Andy Brown's Blog

You Were In A Car Accident- Will Your Auto Rates Rise?

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:18:42 -0700

If you are like me, you often wonder about your safety as you cruise down the highway. A few weeks ago, I was the victim of a bit of a speed trap. As I was cruising along, minding my own business, the car in front of me decided to abruptly switch into the right lane, leaving me in an almost certain accident with a car that had stalled in the middle of the road. I swerved, over-corrected, and did a spin- in the middle of the highway! I was lucky enough to escape the accident uninjured, with my car remaining unscathed. But many drivers have been as lucky as I was.

If you were recently involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how much your accident will end up costing you. Obviously, when auto accident costs come up, one of your first thoughts will be on your auto insurance policy. In addition to mechanical costs, your auto insurance rates will likely rise as well. If you are involved in an accident, your insurance company will consider…

Your degree of “fault” in the accident
The severity of the accident
The monetary value of the claim filed by you and /or the other drivers involved

If you have been in an accident, make sure that you are fully aware of every detail of your auto insurance policy. Calling your agent and having them give you an explanation of your policy in simple terms is probably your best option. Also ask what ramifications your accident may have on the future costs of your policy.

And if you haven't gotten into an accident yet- and aren't confident in your coverage- contact Brown Insurance. At our Virtual Insurance Office, you can learn more about your auto insurance options, or get a free online quote.

Florida Home Foreclosures Rise By More Than 100%. Your Options Are…

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:27:36 -0700

Home foreclosures continue to soar in Florida, with some parts of the State reaching triple digit highs. It doesn't help that the State's issues, like a rising unemployment rate, risky loans, and plummeting property values continue to negatively affect Floridians. Because of the poor economic situation in the State, it's not surprising that lenders are less likely to lend to borrowers, causing a bit of a credit freeze. Additionally, those homeowners who have found it difficult to pay for their mortgages are finding few options to avoid foreclosure.

With home foreclosure rates growing by as much as 124% between March and April, things are looking bleak in the sunshine state. Although times are tough, there are still things that a homeowner can do to cut costs. Decreasing utility bills can help- as can selling a car if you own multiple automobiles. And if you are in serious financial trouble, make sure that you prioritize your debt- and put your mortgage before your credit card bills and other debt. If you must, consider bankruptcy or selling your home.

You can win the battle with home foreclosure- I just takes hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. Although the threat of foreclosure is a real one, doing away with your homeowners insurance coverage is a poor direction to take. Choosing the right agency and policy can not only keep you protected- it can also save you money. If you feel like you are currently paying too much for homeowners insurance, it may be best for you to shop around. The easiest way to get the best rate is to choose to choose an independent agency that can do the shopping FOR YOU. To learn more about your options, visit www.browninsurance.us. Once there, you can get a free homeowners insurance quote, or contact Brown Insurance Agency to learn more.

Who Knew Getting Married Could Actually SAVE You Money?

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:12:59 -0700

Getting married is surely one of the biggest days on your life- you surely don’t want to spend it worrying about money. But, there is a lot of money that goes into your big day. The ceremony, reception, and honeymoon all cost quite a bit of money. Although getting married can be expensive, you may be surprised to learn that your marriage can also save you money in unexpected ways- like on your car insurance.

After the expenses associated with the actual marriage, you may be excited to learn that marriage can save you money on your car insurance rates. Once you are married, you and your spouse will be considered safer and more stable because of your new commitment. This stability can turn into auto insurance discounts. As a couple, you may also qualify for reduced car insurance rates and can earn a multiple car discount if you insure both your cars on the same policy. Depending on both the driving record of you and your spouse, you may save more by choosing to purchase separate policies. If one of you driving records is less than stellar, you may be able to get a better rate by taking a safe driver course. Although many discounts and coverage options exist, the only way to know how much you can save is by comparing insurance quotes from different agencies.

If you are in the market for a new auto insurance policy, visit Andy Brown Insurance’s Virtual Insurance Office. At our site you can learn more about your auto coverage options and get a free, online auto insurance quote.

Which Cars Have The Most and Least Expensive Claims Costs?

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:34:34 -0700

Which Cars Have The Most and Least Expensive Claims Costs? Although you may be aware that cars differ in cost in both price and insurance rates, you may not know that based on these differences, claims payments from your insurance company may be effected. Because higher claims typically lead to higher insurance rates, if you file a claim, there is a good chance your insurance rate will go up at the time of your renewal. The actual dollar amount of the claim you file could have a big impact on your rate increase.

