Five Places to NEVER Use your Debit Card

1. Rental/security deposit - The business taking the money down for a car rental or home improvement equipment will actually take the money out of your account. You'll get it back when you return the car or equipment. With a credit card, the money is just "frozen" but not actually charged and you won't even notice its impact on your account.
2. Restaurants/bars - There are too many prying eyes. Besides the risk of having your card stolen, restaurants are one of those places where someone actually walks away with your card and you don't see them for a few minutes.
3. Regular payments - Businesses like to get your debit card number so they can extract dues straight from your bank account on a regular basis. It's better to use a credit card. In that way, if there is a dispute, the business won't be able to take the cash right out of your checking account.
4. Wi-Fi hot spots - NEVER use your debit card for an online purchase while at a free Wi-Fi location. Many of these are unsecured wireless connections and it's much easier for hackers and scammers to log on and steal your data.
5. Any retail outlet where you choose the "credit" option. Credit purchases cost the retailer more cash in swipe fees (you could be hurting a small business owner) and there is the factor of delay. You may forget the purchase and not account for the money and that could lead to an overdraft situation and the onerous fees that can go with them.

Protect yourself, protect your credit.

Shelly Guibert, Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100 shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

A special message for Texas homeowners (or wannabe homeowners).

In addition to providing you with useful information about insurance, Ben Goodwyn Agency wants to help its networking partners grow their business and provide the public with information that may be very beneficial to them.

 

The following is from Summer Garret, a mortgage professional with Nationstar Mortgage in North Texas.

 

"Rates are at an all time low!!  ANYONE with a mortgage needs to contact me with the following information to determine if refinancing is a good option:
1.        Original sales price of the home, current loan balance, rate and your total current monthly payment

2.        Amount of annual property taxes and homeowners insurance

3.        How long have you been in the home and what do you think it is currently valued at

New homeowners can take advantage of these low rates too!  We can guarantee a 15 day closing, and can help buyers down to 600 credit scores.  Contact me directly for more information or to fill out an application.  It costs you nothing! "

You may contact Summer directly at 972.880.9332 or summer.garrett@nationstarmail.com

I can testify to the fact that she is an awesome professional. We refinanced with her last December when we thought rates were as low as they were going to get, but they kept dropping.

You may also contact Shelly Guibert, Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100 shelly@bengoodwynagency.com for more information

Insurance is Big Bucks to Google!

Word Stream, a Boston MA-based provider of search marketing software, studied what keyword categories fetched the highest costs-per-click in Google AdWords. The keyword "insurance" took the number one spot - by a large margin.

24% of the most expensive keywords were related to the word insurance. These high cost-per-click keywords make Google the majority of its profits. In the last 4 quarters alone, Google made $32.2 billion in total advertising revenue.

Here are the top five keyword categories.

1. Insurance

2. Loans

3. Mortgage

4. Attorney

5. Credit

Would your home or auto insurance cover your child while living away from home at college?

It depends.

It is generally accepted that students attending college away from home are residents of their parents' household. The test is whether or not the move is intended to be permanent or temporary.

Your homeowners policy will cover personal property owned or used by a household resident while the property is located anywhere in the world. However, policies may limit that to 10% of the personal property limit when away from the home address.

Look at your policy personal property limit and take 10% of that amount. What did your child take to school? clothes, TV, computer, other electronics, furniture, and household items. How much would it cost to replace those items if they were lost at the same time due to fire or other catastrophe?

Some policies won't cover theft of personal property from the student's residence (except while the student is temporarily living there).

Liability coverage is afforded in case a family member is legally liabile for another person's injury or damage to another person's property. But again, some policies may limit the coverage when an accident occurs at a residence other than the family home. You may be able to purchase additional liability coverage for a separate residence for an additional cost.

As you can see, there are potential coverage gaps in your homeowners policy when your student is at college. We recommend you purchase a tenant (renter's) homeowners policy for the student's residence. The cost of such a policy is small compared to the benefits it provides.

