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.