When planning for future healthcare needs, especially as we age, understanding the options available for long-term care (LTC) coverage is crucial. Designed to offset the costs of nursing home care, assisted living, or home healthcare, long-term care coverage options include both stand-alone LTC insurance policies and linked benefit life insurance policies with LTC riders. Each option comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks, and choosing the right one can make a significant difference in long-term financial security. Below, we’ll explore the key differences between these options, address some of the pros and cons of each, and explain why it’s a wise idea to understand–and invest in–LTC policies long before you actually require such care.

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MoneyGeek talked to Lines Insurance Owner and Principal Agent Brad Lines about all things insurance recently, including whether life insurance is worth the expense and what to consider when buying auto insurance. In the latest interview, he also offers advice on how to assess car insurance coverage needs and how to get the best possible price for your policy. Read on for some highlights, then cruise on over to MoneyGeek to read the rest.

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Lines Insurance Owner and Principal Agent Brad Lines was recently asked by the folks over at moneygeek.com to provide some insights about life insurance, including what factors individuals should consider when determining if life insurance is worth it, and how individuals can leverage life insurance to enhance their estate planning objectives. He also comments on how life insurance can be effectively integrate into a comprehensive retirement income strategy, and how to navigate around the limitations on life insurance. Read on for some highlights, then hop on over to MoneyGeek to read the rest.

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As a homeowner, your roof is one of your most crucial defenses against the elements. However, recent trends in the insurance industry are changing how roof damage and replacements are covered. Increased weather events, inflation, and evolving insurance practices are all impacting how roof claims are handled. Here’s what you need to know to navigate these changes and ensure you’re adequately protected.

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In the dynamic landscape of insurance, one phenomenon that's increasingly common is the consolidation of insurance companies. It can be alarming for policyholders to receive notification from their insurer that their policy is not being renewed due to consolidation. However, consumers need to know that this is a standard procedure and they will continue to be covered despite the consolidation. Why do insurance companies engage in this consolidation? And what does it mean for you as a consumer?

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In recent years, the popularity of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, has surged. E-bikes offer a convenient, eco-friendly, and enjoyable mode of transportation, but they aren’t without risk. While e-bikes offer numerous benefits, they also pose certain physical dangers to riders. With their rising popularity comes a need to address safety concerns and protect both riders and their investments. E-bike insurance plays a crucial role in mitigating these risks by providing coverage for personal injury, liability protection, and compensation for theft or damage. Here’s what riders need to know about enjoying the benefits of e-bike ownership while riding safely and confidently into the future.

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No, you’re not imagining it: Insurance costs are higher than we’ve seen in a long time. In recent years, the landscape of insurance has undergone significant changes, with a noticeable upward trend in insurance costs. It’s a trend that cuts across all insurance sectors; whether it's health, auto, home, or any other type of coverage, consumers are feeling the pinch in their wallets when it comes to paying for insurance. There are several factors contributing to this surge in insurance costs, but there are also several strategies you can employ to get the best bang for your insurance dollar. Here’s how.

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This is a season of joy, celebration, and the exchange of heartfelt gifts. As we carefully wrap (or unwrap!) particularly expensive or sentimental presents, it's important to consider how those presents will be insured. An investment holiday gift, whether it’s a dazzling piece of jewelry, the latest tech, or a unique piece of art, deserves the safeguard of insurance, as does one of special sentimental value. In this post, we'll cover the importance of insuring expensive holiday gifts and provide insights into ensuring the safety and longevity of these cherished items.

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Every November, National Long-Term Care Awareness Month spotlights the financial, physical, and emotional challenges of securing or providing long-term care for others. As we age, the prospect of requiring long-term care becomes an increasingly relevant consideration – for both ourselves and our loved ones. In honor of National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, let’s take a look at an important financial tool designed to help individuals prepare for the potential costs associated with extended periods of care due to illness, disability, or the aging process: long-term care insurance. 

