Monday, November 23, 2015

Protect Your Farm With Farm and Ranch Insurance

Insurance has grown wider in scope and service. Insurance came into existence with the introduction of Marine insurance but then it grew wider with life, motor and property insurance. Later on came the farm and ranch insurance, insurance that protects the safety and security of your crops and farms. People living farms and ranch depends upon their farm for daily food and shelter. Insurance means not only providing security but also sharing the risk with other policy holders. Farm insurance includes the safety of your farm against all kinds of risks and perils.

Additional Insurance Policies for Farm & Ranch:

Farm and ranch insurance even includes some kind of additional insurance policies like personal liability insurance and umbrella liability insurance. The personal liability insurance is all about covering the injuries and damages of a person, who has visited your farm or ranch. Personal liability insurance in farms also help in protecting the risk against the incident where you have unknowingly or accidentally hurt or damaged someone's property in your farm or ranch premises. The umbrella liability insurance policy includes major kinds of risks and perils that are predicted in your farm. So, both these kinds of policies are especially meant for protecting your farm and ranch security.

Some other kind of additional policies to be taken for farm and ranch are workers compensation insurance policy and property auto insurance policy. It is obvious to use tractors and other equipments to plough the field of your farm and hence, property auto insurance policy can benefit you during the time of any accidental loss or damage to your vehicle in the farm. Workers compensation policy can help you in giving financial security to the worker, who is employed in your farm for farming in your absence.

Farm and ranch insurance policy has many kinds of laws and rules applied as per the contract done; hence you can choose the kind of contract that suits your farm and ranch safety. Insurance is one of the best services that any company can offer you or your property, so you should not ignore or avoid it. Getting responsible towards your profession and farm is must for getting into long term success and planning. Thus insure your farm and ranch against the various kinds of perils, risks and incidents by taking farm or ranch insurance policy.

The Truth About Farm Insurance

Insuring a farm is similar to insuring a business because the equipment and multiple buildings will need to be covered in addition to the residence. There are many misconceptions about what is included in this type of coverage and what the insured is protected against. The following is a basic overview of the truth about farm insurance and all that it includes.

Insurance for a farm or ranch includes coverage for the home and personal property like appliances, furniture, electronics, and clothes. It also covers farm structures and buildings as well as farm personal property. The insured can designate specific farm personal property to insure or the coverage can encompass the personal property used in the farming operations.

This coverage also provides payment for specific types of loss when the home is either damaged or uninhabitable due to a covered reason. Coverage for farm machinery, structures, and buildings may be expanded to include additional losses due to accidents such as building collapse. The liability coverage include in the policy protects the farm owner against bodily injury or property damage liability due to a covered incident.

The specific dangers covered by this policy include theft, vandalism, fire, lightening, windstorms, hail, smoke, and explosions. Livestock are covered if they are attacked by wild animals or dogs, shot, electrocuted, or if they drown. Medical payments are covered for individuals who are accidentally injured on the premises. This does not include the insured, his or her family members, or any employees of the working farm.

The truth about farm insurance is that it covers not only the main residence, but other structures. It also provides protection for personal property, farm machinery, livestock, and visitors to the premises. This insurance is both broad and flexible, due to the optional additional coverage that the farm owner may purchase.

Why You Should Insure Your Horse and Farm

Just as you protect your home and its assets, there are many reasons to insure your farm and its property. While horses represent loved animals among many owners and their families, they can also be large financial investments. From illness and injuries to liability issues, below are the different types of equine/farm insurance and a few reasons why you should consider investing in them to protect your horse and farm:

Equine Health Insurance helps finance surgeries and other major medical expenses. Like their riders, horses can also suffer from unexpected medical issues, and the cost of surgery can be unaffordable. Horse medical insurance will help you avoid a financial burden in the unfortunate event that your horse becomes challenged by medical issues or requires major surgery.

Equine Mortality Insurance can help you cope with the death or theft of a loved horse. The emotional burden that results from the loss of a loved animal is difficult enough to handle alone, so having to worry about suffering a significant financial loss as well will only make matters worse. Although your horse and its sentimental value may never be replaced, horse life insurance will help ease the pain by reimbursing you for the death or theft of your horse.

Farm Liability Insurance is needed to reduce liability risks involved in your horse operation. An equine liability policy is required for activities like boarding, training, horse shows, and riding instruction. Regardless of whether you offer daily riding lessons or occasionally care for a friend's horse, it's important to protect yourself with farm or equine liability insurance.

Farm Property Insurance covers your barn, sheds and machinery associated with the farm. Although farms are often connected to homes, a standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't always cover a barn and its contents. Consulting your independent insurance agent to ensure that your barn and its assets are protected is a great place to start.

Loss of Use Insurance protects against your horse's loss of value. While many people consider their horses valuable friends regardless of their skill levels, a disabling injury suffered by a horse intended to perform in horse shows or races can be financially troubling. Loss of use insurance will protect your horse in the unfortunate event that he/she suffers a disabling injury.

Whether you purchased a pony to fulfill your daughter's birthday wish, or invested in a skilled horse to compete with, there are many reasons to protect yourself and your horse with insurance.

State Farm Insurance

The Beginnings

State Farm insurance began in 1922, the invention of a man named George J. Mecherle. Mecherle thought that he could come up with a better insurance company than the rest, offering better coverage and great rates. So he did. Something about Mecherle's vision was right - more than eighty years later, State Farm Insurance is still going strong.

