Jun 9 2013

Get The Facts of Life Insurance

At Barden Insurance and Financial Solutions, we believe in the importance of the family dynamic and offer help to those who don’t understand or currently have a policy in place. We have a mission to educate and help you better understand the great importance of owning Life Insurance and how to provide the most selfless gift to your loved ones without having to struggle. If you have questions, we have answers!

10 Frequently Asked Insurance Questions

1) How do I purchase a Life Insurance Policy?

First, Barden Insurance & Financial Solutions will send a State Licensed Agent to your home at your convenience where the application for coverage will be completed. During this consultation, we will weigh the pros and cons of a fully medically underwritten policy. You will then determine if you will pursue medical or non-medical underwriting for your policy. If we opt for a “Jet-Issue” non-medical policy, we simply complete the paperwork and submit to the Carrier for processing. The process usually goes quickly, hence the term “Jet-Issued”. If we decide on a fully medical underwritten policy, you stand to enjoy lower rates if you’re in good health.

• Tips regarding your Para-Med Exam:

We will schedule a medical examiner to come to your home or office to take blood and urine. On larger face / benefit amounts and older applicants, a resting EKG or blood pressure check may also be required. It’s important to give blood after a 12 hour fast. It’s considered a good idea to schedule the exam for first thing in the morning as statistics suggest the most favorable results come after a good rest without food.

• Understand the Underwriting Process:

Once the Insurance Carrier receives the Para-Med Exam results, the application in good order and any additional Doctor records required, underwriting makes a decision. An important note to make regarding this process is that every expense is paid for by the Insurance Carrier.

2) How long does the process take?

If no doctor’s records are ordered, the underwriting process takes less than thirty (30) days. If doctor’s orders have to be obtained, allow thirty (30) to sixty (60) days depending on the promptness of the doctor.

3) What happens if I apply and don’t get the rate applied for?

The Insurance Carrier under some instances will make a counter offer. If we believe we can find a better offer from another company, we will re-work your file to get you the best coverage option. This is our promise!

4) Are these Highly Rated Life Insurance Companies Stable?

Every company our agency uses has a strong financial rating as determined by the various rating agencies such as A.M. Best, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s Bond Ratings. Every Life Insurance Company has been carefully chosen to provide affordable premiums for most risk classes while providing fantastic member benefits.

5) What do companies mean when they say “Preferred Plus, Preferred and Standard Ratings?”

Insurance companies are learning more about identifying risks. Since cancer and cardiovascular disease are the two leading causes of death, companies zero in on these risks. Individuals who qualify for the Preferred Plus would be less at risk then one rated preferred or a standard rating. Insurance Carriers look at an applicant’s height/weight, blood pressure, good and bad cholesterol, family history, personal history of cancer and CV disease and history of tobacco use during the underwriting process.

6) What if I don’t fit into any of these categories?

If an individual has one or more risk factors, they may still qualify for a preferred or standard rated policy. Many highly rated companies place higher risk policies, just  as long as they can identify the specific risk factors. For example, an applicant just found out he has elevated blood pressure problem and their doctor is trying different medications to control it. Until the blood pressure is under control, this remains an undetermined risk to the insurance company. With so many highly-rated companies to choose from, we can often provide favorable rates for a variety of risk factors. Simply Visit BardenInsurance.com/quote to request your free quote now!

7) Do Insurance Companies treat all tobacco users the same?

Cigarette smokers that smoke less than a pack a day have a chance to get a non-smoker rating with one company. Other companies treat pipe and cigar smokers and tobacco chewers as non-smokers. Still another company gives almost all tobacco users a non-smoker rate for the first 3-4 years! This same company gives a preferred rate if you use tobacco less than three to four times a year. They look at the amount of nicotine in your system to properly determine your risk-class.

8) What if an Instant Quote is not right for me because of my special medical history?

Using the same diligence we use to find the lowest preferred rates for our customers, we will prepare a no-cost custom Quote specifically tailored for your age and medical condition, considering your treatment and prognosis. Now that’s service!

9) Can I apply at my age?

