Steady Income for Retirement

Annuities give you steady income for a set time or for your lifetime.

• Build savings. Annuities are long-term investment vehicles that help you accumulate your retirement savings over time.
• Get paid. Annuities may provide a regular source of income that you can rely on.
• Bank on safety. Some annuities guarantee that your money will earn a fixed interest rate.
• Boost income. Other annuities give you income right away and some take risks to earn more money so that your savings have the potential to grow more over time.

Will your money last as long as you will? 
If you are not sure check out this website -  http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/financial-tools/articles/mind-the-gap.aspx
Will you live to be 100?

Visit our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

Invest in a Boating Education

 

Finally, the warm weather has arrived! All boat owners are anxiously awaiting the moment they can get their boat launched for the season.  When the boat is ready why not get yourself ready with a boating course.While not all states require boat owners to take a boating education course, anyone who drives a boat could benefit from these classes.  Beyond all the helpful safety tips you will learn, completing the course can also earn you a discount on your boat insurance.  Boating education courses aren't always mandatory, but that doesn't mean you should skip the investment.  Courses are offered around the country for all types of recreational boaters and for boaters of all ages.  These courses are taught by organizations such as the U.S. Cost Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons and state boating agencies.

Boating education programs cover a range of topics from safety instructions to boat handling to reading the weather-and prepare you for a variety of situations you could fine yourself in while on the water.  The good news is these courses seem to be making a difference - boating accidents are declining.

Remember to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

Your Car is Stolen - What do I do Next?

Becoming a victim of vehicle theft can be a frustrating experience, but we've got some tips to help you deal with the crisis.
Think It Through - It may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to consider whether your car was actually stolen - not towed, misplaced or possibly even repossessed.  Take a moment to make sure there's no other explanation for the absence of your car.  If you think your car has been towed, check to see if your vehicle has been impounded or repossessed.
Call The Police - If you're certain that your car has been stolen, it's time to call the police and file a report.  You'll need to give a detailed description of your vehicle, and if possible, it is helpful to have your vehicle identification number (VIN), registration, license plate number and driver's license available when you file the report.
Be Tech-Savy - Many automakers now offer a telematics system, which can help law enforcement officers find your stolen car.  If your vehicle has any type of system that may help to locate it, make sure to notify the police.
Call Your Auto Insurance Company - After you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to let them know your car has been stolen.  Informing your insurance provider can help protect you in case your car is used to harm or cause damage after the theft.  It helps if you can give a good description of your vehicle, the location of all your keys and a list of any personal property inside the car.  If your car is leased or financed, you should also call the lender that you used to purchase the vehicle.
Stop Car Theft Before It Happens - Make sure you always lock your car, take your keys with you, and avoid keeping a spare set hidden in your car.  Never leave your car running, and make sure the doors are locked and your windows are rolled up.  It also helps to park in a well-lit area and hide any valuables that might attract thieves.
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PLUS
Check out this great website Prevention Zone for tire safety basics.

I've been in a car accident.....Now What?

Consider these steps to take after an accident

1. Check for Injuries - First thing, take care of yourself and others.  find out if anyone is hurt.  If anyone requires emergency assistance, call 911.
2.  Exchange Info - Share Insurance information with the other drivers, as well as names, addresses and
phone numbers.  Write down the other vehicle's make, model and license number.
3.  Witnesses - Ask for permission to contact in case you need them. 
4.  File Report - Call local law enforcement to the scene or go to the nearest station to complete a report.  Try to obtain a copy or ask the officer for the report number.
5.  Take Photos - If you're traveling with a camera or camera phone, it's a good idea to take pictures at the scene.  Get shots of the vehicles involved, damage and license plates.  This kind of documentation may help later with your claim.
6.  Contact Your Insurer - Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report your accident and any damages.

TIP FOR THE DAY - I've had clients who were not at fault, but the other person changed their story...you don't need to, but if someone steps up and says what happened get their information.

Please take time to visit our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com
Photo Courtsey of SalvatoreVuono/freedigitalphotos.net

Creating a Household Inventory

Create a Living List
The best loss is one that never happens … but if you are subject to a loss, how can you help prevent the hassles of creating a list of the things that were lost or damaged or stolen from memory alone? By creating a living inventory of the items in your home. Sound difficult? It’s easier than you think with the Allstate Digital Locker tool for your smartphone. And by the way, anyone can download the tool for free (you don’t have to be an Allstate customer).

