Newsletter Spring/Summer 2010

We would like to congratulate

Karen Benz Coen for passing the NYS Life Insurance exam and receiving her license. Along with offering Term and Whole Life Insurance we have a new Universal Life product with a Long Term Care Insurance Rider. Please feel free to call Karen for a free, no obligation quote.

Karen and Lisa Kellner completed the 8K Shamrock Run and had a respectable finish. Lisa also ran the 5K Memorial Miles at Hilbert College. Good Job Ladies! Next up –the office will be participating in The Corporate Challenge, June 10 in honor of Benz Associates founder, Lee J. Benz.

You can now take

the Point and Insurance Reduction class online. Upon completion you can receive 10% off the collision and liability portion of your auto-mobile insurance. Please go to our website, click on About Us and choose Insurance Resources for links to websites that offer classes.

It’s that time of year

to start putting boats in the water and motorcycles on the road. We have many companies that offer competitive prices for both watercraft and motorcycle insurance. Please call the office for a quote.

Teen driver safety

is important to all of us. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. Please take a moment to discuss safe driving practices with your children. You can go to our website, click About Us and choose Insurance Resources to find a link to the New York State DMV’s parent/teen contract.

You can now find us on Facebook.

Keep up with the current happenings at Benz Associates. Please take a look and Become a Fan!

Remember to call the office

if you have made any home improvements, upgrades or additions so we can make sure you are fully covered. Also, make sure anyone who works on your home provides you with a certificate of insurance showing they have current worker’s compensation and general liability. It should list you as the certificate holder and as an additional insured. This protects you if they get injured on your property.
*
 INSURANCE FACTS *

The following is a Spring home maintenance checklist:

  • Check air conditioning system and have serviced every two or three years
  • Clean or replace air conditioning filter
  • Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary
  • Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible
  • Have well water tested for quality. It is re-commended that you test for bacteria every six months.
  • Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries
  • Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed
  • Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required. Repair and paint fences as necessary
  • Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in
  • Check eaves troughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachments to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation
  • Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails
  • Inspect roof materials and roof flashings
  • Undertake spring landscape maintenance
  • Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris

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  • Winter Newsletter 2009-10
     We would like to welcome     two new additions to Benz Associates, LLC. Karen Benz Coen joins her brother Rick as a producer for the agency. She has several years of sales experience and is looking forward to serving your insurance needs. She is a graduate of Hamburg High School and Michigan State University. Karen, her husband, and three sons all live in the Village of Hamburg.

    Lori Kuzan is a licensed account representative in our personal lines department. Her years of experience in the insurance industry will be an asset to the agency. Lori, her husband, and daughter also reside in the Village of Hamburg.

    Our professional staff also includes Lisa Kellner and Debi Baker in our commercial lines department and Mary Mingle and Kristen Van Wey in our personal lines department.

    With the new year fast approaching now is the time to take stock of your financial situation and ask yourself about life insurance.

    1. Would the people that depend on you be fully protected?
    2. Would your business continue? Or
    3. Should something happen to your business partner, could you take full control of the company, legally?

    These are among the serious questions that everyone should be addressing. Your family, your home, your business, your assets – life insurance can help protect the people you love and all the things for which you have worked so hard.

    Please call the office and speak with Rick Benz, an experienced life insurance agent who can help you determine your insurance needs.

    In a couple of weeks please check out our new video at www.benzassociates.com and tell us what you think. We would appreciate any feedback and any suggestions on how we can improve our site.

    Congratulations to the Benz Associates Giants for a 1 st place finish in the regular season posting an 11-4 record in the Hamburg Junior Baseball League.

     

           * INSURANCE FACTS *

    With the recent weather disasters
    in the area we want to inform you about flood insurance. Homeowner’s insurance does not cover you in the event of a flood. Without proper insurance, you may have to rely on disaster relief agencies to help you.
    1. The President must declare a state of emergency for FEMA and SBA to step in
    2. FEMA grants are limited
    3. SBA loans you money

    Your home does not nave to be in a flood-prone area to be at risk. Don’t get caught without adequate coverage.

    Directors & Officers liability insurance
    claims are on the rise. At its most basic, D&O insurance protects directors and officers from liability arising from actions connected to their corporate positions. Most D&O insurance policies are to cover wrongful acts and protect your company’s assets. These often include actions such as breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, and omissions or acts by directors and officers in their capacity as such.

    Most policies will cover the cost of claims arising from negligent acts. Additionally, many will also cover intentional acts as long as the court determines that the consequence of the act was unintentional. What’s important to note is that, regardless of intent, Directors and Officers liability insurance is not automatically included in a general liability insurance policy.

    Please stop by

    to see our new look inside and outside the office. Also, we would be happy to give you a professional review of your insurance policies with or without Benz Associates. We are here to serve you.

    Season’s Greetings

    to all of our customers. We would like to take this time to say "thank you" and to extend our best wishes for every happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year.