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What Millennials Need to Know about Insurance

What Millennials Need to Know about Insurance

As a millennial, you may not have given much thought to insurance. After all, you’re probably healthy and don’t own much. But insurance is actually something that everyone should have, even millennials. Here’s what you need to know about insurance.

First, what is insurance? Insurance is a way to protect yourself financially in case of an accident, illness, or other unexpected events. It’s basically a safety net.

There are different types of insurance, but the two most common are health insurance and life insurance. Health insurance covers medical expenses, while life insurance pays out a death benefit to your loved ones in the event of your death.

You may not think you need insurance, but it’s actually a good idea to have it. You never know when you might get sick or have an accident. And if something happens to you, your family will be grateful that you had insurance.

So, if you are a young person who doesn’t have much money, how does that change when you become a parent? Well, it depends. If you have a high-risk profession, or if you consistently spend more than $3,000 a year on healthcare, then you should seriously consider getting life insurance.

The best way to decide what type of life insurance you need is to talk to your agent.

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5 Insurance Mistakes Millennials Make and How to Avoid them

5 Insurance Mistakes Millennials Make and How to Avoid them

5 Insurance Mistakes Millennials Make and How to Avoid them

When it comes to insurance, millennials often make mistakes that can have long-term consequences. Here are five of the most common mistakes millennials make with their insurance, and how to avoid them:

1. Not Shopping Around for the Best Rates:

  • When it comes to insurance, it’s important to shop around for the best rates. There are a lot of different insurance companies out there, so it’s important to compare rates before you decide on a policy.

2. Not Reading the Fine Print:

  • Another mistake millennials make with their insurance is not reading the fine print. It’s important to understand the terms and conditions of your policy before you sign up for it.

3. Not Getting Enough Coverage:

  • Another common mistake millennials make is not getting enough coverage. Make sure you understand the coverage you’re getting and that it’s enough to protect you in the event of an accident or unforeseen circumstance.

4. Not Reviewing your Insurance Policy:

  • It’s easy to click “Accept” when a friend, parent, or colleague offers you a discount card for your favorite store. But it’s not so easy to review your policies when you need to file a claim. Make sure to look over your insurance records to make sure everything is up to date.

5. LACKING TRUST IN YOUR INSURANCE:

  • If you don’t trust your insurance company, you probably don’t trust your agent, either. Read reviews of the agent before you hire him or her. To keep things simple, look for an agent who is either a member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) or the American Statistical Association (ASA). Both organizations monitor state and federal regulators to ensure that agents provide correct information.
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Tornado Preparedness Safety Tips

Tornado Preparedness Safety Tips

Tornadoes are among the most violent, yet also one of the most common, weather events in the United States. They are like giant vacuum cleaners in the sky, sucking up everything in their path, including people, cars, houses, trees, and anything else that happens to be in their way. They can be very small or very large, but they can also be very weak or extremely powerful. Tornadoes typically form during the spring and summer months. They can occur at any time of day and can strike quickly and without warning. You need to be prepared to take quick action and know the best action to take.

Step 1: Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning

A tornado watch indicates that weather conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes over the next several hours, typically in the late afternoon. A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has actually been sighted in the area, or that radar signals indicate that a thunderstorm is producing a tornado. A tornado warning is usually issued shortly after a tornado has touched down.

Step 2: Know the signs of a tornado

Signs that a tornado may be approaching include the following:

  • Rotating funnel-shaped cloud
  • Approaching cloud of debris
  • Dark or green-colored sky
  • Large, dark, low-lying cloud
  • Large hail
  • Loud roar that sounds like a freight train

If you notice any of these signs take cover immediately and stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, a NOAA weather radio, or the internet.

Step 3: Create the emergency plan (according to CDC)

  • Identify a safe place in your home for household members and pets to gather during a tornado.
  • Sketch a floor plan of your home or walk through each room and discuss where and how to seek shelter.
    • Identify a second way to exit from each room or area. If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.
    • Mark where your first-aid kit and fire extinguishers are located.
    • Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so they can be turned off (if time permits) during an emergency.
  • Make sure everyone understands the tornado warning system in your area.
  • Teach your family how to administer basic first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher, and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home.
  • Create an emergency supply kit
  • Learn the emergency dismissal policy for your child’s school.
  • Make sure your children know
    • What a tornado is
    • What tornado watches and warnings are
    • What county or parish they live in (warnings are issued by county or parish)
    • How to take shelter, whether at home or at school

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

– Better to practice and teach your family/household members to execute the emergency plan for them to know what will they be doing if the disaster or emergency comes.

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Car Accident Checklist

Car Accident Checklist: What to do after a Car Accident

Car Accidents happen when you least expect them. By knowing what to do after one happens, you’ll help keep the driver and yourself safe. After a car accident, there are a few steps that are recommended to make sure that the victim of the accident is taken care of. Please see below for a few things to do after a car accident.