Digital locker is a free tool from Allstate that allows you to create a visual inventory of your personal property. With it, you can use your camera or phone to take pictures of your items, organize them by room or category, assign a value to them and store them safely in the cloud.
How does it work?
• Secure Account – Digital Locker allows you to create a username and password so that you can access your account from any internet-connected device
• Templates – We provide you with room and category templates to help you get started with your inventory process and create a property catalog
• Photos – You can either take photos with your smartphone or use existing photos to add to your inventory for a visual reference of your items
• Item Value – You can also enter information on the value of your items (you can use your best judgment, or use the Google or barcode search)
• Synchronized Data – You can access your “locker” from the app or the website and back up your inventory to Allstate’s secure data cloud
What are some of the advantages of creating a home inventory?
• Online, secure inventory of your personal property that can help you itemize your possessions for insurance purposes
• Putting the value on your possessions may help you determine what your insurance limits should be
• Home inventories help you to keep track of your possessions and help replace items due to a loss (and may even help streamline the claims process)
• Easily accessible information from any internet-connected device
• You can share the information with others, so that they are aware of your personal property and its value
• You can print or email a copy of your inventory as needed
• In the event of a claim, it will help you prevent the hassles of trying to recreate a list or description from memory

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com
February 2014

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips for Chimney and Furnace Season

With winter doing its thing, many are enjoying a warm fireplace.  Please read for your safety.

How do you protect yourself?  Here are some important safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration that can help keep you safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter.

Furnace and Chimney Safety Precautions
-Have fuel-burning heating equipment and chimneys inspected annually by a licensed professional.  This includes your furnace, water heater, wood stove and any portable heaters.
-Make sure the damper is opened and clear of debris before using a fireplace.
-Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
-When purchasing new appliances, look for products that have been tested and are labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.
-Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside and is kept clear and unblocked.
-Damaged or discolored bricks at the top of your chimney, moisture around the windows and walls near a furnace, and excessive rust on vent pipes or the outside of appliances can all be signs of potential CO problems.  Call in a professional if you spot these signs.

CO Alarm Testing and Replacement
-Run a test on you CO alarms at least once a month, and replace them if they aren't responding correctly.  Sensors in carbon monoxide have a limited life.
-A CO alarm isn't a substitute for a smoke alarm, and visa-versa.  You should familiarize yourself with the different sound each alarm makes.
-If the carbon monoxide detector is beeping, go outside and immediately call 911 or the fire department.

Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?  If not why not?

Winter Storm Preparation

Severe weather can produce freezing temperatures and power outages.  In addition, using alternative heat sources may add the risks of fire, electric shock and carbon monoxide poisoning.  The Red Cross proposes the following steps to insure your safety.
Ready Your Home
-Move items indoors if they could be buffeted by wind (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans, toys, etc.)
-Elevate any items in the basement that could be damaged by flooding
-Insulate any exposed water lines and caulk any openings which may allow cold air to flow across interior supply lines
-Know the location of your main water shut-off in the event you suffer a burst pipe
-Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
-Ensure that family members can locate and operate fire extinguishers
If Your Area Is Blanketed By Extreme Cold
-Expose water pipes to warm air flow by opening doors to under-sink cabinets (remember to remove any harmful products and place them out of reach of young children and pets)
-Open doors to closets where you suspect water lines may run through the walls.  If water lines run through the garage, keep any/all garage doors closed.
-Adjust your thermostat so that it does not reduce the overnight temperature
-Periodically flush the toilets and run faucets (helps relieve pressure that builds up when pipes freeze, causing them to burst).  Trickle water from faucets connected to pipes you suspect will freeze overnight.
-Hair dryer may be used to help thaw pipes.  Open the faucet and slowly direct air across the pipe starting at the faucet end.  Do not use electrical appliances when standing in water.
-If you use auxiliary heaters, be careful to set them up at least three feet from flammables.  Plug directly into wall (i.e., avoid using extension cords).  Turn them off before you leave the room or go to bed.
-Vent all fuel-burning heaters to the outside
-Run back-up generators outside only
-Never use the oven to heat the house
If You Lose Power
-Recent study suggest 20 degrees is the temperature at which un-insulated water pipes freeze, but pipes exposed to flowing , subfreezing air are at risk even above this level.
-If you cannot adequately heat your home, IBHS suggests that you drain the plumbing system by closing the main water value and running every fixture (both hot and cold) until the water stops.
-Monitor local news channels for weather updates and go to designated public shelters if you are alerted to continued, extreme cold
photo courtesy of Maggie Smith/freedigitalphotos.net