Choosing a Beneficiary for your Life Insurance

Selecting one or more beneficiaries for your life insurance policies is an important decision. The beneficiary is the person or entity that you name to receive the financial benefits from your life insurance policies upon your death. Your NJ agent may be able to help you make the right choice based on your situation. It is vital that you review your life insurance policies as circumstances in your life change, and contact your agent to make any adjustments you deem necessary.  

Logically choices for beneficiaries include your spouse, children and other dependents or family members. You may also consider leaving life insurance benefits to your church, alma mater or a charity. The important thing is that you specify clearly how the death benefit should be distributed.

You may want to name a both a primary and a contingent beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is whom you name to receive your life insurance benefits. The contingent beneficiary is someone you name to receive the benefits in the event your primary beneficiary cannot be located or has passed away.

It is important that you clearly identify your beneficiaries for your insurance company, and obtain their Social Security numbers if possible. The easier you make it for your NJ agent to track down your beneficiaries, the smoother the process may be of distributing life insurance proceeds to your heirs.

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A Job Change May Affect Your Auto Insurance

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Changing
jobs may have an impact on how often you drive your car, how far you drive it
and who rides in it. Depending on how the new job affects the use of your car,
your auto insurance premiums may be impacted in a number of ways.

Should
your new job be far closer to your New Jersey home, enabling you to lessen your
mileage, your insurance premiums may decrease. On the other hand, if your new job
is much farther away, causing you to drive farther each day, your premiums may
go up. The more time you spend on the road in heavy interstate traffic or
downtown stop-and-go traffic, the greater your risk of an accident.

You
may be fortunate enough to take New Jersey public transportation to work every
day and only use your car on the weekends. This may make a difference on your
auto insurance premiums. Your agent should be able to explain the impact
driving frequency and annual mileage may have on your insurance costs, and give
you a reasonable quote based on your new driving schedule. If your job requires
you to use your own car for work, you might want to talk to your employer about
any auto insurance available through the company.

It
is recommended to report any significant changes in driving habits to your
insurance agent. Your premiums may go up or down, depending on the
circumstances. Either way, it is important that you make sure you have the
right financial protection for your car and passengers. 

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Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Medications

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Keeping your New Jersey driving record clean may be one of the best
things you can do to qualify for a lower quote on auto insurance. Multiple tickets for moving
violations tend to label you a higher risk driver, resulting in higher premium
costs. One thing you may not recognize as a hazard is driving under the
influence of prescription, or even some over-the-counter medications. Some of
these medications may impair your driving as much as alcohol or illegal drugs.

It may be wise to check your medication labels for warnings such as,
“may cause drowsiness,” or “do not operate heavy machinery while using.” These
kinds of medications may affect your cognitive abilities, making driving too
dangerous.

Medications that tend to cause driving impairment include those for
depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and allergies. Certain pain
medications and decongestants may affect your driving ability as well. It’s an
easy thing to overlook – after all, we don’t think we’re doing anything “wrong”
when we take prescription medication.

Penalties for driving under the influence of legal medications vary from
state to state. You may be subject to a fine, or possible license suspension. A
poor driving record or a history of involvement in crashes can also increase
the amount you would be asked to pay for your car insurance.

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Teaching Your Teen to Drive

Teaching your teenager to drive may be a nerve-wracking experience, but it is important to try to remain calm, and not scream out “brake!” every time they scare you. Before allowing your teenager to test for a learner’s permit, don’t forget to update your insurance policy. It’s a good idea to talk to your agent about a New Jersey auto insurance quote, and see what effect adding a teenage driver will have on your premium.

When taking your teenager out driving for the first time, there are some simple steps that might make it easier on both parties.

•    You may want to start in an empty parking lot, and then progress to side streets with little traffic.

•    It might be wise to discuss the particular driving skills you will be practicing beforehand, and make sure your teen knows the right route to take.

•    While riding in the car, make sure you give your teen simple directions early enough for the directions to be processed and obeyed.

•    You may want to refrain from distracting your teen with too much talking, but do remember to offer praise when deserved.

•    Should your teen make a mistake, it may be best to pull off the road and discuss the mistake right away.

•    Upon returning home, you and your teen may want to offer feedback to each other.

Teaching your teenager to drive does not have to be terrifying. Remaining calm is very important, and getting a good New Jersey auto insurance quote from your agent may be equally important so you are correctly insured for the new driver.

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Celebrate National Park and Recreation Month

July has been designated National Park and Recreation Month since 1985. The National Recreation and Park Association has chosen “Rock Your Park” for this year’s theme, and is encouraging people to take advantage of the five full weekends in the month of July to spend time in a national park. Should you want to purchase a camper to take maximum advantage of the park experience, you may want to check with your agent for a New Jersey auto insurance quote on your camper. You may be able to add your camper to your auto insurance policy, or you may have to purchase a separate policy.

July may be a perfect time for you and your family to take advantage of special activities offered at your state’s national parks. Your children may learn more about the natural world around them through biking, hiking, canoeing or picnicking in the great outdoors. The State of New Jersey website offers virtual tours of all 28 parks. You and your family may want to gather around the computer and pick the park where you may want to camp for a weekend or just spend a day.

A camping trip to a national park may be an inexpensive get-away. You may want to get a New Jersey auto insurance quote on a camper before purchasing it, as different types of campers may require different coverage. Why not check with your agent soon, and take advantage of National Park and Recreation Month?*

Life Insurance Misconceptions

You may think you do not need life insurance in NJ until you are a senior citizen, but that is a very long way from the truth. Life insurance needs may vary at different stages in your life, and your agent could help you identify the right policy for you right now.

