 There are insurance companies that go above and beyond in ensuring that their client's lives are not disrupted when a claim occurs. Take this recent example: a client called our office to report that a toilet overflowed due to a faulty valve and his home in Connecticut had sustained extensive water damage while he was on vacation in Florida. In order to keep our client from having to play middleman, the insurer, AIG contacted the client’s builder/contractor directly and negotiated the settlement and start of repairs.
In
every way, AIG made sure that the client was able to continue his
daily routine without disruption. Some would think he received a
paid vacation in Florida, but AIG felt the cost was the same as
additional living expenses in Connecticut. In total, AIG issued
a settlement of $87,755 for the restoration and living expenses.
Our client reports this as “One of the best customer service
experiences I’ve ever had.” |
  Winter
has officially started and we're in the midst of the holidays, but
the snowed-in days of last December have yet to happen. For some winter
tips on protecting your home, contact
us. |
 Employees who fail to take advantage of employer 401k matching contributions leave "free" money on the table. In 2003, the 130,000 employees surveyed by AON consulting collectively gave up $89 million in employer contributions! |
 "I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment." "The pedestrian had no idea which way to run as I ran over him." "The indirect cause of the accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth." "An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished." |
During
the period of restoration, while the home was uninhabitable, AIG
paid for the insured's hotel, meals and parking costs in Florida.
The insured was able to remain in Florida rather than come Back
to Connecticut and stay in a hotel for the same time period. Because
they had an agreement with the builder, AIG was able to issue the
check directly to the client, and even avoided having the mortgage
company involved. |
|
  Effective
12/01/2004, FACT (the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act)
entitles you to receive a free copy of certain consumer & credit
reports every 12 months. Here on the east coast, you will not be
able to request a free copy of your credit report until 9/1/05,
however, free CLUE reports
(your insurance claim history) are available to you now. Visit the
ChoicePoint
site for more information and to request your free report. Also available: Information reported to the MIB (Medical Information Bureau) Checkwriting
history with Chexsystems |
 
For 2005, you will now be able to contribute up to $14,000 into your
401k plan. Those over 50 are eligible to contribute an additional
$4000. Also changing, Social Security is raising its taxable wage
base from $87,900 to $90,000 in 2005. |
Lisa Fitzsimmons has joined us in Personal Lines as a Customer Service
Representative. 
Kristen Madden is our new 401k Sales Specialist in the Employee
Benefits area.
Volume 2/Holiday 2004/Shepard on Insurance is a publication of Shepard Insurance Group
1700 East Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Phone: 203.637.6655 Fax: 203.637.6700
Visit us: www.shepardinsgrp.com Contact us (or for removal from mailing list): ShepardonInsurance