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The Carl Perkins Center for Prevention of Child Abuse Awarded $5,000 Donation through Liberty Mutual® and Safeco Insurance®
Emergency Community Support Grants
White & Associates Insurance is Helping Give Back to Local Community During COVID-19 Crisis

DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE (June 29, 2020) – White & Associates Insurance is pleased to announce that the Dyer/Lake County Carl Perkins Center for Prevention of Child Abuse has received a $5,000 donation from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance as part of an Emergency Community Support Grant to help independent agents give back to their local community during the COVID-19 crisis. Nominated by Whitney Allmon of White & Associates Insurance, the donation will go directly to The Carl Perkins Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to families in preventing and dealing with child abuse in West Tennessee and to help both parents and children meet the practical needs of preserving and improving the quality of family life.

“White & Associates has worked with The Carl Perkins Center for many years in locations all across Tennessee,” said Allmon. “We are incredibly thankful for Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for stepping up to the plate and providing extra funds to help the community when we need it most. This donation is especially important considering the Dyer/Lake County Center opened just twelve short months ago. The Carl Perkins Center has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and the $5,000 donation will help them continue to make a difference in our community.”

“We are so very grateful to have been awarded this special grant,” said Jennifer Hughes, director of the Dyer/Lake County Carl Perkins Center. “Our Center would not exist without the help and support of our community partners.”

“The goal of the Emergency Community Support Grants is to help our independent agents make an immediate impact during this critical time in the local communities where they live and work,” said Alexis Holzer, Program Lead for Independent Agent Giving at Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance.

Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance have a rich history in supporting local and national causes on the corporate level with the Liberty Mutual Foundation, Safeco Foundation, the employee involvement program Liberty Torchbearers, as well as through its Independent Agent Giving programs.

In addition to the $1M emergency community support grants, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance already committed to invest $375,000 into local nonprofits in 2020 through the Independent Agent Giving programs, Make More Happen and Change Agents.

For more information, visit www.agentgiving.com.

About White & Associates Insurance

Established in 1976, White & Associates Insurance is a locally owned and operated insurance agency with 11 locations in West Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas. White & Associates strives to provide a “doing more” approach to all aspects of operation including enhancing employee job satisfaction, providing clients with innovative insurance packages and improving the communities in which they serve. To learn more about White & Associates, visit one of their local agencies or whiteandassociates.net.

About The Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse

The Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse first opened its doors in October 1981. The Center was the first Child Abuse Prevention Center in the state of Tennessee and the fourth in the Nation. It is now one of the largest of its kind with 23 locations serving the West Tennessee community. The mission of the Center is to provide support to families in preventing and dealing with child abuse in West Tennessee and to help both parents and children meet the practical needs of preserving and improving the quality of family life.

About Independent Agent Giving

Independent Agent Giving is exclusively for insurance agents appointed to sell Liberty Mutual Small Commercial or Safeco Insurance. We depend on our agent partners to show us how and where to invest in their communities to help grow and sustain them.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual’s purpose is to help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. The promise we make to our customers throughout the world is to provide protection for the unexpected, delivered with care.

In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, Mass., today we are the fifth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2018 gross written premium. We also rank 75^th on the fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2018 revenue. We employ nearly 50,000 people in 30 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of small commercial insurance products and services through our independent agent partners, including business owners policy, comprehensive business package, inland marine, workers compensation and more.

About Safeco Insurance

In business since 1923, Safeco Insurance sells personal automobile, homeowners and specialty products through a network of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company.

You can learn more about us by visiting www.Libertymutualinsurance.com and www.Safeco.com

Ingredients

3 ½ oz. dark chocolate (chopped)

½ cup honey

1/3 cup of the hottest possible tap water

1/8 tsp. Sea salt

¾ tsp. Ground cinnamon

Grated lemon zest

8 oz. dried figs with stems removed (finely chopped)

8 oz. unblanched almonds (toasted and coarsely ground)

Mini-muffin paper cases

Directions

Combine chocolate, honey & water in a small sauce pan

Heat the mixture over medium heat just until the chocolate melts.  Stir to combine.