Your automobile policy will provide coverage for vehicles anywhere in the United States and Canada. This includes coverage for damage to the vehicle (if coverage was purchased) as well as coverage for injury or damage to other persons or property.

Even if they didn't take a vehicle to college, some coverage may still apply if they are riding in or even driving a vehicle belonging to someone else.

To find out if your insurance has potential gaps, please call Shelly at Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100 shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

Distracted Driving

In a recent GMAC Insurance study, women are more likely to have distracted driving habits than men. These include eating, adjusting GPS devices, changing songs, taking pictures, applying makeup and changing clothes.

52% of female drives say that eat while driving (opposed to 44% male drivers)

• 83% of female drivers text at red lights (versus 71% male drivers)
• 38% of female drivers say they do not engage in distracted driving activities (46% male drivers)

Shelly, Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100 shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

What is better for you? Choosing a captive insurance agent or independent insurance agent?

When you’re looking to purchase insurance you will have many decisions to make. Choosing an agent is one decision. How do you determine to use a captive insurance agent or an independent insurance agent? But the biggest question is “why should this be a consideration?”

A captive agent (State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers, etc.) has an exclusive relationship with the company he or she represents. The company mandates that the agent only sells the products offered from that company only, for the privilege of working under their name.

An independent agent has no exclusive relationship with any company they represent. The agent is free to choose the products they will sell and the company(ies) will sell for.

All agents paid by commission in some form or other. Insurance agents must consider what company(ies) will give them the best opportunity to earn a living. Most agents look to work for big name companies because working for a big name company may offer them more opportunity to make a sale and get a commission check.

Why should you care what type of agent you use? The reason comes down to two more questions. The first question is about family, and the second question is about trust. The question about family is: when the agent is presenting you with a product whose family does he or she have in mind? Your family or their own family? The question of trust is a personal one for you as the client. When you look into the agent’s eyes do you trust that what is being offered is what is best for your family and not the agent's?

The captive agent must sell what the company offers.

Independent agents generally have a wide variety of products and companies. This variety is good for the client and the agent. The client has a better chance to find a company that can fit exactly what they need, the client can shop for the best price, the best company rating, and the best product without having to go or call company after company. The agent can look for what is the best product for this client and not feel pressure into selling anything that is close to what the client needs just to get paid.

There are many more facts to consider when choosing your agent, however don’t leave this consideration out. It may be the most important one of all.

Call Shelly Guibert, Ben Goodwyn Agency, independent insurance agent. 972.618.0100 shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

Member Independent Insurance Agents of Texas

Your Vehicle Title can Keep you out of a Jam

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has the following suggestions regarding your vehicle title:

If you're the seller:

• File a Vehicle Transfer Notification with 30 days when you sell, trade-in, gift or donate your vehicle. It's free and you cannot be held responsible for parking tickets, toll charges and other violations after the sale date.
• Sign the title over to the buyer and complete section 130-U. Keep the date of sale, vehicle make, model, VIN and buyer's name, address and phone number.
• Keep your license plates and windshield registration sticker. You can transfer your license plate to a new vehicle through your local county tax office.

If you're the buyer:

• Make sure you're getting a clean title. Take the seller with you to the county tax office to transfer the title.
• Ask for the vehicles records.
• Get your new vehicle titled in your name. You have 20 business days from the date of sale to apply for a new title.
• Go to www.TxDMV.gov to download a temporary Vehicle Transit Permit.

For more information contact Shelly Guibert at Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100 or shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

Beat the Heat Contest

Join the Ben Goodwyn Agency for a “Beat the Heat” contest in August.  Travelers Insurance has announced a contest for its independent agents and our agency wants to pass on the challenge.  All our Texas friends that have us quote a new policy in August will get their name put in a bowl for each quote.  All our friends that issue a policy in August will get their name put in a bowl for each policy. For example, if you have us quote your home and auto, you will get your name entered twice, if we issue both policies you will get two more entries for a total of four. 

 

 If you refer a friend/client to us for a quote, both you and the friend/client will get your name put in a bowl for each quote.  Sounds easy, right?