"In just over 80 years, State Farm Insurance Companies® has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world's largest financial institutions. But despite State Farm's growth, Mecherle's original philosophy of insurance coverage at a fair price coupled with fair claim settlement has remained."
State Farm web site, May 2006

State Farm, Today

With 25 operations centers in 13 zones, these days State Farm employs 79,200 people, including 16,700 plus agents. State Farm actively services 71.6 million insurance policies in the United States and Canada. Many awards have been received by State Farm for their equal opportunity employing methods, and for the number of jobs the company has created. State Farm strives to give back to the community, participating in many programs to further education and safety, including awarding grants and scholarships.

The Future of State Farm

"Our vision for the future is to be the customer's first and best choice in the products and services we provide. We will continue to be the leader in the insurance industry and we will become a leader in the financial services arena. Our customers' needs will determine our path. Our values will guide us."
- State Farm web site, May 2006

What State Farm Offers

State Farm can take care of all your insurance needs. They offer most types of insurance coverage. All the usual suspects of auto, home, life, renter's, and supplemental medical insurance are available through State Farm. Other insurance offerings include condo, long-term care, and Medicare supplement. The State Farm web site is very user-friendly and easy to use. Using the web site, consumers can obtain a quote on any type of policy named above, or find an agent, both within minutes. Answering a few quick questions will lead you to a free online quote, and a search feature makes finding an agent simple work.

You can also reach State Farm agents through online insurance quote web sites. This offers you the ability to compare rates from State Farm and from other independent agents or companies. Inquire with the site in question about the companies that will be providing a quote.

"State Farm's mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams."
- State Farm web site, May 2006

Other Services

Not only does State Farm provide you with quality insurance, but the web site is a wealth of tools and information. A helpful learning center exists online for any who would like to learn more about retirement planning, college planning, savings strategies, prevention and safety, or life stages such as having a baby, marriage, or buying a home. There's even a "kid's stuff" section. Consumers can learn about reasons to have car insurance and what insurance policies do for you, and what they can mean in your life.

Trust

State Farm is truly one of the oldest names in insurance, and theirs is a name you can trust. If State Farm did not provide excellent customer service and satisfaction, there's no way there would still be going strong. Often, it's much cheaper to buy all your insurance plans through one carrier than through several different companies. State Farm can provide for all your insurance needs, without making you spend a fortune. Isn't it better to use a company you know you can depend on?

What Your Farm Insurance Should Cover

Agricultural insurance or farm insurance saves farmers and those engaging in agri-business from losses sustained by natural catastrophes. Policies under this insurance are structured to protect the basic needs of the homestead. This is particularly important for small farmers because their farms are both home and business for them. Once the farms are damaged or destroyed, the farmers will be left with no home and money. Farm bureau insurance may save them, but there is nothing like a full coverage agricultural insurance.

What are the things that should be covered by a good farm insurance policy? There are several, and a perfect insurance covers them all. However, it is common for most insurance packages to cover only two or three out of the several conditions. The best solution for farmers is to determine what they most need and get the insurance which covers this particular need. It can be crop insurance, homestead insurance, or vehicle insurance. To give you a clue about the possible conditions an insurance provider might offer, below are some ideas of the possible insurance coverage.

You are more valuable than your farm so make sure that you get an insurance with provisions for farm liability. These provisions protect you from injuries sustained during farm work like falls, burns, or even pesticide poisoning. In addition, these provisions protect your property from damage as long as the damage was sustained in the course of farm work or natural disaster. These farm insurance provisions protect your property in cases like fire, flood, or hurricanes.

Farm property provisions cover damages to selected properties like livestock. This is particularly important for farmers and farms residing in hurricane, tornado, and landslide-prone areas. Statistics show that a large percentage of the casualties during these calamities are mostly livestock like horses and cows, which do not have evacuation options. A type of farm bureau insurance usually covers this risks.

Some farm insurance policies have provisions for the specific protection of the homestead and everything within it. These provisions protect the farmer from losses sustained due to house damages like leaks and theft. If your farm stands on the far side of the town where there are few neighbors to watch over your property if you're away, you might want to consider adopting this condition.

Farm vehicles and equipment are put to rough work regularly. Therefore, they are prone to breaking down. This translates to large expenses for the farmer. If you want to avoid this scenario, consider including this condition in your insurance policies. Better yet, consider getting a comprehensive farm auto insurance to protect yourself from financial damage due to broken machines and equipment. Farm insurance is an asset, but only if you know how to choose them wisely.

Choosing the Best Farm Insurance for You

Farmers, like car owners and home owners, should insure their farm and its property. The right farm insurance will cover your farm operations to make sure you do not lose your farm an accident. There are several types of insurances in the market, and you will need to choose the one that suits you best. The insurance should be able compensation in case thieves raid your farm or your crops are damaged through natural disaster.

Types of farm insurance

Peril farm insurance covers your farm property against risks such as floods, theft, lighting as well as hail. It takes of care risks that are out of your control and which can usually cause massive loss. It can also cover your livestock against perils such as electrocution and drowning. The insurance company is going to compensate you in case you lose farm products or livestock due to these perils.

The farm insurance should also cover your farm equipments and machinery. When you buy this insurance, you should expect it to cover everything that is used in running your farm including the machinery. It should pay for machinery repairs and other damages. Crop insurance, on the other hand, is meant to protect you against crop failure. Since crop production is reliant on weather conditions, you can not predict your harvest. You should therefore insure your crops to make sure you get compensated in case you get a poor harvest because of poor weather conditions. The premium charged by the insurance company will depend on the revenue you expect to get from your harvest.

It is also important to know about liability insurance and how it works. This insurance covers you and your employees against any accidents that nay occur in the farm. Consumers are also covered under this insurance so in case one of your customers gets sick after consuming products from your farm, the insurance will pay for the damages. Auto farm insurance covers your farm car as well as property that may be damaged during transit. The driver is also covered in this insurance. You may also want to take farm insurance cover to protect you against loss of income in case your livestock are stolen or a fire destroys everything in your farm. The insurance company will determine your compensation based on your previous earnings and how much you have paid as premium.

