LIFE INSURANCE IS FOR THOSE YOU LOVE

A lot of people put off purchasing life insurance because it seems like a hassle. You don’t want to do any sort of medical appointment. It’s an extra expense. And, for the most part, you just plain don’t want to think about death. But life insurance isn’t about you. It’s about the people you love. And what better time than February to think about love! So let’s get real. You do a lot for your family and if you have family members who depend on your income, then you need life insurance. And the sooner, the better. For one, life insurance is cheaper when you are young and healthy! With each birthday you’ll see your quote go up unless you lock in a great rate now. And you don’t want to look for life insurance after you’ve been diagnosed with an illness. Another great thing about life insurance is that there are a lot of options. And we’re here to discuss all of them with you. You can purchase a policy for the short term or even as a long term investment. It all depends on how much you can afford to spend and what your family needs are. Whatever your situation, sitting down and discussing your needs and budget with an agent is a great first step. Call us today at 703-556-7857 to set up a free, no-obligation appointment!

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Ask Your Insurance Agent: Are Items In My Car Covered?

Today I’m answering a question I hear all the time - “Are my personal belongings covered if someone breaks into my car?” Unfortunately, they typically are NOT covered! Your auto insurance covers your car from damage and accidents, but not the items inside from theft. But there are still ways to protect yourself. First, and most obvious, avoid keeping highticket items in your car in the first place. This includes things like your laptop, iPad, purse, etc. If you’re out shopping, keep your doors locked and lock most items away in the trunk. But this isn’t always possible. And so you also want to make sure you’re covered by carrying Renters or Homeowners insurance for your personal belongings. These policies include a certain amount of coverage for property off premises. These are subject to your deductible so make sure to discuss with your agent to see what kind of coverage you have currently. With a little bit of prevention and great insurance, you’ve won’t have to worry about items being stolen from your car. Have questions? Give us a call at 703-556-7857 to discuss them anytime!

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Ask Your Insurance Agent - What is Liability Insurance?

Have you ever looked at your insurance policy and wondered just exactly what it is you
are paying for?

Everyone knows that they are legally required to carry liability insurance. But many
people don’t really understand what that means or how it works.
In simple terms, liability insurance pays to fix damage that you cause to someone else.
On your auto insurance policy, this is split into three pieces. Here is an example:
Bodily Injury: 50/100
Personal Property: 50
Let’s say that this was your coverage amount and you hit another car in an accident.
Your insurance would pay up to $50,000 per person for injuries up to a total cap of
$100,000. And it would pay up to $50,000 in property damage to fix the other car.
Remember, liability only covers the person that you hit. It doesn’t cover your vehicle or
anyone inside your car.
There are many different amounts of liability coverage. We work directly with our
clients to determine how much you need. This will vary based on factors like how many
assets you have, your income, and home value.
Not having enough liability insurance is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can
make! Carrying only the state minimum of 25/50/20, could leave you open to a
lawsuit. Think about those cars you’ve seen on the road worth easily over $40,000! If
you don’t have enough property damage coverage, then you are at risk.
There is also liability coverage on your homeowners or renters insurance. It pays if
someone is injured on your property due to your negligence. One common example is a
dog bite. This is another time when it’s good to have enough liability insurance!
Hopefully this clears up any questions you have about how liability insurance works. If
you need help determining the right amount of coverage for your family, give us a call
for a no obligation review and quote.

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JANUARY HOME MAINTENANCE

Here’s what’s on the list for January:
Make A Home Inventory - January is all about getting organized, right? So what better
time to document what you own in case you were to suffer a serious insurance loss (like a
fire). Grab your cell phone and make a short video of each room in your home, focusing
on big ticket items. Many times, it’s difficult for our clients to remember every little
possession after the shock of a large claim. You’ll be glad you took the time to make the
videos if you ever need them.
Deep Clean Your Dryer Vent - A large percentage of home fires begin in the clothes
dryer! Lint builds up in the vent and hose which can spark a fire. Unhook the hose and
vacuum the area well on a regular basis to keep your home protected.
Organize Your Warranties - Do you have a big pile of warranties, product documents,
and receipts stuffed in your desk drawer? Do you even own those items anymore? These
days, many owners manuals can be found online without taking up valuable drawer
storage. Also consider scanning and keeping a digital file of your receipts and warranties
for easy storage and retrieval if needed.
Check Your Circuit Breakers - How often do you actually look in the breaker box?
Open it up and make sure the labels are correct and readable. Also stash a spare
flashlight (with working batteries) close by in case of a power outage.
Gather Your Tax Documents - It won’t be long until you’re filing your 2014 taxes.
Start gathering up all the documents you or your accountant will need. Need a copy of
your insurance policies or premiums? Call us at 703-556-7857 and we’ll be happy to help!
Know Your Deductibles - When was the last time you reviewed your deductibles? This
is what you would pay out of pocket in the event of an insurance claim. It’s a good idea
to keep this amount in your savings account so it’s available when you need it. Feel free
to give us a call to review all of your insurance policies in detail.
January is a great time to get organized for the new year! Let us know if we can help in
any way!
Happy New Year!
Please don't forget to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

