Boomer Esiason’s realLIFEstory

Boomer speaks from the heart about the hardship his family faced when his mother, Irene, died when Boomer was only 7. He’s also a passionate fan of life insurance because, as a father himself, he understands how different things would have been growing up if his mother had life insurance.


http://www.lifehappens.org/media1/liam-kit-co/LIAM_Boomer_realLIFEstory.pdf

“Remember, if something happens and you
haven’t done the planning, the people you leave
behind will feel the brunt of your mistakes.”

Call us today  832-554-7388

www.ryaninsuresme.com

Why Devote a Month to Life Insurance Awareness?

Life insurance can do some pretty amazing things for people. It can buy loved ones time to grieve. It can pay off debts and loans, providing surviving family members with the chance to move on with a clean slate. It can keep families in their homes and pre-fund a child’s college education. It can keep a family business in the family. It can provide a stream of income for a family to live on for a period of time. Life insurance can do all of these wonderful things for your family…there’s just one small catch. You need to own life insurance.

There’s a growing crisis of too many Americans not having adequate life insurance protection. According to the industry research group LIMRA, 30 percent of US households have no life insurance whatsoever. Today there are 11 million fewer American households covered by life insurance compared with six years ago. Here’s the bottom line: A majority of families either have no life insurance or not enough, leaving them one accident or terminal illness away from a financial catastrophe for their loved ones.

What if you were suddenly gone and your family had to manage on their own? When was the last time you did the math to make sure your loved ones would be OK financially? Have you checked with your employer to find out what kind of life insurance benefit you have through work and whether you have the option to increase your coverage? When was the last time you had your life insurance needs reviewed by an insurance professional?

To make sure Americans are reminded of the need to include life insurance in their financial plans, the nonprofit LIFE Foundation coordinates Life Insurance Awareness Month. Each September, LIFE is joined in this educational initiative by more than 100 of the nation’s leading insurance companies and industry groups. 
LIFE’s website is the leading source of objective information about life insurance. Spend a few minutes learning more and trying our interactive tools like the Life Insurance Needs Calculator. If you find that you have a need for coverage, we strongly urge you to act by contacting at 832-541-7388 or www.ryaninsuresme.com. Your family’s financial future is too important to leave to chance.

This Week in Automotive History: Aug. 20-Aug. 26

Aug. 20, 2004

Tow Jam Sets Record: A record-setting 83 tow trucks parade through the streets of Wenatchee, Wash., to set a Guiness World record.

Aug. 21, 1897

Oldsmobile Founded: Ransom Eli Olds forms Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Mich.  It would become part of General Motors in 1908 and the division closed in 2004.

Aug. 22, 1950

Speed Control Patented: Ralph R. Teetor of Hagertown, Ind., patents a speed-
control device that would be developed into what we now know as cruise control. 

Aug. 23, 1913

Yosemite Motor Vehicle Ban Lifted: For the first time automobiles are allowed into Yosemite National Park.

Aug. 24, 1958

First Woman to Race in Formula 1: Maria Teresa de Filippis races a Maserati 250F in the Portuguese Grand Prix to become the first woman to race in the Formula 1 Championship.

Aug. 25, 1910

Shaw Livery Company Founded: Walden W. Shaw and John D. Hertz form the Walden W. Shaw Livery Company, which would later become the Yellow Cab Company. Hertz would go on to become a household name for the eponymous rental car company.

Aug. 26, 1940

LaSalle Discontinued: After 14 years, Cadillac ceases production of the LaSalle.

www.ryaninsuresme.com 

Valued Items Worth Collecting Are Worth Protecting

Do you own something special, such as a collector vehicle, or maybe a collection of model trains, figurines, sports memorabilia, or stamps?  Even if you don’t consider yourself a collector, you might benefit from the specialty coverage we offer for these items.

Typical auto and homeowners insurance policies don’t protect the full collector value of collector vehicles and collectibles.   That’s why Hawkins Insurance & Financial Services is offering coverage for our clients through American Collectors Insurance who has designed insurance with collectors in mind:

Collector-vehicle insurance provides affordable Agreed Value coverage, which guarantees the full-insured value of your vehicle in the event of a total loss.  Coverage is available for a broad range of collector vehicles, including muscle cars, street rods, exotics, antique trucks and motorcycles, and even unique vehicles such as farm tractors, military vehicles, and more!  The coverage provides flexible usage and mileage options, along with a choice of deductibles and spare parts coverage.  The Towing & Labor for Collectors (TLC) Plan reimburses for emergency services tailored to car hobbyists.

Collectibles insurance provides broad coverage for a wide variety of collections including automobilia, wine, coins, comic books, and more.  The coverage will protect your collection against accidental breakage, fire, flood, theft, hurricane, earthquake, and even the packaging of your collectibles.  Multiple collections in your household can be covered on the same policy, and you can choose from various deductible options, including zero.  Optional Collector’s Choice coverage provides protection for items being shipped, stored outside of the residence, used for special occasions, and more.

Getting a quote is easy.  You don’t need to have any fancy appraisals or inspections to secure coverage.  Just provide some basic information and our agency will be happy to provide a quick, free quote on your prized possessions.

