Happy New Year!

It’s that time when most people ring out the old (goodbye 2020!) and ring in the new with goals and resolutions to improve their lives. Not sure how you feel, but these first few weeks of January … well, I’m not so sure about 2021.

Despite the circumstances around us, we are still pretty much in control of our destiny. How?

By the thoughts we entertain and the decisions we make. With that in mind, here are a few areas you can focus on to take control of and improve your life….

#1: Your Finances: Yeah, yeah, yeah, easier said than done. Right? Not necessarily! Small changes to your spending and saving habits can reap real results. Check out these articles written by one of our agents to get easy and effective ways you can take control of your financial health.

#2: Your Insurance: Yes, insurance is a major part of everyone’s life, and it is important to make sure yours is up to date with your current circumstances. Medicare Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – March 31) is a chance for some Medicare recipients to review and revise their Medicare options. February is “Insure Your Love” Month and a good time to review your Life Insurance. Did the new year bring new changes to your household? Got a new car, new recreational vehicle or newly licensed teen driver? Review these insurance  policies and make sure you are properly covered. Many have learned the hard way their home insurance isn’t up to par so now, more than ever it’s imperative your home is properly insured. Make sure your repairs are complete before you apply for additional or new coverage though, as pre-existing conditions can hinder your policy.

#3: Your Health: Whether number one or last on your list, taking control of your health is important, and like with your finances, small steps toward overall improvement can go a long way. Healthy eating/lifestyle is a billion-dollar industry but there are many changes you can make yourself for little or no cost. Here are a few ideas to get you started….

     Get Moving! Studies have proven that frequent 10-minute walks are just as beneficial as longer jaunts 3-5 times each week. Too cold? There are walking videos you can do in the privacy of your own home. Like to dance? Check out the numerous dance-type exercise routines. With the many options out there (fitness centers, videos, online classes, etc.), all the excuses for not exercising no longer apply.

     Make one change to your eating habits (notice I didn’t say ‘diet’) each week or month. Give up that extra serving or slice of bread. Make a list of things you’d like to eliminate from your diet (okay, I said it LOL!) and give up one or two a month. Watch your sugar intake, especially “added” sugars.

     Celebrate the small victories! Need to lose 40, 50 or more pounds? Don’t look at how far you have to go, look at how far you’ve come. An easy way to do this is to journal your weight-loss journey and goals. Keep a positive outlook and appreciate the good things that come from the small changes you make.     
 
  Get on a good nutrition and/or vitamin regimen. Make an appointment with a nutritionist or naturopath and work out a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.
               
   Quit Smoking: Again, this is an area many feel powerless to overcome but that’s not true!

We’ve all heard the old adage, “Mind over Matter” and nothing holds truer than this when it comes to healthy changes to improve your life. For the most part, changing your habits is more of a mental thing than physical so think about how you can change your thoughts. Here’s where investing in a therapist or life coach can help.

We spend hundreds of dollars each year entertaining ourselves, why not invest in a living a healthy life? 

We here at Curtis Insurance/Curtis & Associates wish your a blessed and prosperous 2021.

Until next time take care and remember.... What you don't control, controls you....

Tommy Curtis and Staff

Disclaimers:
Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency
 
​Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
​{A Life and Health Agency}

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined writing a post like this one, but, with the world gone crazy over this Corona Virus, I thought I’d let you know how we, here at Curtis Insurance, and the Home/Life/Medicare companies we represent are handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although our office is remaining open - as of now - we are taking precautions like everyone else. We limit our exposure to outside traffic, encouraging our clients to pay their premiums online or directly to the company by phone when possible. We’re asking our patrons to be as cautious as we are by not coming into the office if you are currently experiencing any flu-like symptoms or have any reason to believe you may have been inadvertently exposed to this virus.

Our regular contacts at Home and Auto insurance companies are working remotely – from home – but still active. Turn-around time is slower than normal, but we are still in business.

Our Medicare clients are urged to stay inside! Order your medications and OTC items directly through the company and avoid being in the public for things you can have delivered directly to your door. All of the Medicare companies we represent have sent notices of waived co-pays, early and/or extended RX refills, online and telephonic support for their/our members. Many are also waiving co-pays for diagnostic testing related to the COVID-19 virus and some are offering their Virtual Doctor Visits at $0 co-pays. If you’re one of our Medicare clients and are unsure of your particular plan’s response or guidelines regarding this virus, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

New-to-Medicare clients, have no worries! Give us a call. We can mail or email you the product information you’re requesting, do Medicare Compliant presentations over the phone and enroll you over the phone or through email!

In this time of uncertainty, rest assured we are still here to serve you and will do so to the best of our ability until life gets back to normal, as surely it will.

Tommy Curtis & Staff

Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc. {A Life and Health Agency} ​

  As we move into the second month of 2020, there are so many things to consider when thinking about your insurance.

  We're going to take a moment and direct you back to some of our most important and most informative posts throughout the past couple of years.

Medicare AEP is over and 2020 is right around the corner.  Business has slowed to a more normal pace around the office.  We here at Curtis Insurance / Curtis & Associates would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Blessed & Prosperous New Year.
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Our office will close at 12:00 NOON on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24th) and be closed on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25th). We will resume normal business hours (9-5) on Thursday, Dec. 26th.

We will also close at 12:00 NOON on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 31st) and be closed all day Wednesday, New Year’s Day (Jan 1st 2020). We will resume normal business hours (9-5) on Thursday, Jan 2nd.

If you are looking for something different, something special to give a close friend, family member or loved one, consider a Life Insurance policy. We have special single, premium annuities that protect your money and your beneficiary from taxation that might otherwise be imposed on a cash gift or inheritance.

If you’d like more information on this type of plan, please give our Licensed Life Insurance Specialist a call and set an appointment to discuss your options.
 
Until next time take care and remember in a world where you can be anything….be kind.
Tommy Curtis and Staff

Disclaimer: This material has been provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
 
Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc. {A Life and Health Agency}

Bet the title of this post has you wondering what that old adage about the weather has to do with Insurance.

Lots!
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Brought on by Spring storms, March winds can mean anything from a gentle breeze to huge gusts to tornadoes. April showers sometimes mean flooding and those May flowers for June brides lend to thoughts of insuring your love.

Purchasing a new home can be fun and exciting, it can also be fraught with fears, insecurities and too many things on your ‘to do’ list. Many people get all caught up in the excitement and forget one of the most important aspects of buying a new home–Insuring it!–then, in a panic, accept the first quote they receive, not understanding the basics of a home insurance policy.
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​                                                                  Don’t be one of them.
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On the heels of Memorial Day in May and Flag Day in June, July is the month of patriotism since the 4th is the day we celebrate the birth of our country as a nation, independent from English rule.

Even though our break from the British Empire came in 1776, Insurance was sold in the Colonies as early as 1735 in South Carolina. In 1772 Benjamin Franklin along with more than 70 business owners formed a mutual company called “The Philadelphia Contributorship for the Insuring of Houses from Loss by Fire.”

In our previous post we explained what Riders and Endorsements are and gave some examples of these on a P&C policy. Today we’ll talk about riders on Life Insurance products.

Remember, a ‘rider’ is a temporary addition to an insurance policy that can be added or removed that does not change the original benefits stated in a policy and an ‘endorsement’ is a permanent change to increase benefits to an existing policy and both result in additional premiums.