Hurricane Safety Tips from the Red Cross.

What should I do before a storm?

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).




• Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.




• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).




• Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.




• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.




• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.




• Fill your car’s gas tank.




• Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.




• Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for your pets to be cared for.




• Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.




• Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please call our office for a quote.

What supplies do I need?

• Water—at least a 3­day supply; one gallon per person per day



• Food—at least a 3­day supply of non­perishable, easy­to­prepare food
  Flashlight



• Battery­powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)



• Extra batteries



• First aid kit



• Medications (7­day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)



• Multi­purpose tool



• Sanitation and personal hygiene items



• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)



• Cell phone with chargers



• Family and emergency contact information



• Extra cash



• Emergency blanket



• Map(s) of the area



• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)



• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)



• Tools/supplies for securing your home



• Extra set of car keys and house keys



• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes



• Rain gear



• Insect repellent and sunscreen



• Camera for photos of damage

What do I do after a hurricane?

• Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.



• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.



• If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.



• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed­out bridges.



• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.



• Stay out of any building that has water around it.



• Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.



• Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.



• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
  Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.



• Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.



• Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.



• Use the telephone only for emergency calls and stay posted with your insurance agent in case you have a claim to make.

Time to create a long-term financial strategy

We all have goals in life, right? Some goals we internalize, others we write down and yet there are others that seem to get swept under the rug to deal with at a later date. It’s the latter that we need to address today... those goals that seem to gently nag at us daily until we attack them head on or abandon them altogether.

A common example of one of those goals we put off is developing a long-term financial strategy to help give our families more security in the future. We know we should do it... but it takes time to do the research. It takes time to sift through the hundreds of options out there. It requires us to make the first move—to call an expert, stop in and speak to a financial professional, or inquire online. And quite frankly, it requires a financial commitment.

What’s holding you back... from protecting your loved ones and trying to secure their financial future? Really think about it. Is it the time commitment, the energy needed or the financial investment that prevents you from accomplishing your goal? Or maybe all of the above overwhelm you. Only you know what’s holding you back. Only you can stop that nagging voice in your head that directs you to do the right thing.

Believe it or not, life insurance is commonly overlooked as a vehicle that may provide financial security for your family. We can’t predict how stocks will perform or what interest rates will be next year, but we all know our time on earth is limited. Work with what you know and garner the protection you need to replace that nagging voice in your head with a new one that says I’ve got some peace of mind knowing that my family will be taken care of, just in case something happens.

Isn’t it amazing that we can spend a countless number of hours talking to family members or friends about the best kind of car to buy, researching prices and safety features in local newspapers and actually test driving the vehicles of our choice to ensure they will appropriately meet the needs of our family? Yet, we may put off taking care of our financial legacy. We might not bother trying to understand the options available to us.

Let's face it. Most of us are not experts when it comes to long-term financial management, so why not pick up the phone and get someone with expertise to help you get this one goal taken care of? Take advantage of the expertise of our own financial professional in the protection/retirement industry who will help ensure you get the right solutions to protect your family. And don’t think you can’t afford it. The bottom line is that you need to start attacking your goal.

So no more holding back. Not only will you feel better when you've checked this important goal off your list... but one day your family will be thankful that you did!

In today's economy why buy life insurance?

Today’s Economy is tough, why should I purchase life insurance?

Quick Tips from Joseph McHugh Insurance Agency in Boca Raton.

You probably know why life insurance is important in a strong financial house: It will provide income for your spouse and dependent children in the event of your untimely death. But for many, life insurance continues to be a worthwhile expense even after the children finish school and fly from the nest. This is especially so because of economic and social trends and medical advances.

For starters, many Americans who tapped their home equity or traded up to bigger homes and loans during the go-go years have added decades of mortgage payments at the same stage of life when World War II generation parents owned their homes free and clear. That, combined with underwater home values for many home­owners, is a debt sentence for your survivors if you don't have an adequate amount of life insurance. Societal changes have also created new needs for coverage. Working couples who delayed having children might still have dependent kids when they're in their 60s. Ditto for blended and new families formed in later-life second marriages.

