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Insurable Interests

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Previous Issues

VOL. 6, ISSUE 1   •   SEPTEMBER, 2010

Be Careful to Avoid Dog-Bite Claims Man's best friend can become your worst enemy if you find yourself on the wrong end of a dog-bite claim. READ MORE... 9.10 Car Rental 9.10 Low Unemployment 9.10 College Transition Run for a Good Cause

VOL. 5, ISSUE 12   •   AUGUST, 2010

Should You Raise Your Homeowners Deductible? If you are thinking about raising your deductible in order to lower your homeowners insurance premium, there are some things you should consider. READ MORE... 8.10 Retirement 8.10 Passport 8.10 Live to be 100 Insurance for Your College Kid

VOL. 5, ISSUE 11   •   JULY, 2010

Someone You Should Know: Amy Meyer From time to time, we have a special feature called "Someone You Should Know," which introduces you to the people who work at The Bensman Group. In this issue, we profile Amy Meyer, Personal Lines Manager. READ MORE... 7.10 Oil Use 7.10 CSA 7.10 Napping Call Before You Rent a Facility

VOL. 5, ISSUE 10   •   JUNE, 2010

The State of the Economy and Its Impact on You: A Risk Management Perspective In times like these, when there is so much uncertainty, it's important to focus on the things we can control and take care of the people who rely on us. READ MORE... 6.10 Best Cities 6.10 Using Credit Abroad 6.10 Sunscreen Boat Coverage Takes a Little Time

VOL. 5, ISSUE 9   •   MAY, 2010

Buyer Beware of Foreclosed Homes If you are considering buying a home out of foreclosure, there are some things you should know before you move ahead. READ MORE... 5.10 Printer Fonts 5.10 SummerVacation 5.10 Animal Babies Insurance and Your College Graduate

VOL. 5, ISSUE 8   •   APRIL, 2010

Healthcare: We're All in this Together Now that the dust has settled, it's time to take a look at what we know -- and what we don't know -- about the new healthcare reform law. READ MORE... 4.10 Green Credits 4.10 Home Staging 4.10 Talk to Your Doctor Flood Insurance Reminder

VOL. 5, ISSUE 7   •   MARCH, 2010

Understand Your Obligations for Household Employees If you have household employees, such as a nanny or a housekeeper, you also have tax and other obligations for that employee. If you don't meet those obligations, you could end up in hot water with the IRS. READ MORE... 3.10 Credit card changes 3.10 Toyota 3.10 Top Dogs Check the Coverage on Your Rag Top

VOL. 5, ISSUE 6   •   JANUARY, 2010

Someone You Should Know: Barb Hill As Senior Account Manager for Employee Benefits, Barb Hill answers questions, negotiates with insurers and, most importantly, builds relationships with clients. READ MORE... 2.10 Haiti 2.10 Weddings 2.10 Healthiest States It's Illegal--and Stupid--to Text and Drive

VOL. 5, ISSUE 5   •   JANUARY, 2010

Don't Put Off Planning Your Estate Even if you don't think you have an estate plan, you do. The problem is that it is the state, and not you, that decides how to distribute your estate unless you act. READ MORE... 1.10 Census 1.10 Retirement Options 1.10 Meditation Time to Check Your Beneficiaries

VOL. 5, ISSUE 4   •   DECEMBER, 2009

Finding the Real Holiday Spirit In early December, about 25 employees of The Bensman Group volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. READ MORE... 12.09 Taking a Breath 12.09 Year-End 12.09 Holiday tipping Let Us Know if Your Mortgage is Sold

VOL. 5, ISSUE 3   •   NOVEMBER, 2009

Check the Coverage on Fine Wines If you have a collection of fine wines, make sure that you have the right kind of coverage to protect your investment. READ MORE... 11.09 Saving on Health Care 11.09 Wine 11.09 Whole Grains A Time for Giving Thanks

VOL. 5, ISSUE 2   •   OCTOBER, 2009

Someone You Should Know: Jill Johnson Earlier this year, we announced a special feature called "Someone You Should Know," which introduces you to the people who work at The Bensman Group. In this issue, we profile Jill Johnson, Underwriting Manager. READ MORE... 10.09 Networking 10.09 Grandpa 10.09 Swine Flu Is It Time to Put Your Car in Storage?