Remove chocolate from the heat, and stir in the grated lemon zest, salt, cinnamon, figs and almonds.

Arrange the paper cases side by side on a baking sheet.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until about ¾ full (about 2 tsps. Each)

Refrigerate for about an hour to allow them to firm up before serving.

White & Associates is excited to launch an enhanced digital experience for our client! Our new mobile app called – InsurLink –  will be available beginning July 1, 2020. The InsurLink client portal will allow us to be faster, more transparent and more accessible to our home, auto and commercial clients.  As a client you will have the ability to access your policies 24/7 and securely share files with us when, where and how it is convenient for you.

InsurLink Features

• Policy information including coverage limits and policy terms.
• Policy change requests including changing drivers or vehicles and coverage amounts.
• Offline auto ID cards for instant and easy access exactly when you need them.
• Claim inquiries including filing a new claim, status and information submission.
• Certificate requests issuance and adding holders.

 I am already dreading the day Whitney and I will have to start thinking about our three kids being on the open road. Luckily, we still have a few years to mentally prepare for it, but time is flying and I know we will be there before we know it. One thing that most of us do not see coming is the big price jump of going from 2 adult drivers on an auto insurance policy to 2 adults plus a young driver.  If you are getting ready to add a young driver to your policy, there are a few basic things that can help lessen the financial blow.

1. Bundle your home and auto insurance.
   Most insurance companies give you a price break if you buy two or more types of insurance from them. To check to see if the price break is worth moving one of your policies, call your agent and ask them quote your current policy with a “multi-policy” discount. That way you can check to see if the price break is worth it to you.

2. Always choose the Telematics
   Take every advantage of the telematics options your carrier offers. Telematics are different for each carrier, but typically it is device or mobile app that measures miles driven, time of day you drive, rapid acceleration, hard braking, hard cornering and air bag deployment for a specified time period. Miles per hour is typically not a factor (whew). Whitney and I recently did this with our carrier. It entailed putting a device in both of our vehicle for 90 days. At the end of the 90-day period, Whitney earned a 21% discount on her auto rate and I earned an 18% discount.  The discount lasts for the life-time for the policy. We were thrilled with the results, but even if we happened to be terrible drivers, the minimum discount we could have earned was 5%. Win-win.

3. Sign up for every little discount available.
   Sign up for the little things like paperless e-statements, monthly auto-draft or, if you can, save up and pay your premium in full each year. Paying your premium in full can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.  Also, let your agent know if your kids have good grades or have taken a driver’s education course. All these little things add up.

4. Watch your credit score.
   Did you know that your credit score affects how much you pay for insurance? Research indicates that people who effectively manage their credit have fewer insurance claims. So, the next time the very convincing sales person asks if you want a new credit card for a 10% discount on your purchase, think twice.

At the end of the day, ensuring you have the coverage your family needs is the most important thing. We want you to have the peace of mind that you are paying for what you need and not a penny more.

You have opened your Health Savings Account and you are starting to see your account balance grow.  At this point, you may be thinking “I have not really been sick, what else can I use this money for?” or “I wonder if can I use these funds for someone other than myself?”  We are here to help you answer those questions and some of the answers might be surprising.

Who can I cover with my HSA?

The IRS states that you can withdraw tax-free money from your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses for:

• Yourself
• Your Spouse (regardless of whether you file taxes jointly or separately)
• Any dependents you claim on your tax return (your children, a qualifying relative dependent, and/or any children who are claimed on your ex-spouse’s tax return)
• Anyone you could have claimed as a dependent, but were not able to because he or she
  • filed a joint tax return (for example, your married teenage child who files a return with his or her spouse)
  • earned more than $4,150, or you (or your spouse, if you file jointly) could be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

As long as the person is in one of the above categories, you can reimburse yourself for the cost of their qualified medical expenses with tax-free money from your HSA.  It does not matter whether the person was covered under your high deductible health plan or if they had health coverage at all.

