Balcos Insurance News

Seattle Small Business? Get Financed!

Michelle Ferris — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:56:21 GMT

Are you thinking of starting a small business in Washington State?
Are you thinking of investing in purchasing real estate (in which your business occupies at least 51%)?
Are you (or will you be) a for-profit company?

Most Seattle businesses quality for a Small Business Administration loan to help get you started or get you the funds you need to help make your current business a success.

Small Business Administration loans can finance:

Machinery and Equipment
Inventory and working capital
Business acquisitions
Refinance of business debt
Commercial real estate (new and refinance)

Christine Heckert, a Foundation Bank Small Business Administration expert, will both explain Small Business Administration programs and dispel myths about the loan process. Let them help you achieve the business success you imagined when you began your entrepeneurial journey!

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

MARCH 15, 2012
6 pm - 7:15 pm

1110 112th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
West Building
1st Floor Conference Room

Spots will fill up fast for this FREE event! Feel free to bring a friend.

Please register by MARCH 9th by email to marketing@foundationbank.com, or call (425) 691-5088.

Do you have Health & Life Insurance?

Michelle Ferris — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:08:47 GMT

Do You Have Health and Life Insurance?

When did you last Update your Policies?

When was the last time you looked at your life or health insurance policy? Do you even have health insurance? Life insurance?

It’s important to make sure your policies are up-to-date to ensure you receive the maximum payout should something happen.

Have your insurance policies been updated to reflect changes in your cost of living? Do you have dependents to add to the policy? Kids? Grandchildren?

Have you purchased life insurance for your children yet? The best time to buy life insurance is when your children are 3weeks old, because they will not have had the chance to demonstrate any debilitating problems like food allergies, OCD, ADD, ADHD, etc, which can disqualify them from life insurance.

Is the health insurance policy you have chosen the best fit for your changing needs? If your family or number of dependents has grown or shrunk, it’s time to see whether the option you have is the best for your situation. You could be throwing money away by not checking your insurance status.

Make sure you know what’s on your health and life insurance policies. If you don’t know how to read it or don’t know the terms used, check our online glossary or contact your Balcos agent.

We’re here to help you and want to make sure you have the best protection possible at a price you can afford.

Call or email us today:

(877) 783 – 0034

contactus@balcosinsurance.com

February is American Heart Month

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:03:55 GMT

Do you know what your blood pressure is?

Is your heart healthy?

When was your last checkup at the doctor?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. We want you, our client, to be happy and healthy. Here are some tips for getting heart healthy in 2012:

• Take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator at school or the mall. Just start with one flight. Soon, you'll be ready for two.

• Park your car at the far end of the parking lot. The short walk to and from the store or school helps your heart.

• If you ride a bus or subway, get off a stop before your destination. Walk the rest of the way.

• If you can, spend a few minutes of your lunch break taking a stroll around the campus grounds. It should help you stay awake after lunch.

• Think of housework as an extra chance to exercise. Vacuuming briskly can be a real workout.

• Mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and raking leaves are chores that can be done yourself as a chance to exercise.

• If you have a dog, think of the dog as an exercise machine with fur. A brisk walk with the dog is good for both of your hearts. Make it a part of your daily routine.

• If you have a family, schedule an after-dinner walk. Make it quality time.

• Try to fit more whole foods, fruits and vegetables into your diet.

• Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.

• Select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.

• Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.

• Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.

• Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.

• Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.

• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you're a woman and two drinks per day if you're a man.

• If you smoke, work toward quitting.

• Keep an eye on your portion sizes.

Information Sourced From:

http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/ and http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/healthy/tips.html

Home Insurance: Pride of Ownership

Kevin Johnson, Seattle Home Insurance Agent & Personal Lines Account Executive — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:43:11 GMT

There are perks to being a homeowner and then there are the not-so-perks about being a homeowner. I experienced one of those homeowner's not-so-perks this past weekend when my wife told me that if I wanted to get our Christmas lights up I was going to need to remove the garden that was growing on our roof.

