While we’re on the way to there Why not share1

In some families, one spouse is more financially involved than the other and may be more knowledgeable about the subject than the other. No big deal, you might think, but what if something happens to the “financial leader”? Prepare for the unexpected: You may want to consider involving your partner in the family’s financial activities now, during your lifetime. Here are some guidelines that may help you get started:

What to keep and where

• Bank safe or deposit box — car titles, property deeds, business agreements and partnerships, and a detailed home inventory of all valuables including pictures, videos and appraisals of personal property.
• Fire-resistant home safe — a copy of your will and trusts, insurance policies, investment account numbers, passwords, original powers of attorney for healthcare and property (named agents should have copies), and a letter explaining your final wishes.
• Home filing system — whether in hard copy or e-versions, keep three years of statements for insurance payments, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, credit cards, mortgages and tax returns.
• Attorney’s office — signed and witnessed trust documents and copies of powers of attorney and your will.

Who to call
Make sure your loved ones know where to find detailed contact information for your professional advisors including your accountant, attorney, banker, financial advisor and me, your insurance agent. If appropriate also include healthcare provider contact information for your children and perhaps even your pets.

Sharing is caring; share now
Should something happen to you, help provide a smoother transition by introducing your spouse to trusted advisors now, during your lifetime. Get your spouse involved in the family’s finances now as well — this may provide some comfort and reassurance for everyone involved.

You can also make sure you have the life insurance coverage you want to help provide necessary funds for your spouse and family should a crisis occur. Call me today.

¹ “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” Hollies, MetroLyrics.com

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

1012-P

One size fits all? Not really

Know the problem with a “one size fits all” approach? It doesn’t. Today’s “family portrait” has almost infinite variety. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 16 percent (11.7 million) of all children live in blended families. Only 20 percent of the households are traditional families — married couples with children — down from 43 percent in 1950.1 Which means one size won’t fit all. Whatever your “family portrait,” when it comes to financial security, many families need that most traditional of financial products: life insurance. And Farmers offers a range of policy types, one of which may be suitable for your family. Help protect what you VALUE most Most of us want our families to enjoy life without the added stress of financial worries, even if we can’t be there. Affordable premiums make term life insurance popular for those whose future needs are growing faster than their current finances. Farmers term life insurance may help you provide for your immediate term life insurance needs, and allow the flexibility to upgrade to a more permanent solution when it’s right for you. Term life insurance policies typically provide a level death benefit, with premiums guaranteed not to increase for 10, 20 or 30 years. Different goals; different solutions  Are you looking for value and lifetime protection? You may be able to get both by combining an affordable term life insurance with a permanent, cash value life insurance policy. While term life insurance may be helpful for larger temporary needs during your working years, a base of permanent, cash-value life insurance may help to provide for lifelong needs such as final expenses, estate planning and a legacy for the ones you love. Multi-line discounts Contact me today for a no-obligation insurance review and ask me about multi-line discounts. When you choose Farmers for your auto or home insurance in addition to your life coverage, you may be eligible for discounts on your auto and home coverage that can potentially make your coverage even more affordable. Let me help you prepare for the unexpected. 1Source: U.S. Census Bureau, “Living Arrangements of Children: 2009”, June 2011. Products and features may not be available in all states and may vary by state. Discounts apply to selected property and casualty coverage’s, perils, and policy types only may vary by state and eligibility. Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040. 1012-A

Halloween can be scary And safe

Most children love Halloween — they can’t wait to get dressed in their costumes and “prowl” the neighborhood. But what’s fun for the kids can be scary for the parents — are the kids safe; are their “treats” safe and so on? Below are some tips to help make the festivities fun and safe.

Tips for trick-or-treaters

• Go along — Accompany trick-or-treaters younger than age 12. In case you get separated, pin a piece of paper with your child’s name and your name, address and phone number inside his or her pocket. Encourage older kids to trick-or-treat with a group and make sure someone in the group carries a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Stay close to home — Don’t allow your child to go door to door in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
• Set ground rules — If your child will be trick-or-treating without you, establish a route and set a curfew; review safety rules and make sure your child knows to never go inside anyone’s home. You may want to give your child a cell phone for the evening, in case he or she needs to contact you.
• Inspect carefully — Feed your child a healthy snack before he or she heads out. Upon return, carefully inspect all treats before they’re consumed. Discard all choking hazards and anything that’s not sealed, has torn packaging or looks questionable.

