What Every Family Should Do to Prepare for a Crisis

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It’s all over the news. Even if it weren’t, it would probably be on your mind anyway. We are referring, of course, to the earthquake/tsunami that hit Japan 4 days ago. The devastation of that incident is hard to imagine. But this was not a one-time disaster. Christchurch, New Zealand also suffered loss in the last few weeks and relief efforts are still going on for the people of Haiti.

Well, it got us thinking. How many people are really prepared for a disaster to strike in their area? Today’s post is all about the things you can do before a crisis to protect yourself and your loved ones.

This list could go on and on. So, we’ll name the ones we feel are most important and then hopefully you’ll add to the comments.

Before a Disaster Strikes:

Check your area for risks. Do you live in a flood zone? Is there a fault line near you? Know what risks you’re facing. Be sure to get your home insured for those scenarios. Most policies do not cover everything.

Become self-sufficient. Consider putting together a 72-hour kit that includes food, water, first aid, and other medical necessities for your family. When an area is hit hard, it could take several days for relief workers to reach you.

Prepare your home. In some cases, you may need to leave your home, and fast. Install smoke detectors and make sure upstairs rooms have rope ladders should you need to climb out the window.

Have a destination plan and point of contact. Thousands of people are struggling to find family members right now. Decide beforehand who your point of contact will be- it should be someone in another state. If your family gets separated, that person can act as the liaison to help you find one another again. You should also plan on a destination for your family to reach as well.

Keep some cash on hand. You don’t need a lot – just a few hundred dollars. In the event of an emergency, banks will be inaccessible and prices for something as inexpensive as water tend to skyrocket.

Learn basic survival skills for your area. If you didn’t have a car or a way to escape the devastation, could you survive? For example, those in the desert should learn how to avoid heat stroke, what to do for snake bites, and how to find water.

As we said, this is not a complete list, but it does cover the basics. If you have other ideas to share, we’d love to hear them. No one expects a disaster to happen but it’s always a good idea to be safe rather than sorry.

Note: You may want to check your policies now to see what scenarios they cover. If you’re not satisfied, then we can help you find a policy to better fit the area you live in as well as the unique needs you might have.

5 Things You Should Do to Protect Your Home, Even If You Have Home Insurance

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Insurance is great! It gives people the chance to prepare for some of the less thrilling experiences in life. We know that if tragedy should strike we won’t be forking over thousands of dollars… the insurance company will.

But, no matter how great your home insurance policy is, it doesn’t work as a preventative measure. And wouldn’t you rather prevent bad experiences from happening than have them paid for once they do?

Here are 3 stories we heard recently that demonstrate the importance of adding more security than just insurance to your home:

-After working all day, a couple came home to find that everything in their home was stolen. Electronics, furniture, appliances, even clothes had been taken. The thieves had pulled up a moving van during the day, broke in through a back door, and moved everything out of the house without a single neighbor growing suspicious.

-Three college girls living in a rented house woke to find their iPods (which had been sitting beside their beds as they slept) and a few other electronics had been taken from their home. The sliding back door had been easily lifted off the hinges to let the thief in.

-Four bikes were stolen from the front yard of a young family only minutes after the kids they belonged to rode them home.

So, besides having a hefty duty insurance policy (that should cover the cost of the stolen items) how can you protect your home?

1- Consider adding a security system. It may cost you slightly more each month, but its well worth the added protection. You may find the premium for your home insurance drops a few dollars every month if you have one in place.

2- Update older homes with better doors and window locks.

3- Keep all possessions in the garage or back yard – even during the day.

4- Keep your doors and windows locked – even when you’re home.

5- Try to be discreet about your possessions. When door-to-door salesmen come by, don’t open your door wide for them to see inside. Don’t leave expensive items like wave runners and motorcycles out front… park them in your garage. Don’t give a thief a reason to believe your home would be worth breaking into.

For those of us who are a few years older or have lived in rural areas, we miss the days of wide open houses and keeping keys under the mat. But times have changed. And now, a home insurance policy is a necessity, but it’s not enough.

Be smart and do things that keep your home more fully protected.

If you’ve heard of any other great ways to protect your home (or you’ve heard stories about victims of home thefts), tell us about them by leaving a comment below.

5 Challenges of Driving in Arizona

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Admit it… you get frustrated. As insurance agents we do it! Driving in Arizona could make even the most patient person go crazy. But, if you’ve grown up here, you may not realize just how lucky you are. Other states actually have worse driving reputations than ours.

