Platinum Elite Completes Another Stage of the LUTCF

Excerpts from Blog originally published on Why Farmers Platinum?

On April 22nd, 2011, Agents with the Platinum Elite Team completed the second classroom stage in their advancement towards their LUTCF Designation.  Advanced education and sharpening of skills is a key characteristic of an Agent with the Platinum Elite.

Platinum Elite Team - LUTCF Class 2011

The "Life Underwriter's Training Council Fellow" (LUTCF) is a designation sponsored by the American College.

The American College and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) jointly confer the LUTC Fellow (LUTCF) designation, which has been earned by more than 68,000 professionals. (Source: The American College)

The LUTCF designation helps agents to better analyze a client's needs making sure they address each risk a family, or business, faces with the proper insurance policy.  A focus on suitability is one of the characteristics that differentiates a superior insurance agent from an average insurance agent.

A superior life insurance agent develops a long-term professional relationship with their client.  While property insurance is often a short-term issue, life insurance planning is a matter of long-term (advanced) planning.

A life insurance agent is only successful if their clients are ultimately successful in getting their children to college and to a secure retirement.  With or without the death of a spouse these are still the goals.

"They're all excellent agents already, and I know I'll get to see them improve more and more as time goes on." Kevin Tuckey, Platinum Elite Educational Specialist (and blogger), had the pleasure of moderating this LUTCF course.  "Each agent in my class has a desire to serve the communities we live in, and strengthen the financial stability of the clients for whom they have a responsibility.  As the Platinum Elite grows, I look forward to adding more students to the course."

When the program is complete, each agent will carry the LUTCF designation behind their names on their business cards reminding them, and their clients, that they committed their time and focused on becoming the best agent they can be.  They will remember that their clients' financial health is  important enough to them to dedicate their efforts to earn this degree.

The Platinum Elite Group provides clients with Term Insurance as well as the Cash Value Life Insurances such as Whole Life and Universal Life.  Consult with a professional to make sure you buy the right type and amount to achieve your ultimate goals.  The wrong program means not being properly insured. 

Contact a Platinum Elite Team Member today.
Susanne Romo - Chula Vista & Kearny Mesa  (lic. #: 0720743) - (858) 751-0956

Jasmine Guerrero - Downtown San Diego (lic. #: 0F60338) - (619) 501-6400
Brent McKiernan - Old Town San Diego (lic. #: 0F47109) - (619) 501-6425

Lorena De La Huerta - Hemet (lic. #: 0C51851) - (951) 766-8000

Jerry Cunningham - El Cajon (lic. #: 0E61752) - (619) 938-3123

Amber Ramirez - Ramona (lic. #: 0D95247) - (760) 789-0010
Luis Carbajal - Ramona (lic. #: 0F52624) - (760) 787-1100
Terry Snow - Poway (lic. #: 0707368) - (619) 463-6767 

Vina Gan - San Marcos (lic. #: 0827699) - (760) 500-0267
Neomi Alcorn - La Mesa (lic. #: 0B57906) - (619) 461-0497

Sandy Jensen - Santee (lic. #: 0G05110) - (619) 442-0415

Joaquin Lopez - Oceanside (lic. #: 0G16853) - (760) 433-4214 

Deana Callu - Mission Valley (lic. #: 0G94269) - (619) 296-3276 

Kevin Tuckey - Mission Valley (lic. #: 0B72553) - (858) 751-1357

Farmers Insurance Building
 in San Diego, Ca.
Platinum Elite Headquarters

The Platinum Elite Headquarters can be found
in the Farmers Insurance Building at:
1011 Camino del Rio South
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92108

The Platinum Elite Headquarters
can be reached at: 
(619) 296-FARMERS
(619) 296-3276

The Platinum Elite use an investigative and educational process to ascertain your current risk exposure and deliver to you through our 'Value Insurance Proposal' (VIP) the correct levels of coverage at the right price without compromising vital coverages. You need to protect your family and the assets you have spent a lifetime acquiring.

With The Platinum Elite, there is a difference. Visit our website at farmersplatinumelite.com and discover:

Why Farmers Platinum!

 

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Disaster & Emergency Preparedness: Pet Micro-Chipping

Excerpt of Blog from Why Farmers Platinum?

'Rescue Dog' Molly.  Courtesy
 Susanne Romo with the Platinum Elite.

Disaster Preparedness doesn't just mean making sure the family is ready for the unexpected.  Please don't forget to prepare for the needs of the family's beloved pets too.

If your pet ran away or was separated from you during an emergency such as wildfire, earthquake, or flood, how easy would it be to reunite with them?

Look into micro-chipping when you update their vaccination shots.

Unsure about micro-chipping?  See this San Diego County YouTube video.