I like Christmas lights, but I also realized that I have a huge - let me correct that - INSANE fear of heights. So as I knocked knees in nervousness climbing up the ladder, straddled the ridge of the roof as the pit in my stomach grew and watched my younger brother do the moonwalk along the eave of the house while pressure washing my roof, I realized that I should share this excitement with our home insurance clients. Lucky you!

Kevin (left) and Erik (right), cleaning the roof of moss.

As an eight-year veteran of the insurance industry, I know that companies want homeowners to have a “Pride of Ownership.”

But as a twenty-year veteran of the state of Washington, I know that moss comes with the territory. Drive through neighborhood upon neighborhood and you’ll see that moss on the roof is to the Pacific Northwest as sand on the beach is to Hawaii.

That doesn’t stop insurance companies for pressing the “Pride of Ownership” tag.
Yes, the “Pride of Ownership” tag that we insurance agents so enjoy explaining to our home insurance clients. After all, we all show pride – or at least think we do - in homeownership, even if I do have 15 cars buried in my backyard that I plan to rebuild.

Like most homeowners, I feel I take pride in my home. However, I also realize that if one of the companies I write insurance policies for were to even glance at my roof, they would slap me with a non-renewal of insurance faster than my 7-year-old son opening presents on Christmas Day.

Insurance companies are slowly getting pickier with the surroundings of your house, as well. If you don’t correct the home insurance and maintenance issues they've identified, they will tell you to go somewhere else for your homeowners insurance. Translation: You will pay a higher home insurance premium, and probably with a non-standard insurance company.

Here are some of the more frequent home maintenance problems we hear of from our home insurance underwriters:

They frown upon trees that are near or touch your house because, like the moss, they could damage your roof. A worn roof requires replacement to keep weather from damaging the interior.
Home insurance underwriters are often frustrated with peeling paint because of the lead paint hazard and missing siding for prevention of dry rot and interior damage.
They get upset if you have debris (AKA trash) around your surroundings because of that whole trip-and-fall issue (if someone trips and falls on your property, you are usually held liabile for their injury).
Missing gutter or downspouts are discouraged by home insurance underwriters because the run-off of water could cause damage to the foundation.
If any part of your house is damaged, including your fence, deck, or stairs, that’s also considered no-no.
Finally, if you have three or more stairs leading up to your deck or front porch then you have to have a rail.

The above rules also apply to outbuildings or structures not attached to your home.

So after I watched my brother finish my “Winter Cleaning” (or as I call it, "my Christmas present to my wife"), and made the hike down the ladder (do I spider climb backwards or do I just take the easy route and ask the fire department to come rescue me?) I stopped and admired the job my brother did.

The color green was no longer part of my roof’s description, and my chimney looked clean enough to try it out before Santa arrived.

Pride of Ownership? Yeah, I was feeling pretty proud to be a homeowner, and a lot more confident about the condition of my home. It's a good thing, too, since I received a home inspection letter from my home insurance company today! Phew!

Holiday Home Safety

Michelle Ferris — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:03:00 GMT

We want you and your home to be safe this holiday season. Your home insurance and health insurance are the last things we want you to have to use! Keep safe with these health & home insurance tips for holiday preparedness!

Whether your dreams are full of sugarplums, candycanes, latkes, or collard greens, we wish you a very happy and safe holiday season.

Candles lit for Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa

Fireside and Flame:

Keep flames, candles, and heat sources away from combustibles, like decorations and holiday trees.

Make sure candles are snuffed out before leaving a room.

Candles should be in a stable base, and far out of reach of children or pets.If someone is a burned, run burn under cold water immediately, then assess the extent of the burn. If needed, go to the hospital or call 911.

Do not light a fire if the chimney has not been cleaned in a long time. Chimney fires are a great danger to homes.

Make sure the flue is open before lighting fires in the fireplace.

Be cautious what you put in the fire, how much you put in, and always use a screen to keep hot embers where they belong - in the fireplace.

Boughed and Bright:

Fresh trees should be green, with needles that are hard to remove, and are not brittle.

