Bryant Asset Protection

Bryant Asset wants to give back to the community by giving funding to local improvement efforts. The Charles and Carole Bryant Generation Grants are available to fund worthwhile community projects in the local area. Ideas for funding can be submitted by local residents or civic groups, and the intention is to regularly select projects to receive grants from Bryant Asset Protection. There are to be no restrictions on the nature of the awards, so long as the ideas result in a positive benefit for the community. To learn more about this program and nominate a worthy cause, please take a look at our Generation Grants page.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 10:00 AM.

What you think you know...

One of the main purposes of homeowner insurance is to protect your house's structure and its contents in case of a catastrophe. This protection would allow the homeowner to re-build the home and replace furniture, mechanical systems and possessions should they be destroyed or badly damaged.

Many homeowners assume that the amount of coverage they carry should be roughly equivalent to the home's sale value. This assumption confuses many persons who see their homeowner's premium rise slightly from year to year when they may have been told that the home's sale value has been declining. If you remember that homeowner insurance covers rebuilding costs - not sale value - it makes some sense that the rise in premium is intended to cover the annual increase in the cost of building materials and labor, etc. Sale value of the home also includes land or a building lot which is not a consideration in homeowner insurance.

With these facts in mind, how does the homeowner keep their coverage up to date? Many of us simply assume that their insurance agents and companies know what they need and provide it automatically. That may have been true when you first purchased your policy. Insurance companies use independent appraisal firms in order to gauge the costs to rebuild a given home when the policy is purchased, but as time goes on those costs can change, particularly if you have made changes or improvements to your home.

The best way to make sure the amount of your coverage is appropriate is to speak regularly to your agent to let them know if you've made improvements or additions, added alarm systems (which can reduce your premiums), installed a pool - which might increase your liability exposure, added an outbuilding, had an upgrade to your fire district and so forth. The agent would also like to know if you've acquired antiques, jewelry or other special valuables which should be covered under your policy or under a separate rider for that purpose.

Tip: Most insurance companies offer significant discounts for bundling your homeowner policy with your auto policy and all clients are advised to consider this convenient way of saving money on both policies.

Agents like Bryant Asset Protection offer a variety of forms of homeowner policies which provide differing levels of coverage explained more fully here on our website. Because your personal circumstances may have changed over the years or even more recently, you may want to consider a different form of homeowner insurance or even a personal umbrella policy for even greater protection. We love to talk to our clients about their policies, so contact us and we'll offer you some great ideas to keep you safe and up to date.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 3:48 PM.

Lately in these parts, the weather has turned Spring-like. Rain and Spring thaws mean lots of water in and on the ground. It also means that summer recreation season is not all that far off. This, then, would be a great time to do a bit of inventory to make sure that both Spring and Summer are the safe and productive times they are meant to be.

Here's a reminder for you to look at some of the things related to Spring that can be taken care of to ensure those carefree times ahead.

Water Backup Coverage - Heavier than usual Spring rains and melting snow can result in backup of ground water into your basement. This water can quickly compromise everything mechanical and personal in the basement. While such things as a sump pump and expert inspections could prevent such water damage, your homeowner insurance can provide you with protection against the ravages of water in the house.

Water Backup coverage is an inexpensive add-on to your homeowner policy. If you don't have this coverage, now is a good time to get it. Read more here.

Boat Insurance - Many boat owners are beginning to get their craft in shape for the upcoming season. Bryant Asset Protection strongly urges our new and experienced boat owners to make sure that their insurance is in good order long before venturing out this season. Bryant Asset's licensed professionals are prepared to help you navigate smoothly in this somewhat complex insurance topic. Please call us at (518) 439-1141 or visit this page on our website to make sure that all the appropriate hatches are battened down this spring.

Motorcycle Insurance - Just like boats, motorcycles are a Spring Thing. Again, a little preparation before hitting the road on your two-wheeler can go a long way to making the open road the pleasure it should be. Check out some information we've posted before and get yourself ready to ride this spring.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 1:59 PM.