Last year, 6 percent of married men in households with children under 18 were 55 or older, up from 3.6 percent in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And parental financial obligations rarely end at 18, especially for college-bound kids.

Finally, because of greater health awareness and advances in medicine, your surviving spouse may well live a decade or two after you die. Those sunset years will be costly, and a sufficient death benefit will help push back the day when he or she might outlive your joint assets. In these uncertain times, it's especially important to re-examine your life insurance needs to make sure your coverage is up-to-date.

This is some information I have found through many articles and from years of experience that review five questions you need to ask.

How Much Do I Need?
For a lot of working people with children and a stay-at-home spouse, the very least amount of life insurance they should have is $1 million. But we recommend a more thorough analysis tailored to your particular family profile. Your family goal may be to figure out how much money will be needed to adequately support your children through college and your spouse through retirement. So the future cost of college for your kids, your mortgage payoff, and the income needs of a spouse who could live to 90 are the most important items to factor in. You can work the numbers with the help of a good financial specialist. Our in-house financial specialist is Bennett Leace who we highly recommend if you are in need of a review. As a service to our clients you have complete access to Bennett anytime so please take advantage.

What Type of Policy Is Best?
The two major types are permanent and term life insurance. Permanent life (which includes whole, universal, and variable life policies) is a mix of life insurance and an investment account that pays a benefit when you die or the built-up cash value if you liquidate it before your death. Term life is pure insurance protection that provides a death benefit if you die within a set number of years and typically nothing if you live beyond that term. Although it may seem that a live-or-die payout is better than having to die to get a benefit, you pay significantly more to get the twofer of permanent life, while term is lower-priced. The higher cost of permanent life goes to the investment side of the policy. Cash-value insurance can provide estate-planning and tax advantages for people over 60. But for most people, term life is the simplest, least-expensive option.

Do I Qualify for Coverage?
You can buy term life insurance in your 50s and 60s, but premiums will be higher than if you were younger. Also, don't automatically assume you're uninsurable if you're in less-than-perfect health. Quick Tip: Whatever your health, make sure you get in shape and get a physical from your family doctor before you apply for insurance so you won't be unpleasantly surprised. If you're overweight, shed the extra pounds. And do whatever else your doctor recommends to get your stats in line. Better yet, get serious about your health and move up to a better risk class. When we analyzed the savings possible from 12 lifestyle changes, we found that one of the biggest premium reducers is to quit smoking cigarettes. Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol? If you faithfully take your medicines to bring those down to normal levels, you could knock thousands from your premiums over the life of the policy.

Where to Get the Best Price?
You can apply for insurance online, but it’s in your best interest to contact a financial specialist who can assist and guide you and your family. When we asked our clients who have had a client review with Bennett Lease every one of them found his knowledge and experience to be most helpful and strongly recommend his services to others. How Strong Is the Insurer? Always remember, you buy insurance for peace of mind, so you don't want to worry about whether your insurance company will drop dead before you do. Look for one with the very top financial-strength rating. With Joseph McHugh Insurance Agency in Boca Raton you will be incredibly well taken care of. You and your family will have the peace of mind you deserve with all our financial products.

Exciting Times at our Boca Raton Insurance Agency

Hello to all our clients and neighbors here in Boca Raton.

We have finally taken the plunge, and put up our own website.

Why Now?

There is so much happening in the Boca Raton area, that we wanted to be able to speak to you, our customers and neighbors directly.

What's going on?

AUTO INSURANCE IN BOCA RATON

Our corporate offices have decided to be very aggressive in this market. We at Jopseph McHugh Insurance Agency in Boca Raton are able to offer incredible rates on insurance. This is insurance at the type prices you expect from some of the more questionable carriers - but backed by the strength and integrity of our incredible national carriers. You may never again see rates this good from an insurance company this strong. Joseph McHugh Insurance Agency in Boca Raton really wants your insurance business, and is ready to earn it!

Fill out our online insurance form or give us a call to see how we are prepared to earn your Auto Insurance in Boca Raton!

Stay Tuned for more blogs from Joseph McHugh Insurance Agency in Boca Raton.