Respect & Appreciate your uniqueness & resist the temptation to conform by always following the crowd. It's OK to "break-away" from the herd to live YOUR life. Enjoy the Blessing you came here to be!

Disability Insurance -vs- Long Term Care Insurance .... So What's The Diff.??

So, you already have one or the other at work and really don't think much about it or realize that there is a definite difference between the two.  Disability Insurance and Long Term Care coverage serve two completely different purposes.  If you don't have either you really need to perk up and pay attention because these are just as important, if not more so, than carrying Life Insurance because they protect you and your family while you are still alive so let's briefly dig into the meat of the matter:

Disability Insurance - (Long or Short Term)

Think about this; If you were suddenly unable to work due to an illness or accident, what would happen to you and your family financially now that the paycheck has stopped?  This is a really good question to ask yourself when considering Disability Insurance(DI) coverage.  DI provides, in most cases, 50-65% of lost income due to an illness or accident that leaves you unable to work for weeks, months or even years.
Now, unless your employer is going to pay for your rent/mortgage, food, utilities and other living expenses, these will continue.  In fact, your bills may increase due to additional medical expenses and/or you may require additional help around the house.  Disability Insurance is designed to replace a portion of your earned income to help you maintain your standard of living when you cannot work due to an accident or illness.


Long Term Care Insurance

LTC differs from DI in that it is not meant to replace your lost income but instead protects your accumulated assets from being lost to the expenses of required long term care.  If a Doctor declares that you need assistance with daily living activities, your Long Term Care coverage would help protect you and your family from the financial and emotional burden of caring for you.
Although often thought of as the "Nursing Home Insurance", it has been reported that at least 40% of those receiving LTC benefits are between the ages of 18-64, who have been hurt in accidents or suffered Brain Tumors and Strokes.  Many of these beneficiaries are receiving assisted care in their own homes because this coverage applies to Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities or In-Home care.

Here's something else to think about, does your family have a history of early Heart Problems, Cancer, Diabetes or another chronic illness?  Are you smoking, eating unhealthy foods/drinks or taking other chances that could be detrimental to your health and safety?  Does your work involve risk or high stress?  The need to invest in Disability and/or Long Term Care coverage may be urgent even if you are completely healthy.
Life Happens and so does Illness and Accidents, most of the time occuring unexpectedly, without warning.

Please consider all of these factors before deciding to wait.  If you already have Disability coverage through your employer you may want to consider purchasing an individual policy as well because you cannot take their plan with you when you leave your job -or- your job leaves you.
Another thing to keep in mind is that age and health status can throw you into a higher risk category so waiting could be more costly than the insurance premium itself.  If you are Single, Married, with or without children and you depend on your income to pay your bills, carrying Disability Insurance as a financial security blanket is a wise choice because the bills won't stop just because you are not able to work due to an accident or illness.

Long Term Care coverage is just as important. Again, it helps to protect your accumulated assets from the dangers of being depleted by reimbursing you for some of the costs surrounding required assistance with your activities of daily living (Bathing, Feeding, Toileting, Walking, etc.) either in a Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility or for many who prefer..care in their own home.

You've protected yourself from the high costs of Medical bills by purchasing Health Insurance so don't forget to protect your standard of living-(i.e. food, shelter, utilities), as well as the assets you've accumulated by carrying both Disability Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance.

To find out more information or request a quote for protecting your income with Disability Insurance and/or planning for the costs of Long Term Care, please contact me at Coltrane Insurance.  I am an Independent Contracted Sales Representative with Mutual of Omaha and MedAmerica which both offer a few of the best plans on the market today. Plans are available on an Individual or Group/Employer basis and vary by Carrier.

Tina Little-Coltrane
Independent Insurance Broker
Financial Planning Advisor
1-800-755-2896 x 101
TinaColtrane.com

To learn more about Mutual of Omaha's Choice Portfolio, Disability Income plan, click HERE>>>>> then contact me for additional assistance.  Coltrane Insurance

To learn more about MedAmerica's Simplicity ii LTCi plan, click HERE>>>>> 

then contact me for additional assistance. Coltrane Insurance

TLC's TNT Blast!

Welcome to Tina Little-Coltrane's Weekly Tips for Total Non-Stop Travel!

Are you a Total Non-Stop Traveler or just need to plan a vacation or a quick getaway?  Well check out our weekly TNT Blast for the 411 on several deals and discounts being offered today.

You see, once upon a time, I worked in the Travel Industry as an Agent/Consultant and I still love Travel.  I love planning Travel and really love to find great Travel deals.  Although my primary business is currently in the Insurance industry, I have Travel Affiliates who are major Online Travel Retailers offering specials, deals, discounts and more so check out our weekly TNT Blast!

