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h Make 2012 Great! h
All of us at Lakenan Insurance are here to help you protect you and your family (and your stuff).
Wishing you a healthy, safe and happy 2012!
BELOW YOU WILL FIND SOME OF OUR PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS & ARTICLES:
Newsletter 2012
Business Insurance Costs
For much of the opening decade of the 21st Century, insurance companies have had to handle many more claims being presented many years after their policies have expired. In the case of pollution, asbestos and employment practices; the industry is being asked to handle losses that policies weren’t designed to even cover.
Well, what can a business owner do to minimize their high insurance cost? Before considering sacrificing the amount of protection a business carries just to save money, consider alternatives. Some other solutions would be:
1. Review your coverage:
a. Take a close look at your insurance. Could you increase the deductibles to lower your premium?
b. Are you carrying physical damage coverage on commercial vehicles that aren’t worth it?
c. Are you insuring items you could replace out of pocket? Are there pieces of equipment that are insured when they could be replaced from operating funds without submitting a claim?
2. Review your exposures:
a. Could you reduce the premium by installing an alarm system or fire protection system? Would these premium savings offset the cost of the system?
b. Could you implement safety programs that would reduce the cost or make the insurance company more interested in providing coverage? For example: driver safety programs, back to work programs, safety training in proper use of equipment and job functions.
3. Identify your insurance goals:
a. Do you need an insurance company that can provide loss control services?
b. Do you need an insurance company that can provide claim-handling services for your Workers Compensation insurance?
c. Do you need an insurance company that will allow you to make payments by phone or on-line 24/7?
d. Do you need an insurance company that has a local agent/representative that can assist you in your insurance solutions?
Shopping and price are not the only issues in insurance. What you don’t know can cost you more in the long run than you could ever save in premiums. Discuss your situation with an insurance professional and make the choice that works for you.*
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Spring Maintenance Checklist List
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FIRE SAFETY FOR THE HOLIDAYS The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there is an estimated annual average of 210 home structure fires that begin with Christmas trees. WATCH VIDEO
Fall 2011 Newletter
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From the desk of Lee Lottes… |
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on all of the blessings in our lives. It is good to remind ourselves to step back from the busyness of our daily activities and appreciate what we have and what we can do to prepare for the future. Life is ever changing and undoubtedly that means change in your protection needs. We would like to offer our service by assisting you in an insurance review. Lakenan offers all lines of insurance coverage which helps prevent any gaps in your protection.
Our staff is eager to help in protecting you and the ones you love. We appreciate your business and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a Very Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
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What is a QR?
These Quick Response codes seem to be popping up everywhere: cereal boxes, utility bills, magazine ads, etc. This QR code is a bar code that contains data that can be read by a phone's camera. Software on a smartphone allows you to download a QR code reader. Once downloaded, the phone becomes a scanner, allowing it to read the bar code. The codes can provide the viewer with various types of information right on the smartphone.
To use the QR code your phone needs to have a code reader. To download the reader simply search the internet and start scanning. |
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Featured Insurance Coverage
Long Term Care Coverage
November has been designated as "Long Term Care Awareness Month", it must be important if it has a month, right? Statistics show that while some 70 percent of people over age 65 will require some type of long term care during their lifetime, most people have little to no knowledge of the significance of long term care coverage. To learn more contact us for more information. |
The Impact of Social Media on Business
Do you use Facebook, Twitter, and/or LinkedIn? According to Forbes.com,"Fifty-four percent of small and midsize businesses are using social media to promote their businesses, double the number using these sites in December 2009, with 35% posting daily updates".
It is truly amazing how quickly these media tools have caught on. Did you know that there are several social media management software programs available? |
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Missouri Department of Insurance offers help finding lost life insurance policies
State regulators connect consumers with hundreds of life insurance companies
The Department of Insurance has created the Life Policy Locator service that will help consumers find lost life insurance policies or annuity contracts purchased in Missouri. The department will collect information from consumers, then send it electronically each month to licensed life insurance companies in Missouri.
This program is technology at its best - we are helping connect consumers with life insurance and annuity benefits that they are entitled to receive," said Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff. "Hard-copy mailings to Missouri's life insurance industry each month would be unaffordable and unmanageable. This project is possible only because of our online technology that connects us to major life insurers." |
Small Business Saturday
SHOP on SATURDAY, November 26, 2012
Lakenan Insurance announces our support for American Express' 2nd Annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedecated to bring attention to the important role small businesses play in comunities across the country.
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Did You Know...
Lakenan Insurance now offers Online Credit Card Payments in addition to our Online Pay by Check.
Check out "Make a Payment" on our website!
Ste Genevieve Industries (Ste Genevieve County Sheltered Workshop) now offers Document Destruction Services. Contact Brenda for more information 573-883-7431
Social Security Announced a 3.6% Benefit Increase for 2012! This Cost-of-Living Adjustment is the first Since 2009. Visit ssa.gov for more details.
