http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/blog/View 1st Alliance Insurance Agency's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.1stallianceinsurance.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:e7431bfe-4bf8-4362-be29-b5e75ae47273urn:uuid:dd121723-9033-45bb-b2f2-3037180c53e1<img src='http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/Oklahoma%20City%20Business%20Insurance.jpg' align='left' />Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods could be devastating to your small business.&nbsp; Hazardous weather conditions can block the entrance to your office or store front, ruin crucial data and data storage devices, and...Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:29:53 -0600<strong><img src="/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/Oklahoma%20City%20Business%20Insurance.jpg" style="float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Business Disaster - Oklahoma Insurance" /><em>Natural disasters</em></strong> such as <strong>earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods</strong> could be devastating to your small business.&nbsp; Hazardous weather conditions can block the entrance to your office or store front, ruin crucial data and data storage devices, and may even put your employees at risk for harm. The American Red Cross published a study showing that close to 40% of small businesses cannot resume normal operations following a catastrophe.&nbsp; Forming a disaster plan and implementing safeguards can protect your business and keep your life&rsquo;s work from becoming just another statistic. <h3>Here are some helpful hints to help you create your new disaster plan:</h3> <p>Important Phone Numbers:&nbsp; Form a list of emergency telephone numbers for your staff so they know who to contact, and in what order to contact them, should disaster strike.&nbsp; Your phone tree should include emergency management operations, upper management, your local utility services, your insurance carrier and agent, vendors, contract help, and your landlord if you&rsquo;re leasing your office space.&nbsp; </p> <p>Make a critical response plan: &nbsp;In addition to instructing your staff who they should get in touch with in case of a catastrophic event, you should communicate what steps need to be taken to prevent injury or any additional property/data loss.</p> <p>Actualize a communication plan and venue:&nbsp; Decide the method you feel would be best to communicate with your team and emergency contacts should your office be inaccessible.&nbsp; Your options could include email, website, social networking, or any other offsite messaging system that all employees can and do access.</p> <p>Maintain duplicate records:&nbsp; Routinely back up all data to an offsite server or other backup device.&nbsp; You should also ask your software vendors if there is a way to access your data outside of your business.</p> <p>Build an emergency kit:&nbsp; Have emergency supplies ready and easily accessible. This should include bottled water, a well stocked first aid kit, and common tools that could be useful in case of an emergency situation.&nbsp; Make certain that all employees are aware where the kit is located and can easily reach the kit should they need it.</p> <p>Go over your <strong>insurance policy</strong>:&nbsp;&nbsp; In addition to coverage for your property, contact your independent insurance agent about adding business interruption coverage to your small business&rsquo;s insurance portfolio.&nbsp; <em><strong>Business interruption insurance</strong></em> can keep income coming into your business when operations come to a standstill.<br /> <br /> To learn more about <strong>business insurance</strong> contact us at <strong>866-429-8705</strong> or get a free <a href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/business/default.aspx" title="Oklahoma City business insurance"><strong>Oklahoma City business insurance</strong></a> quote.</p>urn:uuid:24e8b316-7fce-4c08-94b9-fc168f07709b<img src='http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/iStock_000007193668XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Are you wondering why we need life insurance? Many consumers and financial experts agree that life insurance can provide financial security and protection for your loved ones at a time when they need it most. But, why do people need life insurance? H...Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:09:03 -0600<h2>Are you wondering why we need life insurance?</h2> <p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/iStock_000007193668XSmall.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 8px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Life Insurance" />Many consumers and financial experts agree that life insurance can provide financial security and protection for your loved ones at a time when they need it most.</p> <p>But, why do people need life insurance? How does it help us?