Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Personal Auto Rate Change

Rate ChangesBase rates for Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Personal Auto policies will see an overall increase, in most rating territories, starting in November. The effect of these changes will vary based on the specific characteristics of the risk and the selected coverages. Safe Driving Insurance Plan (SDIP) factors will also increase, and affect insureds that have either moving violations or at-fault accidents. Why Are Rates Increasing?

This video gives great insight.

 

Questions?Please contact your Ayres-Oak Insurance Agent with any questions.

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Technology enhances service but can’t replace relationships

Lives change and businesses grow and transform over time. That’s why we feel people are best served by insurance agents who have the expertise to evaluate an evolving risk profile and offer educated advice and products. Building a relationship with an Ayres Group agent can provide you with a personal experience and ensure that you are offered the right coverage.

INFORMED DECISIONS, PERSONAL TOUCH

Why Ayres Group agents when our industry has online platforms that ask questions and provide quotes? In short, insurance is a relationship business:

  • Ayres Group agents represent multiple carriers with a variety of coverages and terms to choose from. An agent will listen and get to know you. Then, they’ll offer you choices based on your circumstances. This individual service brings additional value.
  • First-time insurance buyers are especially in need of guidance and independent agents are in a unique position to help assess risk and offer a personal touch.
  • We live in a complex world, and online quoting platforms lack the consideration, expertise, and emotional IQ that AYres Group agents bring to each client.

Consider homeowner insurance. Far more goes into determining the true cost to rebuild a home than the facts captured through a quick online questionnaire. It’s the deeper questions an agent asks that often reveal the client’s home’s unique and special features, such as highly customized buildouts, carefully selected fixtures, and other structural details.

PROACTIVE HOMEOWNER POLICY REVIEWS

Regular contact with your Ayres Group agent can reveal changes to your risk profile. Check-in annually with your agent and have a conversation as part of your policy renewal. You may discover changes relevant to coverage:

  • Renovations, additions, or new appliances that require additional coverage
  • Changes to driver status or garaging of cars by children at locations other than the home address
  • Purchases made that the homeowner policy doesn’t cover
  • Participation in ride-share services or renting a portion of the home
BUSINESSES CHANGE, TOO

Business clients evolve, too – whether growing or scaling back – and annual discussions around coverage are critical. Risk profiles will change with new endeavors, partnerships, investments, and growth. YourAYres Group agent’s ability to identify these risks and explain them surpasses the capabilities of a direct quote experience.

Discuss changes in your business that could alter your risk profile by reviewing:

  • Business income
  • Cyber risk
  • Buildings and property enhancements
  • Workforce
  • Transportation
  • Product Liability

For more information, contact an Ayres Group today – Call (269) 651-1761

AYRES-OAK INSURANCE SERVICES IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE EXCITING CHANGES TO OUR OPERATION

PRESS RELEASE

AYRES-OAK INSURANCE SERVICES IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
EXCITING CHANGES TO OUR OPERATION

Sturgis, Michigan. September 1, 2022. Jeff Bailey has joined our executive management team and will be assuming the role of Vice President of Commercial Operations. Jeff has over 32 years of insurance experience in sales, underwriting, risk management, and adjusting. He has both the Certified Insurance Counselor and Commercial Risk Manager designations. Welcome, Jeff!!

Ben Harrison (currently President of our affiliate Noecker-Sullivan Insurance) will be assuming the role of President. Jeff Mohney (currently President) has been named Chief Executive Officer. Jeff Brazo (currently Vice President) has been named Chief Operating Officer. Kim Ware (currently Office Administrator) has been named Secretary/Treasurer. This change in our executive management team will ensure the long-term success of our organization as we experience market growth and expansion of our services to business and individual customers in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

Effective 09/01/2022 we have formed Ayres-Oak Senior Insurance Services which will be located at 316 North Nottawa St. in Sturgis. This location will specialize in insurance products for seniors and health insurance for all ages. Bob Hile, Jill Boerman, and James Grove will be moving there. Our main office will remain at its current location at 123 West Hatch St. in Sturgis

Effective 10/01/2022 our affiliate of over 15 years, Noecker-Sullivan Insurance in Constantine, will be merging into our Hatch St. location. Ben Harrison, Renae Wright, and Megan Connelly will be relocating here. As part of our continued efforts to help those in need, we will be donating our Constantine office building to Keystone Place -an organization that provides temporary shelter and services for homeless families and individuals. They will be moving their administrative offices there.