VOL. 5, ISSUE 1   •   SEPTEMBER, 2009

The True Value of Your Insurance The experience of a Bensman client in the wake of last fall's flooding shows the true value of insurance coverage. READ MORE... 9.09 Trusts 9.09 Best Places 9.09 Stimulate your Brain It's Time to Check Your Furnace

VOL. 4, ISSUE 12   •   AUGUST, 2009

Give Us Your Thoughts on "Insurable Interests" We at The Bensman Group would like to know what you think about our electronic newsletter. READ MORE... 8.09 Millionaires 8.09 Brainstorming 8.09 College College and Insurance

VOL. 4, ISSUE 11   •   JULY, 2009

Risk Management on the Home Front You know that companies practice risk management, to address losses before they happen. You can practice risk management at home, too. READ MORE... 7.09 Air Fares 7.09 Diamonds 7.09 Cancer Deaths Risks of the Dog Days of Summer

VOL. 4, ISSUE 10   •   JUNE, 2009

Watch Out for Insurance Scam You may be tempted to file an insurance claim for damages that did not really happen. But that's not only unethical, and possibly illegal; it also ultimately could raise your rates. READ MORE... 6.09 Recession Bargains 6.09 Stay-cation 6.09 Disaster Planning Check Your Watercraft Coverage

VOL. 4, ISSUE 9   •   MAY, 2009

Rising Risk from Uninsured Motorists Rising unemployment is resulting in an increase in uninsured and under-insured motorists. READ MORE... 5.09 Best Companies for Older Workers 5.09 Vegetable Garden 5.09 Back Yard Birds Summer Can Change Insurance Needs for Students

VOL. 4, ISSUE 8   •   APRIL, 2009

Finding Coverage in the Sunshine State Recent events have made it harder than ever to buy property insurance in Florida. READ MORE... 4.09 Online Money Sites 4.09 Choosing a Home Safe 4.09 Summer Camp Looking Toward the Future

VOL. 4, ISSUE 7   •   MARCH, 2009

Frank Talk About Texting and Driving This is a good time to talk to your teens about the dangers of texting and driving. READ MORE... 3.09 Working from Home 3.09 Things that are cheaper 3.09 Roller Coasters Time to Get Out the Ragtop?

VOL. 4, ISSUE 6   •   FEBRUARY, 2009

Do You Have a Personal Recovery Plan? You should have a plan for your financial recovery from these uncertain economic times. READ MORE... 2-09 RMD 2.09 Best Places 2.09 Probiotics Most Expensive Colleges

VOL. 4, ISSUE 5   •   JANUARY, 2009

Someone You Should Know: Rob Terranova In addition to working with his own property/casualty clients, Rob Terranova helps all Bensman Group clients with their claims and home appraisals. READ MORE... 1-09 Role of the executor2 1-09 Pet Insurance2 1-09 Happiness2 Start the New Year Off Right

VOL. 4, ISSUE 4   •   DECEMBER, 2008

Homeowner Insurance Rates There are reasons why the drop in the housing market has not caused a drop in homeowner insurance premiums. READ MORE... Dec. Online Banking Dec. Saving Money at the Supermarket DEc. Seasonal Affective Disorder

VOL. 4, ISSUE 3   •   NOVEMBER, 2008

A Look at Pay-As-You-Drive Coverage Pay-as-you-drive auto insurance could save money, but it also could bring less privacy. READ MORE... November 08 Holiday Spending Nov 08 Green Cleaning November 08 Dealing with Market Stress It's Time to Count Our Blessings

VOL. 4, ISSUE 2   •   OCTOBER, 2008

Insurance Solutions to Market Turmoil Using life insurance as an asset class can help investors diversify their assets during financial crisis. READ MORE... BBF Dealing With Job Burnout BBF Saving on Car Repair BBL Mall Madness Observe Fire Safety Month

VOL. 4, ISSUE 1   •   SEPTEMBER, 2008

Looking Back -- And Forward This is my five-year anniversary with Bensman Risk Management. A lot has changed during those years. But a lot also has remained the same, especially our continued commitment to serve our clients. READ MORE... BBF Working at Home BBF Making Allowances BBL Women and Weights

VOL. 3, ISSUE 12   •   AUGUST, 2008

A Crash Course in Insurance and the College Student As your child gets ready to head off to college, there are a few insurance issues you should add to your to-do list. READ MORE... GF 2008 Retirement Confidence Survey BBF Car Sharing BBL Timeshares Disaster or Delight There's Still Time to Check Your Air Conditioner

