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Making a commitment to serve in the military takes a lot of courage and discipline. When that commitment is up, however, you need to apply the same level of discipline to your finances in order to continue supporting your family and to maintain your quality of life. 

Alliance Insurance Services knows what a challenge this transition can be. So, if you are planning on separating from the military or have already made this major career move, here are some important steps you need to take to secure your finances.

Look Into Essential Life Insurance Options 

If you want to ensure that your spouse and loved ones are prepared for the unexpected, including your death and funeral expenses, you should consider buying burial insurance. Burial insurance is a smart choice for young vets looking to provide financial resources to their families, without having to pay for expensive premiums. 

Since the VA will only pay $300 to $780 for veteran burials, having an insurance policy that will help with the average cost of a funeral, which is over $7,000, will keep your surviving dependents from scrambling to cover any remaining costs. 

For young veterans who have more room in their budgets, or more family members that depend on them for income or care, it may also be a good idea to shop for life insurance. The type of policy you purchase can depend on several factors, including your current lifestyle and family commitments, so make sure you fully research your choices. If you are separating from the military with a service-related disability, Military.com notes you may also qualify a VA-sponsored life insurance policy.

Research Veteran Education and Job Resources 

If you would like to start working after your separation from the military, you should begin researching veteran career resources ASAP. From VA career and financial services to non-profit programs, there are many ways for veterans to connect with professionals who can help them make the most of this next chapter in their life. Many of these career resources are also available at colleges and universities, where, as The Military Wallet explains, you can use veteran benefits and scholarships to help pay for services and complete a degree program. 

Do some soul searching and think about what you might enjoy doing long-term. If you love computers, for instance, a job in IT might be the perfect fit. You can enroll in classes online, take them at your own pace, and reap the rewards for the rest of your life. 

Bulk Up Emergency Savings and Pay Down Debts 

Have you been saving for emergencies during your active duty military career? If not, you should start as soon as possible, so that unexpected expenses will not jeopardize your family’s financial stability. If you can fit it into your budget, you should try to save enough money to cover three months of expenses, although saving enough for six months worth of costs is best for keeping your family prepared for surprises. 

You can achieve this goal by setting aside small amounts from your paycheck and investing any large windfalls into your emergency savings account. This can include the separation pay mentioned above or any tax-free money you earn while deployed in a combat zone. If you need help budgeting for an emergency fund or with any other financial concerns, you can also look into financial literacy programs for veterans. These programs include required TAPS courses but also include resources from private organizations. 

As an active duty member of the military, you’ve dedicated the last few years of your life to serving your country. Make sure you tap into the financial tools and resources you need to thrive during your transition out of that service. Because after all of your sacrifices and hard work, you deserve to stay happy and healthy during this next phase of your career and life. 

Look to Alliance Insurance Services for solutions that work as hard as you do!

Photo Credit: Pexels

There Are More Renters Than Ever

Home ownership is the lowest it has been since the 1960s.  That means more and more of us are finding ourselves renting in apartments, condos, townhouses, or stand alone housing.  And that’s not always a bad thing.  Renting gives flexibility, greater freedom of movement, an abundance of choices in living spaces, and lower maintenance costs.  But strangely, most renters do not have a simple renters insurance policy to protect their belongings.

That means that in the event of a loss, the majority of renters will have to pay out of pocket to replace their belongings.

Renting Without a Safety Net

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 59% of renters do not have renters insurance.  That’s an astounding statistic, because anything that happens to one part of your building can happen to your apartment.  And of all of the things that can happen, fire is the worst.  There were a staggering 95,000 apartment fires in 2016 alone, resulting in $711 Million dollars in damages.  If a fire destroys a building, most apartment dwellers will be faced with a total loss of all valuables, regardless of where the fire started.  And most of them will pay to replace their bed, television, computers and priceless memorabilia on their own.

This looks even more surprising when you consider that 95% of homeowners are insured.  And most of them don’t have neighbors lighting candles or starting grease fires on the other side of their walls!

The Good News: Renters Insurance is Awesome

It is.  It really is.  And it isn’t expensive.

Unlike homeowners insurance, renters insurance is flexible in how much it covers.  Most insurance agents can help a policyholder determine the value of their belongings, but that doesn’t mean that the amount is set in stone as it is with a house (check out our Replacement Cost guide for more info).  Policyholders get a say in how much they want to insure what they own, and can often get outstanding amounts of coverage for not a lot of money.

But renters insurance doesn’t just cover your stuff.  It also covers you – from lawsuits and other bad things that can happen.  Your renters policy contains liability protection just like a homeowners policy, guaranteeing that if you are found to be at fault for a range of offenses, you’ve got someone on your side to help pay for injuries to other parties or legal fees.  That can be pretty handy in today’s legal addicted world.

Did We Mention It’s a Bargain?

