Thank you for your kindness and vote!
Once again we have been honored as one of The Local Best for Home and Auto Insurance. This is our fourth year in a row and we are still the only agency to have been awarded this dual honor. We are thrilled to receive this award as it is voted on by you! How are we doing? We had nice feedback regarding claims and I hope you can provide us with some insight on the quality of service that Kouri Insurance provides. Please feel free to email bryan@kouriinsurance.com with your thoughts on what we do well, and what we can do better. Is there a service we don't provide that we should? As always, we would appreciate it if you spread the word about Kouri Insurance. Our business is about referrals, and there is no better referral than you. Warm regards, The Staff of Kouri Insurance Anne, Bryan, Randy, Sheldon, Tammy and Warren
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1. Planning for the Spring thaw
As strange as it may sound, now is the time to prepare... |
While we may not know what Winter and Spring holds for us, we do know that the our land and lakes are as full of moisture as they can handle as we leave Fall. The good thing is that we have time to prepare our property in the event the next several months bring enough moisture to start a new chain of water problems with the Spring thaw.
Please note that Docks, Boats and Home Foundations are not covered for damage from ice or ice movement. We do though, in most situations, expect coverage for those parts of the home not considered to be the foundation. It is very important that you pull your boats and docks out of the water and secure them in a safe place. |
2. Sioux Falls offers City Alerts with Twitter.
Staying informed if a snow alert is called.
Did you know the City of Sioux Falls offers a chance to be notified whenever a Snow Alert is announced? You can sign up for this at MySiouxFalls.org or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SiouxFallsSnow and click "follow". In addition to snow alerts, the city provides a number of different updates through this service.
If you prefer, you can also receive updated winter driving conditions by calling 367-8259. | |
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3. Get a Life.. Life Insurance that is.
Is your family protected financially if you die?
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Whether by a diligent insurance agent, concerned spouse or family member, chances are you have been asked this question: "Do you have life insurance?"
The life insurance marketplace is highly competitive and there are many products available for purchase. While the vast selection is a good thing for buyers, it can contribute to anxiety for those not sure which type of life insurance is best for them.
If you are shopping for life insurance for your family and are overwhelmed by all of the choices, the following brief descriptions of some of the more common options may be helpful.
Term Life. Term life is the most common type of life insurance policy. This type of insurance is simple: you pay a premium based on the number of years the policy will be in effect, such as 10 or 30 years. If you die before the specified age, a pre-determined sum of money called the "death benefit" will go to your beneficiary who can use it for a variety of reasons, including the cost of final expenses or to replace your lost income.
The death benefit is the sole function of a term life policy; it does not accumulate cash value. Term life provides the best opportunity for many individuals who are looking at life insurance for the death benefit rather than as an investment.
Cash Value. A cash value policy provides the opportunity to purchase term insurance in combination with a savings or investment account that can collect interest, be used for loans and other functions. Some options allow the policyholder a greater degree of control of the cash value. A cash value policy is an attractive option for someone who understands the importance of the death benefit but appreciates the opportunity to grow the policy's value over time.
Common types of cash value policies include: Whole Life, Variable Life, Universal Life and Universal Variable Life. These type of policies are highly flexible and can be tailored to solve a wide variety of needs.
Which is right for your family?
Does the opportunity to accumulate and utilize cash value over time interest you? If so, you can see that there are many options that allow you to do this. Some are low-risk; others have a greater risk-reward factor.
If you choose to separate investments and savings from life insurance, and if your primary concern is to provide a death benefit, then a term life policy is right for you. This is "pure insurance"-full coverage if death occurs before the designated term, no coverage if death occurs after. It's simple but runs the risk of paying nothing if you out-live the term.
Too many options can create anxiety that could drive you away from purchasing life insurance. But consider that, while the number of choices can be daunting, life insurance is much too important to ignore. The good news is that you don't have to go about this decision alone. We can help. Call or email Bryan today. Bryan will help you collect the information you need to make an informed decision on what life insurance products are best for your family's needs. |
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Bryan's Corner 
With two big storm years, especially 2010, what can be expected for premiums in 2011?
The last five years have been an unusual time for the insurance industry. For many companies, the decrease in prices we have been experiencing has allowed most customers to enjoy rates that are less than they were in 2005. This is especially true for the commercial insurance market.
Our expectation is that this is coming to an end as the industry as a whole is experiencing losses in excess of the premiums being collected. While they have been able to support this over the last couple of years, the excess in company reserves are no longer there. At this time, I do not expect any rate changes to be overly excessive. My guess is that we will see a general rate change in the 4 to 6% range.
Fortunately, our companies stay focused on consistency so we don't expect anything out of the ordinary from them. For those companies that have not managed their business well, their customers will see increases at a higher rate. This forecast is in addition to changes due to accidents or inflation increases for property policies. As always, feel free to call us to discuss any changes you see for your policy.
What can be done?
As always, we encourage you to call our office if you have any questions or concerns regarding your insurance coverage. Often, we can make adjustments to deductibles and other parts of your policies to reduce your costs without negatively impacting your coverage. For 40 years Kouri Insurance has stood strong against all the "new and improved" ways to buy insurance. Why? Two main reasons. First, we adapt to the changes in our industry to be the best we can be. Second, because multiple company agents like us provide the best of all worlds. We offer you a choice of companies, leading edge technology, and the advice that makes a good deal even better. These differences are often overlooked, yet they are very important advantages. Thanks again for your business! Best wishes,
Bryan R. Kouri, CPCU
Kouri Insurance Agency
605.336.6303
* Refer to your policy for actual coverage benefits and restrictions. |
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