Tips for talking to your parents about long-term care

Chances are you’ve heard something like this if you’ve talked to your parents about long-term care insurance (LTCi). It may be a challenging conversation, but today’s LTCi could help your parents maintain their independence. Here are a few ways to approach it.

Register for a free long-term care webinar.

Make sure you’re properly covered

Don’t be surprised to see continued increases in your home and auto insurance premiums—it’s a trend affecting the entire insurance industry. Mike Godby, Insurance Services Operations Manager at Member Benefits, explains, “While many hoped prices would stabilize by now, it is unfortunately not the case. So as costs continue to rise, it’s important to make sure your insurance coverages are still appropriate.”

What is causing these ongoing premium increases? It’s a perfect storm of many ongoing factors. Inflation is one reason, along with supply chain and labor shortages, damage from more extreme weather, and increasing fuel costs, just to name a few. As a result, claims are becoming more frequent and more expensive, which in turn makes it more costly for insurance companies.

Home rates

The demand for housing continues to be high and supply low, causing skyrocketing home prices. Many people who are renovating, repairing, or rebuilding their home are being affected by longer waits for qualified contractors, delayed supplies, and the rising costs of materials. “The majority of home premium increases are due to the higher coverage amounts necessary, as well as the increased costs required to rebuild homes in the event of a loss,” says Mike. “Those who are experiencing longer waits to get back into their home are claiming more living expenses from their policies as well.”

Auto rates

A May 2022 Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)/Milliman report found that overall miles driven are largely back to 2019 levels, but that riskier driving behaviors have led to increased insured losses and fatality rates—distracted driving is being blamed in part. And in recent years, medical and auto body repair costs have increased at a rate much faster than inflation (Triple-I). Vehicles have more sensors and technology than ever before, and they cost more to repair/replace when damaged. Diesel prices, which affect trucks that carry supplies, are up $2.43 from a year ago (U.S. Energy Information Administration, June 13, 2022). Consumer gas prices are up as well, making it more expensive to drive—and even Uber added a consumer fuel surcharge in March to help their drivers and couriers with costs (Uber Newsroom).

What you can do

Wondering what to do? Mike says, “Talk to us. Make sure you’re getting all of the discounts to which you’re entitled. If you raise your deductible, you may save some money on premium—just make sure you can afford it. On older cars, you might consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages. And maintain a good credit rating, which can also cut your insurance costs. We can help you sort through the options.”

Call us: 1-800-279-4030
Schedule a personal consultation: weabenefits.com/consults

Hello, summer!

Summertime activities bring with them a certain amount of risk. Enjoy the fun with less worry by making sure you’re properly insured for all the things you want to do this season.

Renting a car

Planning to rent a car for an upcoming trip? Summer months are the most dangerous time of the year for driving due to higher numbers of vehicles on the road (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), so it’s important to understand your insurance options before you head out.

The coverage and deductibles you have on your personal auto policy may apply to a rented vehicle, but don’t assume so. Make two calls first: First, call your insurance company to clarify your coverage and deductibles. If you’ve dropped comprehensive or collision on your own car, you may not be covered if your rental is stolen or damaged. The second call goes to your credit card company. They may also offer some level of insurance protection for rental vehicles.

Swimming pools

Your pool should have a four-foot or taller fence with self-closing and self-latching gates. For an inground pool, the yard should be fenced in.

As a pool owner, you have the burden of taking adequate measures to protect children. Even if someone comes over and uses the pool without your knowledge, you may be liable for any potential injury they may suffer from it.

You may want to increase your liability coverage through a personal umbrella policy. Be sure to talk to your insurance company so that you clearly understand the specific options, obligations, and coverages in your plan.

Renting out your home or vacation home

Many people rent out their homes as a source of extra income, but those using your home can cause damage. Some home insurance companies may provide coverage for an occasional short-term rental, but whether you rent once in a while or rent out your home regularly, be sure to contact your insurance company beforehand as you may need a rider or an entirely different kind of insurance policy to protect yourself and your property.

Member Benefits does not offer coverage for homes that are rented out to others, but we do offer coverage for vacation homes that you use yourself and do not rent out.

Backyard trampolines

While they may seem appealing as a fun summer activity, be sure to understand the safety risks as well as the legal and financial risks that come with owning a trampoline. From an insurance perspective, they’re considered an attractive nuisance—something that is likely to entice children and could pose a risk of injury. If you have a trampoline or are considering purchasing one, talk to your insurer about your home policy coverage.

Like many insurers, Member Benefits does not insure homes with trampolines. However, we may be able to offer coverage through a partner provider. Ultimately, the decision to purchase or keep a trampoline comes down to evaluating risk versus reward.

