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When Cold Weather Strikes...Again.

2/25/2015

Oh, Colorado. Just as we’re getting used to the warm, spring like temps, the COLD winter gets us again! You would think that after living here for nearly 13 years I would be more used to this cycle – still gets me every time.

Much of the country is experiencing a period of extended severe weather. Fortunately, we aren't quite seeing this out our windows…

You never know when that next big snow storm will strike. The Insurance Information Institute offers these tips to keep your home safe and make insurance losses less likely during extended severe weather.

Keep sidewalks and entrances to your home free from snow and ice.
Watch for ice dams near gutter downspouts. Keep gutters free of leaves and debris so melting snow and ice can flow freely. Ice dams can cause water to build up and seep into your house.
Keep the house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
Identify the location for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.
Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent freezing.
If you own a swimming pool and temperatures are expected to dip below freezing, run the pool pump at night to keep the water flowing through the pipes.
If you haven’t already, make sure all hoses are disconnected from outside spigots.
If your garage is attached to your house, keep the garage doors closed. The door leading to the house is probably not as well-insulated as an exterior door.
If ice forms on tree limbs, watch for dead, damaged or dangerous branches that could break and fall because of ice, snow or wind and damage your house, a car, or injure someone walking near your property.
If you use fireplaces, wood stoves and electric heaters, watch them closely and make sure they are working properly.
Remember to close the flue in your fireplace when you’re not using it.
If you have to leave your home on a trip, ask a neighbor to check the house regularly. If there is a problem with frozen pipes or water leakage, attending to it quickly could mean far less damage.
If you plan to be away for an extended period of time (or if temperatures are expected to remain below freezing), have the water system, including pool plumbing, drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting.

Stay safe out there! Call ALINK Insurance Services today with any of your insurance needs or questions.

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States: 877-643-6148

We’re your link to security!

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Life Insurance – Protect the Ones You Love

2/20/2015

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The end of February is drawing near, but just because Valentine’s Day is over doesn't mean we have to stop showing our loved ones we care. Protect the ones you love with life insurance!

The necessity of life insurance depends on your own personal and financial needs. After learning about WHO needs life insurance and after reviewing some of the key advantages of life insurance here, it’s time to determine what type of life insurance you need.

At ALINK Insurance Services, we assist and help you determine the type and amount of life insurance that is appropriate for you and your family. We can help you select the best life insurance coverage for your needs. There are several different types of life insurance products available – the most common include:

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance provides protection for a specified period of time. If you do not currently have life insurance, term can be a good place to start. It’s generally less expensive than permanent (whole) life insurance, and is available in varying time periods with fixed premiums from a one year (annual renewable term) to 20-year (level term) period. Furthermore, term life insurance is sometimes convertible to permanent coverage, providing you with flexibility as your needs change.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is a form of permanent life insurance that remains in force for your entire lifetime, provided premiums are paid as specified in the policy. Whole life insurance can be an investment opportunity, as many whole life insurance policies also build cash value over time.

Universal Life Insurance

Universal life is a form of permanent life insurance characterized by its flexible premiums, face amounts and unbundled pricing structure. Universal life can build cash value, which earns an interest rate that may adjust periodically, but is usually guaranteed not to fall below a certain percentage.

So what type of life insurance is best for you? Talk with our team at ALINK Insurance Services today at:

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States: 877-643-6148

We can assist in identifying the best protection for you!

We’re your link to security!

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Life Insurance = Love Insurance

2/12/2015

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February is the month of LOVE. Aside from the romantic Valentine’s Day dinners, roses, chocolates, candies, and love notes, what a perfect time to make sure the ones you love are protected!

Having the right life insurance is pivotal in planning for the future of you and your loved ones. Life insurance can help you fulfill promises you've made to your family when you are gone. ALINK Insurance Services can help you find the right life insurance coverage for you, and help ensure that your policy continually meets your needs. Don’t leave the future of you and your loved ones to chance!

What You Need to Know About Life Insurance

Life changes – so should your policy.

One day you'll be enjoying a day at the park with your little ones...

...and the next you'll be sending them to their senior prom, watching them get married, seeing them graduate from college, saying goodbye to your 4th child as they leave the nest - leaving you with only one more at home, meeting your grandchild for the first time. LIFE CHANGES and it changes quickly!