While the typical homeowners policy can run from $500 – $1,500 a year, a renters insurance policy is usually from $150 – $300 a year.  That is not a typo.  You can protect everything you own from risk and protect yourself from liability claims for about the price of an expensive set of shoes.  For a year.

There really isn’t a reason to not have renters insurance.  The value you get for what you pay is one of the best in the entire industry.   That makes it all the more surprising that most renters don’t have it.  In fact, there’s one more reason that it is awesome, and that’s because it makes it even more of a killer deal – if you pair it with your auto insurance it becomes a package or bundled policy.

Renters Insurance – The Easy Package

There are tons of people driving around right now that have car insurance but not renters insurance for the valuable things they love in their apartment.  What they don’t realize is that by adding a renters policy with the same company as your auto insurance, you create a package or bundle, resulting in even more savings for both policies.  And, as you’ve probably already seen on my other blog, package policies are the secret weapons of insurance.  They add savings to each policy with the same company, making it doubly or triply valuable (or quadruply or quintuply if you have boats and motorcycles with the same company – if those are even real words).

So Yeah, Awesome

Renters Insurance is awesome.  Seriously, it is.  And if you rent, it is a must have to protect the things you own.

Fill out the form below and one of our agents will contact you to see how much you have to gain by getting this incredible piece of protection.

An extensive travel protection plan from a third party company would likely cover most of the problems experienced while traveling. Being prepared for the unexpected and for personal safety may be the real way to enjoy a stress free vacation in an ever changing industry. Many travelers believe they already have travel coverage with their personal health insurance, credit cards, and cruise/airline/hotel. Though this is somewhat true, coverage through those sources is usually much more limited. The following are some tips on selecting the best coverage.

The difference between third party protection providers and other options:

Health Insurance – your ordinary health insurance plans may not offer coverage abroad, or they may have very low limits.

Medicare – Medicare simply does not offer medical coverage outside of the United States.

Credit Card – Credit cards usually have some travel coverage built in, but do not offer many of the benefits of a third party travel protection plan.

Cruise line – Cruise lines may offer their own protection plans, but it provides minimal coverage and may not help in more serious circumstances. For example, if you don’t book a flight with the cruise line, they may not offer coverage for any flight related issues.

In comparison, a third party travel protection plan offers a much wider range of coverage options and benefits. Unlike most of the other options, a third party protection plan begins while you are still home. Risks might include last minute cancellations due to sickness, severe weather, or even terrorism. If something does in fact happen, you will be reimbursed with a check rather than in credit vouchers toward whatever vendor you may have signed up through. This provides you with the freedom to do what you want with your reimbursed money. A travel protection plan often offers higher benefit limits, primary and secondary options, and covers against bankruptcy or default in case something unexpectedly happens with the tour operator.

By purchasing a travel protection plan travelers also have access to 24-7 non-insurance travel assistance services that offers perks including:

• Pre-trip advice on weather, inoculations, or visa information
• Coordinated emergency evacuation
• Help with lost prescriptions
• Help to find the closest medical facility by U.S standards, and more.

One of the most important aspects of receiving the coverage needed with an insurance plan is to always read the fine print and understand the rules and regulations of the supplier. Be sure to research and compare so you know you are investing in the right plan for the type of trip being planned.

Alliance Insurance Partners with Travel Insured to bring you the best in Travel Protection. Click below for a no obligation free quote for your next adventure.

About Travel Insured:
Founded in 1994 by Peter Gehris, Travel Insured International is one of the leading travel insurance providers, offering the highest quality worldwide travel protection for over 20 years. Travel Insured maintains relationships with specialty travel providers and tour operators, as well as provides 24/7 customer assistance, every day of the year. In 2015, Travel Insured was acquired by Crum & Forster, whose parent company is Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. The financial strength and core values of the companies give Travel Insured the best position in the market to continue its commitment of helping travelers protect their travel plans to travel relaxed, travel secure, and travel insured.

Common Exposures of Ride-sharing Apps

Ever since the first ride-sharing app debuted in 2011, they’ve experienced exponential growth in usage. In fact, in the cities where such apps have joined the market, taxi ridership has declined anywhere from 10 to 30 percent. However, while the popularity of ride-sharing apps is increasing, so is the host of risks associated with using them. Most of the companies are in the stages of infancy, and the situations they’re facing are in uncharted territory.

How the Apps Work

While they’re most commonly referred to as ride-sharing apps, any company that uses an online platform to connect passengers with drivers (using the driver’s own vehicle) is called a transportation network company (TNC). These companies each have their own unique differences, but they all operate under the same basic concept.
Through their smartphones, passengers are matched with available drivers via GPS. Most apps display the driver’s route and estimated time of arrival, in addition to the driver’s name, photo and vehicle information. The TNC gets a cut of the fare, typically between 20 to 25 percent, for each ride a driver completes.
The apps are convenient for passengers and for drivers looking to supplement their income. Still, they’re not without flaws. For example, it can be difficult to determine what regulations the TNC and its drivers need to follow, what insurance coverages apply to them and who is considered liable in the event of an accident.