Boats and recreational vehicles

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,439 recreational boating accidents in 2021 in the U.S. Small boats such as kayaks and canoes may be covered under your home or renters insurance policy, but larger craft and items such as jet skis require a separate policy.

Talk to Member Benefits about our recreational vehicle and toy insurance options. Based on the type of item you have and the way you intend to use it, we can help you understand the best way to insure it.

Outdoor grilling

Between 2014-2018, grills, hibachis, or barbecues were involved in an average of 10,600 home fires per year (National Fire Protection Association(NFPA)). July is the peak month for grill fires.

Your home policy provides financial protection, as fire is a covered peril. Be sure to maintain your grill, practice safe habits, and know what to do in case of an accident. Visit nfpa.org for grilling safety tips.

Make sure you’re properly covered! Schedule a free insurance consultation.

Or call us at 1-800-279-4030 or get an insurance quote.


Sources: Insurance Information Institute, Consumer Reports.

Life insurance fast facts

According to a LIMRA study:

Get the facts

Life insurance offers a variety of policy options to fit your financial needs. Visit our life insurance section for a no-obligation quote.

Source: Insurance Information Institute.

Are you wisely protected?

While nearly everyone THINKS they are wisely protected, few actually are. Don’t risk leaving yourself (and your family) exposed to financial loss or purchase coverages you don’t need. Here are some tips on how to get wise with insurance.

Wise idea #1: Buy value, not price

When you think about buying auto insurance, do you only think about price? If so, you may risk not being appropriately covered for your needs.

For example, when you’re in the market to buy a car, you don’t just think about price—you consider safety ratings, technical features, gas mileage, and so much more. You make a decision based on value. The same should go for your insurance.

Say you find a company online that could save you $400 a year. That looks good at first glance, but it’s important to consider the value of the policy, just like you do for a car. Ask questions: Does it have enough liability coverage to protect my assets? Will a low liability limit make me ineligible for umbrella insurance? As your car is a significant financial investment, would it have enough collision and comprehensive coverage to protect you from financial hardship if your car is seriously damaged? Once you have the answers, you may decide that saving $33 per month wouldn’t really be any savings at all.

To find the right balance between cost and protection, we recommend buying auto insurance using three general principles:

In a recent survey, 68% said they have purchased insurance policies not fully understanding what they are paying for.* Let our Personal Insurance Consultants help you evaluate your insurance needs.

Your insurance needs are not the same throughout your life nor are they the same as your neighbors’, which is why we recommend doing an annual insurance review. Member Benefits’ Personal Insurance Consultants can help you evaluate your options.

For example, if you’ve gotten married, you may qualify for a discount on your auto insurance and also need to update your home insurance. If you have a baby, you may need more coverage to keep your family secure and explore your life insurance needs as well. And if you’ve made major improvements to your home, such as a bathroom or kitchen remodel, you risk being underinsured if you don’t report the changes to your insurance company. Don’t forget to count new furniture, appliances, etc., into your new coverage needs.

Wise idea #2: Maximize your insurance dollar

If you’re going to spend money on insurance, get the most you can get for your dollar.

Let’s say you have $130 to spend on insurance. You have two choices:

Obviously B is the better value. But in reality, most people do A. Why? People tend to think about risks they have experience with or can conceive of, like the fender bender or losing your mobile phone. The risk of catastrophic events is often dismissed because they happen less frequently. However, they can be far more financially devastating.

The wisely protected…

Wise idea #3: Insure for the catastrophic

It’s the real reason we have insurance.

Umbrella insurance is overlooked by a lot of people, yet most financial planners consider it a must-have. Many people think it’s only for the wealthy and that it’s expensive insurance to carry, but it’s actually very affordable.

Do you have a car? Teenage driver? Watercraft? Use the Internet? These are four of the biggest causes of liability losses. You don’t have to do crazy things to be at risk—and you don’t have to be a millionaire to be sued like one. And keep in mind, scheduling items like electronics, collectibles, and jewelry isn’t a bad thing, but if you are doing that at the expense of coverage for the catastrophic loss, it isn’t the best use of your insurance dollar.

In a recent survey, 76% agreed that the experience of living through the COVID-19 pandemic has made them more concerned with protecting the things that are important to them.* Part of being financially secure is making sure you have the right protection for yourself and for your family.

Many people don’t include insurance in their financial planning, but in fact, having the right insurance protection is an important part of your overall financial health and well-being.

Not sure if you’re wisely protected?

Let us take a look at your needs and your existing coverage. If you’re already wisely protected, we’ll tell you! If not, we’ll recommend changes and coach you to be a better insurance consumer.