How to get cheap farm insurance

The cost of farm insurance can vary from one company to another. It is therefore important to shop around and compare prices so you can get the best deal available. You can do your search online or contact several companies by checking their phone number on the yellow pages. Your relatives and friends can also recommend you to a cheap insurance company.

Finding the right farm insurance can be a great investment since you will be assured of compensation in case of loss. Look for an insurance that covers all property in your farm including crops, livestock, machinery, employees and vehicles. In conclusion, choose an insurance that suits your budget.

More Than Just Accidents and Tools

Insurance is something of a contentious issue at the moment, particularly in regards to the current economic crisis which is causing many of us to cut back on cover we do not consider essential. However, with an increase in thefts and burglaries in rural areas of the UK, farm insurance is becoming more of a necessity - and companies are highlighting the customisable nature of their cover in a sector where each customer has different priorities.

Public Liability
Despite the specific individual needs of each farmer and their business, public liability cover is often considered a necessity when it comes to taking out insurance for a working farm or farmland. The reason for this is simply because if anything should go wrong (i.e. damage, injury or worse) involving a member of the public and for which you are held responsible, the cost can be ruinous and without insurance you may be forced to sell your business to satisfy the claim made against you.

Employers' Liability
Employers' liability cover is a legal requirement if people work for you, though the law does not state that you must have cover for yourself or a member of your family. However, employers' liability is there to give you piece of mind and financial security should an accident happen that is your responsibility.

Property
Insuring your property against theft and damage is where farm insurance starts to become more tailored to your specific priorities, and the term "property" can mean anything from buildings, through machinery and vehicles, to animals (see below). With property insurance it is very much up to you to decide which property to insure and for what range of perils e.g. fire or flood.

Livestock
Livestock is a very customisable insurance sector and it depends on what risks you want to insure against. Farm insurance cover options include fire, lightning, accidental injury, death, straying and disease. Various additional risks can be insured against including, for example, the loss of value in a bull if it proves to be infertile.

Get an Umbrella So You Don't Get Soaked

We have auto insurance to cover medical costs and liability if we were to be at fault in an auto accident. And we have home insurance to cover the home and personal property in case of damage. There's also liability coverage included with home and renters insurance. But what happens if you unfortunately cause a large auto accident? What if the medical bills are more than your auto insurance will cover? And what if those involved in the accident sue you, for more than the liability coverages on your home insurance?

This is where the umbrella insurance policy comes in. For less than $200 a year, you can have an additional $1,000,000 of coverage. If you have $500,000 auto coverage, then you would have up to $1,500,000. Depending on how much assets you have, that might be enough. It's inexpensive because your home or auto coverages would need to be used up first.

If you are in a situation where the judgments are more than your coverage, it is up to you to cover the difference. In Colorado, these are the assets exposed in the event of a judgement: Real Property, Auto, Liquid Assets, Future Wages, and Personal Property. As the percentage of judgement awarded over $1,000,000 continue to increase, it would be wise to call your insurance agent today and inquire about an umbrella policy.

Umbrella policies used to be thought of for only wealthy clients. But that is no longer the case. The expenses of medical care after an accident are continually going up. If you had the Colorado state minimum auto liability coverage of $25,000 per person, would that really cover any major medical bills? Of course not! If you are at fault for an accident, and someone's expenses are more than your coverage, you are responsible for the difference. Are any of us in a position to access even $20,000 to cover expenses? And what if the judgments against you from court total over 6 figures? Who is going to pay that bill. You might think since you don't make much money, you wouldn't be sued for very much. But in Colorado, up to 25% of earnings can be garnished to pay for amounts due. Are you able to give up 25% of your salary, and maybe for many years to come? Protect yourself, protect your family. Get an umbrella policy for the coverage you need.

Farming - The Most Dangerous Job in the UK

Research recently released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has pinpointed modern farming as the most dangerous profession in the UK.

Published in the wake of a series of high profile accidents and prosecutions, the research revealed that from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 the rate of agricultural workers killed at work returned to average levels of previous years - a rise of more than 50% from 2008/9.

Whilst the number of deaths at work within other professions steadily declines, the risk within the farming sector has held steady - a trend which is explained by the increasing economic pressures on British farmers resulting in the need to work longer hours, potentially cut costs and work alone.

The 'Make the Promise' campaign, launched in 2009 by the HSE, aims to highlight the unnecessary deaths and injuries that happen on farms every day and the need for increasing support for British farmers who, if they are male, are two and half times more likely to die going about their business than they are in a car accident.

Two key cases which have served to highlight the issue in recent months include: a Bradford farming company that was prosecuted after one of its employees was seriously injured when he slipped into a manure machine in January 2009 - he lost his big toe and part of the heel of his left foot, broke all his toes and severely damaged the ankle of his right foot; and a farmer in Aberdeenshire who has been served with a jail sentence of two years after a trailer he was towing broke free from his tractor and caused the death of a passing motorist. A recent survey into quad bikes in Scotland also indicated that almost two thirds (62%) of farms visited were not using All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), such as quad bikes, safely.

The HSE produce the Farmwise booklet that provides a detailed guide to health and safety in agriculture, with guidance on the legal frameworks that surround employer liability and the real need for safety in the work place and effective, comprehensive farm insurance. The guide also serves to heighten farmers awareness to the risk that common oversights and shortcuts can pose, with evidence detailing that transport related accidents account for almost a quarter of all deaths in the industry.

How UK Farmers Are Diversifying to Boost Their Incomes

While the recent global economic crisis has had a profound effect on many UK industries, livestock farmers have been dealing with major economic set-backs throughout history, with instances such as the BSE epidemic in the mid-80s - and outbreaks of diseases such as foot and mouth, TB and swine fever - being most memorable for those of younger generations.

