Thursday, November 5, 2009

Alta Vista Benefits October 2009 Newsletter

Issue #18

The monthly Alta Vista Benefits newsletter is provided as a service to help with issues in your every day life. Your suggestions and feedback can be e-mailed to lucy@altavistaben.com.

The Value of an Agent

What does "Independent Agent" mean?

We often say to people that Alta Vista Benefits is an independent insurance agency. Did you ever wonder what that really means for you as our client?

Independent agents like us represent many different insurance companies. What that means is that we give you more choices about the coverage you are looking for. We shop rates with all of the relevant carriers so you don't have to pay too much for what you need. This gives you the best value for your insurance dollar.

Once we find affordable coverage, we help you understand what you are buying and educate you about all of your choices. We help you make a choice that fits with insurance you already have and complements your personal and financial goals. We help you through the application process and keep you informed during underwriting until you are have final approval.

Alta Vista Benefits views continuing education as the best way to stay current with new products and market trends. As such, we attend educational classes well beyond what is required by the Ohio Department of Insurance. In addition, we have made several trips to Washington to visit members of Congress on your behalf. As an independent agency, we are committed to provide you with uncompromising service and up-to-date information on insurance products and legislation affecting your coverage.

If you have questions about your current coverage and whether it is right for your needs, please contact us (lucy@altavistaben.com) today. We will review all of your coverage to make sure it fits your personal situation.

Did You Know?

Annual enrollment for Medicare begins on November 15th and ends on December 31st, 2009. If you have a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage, this is the time of year you can review and choose a new plan.

We will be making appointments beginning November 1st with all of our Medicare clients who want to make changes for 2010. If you have any questions before then, please contact us at (lucy@altavistaben.com).

Lucy Grosz is the CEO of Alta Vista Benefits and can be reached at lucy@altavistaben.com or by phone at 614-889-0934.

Alta Vista Benefits September 2009 Newsletter

Issue #17

The monthly Alta Vista Benefits newsletter is provided as a service to help with issues in your every day life. Your suggestions and feedback can be e-mailed to lucy@altavistaben.com.

Life Insurance Awareness Month

Are you sure you are protected?

Life insurance is an important way to protect your family lifestyle. It provides for final expenses as well as a replacement for family income in the event of an untimely death.

We often purchase life insurance and don't review it to make sure it is performing the way we expected. Since life insurance buyers typically hold policies for a long time, they may not consider the impact that market fluctuations have on the cash values. In addition, the potential for life insurance to create retirement income is often overlooked.

Chances are, your life has changed since you made your last life insurance purchase. The insurance industry has also changed significantly in the last ten years and interest rates have declined. Some policies may actually be losing value because the current interest rates no longer fund the policy appropriately. Do you know if you still have the right coverage?

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to review your current life insurance needs. You can get started by visiting the free on-line Needs Calculator http://www.lifehappens.org/life-insurance/life-calculator. This calculator will help you make sure you have the proper coverage.

Once you have done that, contact us at lucy@altavistaben.com to do a free review of all your life insurance coverage. We will help you determine if new products and features are worth considering for your current life stage.

You can't control the future, but you can take steps now to safeguard your family. Contact us today to help you (lucy@altavistaben.com).

Did You Know?

Long Term Care -- Carriers continue to refine Long Term Care policies and many carriers now offer a Return of Premium (ROP) option. This means that if you purchase a policy and never use the benefits, you can get back all of the premium you paid, less any benefits you have used. For more information, please contact us (lucy@altavistaben.com)