Insurance Department Ready to Assist Fire Victims

Insurance Department Ready to Assist Fire Victims
Get help with questions and concerns

BOISE, ID (July 6, 2012) - The Idaho Department of Insurance is reaching out to consumers in the wake of the devastating Charlotte Fire to assist with their questions about the claims process and what to expect from their insurance companies.

The Department encourages homeowners to contact their insurance producers and claims adjusters first.  "Our deepest sympathies go out to those who lost their homes in this fire," says Department Director Bill Deal.  "This is an emotional time, and we want Idahoans to know that we are available to address questions or concerns about their fire loss."

Dave Mulder, Department Consumer Affairs Officer in Pocatello, can be reached by phone at 236-6411, or in person at 353 N 4th Ave, Suite 200.  Idahoans can also speak to a Consumer Affairs Office at the Boise office by calling 800-721-3272.

Assistance from the Department of Insurance is free and available to consumers on any insurance-related topic.

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If you have any questions, please contact the Idaho Department of Insurance or your Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho agent today.

Kiss A Pig for Cancer Research

One of two Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho executives will kiss a pig today. Paul Roberts, Treasurer, and Linda Peterson, Processing Supervisor, are the front-runners in Farm Bureau Insurance’s “Kiss A Pig” fundraising event for the Relay for Life of Pocatello.  Employees have cast over 5,000 votes during the past three weeks – at a cost of $1 per vote – to select the top pig-kissing candidates from an original pool of 41 employees.  Voting concludes today at noon. At that time, a large pig will visit Farm Bureau Insurance’s home office at 275 Tierra Vista Drive to kiss the winning contestant.

For the past six years, Farm Bureau Insurance teams have raised more money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event than any other Pocatello-area team.

ISU Advertising Team Wins Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Marketing Plan Contest; Students, Mass Communications Department Awarded Cash

(Release courtesy of Idaho State University; Photos credited to Bethany Baker, ISU Photographer)

POCATELLO – Six Idaho State University advertising students were awarded $500 each for winning the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho Student Marketing Plan Contest.

The ISU Department of Mass Communication also was awarded $1,000 from the Farm Bureau for the students’ efforts.

The winning students were Katie Burke, Meagan Milder, Amanda Shepard, Kristin Foster, Rodrick Rumble and Ryan Bray. They comprised one of two teams competing in the contest from the ISU mass communications Advertising Campaigns class, a capstone course for advertising majors. Guest instructor Richard A. Smith, owner of RAS Productions in Pocatello, taught the course. The contest was open to ISU students in various disciplines, and included a team from the College of Business.

Farm Bureau Insurance Executive Vice President and CEO, Phil Joslin, presented checks to the students and the mass communications department at a ceremony on Thursday in the ISU Liberal Arts Building.

“Last winter, Idaho State University graduate students carried out marketing research for and made strategic business recommendations to Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho,” said Mike Myers, Farm Bureau Insurance director of corporate marketing. “The company was so impressed with the research and recommendations that it invited ISU students to use this material to create a marketing plan for the company.”

The contest offered students the opportunity to use their ingenuity and creativity to develop a comprehensive and practical marketing plan. The marketing plan’s objective was to attract new customers to Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho. The plans were required to give consideration to all advertising mediums including TV, radio, outdoor, print, direct mail, mobile, social and Web.

“The Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho became the students’ ‘client,’” said Smith. “The student teams approached the task as any real agency would, with research, strategic and tactical analysis, followed by media planning, creative, and an eventual presentation to a three-member team of Farm Bureau executives.”

Smith said both of his class’s teams performed well.

“We were all thoroughly impressed with their professionalism, friendliness, and creativity,” Myers said. “Both teams had sterling ideas and solid rationales. It was difficult to pick a winning team. We were impressed, but not surprised by, the level of professionalism demonstrated by the students.”

ISU officials praised Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance of Idaho for sponsoring the contest.

"Our students benefited mightily by competing in this contest. It is a rare opportunity for them to work on a 'real-world' campaign, and then have it reviewed by professionals in their field," said Timothy Frazier, ISU mass communication director. "We appreciate the opportunities and feedback Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance provided the students, and we appreciate the generous donation of cash to the winning students and our department."

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Phil Joslin (CEO, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company), Timothy Frazier (Director, ISU Department of Mass Communcation), Martine Beachboard (Associate Professor, ISU Department of Mass Communication), and Richard Smith (guest instructor, ISU Department of Mass Communication) with the ISU Department of Mass Communication's $1,000 check.

Phil Joslin (CEO, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho) presents Kristin Foster with her $500 check.

Phil Joslin (CEO, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho) presents Amanda Shepard with her $500 check.

Phil Joslin (CEO, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho) presents Ryan Bray with his $500 check.

Phil Joslin (CEO of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho) presents Kathleen Burke with her $500 check.

Phil Joslin (CEO, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho) and Timothy Frazier (Director, ISU Department of Mass Communication) with the ISU Department of Mass Communication's $1,000 check.

Phil Joslin (Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho CEO) and Kandi Turley-Ames (Dean, College of Arts and Letters) with the ISU Department of Mass Communication's $1,000 check.

Idaho Flood Safety Awareness Week

PROTECT POSSESSIONS FROM FLOOD

Free app helps consumers create a home inventory before disaster strikes.

BOISE ID (March 14, 2012) - Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter has declared March 14-18, 2012, to be Idaho Flood Safety Awareness Week. The Idaho Department of Insurance reminds consumers to protect their homes with flood insurance and to complete a home inventory of their possessions.

"Idaho is vulnerable to flooding every spring," says Department Director Bill Deal. "Most homeowners' policies do not cover flood. Idahoans should create a detailed inventory of their personal possessions and review coverage with their agents to be sure the policy they have is adequate."