Consequently, over the last two decades farmers who had previously relied on livestock as a major part of their income have diversified in order to ensure more financial stability for themselves and their families - and this diversification trend has led to a number of intriguing developments and projects on UK farms. At an April 2009 Agrical conference paying host to many industry experts, it was estimated that 50 percent of UK farms have now diversified.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a number of farmers located in regions popular with tourists are finding considerable success with offering Bed & Breakfast and holiday home facilities. This is a trend that is particularly popular with those who have buildings free for conversion or sufficient space to develop on unused land - and these are often the prevailing factors which make rural farms ideal locations to cater for tourists.

The Henly family at Bucklawren Farm in Looe, Cornwall are a prime example of making new use of both existing buildings and the land that surrounds them. They have converted barns and stables into five self-catering cottages within their farm grounds just a mile from the beach. In addition the farm now also boasts an acclaimed restaurant which prides itself on locally sourced produce.

Despite the popularity of appealing to couples and families, other farmers in the South West are offering more niche facilities to visitors in the area. Woodland Valley in Ladock is owned by Chris and Janet Jones who, after the Eden Project opened in 2001, decided to open residential facilities for visiting school parties.

This has since developed into a study centre for those with an interest in farming, sustainability and ecology - a more economical use for their own stone buildings which 'were no longer suitable for modern farming.' Much like the changes at Bucklawren, the need to diversify has had more than an economical effect on the workings of the farm itself - and has even stimulated its conversion to being fully organic.

Despite the positive economic outcomes of diversification, this increasing trend does bring new considerations such as public safety and holiday home insurance to the fore - at the same time as maintaining a working farm. The number of farmers looking to follow the footsteps of Bucklawren and Woodland Valley Farm by making the most of their land and buildings in a 21st Century context is set to carry on growing - with farms in other parts of the country allowing the use of their land for music festivals and sporting events also.

Farm diversification has arrived and is here to stay.

What is Renters Insurance, and How to Get it For Free

With home interest rates climbing, and home foreclosures going up, more and more people are renting instead of buying. But very few people choose to get renters insurance, which can be as little as $10 a month.

Of course there's an asterisk. But you don't have to look for the small type with a catch. Many insurance companies offer discounts on their auto insurance when you also have renters insurance. This discount on the auto insurance can more than pay for your renters insurance. So call your insurance agent to check on these discounts.

Renters insurance can be as little as $10 a month. As a Farmers Insurance agent in Colorado, I have many clients who pay more than $100 a month on their auto insurance. With the 10% discount for having their renter and auto insurance together with me, they save more on their auto than what the renters insurance costs. That is how to get free renters insurance!

Renters insurance gives you many of the coverage that comes with a home insurance policy. Of course there is personal property coverage, which replaces your belongings if your place is destroyed by fire or a storm. On this, make sure you have the replacement coverage option. For example, if you have a 10 year old television, and you do not have the replacement coverage option, your insurance company will figure out what your 10 year old t.v. is worth today instead of replacing that t.v. with a new t.v.

But what people do not realize is the other coverage that come with a renters insurance policy. There is Loss of Use coverage, which gives you money to pay for another place to live while your home or apartment is fixed from damage. There is Guest Medical coverage, which helps pay for injuries to your guests while at your home or apartment. There is also Personal Liability coverage if someone were to sue you.

All you have to do with renters insurance is decide how much coverage you need for your personal property. When you have homeowner insurance, the personal property amount is a percentage of what it would cost to rebuild your home. If you are just starting off in a small apartment, maybe $10,000 is enough. Or maybe you need $50,000 coverage. Your insurance agent can help you figure out that number.

So if you are renting a home or apartment, take a minute to call someone about renters insurance. It costs less than you think!

There's More to Beef Than Aberdeen Angus

Aberdeen Angus has become a household name in the 21st Century. A few years back, in an attempt to impose a label of quality on their beef burgers, a popular restaurant began promoting the specific breed used in the production of their wares - and this was exactly what the world needed to convince them of the value of fast food. Subsequently, Angus beef has been advertised wherever possible as the "quality beef" and other restaurants have even changed their ingredients in order to stay competitive.

So what is so special about Aberdeen Angus and why is it important to know that there are other breeds of comparable quality out there?

Scotsman, Hugh Reid, is said to be the founder of the Angus breed after selecting black, hornless specimens (most notably Old Jock, his favourite bull, and Old Granny, a cow that lived until 35) from his herd in the mid 1800s. Most of today's Angus cattle were descended from these two animals - and produce consistently high yielding marble meat. The term 'marble meat' comes from the meat's appearance, the meat contains intramuscular fat, which can look like marble.

However, today it is important to be aware of other beef cattle pedigrees that can meet consumers' needs. Correspondingly livestock farmers insurance policies will reflect the value of the livestock. As a consequence, it may pay for farmers to be aware that the purchase and insurance of Angus cattle might cost more than a breed of equal quality.

Other cattle breeds available include the Devon (sometimes known as the South Devon) with a pedigree that is said to stretch back to prehistoric times. That said, it is only fairly recently that the Devon has been bred specifically for beef, with other types developed for milk. Like the Angus, in America the breed has been developed to be polled (hornless) - and produces excellent tender and tasty beef.

The French Limousin strain of cattle varies again - but proves that you don't need to travel too far in order to find another quality but quite different breed. The Limousin is said to have originated in France thousands of years ago as historians have pointed out the physical similarity between today's Limousin and the cattle drawn in ancient cave paintings. Today in France the breed is known as the "Butcher's Breed", and offers a high yield of beef with a low ratio of bone and fat.

