Hudson Insurance Group Blog

Hudson Insurance Group Bloghttp://www.quotetexas.com/blog/View Hudson Insurance Group's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.quotetexas.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:221e3f23-06b2-4329-a5e4-4f76f3fbfa25urn:uuid:40296bfb-b418-4620-b630-8cb1fe300e19Information key as health insurance changes take effect BY ELIZABETH BASSETT May 10, 2010 With health care industry reforms coming down over the next several years, physicians and patients alike have questions about how they’ll be affected by the legislation, signed into law in March. At TexMed 20...Mon, 10 May 2010 17:20:53 -0500<div class="story_byline"> <div class="story_author">BY ELIZABETH BASSETT</div> <div class="story_date">May 10, 2010 With health care industry reforms coming down over the next several years, physicians and patients alike have questions about how they’ll be affected by the legislation, signed into law in March. At TexMed 2010, the Texas Medical Association’s annual conference, the TMA vowed to support physicians by giving them information as regulations are formed. Dr. Susan Rudd Bailey, who was installed as president of the TMA during the conference, said she will focus her term on “taking advantage of change.” On a more practical level, physicians need to get information to disseminate to physicians. The TMA and local medical groups, like the Tarrant County Medical Society, will work in conjunction to get out information, just as they did before the bill became law, said Steve Levine, vice president of communications for the TMA. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=12547">Full Story</a> </div> </div>urn:uuid:d961fe16-5686-4847-887c-0a94d54ffc72FEMA flood maps confuse, anger Fort Worth homeownersBy BILL HANNA Posted Apr. 24, 2010 FORT WORTH -- John Williams moved to the Creekwood neighborhood for a new energy-efficient home and views of a small lake behind his back yard. But for him and his neighbors in the far north Fort Worth subdivision...Wed, 05 May 2010 15:16:11 -0500By BILL HANNA Posted Apr. 24, 2010 FORT WORTH -- John Williams moved to the Creekwood neighborhood for a new energy-efficient home and views of a small lake behind his back yard. But for him and his neighbors in the far north Fort Worth subdivision, which borders Saginaw, the creek behind his home became an unexpected hassle when new federal flood maps incorrectly showed about 40 homes in the 100-year flood plain. Even though the tight-knit group of residents knew that it wasn't true, proving it to the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- and their mortgage companies -- wasn't easy. They started calling elected officials and the developer and filing open-records requests with local governments for building permits. <div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;" id="TixyyLink"><a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/24/2140293/fema-flood-maps-confuse-anger.html#ixzz0n5WKrpHU" target="_blank">Full Story</a> </div>urn:uuid:8d559789-46e4-4780-a7f7-81db4a71eb57Burleson Community News A Burleson Soldier's Angel Typepad community news blog entry. Burleson Council looks towards future of golf course Live Journal blog news post. New franchise partnership markets Burleson RV Park at Blogger. MySpace Burles...Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:42:49 -0500<ul> <li><a class="ApplyClass" target="_blank" href="http://hudsoninsurancegroup.typepad.com/blog/2010/04/a-burleson-soldiers-angel.html">A Burleson Soldier's Angel</a> Typepad community news blog entry. </li> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://hudsoninsurance.livejournal.com/1278.html">Burleson Council looks towards future of golf course</a> Live Journal blog news post. </li> <li> New franchise partnership markets <a href="http://hudsoninsurancegroup.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-franchise-partnership-markets.html" target="_blank">Burleson RV Park</a> at Blogger.</li> <li> MySpace <a class="ApplyClass" target="_blank" href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=520982986&blogId=532655247">Burleson community events</a> remaining for April.</li> </ul> urn:uuid:60b703c0-0fe3-4eaa-bab8-e750d51bba28New Certification Requirements for ContractorsNew Certification Requirements Effective April 22, 2010 for Contractors Working on Older Homes Effective April 22, 2010, contractors performing work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 are required to becom...Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:58:46 -0500New Certification Requirements Effective April 22, 2010 for Contractors Working on Older Homes Effective April 22, 2010, contractors performing work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 are required to become trained and certified as Lead-Safe by the EPA.  This is in result to the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program passed in 2008.  