According to the “2010 GMAC Insurance Driver’s Test Results”, Arizonans ranked 35th in the country’s worst drivers. That means 34 states have worse drivers than we do. Pretty good overall. Nevertheless, there are a few things that make driving here a challenge:

1. Winter Residents – every Fall we adapt our driving habits to accommodate more, and often slower drivers. Parking lots fill up faster. Freeways become more crowded. And you may find yourself driving at ¾ of your usual pace.

2. A Little Bit of Rain – for those of us who have spent much time in other states, rain slows everything down. Even when it’s only a couple of drops. Though slowing down in inclement weather is always a good idea, can you really consider a sprinkling of rain “inclement” weather?

3. A Lack of Courtesy – this is not unique to Arizona. In fact, Arizonans are more willing to let in fellow drivers than some of our surrounding states. But that doesn’t mean we are without our share of arrogant and rude drivers.

4. Dust Storms – you’ve seen these show up out of the middle of nowhere. And when caught in one, you can barely see two feet in front of you.

5. Cell Phones and Texting – get stuck behind a slow or idiotic driver and chances are good that they are texting or talking on the phone. As of now, there is not a state law prohibiting texting and driving, although some cities have adopted this policy.

You drive these streets all the time. You have your own frustrations. And we’d like to hear about them. What do you find most challenging about driving? We want to know your thoughts, so be sure to comment below!

And as you’re thinking about driving, maybe it’s time to think about your current car insurance. So talk to your insurance agent today!

Is an Average Insurance Policy Enough Coverage for You?

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If you drive a car or own a home, you know that insurance is a requirement both with the state of Arizona and those that hold your loan (either car loan or mortgage). But does having only the “required” coverage make you feel safe leaving your home on vacation, or driving your car?

Here are a few things you should know about the average insurance policy and whether it’s enough coverage for you:

Whether a car accident is your fault or not, you can be sued by the others involved in the accident. Consider the assets you own (home, car, stocks, etc.) and then determine how much coverage is enough for you. The same concerns hold true with your properties. An incident at your home could also leave you in a vulnerable position.

Minimum state requirements may not be sufficient for repairing your car in the case of an accident. Consider how many uninsured drivers are on the road. When determining insurance coverage, think about the possibility of needing to cover car repairs, even when the situation may not be your fault.

Insurance on your home may not cover every possible natural disaster and human error. Find out what your insurance does cover and then consider any other possible scenarios that may keep you from covering all your bases. Flood damage and earthquake insurance may need to be purchased separately.

Not all Arizona insurance policies will cover the assets in your home. Others will cover everything from jewelry to electronics. Determine what you want covered and make sure it’s included in your policy. Take note that home offices are not typically covered in a homeowners insurance policy.

With car insurance, a claim could be denied if the insurer finds the policy holder to be reckless or the car to be poorly maintained, in which case, you’ll be paying out of pocket.

In all reality, there are dozens of little nuances and details about insurance that are sometimes difficult to follow. Shopping for insurance can be confusing, especially when you’re not even sure what coverage you need.

That’s why we’re here to help you find the best policies at the best premiums. Why not give our team a chance to find the best policy for you?

Quiz: How Easily Do You Recognize Insurance Companies?

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Last week we put together an entire post about why working as an independent insurance agency is so great. As a quick recap, it’s because we get to shop the best rates and terms for you. Awesome!

But being an independent insurance agency doesn’t mean we turn up our noses at other insurance companies. Not at all! In fact, we work directly with some of the big name providers. Our goal is to find the company that best fits your needs.

We thought we’d have a little bit of fun and find out how many of those big name companies you recognize.

Below is a list of slogans that you may recognize, but do you know who they belong to? We dare you to take the quiz, see how many you get right, and then challenge your friends to the take the quiz as well. You can post your score in the comments section below. Give yourself one point for every question you get right.

(The answers are listed at the bottom of the post so scroll down slowly, and don’t cheat!)

1. Have you met life today?
2. We live where you live. (Or, Like a Good Neighbor…)
3. You’re in good hands.
4. Gets you back where you belong.
5. Without it, no insurance is complete.
6. We keep our promises to you.
7. Always thinking ahead.
8. Think easier, think…
9. Travel with someone you trust.
10. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.
11. All your protection under one roof.

Bonus question worth two points: who used to use the slogan “So easy a caveman can do it?”

The answers are below. Don’t forget to tell us how many you got correct.

1. Metlife
2. State Farm
3. Allstate
4. Farmers
5. AFLAC
6. Amica
7. Hartford
8. Progressive
9. AAA
10. Geico
11. American Family

Bonus: Geico

Top 5 Reasons to Choose an Independent Insurance Agency

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If you sit down and watch a single television program, you might see as many as five insurance commercials, and they’re all promising the same thing: safe driver discounts, massive savings if you switch companies, or a chance to determine your own price. We have to admit, some of the commercials are really catchy. It seems like there are some really great offers out there.