Like the Devon and Limousin, there are many pedigree breeds originating from each country in each continent - and there are plenty for new beef farmers to choose from in addition to the Angus.

Why Renters Insurance? A Story That Explains It All

So you just got out on your own, got out of your parents place and want to prove to the world that you can survive. You've saved up enough money to pay for the first and last month's rent for your apartment, you just put utilities in your name, and filled your fridge and cabinets with all sorts of food you know you will never eat. You bring your big screen TV, your Xbox, your Wii, and every other electronic device you have into your new apartment. You sit back and relax, knowing that you are independent. No longer attached to your parents, you feel really good about yourself. You are finally living every teenagers dream.

You awaken later that night just in time to hear the door slam. You remember hearing voices, but you thought they were part of your dream. Did you imagine the door slamming? You didn't invite anybody over. What was that noise? You slowly creep to the door of your bedroom and look out towards the living room. Something isn't quite right. You keep taking small cautious steps towards the living room, and confirm your worst nightmare. All of your stuff is gone. The only item you set up was your bed, the rest of it, was gone. They even took some of your food. Your hands fumble for your phone, the first person you think to call: your dad. He always knows what to do. Your muscle memory quickly kicks in as you realize you didn't even think about it when you dialed his number. "Hello?" a very quiet voice comes on the phone, a voice you recognize as your dad. He sounds very tired, suddenly you realize its 2:45 in the morning. "Dad," you whisper, "Somebody stole my stuff."

A short while later, the police arrive at your apartment. Your dad's there now, trying to help you prepare a list of everything that's missing. "I just can't remember it all," you snap at your dad as you rack your brain to remember what you had. Even though you sounded angry, you still feel glad your dad is there to help comfort you. The police ask you questions, many of them you feel like you can't answer. You finally finish your list and hand it the police officer. You know the list is not complete, you forgot half of the stuff that you had. The officer explains to you that there were no signs of forced entry. Your years of watching C.S.I. kick in and you realize that means somebody didn't have to break in. You tell the officer you remember locking the door. Your dad always taught you to do that. The officer explains that the previous tenants may still have a key, and that you should change the locks. "That advice is a little late don't you think?" you say angrily to the officer, quickly regretting saying that. You knew it wasn't his fault. The officer is quick to come back though, "Well, I hope you have renters insurance."

"Renters insurance?" You asked more politely. "Yeah," the officer says, "renters insurance covers theft of your personal belongings. I recommend it to people who are renting, did you know that it's the only way to protect your personal belongings, even if they are in your car? I rent too, and I have renters insurance for my place. It's only about ten bucks a month."

"Ten bucks a month." You say as I looked around the empty room. "You mean I could have all of my stuff replaced from this, and it would only cost me ten bucks a month?"

"Yup," the officer says reaching for his wallet and pulls out a card, "here, why don't you talk to my insurance agent. He sells Farmers Insurance, good rates, and he will treat you right. Tell him I sent you. Here is his card."

"Thanks!" you say with maybe a little too much excitement. "I will call him tomorrow. What are the odds you will find my stuff?"

"Honestly?" The officer asks, "I don't think we will ever find it. You don't have a complete list, and there is no way to identify the property as yours even if we do find it. Sorry, but most of these crimes just go unsolved.

Once the officer leaves, your dad asks you if you wanted to come home for the night. You really want to, but you have waited for this moment for so long. You tell your dad you think you will be okay. As your father walks out of your apartment, you turn the lock on your door. You almost laugh as you think how pointless that action was. Somebody out there has complete access to your apartment, you might as well leave it unlocked.

For the rest of the night, you don't get any sleep. Every little noise in the new apartment startles you. You think of things you forgot to add to the list you gave to the officer.

The next morning you call the agent on the card. While speaking with the agent, he explains what Farmers Insurance does differently from other companies.

"Well," he says, "We have a feature called Contents Replacement. Basically, if you have a couch now, and something happens to it, you get enough money to buy a new couch of equal or greater value. Without that feature, you would only get about the 'garage sale' value of the couch. How would you buy a new couch with only twenty bucks? That may be the value of the couch to an insurance adjuster, but it was a couch to you! You don't need twenty bucks, you need a couch."

The agent finishes filling you in on all of the features and low cost of renters insurance, you finally breathe a sigh of relief. "Once I buy a new lock for my apartment, I think I can finally sleep well again." You think as you read off your credit card number to the agent. "I just wish everything was this simple."

A Checklist For Farm Diversification

Having endured a sustained period of economic instability, many modern businesses - farms included - have been forced to reassess their position going forward. While times have been tough, it's nothing that farmers haven't been through before. Major incidents from BSE to foot and mouth mean that farm owners have been dealt crushing blows before. A lot of those who came out the other side did so because they managed to identify ways to supplement their traditional income by branching out into new areas.

Diversification has helped many a farm battle through troubled times and it's become an increasingly valid option for those owners who wish to bring in extra revenue. But it's not an easy step to take; those who do have such plans need to ensure they have planned meticulously and covered all the bases. Simply deciding to diversify is not enough - finding the right gap in the market and then executing a well-prepared strategy is essential. With that in mind, here are a few points to consider:

Play to your strengths
If your farm has buildings that are currently going unused, think about how you could use them efficiently to branch out. Successful diversification often hinges on putting existing assets to good use - it makes good economic sense to go down that route. Take an inventory of your unused resources as one of the first stages of brainstorming initial ideas.

Fill that gap
Get out there, do your research and find out what the local area is crying out for - if you can find a way to meet that demand then you're halfway there. By canvassing locals for products and services they feel are lacking in your area you'll be generating the best possible ideas for diversification.