Both Ayres-Oak Insurance Services and Ayres-Oak Senior Insurance Services continue to be locally owned and operated. We are NOT owned by an out-of-town Agency or Private Equity Firm. No “800” number to call for service or limited hours -our offices are fully staffed, and we welcome you to stop by. We represent the following companies: Accident Fund, Auto-Owners, Citizens/Hanover, EMC, Foremost, Frankenmuth Mutual, Hastings Mutual, Progressive, Secura, Travelers, and Wolverine Mutual. If you are already insured with one of these fine companies but would like to switch & be serviced by a locally owned agency, give us a call and we will arrange the paperwork. We will always financially support and serve the local communities where we work and live.

Life Insurance for Singles

Many believe life insurance isn’t a necessity while they’re single, but nothing could be further from the truth. Life insurance is for anyone, and it is useful in many more situations than just providing a cushion for a spouse in the face of suddenly lost income. Here are seven reasons why you might need life insurance even if you’re single:

You have debt. Most Americans owe money for one reason or another. Whether it be a mortgage, car note, outstanding medical bills, or just a general loan, one of the questions concerning debt remains the same: Who would be responsible for paying it back in the event of your death?

People depend on you. Being single doesn’t mean people don’t rely on you. Maybe you’re a parent with young children. Maybe your own parents are getting older, and you take care of them or pay for them to have part- or full-time care. You may even have a disabled sibling or adult child who depends on you for care or stability. What would happen to them if you were no longer around?

You own a business. In most cases, a financial institution issuing a business loan will require a life insurance policy as collateral. Even if this is not the case, key person life insurance is always beneficial for business owners. Should you pass away unexpectedly, the death benefit from a life insurance policy can help keep the business afloat.

You want options while you’re still living. Life insurance policies don’t just provide a death benefit. Permanent products, such as whole and universal life, grow cash value throughout the life of the policy. Term policies with a return of premium feature, also accumulate cash value, in addition to providing conversion options. The cash value can be withdrawn by the policy owner to do things like making a down payment on a home, supplementing retirement income, or covering an emergency expense.

You want to lock in coverage. Premium rates are based on age and overall health; therefore, the longer you wait to purchase a policy, the more expensive that policy becomes.

You want to cover your final expenses. Funerals are notoriously expensive, with even the most basic costing thousands of dollars. That could easily translate into debt for your loved ones.

You want to leave a legacy. You may wish to leave money to a beloved school, religious organization, charity, or individual. Some or all of your policy’s proceeds can be dedicated to whatever way you see fit.

Since insurance needs differ from person to person and from one stage of life to another, life insurance is not “one size fits all.” Your life insurance program can be designed to fit your specific needs and financial goals and can grow as your needs do. Contact The Ayres Group to discuss which life insurance program best fits your needs.

Emergency planning

Disasters can happen anytime
anywhere
to anyone: Be prepared.

The past decade brought an ever-increasing number of natural disasters and other catastrophic events, affecting people and property. Make sure you are ready for the next one by having an emergency plan in place.

You’ll also want to prepare supplies to sustain your household for at least three days, maybe longer. In a major disaster, it might take several days to restore vital services and get help from first responders and local authorities.

EMERGENCY PLANNING TIPS
  • Stay informed about the different emergencies that could occur in your community and identify appropriate responses
  • Make a family emergency plan and practice it regularly
  • Consider becoming certified in CPR and first aid
  • Build an emergency supply kit
  • Get involved in your community’s emergency planning
  • Recognize that emergency planning is a continuing process
EMERGENCY SUPPLY KITS

Building an emergency supply kit is crucial to ensure you are prepared to meet the needs of your household. Plan to store items in an easy-to-carry bag, and consider preparing two kits:

  • One should include everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own until help arrives.
  • The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if evacuation is required. These are typically referred to as “Go Bags”, “72-hour bags” or “bug-out bags.”