Be sweet on the home front
You may want to consider a trick-or-treat party with a couple of neighbors instead of house-to-house door knocking. You can decorate the garage, have a costume contest, and plan games and prizes.

If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, make sure you’re ready:

• Clean up — Look for and remove all tripping hazards such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Clear away wet leaves, snow or other debris from the sidewalk.
• Light up your area — Replace any burnt out bulbs to ensure good visibility around the walkway and your front door.
• Control your pets— Pets may become frightened by the unusual activity and might chase or even bite a child at your door, so consider restricting pets to another area of the house.
• Consider non-sugar treats — Instead of candy and baked goods, consider handing out stickers, glittery pencils, rubber insects or colored chalk.

Goblin or ghoul, vampire or witch 
Halloween festivities are lots of fun and kids typically get excited. If you’ll be driving, be especially careful entering or leaving driveways, and watch for children who might pop out from between parked cars. Kids may also be running in and around your home — while we can’t always prevent the unexpected, we can prepare for it. Call me so you can be sure you have the coverage you want.

Fun facts

• Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening and is observed in many parts of the world on October 31, the night before All Saints’ Day.¹
• Ireland is generally believed to be the birthplace of Halloween.²
• One quarter of all candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.³
• The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips.²
• The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin.²

¹Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
²Source: http://facts.randomhistory.com/halloween-facts.html
³Source: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween

Did you know that … There’s help when you need it

Just a click away with the Farmers iClaims mobile device app — you’re never far away fromHelpPoint^® Claim Services. Reporting a Farmers claim, documenting the details of a claim or accident, finding Farmers preferred rental car vendors and more can be done conveniently from your mobile device. And it’s FREE!

• How to access — Link to the iClaims app from your smartphone by clicking here. It’s that simple and no computer is required.
• Many channels — iPhone, Blackberry, Android — there’s an app for that.
• Many purposes — Check out some of the functions of the Farmers iClaims app:
• Connect with Farmers HelpPoint Claim Services with a simple shake of your phone and instantly report your claim electronically. A HelpPoint Claim Services professional will contact you to complete the process.   
• Collect and store accident photos, driver and vehicle information; email them to me or a claims representative for faster claims processing.
• Find Farmers vendors and services including auto repair facilities and car rental services.
• Store a photo inventory of your home; homeowners can photograph property damage, and then email the photos to a claim representative.
• Receive alerts when severe weather or a catastrophe is threatening.

And you can store my contact information so that you’re just a click away from contacting me for immediate service.

Check it out for yourself 
Share this with friends and family — they too, can benefit from the new Farmers iClaims application whether or not they’re a Farmers customer. Help has never been closer.

Don’t Text and Drive

By now, everybody knows that cell phones and/or texting while driving can be a deadly distraction — right? Apparently not: Studies show that distracted driving is still a serious threat on the nation’s roads, and teens are the most at risk, because they tend to engage in this behavior more often than adult drivers.¹

‘Big brother’ may help 
But if technology is the villain, it also may be the answer, giving you ways to help stop your teen from texting while driving. Below is a sampling of downloadable apps and computer programs that may help prevent dangerous texting and driving. They vary in benefits and features. For instance, some allow the passenger complete access to his or her cell phone; some do not. Some involve set-up fees and ongoing monthly charges; others are free:

• iZUP — Holds texts, emails and phone calls while driving. Calls are sent to voice mail and text messages are delivered when the vehicle comes to a stop. Allows 911 calls and whitelisted or preapproved numbers.
• Textecution™ — Disables texting functions while driving. If your teen driver tries to disable or uninstall the application, you’re notified.
• StopTxting^® — A free, downloadable application for Android phones that prevents the sending or reading of texts or emails when vehicle is in motion.
• tXtBlocker™ — Stops texting while driving and allows you to set up “No Cell Zones” that limit cell phone use based on specific locations and times.
• Cellcontrol — Stops texting, emailing, Web surfing, gaming and even distracting phone calls whenever the vehicle is in motion. You are in control of what your teen driver can and cannot do while driving.

Take control
Software programs may help but in the end parents must take control. Talk to your teens about the dangers of driving distracted; set the rules and consequences for breaking them; and lead by example. Call me so you can be sure you have the coverage you want should an accident happen.