Stay engaged
By keeping new business ideas in your sphere of personal interest, you'll ensure that you won't get bored with the venture six months down the line. Try and find a viable business opportunity covering a subject you have a genuine passion about. It doesn't matter what it is; if you're fully committed to making it work with a long-term strategy and a burning desire to succeed then the chances are you're off to a great start.

Get inspired
Do some research in to what has made for successful farm diversification in the past. Read up on case studies and draw some inspiration. That's not to say that you should copy a business idea wholesale, of course; what works elsewhere won't automatically be right for you.

Check your cover
Farmers insurance is incredibly important, so if you're looking to change the direction of your business be sure to check that your current policy is compatible with your plans. If it's not, shop around for insurance that suits your needs going forward.

Take these points into account and there's no reason why a well-planned diversification plan can't pay dividends. Finding a potential area of business that excites you personally and looks likely to fill a much needed gap in the market is the key to a prosperous future.

Position of Strength Or How to Paint a Target on a Provider's Back?

I read with interest the article in the September 2008 edition of The American Chiropractor titled "Deal with Investigators from a Position of Strength" written by a chiropractor in the Minneapolis-St Paul area reporting he offered the article as an illustration of how a strong and reasoned approach based on solid coding and documentation, coupled with a willingness to listen, can help doctors hold the line against contested claims and develop positive relational experiences with payer personnel.

The author's actions would do little to facilitate a position of stength, with either Farmers or any other insurance carrier. The article, in my opinion, fails to live up to its title. From my perspective, as an investigator, I would suggest the title, "How to Paint a Target on a Provider's Back."

Any goodwill the author may have developed with the Farmers investigator was likely dissipated by his article. Rather than holding-the-line, the author proposed a compromising course of action:

1. He does not meet with investigators or lawyers! Knowing when and when not to meet with investigators and lawyers is critical determinant! Experience has shown that, under the right circumstances, providers who meet with claims-handlers and fraud-investigators to discuss genuine concerns regarding submitted claims are able to communicate more effectively regarding what the provider did, why the provider did it, etc. Such discussions frequently resolve any issues or misunderstandings regarding clinical and billing activity. Additionally, such meetings frequently facilitate payment. An across-the-board refusal to meet with investigators is a red-flag to investigators, suggesting that the provider is hiding something. Heightened suspicion may entice more in-depth and expanded investigations.

2. He does not use (non-weight bearing) x-rays taken by other health care providers! He may soon be faced with questions from investigators on this activity, including: Has he ever not taken x-rays and used existing x-rays for patients who had limited or no chiropractic coverage (e.g., Medicare, cash)? If so, why not in the instance investigated? Does he request and review the x-rays taken elsewhere immediately after an accident? If not, why not?

3. He purports to bill $200 per visit when performing therapy codes for around five minutes each, billing each service at $50 knowing they were billed in excessive amounts! Could this chiropractor be faced with future questions as to the clinical relevance of therapy services administered only for five minutes; is the billing of multiple units of time-based therapies not administered for 15 minutes consistent with correct coding conventions; should such activity have been billed by reporting only one unit of the primary therapy administered?

4. He documents the care being given to patients on the HCFA 1500 claim form! Health care services are not documented on claim forms. Further, the claim form is CMS 1500 not HCFA 1500 and has been for years. Could this simple misstep be used by investigators to infer that the provider does not have a strong understanding of the laws & rules?

5. He reports the fraud investigator from Farmers Insurance indicated that Farmers should send more of their clients to him! I suspect that Farmers Insurance, after their review of the article, will want to examine this claim very closely. In my many years of working around the Insurance and Health Care Professions, I have never heard of an insurance company investigator referring to an insured or a claimant as "client".

Is the article analogous to bringing a knife to a gun-fight?

The author indicates that he credits a consulting group with strengthening his practice and resolve in maintaining his position under challenge. It would be quite interesting to review the consultant's response to the author's advice. Whether the consultant responds is irrelevant. The author's position is likely to be put to the test very soon!

The Greatest Wonders of Farmers Auto Insurance in Flint, Michigan

Often, by the time that they reach young or middle adulthood, individuals and families have located an insurance company in whom they have trusted for several years. These companies, such as Farmers auto insurance in Flint, Michigan, have demonstrated an excellent track record of customer service and less costly premium rates.

When people move from state to state, they often take these preferences along. Drivers with Farmers Auto Insurance who lived before in Georgia, for example, will usually prefer to continue working with the same insurance company as long as this company is licensed to provide insurance in the new state. They will probably, however, need to locate a new agent after moving.

While many companies are licensed in nearly all of the 50 states, a few are not, and it is important to check and make sure that the company you want to use is licensed in the state in which you reside. In addition, the company that you have used before may or may not offer the best rates in Michigan. For this reason, do some comparison shopping before purchasing a policy.

Comparison shopping can be quite time consuming if a person decides to call or visit several agents and request a quote. One of the best ways to do this quickly is to use a website that offers the ability to shop multiple agencies at once, such as http://www.insurance.com. This allows the user to get the best rates without spending a long time looking for them.

Individuals who choose Farmers Insurance have the advantage of knowing that insurance with this company is available in 46 states. Only Florida, South Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey residents are not eligible to purchase policies with this company. For the most part, then, people can maintain their insurance with this company easily when moving from state to state.

This is an advantage for policyholders. Moreover, Farmers Auto Insurance offers a strong online presence, which allows policyholders to get quotes and make premium payments online. It also allows individuals to add a car or driver and make policy changes. The website provides contact information and lists answers to frequently asked questions.

Farmers also offers many attractive discounts to policy holders. Students who successfully complete a Driver's Education program receive discounts. No claim discounts, multi-car, and multiple policy discounts may also apply.