</p> <p><strong><a title="Life insurance" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/life/default.aspx">Life insurance</a></strong> can provide a secure foundation for your financial planning program. <strong>Life insurance provides much needed financial security in several situations, including:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <h3>Providing replacement income for your dependents</h3> If people (family members, friends, etc.) depend on your income, life insurance can replace your income for them if you die prematurely. A common example of this scenario is parents with young children. This also applies to couples for which the survivor would have financial difficulties if they no longer had the income of their partner. Also, dependent adults, such as your parents, siblings or adult children who rely on you financially for support.</li> <li> <h3>To pay your final expenses</h3> Life insurance can pay your funeral and burial costs, probate and other estate administration costs, debts and medical expenses not covered by health insurance.</li> <li> <h3>Create an inheritance for your heirs</h3> Even if you have no other assets to pass to your heirs, you can create an inheritance by buying a life insurance policy and naming them as beneficiaries.</li> <li> <h3>Pay federal and state Death Taxes</h3> Life insurance benefits can pay estate taxes so that your heirs will not have to liquidate other assets or take a smaller inheritance. Changes in the federal &ldquo;death&rdquo; tax rules between now and January 1, 2011 will likely lessen the impact of this tax on some people, but some states are offsetting those federal decreases with increases in their state-level &ldquo;death&rdquo; taxes.</li> <li> <h3>Charitable Contributions</h3> By making a charity the beneficiary of your life insurance, you can make a much larger contribution than if you donated the cash equivalent of the policy&rsquo;s premiums.</li> <li> <h3>Create Savings for your Spouse or Family Members</h3> Some types of life insurance create a cash value that, if not paid out as a death benefit, can be borrowed or withdrawn on the owner&rsquo;s request. Since most people make paying their life insurance policy premiums a high priority, buying a cash-value type policy can create a kind of "forced" savings plan. Furthermore, the interest credited is tax deferred (and tax exempt if the money is paid as a death claim).</li> </ul> <p>There are many reasons why we need life insurance. It&rsquo;s important to consider your own personal situation. Decide why you need life insurance and who you want to provide for with your policy. </p> <p>Also, consider the right amount of coverage to provide the financial security your family deserves. Remember, buy the amount of life insurance you can afford, that fits in your budget &ndash; so you can continue to pay the policy. </p> <p>And, get a life insurance policy from a highly rated company. Usually, a life insurance company with a financial strength rating of "A" or better from A.M. Best is considered to be a financially sound company. </p> <p>Term life insurance offers you the maximum amount of life insurance protection at the lowest rates available.</p> <p>Term life insurance is affordable for almost any budget. It has flexibility to meet your specific needs. It&rsquo;s a great way to protect your family. You can choose a coverage term ranging from 10 to 30 years. Have you done all you can to make sure your family will always be taken care of? </p> Fill out a <a title="Life Insurance Quote form" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/life/insurance_quote.aspx">Life Insurance Quote form</a> which takes about a minute, then you will receive a quote for <strong>Memphis term life insurance</strong> from 1st Alliance Insurance. <br /> <br /> (Source: <a title="Life insurance" target="_blank" href="http://www.term-life-online.com/why-do-we-need-life-insurance.html">www.Term-Life-Online.com</a>)urn:uuid:a425b150-f34b-4471-87f5-b0696c8cd976<img src='http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/iStock_000005488107XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Homeowners insurance is not just a thing that's "nice to have". We firmly believe that it's a necessity! Some reasons why you need insurance are: It will help you pay to rebuild or repair your house if it is damaged by a covered cause, such as ...Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:58:55 -0600Homeowners insurance is not just a thing that's "nice to have". We firmly believe that it's a necessity!<br /> <br /> <img alt="Home" style="width: 200px; height: 300px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/iStock_000005488107XSmall.jpg" />Some reasons why you need insurance are:<br /> <ul> <li>It will help you pay to rebuild or repair your house if it is damaged by a covered cause, such as a fire or an act of vandalism.</li> <li>It will help you pay for settlements involving accidents in your home where you are held liable (such as when a visitor gets injured while in your house and that visitor sues for damages and medical expenses).</li> <li>It gives you peace of mind from the "what ifs" related to your house - what if my house burns down? What if a hailstorm hits? What if a thief breaks in?</li> <li>If you're buying your house through a mortgage, mortgage companies will require you to get homeowners insurance as a condition of the loan.