According to the EPA, two out of three homes built between 1940 and 1960 have lead-based paint.  Lead poisoning damages the nervous system and causes lifetime developmental and behavioral problems.  Studies show, repair and restoration projects on homes with lead based paint increase the chance for people to be exposed. Failure to comply with the new regulations could result in penalties of up to $37,500 per day per violation. More information regarding certification and those required to follow the rule can be found at <a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm">http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm</a>.  urn:uuid:7de02beb-ac72-495b-97b2-a8643ee67113Texas uncovers $904K unemployment insurance fraudMarch 4, 2010 - Austin Business Journal The Texas Workforce Commission uncovered close to $904,000 worth in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that must now be repaid. False claimants criminally prosecuted for taking the money last year will re...Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:43:50 -0600March 4, 2010 - Austin Business Journal The Texas Workforce Commission uncovered close to $904,000 worth in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that must now be repaid. False claimants criminally prosecuted for taking the money last year will return funds to the unemployment compensation trust fund, which supports Texans that lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The state has recovered about $5 million from unemployment insurance fraud in the past three years, including fines paid by offenders. False claimants can also go to jail or be ordered to perform community service. In the Austin area, 10 individuals were prosecuted for unemployment insurance fraud and will have to repay $69,799. “All Texas employers pay the price when people cheat the system,” workforce commission Chairman Tom Pauken said. “It is vitally important that we protect this employer-paid fund and preserve it for those who are truly eligible to benefit from it.” The workforce commission increased the minimum unemployment insurance tax rate to 0.72 percent from 0.26 percent, beginning Jan. 1, or about $41 per covered employee. <a target="blank" href="http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/03/01/daily41.html">Full Story</a> urn:uuid:a0b79b9e-ac73-46ea-9e91-b9f4d93b3865Creating a Home InventoryIf a disaster strikes, the last thing you want to worry about is sitting down and trying to create a list of all of your property. Creating a home inventory beforehand can save you a tremendous amount of stress, help you determine the correct amount ...Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:01:59 -0600If a disaster strikes, the last thing you want to worry about is sitting down and trying to create a list of all of your property. Creating a home inventory beforehand can save you a tremendous amount of stress, help you determine the correct amount of insurance to carry, and will help to get a claim settled faster. <div>It can appear to be a daunting task, documenting everything you own, but there are several tools out there that can ease the process. Some choose to write everything down in a notebook, room by room. Other options include taking photos or videotaping your property. If you choose any of these methods, just be sure to store the list somewhere other than your home. Another option is to download the free home inventory software at <a href="http://www.knowyourstuff.org" target="_blank">www.KnowYourStuff.org.</a> </div> <div>Always be sure to remember to update your home inventory from time to time, especially if you make a significant purchase. Certain items such as collections, jewelry, and artwork may need to be insured separately, so have your home inventory handy when discussing your insurance needs with your agent. </div> <div>Read more about <a href="http://www.quotetexas.com/homeowners/default.aspx" target="blank">Burleson Homeowners Insurance</a>.</div> urn:uuid:f8bedede-1a23-45b3-b309-a6bd7fadb803Network linksThere are numerous ways to get in touch with me, so join my network by clicking below. Blogger Burleson General Liability Insurance Quote Ezine Articles Facebook Linked In Live Journal Live Space MySpace Twitter Typepad Yahoo Del.icio.usMon, 22 Feb 2010 10:49:03 -0600There are numerous ways to get in touch with me, so join my network by clicking below. <li><a href="http://hudsoninsurancegroup.blogspot.com/" title="Blogger Blog" target="_blank">Blogger</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.quotetexas.com/" title="Get your Burleson General Liability Insurance Quote here" target="_blank">Burleson General Liability Insurance Quote</a></li> <li><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shane_Hudson" title="Ezine Articles" target="_blank">Ezine