Life insurance can help fill the gap

Did you ever think that life insurance could be a valuable tool during your working years as well as after? Interestingly, life insurance can be a useful tool for many individuals and families who are approaching retirement as well as for those who are already retired.
Most of us buy life insurance to replace the loss of income that would occur should we die or to create an estate for our loved ones (click here see accompanying Did You Know article), but there are many other reasons:

• You have an aging parent or disabled relative who depends on you for support
• You have a large estate and expect to owe estate taxes
• You own a business and have a partner
• You have a substantial joint financial obligation, such as a personal loan for which another person would be legally responsible after your death

Life insurance and retirement
Many retired couples depend on Social Security and pension income to survive. When one spouse dies, those payments may be reduced — survivor benefits are often much lower than retiree benefits — while many of the ongoing expenses remain for the survivor. You can help protect your surviving spouse from this reduction in income with life insurance. The death benefit can replace your missing income so a personal loss does not become a financial one as well.

CALL ME: MARIANNE HOBBS INSURANCE AGENCY 602.547.1970 OR
http://www.farmersagent.com/mhobbs I can help you analyze your individual situation so you can determine your life insurance requirements and decide whether your coverage is appropriate for your needs and your family.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
Products and features may not be available in all states and may vary by state.

Going from the rat race To your home space As corporate downsizing and rightsizing continue and the Internet makes telecommuting ever more productive, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are discovering the benefits of running businesses out of their homes. If you are looking to be your own boss, set your own hours and not worry about getting laid off, a home-based business may be the right decision for you … but make sure you and your valuable property are covered. If you operate a retail business or office from your home, your homeowners and personal auto insurance typically will not give you the coverage that you want. However, a home business insurance policy may help insure you, your property and your income while you grow your business and beyond. Coverage for your home business The coverage under most home business insurance policies is similar to that of most small business insurance policies. Property Coverage - Includes coverage for losses to your building and premises, business personal property and contents. Liability - Covers damages to your business for losses to third parties from: Bodily Injury — people injured on your premises or by a product you manufacture or sell. Personal Injury — violations of privacy, false imprisonment, wrongful eviction, etc. Advertising Injury — for losses due to alleged slander, libel, or copyright infringement by you or your employees. Many of us are re-evaluating our lifestyles and operating a home-based business may provide a new opportunity. Call me — I can give you information you need to help select coverage that you want. Forward this to someone you know — I can show them coverage that may fit their home-based business needs too. Contact Me: Marianne Hobbs Insurance Agency 602.547.1970 or http://www.farmersagent.com/mhobbs

To Buy Or To Lease?

To Buy or Lease? If you’re interested in a new car, the question typically arises: Should I lease or buy? As is often the case, it depends on your individual situation. Many people equate leasing with renting but it may be more useful to consider leasing as financing the use of a vehicle whereas buying with a loan finances the purchase of a vehicle. Your lifestyle, your priorities As you think about whether to lease or buy a new vehicle, it’s important to make financial comparisons but it’s also important to consider your lifestyle, your objectives and personal priorities — what’s important to you. If you … Enjoy driving a new car every three or four years; want lower monthly payments; want a car that is always under warranty; don’t want to trade or sell used cars; don’t care about building equity in your vehicle; have a predictable lifestyle and drive an average number of miles per year1; properly maintain your cars and are willing to pay more over the long haul to get these benefits, then you may want to consider leasing. On the other hand, if you … Value long-term cost savings over lower monthly payments; enjoy owning your vehicle and would like to pay it off and be payment-free for a while; don’t mind the unexpected cost of repairs after the warranty has expired; like to customize your vehicle; drive more than the average number of miles per year and don’t mind higher monthly payments, then you may want to consider buying your vehicle. Caveat: Lack of flexibility Some consider the inflexibility of the lease agreement a significant drawback of leasing. If you want or need to terminate your agreement before maturity, you will likely pay a significant penalty for early termination. In many cases, the penalty may equal the remainder of payments due under the agreement. So before you enter into a lease make sure your lifestyle and ability-to-pay are predictable and stable. Contact me:Marianne Hobbs Insurance Agency 602.547.1970 OR http://www.farmersagent.com/mhobbs Visit http://www.smartmoney.com/calculator/autos/buy-or-lease-a-car-1302833645461 for more information about leasing. When you decide which option you feel is appropriate for your situation, call me. We can sit down and review your coverage and options so you can be sure you have the insurance you want to go with your new ride. 1According to SmartMoney, the average American driver puts about 12,000 miles per year on his or her car. (http://www.smartmoney.com/calculator/autos/buy-or-lease-a-car-1302833645461) The Case for Leasing Allows you to get a new car frequently Provides short-term affordability Results in fewer repair bills Avoids upside-down loans The Case against Leasing You don’t own the vehicle Penalties for early lease termination Additional charges for excessive mileage and any damage to the vehicle Must buy or return car at end of lease

