Shannon Harvey Insurance

I purchased Cancer Insurance for myself nearly ten years ago, shortly after a younger relative was diagnosed with Sarcoma.  After discovering the lump beneath his skin he traveled to Charleston twice for exams & traveled to Texas another couple times to receive the surgery that successfully removed the cancer and he has been cancer-free since.  Needless to say, it was quite a scare for him.

No one likes to think about getting cancer, but according to the American Cancer Society it will affect 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women.  You'll discover at www.cancer.org, 1 in 5 people with health insurance who are diagnosed with cancer use all or most of their savings because of the financial cost of dealing with cancer.  This statistic caught me off guard, but then I realized what most people overlook: there are direct costs and also indirect costs people incur when battling cancer.

The direct costs are the ones that immediately pop into your mind: chemotherapy, X-rays, hospital rooms, drugs and medicine.  The shocking part? They only account for 35% of cancer-related expenses.  The other 65% are made up of the indirect costs, such as: missed work, missed work for a spouse, travel, child care, lodging, food expense, home recovery, and phone bills.

Cancer may not be preventable, but you can protect yourself from some of the costs. Cancer insurance can help you manage the high expenses of treatment, preserve savings, protect your family from financial hardship, and allow you to concentrate on getting well.

Our Cancer Insurance pays you benefits that can be used for non-medical cancer-related expenses that health insurance might not cover.  The policy is guaranteed renewable for life, subject to change in premiums by class.  Benefits are paid directly to you unless assigned, in addition to any other coverage.  A neat feature that I took advantage of is the Return of Premium Rider, which allows you to receive back all of your premiums paid if you never have to file a claim. So I think of my Cancer Insurance as a savings account that also protects my finances in case I'm diagnosed with cancer.

Would your finances survive cancer treatments?  While it's easy to hope for the best, it's smarter to plan for the worst. Find out if Cancer Insurance is a good fit for you.

Congratulations to our customer, Rick Peele, for winning the June Referral Contest drawing for a $40 gas card! Thank you, Rick, for your business. We're glad to put you in Good Hands.

Thank you also to the other entrants in the drawing. Your referrals are greatly appreciated!

The contest is simple. For every referral that you send our way that calls and asks us for a home or auto insurance quote, we will enter you in the contest for the monthly and quarterly prize. If the referred individual purchases the quoted policy, your name will be entered a second time. The best part about this program is, there is no limit to how many times your name can be entered. The more referrals you send the better your chances of winning!

Each month we'll select one winner to receive a $40 gas card.  Additionally, each quarter we'll select one person as the winner of the quarterly prize--this quarter's item is a Nintendo Wii. So what are you waiting for?

It's amazing how much influence a realtor can have on a homebuyer, whether it's which neighborhoods are most appealing, which builders have the best reputations, or which lender is currently offering the lowest interest rates. Another area I've seen some realtors separate themselves from their competition is in pointing out a few things about homeowners insurance, especially since it's easy to think all homeowners insurance policies were created equal (even though they're not).

Here are 4 tips I've heard Expert Realtors give that are not only beneficial to their clients, but also add value to the realtor/buyer relationship.

1.     Since you're married...for about $25/year, you can usually increase the limits on covered losses for Jewelry/Silver/Watches/Furs to $10,000. Otherwise, it's usually only $1,000 for Jewelry & $2,500 for Silver. If you notice a beautiful diamond ring, it's a good bet the owner wouldn't sell it for $1,000 which is essentially what they would be doing if it was lost and they only had the standard coverage on their homeowner's policy.

2.     Since you have a child in college (or soon to be in college)...if they're in a dorm, then covered losses would usually fall under your homeowner's insurance policy. If the student is renting an apartment, you'll want them to obtain a renter's policy. The average renter usually has $30,000 in personal belongings (think about jeans, shoes, and other clothing in the closet, ALONG with any computer equipment) which can be covered for roughly $180/year...which is usually what they'll pay for just a few textbooks during the semester.