Articles</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burleson-TX/Hudson-Insurance-Group/455936760541" title="Facebook Business Profile" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/hudsoninsurancegroup" title="Linked In profile" target="_blank">Linked In</a></li> <li><a href="http://hudsoninsurance.livejournal.com/" title="Live Journal" target="_blank">Live Journal</a></li> <li><a href="http://cid-4c9d938ce7ff314a.profile.live.com/" title="Windows Live Profile" target="_blank">Live Space</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.myspace.com/hudsoninsurancegroup" title="MySpace Profile" target="_blank">MySpace</a></li> <li><a href="http://twitter.com/hudsonquotetx" title="Twitter Profile" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="http://hudsoninsurancegroup.typepad.com/blog/" title="Typepad blog" target="_blank">Typepad</a></li> <li><a href="http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/G5BTT7MY4VNTX3PDWUULRK367Q" title="Yahoo Profile" target="_blank">Yahoo</a></li> <li><a href="http://delicious.com/hudsonquotetexas" target="_blank">Del.icio.us</a></li>urn:uuid:87e59181-109a-49f2-bc7d-728e1ec884c6Replacement CostIt is quite common for insurance companies to insure homes for more than the market value. This often poses questions from homeowners "Why is my house being insured for more than it is worth?" Before determining how much to insure a house for though,...Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:49:47 -0600It is quite common for insurance companies to insure homes for more than the market value. This often poses questions from homeowners "Why is my house being insured for more than it is worth?" Before determining how much to insure a house for though, it must be decided how the insurance company will value the house if there is a claim. One method offered is to value the property at Replacement Cost, which as the name implies, is intended to pay to replace the property, without regard to the original or current purchase price. <a href="http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2584562" target="_blank" class="ApplyClass">Read More</a> urn:uuid:c033054a-c41c-46af-bc8a-654c3607c253Burleson InsuranceFind out where you can get a centralized database that provides a seven year history of auto and homeowners insurance claims in How did they know about that claim? Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:24:00 -0600Find out where you can get a centralized database that provides a seven year history of auto and homeowners insurance claims in <a class="ApplyClass" target="_blank" href="http://hudsoninsurancegroup.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-did-they-know-about-that-claim.html">How did they know about that claim?</a> urn:uuid:da457f3f-1fdc-4f88-9887-68c1ed006490Tip of the Month: What is an Insurance Score?Tip of the Month: What is an Insurance Score? We all know what happens when we want to purchase something on credit: we get denied or approved largely because of our credit score, which is a rating of the level of risk that we represen...Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:13:11 -0600<p style="border: medium none;border-bottom: medium none; text-align: center; border-left: medium none; padding-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; border-top: medium none; border-right: windowtext; padding-top: 0in;" class="BodyText-Contemporary">Tip of the Month: What is an Insurance Score? <p style="border: medium none;border-bottom: medium none; text-align: justify; border-left: medium none; padding-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; border-top: medium none; border-right: windowtext; padding-top: 0in;" class="BodyText-Contemporary"> We all know what happens when we want to purchase something on credit: we get denied or approved largely because of our credit score, which is a rating of the level of risk that we represent based on past financial behavior (pursuit of new credit, length of credit history, current level of indebtedness, types of credit used, and previous credit performance). When you apply for insurance to cover your car or your house, the same thing happens. Except this time, it’s called a credit-based insurance score and it’s a rating of the level of insurance risk that you represent. Your insurance score is important because it will determine what programs you will qualify for and at what rate. An insurance score is not the same as a credit score. For starters, it is not as in-depth and does not show a person’s credit accounts. Like your credit score, your insurance score is a number that is based on information in your credit report that can predict whether you’re more or less likely to have future claims that will result in losses for the insurance company. The higher the score, the less risk you represent. This will result in lower premiums. Your insurance score is built on depersonalized data and does not reflect anything personal like