A common source of insurance claims is vehicle theft. The following is a list of the most expensive and least expensive vehicles for theft claims.

Models that are among the most expensive for theft claims include:

Acura Integra two-door
Acura Integra four-door
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Cherokee four-door
Honda Prelude two-door

Models that are among the least expensive for theft claims include:

Buick LeSabre
Mercury Grand Marquis
Buick Century and Saab 9-5 four-door (tie)
Buick Park Avenue and Pontiac Montana (tie)

The claims process can be a difficult and time consuming process- but Brown Insurance will make it easy. We are an independent insurance agency whose friendly agents can walk you through the claims process. Whether you get into an accident, or your car is stolen, you can depend on Brown Insurance to provide you with service you can depend on.

Want to learn more about the insurance products we offer? Visit our Virtual Insurance Office at www.andybrowninsurance.com. At our site, you can learn more about insuring your car- and get a free online auto insurance quote.

Health Insurance: Are you protected from the unexpected?

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:51:26 -0700

Many people aren’t- especially when it comes to their health. Unfortunately, health insurance has gotten the reputation of being an incredibly expensive, non-essential service. Often, people feel that because their health seems to be strong, and their lives are without surprises or accidents, health insurance is nothing more than an extra expense. In today’s economy, with money being extremely tight, health insurance may look like nothing more than just another bill in the mail.

Unfortunately, people often don’t realize the value of good health insurance until it’s too late. When a person ends up in debt after an unexpected medical scare, they are often left wishing they would have had some assistance from their health insurance. Conversely, if a person has purchased an individual health insurance plan, they thank their lucky stars it helped them afford their necessary surgeries.

These days, health insurance is more affordable than you may think. Rates have never been lower, making this the perfect time to consider investing in a health insurance plan.

If you would like to learn more about your health insurance options, feel free to visit Brown Insurance's Virtual Insurance Office at at www.andybrowninsurance.com. On our site, we have information about your health insurance options - and if you are not completely satisfied with our online explanation- feel free to contact us. Additionally, we offer free, online, health insurance quotes.

Tips To Save Money On Your Business Insurance

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:13:34 -0700

I understand that you dedicate much of your time and money to your business. In a perfect world, your sacrifices would result in a flawless business stocked with great employees and clients who are completely satisfied. Unfortunately, despite your greatest intentions for your business, things seldom go right 100% of the time. For the times when things go wrong, a good business insurance policy is invaluable.

Shopping for business insurance can be confusing. There are a million companies with a million different policy options. When shopping for insurance coverage for your business, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

Shop around! Many business owners don't shop around for insurance, and they often end up paying the price buy dishing out more dough than they need to.
Know your options. Are you aware that if you aren't happy, you can often switch coverage at any point, WITHOUT penalty?
Get quotes. When shopping for insurance, the only way to get a good comparison is to know your options.
Research. The Internet is a wonderful tool and can help you reevaluate what you need. Business insurance tips, definitions and information are only a click away.
Know your (potential) agency. Some insurance companies may be more willing than others to take another look at your plan when times get tough. An agency that can help you control your insurance costs, without cutting coverage could prove to be invaluable.
Look for package deals.Some insurance companies offer Business Owner's Policies (BOPs) that combine both property and liability coverage. By choosing to combine, some agencies can help you save up to 30%!

We know that as a business owner, you devote much of your time and money to attempting to grow your business. Brown Insurance won't waste your time. We will find you the insurance plan you need at the rate you deserve. Contact us today by visiting our site at http://www.andybrowninsurance.com/. Once you are there, you can get a free quote on business insurance.

Tips To Save Money On Your Business Insurance

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:11:30 -0700

Shop around! Many business owners don't shop around for insurance, and they often end up paying the price buy dishing out more dough than they need to.
Know your options. Are you aware that if you aren't happy, you can often switch coverage at any point, WITHOUT penalty?
Get quotes. When shopping for insurance, the only way to get a good comparison is to know your options.
Research. The Internet is a wonderful tool and can help you reevaluate what you need. Business insurance tips, definitions and information are only a click away.
Know your (potential) agency. Some insurance companies may be more willing than others to take another look at your plan when times get tough. An agency that can help you control your insurance costs, without cutting coverage could prove to be invaluable.
Look for package deals.Some insurance companies offer Business Owner's Policies (BOPs) that combine both property and liability coverage. By choosing to combine, some agencies can help you save up to 30%!

