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Travelers Quantum Homeowners Update

In late October, 2007, Travelers introduced the Quantum Homeowners Insurance Program in Pennsylvania. Now, after working with the program, we have more information.

Tenant and condominium rates are more competitive. Primary, secondary and seasonal homes, from one to four-family, are eligible. The homeowners program includes gold, platinum and platinum plus coverage options. Here are the details for each:

Platinum Plus

  • For homes with insurance values of $500,000 or more.
  • Focuses on proper insurance to value. Includes a 100% dwelling replacement extension. Every home will be inspected and the replacement cost calculated to ensure adequate coverage.
  • Includes ordinance or law coverage; loss assessment coverage; personal injury liability; increased loss of use coverage; coverage for electronic data restoration and identity fraud; water backup of sewers, drains and sumps; and higher limits of coverage for jewelry, furs, silverware and watercraft.

Platinum Program

  • For homes with insurance values under $500,000.
  • Offers a dwelling replacement extension of 50%.
  • Offers special form coverage for personal property; personal injury liability; identity fraud protection; water backup of ewers, drains and sumps (limit of $5,000 to $75,000 may be selected); and increased limits for jewelry, watercraft and silverware.

Gold Program

  • A lower-priced coverage option
  • Includes a 25% dwelling replacement extension and replacement cost coverage for personal property.

 


Mutual Benefit Group Offers New Personal Auto Program

Mutual Benefit Group is a leader in personal auto coverage in Pennsylvania. Their auto and homeowners coverage led to their as #1 in overall carrier satisfaction personal lines by independent agents in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware in the 2006 Insurance Agents & Brokers Survey.

MBG's new auto rating program is now available in Pennsylvania, offering a multi-variant rate plan based on new predictive modeling technology. The program offers competitive rates to a broader cross-section of personal auto insurance accounts and more competitive rates for youthful drivers, single car risks and older vehicles. Call us today and save!

 


TR Insurance Group Inc. Named to
MBG Inner Circle

Steven Sliver, President and CEO of Mutual Benefit Group, announced that TR Insurance Group Inc. was awarded Inner Circle honors for 2007. Inner Circle recognizes outstanding agents who have established a consistent record of profitable growth along with superior customer satisfaction. Mutual Benefit Group is a multi-line property and casualty insurance company based in Huntingdon, Pa. Mutual Benefit markets its insurance coverage through a network of over 250 independent agents in Pennsylvania and Maryland. TR was one of only 10 agencies named to the 2007 Inner Circle and has been recognized with this honor for the third time.

 


IBC Reminds You to Reduce RX Costs

The Independence Blue Cross (IBC) - No Pay Copay promotion ended December 31, 2007. IBC thanks you for your enthusiasm and overwhelming response to the program. Remember, you can still save money when using generic equivalents or therapeutic alternatives. IBC encourages you to ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is a generic form of the brand name drug you have been prescribed. Sometimes, even if your drug is not available in a generic form, there is a generic that treats the same condition and can offer the same results. These are called therapeutic alternatives and require a new prescription. Here are some specific questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Is my drug available in a generic form?
  • If this drug is not available in a generic form, is there a suitable generic
    alternative?
  • Are there other drugs that might take care of my condition in the same way?

If you haven't yet made the switch to generics, talk with your doctor.

 


Travelers Commercial Lines - Select Accounts - National Sales Center

We are pleased to announce an expansion in our Travelers products to include commercial lines coverage. Late in 2007, Travelers introduced a Select Account program offered through their National Sales Center to a broad range of accounts. Some of the categories of businesses included in the Select Account program are types of accounts that we could not previously place in standard agency markets. The National Sales Center will provide additional resources to us to better serve you.

 


Agency Notables

Randy Riegner will attend a James K. Ruble Graduate Seminar in May. This course fulfills the annual certification requirement of the CIC designation and meets state continuing education requirements.

Major fundraiser events are coming up for the Perkiomen Valley School District Foundation. The Gala Preview Party and Gala Celebration will be held May 2 and June 1 respectively. For ticket information contact Randy Riegner or visit the website at www.pvsdfoundation.org.

TR Insurance Group Inc. was the Platinum sponsor of the Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party in December, 2007. 200-plus members attended.

Debbie Rotenberger completed a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) course in March. Debbie has completed three courses in the five-course program leading to the CISR designation.

 

 


SUMMER 2008

Traveling Abroad

Many travelers believe their domestic insurance plan will be enough when they travel internationally. The reality is, you may not be covered for an illness or injury abroad. International Medical Group (IMG) offers insurance products to travelers and international citizens. Long-term and short-term coverage is offered to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, individuals and groups. Whether you're moving abroad, traveling between countries or maintaining multiple countries of residence, IMG has a medical plan to fit your needs.

 


Travelers Wedding Protection Plan Expanded

Travelers has introduced a new Wedding Protection Plan. The plan protects you against financial loss in connection with this event. Coverage is provided for the insured that purchases the policy, honorees (bride and groom) and those who require coverage as additional insureds. Coverages included are Cancellation/ Postponement, Additional Expense, Event Photographs/ Video, Event Gifts, Special Attire, Special Jewelry, Event Deposits and Special Event Liability. The program also offers liquor liability coverage with a limit of up to $1,000,000 with a zero deductible. For more information give us a call or visit the Travelers dedicated website www.agentprotectmywedding.com.

