DENTON, Texas (April 9, 2012) —Insurance Connection USA, a Denton, Texas-based insurance agency, recently added Elisa M. Thornton as an insurance agent and customer service specialist.

“Insurance Connection USA continues to grow and expand in Denton and in other cities,” said Bob Garrison, Insurance Connection USA’s managing director. “As the company grows, it needs people such as Elisa to provide top-rate customer service and insurance expertise.”

Thornton, a Denton resident, is a licensed agent and an account manager for group health products. She also holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington.

“I want to help all Insurance Connection USA’s customers make educated decisions about their health care coverage,” she said. “There are many options available.”

By Erika Cook

We have been looking for a great accident medical expense plan for a couple years that is financially stable and pays claims for any accidental medical expense to help ease the burden of the normal health insurance deductible.  Now, we have such a plan.

After only the $100 deductible, the Accident Medical Expense program offered by Insurance Connection USA and underwritten through Zurich American Insurance Company pays for the usual and customary expenses for medically necessary-covered medical services resulting from an accident.

We encourage any families with children and active adults to take a look at this new program.  For as little as $30 per month, you can get this great coverage and feel secure in knowing any accidental medical costs will be covered.

For more information go to our accident policy web site and sign up online.

Spring is a Good Time for an Insurance Check-up

By Bob Garrison

Spring is now in full swing, and it may be time to review your insurance policies to make sure you have the correct coverage.  As you know, our mission is to help you find the best coverage for the lowest cost.  That means at least every six months, we would like to review your policies and provide you a free insurance check-up.

• We will review your current coverage at every renewal and provide you with a side-by-side comparison of all the best insurance plans in the state.  This free service will allow you to have the best coverage for the lowest price.
• We provide personalized claims assistance should the unexpected happen, and we will help you manage the claims process.
• We are local, so all our questions and concerns are handled by a local agent.

Insurance Connection USA has built our reputation on Golden Rule Service: We treat our clients the way we want to be treated; with courtesy, honesty and patient understanding. Old-fashioned; maybe, but it’s the only way we do business.

To get a free Insurance Checkup contact Bob Garrison for more information go to Insurance Connection USA

RV Coverage and Questions to Ask your Insurance Agent

Spring is slowly making it’s way here and before you get out on the open road, make sure you have the correct coverage for your RV:

“It’s a good idea to consider specialized coverage for your recreational vehicle (RV),” says Insurance Connection USA’s insurance product specialist Alexander Zougris.  “It functions as a motorized vehicle some of the time and a home some of the time – having coverage for both of these purposes typically doesn’t come from just an auto policy or a home policy.”

Here are top questions Zougris suggests you ask your agent or broker when you are deciding what coverage to purchase for your RV.

1. Is my optional equipment covered?

“Awnings, air conditioners, satellite dishes, LP tanks and bike racks can all be damaged, so ask if these things are covered by your policy,” suggests Zougris. “Be sure to discuss whether the coverage applies only to originally affixed equipment or if it includes equipment that you attach after purchasing your RV. A good policy will give you a set amount of coverage included with your comprehensive coverage, with the ability to purchase more.”

2. Is my personal property inside the motor home or travel trailer covered?

Chances are you are packing your camping, cooking and other traveling equipment for your trip, including golf clubs or other things for entertainment,” Zougris adds. “You can typically choose coverage for these items as part of a package. The one thing to double check about personal property is sometimes your homeowner’s policy can have exceptions regarding coverage for personal property in a motorized vehicle. Your agent can help you figure out your best option.”

 3. What type of coverage is best for me – Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value?

“Replacement cost coverage protects your motor home from the effects of depreciation and usually isn’t available with an auto policy,” explains Zougris. “With a Replacement Cost policy, if your new-model motor home is destroyed within a certain period of time after purchase, the insurance company will replace it with a brand new one of similar kind and quality.  If your motor home is destroyed and you only have an Actual Cash Value policy, which is typically what you’d get with an auto policy, you will only be paid the current value of your motor home.”

 4. What payment plans are available?

“Whether you want to pay in full or in installments, having the flexibility to choose is an important option,” offers Zougris. “Talk to your agent or broker. Insurance companies offer many different plans such as one-pay, four-pay or ten-pay options.”