Customize your kit to reflect your family’s unique needs – consider family members’ ages, existing medical needs or physical limitations and even your pets. The American Red Cross lists additional items to consider. As your family grows and changes, your needs may also change. Be sure to update your kit annually to make sure it still addresses your family’s circumstances.

Store your kits in a location that’s easily accessible to all members of your household. Practice locating your supply kit when you practice your emergency procedures.

ON THE GO

In addition, it is crucial to keep a kit in your vehicle or workplace in case you are stranded during an emergency. When preparing your emergency plan, think about the places where your family spends time such as school, work, and other places you frequent.

Preparing for an emergency in advance ensures you can handle a crisis more safely and comfortably. Although being prepared may not prevent a disaster, it will give you the confidence to meet the difficult challenges that may arise.

MORE INFORMATION

Learn more about how to become personally prepared during an emergency from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at www.ready.gov.

Additional emergency preparedness resources can be found at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.

The Red Cross also offers specific information to help you take precautions against COVID-19 while preparing for a natural disaster.

Entrust storm repairs to honest contractors

When businesses and homeowners are desperate for help to repair and rebuild after a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or wildfire, they seek assistance from anyone who will offer help. Unfortunately, there are scammers who prey on those emotions and take advantage of good people in their darkest hour.

I have spent my entire career in both construction and insurance, and it is disheartening to me to see scams occur. It reminds me of a lesson that my father taught me long ago that shapes me to this day.

My father owned his own construction company, and when a weather event occurred in my small Wisconsin town, he would receive calls from those who needed his help and expertise to repair their home or business. He was contacted by an elderly couple who had windstorm damage to their roof that blew a small tree onto their home. We arrived, and the damage was bad but nothing that would take him and me more than half a day to fix.

We got to work and removed the tree, fixed the roof, and repaired the damage to their home. My father asked me to clear all the debris in their yard while he went inside to speak with them. When he came back out, the woman was teary and begging my father to accept payment for the work. He refused to take the money, politely thanked the couple for calling him for help, and we left.

As we drove home, I asked my dad why he didn’t charge them and he said simply, “When people are in need, you must always ‘be of service’ to others. They needed our help and a safe place to call home. Others would take advantage of them; that’s not us.” Later I found out that the husband was a disabled World War II veteran, and my father, a Vietnam veteran, felt he had already paid his debt to us with his military service.

In the wake of a hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, earthquake or any other unexpected catastrophe, fraudulent unlicensed and unethical contractors can be quick to surface. Often, however, they carry warning signs to alert you. You can distinguish between a scammer and a legitimate contractor by being aware of the following things before you contract for work:

  • Fake FEMA Endorsements. If a contractor claims to be endorsed or certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) they are lying. FEMA does not certify or approve contractors.
  • Get it in writing. I cannot stress enough the importance of a written contract. Get everything in writing before work begins, and get multiple bids. Don’t assume the lowest bid is the best bid.
  • No full payments upfront. No honest contractor will demand full payment upfront. Make sure you’ve agreed to a payment schedule that requires the work to be completed BEFORE the contractor receives the full balance. Using a credit card can offer some protection against scams.
  • License to repair. Most contractors are required to be licensed in their respective states. Licensing requirements vary from state to state. Review the Secretary of State website for your state to verify professional licenses; Find Your Secretary of State using the search tool on the National Association of Secretaries of State website.
  • Get a copy of their insurance. A reputable contractor should be able to provide you proof of insurance. If not, move on. Once you review or receive a copy of their insurance, call the contractor’s insurance company or their insurance agent to verify they have the appropriate coverage.

In times of crisis, it’s important to remain vigilant of unscrupulous people preying on those in need. I remain hopeful that the many legitimate and honorable contractors follow my father’s advice to always be of service.

Contact your Ayres Group agent for more information.

Tips to protect taxpayers from identity theft during and after the pandemic

Taxpayers, beware of fraudsters out to trick you for your information.

Tax return identity theft has reached such epidemic proportions that it tops the list of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams. Here are tips the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming a victim.