3.     You mentioned your photography/music equipment...for about $20/year, you can usually increase the limits on covered losses for Music/Photography equipment to $5,000. Otherwise, it's usually only $1,000. And if they're like most enthusiasts that I know, they likely collect equipment much like stamp collector collects stamps...and the standard coverage simply won't do.

4.     With Identity Theft on the rise for the 9^th year in a row...you should consider adding Identity Theft Protection to your homeowner's insurance coverage, which can often be done for about $30/year. Identity Theft is on the rise and remains the top reason for consumer complaints for the 9th year in a row (and these types of crimes tend to INCREASE during a recession). According to www.IDTheftCenter.org: Victims now spend an average of 600 hours recovering from this crime, often over a period of years. Based on 600 hours times the indicated victim wages, this equals nearly $16,000 in lost potential or realized income.

The great thing about these 4 tips is that a potential problem can be solved for less than most of us spend to fill up our tanks with gas. If a covered loss occurs, your customer would get plenty of mileage out of the money they've spent. There are usually no traffic jams on the extra mile and with these 4 easy observations, you can not only help your clients but you'll also endear them to you for future transactions.

The 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season is here, and hurricane prone states are doing their part to help prepare their citizens and communities.  From sales tax holidays on hurricane and emergency preparedness equipment in Virginia and Louisiana, to a major hurricane exercise in Florida, states are taking actions to ensure that citizens and the emergency response community are prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.

"Across the country, we are working and communicating with our state and local partners to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "States are also taking it upon themselves to make sure their citizens and responders are prepared. These efforts will go a long way in determining the outcome of the next hurricane or disaster, and I applaud them."

Click here to find examples of just some of the activities taking place in hurricane prone states. FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

South Carolina has already takens steps to communicate with state residents and if you click here the link will take you directly to the SC Emergency Management Division web site. Once there, you will be able to access an official South Carolina Hurricane Guide, which will be available in both English and Spanish.

While it's easy to hope for the best, it's better to plan for the worst.

Firing up your backyard grill this weekend, or for a Fourth of July cookout?  Before you ignite the charcoal briquettes or crank open the gas valve on the propane tank, make sure you've run through your grilling safety checklist before tossing food over the flames.  Even the slightest oversight can spark danger, potentially leading to extensive property damage and severe burn injuries.

Summer time offers plenty of opportunities for families and friends to get together for large, outdoor parties. But in the excitement of planning the event and preparing the food, it's easy to overlook basic safety tips that may prevent your backyard barbecue from going up in flames.

Grill Safety Checklist

To avoid grilling disasters, follow these safety tips to enjoy safe outdoor cooking all summer long:

• Make sure your barbecue grill is on a level surface far enough away from homes, furniture, children and pets
• Check to see grill legs are sturdy and avoid grilling on a combustible surface such as a wooden deck.
• Position your grill so sparks and smoke won't fly towards people, furniture or buildings
• Avoid grilling in a confined space and if possible, don't grill on balconies and decks of apartments and condominiums
• Protect your hands and body by using potholder-type gloves and a heavy apron when over the grill
• Keep lighted cigarettes, matches and open flames away from your grill
• Clean your grill after every use to avoid grease buildup at the bottom

For Charcoal Grills:

• Never allow burned coals to smolder in any container on a wooden deck and make sure to douse coals with water before they're disposed
• Do not discard used briquettes in a cardboard carton or any other combustible container
• Avoid using gasoline, kerosene, alcohol or a cigarette lighter to ignite a fire
• Do not add more starter fluid to an existing fire
• Only use enough charcoal to last for the amount of time it's needed
• Make sure the ash catcher is properly attached when using a kettle grill
• In the event of bad weather while grilling, do not move a grill indoors; hot charcoal can build up lethal levels of carbon monoxide.

