Bryant Asset Protection

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.

As a new graduate - high school or college - you face a host of new challenges, responsibilities and questions. While various forms of insurance may not have been on your personal radar while in school, now is the time to learn some basics that will help you get off to the best possible start in your new life as a working adult. As you acquire the things we all need like cars, a place to live, furniture, computers and (hopefully) a good, steady income, you need to protect those things.

Renters Insurance

Most new grads find apartment living to be the most viable option for housing. Many, however, are not aware that the things they own inside their new apartment are usually not protected against a fire, water damage, theft or vandalism unless they have a renters insurance policy. The landlord's policy only protects the building you live in - not your valuable stuff inside the building.

Renters insurance is an inexpensive way of making sure that your things are protected. It costs around $150 per year to make sure that you can recover your things if they are stolen or damaged. Items such as musical instruments, jewelry, art, expensive cameras or electronics and antiques you may own can also be covered specifically for small additional charges.

Renters insurance also protects you in other important ways. If someone were to suffer an injury in your apartment your financial liability for those costs is covered up to the prescribed limit of your policy. Renters insurance even protects you when you are away on vacation or out of town for some reason, if you accidentally injure someone or vandals steal things from your car. As you can see, renters insurance is simply too good a deal to pass up - especially when you've worked as hard as you have to get established in life.

Saving Money on Insurance

For most of us, money is frequently an issue. But there are some strategies that you can use to get the best possible deals on insurance. First, be very cautious about buying insurance products online. You should almost always consult an independent insurance agent. They are local experts about insurance who will be more than happy to talk with you, answer your questions about insurance and help you get the best deals and the right coverage. For cautions about online insurance purchases, see this previous post.

Second of all, you should be aware that most insurance companies offer significant discounts for combining multiple policies with that company e.g. your new renters policy combined with an auto policy. The savings is generally a discount of 5-10% on both policies. You can often save enough on an auto policy this way to make a new renters policy almost no cost.

Speaking of auto insurance, an independent agent is the best place to start when striking out on your own. We also advise you to investigate taking a state-approved defensive driving course. Not only will this training make you a safer driver, it also saves another 10% on major portions of your automobile insurance. Courses can be taken in a classroom, but are also newly available online. Check this page for more information.

Other Considerations - Health Insurance

New grads are often faced with the prospect of needing health insurance soon after graduation.

Until that time, many are covered for health insurance by their parents' health policy. As a newly independent person, health insurance is a major requirement. With luck, your new employer may offer you health coverage as an employment benefit, but if not, you should investigate options with your independent agent. There are both public and private programs available that will remove that concern from your mind so you can focus on your career and your brand new life. Good luck!

Posted by Bryant Asset at 4:10 PM.

With so many people on the road during peak vacation months, it's a good time to brush up on what to do in the event you're involved in a crash. Here are some tips.

Be prepared before you leave home. Put a disposable camera and pen and paper in your glove box. Car insurance claims can be settled faster if there's a good record of what happened. If you can take photographs or collect license plate numbers, or even names and phone numbers of witnesses, you can help your insurance company to establish facts faster.

If you're involved in a crash:

• Move your vehicle out of the road, if possible. If your car is able to be driven, move it off of the road a safe distance. By getting off the road, you can help to avoid a second collision.
• Turn on your flashers or your lights. It's important to be certain your vehicle is seen by other drivers.
• Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone may be injured, call 911 immediately.
• Call local police to report the crash.
• Call your insurance company to report the crash. The earlier your insurance company knows about the crash, the faster it can get to work to resolve your claim.
• Start documenting what happened, if you can. If you're able to do so safely, make notes, take photographs, and ask witnesses for names and phone numbers. If the situation isn't safe enough for that, stay as far from the roadway - and the crashed cars - as you can.
• Give other parties only your insurance company's name. Don't discuss the details of your coverage with anyone at the accident scene.
• Exchange important information with the other driver(s). Names, addresses, and phone numbers can be useful to your insurance company in settling the claim.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 2:08 PM.

You may be aware that those drivers who complete the New York Defensive Driving course qualify for three years worth of significant savings on their auto policies and a reduction of violation points on their driver's licenses. Until now, this course required several hours of in-person classroom work and successful completion of a final exam. Bryant Asset is pleased to announce that we have partnered with the New York Safety Council to be able to offer you the benefits of this course completely online in the convenience of your home!

This course is approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and teaches drivers of all ages to be safer on the road as it saves money on your auto insurance premiums. We recommend that all driving members of your family strongly consider the benefits of this training. You do not need to be a Bryant Asset auto insurance client to take part in the new online course, so feel free to tell any New York licensed driver you think might be interested and link them to our website.

For more information about the program, or to enroll in the course, please click here;.

Posted by Bryant Asset at 4:13 PM.