  • Phishing: Taxpayers should be alert to potential fake emails or websites looking to steal personal information or other financial scams related to COVID-19. The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email about a bill, tax refund or Economic Impact Payments. Don’t click on one claiming to be from the IRS. Be wary of emails and websites that may be nothing more than scams to steal personal information.
  • Phone Scams: Phone calls or vishing (voice phishing) from criminals impersonating IRS agents remain an ongoing threat to taxpayers. The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent years as con artists threaten taxpayers with police arrest, deportation and license revocation, among other things.
  • Social Media Scams: Scammers use COVID-19 events and social media messaging to convince victims that they are dealing with someone’s family, friends, or co-workers. Instead, the email includes malware used to commit additional crimes.
  • Return Preparer Fraud: Be on the lookout for unscrupulous return preparers. The vast majority of tax professionals provide honest, high-quality service. There are some dishonest preparers who operate each filing season to scam clients, perpetuating refund fraud, identity theft, and other scams that hurt taxpayers. Check out the IRS’ special page for tips on choosing a preparer.
  • Fake Charities: Groups masquerading as charitable organizations solicit donations from unsuspecting contributors. Be wary of charities with names similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Contributors should take a few extra minutes to ensure their hard-earned money goes to legitimate charities. IRS.gov has a search tool taxpayers can use to check out the status of charitable organizations.
  • Ransomware: Taxpayers should be alert to this growing cybercrime where malware targets human and technical weaknesses to infect a victim’s computer, network, or server. Once the system is infected with malware, ransomware looks for and locks critical or sensitive data with its own encryption. Victims receive an anonymous ransom request usually demanding payment in virtual currency such as Bitcoin. The IRS and its Security Summit partners advise tax professionals and taxpayers to use tax preparation software products’ free, multi-factor authentication feature to protect against data thefts.

Identity theft is scary and expensive for both individuals and businesses, but there are ways to protect yourself. Refer to the Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft or the IRS Identity Theft Protection page on the IRS website, and then ask your independent insurance agent for more information about data compromise and identity theft coverage.

cinfin.com

6 Tips to Protect Yourself From Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud can be a big business for fraudsters and a big problem for taxpayers. And emergent health crises, such as the one around COVID-19, may create environments prime for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting people.

Medicare fraud can lead to big financial burdens

Stolen Medicare numbers may become valuable loot for criminals. These numbers can be used to bill Medicare for services and supplies that were never provided or received. The reimbursements are then pocketed.

And who pays? We all do. The more that is paid out in false claims, the less there may be to pay for legitimate health care needs. The long-term result can be higher premiums and stricter rules around eligibility for supplies and services.

Tips to avoid Medicare fraud

Follow these 6 tips to help avoid Medicare fraud.

  1. Keep your Medicare card close

Treat your Medicare card as you would your Social Security card or a credit card – keep it safe and never leave it out in the open.

  1. Guard your Medicare number

Never give your Medicare number to a stranger over the phone. Do not give your card or number to anyone except your doctor or another authorized Medicare provider or authorized agent.

  1. Watch out for bogus Medicare plans

Criminals may try to entice you with phony Medicare plans, products, benefits and services. The real aim is to get your Medicare number. Check directly with the plan provider or use the Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to verify any plan you are considering. If it’s not there, it may not be legitimate.

  1. Beware of “FREE” health care services or products

Just walk away if someone asks for your Medicare information in exchange for free medical services or products. If it’s free, they have no need for your insurance information. This may be another scam to get your Medicare number. (Keep in mind that a legitimate insurance agent or company representative will need your Medicare number if you choose to sign up for Medicare supplement insurance plan, a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan.)

  1. Avoid deceptive door-to-door salespeople

Do not accept medical supplies or information from a door-to-door salesperson. And remember that neither Medicare nor Medicaid sends representatives to people’s homes to sell products or services. In addition, insurance agents may not come to your home unless you have asked them to.

  1. Scour your Medicare statements

Medicare or your private insurance provider sends you claims summary statements detailing the health care you have received. Read them carefully. It’s important to verify that you received all the services and products that appear. Report anything that you suspect may be an error.