</li> </ul> Not getting homeowners insurance would be a serious mistake. Another mistake would be to have inadequate homeowners insurance.<br /> <br /> <strong>How much homeowners insurance should you get?</strong><br /> <br /> The first step you have to make to determine this is to get an estimate of how much you will need if you will rebuild your home.<br /> <br /> As a rule, you need to get insurance that will provide you what you will need to rebuild your home. Some of the questions you need to consider to determine this are:<br /> <ul> <li>How much insurance can you afford?</li> <li>How much deductible can you pay? How much savings and credit do you have access to in case you do need to rebuild your house?</li> <li>How much will you need to replace other items in the home, such as centralized air-conditioning or heating?</li> <li>How do you want the insurance company to pay? You can choose between cash value and replacement cost.</li> <ul> <li>For cash value, the insurance will only pay you for the actual cost of the item or house currently, less depreciation.</li> <li>For replacement cost, the insurance will pay you to rebuild your house at the cost it is now, using the same materials or materials similar to what you used</li> </ul> <li>What possessions do I have? Will the coverage be enough or do I need more to protect items of high value, such as jewelry and furs? These are commonly not covered by the standard homeowners insurance policy. Make an inventory of what you have and put a price tag on each item's current value. You will need additional insurance if you have expensive pieces of art, antiques, jewelry or if you have an office or operate a business at home.</li> </ul> If you are concerned about inflation, you can add an inflation protection rider. Call us to discuss your <a title="Home Insurance" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/homeowners/default.aspx">Memphis home insurance</a> options at 866-429-8705.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.askforinsurance.com/home-insurance/why-need-homeowners-insurance-and-how-much.html" title="AskforInsurance.com">AskForInsurance.com</a>)urn:uuid:82304433-a3d0-453b-a5ed-74aded4b2cf0<img src='http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/business_auto.jpg' align='left' />The same type of policy you purchase for your personal use is also necessary for your business. If your business provides employees with company cars, or if you have a delivery van, you need to think about&nbsp; auto insurance. The good news here is ...Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:40:42 -0600<img alt="Man with Van" style="float: left; margin-right: 8px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/business_auto.jpg" />The same type of policy you purchase for your personal use is also necessary for your business. If your business provides employees with company cars, or if you have a delivery van, you need to think about&nbsp; <a title="Auto Insurance" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/automobile/default.aspx">auto insurance</a>. The good news here is that auto insurance offers more of an opportunity to save money than most other types of business insurance. The primary strategy is to increase your deductible; then your premiums will decrease accordingly. Make sure, however, that you can afford to pay the deductibles should an accident happen. For additional savings, remove the collision and comprehensive coverage from older vehicles in your fleet.<br /> <br /> Never cut corners on automotive liability coverage. Minimal packages of 25/50/25 (per person bodily injury/total accident coverage/property damage) are available; however, hitting an expensive sports car can quickly wipe out the insurance company's coverage. Pay the extra few dollars for higher coverage of 100/300/100. Most states have laws concerning uninsured motorists coverage. Supplement the standard auto policy, as the costs are minimal. Call us to discuss your <a href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/business/commercial_auto_quote.aspx" title="business auto policy">business auto policy</a> at 866-429-8705.urn:uuid:7a7d0a4f-870a-495e-9126-fa85f0a3adc1<img src='http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/Memphis%20business%20insurance.jpg' align='left' />Every day, you conduct your business in the face of risk exposure. No matter how hard you try to avoid them, these risks can have an adverse effect on your company&rsquo;s finances unless you have the correct amount of business liability insurance to...Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:13:37 -0600<p><img height="115" width="204" src="/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/Memphis%20business%20insurance.jpg" style="float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 7px;" alt="Memphis business insurance" />Every day, you conduct your business in the face of risk exposure. No matter how hard you try to avoid them, these risks can have an adverse effect on your company&rsquo;s finances unless you have the correct amount of <strong>business liability insurance</strong> to protect you. Some liabilities are a direct result of the actions of your business by providing a service or product. This type of liability is not the only kind of risk you are exposed to. Sometimes, incidents outside the scope of your direct attention could result in a liability claim.