Note: Mention of any company name or product does not constitute an endorsement by Farmers Insurance Group, any of its affiliates or agents.

¹Source: http://www.distraction.gov

Understanding your auto coverage options may save you some green

Want to make sure you’re getting the auto insurance you want at a competitive rate? Contact me today — as a consumer it’s important to educate yourself about all of your coverage options. By asking me questions, you can make sure you have the coverage you want. You can also check on available discounts that may save you money.
To help consumers understand auto insurance and learn how they may be able to save some money, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) offers the following suggestions:

• Before buying a car, check out insurance costs — Some cars are more costly to insure than others so check with me before you buy your next vehicle. Some factors to consider include the likelihood of theft, the cost of the car, the cost of repairs, and the overall safety record of the car. Vehicles with high quality safety equipment may qualify for premium discounts.
• Consider increasing your deductible — By requesting a higher deductible — the portion you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in — you can typically lower your premium. For example, you may consider going from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible. But before you do, make sure you have the funds set aside to cover your portion in case you have a claim.
• Consider reducing coverage on older vehicles — You may want to consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars as it may no longer be cost effective. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the value of older cars or you can look it up online at Kelley Blue Book. Call me and we can review your coverage so you can make sure your insurance needs haven’t changed.

Save more green
If you have multiple coverages with Farmers, you may be eligible for a discount. For example, if you have auto and homeowners coverage through Farmers, you may qualify for a discount on both coverages. Let’s see if you qualify for a discount. Call me today.

Discounts apply to selected coverages, perils and policy types. Eligibility and actual percentage of discounts may vary.

The difficult discussion?
The important discussion!

According to LIMRA’s 2010 Life Insurance Ownership Study, a study that’s conducted every six years, many U.S. households are underinsured:

• Only 44 percent of U.S. households have individual life insurance.
• Half of U.S. households (58 million) say they need more life insurance.
• Among households with children under age 18, arguably those with the greatest need for life insurance, 11 million have no life insurance coverage.

Many families find life insurance a difficult subject to discuss, so they avoid it. Perhaps discussing the possibility of a spouse’s unexpected death is uncomfortable, but talking about life insurance is critical to the whole family. Here are some tips that may help you start the discussion and keep it on track:

• Talk before you’re in a financial crisis — Pick a time when you are both relaxed and keep it positive. Try to discuss it as you would any other family issue or aspect of your financial planning.
• Make a plan or revise your existing plan — Incorporate life insurance into your overall financial strategy — in fact, you may want to consider making it a primary component.  
• Set a monthly budget — Determine what you can afford and call me. I can work with you so you can determine a realistic strategy that you can stick to.

Although the subject may be difficult or awkward, talking about life insurance may be one of the most important discussions to have. And call me to learn more about the life insurance options that may help protect your family’s future.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Ways to help make your new home safer

Moving is both exhilarating and exhausting — but amid the hectic activity, I hope you’ll remember to locate or restock basic safety supplies. Equipping your home with easy-to-find safety products may help keep you, your family, your property and your possessions safe in case of an emergency.

• Smoke detectors — In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm may help save your life and those of your loved ones by providing an early warning signal so you and your family can escape to safety. There are two basic types of detectors: ionization and photoelectric.
  • Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs.
  • Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires.
  • Dual sensor smoke alarms combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit.
  
  Because ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are each better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.¹
• Fire extinguishers — For the home, an “ABC” dry chemical fire extinguisher is typically recommended because it can put out the three most common types of home fires: wood and paper fires (class “A”), grease and oil fires (class “B”), and electrical fires (class “C”).²
• Carbon monoxide detectors — Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels such as coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Consider installing CO alarms in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the alarm cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.
• First aid kit — Be prepared in the event of an injury with a well-stocked first aid kit. You can purchase one or visit the Red Cross for a list of supplies.
• Emergency kit — In case of severe weather or a natural disaster, prepare an emergency kit with food and supplies to help keep your family comfortable for 72 hours. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests this list of supplies.

Always look for an independent testing laboratory’s mark of approval to be sure the product meets established safety standards. And call me so you can be sure you have the coverage you want for your new home and possessions should an unexpected loss occur.