1. Remain calm. It helps you stay in control of the situation.

2. Ensure you and your passengers are OK. Look for any injuries, and then call for help. If someone is seriously injured, stay with them, but if they are able to walk, encourage them to do so.

3. Move as far away from the roadway as possible, but remain at the accident scene. If the car is not drivable it should be towed and put in a safe place. If there is a fire, get away from the vehicle and call for help.

4. Call the police and wait for them to arrive to report the accident.

5. Contact your insurance company and report the claim. The sooner your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner they can begin to resolve your claim.

6. Exchange information with the other driver involved in the car accident. It is important to document everything that was damaged in case there is a dispute over who is at fault for the wreck.

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Types of Life Insurance

Types of Life Insurance

Opting to buy life insurance, but can’t decide which type of Life Insurance you should get? Don’t worry, we are here to explain everything you need to know about the following types of life insurance:

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance covers a specified length of time, ranging between five to 30 years as long as monthly premiums are paid. Coverage amounts vary depending on the policy.

Pros: It’s the most affordable way to buy life insurance

Cons: If you outlive your policy, you will need to buy more if you want to continue to have life insurance.

Whole Life Insurance

A form of permanent insurance that pays out benefits upon death regardless of the plan holder’s age. The regular premium payments can be accrued into a fund, which pays out cash dividends that can be used while you are still alive.

Pros: It covers you for your entire life and builds cash value.

Cons: It’s typically more expensive than term life or other permanent policies.

Variable Life Insurance

This is a combination of life insurance and investment, giving plan holders various investment options depending on their preference. The term “variable” refers to the possible change in investment values, making premium payments more flexible.

Pros: There is potential for considerable gains if your investment choices do well. You can take partial withdrawals from the cash value or borrow against it, sometimes tax-free!

Cons: It requires you to be hands-on in managing your policy as the cash value can change daily based on the market. Fees and administrative charges are deducted from your payment before going toward the cash value, it is a riskier choice.

Want to know more about our insurance services, you may reach us at (903) 534-5554 or email us at staff@birddogins.com .

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Road Trip Checklist: Things to Do Before Going on a Road Trip

Road Trip Checklist: Things to Do Before Going on a Road Trip

Road Trips are often associated with adventure and memorable experiences, it is also the perfect way to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Some people pack up their car, and take off for a day, a week, or even a month, but there are certain things to keep in mind to make sure that your next road trip is less stressful, more cost-efficient, and successful.

Before you leave, you must remember this checklist:

1. The road trip primary checklist

– Schedule all of your itinerary, routes, and stops ahead of time. Use google maps or other maps to plan out stops and make sure you’re going in the right direction.

– Check the weather forecast. Weather can be unpredictable.

– Make sure your vehicle is in good shape, check your tires, engine, oil, and gas

– Wear comfortable clothes. You may spend hours in the car and you want to feel your best.

2. The road trip essentials

– Driver’s License

– Car Registration and Insurance Information

– AAA Membership or Phone Number(s) for Roadside Assistance

– Spare Tire and tools

– Flashlight

– The road trip basic must-haves

– Map App and paper maps (just in case your phone loses its service)

– Pack water and snacks.

– First aid kit and toiletries. You never know when you might need them.

– Toys or games for your kids

– A good Spotify music playlist

Road trips can offer a great chance to bond with your friends, family, and acquaintances. Make sure you go prepared to keep everyone healthy and safe. Enjoy the drive and be sure that your car insurance is up to date, otherwise, we are here to help you with the renewal of your auto insurance. Always remember it’s better to be safe and protected.   

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Fun Family Indoor Activities for Summer

Fun Family Indoor Activities for Summer

Summer is officially here and there is plenty of fun family indoor activities to keep the kids entertained. Instead of staying inside stuck to the television, getting bored, it’s a good idea to bring your family together and make a “fun time” for everyone, for free.

Here are a few tricks to keep your family entertained indoors on a hot summer day:

1. Get in the kitchen together and make refreshing drinks and food

– The perfect way to beat the heat is to make some fun finger food appetizers and refreshing drinks like fruit smoothies and milkshakes. You can make some vegetable and fruit kabobs, cut in fun shapes like heart shapes for moms and dad, or bunny shapes for the kids.

2. Be active by playing indoor games with your family

– There are plenty of fun games you can all play together when the summer heat gets to be too much. Board games are always a great way to spend a few hours with the family. Choose two or three games from your stash and go over the rules. Games to try include Clue, Monopoly, Battleship, and Sorry! You can find a selection of games online or at your local store.

We hope this article helps you keep your family cool this summer and above all this, you must remember that your family’s protection must be prioritized, that is why we are here to help you choose the right insurance coverage for your home.

Want to know more about our insurance services, you may reach us at (903) 534-5554 or email us at staff@birddogins.com