problem stating the body shop's a certified Insurance Company shop and they had to re-paint the car. The insured was VERY happy with the service we provided.


2. Insured’s son was in the hospital for many months. The insured has all business and personal insurance with us. Doesn’t remember what bills are due for which company and when. I totaled all 10 bills due and was able to allow the insured to make one lump sum payment at our office. I then disbursed the payment among all the bills due for the insured.

3. Insured was hit by another vehicle. Insured didn’t have collision coverage & didn’t have another vehicle to use while his car was being repaired. The insured needed to rent a car. Insured had a police report so I called other driver’s Insurance Company and reported the claim. While on the phone, I was able to approve rental vehicle for the insured at Enterprise- gave insd reservation #.

4. Activity for Therese LASTNAME:  Insured parked in wrong spot and vehicle was towed however towing company towed vehicle incorrectly causing damage- advised insured no comprehensive coverage so her insurance company will not get involved but if she wants to bring in estimate for damages & name of towing company I will send letter on her behalf- told her her only recourse is small claims court.

Stay tuned for more stories next week from thje desk of Tammy Vincent!!!

Babysitter Checklist

Where I will be: ______________________________


I will be home by: _____________________________

Number(s) to contact me on:_____________________

___________________________________________

If I am not reachable call: ________________________

at: _________________________________________

In Case of an Emergency:

Police: _________________________________________

Fire dept.: ______________________________________

This address:____________________________________

______________________________________________

This phone number:________________________________

If you cannot reach me in an emergency the following contacts

can be trusted to help you.



Contact 1

Name: _______________________________________

Number: ______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________



Contact 2:

Name: ________________________________________

Number: ______________________________________

Address: ______________________________________



Insurance company: ______________________________

Policy number: __________________________________

About the Children:

Names: _______________________________________

______________________________________________

Ages: _________________________________________



Bed time(s): ____________________________________

______________________________________________



Allergies: ______________________________________

______________________________________________



Medication(s): __________________________________

_____________________________________________



Additional information: _____________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

 
______________________________________________
 
______________________________________________
 
* PERMISSION IS GRANTED: Any licensed physician,
dentist, or hospital may givenecessary emergency medical
service to my child at the request of the person bearing this
 form with note to the allergies, medications and other information
listed above.

Signed (parent/guardian): _____________________Date: _________

Are you insured for Flood?

Fingar Tips - Insurance News You Can Use

Two types of water damage: Your standard homeowners’ insurance policy will cover losses caused by water that accumulates in your home because of the accidental discharge of a system or appliance, such as a broken hose or valve. However, this same policy will NOT cover losses caused by water that collects as a result of the overflow of a body of water or surface water runoff.

Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. During the past decade, the average flood claim has amounted to more than $33,000. Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from this devastating financial loss. Please contact Fingar Insurance at 518-828-4500 or mark@fingarinsurance.com today to make sure you are covered. As a reminder, flood insurance must be purchased before flooding occurs and has a 30-day waiting period from the date of the application (unless purchased in conjunction with a loan closing).

If you live in a moderate-to-low risk flood area, you can purchase a preferred risk flood policy for as little as $129 per year. Remember – about 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas with moderate-to-low flood risk. In addition to investing in flood insurance, you can also protect yourself and your property by developing a family communications plan, creating an emergency kit, and keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place away from your home.

Even if you are renting an apartment or condominium, it’s important to have flood insurance. Coverage for your home’s contents (like clothing, furniture and electronics) can be purchased separately from building coverage.

If your business suffers a flood and you don’t have flood insurance, you’ll only have three options: pay recovery costs out of your pocket, take out a loan or close your doors. Avoid becoming one of the 25 percent of businesses that never reopen because of a disaster by learning about the value of flood insurance from Fingar Insurance at 518-828-4500 or mark@fingarinsurance.com.

The Golden Rule of Insurance

Our philosophy is simple. We follow the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Sounds too simple. How does this play out? We care about insuring you properly. We return phone calls. We get the best coverage at the best available price. Prompt, Curteous and Professional Customer Service. That is what we expect from others...that is what our customers receive from us