To test for a fresh tree, bounce the trunk of the tree on the ground. If it rains needles, the tree is too dry.

Keep trees well watered and away from heat sources (even fake trees).

Tree ornaments should not be hung from light strands.Choose tree ornaments that are less breakable, and do not pose a choking hazard if there will be children nearby.

Artificial trees are fine, but never use electric lights on a metallic tree; It can short and cause a house fire.

Use undamaged lights that have the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) tag to ensure they have been tested for their prescribed use, and use only as directed.

Extension cords should have no more than 3 regular light strands plugged in, and outlets should not be overcrowded with plugs.

Turn off all lights before going to bed.

Christmas Light Safety Videos

Michelle Ferris — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:24:00 GMT

If you're celebrating Christmas in your home this year, make sure you decorate safely. Many home fires are started every year because unsafe methods or lights were used, or because lights were left on and unattended in the home. As you home insurance agent, we never want to see you have to go through the devastation caused by a house fire - particularly around the holidays. Please make sure you decorate your home safely!

We liked these videos put out by Home Depot, guiding you on home Christmas light installation:

How to hang your Indoor Christmas Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqdFCwVBhY8&feature=relmfu)

How to be Safe with Christmas Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFJ2qODo27I&feature=relmfu)

How to Hang your Outdoor Christmas Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lGn1Jjjz3c)

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Michelle Ferris — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:40:40 GMT

Be safe this Thanksgiving.

We want your holidays to be filled with fun, family, friends, and food. Not fires.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that approximately 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in the US occur every year, resulting in 5 deaths, 25 injuries, and $21,000,000 ($21M) in property loss. We don't want you to end up included in those statistics.

Don't leave cooking food unattended, and be sure to set timers.
Ensure you're using well-insulated potholders.
Wear clothes that fit more snugly, with shorter sleeves so that your garments don't get caught on pot handles, utensils, etc.
Be sure your knives are sharp and know how to handle them properly.
Keep children and pets out of the kitchen.
Be very cautios with hot oil, and NEVER throw water on a grease fire. Smother out or use a grease-fire fire extinguisher.
Ensure that all candles are snuffed out after guests have left.
If you get burned, run under cold water immediately.
Make sure that everyone knows what to do in case of choking.

Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving! Thank you for being a friend of Balcos Insurance, inc.

How to Safely Thaw, Cook, Store, and Reheat your Turkey

USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:37:53 GMT

Fresh or Frozen?

If you haven't already thawed your turkey, your options for thawing are limited, and you'd better start right away! From the Food Safety and Inspection Services, here are the safe methods for thawing, cooking, storing, and reheating your Thanksgiving turkey.

Fresh Turkeys

Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.

Buy your turkey only 1 to 2 days before you plan to cook it.

Keep it stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak.

Do not buy fresh pre-stuffed turkeys. If not handled properly, any harmful bacteria that may be in the stuffing can multiply very quickly.

Frozen Turkeys

Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.

Keep frozen until you're ready to thaw it.

Turkeys can be kept frozen in the freezer indefinitely; however, cook within 1 year for best quality.

See "Thawing Your Turkey" for thawing instructions.

Frozen Pre-Stuffed Turkeys

USDA recommends only buying frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that display the USDA or State mark of inspection on the packaging. These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions.

DO NOT THAW before cooking. Cook from the frozen state. Follow package directions for proper handling and cooking.

Allow 1¼ pounds of turkey per person.

Thawing Your Turkey

There are three ways to thaw your turkey safely — in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave oven.

In the Refrigerator (40 °F or below)

Allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds
4 to 12 pounds 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds 5 to 6 days

Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.

In Cold Water

Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound
4 to 12 pounds 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds 10 to 12 hours

Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze.

In the Microwave Oven

Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and power level to use for thawing.

Remove all outside wrapping.
Place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak.
Cook your turkey immediately. Do not refreeze or refrigerate your turkey after thawing in the microwave oven.

REMINDER: Remove the giblets from the turkey cavities after thawing. Cook separately.

Roasting Your Turkey

Set your oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.

