Newsletter

Most of us are hardworking honest people, who are building strong families and are productive members of our community. Unfortunately, there are a few people who try to take advantage of us and we need to be educated on what to watch for. Fraud, including insurance scams, is the second-most burdensome financial crime in the United States. Tax evasion is number one.
Your personal insurance company and agent can be a great resource to you before, during, and after an accident.

Here are a few of the most common scams:

1.Forced Rear-ending – Typically, the scammer will slow down or come to a stop in busy traffic, or swoop in front of the victim at an intersection or an on-ramp, causing the driver to crash into them from behind. In most states, the person who rear-ended the other driver is the liable party, thus the scam begins. At this point, the scammer will claim high medical bills and unusual property damage, (loss of IPhone, damage to other personal property, etc).

2.Counterfeit Air Bags - Each year, about 1.6 million air bags inflate during crashes, saving thousands of lives. But, during the repair process, at least a small percentage of those deployed air bags will be replaced with counterfeits, which can be life-threatening.  Make sure you use a reputable repair shop and ask to have factory airbags installed.

3.Windshield Replacement Rip-Offs - Don’t fall for the person in a van who stops you to say he can offer to fix your windshield. The scammer takes your insurance information and files a false claim. Only use well known repair shops.

Phantom Victims - Often after an accident, you are not fully aware of everyone and everything around you. The scam is the injured party will say there was another passenger in the vehicle and make a false claim. When gathering information after an accident, such as the other driver's license number and contact information, also count the number of passengers in the other car (if any) and take photos of the other car, its passengers, and the general scene.

As always, all of us at Columbia River Insurance Services thank you for your continued business, and hope you are enjoying your summer!

A recent study by Assurant Health has revealed that consumers who previously went direct to the health insurance market are returning to agents.  The study found that 60% of consumers, who once bought directly from the market, have gone back to agents for help.  Consumers have determined that their costs do not change, and having an independent agent offers greater value.

Here are some of the advantages sited:

• Independent agents offer a great knowledge of the market and products.
• There is a single point of contact.
• Agency staff is much more qualified than those in the “marketplace” are.
• Consumers were able to gain a better understanding of their coverage.
• Consumers prefer to develop a relationship that involves trust.
• Dealing with people is less stressful and less of a hassle than trying to complete the process online or over voicemail.
• In addition, consumers who purchased through an agent were significantly more satisfied about how easy it was to understand their options and choose a plan that gave them the best coverage tailored to their needs, than those who purchased online.
• Overall, consumers seem to prefer having the guidance of an experienced agent available to them.

Source: Insurancenews.net
 

Wehave used “How We Put People Before Policies”as our tagline for many years.  We use it because we truly believe that people are more important than policies.  However, a tagline is meaningless unless it is put into practice.  Here are a number of ways we carry this out this concept every day.

Each Client Is Unique
We know your insurance needs are one of a kind and require personal attention.  Your family may require certain kinds of coverage and we will make sure you understand that.

Education Comes First
Before we even talk about insurance, we want to educate you on your risks and how these risks may affect your family or business.  We believe that if you are educated about your risk you will make educated decisions.

Excellence Starts With A Human Connection
When a client calls, they get a licensed professional who can speak to their specific needs and respond accordingly.  We listen to your concerns, ask questions, and then provide a response.

We Never Stop Learning
Risk and insurance is an ever-changing field.  That is why we, as a team, continue to expand our knowledge base and further our education.  This allows us to provide you with the latest trends regarding your risk and insurance.

Relationships Matter
Insurance is a relationship between you the client, the agent, and the insurance company. We look out after your interests—we do not work for an insurance company.  We enjoy making personal connections with our clients, and look forward to the next time we interact with them. 
 

A healthy body is a happy body, and there’s no better way to preserve your health and your family’s health than with a health insurance policy from Columbia River Insurance Services.

Let’s face it, medical treatments aren’t cheap. Without health insurance coverage you could end up paying off medical bills for the rest of your life. Columbia River Insurance Services can help you find an affordable healthcare plan that’s right for you. Contact one of our friendly agents today to learn more.

When you’re looking for health insurance, it’s a good idea to take a look at all the angles. You want coverage that works with your lifestyle, helps you get the best care possible and fits with your financial picture. That’s where we can help.

There are many good plans with a wide range of plans and an incredibly diverse network of doctors, clinics and hospitals across the nation, you’ll have access to many options. No matter where life takes you, there are plans are designed to deliver high quality care and affordable prices.

If you lost coverage or are coming off some other insurance, short term medical insurance might work as the right health plan for you while you find more permanent health coverage. Often called term medical insurance or temporary medical insurance, short term medical plans are designed to give health coverage during a limited series of months.

Are You Self Employed?

When you’re self-employed, your time can feel stretched. Choosing a health plan can be complicated, but we can provide options. With a large network of providers and easy-to-use tools and resources, we can quickly sort through the details and find a plan that works for you.
 

A healthy body is a happy body, and there’s no better way to preserve your health and your family’s health than with a health insurance policy from Columbia River Insurance Services.

Let’s face it, medical treatments aren’t cheap. Without health insurance coverage you could end up paying off medical bills for the rest of your life. Columbia River Insurance Services can help you find an affordable healthcare plan that’s right for you. Contact one of our friendly agents today to learn more.