Our agency works with individuals of all ages! We have programs for nearly every age and physical condition. As America’s most trusted Insurance Agency, Barden Insurance & Financial Solutions puts Family First™ and always works towards the best interest of our clients.

10) How are Companies and rates selected by your Agency?

A.M. Best is the industry’s most recognized insurance rating organization. A.M. Best uses a letter grade to rate a companies overall strength and solvency. Our agency uses only insurance companies that have at least an “A” rating with A.M. Best. The top three (3) ratings with A.M. Best are:
A++ Superior
A+ Superior                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   A Excellent

• Please read this section before you apply for Insurance expecting a particular rate.

Almost all Insurance Carriers offer preferred plus, preferred and standard rating classes. Although the requirements for preferred plus are similar for the competitive term companies, Barden Insurance understands the differences and would like honor of placing your policy with the right Carrier.

Some companies may have as few as ten (10) – fifteen (15) % of their applicants approved with a rating of preferred plus. Other Carriers are less strict and that percentage is closer to fifty (50)%.

• Below we list some general guidelines commonly used based on height / weight to qualify for a Preferred Plus Rating:

Height          Weight           Height          Weight

5’1″                   160                5’11″               215

5’2″                  165                 6’0″                 220

5’3″                  170                 6’1″                 225

5’4″                  175                 6’2″                 230

5’5″                  180                 6’3″                 235

5’6″”                185                 6’4″                 240

5’7″                  190                 6’5″                 250

5’8″                  195                 6’6″                 260

5’9″                  200                 6’7″                 265

5’10″               210

Stop delaying and act now! Request an Instant Quote now!

Apr 17 2013

Do you ever find yourself looking back over the week and wondering where the time went?

All you can remember definitively is you went to work every day, sat in unbearable traffic to get home and maybe got dinner on the table every night.  Does it seem like life is just passing you by? If you’re a working parent like me you’re probably nodding your head or more likely holding your forehead.

I’m pressed with this dilemma as a single parent of a 6 year old daily. Even if you’re a stay at home parent, adult interaction is usually minimal. We don’t want to take away those precious few moments from our children we share in the evening. However, our daily routine may have us feeling like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day.  How do we break up the mundane routine, feel like an active social being all while maintaining a family unit? Well it’s easier than you may think. Just a few adjustments could have you feeling like you’re back in the game.

Here are a few things you can incorporate into your week nights to spend time with old friends, make new ones as well as have quality activities for the little ones.

1.  Share the Care.

If you have a network of three or more trusted friends, rotate child care for a week night out. The idea is for one parent to take all of the children for an evening. The cost of food can be shared or potluck to ease the burden. Have each parent choose one or two nights a month to take all of the children off the hands of the other parents. This is rotated through the group until every parent has had a childless night out. You just might be able to catch a matinee on a Monday night.

2. Host a Bible Study or Book Club.

You probably know by now that the lifestyle you use to enjoy, like hanging out in bars with your friends or getting a spontaneous phone call to meet up for dinner is virtually out of the question . If you can’t join your friends, bring your friends to you. If you’re looking for new friends, invite the parents from daycare or the school your child is attending. You could also post a flyer in a local bookstore or at the church. Hosting a weekly group is a great way to connect with other like-minded adults. It is also a chance to stimulate ourselves intellectually. In addition, it is super easy to include the little ones homework and reading time as part of night.

3. Host a TV Series Night.

Plan a night for friends to come over and watch your favorite weekly series. With digital video recorders (DVR’s) in almost every home it’s easier than ever to choose a time to watch your favorite shows. I like to host a Game of Thrones night for my Throne loving friends complete with a medieval pot luck. We bring Rotisserie chicken, roasted potatoes and rolls. We choose an age appropriate show for the children and set them up with a buffet. Then enjoy a few hours watching and discussing the highlights. If you can’t get together in person set up a Skype viewing party and discussion. Skype is a fun and convenient way to stay connected with friends during the busy week.