For Gas Grills:

• Always store gas tanks in an upright position outside and away from your home or garage and out of the reach of children and pets
• Check to see tank valves are turned off when not in use
• To see if there may be a leak in a tube or connection, pour soapy water over it with the valve turned open - bubbles will appear if there is a leak.  Should there be a leak, shut off the gas immediately and do not use the grill until it is repaired

And for all types of grilling, never leave your grill unattended when in use.  Taking time to check for safety will ensure that any fireworks over the holiday are not related to your grilling handiwork.

All of us at the Shannon Harvey Allstate agency wish you a safe and a fun 4th of July celebration.

So whether you're planning to observe America's birthday with parades, All-American eating, fun in the sun, or evening fireworks, we wish you a happy 4th of July.

Renting out part of your house can be a great source of passive income, especially in this economy. Good for you!

When it comes to home insurance, your policy is made up of several types of coverage. One is designed to protect the structure-your home itself. Another is meant to protect what's inside the home-your stuff.

Your home insurance policy will protect your home itself whether you rent out part, all, or none of it. But your tenant's possessions will only be covered if they're related to you. You might consider encouraging them to get renters insurance. You'd certainly hate for something to happen, especially if they're not properly protected.

If you're renting out a finished basement or garden apartment, keep in mind that the drywall, carpeting, and fixtures aren't protected by structure coverage. You may need to increase your personal property coverage to make sure they're protected in case of a fire, or other damage.

Remember, it's always a good idea to talk to an agent if you have questions about your home insurance policy.

The statistics regarding teen drivers are sobering.  Nearly 6,000 teens are killed every year in car crashes...and roughly two-thirds are male.  About one-in-five 16 year-olds - both male and female - are involved in police-reported crashes each year.  That's 20 percent of all 16 year-olds who drive! 

You can help make a difference. Take the time to talk with your teen about their becoming a safe driver (I'm happy to provide a few talking points to help you). And don't think they won't listen. Three out of four teens say their parents would be the best influence in getting them to drive more safely.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that night driving and driving with friends in the car often leads to more teen crashes and deaths.  Other distractions that you should talk to your teen about include talking on a cell phone, text-messaging, eating while driving, and listening to loud music.  Each of these activities impairs their ability to drive attentively.

So what else can be done to help reduce teen driver accidents and deaths?

Most states have introduced some form of Graduated Licensing program for new drivers. Graduated licensing means that as teens gain experience on the road and prove they're good drivers, they graduate to fewer restrictions and more driving privileges.  Here are some recommendations for creating your own graduated licensing program:

1. Put limits on the number of passengers your teen can have in the car.
2. Establish and enforce a house curfew. Check with your local police department to see if your town has an established curfew for teens. If not, set your own.  In addition, many states now include night driving restrictions as part of their graduated licensing system.  Make sure your child observes these.
3. Insist on use of seat belts. Remind your kids that just because the car has air bags doesn't mean that they don't have to wear seat belts anymore. The two are meant to work together.
4. Limit or supervise your teen's driving on weekends. The highest number of driving crashes occur on Friday and Saturday nights, and early Saturday and Sunday mornings.
5. Set driving area limits.
6. And, prohibit driving or riding with others under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Also make sure your teen knows that you'll pick him or her up if they ever need a ride.

The other thing you should do is help your teen become a better driver.  That means practice, practice, practice!  As your parents probably did for you, start practicing in parking lots. For night driving, stick to roads that are familiar to your teen until he or she gets better at it.  Don't always drive the same route to the grocery store and back. Give your young driver a chance to practice on different routes that present different challenges.

Start slow with short sessions to minimize stress to both you and your teen.  Make sure your teen has had at least 50 hours of practice with you before getting licensed.  And, continue practicing until you and your teen feel comfortable with his or her driving abilities.

Learning to drive can be stressful, for both the teen and the parent. To ease the stress, don't make the same mistakes that other parents have made.  For example, don't talk too much while your teen is driving - but don't wait too long to point out problems.  Also, it's best not to have other people in the car. 

For teens, the mistakes are more technical.  First, they should slow down more in complex situations. They tend to expect the best rather than the worst. And they should scan the landscape more often.