With all of these advantages, Farmers Auto Insurance in Flint, Michigan, attracts a large customer base. A website that is easily navigated, combined with customer service and claims handling, has made this company a solid choice in the insurance industry. So before you renew, compare your rates and determine whether Farmers can meet your insurance needs for less than you are paying now.

Different Types of Farmer's Insurance

Farmer's insurance is the best way to manage different sources at right time and at proper place. This way can improve your operations and utilize them in the progress of your firm. All the insurance companies would follow the terms and conditions of Farmer Underwriter Association. Farmer's insurance companies will not be the owners of reciprocal inter insurance exchange. As a farmer, if you have to face loss in your business then the insurance company would bear some ratio of your loss. If the farmer has insurance then there is no need for him to worry about the loss that occurs. There are different types of farmer insurance that are provided by insurance companies:

Auto insurance:- This would give guarantee of the damage that is caused to farmer's machinery. By taking this farmer can avail assurance of their machinery to some extend.

Home Insurance:- This policy would give security for the damage that is caused to farmer's property like their home or to your shops. In this insurance, the farmer will get money for the he had incurred due to any natural calamities like earthquakes, or flood. At the same time, loss due to theft is also covered in home insurance.

Financial Insurance:-This will give help during financial crisis. If the farmer has any financial problem then he/she can opt for this insurance policy.

Business Insurance:Farmers can use this insurance to pay their dues to their landlords and can take back their property from their landlords. They can use this policy to build their own shop or any other source to earn money. Or they can use this policy to recover the loss that they have incurred due to some calamity. This is the best way to face the situation as it can overcome the financial affect within short span of time.

These are some different types of insurance policies that are provided by insurance company. You may take insurance as per your needs and requirements. If you are searching for insurance company then you need to do research on internet. It will equip you with necessary details as per your requirements. You just need to select the company that is reliable to deal. A reasonable deal is only available with proper efforts and research. Availing an affordable farmer insurance package is easy because of competition amongst various providers.

Knowing The Terms So You Don't Get Duped

Here's exactly where most of us make the big mistake... As soon as your insurance professional offers you the policy papers, usually, all you do is glimpse over it. If you're paying out thousands of dollars on a yearly basis on insurance, don't you feel it's about time you understood a bit more about your policy and just what your restrictions could possibly be? You should have an insurance advisor that will continually be there for you to show you how to have an understanding of the confusing terms, but it's vital you comprehend what your contract states. In this article, we'll make looking through your insurance agreement basic and take a look at the main principles of insurance legal agreements.

1. Offer plus Acknowledgment: Upon your application for insurance, the initial thing you need to do is acquire the offer form from the insurance company. Right after you've finished filling out the details you'll be asked to mail the forms (possibly with a premium check) to the insurance broker. What you are doing is giving them you're offer. The acceptance is when the insurance organization accepts your offer and agrees to insure you. Sometimes the insurance company could very well agree to cover you after some adjustments are fashioned to your offer. After you are given the latest terms you are quite inside your rights to improve it further and mail it back. This process could appear a little time intensive even so it's best to get things right right from the start and commit a little extra time now as an alternative for not being covered and disaster occurs.

2. Understanding Under-Insurance: This is exactly what under-insurance means... What you might possibly do to save you slightly on premiums, you could possibly insure your loved ones home at $80,000 when the complete valuation on the household really comes to $100,000. During the time of partial loss, your insurer can pay only a portion of $80,000 while you have to dig into your personal savings to cover the outstanding percentage of the damages. This is exactly what's called under-insurance, and you need to really try to keep away from it as much as you possibly can.

3. Knowing Your Excess: In the attempt to prevent trivial claims insurance providers have introduced conditions such as excess. Let's say your motor vehicle insurance and the excess is $5,000. In the event of an automobile incident with the loss amounting to $7,000 your insurer will pay you the $7,000 for the reason that the loss has overtaken the stated limit of $5,000. Nevertheless, should the loss equal to be $3,000 by way of example, then the insurance provider is not going to pay a thing leaving you to pay for the full sum of $3,000. What is important to note is that not all insurance agreements are indemnity agreements. A good example could well be that almost all life insurance and accident insurance legal papers tend to be non-indemnity agreements.

4. Here's an additional yet unique scenario... You purchase a life insurance policy of $1 million; doing this does not suggest your life is valued at $1 million since it's relatively impossible to ascertain your life's net worth and fix a price tag on it thus an indemnity written agreement does not and cannot apply.

5. Exactly What Does "Insurable Interest" really mean?
Insurable interest means your legal right to insure any type of property or any event that could possibly cause fiscal loss or create a legal obligation to you.

Bottom line
Whenever selecting insurance, almost everyone depend on our insurance expert for almost every thing - from picking a policy for us to filling out the insurance application forms. Most people attempt to stay away from the boring legal terms of insurance legal agreements, however it is always useful to know about these words and phrases and to understand the terms of the policy that you are investing in.

The Protection Worths the Extra Dollars Spent

For farmers, money is often tight. A farmer is at the mercy of the elements, and his or her crop is what feeds his or her entire family. Losing a crop is a terrible thing, but so is losing the equipment that is required to tend to that crop.

For farmers, there is protection against at least a little of that danger, and the protection is well worth the extra dollars spent. It may mean tightening a belt or two to funnel extra money into farming insurance, but the extra effort is worth the rewards should something happen to your livelihood.

A hailstorm could ruin an entire crop, but your farming insurance will help you to recover from what would otherwise be a debilitating loss to your finances and your way of life. The protection offered through the farming insurance might mean that your farm is saved to plant again next year.

Damage to your equipment can be almost as debilitating, if not more so, than damage to the plants that are your life. A tractor that stops running is as much use as a pile of dung in your fields, but your farming insurance can help you to repair or replace the tractor. The same protection extends to the truck that you use to haul farm equipment or the trailer that you transport your animals in.

