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When shopping for insurance, most people are unaware that there are different kinds of agents they can work with. Choosing the right one can make a big difference in securing the best combination of price and value.

With a captive insurance agent, you only get the guidance of one company that sells one brand of insurance. With an independent insurance agent, you might get up to 30 choices.

This is because an independent insurance agent represents multiple brands, and can compare coverage and prices to find the best possible value for your individual circumstances. Independent agents are usually vested members of your community who are committed to doing business face-to-face and being your advocate in times of need.

They also:

• Work for you when you have a claim.
• Are not beholden to any one company. This means you don’t have to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change.
• Are your consultants, working with you as you determine your needs.
• Are value-hunters who look after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage, and service.
• Offer one-stop shopping for a full range of products, including home, renters, auto, business, life, health, and retirement plans.
• Can periodically review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs.
• Are committed to customer satisfaction-it’s the key to their livelihood
• Treat you like a person, not a number.
• Are licensed professionals with strong customer and community ties.

There is a difference. To find out more about working with an independent agent, please contact AMS Insurance!

Originally posted 2012-08-08 21:35:32.

If you’re looking for work, going back to school or preparing to strike out on your own, avoiding these common insurance mistakes will help you save money and maintain a solid financial safety net.

• Mistake #1:  Reducing Your Home and Auto Insurance Coverage Levels
  While reducing your coverage levels may save you money in the short run, this may be the worst time to take on more financial risk. Consider increasing your home and auto deductibles as an alternative. You’ll save  money on your rates, but the risk of financial ruin may be far less.
• Mistake #2: Ignoring Alternatives to COBRA
  Maintaining health coverage via your former employer is not your only  option. If you’re in good health, individual health insurance—also called  “major medical” or “high-deductible” insurance—could cost considerably less overall.
• Mistake #3: Not  Comparing Rates from Multiple Insurers
  With every type of insurance, different insurance companies are going to look at you differently. All companies use different underwriting criteria to determine rates, and if you don’t call AMS Insurance you’ll never know if you could be paying less.
• Mistake #4: Neglecting to Tell Your Auto Insurance Company Your   Commute Has changed
  If your employment situation has changed, talk to your current insurer and      review the annual mileage you’re currently being rated for. If your new annual mileage is lower, you should save some money.
• Mistake #5: Not Buying Term Life Insurance as Soon as Possible
  Extra expense may be the last thing you need at this point; failing to address your life insurance needs could make a bad situation even worse if you were to pass away. Talk to AMS and let us put your mind at ease.

Originally posted 2012-09-05 23:20:45.

We loved this “classic” Christmas tale. We’re sure you will too!

Source: Unknown (with apologies to Clement Moore)

‘Twas the night before Christmas (12:01 a.m. 12/25) and all through the house (single family, joisted masonry, e.c.3, terr. 44, pc5), not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (thorough pride of ownership and excellent maintenance).

The (flame-retardant) stockings were hung by the (contractor-installed) chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there (in spite of deadbolt locks and central station alarm system).

The children (ages 4, 8, 14, & 16) were all nestled snug in their beds (check MVR on 16-year-old) while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Ma in her kerchief (scheduled heirloom) and I in my cap (no slave to fashion) had just settled down for a long winter’s nap. (Check employment; is insured sleeping all day?)

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter (check into condition of premises, housekeeping, etc.), I jumped out of bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, threw back the curtains and tore open the sash (intentional destructive act, no coverage; also, appears insured only wearing a cap in front of uncovered window).

When what to my wondrous eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. (check if sleigh is rated business use and corporate owned.) With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. (Notify life underwriting, order medical on 600-year-old driver).

More rapid than eagles (check MVR for speeding violations) his coursers they came and he whistled and shouted and called them by name (possible aggressive driver).

Now Dasher (turbo equipped?), now Dancer (classic?), now Prancer (check occupation), now Vixen (definitely check occupation), on Comet (possible muscle deer), on Cupid (check credit score), on Donner (4×4) and Blitzen (possible drinking problem?).

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall (check for structural damage; also look into height exposures), now dash away, dash away, dash away all (old man climbing walls either in great shape or overly medicated).

So up to the housetop his coursers they flew, with a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas, too. (Check for possible retail delivery classification of autos). And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. (Check for shingle damage; also classification of operations–roofing is a prohibited class).