 

I’ll bet you would like to know what the prize will be. 

 

You will have your choice of an iPad 2 16GB with Wi-Fi and 3G or a custom 50” quilt in your color choices.

 

Remember, you can’t win if you don’t call.  If you have your declaration pages available, it might take 10 minutes of your time.  Contest ends on 8/31/11 at 11:59 pm.  Drawing will be Thursday, September 1.  Need not be present to win.

 

We can be reached 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week.

 

Shelly Guibert 972.618.0100

shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

James Guibert 214.455.3921

I've been hacked! Now What?

If you think your computer has been hacked, do you know how to identify and analyze the cause?

Immediately cease all online activity and contact your IT administrator.

• Remove the affected computer from the network (and any other computers involved).
• Contact your financial institution(s) to disable online access to your accounts and close them.
• If applicable, consult your attorney and determine your state's data breach notification law and regulations to determine what steps you need to follow.
• Notify other business partners that may have been affected.
• File a report with your local police department.

Following are some important terms you should know:

Malware refers to software programs that have been designed to damage or do other unwanted actions on a computer i.e., spyware, keyloggers and computer viruses.

Spyware is installed on your computer without your knowledge. It is designed to collect small to large pieces of personal information, including your internet surfing habits. It is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to detect once it is on your computer without proper antispyware tools.

Keyloggers will track (log) the keys struck on a keyboard, typically in a hidden manner so you don't know you are being monitored. They may record words typed, Web browsing history, passwords and other private information.

Viruses are ever changing and a constant threat to systems. They can deliver harmful content to your data and systems in an attempt to collect data, destroy data or turn it into a drone that spreads viruses.

Phishing is the act of gathering personal information or spreading malware using emails, calls, text messages or pop-up messages from what seems to be friends or legitimate banks, retailers, government agencies or organizations.

It is recommended that you buy virus protection software from a respected source and use it regularly.

Shelly Guibert

Ben Goodwyn Agency

972.618.0100

Who would have guessed it?

Very unexpected results from the "Distracted Driving Study" by GMAC Insurance indicates that the least experienced and youngest drivers are the LEAST LIKELY to have distracted driving habits. For the most part the only distracted driving habit a teen driver may have is song selection. Drivers over 60 years old are also with fewer distracted driving habits than young adult drivers.

• 57% of young adult drivers say they eat while they drive versus 39% of teen drivers and 38% of drivers over 60 years old.
• Approximately 30% of young adult drivers adjust their GPS (4% teens and 13% drivers over 60 years old).
• 28% of young adult drivers do not use their smart phones to text, email or make calls. However, 75% of teen drivers and 72% of drivers over 60 years old have stopped using their mobile devices completely while driving.

Visit www.gmacinsurance.com and click on the National Drivers Test button to take the test. You can also access it on Facebook on the National Drivers Test Facebook App where you can "challenge a friend" to take the test.

Shelly Guibert

Ben Goodwyn Agency

972.618.0100

What in the world is a QR Code?

"What is that?"

A QR Code is a 2 dimensional barcode initially designed to track automotive parts during manufacturing. It was developed in 1994 by Denso-Wave.

With the proliferation of smart phones, the QR Code (quick response) is quickly becoming known in mainstream American culture. All you need is a smartphone with a built in camera and QR Code reader application.  One such free app is i-nigma from 3GVision, available from either the Apple App Store, Blackberry App World, or Android Market. 

The unique design allows it to be read from any angle and its storage capacity is greatly increased compared to a typical one dimensional barcode.  To scan a QR code initiate your QR code reader and point your phone's camera lens on the code.  Usually it will take the user to a web site, dowload information to your phone (including contact information, important dates, begin a phone call or e-mail or even directions to a location). They have now evolved to be powerful marketing tools and can be seen on billboards, magazine ads, restaurant menus, and even on clothing.

QR Codes are gaining more attention in the United States and will likely evolve into even more exciting technology

Shelly Guibert, Ben Goodwyn Agency

972.618.0100