Snowmobile the safe way

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that approximately 10 people die while riding snowmobiles each year and about 13,400 receive emergency medical treatment from snowmobile injuries each year.¹
Are you getting ready to go snowmobiling? If you are, remember these safety tips:

• Slow down — Speed is a contributing factor in many fatal snowmobiling accidents. Be sure you have enough time to react should you need to change speed or direction quickly and drive defensively particularly after sunset. In poor weather conditions, reduce speed below the posted limit when necessary.
• Be sure you have a first-aid kit — In addition to typical items such as bandages, flashlight and cotton gauze, be sure to include a knife, compass, map and means of communication such as a cell phone or CB radio.
• Avoid traveling across lakes, streams and rivers — It’s very difficult to accurately judge ice coverage or depth of frozen waters, and snow cover can act as a blanket that prevents safe ice from forming.
• Dress for the weather — Layer clothing and wear a durable waterproof outer shell and footwear. Wear a helmet, eye protection and other safety gear. Wear reflective clothing at night.
• Stay on marked trails — Ride single file, keep to the right and pass on the left only when the trail is clear. Keep an eye out for fences, tree stumps and obstacles that may be concealed by snow. And, of course, stay off private property.
• Never travel alone — Snowmobile accidents may result in personal injury so try to have someone ride along with you so you can help each other in case of accident or breakdown. If you must travel alone, tell someone your destination, planned route, and when you expect to return.
• Know the rules of the road — Learn the applicable snowmobile traffic laws and regulations for the state and area where you’ll be traveling. They serve to keep you and others on the trails safe. 
• Never drink while driving your snowmobile — Drinking and driving can be a deadly combination. Practice zero-tolerance!
• Be sure the snowmobile is in good operating condition — Conduct a safety check before each ride. Double check gas levels, brake lines, and lights before heading out. Also, carry a small toolkit with you for emergency repairs.

How safe is snowmobiling? Only as safe as the person operating the snowmobile. That’s why it’s important that you know how to operate it safely and that you always exercise good judgment. And make sure you have the insurance you want for your snowmobile.
CONTACT ME: MARIANNE HOBBS INSURANCE AGENCY 602.547.1970 or
http://www.farmersagent.com/mhobbs

¹Source: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/541.htm

Term or Permanent Insurance?

It’s all about net cost

Term or permanent insurance? That seems to be an age-old question that many of us still ask when considering the purchase of life insurance. And the answer is most often: It depends on your individual situation.

Did you know … Term life insurance often has the lowest initial premium, but for longer-term needs may actually cost more than permanent insurance such as Whole life or Universal life insurance? And, only about 4 percent to 5 percent of term policies result in death claims because the great majority of term policies aren’t in force when death occurs¹.


Your situation
Your life insurance needs depend on a number of factors, such as whether you’re married, the size of your family, the nature of your financial obligations, your current and potential future earnings, and your goals. Let’s get together — I can work with you so that you can analyze your individual situation to help you determine your life insurance requirements.


Contact me: Marianne Hobbs Insurance Agency 602.547.1970 OR http://www.farmersagent.com/mhobbs


¹Source: Essentials of Life Insurance Products, Stevick, 2008, p.4.28

Products and features may not be available in all states and may vary by state.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island, WA 98040