Place your turkey or turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.

For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended. For more even cooking, it is recommended you cook your stuffing outside the bird in a casserole. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The stuffing must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

If you choose to stuff your turkey, the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time; however, keep wet and dry ingredients separate. Chill all of the wet ingredients (butter/margarine, cooked celery and onions, broth, etc.). Mix wet and dry ingredients just before filling the turkey cavities. Fill the cavities loosely. Cook the turkey immediately. Use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook turkey to higher temperatures.

If your turkey has a "pop-up" temperature indicator, it is recommended that you also check the internal temperature of the turkey in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast with a food thermometer. The minimum internal temperature should reach 165 °F for safety.

For quality, let the turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set. The turkey will carve more easily.

Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavities.

Timetables for Turkey Roasting

(325 °F oven temperature)

Use the timetables below to determine how long to cook your turkey. These times are approximate. Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey and stuffing.

Unstuffed

4 to 8 pounds (breast) 1½ to 3¼ hours
8 to 12 pounds 2¾ to 3 hours
12 to 14 pounds 3 to 3¾ hours
14 to 18 pounds 3¾ to 4¼ hours
18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4½ hours
20 to 24 pounds 4½ to 5 hours

Stuffed

4 to 6 pounds (breast) Not usually applicable
6 to 8 pounds (breast) 2½ to 3½ hours
8 to 12 pounds 3 to 3½ hours
12 to 14 pounds 3½ to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4¼ hours
18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4¾ hours
20 to 24 pounds 4¾ to 5¼ hours

It is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state. The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey. Remember to remove the giblet packages during the cooking time. Remove carefully with tongs or a fork.

Optional Cooking Hints

Tuck wing tips under the shoulders of the bird for more even cooking. This is referred to as "akimbo."

Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of the pan.

If your roasting pan does not have a lid, you may place a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the turkey for the first 1 to 1 ½ hours. This allows for maximum heat circulation, keeps the turkey moist, and reduces oven splatter. To prevent overbrowning, foil may also be placed over the turkey after it reaches the desired color.

If using an oven-proof food thermometer, place it in the turkey at the start of the cooking cycle. It will allow you to check the internal temperature of the turkey while it is cooking. For turkey breasts, place thermometer in the thickest part. For whole turkeys, place in the thickest part of the inner thigh. Once the thigh has reached 165 °F, check the wing and the thickest part of the breast to ensure the turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the product.

If using an oven cooking bag, follow the manufacturer's guidelines on the package.

REMEMBER! Always wash hands, utensils, the sink, and anything else that comes in contact with raw turkey and its juices with soap and water.

For information on other methods for cooking a turkey, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)
www.fsis.usda.gov

Storing Your Leftovers

Discard any turkey, stuffing, and gravy left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in temperatures above 90 °F.

Divide leftovers into smaller portions. Refrigerate or freeze in covered shallow containers for quicker cooling.

Use refrigerated turkey, stuffing, and gravy within 3 to 4 days.

If freezing leftovers, use within 2 to 6 months for best quality.

Reheating Your Turkey

Cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated.

In the Oven

Set the oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.

Reheat turkey to an internal temperature of 165 °F. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.

To keep the turkey moist, add a little broth or water and cover.

In the Microwave Oven

Cover your food and rotate it for even heating. Allow standing time.

Check the internal temperature of your food with a food thermometer to make sure it reaches 165 °F.

Consult your microwave oven owner's manual for recommended times and power levels.

For more information about food safety (in English and Spanish), call:

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline

1-888-MPHotline

(1-888-674-6854)

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday

E-mail: mphotline.fsis@usda.gov

Or "Ask Karen," FSIS' Web-based automated response system - available 24/7 at www.fsis.usda.gov.