But what the commercials don’t tell you is that those great offers barely provide you with any coverage. Or, you have to fit very strict guidelines to qualify. Rarely are the deals as good as promised.

However, by the time you figure that out, you’re usually sucked into some “other” policy that may or may not fit your needs.

That’s why we love being an independence insurance agency. We love:

#1 Shopping for the best protection. Do you have any idea how much coverage you need? Do you know the minimum acceptable insurance coverage for the state of Arizona? If something happened to your house, do you know what you would personally be responsible for? Most people have no clue what their options are or what they even need. At Arizona Capital Insurance, we shop the best protection for you. We work with dozens of insurance companies. We know their policies, so we can shop for the coverage that fits you best.

#2 Shopping for the best premiums. Because we work with dozens of companies, we’re not strapped into pre-determined price points. If we think we can get a better deal for you somewhere else, we’ll go somewhere else.

#3 Taking you out of the mold. The one thing we understand as an independent agency is that every person is different, and their needs are going to be unique. When you work with us, we take everything about you, your family, and your possessions into account as we find you a perfect policy. If you don’t fit one company’s ideal client description, we’ll find a different insurance company to better meet your needs.

#4 Being customer-focused. Here’s the thing… we don’t work for the big insurance companies, we work for you. Our goal is to make sure you’re taken care of first. In fact, it doesn’t do us any good to focus on what the insurance companies want or need; they are not our customers. You are. Our independent status let’s us provide you with the ultimate customer service experience.

#5 Providing you with local support. Over the years, we’ve developed some great relationships with local companies. These relationships enable us to provide our clients with discounts and coupons. Plus, if your windshield cracks, you need your car towed, or you’re dealing with other challenges covered by your insurance, we can get you in touch with some great companies.

If you ask us, we’re going to tell you that an independent insurance agency is the way to go every time. We can provide you with a level of service and help that most other insurance companies are unable to provide. So if you want your auto, home, life or other insurance policies reviewed, give us a call.

But go ahead and keep watching those big insurance company commercials. You might get a kick out a few of them.

And, it will give you an advantage in our big company slogan quiz next week. So be sure to check back here on Monday and see just how well you know your insurance companies.

We Are Blogging!

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And we need you to get involved.

Now, before we get carried away, let us tell you a little more about your favorite insurance agents. We are an independent insurance company. This means we have access to many providers, and we can almost always offer you the best policies and premiums for your situation.

The big, big guys – they can’t do that!

But the thing is, we’re not just here to provide you with insurance. We’re here to give you great support and to help build our community. Seriously.

We offer an Insurance Member Discount Page with local businesses, we donate $1 to our troops every time someone “likes” us on Facebook, and we have relationships with local companies to help you with windshield replacements, towing services, etc.

It’s important to us to maintain unbeatable service and a sense of community. That’s why we’ve started blogging. It’s another way for us to connect with you. We fully intend to use your comments and feedback to improve our business, educate you on insurance topics you’d like to know more about, and have fun.

You can expect a new blog post once a week (usually Monday’s if we can keep our eccentric writer on track). Topics will include: everything you want to know about AZ insurance, what to expect when the unexpected happens, contest opportunities, quizzes, driving and safety tips, employee spotlights, and more.

Please feel free to comment on any of our posts, and be sure to share your favorite entries with your friends and family. Our intention is to make this blog as interesting, entertaining, and interactive as any we’ve seen out there, and your comments will help. Please just keep it clean reading for everyone.

We’re looking forward to writing this blog and hearing from you!

The Insurance Team

Happy Birthday from your Insurance Agent

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Birthday Freebies

We hope you have a great birthday. I have used a couple sources to put together this list of places you can go on your birthday for some free swag and food. If you know of others that you would like to add, please add them in the comments below.

 

QUICK NOTE: I’ve noticed that many of these offers not only send you a free coupon on your birthday, but will also send you a coupon the very day you sign up for the club AND at every one year anniversary of you signing up. Throw in all the free coupons they send at your birthday and you can get multiple meals a year for free :)

Many of these birthday freebies and coupons are via e-mail, so be sure to sign up in advance. And remember, all deals are subject to location participation. So if you’re standing in the middle of Arby’s screaming for a free milkshake and they aren’t budging, don’t blame me!