Contact us today for a quote or with a question:  832-554-7388 

or check us out on the web:  www.ryaninsuresme.com

Losses & Lessons: Classic race cars lost in trailer fire

VEHICLES COVERED: 1965 Shelby GT350, 1969 Porsche 911 and 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

WHAT WENT WRONG: Whether or not you’re a classic motorsports fan, this story will leave you with a sick feeling in your stomach. The owner of three 1960s race cars had the vehicles trailered by a race prep shop. On the way to a show, the truck hauler caught fire and the flames moved quickly to the trailer. Before the cars could be removed, all were lost.

DAMAGE/LOSS: The ’65 GT350 (valued at $160,000), ’69 Porsche 911 ($80,000) and ’69 Camaro ($65,000) and were total losses.

LESSON: Losing three classic automobiles with racing pedigrees was tough enough to swallow. But the story gets worse. The cars were not insured by the owner, who thought off-track insurance was pointless and also figured that the prep shop’s insurance would cover any damage en route. It didn’t. When you self-insure your classic cars, you roll the dice. In this case, proper insurance coverage would have cost the owner a small fraction of the $305,000 that was lost.

Give us a call 832-554-7388 or www.ryaninsuresme.com and let us help you with you classic automobile...

Vacation Proof Your Home—Take Steps To Avoid Surprises

It’s vacation season. All year you’ve been looking forward to spending time at the beach, in the mountains or traveling overseas. A lot of time has been invested in researching flights, booking hotel rooms and finding the best sights to see.
You also need to spend time preparing your home for your absence, whether it’s a few days or a month. There are a few steps you can take to make your home safer and lower utility bills at the same time.

Air Conditioner
An air conditioner accounts for about half of your annual electricity bill. Every degree you turn up the thermostat will save you 2 percent on your cooling costs. Turn up your thermostat to 85 degrees. Doing so will still protect your plants, furniture and other belongings without running up your energy bill.
Water Heater
Why run up your utility bill heating water you’re not going to be there to use? Set the temperature on your water heater to “Vacation” mode. Most new water heaters are equipped with such a setting.
Lights
A Continually dark house, both inside and out, can signal to a burglar that no one is home. Put the lights you want to use as security lights on variable timers. If you need help finding easy to use timers, visit your local home center and ask for help.
Phone
Don’t leave a message that you are out of town on vacation.
Car
If you park your car in the driveway normally and are leaving it while on an extended trip, arrange for a friend or relative to drive it so that it looks like it is being use (and so cobwebs don’t develop, a sure sign that no one is home).

Firearm Insurance: How Does Your Homeowner’s Policy Cover Guns?

November 14, 2011 by Gene Greiner

In Texas, many of us have extensive collections of firearms. Often, we see firearms that have been passed down through generations. These guns are expensive to buy and replace!
My uncle is one such person who has many inherited firearms. His collection is valued at $11,000. I asked him how he chose to insure his gun collection and he told me his insurance company had it covered under the personal property section of his policy.
What he didn’t know was the personal property coverage is subject to the home’s deductible, which is $3,800 in his case. If he experienced a total loss to his firearm collection, the insurance company would only be responsible for $7,200.
Some insurance companies have optional endorsements you can add to the policy for firearm insurance. For the most part, these endorsements will lower the deductible, but they will only cover the gun collection up to a certain point.
In my Uncle’s case, if he had added the gun endorsement, it would have only covered the collection up to $6,000. In the event of a total loss, he would have been out $5,000.
There are some insurance carriers that allow you to schedule firearms. This means that you can cover the guns for the needed amount at no deductible. If my uncle were able to schedule his collection, it would have been covered for the full $11,000. In the event of a loss, he would have had no deductible.

Three Tips To Help Your Vacation Get Off To A Worry-Free Start

With vacation season in full swing, you may be in the process of planning an annual getaway. While most people spend lots of time looking for ways to maximize their budget, one costly decision is often left to the last minute—whether to buy the optional insurance offered by a rental car company.

“Deciding whether to buy ‘damage waivers’ or insurance at the rental car counter can be a confusing experience—especially if you don’t know if you’re already covered by your personal auto insurance policy,” said Rick Crawley of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. “Optional rental car insurance can cost between $7 and $25 per day, depending on the rental car company, vehicle make and model and type of waiver. Those daily charges can significantly add to the cost of your rental.”

Follow these three tips, courtesy of Hawkins Insurance, to help you decide whether or not you should buy the coverage:

1. Consult with an independent insurance agency – like Hawkins Insurance. As licensed insurance professionals, independent insurance agents and brokers can review and evaluate your policies to find out if the coverage you have on your personal vehicle provides protection for you in a rental car.

2. Check with your credit card company. Some credit card companies provide coverage at no charge if you use their card to charge the cost of the rental. However, some restrictions may apply so be sure to ask for a description of the exact coverages provided.

3. Take your personal auto insurance policy and details of your coverages with you to the rental car counter. You may be asked a question that these papers can help answer—or, if you’re in doubt, you’ll have your agent’s name and phone number readily available. “We want people to have the information they need to make more informed decisions about car insurance,” said Crawley.