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Summer 2011 Newletter
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From the desk of Lee Lottes…
Welcome to our Summer 2011 newsletter! The severe storms from the past winter & spring are hopefully behind us as we enjoy this warm summer weather. At Lakenan Insurance we don’t think of ourselves as being in business of insurance. We are in the business of helping people effectively manage and moderate their risks and avoid losses when misfortune strikes. To end that, you’ll find articles on disaster preparation (we’ve seen a few this year), flood insurance, and more…
Meanwhile, everyone here at Lakenan wish you and yours a safe summer.
Sincerely, Lee Lottes |
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Lakenan Insurance hosts OPEN HOUSE with Allied NASCAR
Mark your Calendar… FRIDAY, August 12, 2011 2:00 PM -7:00 PM
Location: Lakenan Insurance 890 Rozier Street, Ste. Genevieve
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Bring the whole family!
See the Nationwide NASCAR Show Car!
Try the Racing Simulator & Spin the Wheel for a Prize!
* Activities for All Ages * Chance to WIN a FLAT SCREEN TV *
* Hamburgers * Hotdogs * Snow Cones * Cotton Candy * Popcorn *
* Clown with Balloons, Face Painting and Games
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Phone Number Reminder
Our phone numbers are no longer published in the phone books.
We now use an internet phone service and as a result we will not be published in the directories.
Lakenan Insurance of Ste Genevieve #573.883.7446
Lakenan Insurance of St Louis #314.721.1500
Natural Disasters - How can you prepare for the unknown?
2011 has brought with it a variety of devastating disasters. Within the first five months of the year the world has experienced a multitude of earthquakes, floods, and tornados. In addition there have been several odd, unexplainable events, such as, the thousands of dead birds falling from the sky and beaches full of dead fish washed up on the shore. What will happen next?
It is difficult to make sense of it all or to fully understand the degree of loss that the victims are experiencing. Many are dealing with the loss of a family members and friend, in addition to loss of home, business, vehicles, etc.
How can you take control of the unknown? The best way is create a plan before disaster strikes. Start by visiting FEMA’s website (www.ready.gov) or by picking up a Ready brochure at Lakenan Insurance of Ste. Genevieve. FEMA’s guidelines will help you develop a plan, prepare your kit and keep you informed.
Rest assured that Lakenan Insurance has a Disaster Plan in force. The Lakenan Staff have been training and are preparing if a disaster should occur. We are contracted with a company to have computers and generators on standby if needed. You can count on Lakenan to be here for you in your time of need. |
Need Flood Insurance?
Information provided by the Independent Insurance Agency
Do you need flood insurance? Well, walk to the nearest mirror and ask the person you see if heor she owns much property that could be damaged or destroyed by water. If the answer is yes, then you should seriously consider buying flood insurance. Most persons who need the protection buy coverage offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Contact your Lakenan Insurance Agent for more information.
Is A Flood Loss Likely? The chances of your business, home or personal property being damaged by a flood depends primarily upon where you live. They also depend on other factors such as:
• how much of a flood warning you receive
• the level of flood precautions you take (such as moving personal property from lower levels to higher levels)
• the precautions taken by your community (such as the use of flood controls in construction standards or sandbagging threatened areas).
Floods are related to weather conditions and tend to affect very wide areas. This often makes chances of a flood loss higher than a loss from fires or windstorms. Many people have the obsolete belief that flood insurance is only needed if you live in a flood prone area.
I Live In A Flood Zone?! If you hear the term "flood zone," you may think that it refers to locations that are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Wherever you live in the USA, you live in a flood zone. While your area may have a lower chance of flooding than a coastal area or a location situated near a body of water, your area could still experience flooding. A very dry part of the country can be susceptible to flash floods; hilly locations may be harmed by drainage; snowy locations may suffer from heavy snow thaw; other areas may suffer deluges or flooding due to a heavy rain season which has soaked the surrounding soil. So, if you've insured yourself against fire, wind and other causes of loss, it certainly makes sense to also protect yourself from the potential of a flood loss.
Why Worry When Disaster Coverage Is Available? Are you thinking that, after a flood, your loss may be handled by the government declaring a disaster area? However, you're still taking a couple of large risks. First, your flooded locale may not be deemed a disaster area. Second, being designated as a disaster area is not a bargain. Disaster area status only gives citizens access to government disaster loans. IF you qualify for assistance, you have replaced insurance protection with an obligation to pay off a large, longterm loan. Is it worthwhile to gamble on an opportunity to pick up more debt? You'll find flood insurance to be a cheaper and much more valuable alternative.
Don't Be "All Wet" Yo u don't have to leave yourself unprotected. Your Lakenan Agent, an insurance professional, can help you with detailed information on the National Flood Insurance Program. You can also ask for help in getting the coverage you need to "keep dry" and secure in the face of a flood.
Ask your Lakenan Agent for a Flood Insurance Quote TODAY! |
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Vacation Coverage
Vacations are GREAT! The planning and anticipation are half of the fun. Unfortunately a long planned vacation can become a nightmare if you are unprepared. We spend lots of our hard earned dollars on vacations don’t put yourself at risk, get the proper protection. Call Lakenan today to check on our Travel Protection Program. |
This is your newsletter and we value your feedback.
If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know..
If you are interested someone else is it too! |
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