When Insurance Kicks In

Since TNC drivers use their vehicles for both business and personal purposes, TNCs have to clarify when drivers are covered by different types of insurance.
When a driver is driving with the TNC app off, the driver is not accepting rides, so the driver’s personal auto insurance is the primary coverage. Once the driver turns the app on, but has not yet accepted a ride, TNCs generally offer contingent liability coverage if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not offer protection. After a passenger is picked up, the TNC’s policy is the primary policy until the end of the ride.

State Involvement

Unlike taxis, which are regulated by the city and have to follow strict guidelines, TNCs haven’t had to adhere to the same strict regulations. This is beginning to change, as legal concerns have grown. Some states are enacting laws to set standards and insurance requirements for TNCs. Furthermore, cases that are currently in the courts will help shed light on who is to be held liable in ride-sharing accidents in the future.

Driver Risks

Some ride-share companies provide liability insurance for their drivers in excess of the driver’s personal liability coverage. However, this does not mean that the driver will always be covered.
Drivers also face the risk of being dropped by their insurance company if they’re found to be misleading them. Drivers need to be honest about what the primary use for the vehicle is when they obtain the policy. If a driver fails to indicate the intention to drive for commercial purposes, the insurer could not only deny claims, but also drop the driver from the policy. Some insurers have created hybrid policies that allow drivers to switch between personal and commercial coverage for that same reason.

Passenger Risks

When a passenger gets into a car arranged by a TNC, the passenger agrees to a host of terms and conditions by default. If the driver gets into an accident and the passenger is hurt, there is no guarantee that the driver’s insurance company, nor the TNC, will pay for damages. For example, the driver’s personal insurance company may say that he or she was driving for profit and, for that reason, it is not required to pay the medical bills. The passenger would need to take the driver to court for damages, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.
Safety is a concern for both the driver and for the passenger. Both drivers and passengers need to be alert while utilizing the ride share app.
No transportation service can guarantee safety, and the same concerns arise for people who take taxis. But if something happens to the passenger in a taxi, he or she may receive monetary compensation without having to go to court.

Tips for Passengers

Using a ride-sharing app is generally a safe and reliable method of transportation. Nonetheless, there are safety risks to consider. If your employees use ride-sharing apps when they travel, make sure they’re aware of the following safety tips:
• Share your trip details with someone. Some apps allow you to share your route and driver information.
• Before entering the vehicle, check the driver’s photo, name and license plate against what is listed on the app.
• Never share any personal information that the driver does not need to complete the ride. This includes phone numbers, as TNCs typically anonymize their passengers’ phone numbers to protect their privacy.
• Always wear your seat belt. If no seat belt is present or if the vehicle appears unsafe, cancel the ride. Be sure to report it to the TNC immediately.
The TNC insurance landscape continues to evolve to meet the safety needs of drivers and passengers. However, insurance companies are taking different approaches to claims. Consult with Alliance Insurance Services for more information.

For more safety tips visit the following site:

https://www.zimride.com/safety/

Memorial Day Weekend is here. Time to hit the pools and take the boat out for its first spin of the season. While having fun and relaxing keep the following safety tips in mind.

Safe Boating Tips

No matter how much experience you have, it’s always a good idea for everyone to review boating safety rules before departures. Below you will find 10 basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:

1. Be Weather-WiseAlways check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
2. Follow a Pre-Departure ChecklistProper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten.
3. Use Common SenseOne of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.
4. Designate an Assistant SkipperMake sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, and general boating safety. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it’s important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.
5. Develop a Float PlanWhether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, always be sure to let someone else know your float plan. This should include where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone.A float plan can include the following information:
   • name, address, and phone number of trip leader
   • name and phone number of all passengers
   • boat type and registration information
   • trip itinerary
   • types of communication and signal equipment onboard, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
6. Make Proper Use of LifejacketsDid you know that the majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren’t part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Wear it!
7. Avoid AlcoholPractice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind.
8. Learn to SwimIf you’re going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim. Local organizations, such as the American Red Cross and others, offer training for all ages and abilities. Check to see what classes are offered in your area.
9. Take a Boating CourseBeginning boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state; however, some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. Regardless of your individual state’s requirements, it’s always important to be educated and prepared for every circumstance that might arise. You can learn boating safety rules by taking a local community course or online course to help educate yourself.
10. Consider a Free Vessel Safety CheckTake advantage of a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. Free of charge, they’ll provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations. They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.

Pool Safety:

A swimming pool can cause many hours of enjoyment in the Spring & Summer months. 