You may need life insurance even if you are young and have no dependents. Should you be providing support for aging parents or siblings, you may need life insurance to provide some financial protection for your family in your absence. If you have a large debt that your parents might be liable to pay if you passed away you may want to have life insurance in place to protect them financially. Life insurance purchased at a young age typically means lower premiums.

Some people believe that it is best to opt for a life insurance policy that does not require a medical exam. This is not always true. Should you be a young person in good health, taking the time to go through the medical exam may result in lower premiums for you to pay. Other people believe that life insurance is too expensive. This is not always the case. There are many options available through your life insurance NJ agent. Your agent may be able to help you find the one that is right for you.*

Preventing Infections During Cancer Treatments

One of the many reasons people purchase life insurance in NJ is that they begin to worry about the possibility of getting some type of cancer as they get older. While it’s a very real risk sometimes, it is sometimes the consequences of the cancer that ends the victim’s life.

An infection, for instance, could be deadly to a cancer patient. Many people with cancer decide to undergo chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells. This treatment has a side effect of decreasing the number of white blood cells in your body. With a compromised immune system, you may be less able to fight off even minor infections.

As a cancer patient, the development of a fever should be considered a medical emergency according to the CDC. This is because the fever is sometimes the only symptom of an infection. Any time you feel warm or just unwell, you should take your temperature immediately. When should you call the doctor?

When your temperature hovers at a minimum of 100.4°F for longer than an hour, medical assistance should be sought.

Any time your temperature reaches 101°F or higher, you should seek help immediately.

Cancer is deadly, but many people fail to see that infections could be deadly too. Knowing what to do when a fever develops during chemotherapy may help ensure you are around long enough to show your cancer who’s boss.

Whether or not you’re concerned about cancer consider making plans for your family’s financial future by obtaining life insurance in NJ. We just don’t know what will take us or when.

Reducing Stress in Three Easy Steps

Stress itself does not kill, but the effects of living an overly stressful life could contribute to a premature demise. While the life insurance NJ residents might have could benefit their families financially after such an event, we’re sure most families would prefer not to have to make such a claim. If you suffer from stress, why not take steps to reduce the amount of stress felt each day? Here are three common causes of stress and tips for dealing with them.

  • One common reason for stress can be procrastination. Many people put off tasks until tomorrow that they could have completed today. By creating a schedule and sticking to it, you may be able to manage your time better.
  • While you cannot ignore your responsibilities, it is important to make time for yourself. Relaxing is essential in helping to keep stress levels low. Find an activity you enjoy and fit it into your schedule a few times a week.
  • You may be surprised at the number of individuals who claim their number one stress is finding time for their family. With the busy lives many of us lead today, family can often be put on the back burner. While reaching your career and other goals is important, you may find yourself able to unwind more easily when you schedule family time. Why not just turn the cell phone off for an hour and focus on your family?

Reducing the amount of stress in your life could have a multitude of benefits, physically and mentally. While your chances of some health issues may decrease, it is still important to be prepared for the unexpected. Life insurance NJ could provide much needed support for your family should you die prematurely.*

The High Cost of DUIs

Are you disappointed in your recent New Jersey auto insurance quote? Sometimes people fail to realize how extensive the effects of their poor driving history can be. One of the worst things you could have on your record is a DUI, but high insurance rates may be the least of your worries if you drive after drinking.

When you drive drunk, you are always at risk of being pulled over by a police officer. Should this happen you could face hefty fines, tickets, jail time and license suspension, even if it is your first offense. Consider this – it could cost you hundreds of dollars by the time the court case is over, but how much would you pay for a cab ride home?

More importantly, DUIs lead to thousands of deaths and injuries every year. You may feel like it is your life, so you have the right to risk it by driving under the influence of alcohol but what about the drivers and pedestrians around you? Often times it can be the drunk driver who walks away and the other people involved in the wreck that are killed.

Have you been convicted of a DUI in the past three years? You may have to settle for paying a little more for auto insurance for now. By making smart decisions behind the wheel however, your next New Jersey auto insurance quote may be a little more to your liking.*

Why You Need Life Insurance in NJ

One of the most compelling reasons to purchase life insurance in NJ immediately is because no one can pinpoint exactly when their demise will occur. Just as mysterious may be the reason behind an individual’s passing. However, according to a chart created by the National Security Council, the following causes of death are quite rare:

  • In 2008, the average person’s odds of dying by legal execution were 1 in 111,779, but this may become more uncommon every year, as laws are changed to ban the death penalty.
  • With a 1 in 134,906 chance of a person being fatally struck by lightning, it is a rare occurrence, but it has been known to happen.
  • Dog bites may be commonplace nowadays, but ones so severe they kill the victim are atypical. There is only a 1 in 144,899 statistical probability that you will die from a canine attack.
  • Did you know that a flood is one of the few natural disasters which could occur anywhere in the country? Considering this fact, it is surprising that the odds of dying during a flood are not greater than 1 in 558,896.
  • The rarest cause of death featured on the chart is death from fireworks discharge. Calculated to be only 1 in 652,046, this may surprise many, considering that gatherings featuring fireworks often include alcohol.

Do not allow these statistics to fool you – you have a 1 in 1 chance of dying, there is no denying that. While the day and cause may be unknown, preparing for an unexpectedly early demise by purchasing life insurance in NJ could be an essential safeguard for your family’s financial survival.

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