</p> <h2><strong>Indirect and Contingent Liability</strong></h2> <p>If the activities of your workers can result in damages, then you need indirect and contingent liability. Indirect and contingent liability covers the actions of your employees, subcontractors, agents, contractors, etc. if they cause damage or harm to others while conducting business for your company. </p> <p>There is one major difference between traditional commercial liability and indirect contingent.&nbsp; With direct liability your business has done something, possibly preventable, to cause harm; and with indirect and contingent liability your business hasn&rsquo;t done anything directly, but someone representing your business has. </p> <p>It is much more difficult to protect yourself against these indirect risks because they may be related to activities that you have no control over. As an example, let&rsquo;s say that you hire a contractor to hang a new sign outside your business. They subcontract the job out to another provider but remain onsite to supervise the job&rsquo;s progress. As the sign is being hung, the subcontractor&rsquo;s equipment fails and your sign falls onto a customer&rsquo;s car of a store across the street. Technically, this isn&rsquo;t your fault. You hired an experienced and licensed contractor and you expected them to do their job, which they did, because your sign caused damage to the third party&rsquo;s car, they can sue you for damages. If they are successful, then the cost to cover those damages must come from your business unless you have indirect and contingent liability to protect you.</p> <p>The unpredictability of indirect claims makes it even more vital that you have the proper protection. Don&rsquo;t be surprised with a lawsuit and no coverage for the resulting expenses.<br /> <br /> To learn more about business insurance<strong></strong> or to get a free <strong><a title="Memphis business insurance" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/business/default.aspx">Memphis business insurance</a></strong> quote, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">call us today at <strong></strong>866-429-8705</span>.<br /> <span style="color: #ffffff;">JG</span></p>urn:uuid:21776fff-1b66-4212-b6ec-8faa50c42203<img src='http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/Memphis%20Home%20Insurance.jpg' align='left' />When contemplating the personal property coverage in your home insurance policy, you probably think about your furniture, clothing and electronics. Did you know that many policies also consider your electronic data to be personal property as well? T...Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:42:54 -0600<p style="margin: 9pt 0in;"><img width="205" height="144" src="/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/Memphis%20Home%20Insurance.jpg" style="float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 7px;" alt="Memphis Home Insurance" />When contemplating the personal property coverage in your <strong><a title="Memphis home insurance"></a><a title="Home insurance policy" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/homeowners/default.aspx">home insurance policy</a>,</strong> you probably think about your furniture, clothing and electronics. Did you know that many policies also consider your electronic data to be personal property as well? </p> <p style="margin: 9pt 0in;">This may have been unheard of 20 years ago but today many people own data they've purchased and holds value. This value can be reimbursed when lost in an insurable incident. <strong>Types of data include</strong>: </p> <p style="margin: 9pt 0in;"><strong>Downloaded Software-</strong> After purchasing software, your homeowners policy will consider the value as part of your claim. For proof of purchase, keep all paper as well as electronic receipts in a place that is safeguarded against fire, water and other hazards. Examples of downloaded software include tax and accounting applications, word processing tools, and other office products to name a few. The software doesn't have to just be on your computer, either. Items stored on discs, external hard drives or thumb drives can also be included as long as you have proof of the value. </p> <p style="margin: 9pt 0in;"><strong>Music files-</strong> Many people purchase digital music files in the form of MP3s and MP4s. These files are downloaded directly to their computer, laptop or music player. While intangible as downloaded software, your music files still have value and, since you paid for them, are still considered a possession. As with downloaded software, make sure that you retain some receipts for your music downloads so that you can include them in all claims. </p> <p style="margin: 9pt 0in;"><strong>Software on disc-</strong> Obviously, not all software purchased is downloaded. Some is still bought in the store and has a disc for installation. Be sure to keep records of software disc purchases as well so that you can include them in insurance claims. </p> <p>It&rsquo;s a new era in online digital shopping, but the wise words about saving your receipts still rings true. Luckily, many online companies are able to email you a copy of receipts after an insurable incident occurs. However, it&rsquo;s never too soon to reach out to them now to start gathering receipts so that you don&rsquo;t have the additional burden of tracking them down if you must make a claim.