If your home is damaged in a flood, are you covered?

That depends on the value of your home, the level of water damage and whether you have flood insurance.

Regular homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood water damage. And policies through the National Flood Insurance Program top out at $350,000 for your home and goods. So you may need supplemental coverage if your home and possessions total more than that.

But, while people tend to associate floods with a total loss, the average flood claim for U.S. homeowners is about $30,000, according to the National Flood Insurance Program.

Here are six myths that persist about flood insurance — and the truth you need to know.

Myth: You must live in a flood plain

Not true. If you live in a flood plain, your mortgage company will likely require you to buy flood insurance. But you can purchase it even if you don’t live within a flood zone.

“Almost anybody can get flood insurance who wants flood insurance,” says Chris Hackett, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. It’s cheaper if you don’t live inside a flood plain.

The price of insurance through the federal flood insurance program is based on standardized rates and depends on the home’s value and whether or not it’s in a flood plain, says Don Griffin, vice president of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

The average price for flood insurance is about $600 annually, Hackett says.

If you rent your home or live in a condo, you can buy flood insurance for just your possessions, says Griffin.

If you want flood insurance, it pays to think ahead. There is a 30-day waiting period between when you buy the coverage and when it kicks in, he says.

Myth: Flood insurance is for high-risk areas

Merle Scheiber’s dream home wasn’t in a flood plain, and he didn’t have flood insurance.

Just after completing a three-year renovation project for his 1,800-square-foot cabin-style home, flooding put it underwater for almost four months. Now he’s working on an entirely different kind of renovation project.

“I’m in the process of tearing it apart myself and putting it back together,” says Scheiber, who is also the director of insurance for South Dakota.

He advocates that homeowners — even those who do not live in designated flood plains — weigh the dangers and their options and seriously consider buying flood insurance.

“You need to assess your risk,” Scheiber says. Griffin says 1 in 4 flood claims is for a home that isn’t in a flood plain.

Myth: Flood insurance covers everything

Not necessarily. When it comes to the physical structure of your house, federal flood insurance policies top out at $250,000, Hackett says. If you have a $300,000 house that’s a total loss because of a flood, the most you can recoup through the program is $250,000 to cover the structure itself.

For your personal possessions, the cap is $100,000 under the federal program.

And those limits are “definitely something you should keep in mind before purchasing a high-value home in an area that’s susceptible to flooding,” Hackett says.

If you already have insurance through the federal program, then you can buy “excess flood insurance” through a private carrier that would cover claims above the national limits, Griffin says. In essence, it’s a flood policy with a $250,000 deductible, he says.

While federal flood insurance pays to rebuild the structure, it only pays current value on possessions, Griffin says. It doesn’t cover anything in a basement (other than your heating and air-conditioning system). It doesn’t cover living expenses if you have to relocate while your home is being repaired, he says.

Myth: My homeowners policy covers floods

“Unfortunately, a lot of folks may be under the impression that their standard homeowners policy might cover flood damage,” Hackett says. But the standard policy doesn’t. Your umbrella policies won’t cover flood damage either.

The standard homeowners policy doesn’t cover earthquakes or floods. So a homeowner wanting coverage for either of those disasters will need to pick up separate, specific policies against those types of disasters.

“Realize that, for most people, their homes are one of their most valuable possessions,” says Hackett. “It’s worth protecting that.”

Myth: Water damage is water damage

When it comes to your insurance, not all water damage is the same.

If there’s a storm and your “roof comes off and water comes through, that would be covered under your homeowners policy,” Hackett says. “Versus a flood situation where the riverbank overflows and you look out of the front of your house and you need a boat to get from point A to point B.”

And most consumers “have a pretty good understanding” of how to draw the line between storm damage and flood damage, says Hackett.

Some homeowners policies offer an optional “water-backup endorsement” that covers damage from water backing up into your home from causes such as a broken sump pump, he says.

Myth: Flood plain maps don’t change

Flood plains (and flood plain maps) change and evolve. Just because you weren’t in a flood plain when you bought your home a few years ago doesn’t mean you’re not in one now.

There are a few ways you can find out about your flood risks and if you may be in a flood plain.

• FloodSmart.gov: This site will allow you to put in your address and see if it’s in a flood plain, and give you information on risks, premiums and agents, says Griffin. But use it as one tool, not the final word on whether your home is in a flood plain.
• Your agent. When it comes to researching whether your home is in a flood plain, you definitely want someone knowledgeable to research the question for you, Griffin says. And, preferably, more than one agent.

And get a second opinion from a different agent, he says.

“Agents have different levels of sophistication with regard to this product,” says Griffin. “You get a different answer sometimes. So you make a couple of checks to make sure you’re protecting yourself.”

Article reprinted from: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/flood-insurance-3.aspx