Your Health Care Choices Affect America

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:47:20 -0800

Did you know that if you choose to not purchase health coverage, it can affect all of America?

When people go without health insurance, the employer may think it's not necessary, which could result in the other employees losing their benefit. For this reason, many people have suggested that the government change to a universal health care system.

What is universal health care? It's a program for low-income citizens which would apply to everyone in America. Many countries already have a similar program, but in the U.S. it doesn't exist because debates have been going on for years as to whether it would be more cost-effective than the system we already have.

The advantage of a universal benefit plan would be that every American would be covered, and costs would be lower. The disadvantage would be that taxes would increase, and many Americans also see a universal benefit plan as a socialist ("un-American") idea. They worry it would bankrupt our nation.

As it is right now, our health care system will remain private. Just as under the current Medicare program, doctors, hospitals, and other providers will continue to operate as independent, private entities.

For more information on health insurance, contact us today. We're Brown Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Largo, Florida.

The Eternal Struggle: Who Will Be the Best Successor?

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:49:39 -0800

When it comes to business succession planning, it's important to not only choose a successor to train, but also take the time to evaluate your other current employees - especially the younger ones. Consider everyone's skills and work ethic; you never know who will still be around after you've retired or passed away. Assessing the talents of your current staff will help you to appoint other leadership positions in the company.

When dealing with a family business, this process can get very tricky. Family ties and emotions come into play, making an already-tense situation even worse. You have to contend with the task of balancing your loved ones and a business that you've worked hard for. If you cannot give equal power to your family members, you must simply delegate positions to the individual who will best suit them. In many cases, the coveted top position will go to someone who isn't in the family, and then the family members will work under that outside party.

There is also the occasional problem of a business owner who wants their children to take over the family business, and the children have no interest in it. If it looks as if they won't ever gain passion for the company, often it is best to either sell the company or to prepare the most capable employee to take over.

Many business owners have greatly benefited from outside consulting on business succession planning. A professional deals with the same problems daily; they will be able to bring you priceless advice. Once you have your business succession plan in place, it's vital that you keep it updated. Noting changes in your company's value, market position, employee count, and the general state of things is important.

Knowing how your business will operate once you're no longer around will give you peace of mind. For more information on business succession planning, contact us today. We're Brown Insurance, an independent agency based in Largo, Florida.

Retirement Planning for the Highly Compensated: Exec Benefit Plans

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:39:51 -0800

The standard retirement plan for most businesses is a 401k or profit sharing plans. However, there are a few problems with these types of retirement plans. A 401k can keep those who are highly compensated from saving enough to maintain the amount they'll need in retirement. With a 401k, these highly compensated people can only store away a certain amount. These plans can also be inflexible.

Executive benefit plans, however, are non-qualified plans that help to close the retirement gap. They do this by allowing highly-compensated individuals to stash away the adequate amount they'll need for their desired retirement fund.

Business owners can select who will participate in an executive benefit plan and can tailor a plan for each exec. The plans also provide tax advantages for both the staff and the company.

Executive benefit plans are becoming increasingly popular for these obvious reasons. Many companies need a specialist to administer the plans because they require a professional who can avoid potential penalties or unexpected taxation.

At Brown Insurance, we're executive benefit planning professionals. For more information on these plans, contact us today!

Baby Boomers & Gen-Xers: Don’t Bank on Retired Living Just Yet

Andy Brown (Andy Brown Insurance) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:05:42 -0800

According to a recent study and report performed by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, future retirees should plan on working a few years longer than they had planned. The study shows that 44% of “baby boomers” (citizens born between 1946-1964) and “gen-Xers” (born between 1965-1974) may not be able to keep up their standard of living in retirement.

And if you add health care costs to that, the percentage leaps to 61%. In fact, rising health care costs are the reason that this group of people may need extra money in the future.

The Center for Retirement Research reports that the most effective decision would be to simply plan on working a few years longer than planned, since it cuts that percentage by roughly 10 points.

We’re Brown Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Largo, Florida. We specialize in retirement plan administration. To learn more, contact us today!