Life for the Living™ is an innovative life insurance concept that offers flexibility when meeting your insurance needs.

Life for the Living™ is a powerful, one of a kind, financial tool that provides your family with financial security at death but also provides your family with financial security in the event of a long-term or chronic illness.

Through the acceleration of the death benefit due to a chronic illness, this multi-dimensional life insurance concept covers the entire lifetime of the insured and can provide significant living benefits in addition to a death benefit. Think of this as a "Use It or Use It" approach. It's important to note that the acceleration of the death benefit as a result of a chronic illness provides living benefits on a cash basis that can be used for any purpose. For 2010, the maximum that can be accelerated for a chronic illness is $105,850 or $290/day, which is indexed annually.

Selecting a life insurance policy that provides living benefits gives you an extra advantage as it is designed to change with the events of their lives. By providing financial security for survivors through death benefit protection as well as lifetime financial security to cover costs associated with a long-term illness, you can be protected no matter what lies around the bend.

Discover living benefits within a life policy. 

Life for the Living™ is a competitive Universal Life concept which provides life insurance with an accelerated benefit without having to qualify for long-term care insurance. No other life insurance policy has this benefit as it only requires life underwriting with no additional cost for the acceleration and is on all policies up to $2 million of death benefit.

60% of all Americans who reach the age of 65 may need long-term care at some point in their remaining lives. Health insurance plans do not cover certain costs associated with long-term illness and Medicaid only pays when an individual has spent down or liquidated a substantial amount of their assets.

Up to now, the only options available to plan for the expenses related to chronic illness or long-term care was to purchase long-term care insurance, self-insure or spend down most assets and qualify for Medicaid. Long-term care insurance can be quite valuable yet often costly and the possibility does exist of never needing the benefit. As such, it's a "Use It or Lose It" policy. Self-insuring is risky as retirement income and retirement assets could be depleted, leaving a smaller nest egg for the spouse and/or surviving children.

Life for the Living™ was named a "revolutionary new product" by Financial Advisor.

To find out more about this exciting possibility, please contact Randy Vogt via email, or phone: (631) 239-6655.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 1:25 PM.

You're undoubtedly reading this post on your personal computer or smartphone. Congratulations! You are among those who are considered "tech-aware", even if you don't know a Small Computer System Interface from a Double Byte Character Set.

(We don't either).

You do not, however, need to be an MIT grad to find some additional everyday benefits by using your own technology to save money on insurance costs and to access faster service from your local agent and insurers.

Let's say your auto insurance premium requires a payment of $80.00 per month. Each month, the XYZ Company sends you a bill in the mail and you dutifully send in a check. You may not have noticed that your bill also requires a monthly installment fee of, let's say, $6.00. Over a year's time, you've paid $72.00 in installment fees - nearly a full month's payment! While paying your auto premium in full upon renewal is the best way to eliminate that fee, many of us are not in a position to do so. So, how can we pay on a monthly basis and avoid that $6.00 fee?

The answer is to sign up for electronic payments. This arrangement requires only a small (like $1.00) or no monthly processing fee, depending on your company. Signing up is not a difficult process; it can be done online or over the phone and is very secure. An added benefit is that you never have to worry about a late payment or late fees (more savings!) again. When the agreed upon payment date comes, the company simply debits your bank account or even a credit card (airline miles, anyone?).

You may click here to find your company's online payment information or give Bryant Asset Protection a call and we would be happy to explain your company's electronic payment policy and help you sign up.

Bryant Asset Protection is an independent agency that embraces both the use of technology and individualized personal service. We have recently doubled our email capacity and would like to offer clients for whom we have no email addresses the opportunity to sign up! Please give us a call or email us and we will make sure that you receive our Puzzle Pieces Newsletter as well as the convenience of contacting us whenever you wish. In either case, we promise you quick, professional personal service.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 3:46 PM.

Grandma's platinum ring, your 1965 Fender Telecaster guitar and that antique cherry rocker in the living room are cherished assets that need special care and protection.