Thanksgiving Deep-Frying Turkey Safety

Michelle Ferris — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:31:44 GMT

Deep-fried turkey is delicious and juicy, but also incredibly dangerous. Take the proper precautions. If you're planning on deep-frying your turkey this year, it is very important that you remember to:

Use only small turkeys (up to 12 pounds).
Thaw your turkey COMPLETELY before cooking.
Use oils that have a high smoke point, like canola oil or safflower oil. Peanut oil will also work, but be aware of anyone with peanut allergies, as nut allergies are often severe and can cause death.
Be sure to use a thermometer to help keep a consistent temperature, and do not leave it unattended.
Oil temperature should be maintained at 350º F. At 375º F, oil can catch fire. Use extreme caution. For every pound of turkey, deep fry for 3-4 minutes.
Do not overfill oil. You do not want it spilling or boiling over. To find out how much oil you'll need, put turkey and basket in the pot. Add water until it is 1"-2" over the turkey (but well below the top edge of the pot). Lift out the turkey, and measure how far it is from the top of the pot to the water. Pour out the water, dry the turkey completely, and add oil in to where the water-line was previously.
Never deep fry your turkey in your home, garage or on your deck. Do it away from your house and away from anything flammable.
Be sure your fryer is on flat, stable ground. Five gallons of hot oil spilling is not something you want to experience.
Make sure children and pets are kept well away from the fryer area, including after it's done cooking. Hot oil retains heat for a very long time after cooking is finished.
Wear proper garb for your safety. Closed-toe, non-absorbant shoes, gloves / oven mitts that are well-insulated and non-absorbant, goggles, etc.
Before adding turkey to the fryer, pat it dry with paper towels to wick away moisture. Moisture will cause hot oil spatters.
Turn flame off before putting turkey in the fryer.
Keep a grease-fire fire extinguisher on hand.
NEVER throw water or ice into hot grease. It results in an explosive grease fire.

If you end up with a fire and you cannot get it under control quickly, CALL 9-1-1!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

P.S. The New Year is a great time to get a new or updated home insurance quote! Call us (800-292-3456) or email us at contactus@balcosinsurance.com to get a quote started!

Should I Buy Life Insurance for My Children?

Michelle Ferris — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:34:16 GMT

Should I take out life insurance policies on my children, and if so, when?

Absolutely.

These days, with more and more diagnoses of afflictions such as ADD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and food allergies, getting life insurance can be difficult if not impossible. If you try to get life insurance on your child who has been diagnosed with a lifelong condition, they will NOT be eligible for life insurance.

When your children grow up, you want them to be able to provide for their own children as well as you have. However, if they have been diagnosed, they are NOT eligible for life insurance. Your children will have to fastidiously plan, budget, and save to ensure that their own passing does not leave your grandchildren in dire financial straits.

There are some who say that insuring your child by two years old is sufficient. But is it? If your child has an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, or milk, or eggs… Just like that, they’ve been disqualified from receiving life insurance – for the rest of their lives.

The best time to get life insurance for your children is when they are 8 weeks old or younger.

At 8 weeks old, life insurance is very affordable, and most life insurance policies automatically double the life insurance policy limits when they turn 18. There are no doctor screenings necessary, no tests required. If they have an allergic reaction to foods when they come off breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it’s fine – it won’t affect their life insurance. If they are diagnosed with OCD when they’re four, that’s fine – it won’t affect the life insurance. Even if they’re 15 years old and are diagnosed with a heart condition, their life insurance rates will stay the same. The insurance company will not be able to cancel the insurance policy or increase the rates.

What happens if I go through tough financial times and can’t pay the premium?

Investing in life insurance is just that: Investing. If you have some time where you can’t afford to pay the premium, the money you have already paid into the life insurance policy will pay the premium for you.

The life insurance policies you purchase for your children act as both protection for them, and as a fluid investment that can help pay for some of their college, or their first home down payment, or more.

My kids are already older than that. Am I too late to get them life insurance?

Looking into it today is much better than procrastinating for yet another day. Call or email our life insurance professionals today and make sure your family is protected now and in the future.

Call and ask for our Life Insurance Professionals:

Pam Huppert and Lori Hartoon

Agents / Account Executives

206.783.1986

pam@balcosinsurance.com

lori@balcosinsurance.com

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