Excerpt from article on County of San Diego website dated April 15th, 2011, titled "Make Microchipping a Part of Disaster Preparedness":

With wildfires a perennial concern and the Japan disasters reminding us of the importance of preparing for all emergencies, the County Department of Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to make sure their preparations include micro-chipping.

Continued:

“We have rescued hundreds of animals during past fires, and confirming identity and ownership is critical to reuniting lost animals with their owners,” said Dawn Danielson, County Animal Services director. “A microchip will remove any doubt about ownership and help us bring the animals and their owners together after a disaster. We encourage everyone with a dog or cat to take advantage of this offer. It could save your pet’s life!” 

Animal Services will microchip pets for a one-time fee of $20, which includes the microchip registration. Rabies vaccinations for dogs (4 months or older) and cats (3 months or older) are $6. Amnesty from late fees is offered to owners who have failed to license their dog or have allowed their dog’s annual license to lapse.

These services are available for residents who live in the unincorporated county or Animal Services contract cities: San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Santee.

For more information, contact the County Department of Animal Services at (619)767-2675 or visit sddac.com.

See our previous Disaster Preparedness Blog which contains links to Government Disaster websites such as Ready.Gov.

While Preparing your emergency kit, don't forget to include items for your pet too.  Include in your disaster kits:

• Pet food
• Water & small bowl
• Medication
• Spare leash & collar
• Photos in case they are lost and you need to contact shelters.

Another step is protecting your pets, is to contact your agent with the Platinum Elite about E.A.R.S., Electronic Animal Recovery System.

"To aid in the recovery of lost pets, Imagery Concepts, LLC developed the Electronic Animal Recovery System® or EARS® Digital Pet ID.

EARS is a component of the Home Organizer® software that empowers pet owners with innovative technology to record and store vital identification information on their pets in case of emergency."

Contact an Agent with the Platinum Elite to get your complimentary software.

"Rapidly distributing a current photo can be the difference between a fast recovery and a prolonged search . . .unfortunately, most pet owners are not prepared for this type of crisis.

EARS is a component of the Home Organizer® software that quickly helps pet owners create an electronic ID of their four-legged friends. The EARS Digital ID stores 4 separate photos of your pet along with vital identification information.

In the event a pet is missing, the owner can print and send an EARS “Missing Pet” poster from their computer via the Home Organizer® software.

EARS does not incorporate an imbedded microchip for identification. Instead we utilize the oldest and still most effective method available for recovery of a missing pet . . . current photographs. Identification is fool-proof with a microchip, however, without printed or electronic EARS posters, there is no public awareness of the fact the pet is missing or lost."  Source: earsdigitalid.com

Contact a Platinum Elite Team Member today:
Susanne & Ernie Romo - Chula Vista & Kearny Mesa

(858) 751-0956

Jasmine Guerrero - Downtown San Diego

Jasmine Guerrero & Pasha

(619) 501-6400

Brent McKiernan - Old Town San Diego

(619) 501-6425

Vina Gan - San Marcos (760) 500-0267

Sandy Jensen - Santee (619) 442-0415

Luis Carbajal - Ramona (760) 787-1100

Kris Avram - La Mesa (619) 465-5298

Terry Snow - Poway (619) 463-6767

Amber Ramirez - Ramona (760) 789-0010

Jerry Cunningham - El Cajon (619) 938-3123

Araceli De La Torre - Kearny Mesa

(858) 751-0956

Neomi Alcorn - La Mesa (619) 461-0497

John Campbell - La Mesa (619) 667-1233

Lorena De La Huerta - Hemet (951) 766-8000

Joaquin Lopez & Brody

Mike & Marla Clinkenbeard - Santee

(619) 442-0415

Joaquin Lopez - Oceanside (760) 433-4214

Glenn Shuster - San Diego (619) 283-7963

Deana Callu - Mission Valley (619) 296-3276

Ricardo "Rick" Felix - Mission Valley 

(619) 296-3276

Bob Yarbrough - La Mesa (619) 337-1257

Roxy Chappelle - El Cajon (619) 448-4357

Esteban Carbajal - San Ysidro (619) 800-5777

Maureen Moran - La Mesa (619) 465-3623
Tony Gutierrez - La Jolla (858) 751-0956
Kevin Tuckey - Mission Valley

(858) 751-1357

Farmers Insurance Building
San Diego, CA

The Platinum Elite Headquarters can be found in the Farmers Insurance Building at:

1011 Camino del Rio South
Suite 100
San Diego, CA  92108

Platinum Elite Headquarters can be reached at:

(619) 296-FARMERS,

(619) 296-3276.

The Platinum Elite use an investigative and educational process to ascertain your current risk exposure and deliver to you through our 'Value Insurance Proposal' (VIP) the correct levels of coverage at the right price without compromising vital coverages. You need to protect your family and the assets you have spent a lifetime acquiring.

With the Platinum Elite, there is a difference. Visit our website at farmersplatinumelite.com and discover:

Why Farmers Platinum!