1-800-279-4030
weabenefits.com/consults

*Survey from The Company We Keep: 2021 Insurance Purchasing & Buying Trends (bindable.com) | Source: Insurance Information Institute.

Trampolines: Worth the risk?

But if your plans for summer fun include using a backyard trampoline, make sure you know the risks and realities that come with it. Here’s what you need to consider.

Accidents happen

There is a surprising amount of power that can be generated from jumping on a trampoline—children can bounce up to 30 feet, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to the CPSC, trampoline-related injuries have been increasing over the years, with an estimated 331,800 trampoline injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2019 alone.

Injuries are commonly caused by:

Head and neck injuries account for 10–17% of all trampoline-related injuries. These often happen with falls and failed somersaults or flips and can be the most catastrophic of all trampoline injuries suffered.

An “attractive nuisance”

You may think of trampolines as just a fun way for the family to get some exercise. But from an insurance perspective, they’re considered an attractive nuisance—something that is likely to entice children and could pose a risk of injury. Other examples include swimming pools, discarded appliances, and abandoned cars.

As the owner of the trampoline, you have the burden of taking adequate measures to protect children. Even if someone comes over and uses the trampoline without your knowledge, you may be liable for any potential injury they may suffer from it.

Will insurance cover you?

If you have a trampoline or are considering purchasing one, talk to your insurer about your home policy coverage. Typically, insurance companies handle them in one of four ways:

No exclusions. The insurance company doesn’t place any restrictions on trampoline ownership or usage in accordance with your home policy.

Coverage with safety precautions. An insurance company may include coverage if you have pads to cover the trampoline springs, a net enclosure for the sides, and/or other safety precautions.

A trampoline exclusion. Many insurance companies consider trampolines to be too hazardous to insure. This means no matter who gets injured on the trampoline or how they get injured, the insurance company will not cover those claims.

Refusal to insure the home. Some companies will not write a home policy if there is a trampoline on the premises.

Since trampolines represent a higher risk of liability, you may want to consider purchasing personal umbrella insurance. This may extend your liability protection beyond your existing home policy limit.

However, don’t just assume that because you have one or both of these policies that you are covered. Under some circumstances, you may not be. Contact your insurer so you understand your policy guidelines.

Considerations for renters

Your landlord has the obligation to keep the property reasonably safe for tenants. Since trampolines are considered an attractive nuisance, he or she may risk liability costs for allowing one. Check your rental agreement or speak with your landlord to find out whether or not a trampoline is allowed on the property.

If you decide to take the leap

If you must have a trampoline, put safety first. Take these steps recommended by the CPSC to reduce the risk of injury:

Regardless of the precautions put in place, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages the home use of trampolines. More than 1 million people visited the emergency department for trampoline injuries between 2002 and 2011, according to a September 2019 report from the AAP. Most patients were younger than 17 years.

The decision to purchase or keep a trampoline comes down to risk versus reward. While they may seem appealing as a fun summer activity, know the safety risks as well as the legal and financial risks to you and ask yourself: Are they worth it?

Don’t forget about flood insurance

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.

It doesn’t take a major body of water or even a major storm to cause a flood. You can live miles away from water and still be a victim of flooding. In fact, nearly 20% of all flood insurance claims come from areas with moderate-to-low flood risk.

Member Benefits’ personal insurance consultants can help you evaluate your need for flood insurance and give you a quote. But plan ahead! There is a 30-day waiting period.

Call us today at 1-800-279-4030.

Determining the value of your home for insurance coverage

When determining the current value of your home for insurance purposes, it is important to differentiate between assessment value, market value, and replacement cost. These values usually are not the same and serve different purposes.

Assessment value

The assessment value is the dollar amount placed on your home by your local government for taxation purposes (i.e., property taxes). Factors considered when calculating your home’s assessed value may include the selling price for similar properties in your area, the replacement cost, and the land value, depending on where you live. The higher the assessed value, the more you pay in taxes.

Market value

The market value is how much you could expect to get for your home in the current real estate market if you were to sell. The listing and selling price of comparable homes in the local area, square footage of the house, value of the land, location, amenities, condition of the property, etc., are used to determine the market value.

Replacement cost

When insuring your home, it should be insured for 100% of its replacement cost. This is different from both the assessed value and the market value. The replacement cost reflects how much it would cost to rebuild your house in the same spot with materials of like kind and quality.

Because the cost of materials and labor fluctuates (especially in recent times), it is important to evaluate your coverage periodically to make sure you have adequate protection.

Make sure you’re properly insured

Have you reviewed your home insurance coverage recently? Gaps in your insurance coverage may leave you financially exposed. Ask us about our Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage—if you have a home insurance policy with Member Benefits and your home was built during or after 1950, we will pay the full cost to repair or replace your home with materials of like kind and quality without the limits imposed by other insurers.