 

Restaurant Freebie
Abuelo’s Free dessert.
Acapulco Free entree.
Applebee’s Free birthday dessert with the purchase of an entree.
Arby’s Free 12oz. milkshake with any purchase.
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels Free BOGO coupon for any pretzel item.
Baskin Robbins Free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream or a swirl of soft serve.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream You become a Chunk Spelunker and get a free scoop of ice cream plus $3 off an ice cream cake!
Benihana’s Japanese Restaurant $30 gift certificate.
bd’s Mongolian Grill Free stir-fry meal.
Biggby Coffee A snail mailed coupon for a free beverage.
BJ’s Restaurants Free Pizookie dessert (otherwise known as a delicious dessert).
Black Angus Steakhouse Free BOGO steak dinner, up to $19.99.
Black Dear Diner Free dessert with any food purchase.
Boston Market Free individual dessert with purchase of any create your plate meal.
Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza Free flatbread.
Bonanza Steakhouse BOGO coupon for one free steak or buffet.
Brio Tuscan Grille Free filet and crab shrimp cake.
Bruegger’s Free bagel with cream cheese with the purchase of a drink.
Bruster’s Free BOGO coupon for a waffle cone.
Buca di Beppo Free small pasta with any entree.
Buffalo Wild Wings Free dessert.
Captain D’s Your choice of a 2 piece fish dinner, fish & shrimp dinner, or season tilapia dinner.
Caribou Coffee Free medium drink.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill Free dessert with purchase of an entree.
Carrows Free dessert.
Chevys Free entree.
Chili’s Free brownie sundae.
Cinnabon Free mochalatta chill
Coldstone Creamery Free BOGO coupon for a Coldstone Creation.
Country Buffet $3 off a regular adult dinner.
Country Kitchen Free dinner entree up to $8 in value with valid ID.
Culver’s Free one-scoop sundae.
Dairy Queen One BOGO coupon for a free mini, small, or medium blizzard.
Daphne’s Greek Cafe $5 loaded onto your Pita Points Rewards Club card.
Del Taco Free premium milkshake.
Denny’s Free Grand Slam breakfast.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit BOGO coupon for one free BBQ sandwich.
Dippin’ Dots Free small cup of Dippin’ Dots.
Don Pablos $10 gift certificate.
Dunkin Donuts Free medium beverage.
Einstein Bros Bagels Free breakfast sandwich when you buy any drink.
El Chicos Free fried ice cream.
El Torito Free entree.
Famous Dave’s Barbeque Free dessert with the purchase of an entree.
Fazoli’s Free dessert.
Firehouse Subs Free medium celebratory sub with valid ID.
Flat Top Grill Free stir fry, however they’re planning on changing this to a $5 off coupon.
Fox and Hound Free BOGO coupon for any entree.
Friendly’s Free single cone with any Friendly’s purchase.
Fuddruckers Free 1/3 lb. burger with the purchase of another Fudd’s entree.
Genghis Grill Free birthday bowl.
Glory Days Grill Free Oreo sliders.
Gold Star Chili Free meal.
Gordon Biersch Free BOGO coupon for an entree.
Great American Cookies Free cookie cake slice with the purchase of a regular soda. Because nothing goes with a cookie like sugar water.
Hometown Buffet Free BOGO adult dinner buffet.
HoneyBaked Ham Free sandwich
Hooters 10 free wings.
Houlihan’s Free menu item up to $15.
HuHot Mongolian Grill (What the heck is with all these Mongolian grills?) Free grill meal.
IHOP Free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity breakfast. In English, that means two eggs, 2 bacon strips, 2 sausage links, and two pancakes.
Jack in the Box Free dessert with a valid ID and the printable coupon.
Jamba Juice One sixteen size smoothie for $2.
Jason’s Deli $5 off any item.
Jersey Mike’s Free regular sub and 22 oz. fountain drink.
Joe’s Crab Shack Free appetizer.
Johnny Rockets Free hamburger with the purchase of any entree and drink. So basically a BOGO.
Juice It Up Free BOGO 24 oz. smoothie.
Keg Steakhouse and Bar Free 10 oz. Prime Rib classic dinner and caesar salad for US visitors only and you must sign up a month in advance.
Keva Juice Free 24 oz. regular blend smoothie.
Krispy Kreme Free doughnut of your choice and a free small coffee or fountain drink.
la Madeleine Free pastry.
Logan’s Roadhouse Free Nutter Butter Fudgeslide with any entree purchase. I have no idea what this is but it sounds spectacular.