Virtually all homeowners and renters have wisely taken the basic precaution of securing an insurance policy that protects their homes and its contents in case of a catastrophic loss from fire, theft, vandalism and so forth. While these policy types protect against losses on the standard contents of our homes, there may be limits as

to the protections for certain individual valuable items we might possess.

Jewelry, fine art, furs, cameras, musical instruments, electronic or computer equipment, antiques, rare coins or stamps and even valuable wines are all examples of possessions which may be at risk under many standard home policies - unless you have taken steps to establish their value and insure them separately.

A good way to begin is to inventory the valuables in your home. Many companies establish a dollar value - say $2,500 - for determining what represents a valuable item. (this standard will vary from company to company). If you have such an item that is NOT specifically and individually covered in your policy, the best course of action is to contact our office to review your coverage options.

The good news is that insuring such possessions is surprisingly affordable and can be accomplished with riders to existing policies or small stand-alone policy. In either case, Bryant Asset Protection will be able to offer you the best solution to make sure your valuables are fully protected.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 3:02 PM.

And why some things are more important than money.

Spend some time in front of your television set watching a movie, sports, home shopping channels - it doesn't matter - and you will be told over and over by a perky gecko, an edgy-looking girl in a white apron and a handsome, sincere gentleman that their insurance companies can save you hundreds on your car insurance. Now they even mention their competitors by name! Can it be true that every company can save everybody big bucks?

Well, here's the real answer. Maybe.

Insurance companies each have a very complex system for determining how much a client will pay for a given level of coverage. Your marital status, gender, age, type of car, address, level of education, driving record and credit rating can all be factored into the price quote you get for insurance. If you happen to have the "right" set of characteristics, one that is a preferred profile for a particular company, you will see a more favorable rate and maybe save money.

Have an accident? Late on a couple of credit card payments? Got a traffic ticket or two? An accumulation of incidents of this sort will mean that companies will require a higher premium from you and the savings the gecko promised you are out the window. Some companies may refuse to insure you at all.

Do not despair, however, there are still savings to be had out there even if you've committed some of the previously mentioned mistakes (and many of us have). Some companies may weigh different conditions more heavily and others less so. Even if you love the company you're currently with, new programs are often instituted - and unless you ask you may not be aware that a reduced rate may be available to you with the same company. Ask your agent to check on new programs for you from time to time to make sure you're paying the most favorable rate.

But saving money should not be the whole game when it comes to auto or any other kind of insurance you purchase. Some things should be considered even more important than cost in the majority of cases.

Coverage is the reason we buy insurance in the first place. We need to protect ourselves from financial risks associated with a traffic accident or a theft or vandalism. If you reduce your coverage intentionally or unintentionally, the consequences could be dire. Never skimp on coverage just to save money and be very careful when considering money-saving offers because they can sometimes carry a hidden reduction in coverage.

The trick here is to find the right amount and right type of coverage for your personal situation and the independent agent is the logical choice to provide you the expertise to help you make that determination. Most independent agents - like Bryant Asset Protection - represent a number of insurance companies and they can help you find the best price by shopping for you among those companies. More importantly, independent agents are experts in matters concerning coverage. A given policy may be recommended that is slightly more costly, but the difference may be worth a few dollars more because the coverage features (which can vary among companies) may be better for you in the long run.

Having a friend in the business: Having an independent agent in your corner when considering which way to go on insurance coverage or when problems occur is one element that should be as important a the cost of your insurance. Saving money is one thing, but negotiating the complexities of the claims process on your own is quite another. Independent agents will often go to bat for you if you have a disagreement with a company over a claim or even a billing issue.

From the start, rely on the expertise of the agent to help you find the right coverage at the best price and thereafter stay in contact with your agent as your life conditions change to make sure that your policies are just right for you. Having a friend in the insurance business is the absolute best way to keep your peace of mind intact and your insurance in good shape. If the worst happens, your agent will guide you through the necessary processes and make sure you are treated fairly.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 4:50 PM.

Is your home sufficiently protected against water damage? Are you sure?