As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney he came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur (scheduled items) from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. (Part-time job as firefighter?)

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back. (Check to see if insured has safety committee; check lifting training). His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry, his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry (order updated medical report, possible drinking, drug abuse, Rosacea, or Hepatitis).

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth (ineligible for nonsmoker discount) and the smoke encircled his head like a wreath (check batteries in smoke detectors to make sure operational).

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly elf (overweight for height) and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a nod of his head soon gave me reason I had nothing to dread (Stranger enters past alarm and insured not worried? Sounds suspicious.)

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stocking, then turned with a jerk (review workplace for ergonomic compliance).

And laying his finger aside of his nose (obscene gesture?), and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. (Check operations, chimney sweeps are prohibited classification, look into GL PD deductible.)

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle (not likely with fat man and sleigh full of toys. Check GVW for proper classification, light/service/local seems unlikely).

And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” (Check hours of operation; 24-hour service operations prohibited. Also check into seasonal nature of business.)

Originally posted 2012-12-24 14:03:20.

While Las Vegas is located in the Mojave Desert and annually gets maybe 5 inches of rainfall, it also is located in its own basin, meaning any water falling in the vicinity ultimately winds up in Las Vegas. Complicating the problem is the rocky soil and steep mountains surrounding the area, which means the soil can’t absorb much rainfall. The result is rapid water runoff that quickly becomes a potentially deadly and highly destructive flash flood that can cause a lot of damage. Area officials have done a good job of improving flood control measures, but there still are a lot of homes at risk of suffering flood damages.

National Flood Insurance Program Raising Rates

Homeowners insurance policies do not provide coverage for external flooding. If the water comes in through your door or windows, it won’t be covered unless you have flood insurance protection. Most homeowners insurance plans will pay for damages caused by internal flooding, but additional protection is needed for external flooding. People living in areas that are at-risk of flood damage generally have to buy their coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, which is administered by the federal government. But the program is deep in debt and has been raising flood insurance rates to as high as $10,000 per year for homes in high-risk areas.

Flood Plain Maps Expanded

To help recoup its steep losses, officials with the National Flood Insurance Program busily have been expanding maps of flood insurance plains and requiring flood insurance protection for all homes located within them. Homes located at or below the 100-year flood plains are charged very high rates for a maximum $250,000 in flood insurance coverage. The rates are reduced for taking steps to mitigate potential damage, like raising homes on stilts or moving them to higher ground.

Do you live in an area where flooding has occurred in recent years?

Originally posted 2014-07-02 15:13:04.

We get it; shopping around for the right life insurance policy can be intimidating; you’ll need to decide between a whole life policy or a term life policy, the amount of coverage you need, which carrier to use. . . need we go on?

But one thing you shouldn’t stress about is the inevitable physical exam that comes along with most life insurance policies. Why not stress? Sure, it’s important, and will generally effect your life insurance rates, but stressing out will raise your blood pressure – which is exactly what you want to avoid at your life insurance physical.

In fact, high blood pressure can be a good excuse for insurance carriers to give you higher rates than you’d otherwise receive, as it’s an indicator of current or future health problems. So when you’re ready to secure your policy, follow our tips for lowering your blood pressure.

Avoid Caffeine: Sorry, coffee fiends; consuming caffeine before your insurance exam can give you artificially high blood pressure. Schedule your exam for first thing in the morning, or else plan to have your “morning coffee” after your appointment.

Calm Down: Just being in a doctor’s office can be stress enough to spike your blood pressure. While you wait, take some deep breaths and practice some quick meditation. Staying calm will help the nurse get an accurate blood pressure reading.

Kill the Smokes: A smoking habit will give you higher life insurance premiums anyway, but you can at least help improve your blood pressure score by nixing the cigarettes for a day before your exam. We suggest nixing the habit altogether, but that’s just us.

Follow the instructions: Many doctors will suggest fasting prior to your exam. This is a great idea, especially because several types of food can contribute to higher blood pressure.

Time it right: Some studies indicate that your blood pressure is the highest during the early afternoon, so try to schedule your appointment first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the lowest reading.

Don’t let the stress of life insurance get your blood pressure up! We’re happy to help you find the policy that’s right for you.

Originally posted 2013-02-21 12:22:41.