For each of our neighbors here in Colorado Springs, the right life insurance will be unique for you and dependent on your personal and financial needs. As your life changes, your life insurance coverage may need to change in order to adapt to your current needs. Some life transformations that may require a policy “tune-up” and our help at ALINK Insurance Services include:

You recently married or divorced
You have a new child or grandchild
You have opened or expanded a business
Your health or your spouse’s health has deteriorated
You are providing care or financial assistance to a parent
Your child or grandchild requires assistance or long-term care
You recently purchased a new home
You are planning for a child or grandchild’s education
You are concerned about retirement income
You have refinanced your home mortgage in the past six months
You or your spouse recently received an inheritance
You have a sizable estate

If you are still unsure if you really NEED life insurance, refer back to this post.

What are the advantages of life insurance?

Having the right life insurance is essential to planning for your present, and your future. Not only can life insurance provide assurance for your family after you are gone, many life insurance options offer other benefits and investment opportunities you can take advantage of while you are living.

Advantages of the Life Insurance Death Benefit:

When you pass away, your life insurance provides income tax-free money to your named beneficiary or beneficiaries that can be used to:

Pay for funeral costs
Help pay the bills and meet ongoing living expenses
Pay off outstanding debt, including credit cards and the mortgage
Continue a family business
Finance future needs like your children’s education
Protect a spouse’s retirement plans

Advantages of Living Benefits:

The cash value growth of a permanent (whole) life insurance policy is tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay taxes on the growth of cash value, unless money is withdrawn. Loans or withdrawals can be taken against the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy to help with expenses, such as college tuition or the down payment on a home.

The right life insurance coverage for each and every one of our neighbors in Colorado is unique – talk with the ALINK Insurance Services team today to find out how to protect your family and your future with the right life insurance.

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States: 877-643-6148

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Be Mine, Valentine?

2/6/2015

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Jewelry Protection – Make Sure Your Token of Love is Covered

Ah, February. Valentine’s Day is near, and love is in the air. Well, love and a few other things, such as chocolates, romantic dinners, candy hearts that say “Be Mine” - and, of course, jewelry.

According to the National Retail Federation, a projected 4.8 billion dollars will be spent on jewelry this month. That’s a lot of bling! It’s exciting {not to mention romantic} to receive jewelry from a loved one — or to give it as a gift. But if you’re lucky enough to have some new jewelry in your home this Valentine’s Day, you should take a few minutes to think about something you probably don’t find quite as exciting or romantic: insurance.

Aren’t sure where to turn? Don’t worry. At ALINK Insurance Services, we think it is exciting to help our customers protect what’s most important to them — so we’re ready to help and can answer all of your questions.

Here are a few things to consider when insuring jewelry:

You may need to purchase additional coverage. Your homeowners policy covers valuable items such as jewelry only up to set amounts. If the cost of replacing your jewelry exceeds that limit, you will want to purchase scheduled personal property coverage. You can check your policy or give us a call.

You might want to reconsider your deductible amounts. As always, this impacts your policy premium. It’s a good idea to take a look at your deductibles whenever you make a change to your policy.

Do you need an appraisal? You may need to have an independent appraisal if the insurance company requires it or if you don’t know the value of your jewelry. Each item should be listed with a description and value on paper.

What kind of coverage is offered? You’ll want to determine if items are covered no matter where they are, whether they’re in Colorado Springs, or on an international trip, and if the policy offers full replacement cost. You also should ask if you will be required to replace your jewelry if lost or stolen, or if you can simply keep the cash settlement.

Pictures can be helpful. Lost or stolen pieces of jewelry sometimes can be recreated if the jeweler has a good photograph to work from.

Of course, it’s important to store your jewelry securely when it’s not in use; a safe in your home or a safe-deposit box is best. We want your jewelry to be replaced if it’s lost or stolen, but we’d rather your sentimental and valuable pieces stay with you and your family for years to come.

Here’s hoping your Valentine’s Day is full of fun and romance. And if there’s no jewelry involved, well, there’s always next year!

Contact Us!

For further questions and assistance, please contact ALINK Insurance Services at any of our offices!

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States: 877-643-614

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When Cold Weather Strikes...Again.

Life Insurance – Protect the Ones You Love

Life Insurance = Love Insurance

Be Mine, Valentine?﻿

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Be Mine, Valentine?