race, color or occupation. Insurers use this score along with motor vehicle records (for auto insurance) or history report and property inspections (for property insurance) to make sure you pay the premium rate that most closely corresponds to the risk that you represent. Since your credit score affects your insurance score, it is worth your while to do all that you can to improve and maintain a high credit score. Just remember, there are no quick fixes. Improving your credit takes time. Being diligent in paying off debt and other financial obligations on time and keeping revolving credit checked will have a positive long-term effect on your credit rating. urn:uuid:6cabd2c6-c282-480e-9681-f9514ccfbaf0RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINEAs promised, I have returned from another day of being an insurance super hero fighting against high rates, bad customer service, and tightfisted claims adjusters to provide you with some helpful tips about HOW TO FIGHT BACK, and WHAT YOU CAN DO to c...Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:46:35 -0500As promised, I have returned from another day of being an insurance super hero fighting against high rates, bad customer service, and tightfisted claims adjusters to provide you with some helpful tips about HOW TO FIGHT BACK, and WHAT YOU CAN DO to control your expenses and still make sure you are getting sufficient coverage with a reputable company. Review your policy each time it renews This may seem a little silly to some of you.  Why should you bother to review your policy if your rate hasn’t gone up?  Lets look at it this way.  If you went to McDonalds and sat down to eat your hamburger, you would be pretty pissed if they didn’t put meat on it right?  Check your burger before you send in the renewal payment.  Sometimes you may be surprised that your policy coverages have changed.  Discounts have gone up, or coverages have gone down, or been excluded all together!  In fairness to the insurance companies out there, I will say that most of them do write a “letter” to inform you but you quickly glance at it and throw it in the file drawer not to be bothered with until your 5 year old cousin blows up your garage while doing an experiment involving your gas can and a blow torch.  Did you make a $50,000 improvement to your home?  You may want to make sure that its covered.  A GOOD AGENT SHOULD BE PROACTIVE ON LETTING YOU KNOW WHEN ITS TIME TO DO A POLICY REVIEW. Get rid of coverages you don’t need Do you have an extra car?  Why do you need rental car coverage?  Are you covered on group health insurance?  You may consider dropping personal injury or uninsured motorists bodily injury coverage.  It doesn’t matter if you have Business Insurance (such as general liability insurance, commercial auto, workers comp) or personal insurance (like auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance, etc) this applies to any type of policy.   Take the highest deductible you can live with This is pretty much self explanatory.  No need for further embellishment.  Plus, I have to run to the garage right now.  My five year old cousin disappeared out there just a few minutes ago… Search for discounts There are too many available discounts to discuss on this post.  Call your agent and make him work for his money!  A good agent should be pro-active about getting you info on discounts. WARNING DO NOT WORK WITH “DISCOUNT” OR “CUT RATE” INSURANCE COMPANIES OR AGENCIES.  You get what you pay for.  Hey, why should you complain if they don’t answer the phone?  You are only paying $1 per month, you should be happy!  What’s that?  You got in a wreck?  Too bad, I hope you have insurance….oh wait!  You do!  It just happens to be with a “discount” company who slogan is “delay, don’t pay”.   Yes, this was an actual banner seen hanging on the wall at a claims office at a “discount” insurance company.  In my experience it’s better to pay a few extra dollars a month for the peace of mind that you will get the 5 star service you need if you have a problem. Package your policies together Most agents are able to “package” your policies together with the same company, or same group of companies in order to get you a hefty discount.  Work with an agent that brings “extra” value.  Do they provide free fax/copy/notary service?  Do they send a bimonthly newsletter with helpful tips or other relevant information?  Can they refer you to vendors who can provide you with discounted services because they offer special deals to your agents customers? BEWARE!....the Yellow Pages If you have had a good buying experience from the yellow pages then you can skip this part.  I however have learned that the best way to find a great insurance agent/company is to ask your friends/family about who they like to do business with.  Hastily calling through the yellow pages for a “quick” quote for the “cheapest” insurance is a sure formula for disaster.  