How to report Medicare fraud

The first thing to do when you suspect fraud is to check with your Medicare plan provider. It may be a simple mistake or misunderstanding.

If you still think that the charge to Medicare is for a service or supply you did not receive, then you can call the Medicare helpline to report it (1-800-MEDICARE or 1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, seven days a week). Medicare.gov also offers some more tips for preventing fraud online.

You can also call the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) office in your state. SMP workers and volunteers can help you determine if you have been a victim of fraud. If you have, they will forward your complaint to government investigators.

Tips for conducting remote, personal meetings

The current coronavirus pandemic has caused millions of employees across the country to work from home for the first time. Many do business now using online meetings and virtual presentations – a difficult transition if you pride yourself on personal service and customer care. But there are ways to keep web conferences or presentations friendly, professional, and productive.

BEFORE THE MEETING

Get technical. Familiarize yourself with the technology you’ll use. Does it have a video component or is it audio-only? Can you share documents or screens with other attendees? If you’re unsure of how to use the technology, ask for help, and learn it. Practice with someone. If you are uncomfortable, it will show. Your company should be able to provide support for the technology it provides. If you provide the technology for your own business, seek help from your service or IT support vendor.

Consider Plan B. Have a backup plan in mind in case you lose service mid-meeting. How will you reconnect or follow up with attendees? Would a group email or conference call work?

Plan your questions. Set an agenda and distribute it in advance. Prioritize it so that you cover the most essential information first.

Minimize distractions. Before you start your call or virtual meeting, eliminate background noise or distractions. Turn off ringers on other phones. If possible, close the door to the room and let your family or others who share your space know you’ll be in a conference.

DURING THE MEETING

Be friendly and relatable. Be mindful that since you’re NOT there, it may require extra effort or a different way to show your engagement with your audience. In a virtual meeting, there’s no opportunity for a handshake – or elbow bump. Even with video conferencing, eye contact may be difficult. You will need to make up for those lost social graces.

  • Be grateful! Thank everyone for their time. If they gave you something you requested, acknowledge it
  • Don’t just launch into your questions
  • Ask how everyone’s doing; just as if you were there
  • Have a high energy level – people can sense your level of enthusiasm
  • Remember to smile (you can “hear” a smile)

Account for all participants. Introduce yourself briefly and ask everyone else in turn to introduce themselves. After introductions, mute all the callers if your software allows it. If not, ask callers to mute themselves until it’s time for them to speak. This helps reduce unwanted background noise and prevents people from talking over one another.

Explain to your audience how the meeting will progress. Suggest that people re-introduce themselves before they start speaking so that everyone knows who’s talking. Talk about what happens if someone gets disconnected or has connection problems; explain the backup plan.

Get to it. Quickly go over the agenda and ask if everyone received a copy.

  • Go through your prepared questions to make sure you hit the primary reason for the call or presentation.
  • Allow all participants to contribute. Ask open-ended questions but make sure they are specific and concise. Many times, the response to an open-ended question will answer several of your other questions.

Special conditions. If you can’t see your audience, be hyper-vigilant on verbal cues.

  • Really, really listen
  • If answers are getting short – you may be running out of time
  • Try to not lose control of the call or virtual meeting; keep people on target and on mission
  • Observe normal etiquette; let people talk without interrupting

Keep track of the time. Just as you would in a conference room, be respectful of attendees’ time. Keep a clock where you can see it and stick to the time allotted for your meeting. If you can’t get to everything, you may need to follow up later.

Next steps. Discuss what attendees should expect from you next – follow-up emails, copies of the presentation, other documents. Before signing off, thank them for their time.

AFTER THE MEETING

Send a follow-up email. Be sure to include all attendees. Remember to share any resources you promised. Some video and audio conferencing systems allow you to record the session for later review; if so remember to send a link. In your follow-up communication, thank attendees again for their time.

Communication and preparation are key to a smooth virtual meeting. Your attention to these tips will help you serve your internal and external customers through the crisis. When you are again able to do business in person, they’ll remember the support you offered them.

Courtesy Cinfin.com