What can I pay for using my HSA?   

While, there are numerous ways for you to spend the funds in your HSA account, here are ten that you might find surprising.  For a complete list of HSA-qualified medical expenses please go to https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf

1. Prescription Sunglasses:   Most people assume that an eye exam would be an allowable expense, but not too many people think about sunglasses!  Of course, regular prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are qualified expenses, too.
2. Eye Surgery:   Any costs you might have to pay out-of-pocket for surgery to correct your vision, such as LASIK or the removal of cataracts, can be paid for using HSA funds.  Also, if your vision or hearing is impaired, you can purchase and care for a guide dog or other service animal with your HSA.

3. Dental Care:   You can use your HSA to pay for services such as routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, X-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, and braces.  Just remember that teeth whitening and any cost or treatment that are purely cosmetic are not qualified expenses.

4. Chiropractic:   All chiropractic care is HSA-qualified, even if it isn’t covered by your insurance plan.

5. Acupuncture:   People often seek acupuncture as an alternative treatment for allergies, pain, and infertility.  So, if you’ve wanted to try it, but it isn’t covered by your health insurance, you could pay for it tax-free using your HSA.

6. Fertility Enhancement:   You can use an HSA to pay for any treatment to overcome an inability to have children, such as in vitro fertilization. Once you’re a parent, you can also spend it on breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation.

7. Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment:   Any amount you pay for yourself or a family member to have inpatient treatment at a drug rehabilitation center, including meals and lodging, is HSA-qualified. You can also pay for transportation to and from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in your community.

8. Care from a Psychologist or Psychiatrist:   The cost to support yourself or a family member through the treatment of a mental condition or illness is HSA-qualified. You can use HSA funds to pay for a patient’s treatment at a health institute if treatment is prescribed by a physician to alleviate a physical or mental disability or illness.

9. Home Improvement:   Any special equipment or improvements installed in a home to care for you or your family members can be paid for with HSA funds, if their purpose is medical care. These might include constructing entrance ramps, widening doorways, installing lifts, or lowering cabinets and sinks.

10. Transportation and Travel:   Costs to get to and from any type of medical care, whether it is on a bus, taxi, train, plane, or ambulance, can be paid for with HSA money. This includes making regular visits to see an ill family member, if visits are recommended as part of treatment. You can include lodging, but not meals, when you travel to another city for medical purposes.

Ingredients

Cookie Crust

2 cups all purpose unbleached flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar, unpacked

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

2 large egg whites

1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce

2 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 cup white chocolate chips (optional for a sweeter cookie)

Greek Yogurt Frosting

1 cup non fat plain greek yogurt

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit Toppings (use your preference!)

1 large mango, diced

3 diced kiwis

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

Honey for Drizzling

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Lightly spray a 9 x 13 x 1.375 inch non-stick baking pan with coconut oil cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and stir to blend.

In another bowl, whisk the sugars with the butter, egg whites, applesauce and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a spatula in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out. (Optional: Fold in the white chocolate chips.)

Spread the batter onto the baking pan using the back of a measuring cup to smooth evenly.

Bake 14 to 16 minutes, until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Don’t over-bake or your bars will be dry. Let it cool completely on wire rack.

Whisk together greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract.

“Frost” each cookie with a spoonful of the greek yogurt mixture, then top with fruit. Drizzle with honey and serve.

Ingredients

1 large flatbread or naan, or 2 small

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or any other favorite cheese such as Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack

1 boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness

salt and pepper, to taste

2-3 slices cooked bacon, chopped

1/2 avocado, sliced or diced

1/2 red pepper, diced

tablespoon packed cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 cup ranch dressing

1 teaspoon chipotle seasoning

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Cook in a pan or skillet on the stove over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Dice chicken and set aside.

