FAQs What are some practical things I can do to lower my automobile insurance rates? There are a number of things you can do to lower the cost of your automobile insurance. The easiest thing to do is ask us to get quotes from several companies for you. It is not uncommon to find quotes on automobile insurance that can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same coverage on the same car. When you shop, be careful to make sure each insurer is offering the same coverage. Another way to lower the cost of your automobile insurance is to look for any discounts for which you may qualify. For example, many insurers will offer you a discount if you insure multiple cars under the same policy, or if you have had a driver education class in the last five years. Be sure to ask us about their discount plans. Another easy way to lower the cost of your automobile insurance is to increase the deductible. Simply raising your deductible from $250 to $500 can lower your premium sometimes by as much as five or ten percent. Back to Top What should I consider when purchasing automobile insurance? There are a number of factors to consider when purchasing any product or service, and insurance is no different. Here is a checklist of things you should consider when purchasing automobile insurance. Base your decision on value. This is more than simply the lowest price. The premium you pay should be compared to the claims and policy service, protection and advice you receive. Independent agents, and the companies we represent, deliver excellent value. Purchase the amount of liability coverage that makes sense to you. You should decide which optional coverages you want. For example, do you want optional physical damage coverages or is the market value of your car too low to warrant purchasing them. Once you have decided what you want in your automobile insurance policy, you can now decide from whom you would like to purchase the insurance from. Back to Top What are the advantages to using an agent to purchase insurance? By using an agent to purchase insurance, the policyholder receives more personal service. An agent with whom there is direct contact can be vital when purchasing a product and absolutely necessary when filing a claim. A local, independent agent is able to deliver quality insurance with competitive pricing and local personalized service. Back to Top Suppose I lend my car to a friend, is he/she covered under my automobile insurance policy? Whenever you knowingly loan your car to a friend or an associate, he or she will be covered under your automobile insurance policy, subject to any driver exclusions on your policy. Back to Top General Investment FAQs What are the benefits to working with a financial professional? With the variety of investment choices available today, it is difficult to make a solid financial plan without researching your own needs and determining appropriate products to meet those needs. Unfortunately, our daily lives often prevent us from spending the necessary time to reach our financial goals. Working with a financial professional allows you to get assistance from someone who can pinpoint your needs and do the research for you. Taking a professional approach to meeting your investment needs and goals can save you time and allow you to make solid choices in regards to your financial plan. Back to Top What can a financial professional provide? Personalized Attention Financial professionals take time to get to know who you are. The most important information they receive is directly from their clients. Understanding your financial situation, goals, investment time horizon and risk tolerance enables your financial professional to assist you in creating a strategy that fits both your objectives and budget requirements. A Resource for Information Your financial professional is your personal financial instructor. From explaining financial terms to providing illustrations about various financial products, a financial professional's goal is to assist you in making educated decisions in the implementation of your financial strategy. Recommendations and Assistance A financial professional has the expertise, resources and time to keep abreast of market news, legislation and industry trends. A financial professional can analyze how these trends could affect your investment portfolio. They can provide you with current information and explain how these changes affect your investment strategy and objectives. Specifically, an advisor can: Explain financial products and how they work. Compare various financial products vehicles and describe the pros and cons of each with regard to your personal financial goals Continuing Support As your life changes, so does your investment strategy. Your financial professional is here to help you continually, not just when you begin to invest your money. As trends and legislation change, your financial professional can update you on how these changes affect you. Your financial professional is available to address concerns and questions regarding swings in the market. Back to Top What information should I expect to provide when working with my financial professional? To assist you in developing a financial strategy that's right for you, it is important for your financial professional to understand as much about your finances as they can. For your protection, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) requires your financial professional to ask about your financial situation, financial goals, investment time horizon and risk tolerance in order to assure your choice of investments are suitable for your financial situation. Back to Top How often should I meet with my financial professional? You should plan to meet with your financial professional at least once a year to reevaluate your plan strategy. If you have a major change in your life - an inheritance, a new child, a death, marriage, health concerns - you should meet with your financial professional to make any needed adjustments. Remember this is your financial strategy and you should know how you are progressing towards your goals. Back to Top What is the benefit of tax-deferred growth? With tax-deferred growth, you do not have to pay taxes on your earnings until you withdraw your money. This allows you to keep more of what you earn and increase your savings. Back to Top How do I save for my children's education? One of parents' biggest concerns is giving their child the best education possible. A solid education, a good job, a secure future - you want nothing less than a future filled with happiness and security for your child. It's never too early to start planning and it is never too late to evaluate your resources. There is a lot of information available on the Internet, through bookstores, and from financial agents in regards to saving for your child's future. Keep in mind that every family's situation is different and strategies should be tailored to an individual's situation. Focus on the Goal Your goal is to save for your child's education. You have an idea of how much college is going to cost you. Just as you would save for any other goal, save the same way for college. Estimate what you will need, figure in what you already have and how much you will need to save per month to get there. Utilize our calculators to assist you in determining how much you need to save. Also see our asset allocation models to see what strategies will help you reach your goal. If you can't afford right now to save the entire amount necessary, save the most you can. Stay Disciplined Make a plan to save on a routine basis and make saving a priority. Saving routinely will keep you on track to meet your goal. Back to Top