Guaranty Association Benefits Company

In a recent blog, I talked about a frightening statistic that showed how many people do not have life insurance. Well, a recent article in Business consumption concentrated on a specific part of the population :. Women

Life insurance ownership is even lower among American women, and despite thinking on the question of the old school, this is a major problem. It will be an even bigger problem as baby boomers continue to age.

The article only 40% of women have life insurance at all . Those who do have a policy have 30% less than men, on average.

No matter what your situation (or position of the friend or sister), life insurance is something you should seriously consider.

Single Moms

Section consumer , 70% of single parents have no life insurance, and 83% of parents only are mothers.

You were the breadwinner and caregiver for your children. You have everything you can to protect it. But if something happens to you? Can you afford to leave them unprotected for what will be the most difficult time imaginable?

stay at home moms

Ask a parent stay at home and she'll tell you - it is the person who works in the household. If she got a pay for everything she does, she'd earn about $ 9,750 a month, according to recent surveys.

But if you suddenly passed away? Can your husband afford to write checks every month grease to pay other people to do the work she has done?

most responsible couples have a life insurance cover for the husband and wife. I talk about this more in the short video below.

Working Moms

working moms provide $ worth per year of service in addition to their wages from their jobs , the survey I mentioned above. It's probably no surprise to you!

Although it would be impossible to replace you , life insurance can replace the economic value of the work you have done at home and at work. It can also give your family the money they need to cry without worrying about how the bills will be paid.

Women without children

If you do not have a spouse or children, do you need life insurance yet

the answer is simple: if your death would cause financial hardship to anyone - aging parents at the business you own - then yes , you still need insurance life.

If nothing else, you will not want to leave your final expenses and other outstanding debt as a burden for someone else to deal with, are you?

I hope I have encouraged you to at least think about buying a policy if you do not have it. If you have one, are you sure you have enough coverage? This calculator handy will help you estimate how much life insurance is enough for you.

Remember, if you have a great career or you are a "home", it would take thousands of dollars every month to replace the work you do.

Unless you have lived on your own private island without Wi-Fi, you have probably heard now that your cholesterol are a huge indicator to determine your overall heart health. Cholesterol is the waxy gunk (also called "fat") in the fat part of the blood. (Ew!) According to the Mayo Clinic, high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease

At this point, you might ask yourself :. "What is this crap fat have to do with life insurance?" The answer is: "not bad, actually" have good cholesterol is one of the "checklist" of items that insurers use to determine life insurance eligibility. and prices. Not too long ago, if you had a combined level of HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad) cholesterol over 250, it was more difficult (or at least most expensive) to obtain life insurance. (Bummer, right?)

But wait ... news flash! In recent years, insurance companies have been using the "Cholesterol / HDL Ratio" as favorite gauge for determining heart health of an individual. And who benefits from this change in method? yOU! (At least maybe.)

so even if your total cholesterol is a higher number than normal, and you thought you would never qualify for life insurance, you may be pleasantly surprised. Now that carriers use the cholesterol / HDL ratio as the "gold standard", more people as you may now be eligible to get the best discounted rates for quality life insurance. (now you can start your happy dance.)

for more on this subject, look this short informative video. Howard Weissman, medical Underwriting Expert AccuQuote, will tell more about how you can get affordable life insurance even if your cholesterol level is less than perfect.

Everybody ANYONE who financially as life insurance needs. It is an incredibly affordable way to ensure the financial future of your family is protected when you die. And the last time we checked, the chances of death are still 1 of ONE . (We're just sayin '.)

Questions? Feel free to reach out to us. You speak with a real person! (Imagine that!) We are here to help. And that comes straight from the heart.

Sr. Account Executive Cherry Sue has been a valued member of the AccuQuote family for 20 years. A divorced mother with two children, she began working part-time for a local insurance agent in Skokie in 190. The work has enabled it to assume financial responsibility for their children through a very difficult period. Once her divorce was final, she obtained her insurance license two years later.

Sue loves to help people and make a difference. Since her divorce has left him no financial security, Sue has made his life's mission to ensure that others get the financial security they need and deserve.

If you want to read a great Q & A with Sue, click here.

No one thinks that they need life insurance. Until they do. This is another all-too-common story that explains why life insurance is so important.

As we all know, life can change in an instant. One minute things are going very well, and the next minute, your life can be turned upside down. It happens more often than you think. Just listen Nicolas Virgen history.