A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Companies (NAIC) revealed 59 percent of consumers have not made an inventory of their possessions. Of those individuals with a home inventory, 48 percent do not have receipts; 27 percent do not have photos of their property; and 28 percent do not have a back-up copy of the inventory outside the home.

The NAIC myHOME Scr.APP.book application makes it easier for consumers to document their valuables, update their inventories and store the information for easy access after a disaster. The app is free and available both for iPhone and Android smart phone users.

The myHOME Scr.APP.book app lets users capture images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers of personal possessions and stores the information electronically for safekeeping. The app organizes information by room and creates a back-up file for email sharing. To download the free app, go to the iTunes or Android Market app stores and search "NAIC."

If you have questions or are confused about how and why to complete a home inventory, contact the Department by visiting www.doi.idaho.gov or calling 334-4250 in the Boise area, 800-721-3272 toll-free statewide. You can also visit http://www.insureuonline.org for more home insurance tips.

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If you have any questions about your current coverage, please give your Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho agent a call. He or she will help you answer any questions you might have.

Medicare's 2012 Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7

MEDICARE'S 2012 ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD ENDS DECEMBER 7

BOISE, ID (November 28, 2011) - The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) office of the Idaho Department of Insurance reminds consumers that December 7 is the last day for Medicare open enrollment.

"Senior citizens have a small window of opportunity left to review their plans," says Department Director Bill Deal. "Any changes to existing plans need to be made by next Wednesday."

Idahoans who have questions about open enrollments are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-247-4422, or Medicare at 800-633-4227. Due to expected high call volume, people who choose to call Medicare may have the best results by calling in the evening or on weekends.

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If you have any questions, please contact SHIBA, Medicare, or your Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho agent today.

Safely Preparing this year's Thanksgiving Feast

We are only one day away from Thanksgiving, and a marathon of cooking.  Do you know the safest methods for preparing, cooking, and storing that turkey and dressing?  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been busy putting together some great tips and guidelines to help you make the best out of your Thanksgiving feast!

Preparation

• When preparing foods, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching any raw food product (turkey, eggs, etc.).
• Be sure to use different cutting boards when cutting raw meat and cutting cooked food or preparing salads.
• Never thaw a turkey on a counter.
• Fridge: Thaw a turkey 24 hours for every five pounds of turkey.
• Cold Water: Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound.  Make sure water is not able to leak through packaging on to turkey.  Change the water every 30 minutes.  Cook the turkey immediately after thawing, do not refreeze.
• Do not stuff the turkey in advance.  For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended.  If you choose to stuff your turkey, mix wet and dry ingredients just before filling the turkey cavities.  Fill the cavities loosely.  Cook the turkey immediately.  Use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165-degrees F.

Cooking

• Set your oven temperature no lower than 325-degrees F.
• A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165-degrees F, as measured with a food thermometer.
• Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
• Basting the turkey is not necessary.  Bacteria can grow on basting tools if they are allowed to sit at room temperature between bastings.
• For quality, let the turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set.  The turkey will carve more easily.
• Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavities.

Storing Leftovers

• Remove all meat from the turkey carcass within two hours of the turkey's removal from the oven.
• Discard any turkey, stuffing, and gravy left out at room temperature longer than two hours.
• Leftovers should be stored in shallow containers, in the refrigerator, for no longer than four days.
• You may freeze leftovers within two hours, and use them within 2 to 6 months for best quality.

Reheating Leftovers

• Cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated.
• In the oven:
• Set the oven temperature no lower than 325-degrees F.
• Reheat turkey to an internal temperature of 165-degrees F.
• Add broth or water to keep turkey moist while reheating.
• In the Microwave:
• Cover your food and rotate it for even heating.  Allow standing time.
• Reheat turkey to an internal temperature of 165-degrees F.
• Never taste leftover food that looks or smells strange.  When in doubt, throw it out!

For more information, please read the USDA's entire "Let's Talk Turkey" pamplet.

BE SAFE. BE SURE. Auto insurance tips for your winter trip.

BE SAFE. BE SURE.

Auto insurance tips for your winter trip.

BOISE, ID (November 16, 2011) - Before you hit the road this winter, make sure your auto and auto insurance are ready for the journey.  The Idaho Department of Insurance reminds motorists that planning ahead can help avoid mishaps that could ruin a vacation.

"Whether you are traveling near or far, you will likely be packing some valuable items such as skis, a laptop or a video camera - none of which are covered by an auto insurance policy," says Department Director Bill Deal, "These items must be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy to be reimbursed if they are stolen."

Top 5 Auto Insurance Tips

• Confirm your auto insurance is active and premiums are up-to-date.  Have a current copy of your insurance card in the vehicle.
• Select liability limits that are appropriate for your financial circumstances.  If you are found to be at fault in an accident and purchased insufficient limits, your personal assets are at risk for the remaining financial obligation.
• If renting a vehicle for the trip, check your auto policy to see if it includes coverage for this added exposure.  Verify potential coverage limitation with your agent, and make sure you are not duplicating benefits from your existing policies.
• Verify your homeowners or renters insurance covers the theft of personal items from a vehicle, especially if you are planning to carry expensive items in it.
• Check to see if your policy includes roadside assistance.  You can be covered for towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, jump-starts and more.

If you are unclear about your auto insurance coverage or would like to learn how to lower auto insurance costs, talk to your insurance agent, contact the Department of Insurance, http://www.doi.idaho.gov/, or visit http://www.insureuonline.org/.

Visit the Department's website to read a Consumer Alert with more tips on auto rental insurance and winter travel.

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Your Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho agent would be happy to do a free policy review with you, to prepare for the holiday season and travel.  Please give your agent a call anytime you would like to schedule a review.