From Hotels.com: Memorial Day Sale: Get savings up to 30% off at hotels.com! - Expires 5/31/10

Plan, Search and Book-it thru Expedia!

Expedia Summer Sale Bonus: Get $300 in coupons for future travel with a qualifying hotel stay. - Expires 6/29/10

Rooms101 specializes in booking promotional vacations at discount prices. This is a great alternative for the budget conscious traveler.

Call Now: 866-944-1791

For more Travel deals, check out TinaColtrane.com/Travel.aspx

Happy Travel Planning! TLC

Take Care of The Ones You Care About

Final Expense and Estate Planning is not something we do for ourselves, we do it for those we care about.  It is an expression of love and responsibility.  Just as Adults should clean up behind themselves, they should also not pass their final expense costs, financial obligations and problems down to their children or other family members expecting them to pay and solve this problem.

Planning in advance for paying funeral costs, estate taxes and other debts is very important.  These obligations will have to be paid one way or another.  If you do not plan ahead and allocate funds to pay for them, the IRS and other creditors have the ability to seize our most valuable monetary assets and force them to be sold to generate cash for paying off debt.  By planning today about how to pay for your final expenses including Funeral and Tax costs will save your spouse, children and grandchildren a lot of inconvenience, stress and money.

Common costs that are incurred and should be planned for include:

1. Funeral Expenses
2. Property and/or Income Taxes
3. Probate Court Fees
4. Outstanding Debts - (Mortgage, Credit Cards, Auto Loans)
5. Federal Estate and State Death Taxes
6. Long Term Care - (Medical/Nursing Home Expenses)
7. Education and Health Expenses for minor children

Final Expense and Estate Planning are a responsibility of adulthood and an act of love for the people we care most about.  It involves the process of transferring the right assets to the right people, at the right time, with the right cost and with the right management.  It protects the assets we've accumulated over our lifetime and the families we've built, loved and cared for.  A carefully thought out plan will give us control over what happens in the future with our assets and peace of mind in knowing that what we desire to do for our loved ones will actually come into fruition.

When you are done with your planning, you will more than likely feel pretty good, achieving peace of mind.  We have all heard the stories of family members fighting over who should get what from their parent's estate.  Ongoing sibling rivalries and distrust often come to the surface when a parent's estate has to be determined and distributed.  If you do not want your death to potentially create family animosity or trigger a family feud, design your Final Expense and Estate Plan in advance.  This will bring your family closer together instead of pushing them apart.  When you have completed your planning, you will know that what you have done is in the best interest of your family by taking care of the ones you care about.

If you have any questions or would like additional information and assistance with getting started on your Final Expense and Estate Planning, please contact me.

Tina Little-Coltrane, Final Expense Advisor

Coltrane Insurance, Life/Health Insurance Broker
TinaColtrane.com or call 1-800-755-2896 ext 101

Tis The Season…..Aaargh!! It’s Almost Tax Filing Time!

It’s a wrap…2009 has just left the building-right out the back door, holidays are over and it’s time to get back down to business-Income Tax business that is. If you have not already done so, you might want to consider getting a jump on putting your tax receipts together for your 2009 Income Tax Preparation and Filing.

I, for one, hate waiting til the last minute -April 15 (or any date close to it) to start putting my info together. I prefer to have everything said and done no later than February end. This way, God Forbid, if any unexpected surprises, law changes, errors or omissions, blah-blah-blah should arise, I will have enough time to possibly correct, adjust and resubmit before deadline. Yes, we can always file for an extension if needed, but really, who wants one more thing left over on their “to-do” plate that has to be dealt with.

Whether you are a Small Business owner, Independent Contractor or Employee, the question of the day is; “have you been keeping up with all of your allowable expenses for this past year ?” If not, this is the perfect time to make your resolution to start keeping better records of your expenditures starting January 1, 2010. Can you believe it...that was just 1 day ago!


Here are just a few typical business expenses related to Small Business professionals:
Auto Travel- Deductible business mileage is travel to and from:

• Client meetings
• Continuing Education Classes 
• Business Trips
  

Business Mileage rates for 2009 were 55 cents per mile. (More info here)
This rate has been reduced to 50 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2010.

Try to remember to keep receipts for all auto operating expenses:
Parking meters, tolls, gas, oil, repairs, insurance, car loan interest, vehicle registration.

Professional Fees and Dues - Paid to organizations related to your profession are deductible.

Document and keep track of fees paid to:

• Business Associations 
• Chamber of Commerce 
• City/State Business License

Other Business Deductions:  Following are examples of ordinary and necessary business expenses and supplies that are generally tax deductible.