A building contractor, Nicolas, his wife, Teresa, and two of their children were returning from a party at 23:00 Suddenly their pickup was criticized by a hit-and-run driver. The violently overturned truck. Although his son Gabriel and his daughter, Mayra only suffered minor injuries, Nicolas suffered multiple fractures and broken vertebrae. But worst of all, Teresa was dead before the ambulance arrived at the scene.

pick up the pieces was difficult. But they made have help. The family life insurance . Nicolas understood that he needed life insurance. But he did not see the point of buying a policy for his wife. After all, she just stays at home and takes care of children. Not working there, right?

Enter Henry Irene Insurance agent. When Teresa was alive, to Nicolas Irene recommended him to take a life insurance policy on Teresa. Irene was told that if you had to pay for all jobs that Teresa did for free, it would cost the family a pretty penny. Nicolas finally agreed. This was the most important decision he ever made.

Life insurance helped the family move slowly. Nicolas was out of work for nearly two years, recovering from his wounds in the hit-and-run. The money from the policy Teresa helped pay many bills. And he also helped pay some college expenses for Mayra and her older sister, Susana. "It's like Teresa is always watching over us and taking care of us," said Nicolas.

For more on the history of Nicolas, watch this video.

Did you know that actor Tom Hanks, singer Patti LaBelle and legend Billie Jean King Tennis all have type 2 diabetes? Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S., with 1.4 million new cases diagnosed each year. According to the American Diabetes Association, complications can include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and many other diseases.

The two main types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2 . Type 1 diabetes is often called "juvenile diabetes" because it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. With Type 1, the pancreas of the body does not produce enough insulin, a hormone the body uses to break down sugars and starches into glucose. Only about 5 percent of diabetics have Type 1.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of this disease. With Type 2 (also called "adult onset diabetes"), the body does not use insulin properly, and over time the pancreas can not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal. According to the American Heart Association, be "insulin resistant" affects over 60 million Americans. lifestyle changes (such as exercise, weight loss and healthy eating) and insulin can usually keep type 2 diabetes under control.

And here's some good news. If you have diabetes, you may still can be able to get a life insurance coverage at a reasonable rate. Life insurance companies usually use the results of A1C blood of a diabetic test to determine how the control of the insured's diabetes is, and determine eligibility for life insurance and prices. If your A1C is stable and constantly under 7.0, and you have no other health problems, you have a very good chance of getting coverage.

For more information, watch this short informative video. Howard Weissman, Expert Medical AccuQuote pricing, will tell you more about how you can get life insurance - even if you have diabetes.

Everybody ANYONE who financially by the life insurance needs. It is an excellent, affordable to help protect the financial future of your family when you die. And if you think you'll live forever, the last time we checked, the chances of death are still 1 of ONE .

Questions? Feel free to reach out to us at any time. We take the stress of shopping for life insurance. You have enough to think about.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes are implemented?
As of March 3, 2014, under the Canada / United States Medical reciprocity Agreement, Alberta will adopt an identification code "W", which will be displayed on the driving license and driving record of these people are not medically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle outside Canada

Who will the changes affect
Alberta commercial drivers who operate a motor vehicle in classes 1, 2, 3 or 4 with one or more of the following :?

• insulin-dependent diabetes;
• medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and / or convulsions;
• not meet the minimum hearing requirements for the transport of dangerous goods; and
• monocular vision.

When the changes come into effect?
The W code will be implemented on March 3, 2014.

Why these changes made?
Ws code are introduced in Alberta as a result of discussions between Canada and the United States to achieve reciprocity between the two countries on the medical fitness for vehicle operators utilities.

How commercial drivers were informed of this change?
commercial drivers affected by the W code were sent correspondence indicating that the license of drivers and their driving records now display a W. code

where does the show on the license code W?
W code appears on the face of the driving license.

How Alberta drivers should have a W code added to their licenses?
Approximately 2,400 Alberta drivers display a W code on their licenses and registrations.

How to Alberta drivers with a W code can lead without restriction in Canada when they are not allowed to drive in the United States?
Canada uses the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) Medical guideline standards for drivers in the establishment of minimum basic medical and vision qualifications for safe driving. Medical standards of US Federal Safety Regulations Motor Carrier prohibit drivers with the following conditions of operation of commercial vehicles in the United States:

• Diabetes insulin-dependent;
• medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and / or seizure;
• Unable to meet minimum hearing requirements for the transport of dangerous goods; and
• monocular vision.

what other provinces use the code W?
The W code restriction is already used by some Canadian provinces and all provinces and territories will be implemented later.