LongHorn Steakhouse A delicious free dessert.
Maggianos Coupon for $10 off any check of $30 or more.
Maggie Moo’s Free ice cream cone.
Marble Slab Creamery Free ice cream cone.
Marie Calendars $5 coupon and a free slice of pie.
McAlister’s Deli $5 coupon. I’m starting to see a pattern here.
Memphis BBQ Free entree up to $20.
Mimis Cafe Free entree up to $10 value with any $20 check.
Moe’s Southwest Grill One free entree (excluding fajitas) as well as free chips and salsa.
Ninety Nine Free dessert
Noodles & Company Free bowl of soup.
Not Your Average Joe’s Free entree and dessert.
Old Country Buffet Free BOGO adult dinner buffet.
On The Border Free dip trio or brownie sundae.
Orange Julius Free BOGO 20 oz. Julius or premium fruit smoothie.
Panera Bread A mysterious offer loaded onto your loyalty card.
Papa Murphy’s Free cookie dough with the purchase of any pizza.
Pinkberry Free small yogurt with toppings.
Planet Smoothie Free small smoothie.
Ponderosa Free steak dinner
Qdoba Mexican Grill BOGO free entree coupon.
Red Lobster $5 off two adult entrees.
Red Robin Free Gourmet Burger if you pick up a Red Royalty Card at your local restaurant and then register it online.
Rita’s Italian Ice Free regular Italian Ice.
Romanos Macaroni Grill Free slice of chocolate cake.
Rubio’s Free meal up to $7.
Ruby Tuesday Free burger.
Ryan’s Free BOGO adult dinner buffet.
Sbarro Free pizza slice with drink purchase
Schlotzsky’s Free small sandwich or 8″ pizza.
Sharis Restaurant Free slice of pie.
Smokey Bones Free slice of cake.
Smoothie King BOGO coupon for a free 20 oz. smoothie.
Sonic Free regular creamslush, medium tator tots, or medium drink!
Souper Salad Free lunch or dinner buffet.
Spaghetti Warehouse Free spaghetti entree and spumoni sundae.
Spicy Pickle Free entree.
Starbucks Free handcrafted beverage
Steak ‘n Shake Free Double Steakburger with Cheese ‘n Fries.
Sticky Fingers This might be my favorite offer yet. You get a free half-slab of ribs or any other menu item priced up to $15.99 with the purchase of a second entree of $6.99 or more.
Taco Bueno Free cheesecake chimichangas with the purchase of any entree.
Taco Cabana Free flauta plate, which includes 3 chicken flautas with rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and 2 fresh flour tortillas.
Taco Del Mar Make a guess! We can’t get confirmation on this.
Taco John’s Free cini-sopapilla bites. I’ve never had these before, but if they’re as delicious as they are hard to spell, I’m excited.
TCBY Free small cup of frozen yogurt and $3 off a cake or pie.
Ted’s Montana Grill Free cookie and ice cream dessert.
Texas Roadhouse Free appetizer or sidekick of ribs.
G.I. Friday’s Free dessert with the purchase of an entree.
Tony Roma’s Free entree up to $15.99.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Free smoothie.
Waffle House Free waffle.
Wendy’s $1 off any premium combo.
Which Wich Free regular Wich (AKA sandwich).
Wienerschnitzel One free corndog.
Wingstop Free large fresh cut seasoned fries.
Zaxby’s Free nibbler and free meal deal.
Zoes Kitchen Free BOGO coupon for an entree.
Z’ Tejas $10 coupon.
Retail Freebies
American Eagle Coupon for 15% off.
Aveda Free gift up to $24 in value.
Barnes & Noble Children get a free cupcake or cookie at their cafe. Children at heart get nothing.
Columbia Sportswear Coupon for 20% off.
Cost Plus World Market 10% coupon on gourmet food & non-alcoholic beverages.
CVS Coupon for $3 off next purchase.
Hot Topic $5 off coupon on a purchase of $30.
Kmart Children get $5.00 Birthday Bucks, a crown, happy birthday certificate, and Fun Pack with surprise goodies!
Old Navy $10 off coupon on a purchase of $50.
Sephora Changes yearly. 2014 contains makeup, lipstick, a mini mascara.
The Children’s Place Coupon for 15% off.
Toys R Us They claim you’ll get coupons, but I never received anything.
Entertainment Freebies
AMF Bowling Free bowling.
Baltimore Orioles 1 free ticket to a non-prime game.
Brunswick Bowling Two free games of bowling.
Chuck E. Cheese’s 100 free tickets
Dave & Buster’s
Disney Movie Rewards 100 bonus Disney Movie Reward points.
Harkins Movie Theaters Present your ID at the box office and get a free medium sized popcorn on your birthday.
Medieval Times Free BOGO admission coupon.
Swagbucks 50 free Swagbucks.