¹Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/alarms/
²Source: http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/

Summer fun
Summer safety

Summer is not over yet and many of us are spending as much time as we can outdoors — pool parties, cookouts, and other fun activities — before everyone heads back to school. While having all that fun outdoors, it’s important to remember to be safe. Here are some tips that may help keep your family and guests out of harm’s way:

• Pool safety — Install a safety fence around your pool. Educate your family and guests on pool rules: no running around the pool; no food or drinks while swimming; and no diving. Consider posting a “Pool rules” sign. Always keep an eye on children when they are in and around the pool.
• Grilling safety — Be sure an adult monitors the grill at all times. Keep children and pets away from the grill and tools you use to cook. Be sure to turn off or extinguish the grill and remaining embers, candles, outdoor fire pits, barbecues and the like before retiring to the indoors.
• Patio safety — Redirect sprinklers that may drench your patio — the excess water can cause slippery areas. Store yard tools, hoses and other equipment to prevent people from tripping. Install proper lighting so visitors can see where they’re walking.

In spite of your best efforts, unforeseen events may happen. What would you do if a catastrophe struck and caused damage or injuries beyond the limits of your homeowners coverage? What would you do if you found yourself on the wrong end of a multi-million dollar lawsuit? Naturally, most people don’t expect the unthinkable to happen to them — but sometimes it does.
Caveat: Don’t assume that your homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage in the event you’re sued for negligence or injury. How much of your assets could be up for grabs in the event of a lawsuit is determined to a great extent by our state law.
Life is uncertain: Plan for it
You probably work very hard to accumulate assets — take steps to safeguard them. You never know when the unexpected can ruin not just your day but also your well laid financial plans for the future. Make sure you’re prepared. Call me for more information on what you can do to help protect your assets.

Why life insurance?
It’s all about financial independence

If your death would leave your family in financial difficulty, you may want to consider life insurance. Life is full of unexpected events and although we can’t prevent or predict the unexpected, we can prepare for it. Life insurance gives you the opportunity to help maintain your family’s lifestyle, dreams and finances should the unexpected occur.
Life insurance may help your family:

• Continue to pay the home mortgage
• Maintain their current standard of living
• Pay off debts, estate taxes and final expenses
• Create a fund for college education
• Continue to pursue their dreams for the future

Take some time to think about life insurance. And call me — we can work together so you can be sure you have the coverage you want and the protection your family deserves. It’s all about financial independence for the ones that you love.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040

It’s all about the journey …

You wouldn’t drive your motorhome to the local supermarket to do your food shopping, would you? Probably not. So why would you consider insuring your coach with a policy designed for a standard automobile? Your standard auto or homeowners policy may not offer the coverage you want for your motorhome or travel trailer.
Farmers offers specialized insurance coverage that provides important standard and optional coverages typically not available in conventional auto policies. We cover most types of motorhomes including:

• Class A, B and C motorhomes
• Luxury motorhomes
• Full-timers

Covered trailers
We also offer specialized travel trailer insurance programs that provide comprehensive coverage for covered trailers including:

• Fifth-wheels
• Pop-up campers
• Stationary travel trailers
• Park model travel trailers
• Truck-mounted campers

Call me for your RV needs including motorhomes and travel trailers. Then sit back and enjoy the journey.

Women and life insurance

Why should a man buy life insurance? To protect his family, replace lost income if he dies, provide for his own retirement security and so on. The decision to purchase insurance typically reflects a loving commitment to family and recognition of the need to meet other financial responsibilities. Why should a woman buy life insurance? For the very same reasons.

Some facts

• Just 40 percent of women own individual life insurance. (Source: “MarketTrends — LIMRA’s Factbook: 2010 Trends in United States”)
• Women of all ages average smaller amounts of individual life coverage than men of similar ages. On average, women have $129,800 of individual life insurance, while men have $187,100 of individual life insurance coverage. (Source: “Facts About Life 2011” LIMRA, 2011)
• The time mothers spend performing the 10 primary “mom job functions” would equate to an annual cash compensation of $117,856 for a stay-at-home mom. Working moms would earn $71,860 above their regular salary. (Source: salary.com, 2010 survey)

What about you?

What does your life insurance coverage look like? Is it adequate to help your loved ones, meet your objectives and fulfill your responsibilities?

