Heart Health with Balcos

May 25 2010 For National Heart Month, Balcos Insurance is featuring some simple ways to use your heart a little every day. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's fitting that we honor the heart. For National Heart Month, Balcos Insurance is featuring some simple ways to use your heart a little every day. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's fitting that we honor the heart. There's a number... more ›

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Spring Home Accident Checklist

May 25 2010 When you’re longing to get outside in the spring months, consider several simple steps to enhance safety for you and your family. After all, the numbers show where the danger is: Home accidents result in 10 million emergency room visits each year in the U.S., according to Home Safety Council estimates. Many injuries occur in garages and near doorways to a home. When you’re longing to get outside in the spring months, consider several simple steps to enhance safety for you and your family. After all, the numbers show where the danger is: Home accidents result in 10... more ›

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Uninsured Motorists

May 25 2010 With high unemployment rates come high numbers of uninsured or underinsured drivers. This is making driving your car an even more financially risky venture. Do you have Uninsured (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage on your auto insurance policy? If you're not sure, call your agent to find out. With high unemployment rates come high numbers of uninsured or underinsured drivers. This is making driving your car an even more financially risky venture. Do you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured... more ›

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Prepare for the Inevitable... and for Life's Surprises

May 25 2010 The story of Terry Schiavo demonstrates how important it is to have a medical directive - signed documents that state your wishes in the event of catastrophic illness or an accident that prevent you from communicating your wishes to doctors or family members. The story of Terry Schiavo demonstrates how important it is to have a medical directive - signed documents that state your wishes in the event of catastrophic illness or an accident that prevent you from... more ›

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Spotlight on Success: P & D Contractors Northwest

May 25 2010 P & D Contractors Northwest LLC provides residential and commercial remodel and new construction services. Their core operating principles are: timely completion, cleanliness, environmentally conscious practices, and high quality finished product. P & D Contractors Northwest LLC provides residential and commercial remodel and new construction services. Their core operating principles are: timely completion, cleanliness, environmentally conscious practices,... more ›

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Have You Heard the Buzz about Drowsy Driving?

May 25 2010 Sleep experts are now estimating that drowsy driving accounts for over 100,000 accidents each year, and causes 1550 deaths! The number of fatigue-related accidents may actually be much higher than this estimate because is it so difficult to detect. Sleep experts are now estimating that drowsy driving accounts for over 100,000 accidents each year, and causes 1550 deaths! The number of fatigue-related accidents may actually be much higher than this estimate because... more ›

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Safeco's Agent Gives Program: Ballard Boys & Girls Club

May 25 2010 Michelle Ferris nominated the Ballard Boys & Girls Club to support the community, and on Sept. 3rd, Balcos Insurance presented them with a $1,500 donation from Safeco Insurance. Donors Harry & Clare Wilson... more ›

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Spotlight on Success: Nimbus Restaurant

May 25 2010 Along with striking views of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands, Nimbus features creative upscale dining and seasonal cocktails in a casual environment. Nimbus Restaurant is located on the 15th floor of the Bellingham Towers Building in downtown Bellingham, Washington. Along with striking views of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands, Nimbus features creative upscale... more ›

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Safeco Agent Gives Program: Community to Community Development

May 25 2010 Safeco’s contribution was presented to Community to Community Development by Michelle Ferris of Balcos Insurance. Ferris nominated Community to Community Development for a grant through Safeco’s Agent Giving Program. Safeco’s contribution was presented to Community to Community Development by Michelle Ferris of Balcos Insurance. Ferris nominated Community to Community Development for a grant through Safeco’s Agent Giving... more ›

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Spotlight on Success: Trophy Cupcakes

May 25 2010 In the heart of Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood lies a glittering butter cream jewel – Trophy Cupcakes. Opened in February of 2007 by husband and wife team Michael Williamson and Jennifer Shea, Trophy Cupcakes has soared to become one of the premier dessert destinations in Seattle. In the heart of Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood lies a glittering butter cream jewel – Trophy Cupcakes. Opened in February of 2007 by husband and wife team Michael Williamson and Jennifer Shea, Trophy... more ›

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Is Your Hobby Safe?

May 25 2010 We all have hobbies of some sort, from painting, to knitting, to home renovation. Every hobby has inherent risks - many that you might never think of. When you set out to work on your hobby this summer, be aware of a... more ›

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Tech Corner: Do You Twitter?