YOUR INSURANCE RESOLUTIONS

2015 has arrived! And with it come resolutions and goals for a fresh start over the
coming months.
If one of your resolutions for this year was to get organized, then here are some tips on
how to get financially “fit” in 2015! At least as far as your insurance goes...

1. Set up a meeting with us! Each year, we like to do a policy review with every client.
We look at all of your policies and update your information. Insurance needs tend to
change with major life events so if you got married, had a baby, changed jobs, retired, or
anything else in 2014, you probably need a review. Many times you qualify for new
discounts or we can point out ways to help you save (like getting a multi-policy
discount!)
We can schedule this meeting over the phone or in the office, whichever is easier.
2. Get a life insurance quote. For some reason, life insurance is one of those things that
gets neglected. People know deep down that they need it, but often never get around to
actually purchasing any.
Many times you can get a basic term life insurance policy for $30 a month or less.
(Depending on age and health status, it varies for everyone!)
3. Organize your insurance documents. Keep a file with a copy of your current auto,
home, and life policies in one easy-to-find place. When your renewal comes in the mail,
you can throw out the old copies. Some people also like to keep a copy of their life
insurance with their attorney or in a fire safe. We can always help you get a copy if you
need it!
4. Put a current insurance card in your glove box and throw out the six old ones that
are likely crumbled up in there. :)
That’s it! Take care of these items and you’re on your way to being organized and
properly covered in 2015!

Don't forget to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

Driving Under the Influence

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• New study shows prescription drugs are involved in fatal car crashes at three times the rate of marijuana, and alcohol is a factor in half of fatal crashes
• Drivers in fatal car crashes are much more likely to be taking multiple drugs than 20 years ago, and also more likely to be above age 50
• Psychoactive drugs impair faculties needed for driving, such as motor skills, balance, coordination, spacial orientation, and reaction time
• New study says alcohol kills one in 10 working-age adults; combining alcohol with marijuana or other drugs magnifies driving impairment

Pictures courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

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HOLIDAY SCAMS

With the holiday season in full swing it is important to protect yourself from these common holiday scams. While many of these scams are used throughout the year, they are often given a new twist for the holidays. Bait-and-Switch – Scammers frequently use cheap tablets, smart phones, MP3 players, jewelry and gift cards as part of bait-and-switch scams. They may approach you in a mall, on the street or online offering a deal that is too good to be true. They may even allow you to check out the item, but rest assured, after the money is exchanged you will not get the item you were expecting. Only purchase big-ticket items from respected retailers and avoid paying for items with cash, money orders or wire transfers. Hard Luck Stories – Scammers often take advantage of the holiday spirit of giving. They may send an email requesting assistance or approach you in public. Scammers will often have an elaborate hard luck story and sometimes even use children to elicit sympathy. Some scammers may pose as stranded holiday travelers in need of assistance to get home for the holidays. Be wary of these scams and never give your address, bank information or large amounts of cash to strangers. Charity Scams – Fake charity scams also take advantage of the spirit of giving. Beware of scam charity emails. Research a charity before making a donation to make sure they are legitimate. If making an online payment, check the website address in the browser to make sure you are on the correct site and not a duplicate scam site. You should never make large donations in cash and always ask for a receipt. Gift Card Swap – The rise in popularity of gift cards has led to a new type of scam. Scammers will use high tech scanners to read the numbers off of the gift cards sold in the aisles of major retailers. They will then return the cards to the store shelf and monitor them to see when they are activated. Once activated, they will use the card numbers to spend the funds before the intended recipient has a chance to use the card. Whenever possible purchase your card from behind the counter of a retailer. Email Greetings – Holiday emails can sometimes be a Trojan horse for hackers. Do not open attachments from senders you do not know and be wary of strangely worded emails and subject lines. Make sure your computer’s antivirus software is up to date and use it to scan anything suspicious. Article courtesy of Legal Sheild Please visit our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com