“Knowing whether you need to buy additional coverage can save you money and give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your vacation. Don’t start off your trip questioning your decisions—take control by talking with your independent agent or broker and knowing the answers to those inevitable questions.”

To learn more about all your independent agency can offer you, contact Hawkins Insurance or visit ryaninsuresme.com.

Four Questions To Get The Right Auto Insurance

Using the right tool for a job is key to success in any profession. Experts say the same principle applies when selecting an auto insurance policy. Having the right type of policy can help ensure that you, your employees and your business are all protected in the unfortunate event that one of your vehicles is involved in an accident.

If you’re a business owner and you or your employees use a vehicle for business-related deliveries or to carry certain materials to and from a job site, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy that’s tailored to more closely suit the needs—and risks—of a business vehicle operator.

Here are some questions that can help you determine if you might need a commercial auto policy instead of a personal auto policy, courtesy of Hawkins Insurance

• Do you need more liability coverage than your personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy provides higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.

• Do you need special coverage for situations associated with con-ducting business? Commercial auto policies also usually offer certain coverages—such as hired and non-owned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use—that are not available with personal auto policies.

• Do you need to list any employees as drivers? You can do this with a commercial auto insurance policy.

• Do you use your vehicle for business purposes? If you use your vehicle for things like pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting service, landscaping or snowplowing service, logging business, day care/church retreat van service and/or farm-to-market delivery, you might need a commercial auto policy.

Hawkins Insurance is an independent insurance agency – trained, licensed insurance professionals who offer personal service and advice. We can help match you with the type of policy that best suits your needs and those of your company.

Brittney LaCombe – A Mother’s Death Brings on Struggle

Brittney LaCombe – A Mother’s Death Brings on Struggle

M

other’s Day for Roseann LaCombe meant camping with her three daughters on the beach near their St. Petersburg, Fla., home. During last year’s trip, Roseann complained of mild leg pain. Later, she couldn’t bear weight on the leg and went to the hospital, where doctors kept her for observation. The next morning her eldest daughter, Brittney, then 20, received a call informing her that her mother had died of a pulmonary embolism. 

Without life insurance, the girls’ financial struggle started immediately. Roseann had worked in accounts receivable for an apparel company, but was unemployed at the time of her death and left only $300 in her bank account. Brittney’s part-time job as a customer-service representative at a local newspaper was no match for the bills. 

A week after Roseann died, shut-off notices arrived for the electric and water services, and the bank called every day looking for payment on the mortgage for their three-bedroom house with a pool. By the end of the month the girls, with help from Catholic Charities, moved to a small apartment. To make the rent and take care of her sisters, Brittney works full time. 

The new life is taking a toll on Brittney. She was forced to cut her course load toward a social-work degree to work more hours. She suffers from anxiety, worrying that even such a meager lifestyle could unravel at any moment. “If my mom had had life insurance, we would have been able to stay in our house and pay the bills,” Brittney says. “We wouldn’t have to struggle all the time.” 

Call today to protect your loved ones should the foreseeable happen....

832.554.7388

ryan@ryaninusresme.com

www.ryaninsuresme.com

Karim Abouelnaga – The American Dream Put on Hold

A

del Abouelnaga and his wife, Mahassen, came to the United States from Egypt in search of a better life. An entrepreneur to his core, Adel worked long hours selling souvenirs at street fairs. Eventually, he opened his own shop at a prime location in midtown Manhattan. The couple was living their American dream: a successful business, five boys ranging in age from 16 to 1, and a comfortable apartment they owned in Queens, N.Y. 
Their life, however, was about to change. Adel was diagnosed with lymphoma. He died nine months later. The store was the family’s sole source of income, but Mahassen couldn’t run it and raise five boys on her own. She was forced to close the business, and sold off the inventory to pay for the funeral.

With no life insurance to help the family make a transition, life became a struggle. The family sold their home and moved into a small two bedroom apartment. The three oldest brothers share a small room dominated by their three beds; Mahassen and the two youngest children sleep in one bed in the other.

The older brothers are the family’s primary breadwinners. When not in school, they work to support their mother and younger siblings. When she’s not home cooking, cleaning and managing the household finances, Mahassen works part-time in a public school. 

It’s been three years since Adel died, and the family is doing better. Moez, 19, attends a city university and plans to start his own business. Karim, 18, maintained a 4.0 GPA in high school and attends Cornell University on scholarships he earned. Monzer, 17, a high-school senior, has his sights set on an opera career. 

“We were forced to grow up sooner than most kids,” Karim says. “But we’re going to make it.” 

Life Happens - Karim Abouelnaga

Is your Homeowners Insurance company non-renewing your policy

Is your Homeowners Insurance company non-renewing your policy and not being a "Good Neighbor"? Call Hawkins Insurance & Financial Services Group in League City at 832-554-7388 or visit us atwww.ryaninsuresme.com. I have "A" rated Insurance Companies that WANT your business and offer VERY competitive rates.