May 25 2010 Have you thought about Twitter, but don't know what to do with it? Twitter is a social networking site that lets you publish short quips about whatever you'd like. Businesses – listen up! You can use this tool to increase sales, if you use it right… by: Michelle Ferris, Balcos Insurance Director of Marketing Have you thought about Twitter, but don't know what to do with it? Twitter is a social networking site that lets you publish short quips about whatever you'd... more ›

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Newsletter

May 25 2010 We mail out newsletters 6 times a year, with supplemental emails in-between, to our clients and friends. Our tips and tricks help keep our clients abreast of pressing issues, news and changes in the insurance... more ›

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Spotlight on Success: Heroes for the Homeless

May 25 2010 Heroes for the Homeless began with a vision to find meaningful ways to assist the homeless. For years Tricia Lapitan handed out bottled water and juice boxes to the homeless instead of giving them money... Heroes for the Homeless began with a vision to find meaningful ways to assist the homeless.  For years Tricia Lapitan handed out bottled water and juice boxes to the homeless instead of giving them money. ... more ›

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Getting a Job in a Recession

May 25 2010 If you’re not looking for a job yourself, odds are, you probably know someone that is. With unemployment rates hovering around 10% in Washington State, it can be difficult right now to find a job, it’s far from impossible. R.B. Sheridan said it best, and most simply, “The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.” If you’re not looking for a job yourself, odds are, you probably know someone that is. With unemployment rates hovering around 10% in Washington State, it can be difficult right now to find a job, it’s far... more ›

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From Disasters of Rubble and Mud: Haitian Children & Opportunities

May 25 2010 With a population of almost 10 million that has been hindered by colonialism, dictatorships, depleted natural resources, and most recently, a series of devastating storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes, it is difficult to find where to begin helping a nation so troubled. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a colleague of Mark Balcos, Mike Leland, of Premier Construction Management (who built the new Bellingham Balcos Insurance office building), and his wife, Chris Leland. They... more ›

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Get a Better Job... Get a Promotion

May 25 2010 Most businesses certainly took some licks during the recession – but many are starting to pull out. And with the additional work you’ve put in during tough times, perhaps moving into a better position – with a better paycheck - is on your mind. Most businesses certainly took some licks during the recession – but many are starting to pull out. And with the additional work you’ve put in during tough times, perhaps moving into a better position &... more ›

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Shared-Space Living Arrangements and Your Insurance

May 24 2010 Is Your Living Arrangement Covered? In years past, most households were composed of a husband and wife. Times have changed and households have become comprised of many mixes of people - married couples, couples... more ›

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Buying Restaurant Insurance

May 18 2010 If your own a restaurant, buying insurance for your business can be a bit more complex than selecting the comparatively more basic kinds of protection offered by home or auto insurance. A good policy should protect not only the physical assets of your restaurant but also your own liability, as well as your investment in the business. Buying insurance for your restaurant is much more complex than selecting home or car insurance. A good restaurant insurance quote should protect your restaurant's physical assets, your own liability, and your investment... more ›

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Types of Business Insurance

May 18 2010 No matter the size of your business, insurance is an important consideration. What kind do you need to run a successful and profitable business operation? No matter the size of your business, insurance is important. Many small businesses feel that paying for business insurance will drain their income and the money is better spent funding something else. However, if you... more ›

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Restaurant and Hospitality Insurance Coverage: Equipment Breakdown

May 18 2010 Business owners in the restaurant and hospitality industry often need to juggle many areas of their businesses in order to keep their customers satisfied and loyal. Like any intricate machine, the mechanics of a restaurant’s daily operations can quickly be derailed by a small problem which can lead to a massive drop in income in a surprisingly short time. Business owners in the restaurant and hospitality industry often need to juggle many areas of their businesses in order to keep their customers satisfied and loyal. Like any intricate machine, the mechanics of a... more ›

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How Much Business Insurance Do I Need?

May 18 2010 The type and level of coverage you choose for your business will depend on a number of different factors, ranging from the size of your business to industry specifics. As a business owner, ultimately the decision regarding the level of coverage rests with you. The one certain thing is that you want to ensure that your business is adequately protected but at the same time, you do not want to be paying premiums for insurance components that have no relevance to your business. The type and level of business insurance you choose for your business will depend on a number of different factors, ranging from the size of your business to industry specifics. As a business owner, the decision... more ›

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Do I Have Enough Home Insurance?

May 12 2010 How high are the limits on your homeowners insurance? If something happens, is it enough? Have you taken these factors into consideration? You need enough insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding at current construction costs. Don't base your rebuilding costs on the price you paid for the building. With costs of materials rising, ensuring your building is covered with the right limits is especially important... How high are the limits on your home insurance? If something happens, is it enough? Have you taken these factors into consideration? You need enough home insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding at... more ›

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