VOL. 3, ISSUE 11   •   JULY, 2008

Keep Long-Term Focus During Market Downturn In unsettling times like these in the market, it is especially important to keep your focus on your long-term goals. READ MORE... GF When You Need an Appraisal BBF Join the Club BBL Teens and Eating Right Don't Overlook Disability Coverage

VOL. 3, ISSUE 10   •   JUNE, 2008

A Good Time to Check Your Umbrella Coverage While you are enjoying some summertime fun, don't forget to check the limits of your excess liability, or umbrella, coverage. READ MORE... GF The Role of the Fed BBF Best Places to Start a Business BBL Showing Your Green Thumb Understanding Flood Coverage

VOL. 3, ISSUE 9   •   MAY, 2008

Home Remodeling and Your Insurance Coverage Your insurer needs to know when you start a home remodeling project, so that your coverage can keep up with your improvements. READ MORE... GF Internet Fraud at All-Time High BBF Second Acts BBL Martial Arts Some Springtime Reminders

VOL. 3, ISSUE 8   •   APRIL, 2008

Experiencing a Claim Teaches Important Lessons I have helped lots of my clients handle claims with their insurance companies. But when I experienced a claim of my own, I found out I had several things still to learn. READ MORE... GF Gas Guzzling or Sipping BBF On the Cheap BBL 28 Places to See Be Careful When Hiring Household Help

VOL. 3, ISSUE 7   •   MARCH, 2008

Protect Against Liability for Identity Theft The Bensman Group can help business owners get the protection they need against liability related to theft of client information. READ MORE... GF Saving Energy And Money BBF Tighter Credit Looms for Everyone BBL Trading School for Travel Keeping an Eye on Your Kids

VOL. 3, ISSUE 6   •   FEBRUARY, 2008

Bensman Increases Commercial Insurance Depth We are very pleased and proud to announce that Timothy S. Maurer has joined the Bensman Risk Management Team. READ MORE... GF Understanding Market Volatility BBF Summer Jobs for Teens BBL Hosting Older Visitors Tax Loss Harvesting

VOL. 3, ISSUE 5   •   JANUARY, 2008

Take Time to Check Beneficiary Forms When you purchase a life insurance policy or open a retirement plan, you name a beneficiary -- the person who will get the money when you die. It is important that you review that beneficiary decision periodically, to make sure you are still protecting the people you love. READ MORE... Checking Your Allocation BBF The Value of Volunteering BBL Keeping the Magic in the Magic Kingdom The Season for Frozen Pipes

VOL. 3, ISSUE 4   •   DECEMBER, 2007

New Rules for Young Drivers The State of Illinois has new rules designed to better prepare young people for driving. The rules take effect Jan. 1, 2008, and they apply to 15-year-olds getting their learner's permit as well as to recently licensed young drivers. READ MORE... GF Budget to Save BBF Smaller Homes BBL Off-Season Travel

VOL. 3, ISSUE 3   •   NOVEMBER, 2007

Long-Term Disability Insurance Helps Protect Your Assets Whether you are an employer or an employee, disability insurance can be an important tool in adding financial protection. READ MORE... GF Keeping to a Holiday Budget BBF Managing Windfalls BBL The Power of Gratitude Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family to Yours

VOL. 3, ISSUE 2   •   OCTOBER, 2007

New Auto Insurance Rating System A new auto rating system, called predictive modeling, considers many factors to arrive at a rate that is designed to more accurately reflect your risk. READ MORE... GF Charitable Giving BBF Teens and Credit BBL Understanding Organic Food Get Ready for Winter

VOL. 3, ISSUE 1   •   SEPTEMBER, 2007

Serving the Whole Client The holistic, integrated team approach of The Bensman Group helps our clients create a team of professional advisers who can provide the answers they need in several important aspects of their lives. READ MORE... GF Taking Inventory BBF Think Globally Buy Locally BBL Your Role in Your Childs College Choice Save on Insurance When You Store Your Car

VOL. 2, ISSUE 12   •   AUGUST, 2007

Consider a Group Approach to Umbrella Coverage Anyone with assets to protect should consider excess liability, or "umbrella," coverage, and the more assets you have, the more coverage you may need. However, very high limits -- over $10 million -- can be very costly. A group policy may be able to protect a firm's top executives at a lower cost and with better terms. READ MORE... GF Do Extended Warranties Make Sense BBL Hot Wheels BBL Fighting Memory Loss Protecting the Tailgate