• If you’re part of a two-income family — Today in many families, husbands and wives are economic partners and those two-income families typically depend on both paychecks to make ends meet.
• If you’re a single woman heading a household — If you’re the sole breadwinner responsible for the support and care of your children, your need for life insurance may be more crucial than in a dual-parent household.
• If you’re a full-time homemaker — How would your husband and children manage without you? While much of what you do as a mom is beyond value, replacing some of the services you perform could cost tens of thousands of dollars a year.
• If you’re a single woman — You may be single but you’re probably not without responsibility. You may have a mortgage or outstanding credit card debt. Perhaps you help provide support for aging parents or grandparents. Should anything happen to you, there will be final expenses that could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Without life insurance, these obligations could fall on parents and other loved ones.

Call me — I’m here to discuss your individual situation so that you can decide if life insurance is appropriate for you. And if you feel it’s not necessary at this time we can review your other insurance policies so you can be sure you have the coverage you want.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Kitchen safety tips

We use the kitchen so often that we sometimes forget about the dangers it can present. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Safety “musts”
Make sure you have the following safety “musts” in your kitchen:

• Fire extinguisher — An ABC Dry Chemical fire extinguisher is recommended for kitchens as it typically will not accelerate grease fires. In addition, it leaves a non-flammable substance on the extinguished material, reducing the likelihood of reignition.¹
• Smoke detector — There are two types of home smoke alarms available — the ion type and the photoelectric type. The ion type reacts faster to open flaming fires such as a grease cooking fire. The photoelectric type reacts faster to slow smoldering fires such as burning countertops and is less likely to react to a cooking fire. You may want to consider installing one of each type in your kitchen.²
• Oven mitts — Purchase name brand oven mitts, made by leading kitchen appliance manufacturers for highly-rated performance. Silicone oven mitts can be slippery. When using them, make sure you have a strong grip on your hot pan to prevent an accident.³

Safety tips
Remember these safety practices:⁴

• Don’t leave anything that’s cooking unattended
• Keep cooking area clean to prevent grease buildup
• Have nothing flammable near the stove
• Roll up your sleeves, tuck in your shirt, and pin back long hair
• Heat cooking oil slowly

Little chefs
Many kids love to cook with their parent(s). Help keep your young chef safe:⁴

• Enforce a “kid-free zone”
• Use the back burners, and turn pot handles toward the center of the range
• Teach children that hot things can burn
• Never pick up and hold a child while cooking

If a fire starts⁴

• Use your fire extinguisher as directed
• Never throw water on a grease fire — it can accelerate the flames
• Put a lid on it
• Keep the oven or microwave door shut
• Stop, drop, and roll

Many home fires start in the kitchen so keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare to feed your hungry family.

¹Source: http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com
²Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html
³Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2189528_buy-oven-mitts.html
⁴Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/cooking.shtm

Feeling drowsy? Stop driving!

Many of us don’t get enough sleep and as a result we may become moody, irritable and easily stressed. But if you’re behind the wheel, lack of sleep can also impair your driving which may lead to potentially dangerous consequences. In addition to accidents, sleepiness can lead to higher stress levels, slower reaction times and faster, more aggressive driving. According to the National Sleep Foundation, if you experience any of these warning signs, find a safe place to pull over and get help:

• Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids
• Difficulty keeping your mind on the road
• Trouble keeping your head up
• Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
• Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
• Missing exits or traffic signs
• Yawning repeatedly
• Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive

Reduce your risk

• Get enough sleep at night — Try to get adequate sleep every night — seven to nine hours if possible. This is particularly important before a road trip.
• Watch what you consume — Avoid alcohol and heavy foods such as pastas. Try to eat food high in protein. If you take medications that may make you drowsy try to take them either early enough or late enough to avoid the effects while you’re on the road.   
• Take a break, take a nap — If you begin to feel drowsy look for a safe place to take a 15- to 20-minute nap. When you wake up, refresh yourself with a snack or short walk before starting to drive again.
• Don’t drive alone — If you are going on a long road trip consider taking someone along with you. A companion who stays awake can provide interesting conversation, spot the warning signs of driver fatigue and relieve you at the wheel.

A worthwhile exercise
Try to think of a recent occasion when you experienced fatigue while driving. Now think about your mindset at the time. How did it affect your driving? Bottom line: Feeling drowsy? Stop driving!
For more information visit the National Sleep Foundation website . And call me to be sure you have the insurance you want.