As always, kids learn by example, so set a good one and be a good role model.  Always wear your seat belt, don't speed, and don't do other things while driving, like talking on the phone, putting on makeup, or eating and drinking.  Stay focused on the road and practice what you preach.

Parents, are you looking for some fire safety basics to discuss and practice at home with your children? Look no further. Tell your children that they can be the Deputy Fire Marshals in your home when they understand all nine rules. They can even help you draw an escape plan, lead fire drills at home, and teach others the 9 Cool Rules.

1. Don't play with matches and lighters.  If you see matches or a lighter where children can reach them, don't touch them--but go tell a grown-up right away.

2. Ask your parents to install smoke detectors on every floor of your home.  Smoke detectors can save lives. Ask your parents to show you where each one is located.

3. Remind your parents to test your smoke detectors every month.  Make sure everyone in the family is familiar with its piercing sound. Teach them that this sound means danger, and they must escape quickly.

4. When your parents change the time on your clocks for Daylight Savings, ask them to change your smoke alarm batteries.  A smoke detector can only save lives if it has working batteries. Give it fresh batteries and your smoke detector will stay awake and watch for fire while you're sleeping.

5. In case of fire: Don't Hide, Go Outside.  Fires are scary, but you should NEVER hide in closets or under beds when there is a fire. Firefighters may look scary when they're wearing their protective gear, but please don't hide from them. They are wearing special suits and masks as protection from flames and smoke--so they can save you.

6. To escape during a fire: Fall and Crawl.  It is easier to breathe in a fire if you stay low while getting out. Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to use another way out.

7. If your clothes are on fire: Stop, Drop, & Roll until the fire is out.  Shout for help, but don't run. Running makes fire burn faster.

8. Have an escape plan and practice it with your family.  Find two ways out of every room, in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure that windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.

Choose a meeting place outside, such as a big tree or the end of the driveway, so you will know that everyone has gotten out safely. NEVER go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They have the clothing and the equipment to safely rescue people.

9. Know your local emergency number.  Put the stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on your refrigerator and every telephone in the house. If there is a fire at your house, choose one family member to leave your meeting place and call the fire department from a neighbor's phone.

Make the effort to share these 9 Cool Fire Safety Rules with your family. You never know, doing so just might save a life. Special thanks to the For A Safer America Coalition for their suggestions.

According to a recent fire safety study conducted with kids ages 5-8, most families don't talk about fire safety at home. So, that means:

·        No escape plan designed

·        No meeting place identified

·        No home fire drills called

·        No emergency numbers posted

·        No regular smoke detector battery checks

It's sad but true - just because your kids learned about fire safety in school, doesn't mean they know what to do if a fire occurs at home. This is especially disturbing because 80 percent of all fire deaths take place in a home, and an average of three children die as a result of fire each day in the United States.

Parents, here are some ideas to help you teach your children about fire safety.

Keep it simple. Children learn best when the rules are straightforward and easy to remember. If you have preschoolers, you may want to introduce just one or two of the rules at a time.

Use teachable moments. Reinforce your discussions about fire safety whenever the topic arises- for example, when there's a fire in the news or in a book, or when you see a fire. Ask your children what they would do if they were in that situation.

Do it, don't just say it! Children learn by doing and by following your example. Make a game of practicing a fast escape from each room in your house, especially at night, when most deadly fires occur. Use a stopwatch and wait until everyone has gathered at your family's designated meeting place before you stop the timer. Work together to set a family record.

Repeat yourself. Children need to hear and do things over and over before they remember them. Practice your family's escape plan once every season.

Don't scare small children with too much responsibility. In a dangerous situation, it's normal for 3- to 6-year-olds to forget things they've learned. Make a game of practicing fire safety so they become very comfortable with all the rules. Remind them never to hide from firefighters because the firefighter's job is to help people.

Like many of the things we insure against (car accidents, theft, cancer), fire is something few of us think about routinely. It's easy to hope for the best, but I believe it's best to plan for the worst. Having conversations with your family about fire safety is easy to do and it could go a long way toward keeping your family safe.