5. Is towing or roadside assistance available?

“Towing and Roadside Assistance is a great coverage to have if your motor home or travel trailer breaks down and can include towing, jump starts, roadside service, flat tire changes, fuel delivery and locksmith services,” adds Zougris. “Specialized coverage is important and can exceed what you would get from an auto policy.  You’ll want to be covered 24/7 by experts who have the equipment and parts to help with a bigger vehicle like an RV. Ask if coverage extends to any vehicles you may be towing behind you.”

 6. What about special coverage’s for full-timers or vacationers?

“Some insurance companies offer these special coverage’s, which may cover full-timers when they are parked and using their RV as a residence,” says Zougris. “You can also ask about vacation liability, which may cover you in case you are found responsible for someone else’s injury in your motor home while it’s parked. Again, exclusions in your homeowners policy may play into what type of coverage you want to purchase for your RV, so take this into consideration when you discuss your options.”

For more information or questions about your RV coverage contact Alexander at 940-382-4700 or email Alexandra@insuranceconnectionusa.com

Denton RV Insurance

Why Care About Flooding?

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. They’ve caused nearly $2.7 billion in U.S. flood losses in the last 10 years (2001-2010). There is a 26 percent chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage in high-risk flood areas. However, losses due to flooding are not covered under typical homeowner’s and business insurance policies.

Causes of Flooding

* Hurricanes and tropical storms cause floods that can create far more damage than high winds.
* Nor’easters, or extra-tropical cyclones, also cause flooding and storm surge.
* Heavy rains, winter storms, and spring thaws bring flooding to river basins.
* Overburdened or clogged drainage systems lead to property damage both within and outside floodplains.
* Construction and new development affect natural drainage and create new flood risks.

Determine your Flood Risk at FloodSmart.gov  Is your property in a high risk or moderate to low risk area? Knowing your flood profile will help you understand your risk of financial loss.  Simply enter your property address to see your relative risk, find links to flood maps, and other flood insurance community resources.

Flood maps determine your level of risk. You can also view current flood maps at FEMA’s Map Store .  FEMA is also undertaking a nationwide effort to produce new digitized flood maps for hundreds of communities over the next five years. These new maps will reflect changes in floodplains caused by new development and natural forces.

News for Low-Risk Properties

Expanded, Lower-cost Flood Insurance Coverage
If a single family home or business is located in a low- to moderate-risk area, the owners may be eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy (PRP). For homeowners, this policy covers the home and contents for as little as $129 a year. PRP policies are available for businesses as well, saving about 30 percent off standard premiums. Contents-only PRP policies are available for renters, and business owners that lease their buildings. Ask an insurance agent for details.

If you have questions about flood insurance or just want to make sure you are covered, call 940-382-4700 and talk to one of our experienced agents or email Alexandra@insuranceconnectionusa.com.

Believe those two myths and you might wind up paying dearly.

Homeowner policies have important differences that can affect whether claims are paid, according to a study scheduled to be published early next year in the University of Chicago Law Review. The problem is that those differences are poorly understood.

Tips for Selecting the Correct Insurance

1. Use a reputable independent agent with access to a range of insurers and coverage options.
2. Ask about exclusions and wording differences across policies.
3. Ask about coverage for water damage from sewer or pipe problems, and whether damage to the foundation is covered, limited or excluded.
4. Ask which items will be paid at “replacement value” versus “actual cash value.”

At least one state Nevada has recently began posting policy forms in October for its 10 largest home and auto insurers. This is a first step in an effort to improve consumers’ ability to comparison-shop for insurance.

For now, many consumers’ best option is to seek out an experienced and reputable insurance agent to cut through all the confusing language, says Amy Bach, who runs United Policyholders, a consumer-advocacy group in San Francisco. The group has long sought to educate consumers on the importance of comparison-shopping “for quality, not just price.”