<br /> <br /> To learn more about personal property coverage <span style="text-decoration: underline;">call us at 866-429-8705</span> or get a free <strong><a title="Memphis home insurance" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/homeowners/insurance_quote.aspx">Memphis home insurance</a></strong> quote.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10px; color: #ffffff;">&nbsp;JG</span></p>urn:uuid:2d8b73aa-7d23-484d-b044-c1db23a5d0b4<img src='http://johpau1st0c.qa.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/iStock_000003856330XSmall.jpg' align='left' />What is auto insurance? Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in...Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:16:13 -0500<h2>What is auto insurance?</h2> <img src="http://johpau1st0c.qa.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/%7Ewww.1stallianceinsurance.com/iStock_000003856330XSmall.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 134px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Father daughter driving" />Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.<br /> <br /> Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage: <ul> <li type="disc"><strong>Property </strong>coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car. </li> <li type="disc"><strong>Liability </strong>coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage. </li> <li type="disc"><strong>Medical </strong>coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses. </li> </ul> <p>An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to have liability coverage on your automobile. What some people don't know is that liability only covers the other person. In order to have coverage on your car and to have money for your medical bills, you have to include other coverages. </p> <p>Every person that purchases auto insurance needs to know what each coverage includes:</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>Bodily Injury Liability</strong> - this is to cover the cost of injuries the policyholder causes to someone else.</li> <li><strong>Property Damage Liability</strong> - pays for damage the policyholder caused to someone else's car or property.</li> <li><strong>Collision </strong>- damage to the policyholder's car from a collision.</li> <li><strong>Comprehensive </strong>- is damage to the policyholder's car that doesn't involve another car. Things that would be covered are fire, theft, and falling objects.</li> <li><strong>Uninsured Motorist</strong> - pays for the policy holder's injuries as a result of collision with an uninsured or under-insured driver.</li> <li>Other coverages you can add are <strong>rental car expenses</strong> and <strong>towing expenses</strong>.</li> </ul> <p>No state requires you to carry anything except liability coverage. Liability coverages can go up to 500,000. The minimum coverage for Tennessee is:</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>25,000 per person</li> <li>50,000 per accident</li> <li>10,000 property damage</li> </ul> <p>Just keep in mind that those coverages do not include protection for you or your property. Most auto policies are for six months&nbsp;or a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it's time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.</p> <h2>Memphis, Tennessee</h2> Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers. Memphis had a population of 646,889 at the 2010 census, making it the biggest city in the state of Tennessee, the third largest in the Southeastern United States, and the 20th largest in the United States. The greater Memphis metropolitan area, including adjacent counties in Mississippi and Arkansas, had a 2010 population of 1,316,100. This makes Memphis the second largest metropolitan area in Tennessee, surpassed only by metropolitan Nashville, which has overtaken Memphis in recent years. Memphis is the youngest of Tennessee's major cities. A resident of Memphis is referred to as a <em>Memphian</em>, and the Memphis region is known, particularly to media outlets, as the "Mid-South".<br /> <br /> <h2>1st Alliance Insurance Agency</h2> <br /> Here at 1^st Alliance we take that same pride in helping you and your family. Whether you need home, auto, health, life or commercial insurance, give us a call and let us do all the work for you. You can also go to the request a quote tab and we will be glad to call you. We have many top rated companies to quote through. We know that one of those companies will be just right for you. Contact us today for a free <a title="Auto Quote" href="http://www.1stallianceinsurance.com/automobile/car_insurance_quote.aspx">Memphis Auto Insurance</a> quote at (866) 429-8705.