TOP TEN TIPS:

1. Shop around and be sure you understand the basis for any rejection or modifed premium you encounter. 2. Check the financial stability of the companies you are considering with rating services. 3. Choose the appropriate type and amount of insurance for your property and lifestyle. Be sure you are fully covered for disability, long-term care, flood, earthquake, etc., but cut unnecessary riders and review your policies annually. 4. Be honest when filling out your application. If you fib or omit anything, your entire policy may be Te voided, usually at claim time. 5. Take advantage of discounts such as multiple policy discounts, home safety, low mileage discount, marital discounts, and preferred health reductions. 6. Read your policy carefully. Make sure you fully understand your policy and all of the terms. QUESTIONS 7. Cover yourself. Be aware that premium notices may not always reach you in the mail. Also, save copies of your insurance policies, notes from conversations with your insurance agent/broker and other important documents in a safe location. Store electronically or keep copies outside the home. and 8. Reduce your risks. Some ideas include: a. Quit smoking b. Eat healthy and exercise regularly c. Perform household maintenance such as reducing fire hazards ANSWERS d. Drive safely (watch your speed and avoid tailgating) 9. Pay your premiums more frequently for a reduced total cost. Calculate your savings: http://www.tonysteuer.com/apr-calculator/ BE READY FOR 10. Increase your . Generally you can see significant savings from paying more out of pocket. LIFE’S CHALLENGES. Protect your most valuable assets: What’s inside? Your life, health, home, business, and auto

Tis planner covers basic buying, maintaining, and claim information for life, health, disability, long-term care, annuity, on and auto insurance. It also includes tips how to keep your costs down and your coverage up.

Life Insurance: Page 2 Auto Insurance: Page 12 : Page 4 Homeowners Insurance: 14 INSURANCE Long Term Care Insurance: Page 6 How to Choose an Insurance Company: Page 16 : Page 8 How to Choose an Insurance Agent: Page 17 Annuity: Page 10 Important Insurance Terms: Page 19

© 2014 Tony Steuer. All Rights Reserved. About Tony Steuer: Tony Steuer, CLU, LA, CPFFE is a recognized authority on life and disability insurance literacy. He has helped PLANNER thousands of consumers and advisors better understand how life and disability insurance work. He has led the way in establishing a path for insurance literacy through his books, Questions and Answers on : Te Life Insurance Toolbook and Te Questions and Answers on Life Insurance Workbook. Both books were awarded the “Excellence in Financial Literacy (EIFLE) Award from the Institute of Financial Literacy

TONY STEUER, CLU, LA, CPFFE, INSURANCE LITERACY ADVOCATE

Tis publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Published by Life Insurance Sage Press Alameda, CA Copyright ©2014 Tony Steuer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder. Distributed by River Grove Books For ordering information or special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact River Grove Books at PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709, 512.891.6100. Design and composition by Stacey Meinzen Cover design by Stacey Meinzen Interior Images courtesy © 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved Publisher’s Cataloging-In-Publication Data Steuer, Anthony. Te questions and answers on insurance planner : be ready for life’s challenges / Tony Steuer, CLU, LA, CPFFE.—First edition. pages : illustrations ; cm Issued also as an ebook. ISBN: 978-0-9845081-6-7 1. Insurance—United States. 2. Insurance, Life—United States. 3. Homeowners’ insurance— United States. 4. Insurance, Automobile—United States. I. Title. HG8531 .S74 2014 368/.973 2014944453 First Edition Other Edition(s): eBook ISBN: 978-0-9845081-7-4

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22 TOP TEN INSURANCE TIPS:

1. Shop around and be sure you understand the basis for any rejection or modifed premium you encounter. 2. Check the financial stability of the companies you are considering with rating services. 3. Choose the appropriate type and amount of insurance for your property and lifestyle. Be sure you are fully covered for disability, long-term care, flood, earthquake, etc., but cut unnecessary riders and review your policies annually. 4. Be honest when filling out your application. If you fib or omit anything, your entire policy may be Te voided, usually at claim time. 5. Take advantage of discounts such as multiple policy discounts, home safety, low mileage discount, marital discounts, and preferred health reductions. 6. Read your policy carefully. Make sure you fully understand your policy and all of the terms. QUESTIONS 7. Cover yourself. Be aware that premium notices may not always reach you in the mail. Also, save copies of your insurance policies, notes from conversations with your insurance agent/broker and other important documents in a safe location. Store electronically or keep copies outside the home. and 8. Reduce your risks. Some ideas include: a. Quit smoking b. Eat healthy and exercise regularly c. Perform household maintenance such as reducing fire hazards ANSWERS d. Drive safely (watch your speed and avoid tailgating) 9. Pay your premiums more frequently for a reduced total cost. Calculate your savings: http://www.tonysteuer.com/apr-calculator/ BE READY FOR 10. Increase your deductible. Generally you can see significant savings from paying more out of pocket. LIFE’S CHALLENGES. Protect your most valuable assets: What’s inside? Your life, health, home, business, and auto

Tis planner covers basic buying, maintaining, and claim information for life, health, disability, long-term care, annuity, on and auto insurance. It also includes tips how to keep your costs down and your coverage up.

Life Insurance: Page 2 Auto Insurance: Page 12 Disability Insurance: Page 4 Homeowners Insurance: 14 INSURANCE Long Term Care Insurance: Page 6 How to Choose an Insurance Company: Page 16 Health Insurance: Page 8 How to Choose an Insurance Agent: Page 17 Annuity: Page 10 Important Insurance Terms: Page 19

© 2014 Tony Steuer. All Rights Reserved. About Tony Steuer: Tony Steuer, CLU, LA, CPFFE is a recognized authority on life and disability insurance literacy. He has helped PLANNER thousands of consumers and advisors better understand how life and disability insurance work. He has led the way in establishing a path for insurance literacy through his books, Questions and Answers on Life Insurance: Te Life Insurance Toolbook and Te Questions and Answers on Life Insurance Workbook. Both books were awarded the “Excellence in Financial Literacy (EIFLE) Award from the Institute of Financial Literacy Personal Finance ISBN-13: 978-0-9845081-6-7 TONY STEUER, CLU, LA, CPFFE, www.tonysteuer.com

Printed in the United States of America US $9.95 INSURANCE LITERACY ADVOCATE Cover design by Stacey Meinzen