VOL. 2, ISSUE 11   •   JULY, 2007

Update from Bensman Risk Management It's hard to believe that half of the year is officially gone already. It used to be that you got used to the New Year when you stopped writing the prior year in your checkbook. READ MORE... BBF Disability Insurance BBL Home Away from Home BBL Retiring Abroad Managing Premiums

VOL. 2, ISSUE 10   •   JUNE, 2007

The Final Step: Distribution of Assets In earlier issues of Insurable Interests, professionals with The Bensman Group have talked about the first two steps in creating a strong financial framework for your life: protecting the assets you have, and accumulating more assets. The final step is distributing those assets as part of your estate. READ MORE... BBF Building Trust BBL Cervical Cancer Vaccine BBL Good Sports Premium Credit for Your Children!

VOL. 2, ISSUE 9   •   MAY, 2007

Protect and Then Accumulate At The Bensman Group we want to be your strategic alliance for life. Our organization is positioned to help you protect, accumulate and distribute your assets. In an effort to continue to bring you timely and helpful information, Insurable Interests will begin bringing messages from other key professionals in our firm like myself. READ MORE... BBF 10 Tips for Showing Your Home BBL Balancing Work and Home BBL Power Foods

VOL. 2, ISSUE 8   •   APRIL, 2007

What You May NOT Know About Insuring a Home Remodel Please let us know if you are planning to do any home remodeling or renovations. While your homeowner's insurance policy includes special replacement-cost provisions for homes under construction or renovation, it is critical that... READ MORE... BBF Protecting Your Travel Plans BBF Age-Restricted Housing BBL Spa Vacations College Students Home for the Summer?

VOL. 2, ISSUE 7   •   MARCH, 2007

Your Financial "Spring Cleaning" It's spring, the traditional time for brushing off the cobwebs and cleaning the winter grime. Spring cleaning also should extend to your financial house. READ MORE... BBF Choosing Long-Term Care BBL Luxury Vacation Clubs BBL Reading Food Labels

VOL. 2, ISSUE 6   •   FEBRUARY, 2007

Bling! Now's A Good Time To Size Up Risk Exposures If you gave or received a gift of jewelry for Valentine's Day, now is the time to protect your "bling." Jewelry valued at $1,000 or more may need to be scheduled as a new item on your homeowner's insurance policy. But don't assume that's all you should address. READ MORE... BBF Doing Good with Your Money BBL Luxury Travel to Exotic Places RL Exercise Your Way to Better Mental Health Protect Your Home From Frozen Pipes

VOL. 2, ISSUE 5   •   JANUARY, 2007

First Time Drivers and Your Insurance Premiums Like death and taxes, an increase in your auto insurance premium is inevitable when an inexperienced driver is behind the wheel. READ MORE... GF Balancing Your Budget BBL The Bums Rush Restaurant Style BBL Will Your Marriage Survive Retirement

VOL. 2, ISSUE 4   •   DECEMBER, 2006

Dave's Top Ten As 2006 comes to a close, DO NOT head into 2007 with gaps in your auto, homeowners or personal umbrella liability insurance coverage. READ MORE... GF Where There is a Will There is a Way BBF Get a Regular Financial Checkup BBL Boomerang Kids Jewelry Gift Giving

VOL. 1, ISSUE 7   •   NOVEMBER, 2006

A New Look at Gratitude Sometimes, November can seem like the grayest and most dismal month of the year. The days are short; we get up in the dark and come home in the dark. Isn't it curious that this dark, damp, and dreary time of year is the time we are most reminded to be thankful? READ MORE... BBF At Risk for Retirement BBL Retiring to College Towns BBL Heart Disease and Women Vacation Home Coverage in the Off Season

VOL. 1, ISSUE 6   •   OCTOBER, 2006

Don't Fall Behind This Season It's time to face it. Summer is officially over, and fall is upon us. The days are getting shorter, the school year is in full swing, and the holidays are right around the corner. Aside from getting an extra hour of sleep, falling back can be challenging. READ MORE... BBF Mapping Your Goals BBL Green housing BBF Career Coaches Winter Storage

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1   •   SEPTEMBER, 2006

Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. For those of us that use credit cards routinely, we are potential victims of credit card fraud. Read on to learn more about how you can take the necessary steps to reduce the risk and impact of identity theft happening to you. READ MORE... GF Buy or Lease Depends on How You Drive BBF You Cant Take It With You BBL Helicopter Parents Sept 06 Monthly Reminder

VOL. 1, ISSUE 12   •   JULY, 2006

Expect The Unexpected As we all know, life is unpredictable. Quite often things do not go as planned, and every now and then we are thrown a real curveball. Through our years of experience, we come to realize that life is full of all sorts of surprises. As the saying goes, "Expect the unexpected." READ MORE... GF Umbrella Insurance BBF Working Longer BBL Baseball Tours Premium Credit for Your Children!