What will happen if a commercial pilot with a W code attempts to cross the border in the US?
Anyone with the code W traveling to the United States which is operating a commercial vehicle will not be allowed to enter the United States access However, those with the Ws code traveling to the United States for personal reasons in a non-commercial vehicle will always be granted

Is commercial drivers in the United States with the same conditions medical as of isplay a W code on their driving licenses in preventing trade in Canada?
the United States is implementing a code V identify commercial drivers with [medical conditions that do not meet Canadian standards.

is responsible for the costs associated with the introduction of the code W?
W code will be displayed on licenses and commercial drivers folder in Alberta who have medical conditions described above drivers. The W code appears that business licenses are renewed as well, no additional costs will be incurred in this process Albertans.

What if a W code is added in error? How can this be fixed?
If the drivers believe a W code has been placed on their license in error, they should contact Alberta Transportation, Driver Fitness and Monitoring at 780- 427- 8230; Option This number can be reached toll-free in Alberta by first calling 310-0000 and following the instructions.

Office 15-16h30 hours are 8:00, Monday to Friday.

What are the notification rules Alberta Transportation on commercial drivers with medical conditions?
Article 16 of the operator's license and vehicle control regulation requires Albertans to disclose a disease or disability that may interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle when they request the license of an operator.

Is Alberta Transportation to pay for medical reports it needs?
medical examination and complete the forms required to obtain or renew the operator's license are not covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for Albertans under 74.5 years, although such services are covered for 74.5 years old. For those who are not covered, physicians can directly bill the patient for the examination and forms.

When a required medical report?
Medicals are required at age 75, 80, and every two years for Class 3 licensees, 5, 6 and 7 licenses. Medical reports are required for Class 1, 2 and 4 commercial licenses every five years until age 45, every two years until age 65 and every year thereafter.

Whenever a driver is involved in an activity that takes their attention from the task of driving is considered distracted driving. . These activities reduce awareness, decision making of the driver, or performance which can lead to a potential driving accident

The activities include:

• texting
• Talking on your cell phone
• reading books, newspapers, maps, directions, email
• personal grooming, shaving, combing hair, applying makeup
• Select a song on your iPod / iPad, or even play with the radio station
• Eat and drink, etc.

Although Alberta, most of the above activities may cause distraction fine; all activities that divert your attention from driving is a distraction. The most important task at hand when you are the driver of a motor vehicle, is to focus on driving safely.

Unless you're a superhero, you are usually only able to focus attention on one task at a time. When switching attention between two or more tasks, the result is that neither conduct nor other tasks are done well. Driving is a task that involves multiple points of information that is continually processed signaling / signal panels, speedometer shows the other vehicle interaction, and that requires us to make corrections to our driving mode . By focusing on other distractions in the vehicle may decrease cognitive processing, which results in reduced reaction times. Remember, even if you see something, your mind may not be able to process at one time or level of complexity if you are distracted by something else.

Here are some ways you can reduce distracted driving:

for parents and families: define basic rules may (similar to company standards below.) seem silly, but clearly communicating the expectations you have people using your vehicles, or driving your kids around, is important

for companies integrate different policies in your fleet safety manual (eg policies such as driving privileges, cell phone policies, etc.). Ensure that employees read, recognize and sign on politics, with copies kept in their employee file.

Whether at home or at work, it is your decision on the strict cell phone policy that you develop. For parents, keep in mind that, in addition to communicating the cell phone rules, there are actually applications you can put on your phone to children who do not allow them to access to cell phones as long that the vehicle is in motion. Apart from the rules that you define as a business / family, whatever you decide, it must follow provincial regulations. In the development of the cell phone policy, the company specific rules list must be defined for the safety rules, including rules:

• When receiving a call pull to a safe place and return or answer the call.
•
• Address map calls if the use of hands-free devices are permitted.
• Prohibit the use of cell phones in adverse weather or congested traffic conditions that tend to require the attention of the driver. during these stops or do before you leave on a trip.

with a cell phone policy, a safety manual corporate fleet should clearly communicate what is expected of your drivers, not just for distracted driving, but to include the expectations of the company is operating a company vehicle or using personal vehicle company time to employees. They should identify certain criteria such as:

• specific functions such as trip inspections before and after (eg :. frequency, criteria, etc.)
• requirements and procedures maintenance (eg: what should they do if something is not working properly?)
• Create a clear policy regarding tickets and fines at the use of company vehicles or their own vehicles on company time.
• Although this is a law across the country, you must clearly communicate that there is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Other expectations specify :. drivers must be mentally and physically alert before each trip, all occupants must wear their seat Belts at all times, drivers must hold a valid license for their vehicle and carry it at all times, never exceed the limit of displayed speed and obey all traffic laws.

As we head into winter driving conditions, distracted driving is even more dangerous. Check your vehicle before leaving, know your route in advance and keep your focus on driving safely. By developing and communicating rules and policies, setting disciplinary measures, you can help protect everyone, road accidents.