If you are a rancher then your cattle are protected under a similar policy, meaning that should they become too sick to sell, you will be covered for your losses. Your transport vehicles are protected, and your life can go on as normal after what would normally be a terrible disaster.

Farming insurance also protects your outbuildings from things like fire and flood, almost like a home owner's policy for your barn. The outbuildings themselves and all of their contents should be protected from damage by your farming insurance policy, so that you can rebuild quickly should disaster strike.

Irrigation equipment is also covered under most farming insurance policies, so that if someone takes a detour through your fields and damages your equipment, you are protected. Many farming insurance policies also cover liability insurance, meaning that if someone (like a crop picker or a child on a tour of your farm) is injured while on your property, you are protected from having to pay for the treatment of the injured party.

Protecting yourself from these eventualities now might seem like a waste of money that could be spent elsewhere, but when the worst happens you will be more than glad for the protection that you are offered. A little money spent every month now can be the difference between having a hitch in your giddiup and complete ruin.

That little bit of extra money offers protection from so many diverse disasters, from the ruin of your crops to the death of your animals. The protection ranges from your equipment to your farming vehicles, and covers everything from your outbuildings to your irrigation systems. Farming insurance protects you from disaster.

Check with a local insurance agent to see what you can protect, and what is covered in the best policy for you. Every state has different insurance rules, and each state has a different policy on what crops are insurable on a local level. Spend the money now, and your trees/grape vines/corn are safe for tomorrow.

The Pitfalls of Farmers Insurance

Farmers insurance is more specialised than some other insurance policies in that not only does farmers insurance cover every aspect of the business but it can also cover the private dwelling as well.

There are many possible 'bolt ons' to farm insurance which can cover such things as farm buildings, the farm house (basically householders insurance), livestock, equipment, business interruption and personal possessions.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that many farmers have an inadequate level of farmers insurance partly due to the inability to support the cost of the insurance premiums but also as a result of the continually changing needs of farmers insurance which is becoming ever more complex.

One of the main areas that farmers have proved exposed in recent years is the lack of farmers insurance relating to environmental issues surrounding the use of chemicals on the farm. Many farmer insurance policies physically exclude any damage due to chemical leakage or damage due to the use of chemicals around the farm despite the high costs that can be associated with chemical disasters which could leave many farmers in financial ruin. What is worse is that most farmers are blissfully unaware that they do not have chemical insurance cover!

For those farmers that do not have the cost of chemical cleanups and other costs associated with chemical disasters included in their farmers insurance could find themselves in a no win situation in any claim that is anyway related to chemicals.

It is vitally important that all farmers actually understand exactly what is and is not included in their farmers insurance policy and take steps towards obtaining cover for those areas of their business which perhaps remain unintentionally without insurance cover.

Another area in which some farmers leave themselves exposed is when they allow but are not insured for shooting or other forms of recreational pursuits held on their land. Farmers should seek legal advice to ensure that they are covered for any use of their land either through farmers insurance or by means of legal disclaimers.

In addition, farmers need to be consciously aware of the ever changing needs relating to their farmers insurance making sure any changes in working practices or use of the farm are fully covered through there farmers insurance policy and that, as a matter of habit, they continuously remove unsafe objects or fix anything that might pose as a danger to farm workers or the general public as they are out and about on the farm.

The Skeptics Review To Hiring The Right Insurance Agent

Farmers insurance can be a brilliant way to help when things are tough but what if you've been led to choose the wrong policy? It's important you choose the right farmers insurance agent that will work with you and is prepared to put your needs first rather than his own.

Characteristically insurance companies will follow the terms and conditions of the Farmer Underwriter Association. The farmers insurance companies will not be the owners of shared inter insurance exchange.

Typically as a farmer, should you find yourself facing loss in your business then the insurance company should accept some proportion of your cost. If you have the right farmers insurance then there is no need to worry.

Here are the different types of farmer insurance provided by insurance companies:

Financial Insurance: Should you as the farmer have any financial problem then you can utilize this kind of insurance policy.

Auto insurance: A good auto insurance will give a guarantee of the damage that is caused to farmer's machinery.

Home Insurance: A farmers home insurance policy would give security for the damage that is caused to your farms property like your home or shops. This type of insurance should cover any natural disasters like earthquakes, or flood including theft should also covered in home insurance policy.

Business Insurance: As a farmer you s can use this insurance to pay your dues to your landlord. You may utilize this policy to build your own shop to earn income. You should also be able to use this policy to recuperate losses incurred due to a disaster.

By talking with farmers insurance agents you'll soon realise there are many products and services and a good agent will ask you multiple questions so he/she can determine which are the best policies for your needs.

By researching the internet you'll quickly learn the dos and don'ts. Investing a little time will equip you with the necessary details and arm you with the right questions. The right company and agent is only available with proper effort and research on your part.

An affordable farmers insurance package is easily accessible due to competition.

Bear in mind the cheapest may not always be the best just as the most expensive may not always be the best either. Be sure when you're shopping around to not base your decisions on price alone. Look at what's on offer and ask the difficult questions. There are 7 really good questions you should ask all farmers insurance agents before choosing one starting with; their qualifications.

One last thing to note... Be sure to call the insurance agents and make a 'phone appointment' first. The insurance companies will inevitably push for a face to face with you at your home but if you don't feel comfortable with them over the phone you can tell them you'll call back. Once they are in your home, and if you're not feeling comfortable with them you will have to endure them for a couple of hours. Always have your questions written down on a note pad or have them printed out with ample space to write the agents replies to your questions.

When you feel comfortable with the farmers insurance agent and his questions then it's advised to book a time for a face to face.