Brush flatbread with olive oil. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Top with chicken, red peppers, and bacon. Place on a lightly greased sheet of foil and bake on the oven rack for 10-15 minutes until cheese is completely melted.

While flatbread is baking, whisk together ranch dressing and chipotle seasoning. When flatbread is finished baked, top with avocado, cilantro, and crushed red pepper flakes. Drizzle with chipotle ranch dressing and serve immediately.

Personal auto insurance companies in the US are reporting billions of dollars in insurance premium refunds to clients. Below is a list of our carriers that are currently offering refunds and what that will look like for our clients. This list is as of April 17th. We will update as we learn more.

Allstate:

• On average, personal auto insurance customers will receive 15 percent money back based on their monthly premium in April and May.
• Allstate will automatically deposit money back to the bank or credit card account used for a customer’s most recent payment, or apply credits to accounts. Please check your payment information to make sure it is up to date.

AAA

• Personal auto policies that are in effect as of April 30, 2020 will receive financial relief totaling 20% of their policy premium for the months of April and May 2020. Insurance customers do not need to take any action as their savings will be refunded in a one-time premium credit or check, depending on the policy administrative system. Customers can expect to receive their refund by May 31, 2020, pending regulatory approval.

Hanover:

• Returning 15% of April and May auto premiums to personal lines customers through The Hanover CARES Refund.

HICI:

• Haulers Insurance will be refunding all personal auto policies deemed active on March 31 with a 10% policy term premium refund. Refund checks will be going out the week of 4/20/2020 and will be in the form of a mailed check.

Nationwide:

• A one-time premium refund of $50 per policy for personal auto policies active as of March 31, 2020.
• The refund will arrive in the next 30 days.

Progressive:

• If you have an active personal auto policy at the end of April, you’ll receive a credit for 20% of your April premium. The same 20% credit to active personal auto customers at the end of May, and additional credits may be offered in the upcoming months.
• There’s nothing you need to do. Progressive will automatically calculate your credit at the end of each month, and then you’ll see it reflected in your account within a few weeks. If you have a balance on your policy, the credit will be applied directly to your remaining balance. And if you’re already paid in full, Progressive will return the money to the payment account on file—so please make sure your payment details are up to date.

Safeco / Liberty Mutual:

• Personal auto insurance customers will receive a 15% refund on two months of their auto premium, based on your premium amount as of April 7, 2020. The refund will happen automatically, and you do not need to call to get your refund.
• Safeco is planning to issue the refund in the manner you made your most recent payment or by check.
• We will begin issuing refunds in the coming weeks, after approval from state insurance regulators.

The Hartford:

•  The Hartford will be issuing a 15% refund on two months’ worth of premium for all customers with an in force personal auto policy as of April 1, 2020. They plan to issue payments to customers either by check or direct deposit into the billing account on record. Customers do not need to take any action to receive this credit.

Travelers:

• Personal auto insurance customers will receive a 15% credit on April and May auto premiums.
• Credit is automatically credited to your travelers account.

With the market currently in a state of volatility, a fixed annuity is a good place to turn if you are looking for an option to put cash away to earn tax-deferred interest.  Fixed annuities pay a guaranteed amount, and there are currently options for a much higher return than a certificate of deposit from a bank.

A few things I really like about including annuities in your investment portfolio:

• Money grows on a tax deferred basis.
• Guaranteed rate of return, offering a predictable payout.
• Provides a death benefit to beneficiaries.
• Options for penalty-free withdrawals; liquidity built in for emergencies. (Withdrawal amount limited based on specific contract).
• Life income options available at annuitization.
• Options for A+ rated companies.

Below is an example of how $100,000 will grow at 3.5% interest in 7 years:

We currently have options for 3.50% interest for 7 years at $100K or more, and 3.10% for 7 years if less than $100K.  We also have 2.25% for 3 years at $100K or more, and 1.80% for 3 years if less than $100K.

It’s a great time to look into your options to decide if an annuity is the right fit for you.