We can assess your current home insurance coverage to make sure it is appropriate for your situation. Contact one of our personal insurance consultants for assistance.

1-800-279-4030 | weabenefits.com/consults

Long-term care at home is a family affair

Eileen Dunn, Geriatric Care expert from our partner Associates of Clifton Park, answers, “In my experience, probably not many. Over the years I’ve had many adult children paying for their parent’s care without their knowledge.

“I currently have a client in an assisted living facility. Each of her two children are paying $1,500 per month toward the cost of care since her Social Security and pension won’t cover all the costs and her savings ran out about a year ago. Her son told me he is happy to do it, but now it’s less that he can contribute to his own retirement.”

This is just one example that stresses the need to protect against the cost of home care. According to Genworth and OneAmerica, nearly three quarters of long-term care claims are for home care, not nursing home care. Eileen adds, “The main reason I’ve ever had to place someone in a nursing home is because they have run out of savings to pay for care at home.”

It’s clear that long-term care is not an event that happens to an individual, but an experience that happens to a family. And the financial and mental health consequences can have significant repercussions for caregivers if their loved one doesn’t have appropriate long-term care insurance coverage.

The hidden costs to family caregivers

Home and car cold weather safety

If you haven’t done so this year, it’s time to do a little preventive work—it’ll keep you safer, warmer, and maybe even help you save some $$.

Inside the house

Prep the plumbing

Turn off the water supply to outdoor spigots and sprinkler systems to avoid burst pipes. Install pipe insulation in unheated areas of your home.

Check the chimney

Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected yearly to ensure it’s not a fire hazard and that there are no critters making it their home.

Stay on alert

If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, get one right away. Make sure to test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and change the batteries. The U.S. Fire Administration states that smoke detector batteries should be replaced at least once or twice a year. If you don’t use the annual time changes to help you check every year, try making January a new year/fresh start reminder.

Give your furnace a checkup

Start out by changing your filter—it will help your furnace run more efficiently. If you haven’t had it professionally checked in the last two or three years, make an appointment.

Protect entryway flooring

Between the tracked-in snow, ice, road salt, and sand, entryway floors can really take a beating in the winter. Increase the longevity of your flooring and prevent slipping by using floor mats both inside and outside of each entrance to your home. A boot scraper or brush outside can help remove excess snow, and a waterproof tray inside is great for placing wet shoes and boots.

Check your emergency supplies

With winter storms comes more potential for power outages. Be prepared with fresh bottled water, shelf-stable foods, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and a hand-crank radio.

Keep cozy

Boost your home’s energy efficiency and save money by checking and repairing caulking around doors, windows, and anywhere something penetrates a wall. Check weatherstripping on doors and windows and seal cracks in foundation walls.

Outside the house

Ice dams

Ice is great for skating, fishing, and cooling a beverage, but icicles hanging along the eaves of your house may be a sign of trouble. Icicles and ice dams are a sign that you have insulation and/or ventilation issues in your home.

Simply knocking down icicles won’t solve the problem. Ice dams can loosen shingles, rip off gutters, and allow water to infiltrate your home. If that happens, you’ll likely have damage to your walls, ceiling, floors, and attic insulation.

Here are a few ways to help prevent icicles and ice dams:

Don’t chip at ice dams with a hammer, ice pick, or shovel. It’s dangerous and can often do more harm than good. And never use salt to melt the ice. This may damage your plantings and roofing material.

Beth Gold, Claims Representative, explains, “Water damage from ice dams is generally covered on your home insurance policy but exclusions may apply. Be sure to read your policy carefully and contact your insurance company right away if you have damage.”

Driveway

Driveways are an often overlooked area of your home—until there’s a problem. Keeping it maintained can help you avoid repairs and save money. Here are a few things you can do to take care of your driveway during the winter.

Beth adds, “A lawsuit can be very costly if you don’t prevent people from tripping on cracks and uneven surfaces, especially if you don’t have umbrella insurance. It’s inexpensive and the added protection can be well worth it.”

If you do experience home damage this winter and have your home policy with us, give us a call.

Prep for safe winter driving

Be ready for the snow before you go. Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit in the trunk. Check your kit twice a year and replace items as needed.

511wi.gov is a free website that provides information to help you make smart traveling decisions, check traffic speeds, or plan a trip. Stay informed about road conditions before you leave the house and while you are on the road.

We’re here to help

Lastly, make sure you’re properly insured. Not all policies are the same so be sure you understand what you have or what you are purchasing so you won’t find yourself short on coverage when you need it.

Get a free insurance consultation and comparison quote
weabenefits.com/consults | 1-800-279-4030