Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Life Insurance Coverage in Ontario Should Be Reviewed Annually as Life Insurance Needs Can Change

Like all aspects of your finances, insurance needs can change. Families mature, and new life insurance products come available that offer different incentives. It is always a good idea to review your life insurance coverage from time to time to ensure it offers the best possible protection.

Your evolving insurance needs depend on your current and changing life situation and your financial goals. Insurance changes should be based on an exploration of the key aspects of your life and adjusting your life insurance coverage in Ontario to better reflect your current insurance needs.

Here are three to consider:
1. Life events – Some of the key developments that can call for insurance changes include marriage, divorce, birth of children, change in income or a sudden change to your wealth. For example, perhaps your insurance needs change because your family is larger and you want to leave more for your heirs. Alternatively, perhaps you would be better suited to consider insurance products that offer a tax benefit as one example because you’ve built up your wealth, paid off the mortgage and your kids have finished their post-secondary education. A review might even reveal how we can save money on life insurance coverage. For example, if your health picture has changed for the better – perhaps you’ve lost a great deal of weight or your high cholesterol has dropped – we might be able to take advantage of the breaks on premiums some insurers offer under those circumstances and make the necessary insurance changes.

2. Beneficiaries – One thing we should always review is your beneficiaries. These are common insurance changes since they’re the ones who receive the proceeds of your policy, it’s important that we always make sure they’re who you want them be and that you’re taking care of them in the best way possible. You want to make beneficiary changes as you go through life to accommodate new children or grandchildren. When naming a person as your beneficiary, instead of your estate, the proceeds will be passed on directly to your named beneficiary. This will be private, not public record, and they will bypass probate fees. Your insurance needs depend on your current and changing situation and your financial goals.

3. Your financial situation – We should explore your life insurance coverage in Ontario in relation to your overall financial picture. Remember insurance is just one part of a long term financial strategy, which means the coverage that’s right for you depends on other aspects of your financial life. If your life insurance coverage policy includes an investment component, we can explore how it fits in with your overall plan. We’ll examine its investment performance and consider the best ways to use the cash value.

Discuss your life insurance coverage with your Ontario Insurance Advisor at least once a year. Then you’ll have peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re well covered. For more information how you can review your Life Insurance Coverage in Ontario contact Gary Mandel at IFCG by calling (416) 849-1653 or by visiting www.wecoveryou.ca

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Long Term Care Insurance Planning For When You Need Private In-Home Care in Ontario

The idea of private in-home care during a major long term illness is far more attractive than an extended stay in an Ontario long term care facility. According to the Canadian Home Care Association, 35% to 50% of Canadians over the age of 65 will require some form of long term or palliative care.

Here are some statistics:

• About 50 thousand strokes occur in Canada each year. This is the leading cause of transfer from hospital to long term care.
• 1 in 11 Canadians over 65 is affected by some sort of dementia disease such as Alzheimer’s.
• 7% of Canadians age 65 and over reside in health care institutions.

Private home care services allow individuals to remain at home surrounded by family and friends. It allows them to continue to contribute to their community. This also makes it easier for families to continue caring for their loved one.

Receiving that care in the comfort of your own home can be a way to recover from a long illness. This can also include palliative care, but no matter what the reason might be, private home care in Ontario is costly. This is why, if you would prefer to have private home care should the need arise, you should begin long term care insurance planning today so that you can meet those costs.

The level of private home care coverage in Ontario that is offered by insurers differs. Some policies might offer less financial aid for private home care than for institutional care. When planning long term care in Canada, you should consider how much private home care would cost where you live. Since costs vary throughout Canada, it’s important to be realistic. Unfortunately, many communities have a shortage of qualified home care workers. If access to private home care is important to you, then you need to keep that in mind for your decision with long term care insurance planning. You want to ensure that if you need it, home care will be affordable to you.

To be able to afford the best long term care and minimize your costs, the sooner you start planning the better. Long term care insurance planning in Ontario begins with your Ontario Insurance Agent. Long term care in Canada continues to face increased pressure and quality of care has suffered as a result of low staffing and poor living conditions. This is not how you want to live once you retire and the best way to be in a position to afford in-home care is to start long term care insurance planning now. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that your long term care is covered.

For more information about long term care insurance planning for when you need private in-home care in Ontario contact Gary Mandel at IFCG by calling (416) 849-1653 or by visiting www.wecoveryou.ca

Wednesday, 12 October 2011

Financial Management Fundamentals For Those Who Have Children Who Will Receive An Inheritance In Ontario

If you’re a parent, you know how important it is to raise our children to be independent and successful. Even though we may have wonderful kids, we still worry about our children’s behaviour, who our children will marry, if they will be successful and if they will be financially responsible. You will want to make sure that your children will be able to manage their financial affairs, especially if they are going to be heirs to an inheritance in Ontario. We want to give our children the financial management fundamentals that they will need for their future.

Chances are you’re going to pass along the bulk of your wealth to your children. You’ll feel better if you know that your children are able to manage money and will be able to draw the maximum benefit from their inheritance in Ontario.