 


Combined Policy Discounts

By combining multiple Quantum coverages, you can create a customized program at substantial savings. These coverages can include: the Quantum homeowners program; auto program; dwelling program (Homesaver); valuable items coverage; boat/watercraft program; and personal umbrella.

For those with a stable financial situation and no recent claims, the Quantum home and auto programs offer the best rates. It has 50 rate tiers and offers flexible rates to a broad cross-section of clients.

With Travelers, we can often provide annual premium savings of $1,000 or more between auto and home. Since October, 2006, we have already written about 325 policies. Call us for your money-saving quotes, today.

 


Recent Developments in Group & Individual Medical Insurance

In the past six months, we have seen double-digit increases in medical plan premium renewals. Rate increases of 10-20% are most common. Options with higher deductibles and co-payments have been introduced to offset renewal premium increases.

Here are some highlights:

  • Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has offered the Flex Series C4F4 and C4F5 options.
  • Aetna has introduced POS options 1.2, 5.2 and 7.2 to lower renewal rates.
  • United Healthcare, on the group insurance side, offers their Definity HSA program with high deductible and tax saving accumulation options.
  • Aetna and IBC have improved pricing for their HSA plans. As of April, Aetna has revamped their Advantage (individual health) program, changing HMO options for new business, increasing rates for grandfathered options, revising HSA plan designs and removing maternity coverage from PPO plans.
  • Golden Rule (United Healthcare) offers great rates for popular Plan 100 and HSA 100 individual plans.
  • Assurant Health (Time Insurance) offers competitive rates for individual health plans in some zip codes and networks.
  • Health America offers options that may work for some situations.

Contact Randy Riegner or Debbie Rotenberger for help sorting out your options. We service the plans we sell and provide online and telephone support.

 


Insurance 101 in a Flash

In February, the Life & Health Foundation for Education released a DVD entitled "Insurance 101 in a Flash." The DVD provides seven presentations from insurance industry experts with important background information on these topics:

Life Insurance •Disability Insurance •Long-term Care Insurance
Health Insurance Auto Insurance •Homeowners Insurance
Insurance Fundamentals

Each presentation offers important generic insurance and planning information, provided in a no-obligation/non-threatening format. This is an excellent resource for anyone, including educators who are looking for good material for students. TR Insurance Group is pleased to provide a DVD free of charge.

 


Treasury Releases 2008 HSA, HDHP Amounts

The Treasury Department and IRS issued new guidance on the maximum and catch-up contribution levels for HSAs and the maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high deductible health plans (HDHPs).

Guidelines 2007 2008
Individual minimum deductible $1,100 $1,100 (no change)
Individual maximum-out-of-pocket $5,500 $5,600
Individual maximum contribution $2,850 $2,900
Family minimum deductible $2,200 $2,200 (no change)
Family maximum out-of-pocket $11,000 $11,200
Family maximum contribution $5,650 $5,800
Catch-up contribution $800 $900

These plans continue to grow in popularity for individuals and groups and more carriers are offering competitive programs. Contact us for more information and quotes for individual and group coverage options.

 


Protect Your Travel Investment

Careful planning helps ensure an enjoyable travel experience. You make travel arrangements, establish an itinerary, make required payments and look forward to your vacation. But what if you unexpectedly became ill or injured before or during your trip? What if your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes out of business? All your effort and money could be lost. The Patriot T.R.I.P. travel insurance programs provide benefits for unforeseen circumstances that may force cancellation or interruption of your covered trip.

The Patriot T.R.I.P. series offers:

  • Coverage up to 30 consecutive days for a covered trip
  • Available pre-existing condition exclusion waiver
  • Reimbursement of non-refundable, unused deposits and payments in the event your trip is interrupted or cancelled due to a covered reason
  • Coverage in the event of a terrorist incident at the travel destination
  • Medical, medical evacuation/repatriation coverage
  • 24-hour help for travel emergencies
  • 10-day free look money back guarantee

Patriot T.R.I.P. Elite, Patriot T.R.I.P. and Patriot Student T.R.I.P. programs are offered through iTravelInsured, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Medical Group (IMG).

 


Temporary Medical Insurance & COBRA Alternatives

We have seen an increase in the number of folks with temporary medical insurance needs created by job changes, layoffs, students reaching maximum age under parent health insurance plans, companies that no longer offer group health insurance, part-time employment situations or waiting periods for coverage at a new job. There are solutions available and some options are much less expensive than the premium required to continue group coverage under COBRA.

You can choose from many options with a wide range of deductibles and premiums. These plans are generally medically underwritten, so those in good health will have more options. We have low-cost individual medical programs available through Aetna, Keystone, Golden Rule (United Healthcare), Assurant Health (TIME insurance) and Health America. We offer temporary short term medical plans through Assurant Health and United Healthcare. Single pay and monthly payment plans are available to provide coverage up front for a specific number of days or to provide pay as you go coverage one month at a time for up to 12 months.