VOL. 1, ISSUE 11   •   JUNE, 2006

Summer Travel Planning As we head into the summer months and people are planning their vacations, a common question we are asked is whether or not one should purchase the insurance offered by the rental car company. READ MORE... GF The Magic of Compounding BBF Kids and Money BBL Snooze Tips

VOL. 1, ISSUE 10   •   MAY, 2006

Extending Our Services One of the great traditions of The Bensman Group is collaborating with people that we truly enjoy working with; READ MORE... BBF The Non-Profit Option GF Hybrid Cars BBL Vacation Programs for Kids

VOL. 1, ISSUE 9   •   APRIL, 2006

Safety First At The Bensman Group a theme we continue to emphasize with our clients is safety. As premier risk managers, we clearly feel that taking steps to reduce risk by taking reasonable safety precautions is as important as insuring risks. The story that follows illustrates this. READ MORE... GF Understanding Your Credit Score BBL Group Vacations with Friends BBL Par for the Course Taking Your Car Out of Storage

VOL. 1, ISSUE 8   •   FEBRUARY, 2006

Significant Insurance Updates for Early 2006 Last month, I briefly described some of the insurance changes that will be affecting homeowners. But changes have also been occurring over the last several years affecting life insurance contract holders. How will these affect our clients? READ MORE... BBF Its Never Too Early to Be Prepared BBL Being an Ecotourist BBL Medical Testing What is Really Necessary

VOL. 1, ISSUE 7   •   DECEMBER, 2005

Looking Forward to 2006 As we head into 2006, it's a time to reflect back on the year's successes. It is also a time to look ahead to 2006 and anticipate what the future holds. READ MORE... GF More Join Millionaire Ranks BBL Piling on the Best Fruits and Veggies BBL Fantasy Islands The Effects of an Active Hurricane Season

VOL. 1, ISSUE 6   •   NOVEMBER, 2005

Key Principles to Wealth Management At The Bensman Group we strive to conduct our business on the basis of sound principles. These principles serve to guide us in defining our relationship with you and how we deliver our services. READ MORE... BBF Long-Term Care Insurance BBL The Ethical Will BBL Exercise Your Way to Better Mental Health Vacation Home Coverage in the Off Season

VOL. 1, ISSUE 5   •   OCTOBER, 2005

Managing The Risk of Natural Disasters With two major hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast in the span of one month, natural disasters of this magnitude may cause those of us who haven't been directly affected to pause and ask, "Could this happen to me? What if it did?" READ MORE... GF Katrina Internet Scams BBL Living a Cancer-Prevention Lifestyle BBL Making Peace with Age Time To Store Your Summer Car?

VOL. 1, ISSUE 4   •   SEPTEMBER, 2005

Knowledge is Power As I am writing this, I have just completed my Certified Insurance Counselor exam which will provide me with the designation of Certified Risk Manager (CRM). The CRM designation reflects how much we value expertise at our firm. READ MORE... BBF Beneficiary Update BBL Role Reversal BBL Taking the Tour Insurance Coverage For Your Children Away at College

VOL. 1, ISSUE 3   •   AUGUST, 2005

Managing Premiums Did you know that an easy way to reduce your home insurance premium is to increase your policy deductible? Now home insurance carriers can make it worth your while to do so. READ MORE... BBF Beneficiary Update BBL If the Shoe Fits... BBL You Are What You Eat Protect Yourself Against Water Damage

VOL. 1, ISSUE 2   •   JULY, 2005

Cornerstone Relationships At The Bensman Group, we value deep client relationships. As one of your trusted advocates, we strive to be a "cornerstone" advisor that comprises the foundation of your financial picture. READ MORE... GF Identity Theft BBL Volunteer Vacations BBL Cruisin Premium Credit for Your Children!

VOL. 1, ISSUE 1   •   JUNE, 2005

Welcome to Insurable Interests! Welcome to Insurable Interests, the new electronic newsletter that comes directly to your email each month. READ MORE... BBF Advance Directives BBF When Loans Are All in the Family BBL All Stressed Out and Nowhere to Go It's Ragtop Weather!