4. Have a Doc Party.

Come together to handle hard to tackle things like Life Insurance, financial planning and wills. With small children in the picture I often worry about when I will have time to write up a will. How do I make sure my son is properly represented in my life insurance policies? How will his college education be taken care of even in my absence? These are things we all know we need to do but don’t have time and or desire to get them done. Why not plan a document party? You can get together with a group of friends over coffee and dessert to discuss your concerns. Invite a trusted professional to explain the ins and outs of insurance policies, riders and the “pleasant” thought of funeral expense insurance. Talking about your fears and expectations in a group setting and gleaning information from the questions of your friends could make the process downright enjoyable.

5. Have a Multi-meal Cooking Session.

If you find yourself feeling like a primetime heel for going through the drive thru for dinner on your way home like I do, plan a cooking night with other parents that are pressed for time. Coming together in the kitchen is a traditional pastime  Put a fun and convenient spin on it by pre-planning and preparing dishes and snacks for the week. My friend and I like to share the cost of healthy breakfast burritos. We cook up eggs, veggies and potatoes in a tortilla and roll them individually in aluminum foil. Write the date on them with a sharpie and pop them in a freezer bag. Then all I have to do is warm it in the morning for a healthy out the door breakfast. The kids love to help fill and roll the tortillas.  We’ve gotten so efficient we can roll up 40 in an hour and be home in time for bed time stories!

Being a parent requires certain personal sacrifices but staying connected to other adults should not be one of them. When you are not trying one of the ideas listed above, take a moment to meditate, read a book, The Bible or an article that sparks your interest. Remember, happy parents raise happier children!

Jan 4 2013

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Jet Issued Whole Life Insurance — Adults ages 50-85 may apply for a Non-Medical Policy that offers guaranteed coverage to protect your loved ones and help pay any Final Expenses and other costs in the unlikely event of your passing. The premiums for whole life insurance remain predictable and affordable throughout your life. One important way to use whole life insurance is to help cover funeral expenses.

In addition to grieving the loss and settling your loved one’s estate, there is also the immediate concern over funeral costs and how to pay for them. It’s a heavy weight to carry for surviving loved ones. The cost may surprise you. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral in 2006 was $7,323. With inflation, this will likely increase with time.

Not Included in these estimates are additional costs for —

• Settling debts such as credit cards, car loan or mortgage
• Legal costs associated with probate, taxes and other estate matters
• Cemetery plot and flowers

Why burden your family with these costs at a time when they already have many other concerns? Funeral Expense Insurance can provide for your loved ones in the event that you can not. Unlike burial protection offered by mortuaries, our Final Expense Life Insurance Program does not dictate how the benefit of a Policy must be used. Given that this is a Whole Life Policy, it does build cash accumulation and is an important component to a well-structured Life Insurance portfolio.

Five (5) factors affecting Life Insurance premiums —

1. Your attained age. This was your age when you began your Life Insurance Policy.
2. Your overall health. Life Insurance companies may ask about your medical history.
3. Pre-existing health problems such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease.
4. Dangerous lifestyle hobbies like skydiving or scuba diving.
5. Your driving record can even be considered as it’s perceived as a measure to your level of social responsibility.

Request your Final Expense quote and protect the things that matter most!

Nov 13 2012

WOMEN AND LIFE INSURANCE

• 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)

• 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.

Sep 15 2012

FOR AGENCIES AND INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS

FamilyFirst™ Agency Building System — 

Agents typically don’t contract directly with carriers and therefore must contract under an MGA or Marketing Agency. According to the United States Department of Labor, there are 434,800 Licensed Life Insurance agents in United States and they all want to make more money.

       • We offer contracting — We also pass on residual commissions to our agents.

       • We train recruiters —By Implementing our Family First Agency Building System, you too can learn to contract active Agents!

Barden Insurance & Financial Solutions is the gold standard of “middle men” and our brokerage is based on a foundation of hard-work and integrity. We are an Agency with top-level contracts for dozens of companies and offer products sold by phone, senior products, mortgage protection, non-med term, no-med UL, Accidental Death and guaranteed issue products.

Contact us now — Opportunities exist! Take control of your business with our proven strategies.