According to a poll conducted by one of Canada’s big five banks, only 58% of respondents said they were confident that their children would be able to properly manage money left to them. Your children’s behaviour towards money and the financial management fundamentals that they will need is extremely important and there are steps you can take to provide your children the information they will need to manage money they receive wisely.

Knowledge is key. Teaching your children financial management fundamentals is the first step to preparing them for the future. This is where an Ontario Insurance Advisor can come in very handy. There is a wealth of books, workshops and websites that will aide in teaching your children the basics of sound investment management. You can also work with a local Ontario Insurance Advisor to come up with a plan to prepare your children to manage their inheritance.

Many parents worry that their adult children will squander an inheritance by spending it away bit by bit, instead of using it wisely to provide for their own futures. Teaching your children how to manage money is positive in many ways. Share your insight. You know from your own experience that effective wealth management means focusing on making wealth grow overtime, through sound long-term investments, effective tax moves, and a host of other strategies that reinforce wealth accumulation.

Effective estate planning will include a combination of choosing the right insurance products and ensuring that your children are fully equipped to manage the proceeds properly in the event that they end up inheriting. For more information on financial management fundamentals for your children who will receive an inheritance, please contact Gary Mandel at IFCG by calling (416) 849-1653 or by visiting www.wecoveryou.ca

Thursday, 6 October 2011

Ontario Insurance Advisors Must Protect Their Client’s Personal Information

With the internet, web-based CRMs and portals an Insurance Advisors private client data can be more at risk than ever before.

The number of threats and pitfalls of operating laptop computers are more severe and more frequent than they once were. Many Insurance Advisors in Ontario are mobile and are using laptops, so it has become increasingly difficult to protect data.

Insurance Advisors are provided with the most sensitive client data that includes but is not limited to medical, personal and financial information. We sometimes hear in the news that technology giants like Sony have had their client data hacked and when we hear these stories we quiver because this could result in identity fraud and a number of other serious outcomes.

In the US the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, a bank used by nearly 1 million U.S. service members, a single hacked laptop led to a much bigger problem. The company found that someone had hacked a laptop on its network and used it to access a company database that contained credit card numbers, addresses, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information.

Protecting client data can be expensive for an Independent Insurance Advisor and so sometimes it is not made a priority when it should be a top priority. This is why it is very important that consumers choose an Insurance Advisor who is part of an MGA (Insurance Brokerage) that takes protecting client data seriously. On the same point a consumer has every right (and should) ask their insurance advisor what their privacy policy is and what measures the organization takes to protect their client’s personal information.

On the flip side, an Insurance Advisor who is changing MGA’s or is entering the business and choosing an MGA, should be concerned with the issue or privacy as it relates to computing. Our brokerage has spared no expense in this regard because the integrity of our client data is so important.

We take great measures to ensure that our client’s data is protected and we also ensure that our agent’s data is protected by providing them with access to the same technology we use as an MGA. This month we will be co-championing a webinar with “NoPanicComputing” in an effort to keep our agents informed of the threats out there and what they can do to prevent their client’s personal information from threat of being hacked.

For more information about how Ontario Insurance Advisors can protect their client’s personal information, contact Gary Mandel at IFCG by calling (416) 849-1653 or by visiting www.ifcg.com OR or to participate in this beneficial Webinar by registering https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/573635430

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

How to Choose the Best MGA!

If you are a Life Insurance Advisor in Ontario and you are trying to choose an MGA while entering the industry or if you are already in the industry and you are looking to make a career move, whatever the case may be, this is a big decision. Quite simply this is because the MGA that you choose will have to transfer all of your licensing over to them and train you on their products and services.

It’s in your best interest to do lots of research before making a commitment. If you find an MGA that you are thinking of joining, begin by asking lots of questions. Whether you are an experienced Broker with an established, high-performing business or if you have just started out, whether you are a captive agent or you are placing your business with several MGAs, here is some important information that no MGA wants to talk about.

1. What is their application turnaround time? One major challenge that Brokers face with their MGA is insurance applications getting processed painfully slow and having no control over it. The average processing time for insurance applications with an Attending Physicians Statement is an additional 19 days. An aggressive MGA can get this accomplished in half the time.

2. Is there a guaranteed call back/turnaround time? Some MGAs don’t return calls on time, and when they do, they don’t have all the answers. This can make servicing clients challenging.

3. What is their compensation structure? Some MGA’s compensation plans are not based on individual production and/or performance. That can result in weaker producers actually earning higher bonuses than higher producing Brokers.

4. What are their policies about you switching MGA’s (in case it doesn’t work out and you want to in the future)? Many MGA’s will make it difficult for you to move your license to another MGA in the event you decide you want to leave. It is important that you understand their expectations from the get-go.

5. Can you have direct access to Insurance Underwriters at the insurance companies? Many MGAs don’t like you to call the underwriters asking for help. In fact, they don’t even want to speak to the underwriters on your behalf. They feel their relationship with the underwriters will be at risk if they hassle them too much. They don’t want you to call them either, for the same reason. There may be occasions where you need to call an Insurance Underwriter to get your client the best deal.