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Small businesses face a daunting challenge when dealing with cyber threats, making it crucial to have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place. One key element of this strategy is having liability insurance to protect your business in the event of the unexpected, including a cyberattack. In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we’re taking a look at the role commercial insurance can take in safeguarding your business against the consequences of an online attack.

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Life insurance plays a vital role in ensuring the financial well-being and security of your loved ones during, and then after, your lifetime. Many of us rely on employer-sponsored group life insurance policies, in part because getting group coverage is so convenient. However, there are compelling reasons to consider purchasing an individual life insurance policy instead. In honor of Life Insurance Awareness Month this September, let's explore the benefits of opting for an individual life insurance policy over a group policy through your employer. By making this choice, you can take control of your coverage, lock in favorable rates, and ensure financial stability, regardless of changes in your employment situation or life circumstances.

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You’re finally on the trip of a lifetime (or your flight has been canceled and you have to get home before next Tuesday) and it’s time to sign the rental car paperwork. The rental company rep is offering all sorts of add-ons, which pose all sorts of questions for you: Do you pay for a size upgrade? (Sure, if the car you rented doesn’t meet your needs.) Should you pay the rental company for a tank of gas at their special rate? (Only if you know for sure you’ll use most of the tank of gas on your trip and/or you won’t have time to gas up before you return the car.) And most confusingly, should you opt in to the rental company’s insurance plan?

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As summer arrives, so does unpredictable weather. Summer storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, fallen trees, even tornadoes or hurricanes. The most severe weather can wreak havoc on properties, causing significant damage and financial strain. While you can’t always predict when foul weather will strike, you can be prepared for them to ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your property. Here are our best tips to help you minimize the potential risks of the summer season.

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Ah, summer. That season when many adults wish we could be kids again, looking forward to three months of long, lazy, fun-filled days. The good news: If you own an ATV, motorcycle, collector car or watercraft, you can still spend your summer days playing with “toys.” Whether you're an adrenaline junkie tearing through off-road trails on your ATV, a passionate biker cruising along the open road on your motorcycle, or an avid collector cherishing your vintage car, the thrill these toys provide is about as close to childhood fun as a grown-up can get. 
Before you hit the road, trail or water, though, it's crucial to make sure you have the correct insurance for these valuable possessions.

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Distracted driving is serious business: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was a factor in 2,841 fatalities in 2018 alone. In 2019, fifteen percent of all police-reported crashes were distraction-related, a 10% increase over 2018. And inattentive driving has serious consequences for businesses. Accidents caused by driving while distracted can lead to major injuries, loss of life, and significant financial damages.

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Sewer pipes; electrical lines; water lines: Underground utility lines keep our modern lives comfortable and functional and yet we never think about them until they cause a problem. That’s because many homeowners are unaware that they are financially responsible for the maintenance and repair of underground lines on their properties. 

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Shopping for a new insurance plan? It might be time to shop for a new agency as well. That’s because your agency should be able to help you navigate the ins and outs of any sort of insurance need – from personal and commercial insurance to general financial services. A full-service, independent firm has the power to be a one-stop shop for all your insurance requirements.

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There are several reasons you might need to adjust your life insurance policy, and this month is a great time to do that. New year, new policy? Could be time. Here are the top reasons you might want to update your life insurance plan now. 

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We’ve got holiday fun on our minds again this month, of course, and this time we want to make sure your holiday is all fa-la-la and not fa-la-yikes. 

What better way than to revisit some of the lessons from our fave holiday movies? These are the do’s and don’t of seasonal safety, as revealed by five classic films.

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Almost everyone has at least one Thanksgiving disaster story – burned or still-frozen turkeys, apple-less apple pies, rock-hard gravy – and most of them are more comical than consequential. If real Thanksgiving calamity happens, however, you want to make sure you’re covered. Here’s how to best insure your family and your property against Thanksgiving disaster.

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