• Advertising and Promotion 
• Business Equipment
• Computer software, supplies, internet service pertaining to your business
• Consultation/Legal Fees
• Film and processing pertaining to your business
• Office Supplies- Stationary, Briefcase, Copier/Fax supplies
• Photocopy expenses
• Postage, shipping and freight 
• Greeting Cards
  

Many deductions have specifications and “only if” rules/regulations so, please, consult with your Tax Advisor for a complete list of legally allowable deductions.
If you are like me, don't have a Tax Advisor, (Hubby and I do our own taxes – I am an IRS Authorized E-File Provider and Tax Preparer), go directly to the source..."The IRS", for more info.

Keeping better records is a learned and practiced behavior. It will be difficult at first, but if you are like me, every year will be a little better than the last if you stick with it. Just consider it one of your New Year's resolutions and commit to it. It will make your life so much easier come this time next year!

Good Luck and I Wish Everyone A Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

What Are Our Responsibilities As Parents?

My mind shifts to this area of thinking as I hear the news of yet another young father who is dead –(doesn’t matter how, he’s still dead) leaving children behind to be raised without him.

My thoughts and Prayers go out to the family and friends of AJ Jewell of Atlanta (ATL Housewives), who was a 34yr old father of six that was unexpectedly killed last night. I sure hope for his family’s sake, especially his 6 kids, that he realized the importance of putting a financial plan -aka- Insurance Policy in place just in case the “unthinkable” happened because it just did!

No one is ever prepared for the unexpected and most do not even want to think about it, but the truth of the matter is that for every beginning (life) there will be an end (death), we just don’t know when. Most would like to pretend that they are here forever but that is just not the case as we all know. So, I put the question out there again, especially for parents; Exactly, what are our responsibilities as parents?

Other than the obvious, to Love, Nurture, Guide, Educate, Provide for and Protect our children while they grow into hopefully, God loving, Compassionate Adult souls to say the least, what other responsibilities are there that far too many of us are neglecting? Yes, it’s that very uncomfortable subject that no one likes to think about but please ask yourself – “What is going to happen to my family, especially my children, if I die unexpectedly while they are still young?”

Like it or not, preparing for the unexpected and protecting your family financially should the “unthinkable” happen is also a Parent’s responsibility. Your children will still need to be fed, clothed, housed and educated when/if you are not here so please prepare for your family’s financial security by investing in a Life Insurance Policy.

Tina Little-Coltrane
Life/Health Insurance
TinaColtrane.com

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month because more people need to be reminded that when Life happens so does death! We just don’t know when. It is a difficult subject to think about but for your family’s financial sake and well being, you must plan ahead. Don’t wait until Life’s uncertainties happen such as an accident or unfavorable health diagnosis or the certainty of death. It will then be too late to find coverage to help with the expenses involved.

Please ask yourself, "How will my family pay if something were to happen to me or another family member?

Why is it that so many people pay for Auto Insurance and Homeowner's Insurance but hesitate to put Insurance on their most important and valuable Blessing...the lives of their family?

Remember, it’s always better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

I invite you to visit LifeHappens.org for more information and to educate yourself about Life Insurance.

The Non-Profit LIFE Foundation has come up with the following 7 Wonders of Life Insurance, as a way to remind us of the benefits of owning a Life Insurance policy:

Life Insurance....

1. Buys time – Allows loved ones to focus on their grief by helping to pay for the funeral and other final expenses.

2. Provides a fresh start – Lets loved ones start with a clean slate by helping to pay off credit card bills, outstanding loans and even the mortgage.

3. Generates income – Helps replace lost income for years to come so that surviving family members can continue to pay for life’s necessities.

4. Offers flexibility – Gives a surviving spouse the chance to take time off from work or to switch to a job that offers a more flexible work schedule.

5. Creates opportunities – Can provide funding to start a business, or pay for schooling so surviving family members can train for a new career.

6. Funds the future – Offers a way to fund longer-range goals like a college education for the kids or a secure retirement for a surviving spouse.

7. Leaves a legacy – Gives parents the chance to leave future generations with the legacy of long-term financial security.

These are just a few of the many ways that life insurance can safeguard your families’ financial security, Sadley enough, many Americans today still lack adequate Life Insurance protection. Please do not let that be you too.

I am an Independent Life and Health Insurance Broker, Licensed in the following states: NC, GA, FL, TX, PA, OH, MN, IL and MI. So that I may offer my clients the best combination of price, coverage and service options, I have contracted with several major insurance carriers to find the best plans on the market today.

Please feel free to contact me for a free, no-obligation quote today. For more information about Life Insurance, visit TinaColtrane.com