Many home owners confuse two kinds of important coverage, or believe that their existing homeowners policy provides all that they require. Finding out you don't have the insurance you need when there's already water inside your home could be heart- (and bank-) breaking. Check out our newly-launched water damage page for more information.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 4:20 PM.

Beach-goers wear sunscreen, football players wear helmets and the postman carries a can of pepper spray. The common thread here is that all of these folks are protecting themselves against something that could hurt them. Yet, many of us go less protected than we should every single day. Against what, you say?

Virtually everyone who owns a home or auto or rents an apartment or condo carries insurance that protects us if we are sued. This form of protection is called "personal liability" and protects your assets up to the dollar limit of your policy if you are declared financially liable for injury to another person by a civil court. But is the limit of your policy enough? Unfortunately, it too often is not.

While the $300,000 or $500,000 or more personal liability limit you carry on your home or auto policy sounds like a lot of protection, a rapidly increasing trend toward large court awards for plaintiffs in accident and negligence cases could leave you bankrupt for life.

A guest in your home takes a morning shower and slips on your tiled bathroom floor injuring her back. While not a friendly thing to do, she sues you for medical costs and damages because your bath is not equipped with nonslip mats and grab-rails. A civil court awards her $1.1 million as a result. Your homeowner policy provides you with $300,000 for personal liability coverage. Where does the other $800,000 come from?

If you have a Personal Umbrella policy, you are covered for the damages and even your legal defense fees. If you don't have an Umbrella policy, you may have to sell your home and even commit future earnings to pay this obligation.

The list of mishaps for which we can be sued is endless - as is growing list of large and even outrageous court judgments. In this atmosphere, the minimal cost of an umbrella policy provides an unmatched measure of security to your assets. Most insurers do require a reasonable minimum amount of coverage on your primary policies, but a $1.0 million Umbrella policy costs less annually than dinner for four at a good restaurant.

So, put on the sunscreen and even wear a helmet if you want to, but don't forget your Umbrella. It could cost you dearly.

To find out how you can protect your family with a Personal Umbrella click here.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 8:40 AM.

Anyone who has ever been close to the planning of a wedding knows that it means two things - a lot of work and a lot of money. Most times, the work gets done (rarely without some tears), the bills get paid and the result is a beautiful bride, a proud groom, relieved parents and a new family begun. However, like any endeavors involving lots of possibilities, a wedding ceremony, reception and a honeymoon trip can run into unforeseen problems that make the experience less than the wonderful event we dreamed.

Lost rings, a damaged bride's dress, travel problems or even problems caused by one too many mojitos at the reception can permanently mar the great memories we had anticipated and cost the fledgling family money that could be used for other necessities. If you think it doesn't - or won't - happen, read on a bit. Two close friends had some difficulties that could have been prevented if they had investigated low cost wedding insurance for that special day.

C. is the daughter of close friends who is engaged to R. They are in the process of planning a very nice wedding later this year. R. is a sharp businessman who secured a stay at a very prominent Caribbean resort and paid a deposit. Several weeks later, he was informed by the resort that they were bankrupt and closing immediately. R. and C.'s deposits of several hundred dollars were lost and they had to start all over, including changing destinations, dates and airline tickets.

B. is the daughter of another set of close friends who was recently married to G. The wedding itself went off without a hitch and the happy couple jetted away for a flawless honeymoon. Upon arriving home, the couple found out that the photographer they hired (at considerable expense) had used a defective camera and most of their treasured wedding photos were not recoverable. Luckily, amateur photographers and wedding guests had taken lots of serviceable pictures and a usable wedding album was put together for them. The photographer apologized, but was not willing to help in any way without additional payment.

If this happens as frequently as it seems, insuring your wedding for as little as $160 could make a huge difference in how these stories ended. Both situations could have been remedied had the couple or their parents taken insurance on major aspects of these weddings.

Many weddings cost more than a new car and we always insure our cars against mishaps or the unexpected. If you're planning a wedding or know someone who is engaged and will be planning a wedding, please give them their first gift and link them to our website for information on how their special day (and their special money) can be protected with wedding insurance.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 2:39 PM.