Finally, you will be able to give your clients more options and you will be more competitive, if you choose an MGA that deals with all of the major insurance companies, as opposed to being exclusive or partial to just one. If you would like more information about how to choose the best MGA please contact Gary Mandel at IFCG by calling 416-849-1653 or by visiting http://www.ifcg.com/

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Financial Segregated Funds Offered by Ontario Insurance Companies Prove to be a Good Investment

The Canadian economy has been stronger than the American economy. With that said, many Canadians hold investments in insurance products, stocks, commodities, real estate and more, both in Canada and the US. It seems that every time we turn on the news there is some speculation that impacts the economy.

In August 2011, the American government had its credit score downgraded from AAA to AA. The week following that announcement saw the American Stock Exchange suffer significant losses. In turn, the investment companies turned to the media to urge investors (both in Canada and the US) not to panic. That’s easy for them to say, it’s not them who have their entire life savings invested.

Some Canadians are choosing to turn to more traditional, lower risk investment vehicles, such as Segregated Funds. Segregated Funds can be purchased on a “low”, “medium” or “high” risk basis. Those who don’t have an appetite for risk can select a “low” risk Segregated Fund and still enjoy great returns.

In Canada, Segregated Funds always carry fantastic tax incentives. When you purchase Segregated Funds in Ontario, you can deduct the value of the Segregated Fund from your income at the end of the year when you file your tax return. The result is less taxable income.

Many Ontario insurance companies offer Segregated Funds. Many Life Insurance Advisors can arrange the purchase of a Segregated Fund on your behalf. Dealing with a Life Insurance Advisor carries a number of benefits, the main one being more choices are offered to you. A Life Insurance Advisor can tell you about products offered by both financial institutions and Ontario insurance companies.

If you are planning to purchase a Segregated Fund, you should first look at your tax return to see what your RRSP limit for the year is. If you want to invest more than your limit, you could also consider talking to your Life Insurance Advisor about the Tax Free Savings Account. You can leverage the Tax Free Savings Account deposit up to $5,000 per/year, and let it grow tax free!

To find out more about making a good investment and low risk Segregated Funds offered by Ontario Insurance companies visit http://www.wecoveryou.ca/

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Critical Illness Insurance in Ontario – What is a Critical Illness Classified as in a Critical Illness Insurance Policy?

You may have heard friends, family or colleagues discussing critical illness insurance or you may have heard an advertisement from an insurance brokerage and wondered “what exactly is critical illness insurance?”.

Critical illness insurance in Ontario is not like life insurance (something that protects you if you pass away). Critical illness insurance protects you if you survive a critical illness. Critical illness insurance policy holders will receive a lump sum payment in the event that they suffer from a critical illness, provided they survive 30 days from the date that they suffered the critical illness.

So what is classified as a critical illness? The number of illnesses that are classified as critical illnesses would stun you.

Heart attack, stroke, cancer, dismemberment, severe burns, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, major organ transplant, blindness, coma, Multiple Sclerosis, hearing loss, paralysis, loss of speech, kidney failure, bypass surgery, motor neuron disease (ALS), coronary bypass, major organ failure (on transplant waiting list), aortic surgery, benign brain tumour, heart valve replacement, kidney failure and occupational HIV infection are all classified as critical illnesses.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported that in 2009, about 315,000 (1.1%) of Canadians living in the community reported that they suffer from the effects of a stroke. Between one-third and two-thirds of stroke survivors will experience a loss of function in physical, cognitive or communication skills that require some form of rehabilitation.

The Canadian Cancer Society has posted that an estimated 177,800 new cases of cancer (excluding about 74,100 non-melanoma skin cancers) will occur in Canada in 2011.

Is this a harsh reality? Absolutely. Many folks view themselves as having lots of, or at least adequate insurance coverage and in many situations this is not the case. Sometimes, especially when there are many household financial obligations and so many insurance options, it may be challenging to determine which insurances and premiums fit within your budget and which are necessary.

Critical illness insurance really is a “win, win” insurance. The reason for this is, if you don’t make a claim during the first 15 years of your policy you will be eligible to receive 100% of your insurance premiums returned to you. This is only one reason that critical illness insurance is such an attractive insurance product.

Figuring out the right insurance coverage can feel overwhelming and it seems no matter where you turn (your bank, car insurance provider, mortgage provider, etc..) it seems that there is always someone selling something. Your best bet, if you want to find out what the right combination of insurance is for you, is to speak with a Life Insurance Agent. Life Insurance Agents also sell critical illness insurance, disability insurance, long term care insurance, mortgage insurance, financial products and more. A Life Insurance Agent will be able to tell you what insurance you should have and will quote all of the insurers (including the banks) to get you the best deal. For more information about critical illness insurance in Ontario and critical illness insurance policies please visit http://www.wecoveryou.ca/