You are cutting your own throat if you are not giving the agent time to ask plenty of questions and do a thorough job of searching through his available companies for the best match.  Unless they only work for 1 company and only have a 1 size fits all solution for you…what the heck, just skip those guys…they are wasting your time too! Check the insurance company(ies) financial “rating”. Just because you have not heard of an insurance company does not mean they are a “bad” company.  There are lots of great little companies you have never heard of.   However, it would do you good to check their financial rating at <a href="http://www.ambest.com/">www.ambest.com</a> or just by asking the agent.  A financial rating is basically a grade given to the insurance company by an outside/independent rating company (like a.m. best!).  A+++ is really good and C is terrible.  Additionally, one thing I have found is that smaller companies normally have better customer service and faster response times on their claims.  If you have confidence in your agent ask him/her what company they recommends based upon the best combination of price and service. Look for an Agent who appreciates you Everyone has a bad day now and then, but if you get the runaround, unreturned phone calls or a bad attitude it is definitely time to find another agent.  Look for an agent who is opposite from your bad agent (duh!).  A good agent will appreciate you, take the time to answer your questions and make you feel appreciated.  You will remember a good agent if your friends need insurance and you will refer them.  A good agent will say THANK YOU FOR THE REFERRAL and send you a $10 gift card (like we do!)    urn:uuid:2493f085-aa7d-4196-9676-6ec6c7e5c5d5What affects my insurance rate?It seems so frustrating.  You get your renewal and your rate has gone up!  How can this be?  You didnt have any claims.  You were the perfect customer.  Heck, I mean, you never even called your agent for anything within the l...Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:21:57 -0500It seems so frustrating.  You get your renewal and your rate has gone up!  How can this be?  You didnt have any claims.  You were the perfect customer.  Heck, I mean, you never even called your agent for anything within the last 6 months.  Why in the world do they have to do this?  Why does this happen, it always seems like you cant get a policy and just leave it alone.  The stupid insurance company always has to upset your nice peaceful scene with a new policy and new rates ever 6 to 12 months.  Is there anyway to avoid this?  What should I do if this happens? Firstly, as an agent, I have to agree with you.  It is most bothersome for these insurance companies to always change things all the time.  I too wish they would just give you a policy and keep your price the same as long as your remained the "perfect" customer.  Ah, it would be utopia...I could just sit back, twiddle my thumbs, and wonder how to waste my workday. The insurance companies however have their own problems to deal with as they try to slog their way through each quarter and keep their earnings up and their stockholders from rioting. Funny as it seems, most insurance companies take almost every dollar you pay them and use it to pay claims and operational expenses.  However, they dont just take money in and send it directly out.  They pool all customer dollars and invest them in order to try and gain as much interest as possible before they have to let go of the money. So why should you care?  How does this affect you anyway?  Its like a recurring itchy rash that reappears once or twice a year, you really just want it to go away! It affects you because these 3 factors directly impact the rate you pay!  1. claims, 2. investments, 3. operational expenses. We all know if there are serious catastrophic storms that the insurance companies will be working like mad to pay the claims.  We also know that this will probably affect us in a negative way sometime within the near future. However, most people dont understand that the insurance companies rely heavily upon their investments to keep the cash flowing in a positive direction. In these uncertain times insurance companies (and everyone else) are losing quite a bit in the 'ol stock market.  And, if you combine that with a year of bad weather (hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, high winds, etc) you can bet the insurance companies will be trying to recoup their losses sometime within the very near future. Additionally, some insurance companies are insufficiently managed, and therefore their operational costs are out of control. These things all add up to BAD NEWS for you! In my next post I will give you the GOOD NEWS about HOW TO FIGHT BACK, and WHAT YOU CAN DO to control your expenses and still make sure you are getting sufficient coverage with a reputable company. Stay tuned...