Christmas trees: Trimming the tree is the main decorating event in many households, but the tree can become a fire hazard if it’s dried out. Remember to replenish the water in your tree stand on a daily basis, so that your tree remains healthy and hydrated for the duration of the holiday season. (Also, check out this article for more Christmas tree safety tips.)
Holiday foliage: Poinsettias, holly, Jerusalem cherries, and mistletoe are all toxic if ingested. If you have pets or small children in the house, avoid using these decorations or opt for the artificial versions.
Artificial snow: If you’re longing for a white Christmas, spraying windows with artificial snow can give your house a frosty glow – even if you live in a warm climate. However, spray-on snow can irritate your lungs, so make sure to follow the directions carefully and only use the spray in well-ventilated areas.
Fireplaces: Adorning the mantle with garlands, stockings, and other decorations is a holiday tradition in many households, but keep these trimmings clear of working fireplaces. You should also be careful when using fire salts, which produce colored flames, since they are highly toxic if ingested.
Lights: Before hanging lights indoors or outdoors, check the strings for cracked sockets, broken bulbs, or frayed/bare wires. Also, only use lights that are approved by a national testing lab, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Do not use electric lights on metallic trees because faulty lights can cause branches to become charged and possibly electrocute someone. If you’re using outdoor lights, make sure they are approved for that use and plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter device.
Candles: Flickering candlelight can give your home a cozy, warm glow, but candles cause more than 11,000 fires every year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you’re using candles to decorate for the holidays, keep a close eye on them when they’re lit, and don’t leave the room without extinguishing the flames. Never put a lit candle on a tree.

About three-quarters of seniors and disabled people in New Mexico have been paying $96.40 a month for the Part B federal health-insurance program for the past three years. New enrollees—mainly people who turned 65 in 2009, 2010 or 2011—have been paying $115.40 a month. They will see their premiums decrease.

Medicare trustees predicted earlier this year they would boost premiums by up to $10 a month for most beneficiaries.

A law prevents most Medicare premiums from rising if Social Security payouts stay flat, which has been the case since 2009. The premiums paid by those not in a high-income category have been frozen for three years because of the law.

But the Social Security Administration said last week that recipients will see a 3.6% cost-of-living increase in their checks next year. That allowed Medicare’s costs to be spread across more recipients, not just those with higher incomes.

Individuals in the higher-income group—individuals who make over $85,000 a year, or couples earning over $170,000 a year—pay higher Medicare contributions, and paid larger premiums in each of the past three years to make up for the freeze for lower-income recipients. Their premiums will fall next year.

“As Insurance Connection continues to grow and expand in Denton and the other cities the agency serves, it’s important to only hire employees who will provide excellent customer service to the agency’s clients,” said Bob Garrison, Insurance Connection USA’s managing director. “Erika certainly has all the qualities this agency requires for its clients.”

Cook, who resides with her family, has a Master’s degree in clinical psychology from Argosy University and a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Phoenix. She is a licensed agent.

Insurance Connection USA’s other offices are in Dallas Texas; and Seattle, Wash.

For more information about Insurance Connection, please go to http://www.insuranceconnectionusa.com or call 800-732-0249.

About Insurance Connection USA

Insurance Connection USA is a company assisting individuals and small companies to find appropriate and affordable insurance for their health, life, home and auto needs. The company’s mission is to provide clients accurate information they can use to choose the best insurance plans for their needs.

Preparing for a vacation this summer? As you make travel plans, plan also to protect your personally identifiable information to avoid the theft and misuse of your identity. Here, are a few tips to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft when traveling or on vacation:

Don’t announce your travel plans on social networking websites. You may want to share your excitement about upcoming travel plans or post photos and updates from your destination, but best practice is to wait until you return home to mention the trip on any of your social networking sites.

Put a hold on your mail and newspapers. Letting mail and newspapers pile up while you are away is a sign to others that you are away, apparently for an extended time, which could invite theft of your mail or a home burglary. Contact your post office and paper deliverer to put a hold on these items while you are away.

If you don’t need it, don’t bring it. Remember, thieves can’t steal what you don’t have. Remove any credit card or account information you won’t use on your trip. Leave your Social Security card at home, as well. Then, make photocopies of the personal material in your wallet: driver’s license, credit cards, insurance cards, etc.—front and back—and store those copies in a safe place. Should your wallet be lost or stolen, you won’t be left wondering what was actually taken, and you’ll be able to quickly notify the appropriate agencies about what was taken.

Insurance Connection USA offers Identity theft protection insurance, call us if you would like more information.