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

National Volunteer Week: Volunteer Preemie Cuddlers

Excerpt from blog originally on Why Platinum?

Farmers Insurance, and the Platinum Elite Group, have been long time supporters of the March of Dimes, a leading charity in the fight against the effects of premature birth.

Every year the Platinum Elite holds fundraisers in an effort to raise money to contribute towards this battle.  See our article about our upcoming Platinum Elite Golf Tournament on July 22nd, 2011, at Riverwalk Golf Club.

Luis Carbajal of the Platinum Elite is helping organize a joint fundraiser for the Ramona Pony Baseball League and March of Dimes set for June 4th, 2011.  See his blog article.

Last year the Platinum Elite even visited a local San Diego Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to gain a better perspective on what families face when the have a premature newborn child, and why the money raised is so needed, and how much good it can do.  The heart-tugging visit was arranged by Donald Swanson, Farmers district Manager and Platinum Elite Founder.

In honor of National Volunteer Week (4/10 to 4/16/11 as proclaimed by President Obama), we'd like to re-run some great stories of those who volunteer very valuable time to these same local children's hospitals.  These 'preemies' are often in the hospital for the first several months of their lives.  The families would hold them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if they could, but obviously that's not possible.  They have jobs and other children they have to care for too.  The nurse have other obligations as well.  This is where "volunteer cuddlers" come in.

Click here to view an NBC report title, "Volunteer Cuddlers", about volunteers at the Rady Children's Hospital.

For a second NBC report titled, "Oh, Baby", click here.  It features volunteers at the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest and it's "Cuddler" program.

Preemie newborns grow stronger, faster as the amount of human contact and warmth increases helping them go home to their families sooner.

Jasmine Guerrero Blogs About Insurance & Downtown San Diego

Jasmine Guerrero
Farmers Insurance
The Platinum Elite Group

Excerpt from Blog originally on Why Farmers Platinum?


When it came time to open her own insurance agency, Jasmine Guerrero chose Downtown San Diego, the community she calls home.

Read Jasmine's Blog to keep up-to-date:

jasmineguerrero.net

Native to Alaska, Jasmine Guerrero moved to Oregon, and then to San Diego, California. With a desire to serve her new community, she joined the Friends of Downtown.

The Friends of Downtown not only highlight local businesses and downtown issues such as a new football stadium, they provide scholarships to San Diego City College and provide Christmas gift bags to the elderly of local San Diego shut-ins. See Blog about Jasmine's Speech at the San Diego City College about the Friends of Downtown.

Jasmine Guerrero's Farmers Insurance agency can be found at:

2251 San Diego Ave.

Suite A101

San Diego, CA 92110                              (619) 501-6400

Follow Jasmine Guerrero on FACEBOOK for consumer and public safety information, and future Friends of Downtown events. 

Jasmine Guerrero
2007 Wildfire Relief at QualComm Stadium

The Friends of Downtown

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Zero Tolerance Campaign For Cell Phone Use While Driving

Excerpt from blog originally published on Why Farmers Platinum?

News for our clients, friends, & family. What might have gotten you a warning in the past, could now result in a definite ticket.

As a part of California's first Distracted Driving Awareness Month, April 2011, the CHP and 225 local law enforcements agencies around the state will be holding a series of "Zero Tolerance" days for cell phone use and texting while driving.  The first Zero Tolerance day will be April 4th.

See our recent "Why Farmers Platinum?" blog about texting & driving.

A ticket for violating either the hands free or no texting law costs a minimum of $159, and subsequent tickets cost $279.  But remember, in California local government can add on additional fees raising the final cost of the ticket well above the starting point.

Excerpt from  Riverside County Sheriff's Department press release:

Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk, joining speeding and alcohol as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. As a result, law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Lake Elsinore Police Department are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. 

“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously.” said Chief Fontneau. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159? Additionally I’d like you to consider the human costs. People suffer preventable injuries every day at the hands of distracted drivers.”

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

Changing behavior of drivers is admittedly an uphill battle when its so tempting to look at the cell phone when it rings while one is driving, but law enforcement is prepared for a long fight.  They point to it taking 20 years to get a 96% seat-belt usage rate.  With lives saved they will follow the same pattern as before.  Law enforcement step up awareness with campaigns such as Zero Tolerance Days...and a lot of tickets.

The press release continues:

Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.

There are simple measures drivers can take to minimize distractions in the vehicle:

• Turn your phone off or put it out of reach before starting the car.

• Alert callers that you are unable to take calls when driving by changing your voicemail message.

• Make it a point not to call or text anyone who may be driving, such as during the commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers.

• If you do need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so.

• If going cold turkey is too much of a stretch and you just can’t turn your phone off, consider using one of the available mobile phone apps that holds calls and incoming texts.

The Platinum Elite is committed to public safety and the well-being of it's clients; both physically and financially.  We know the devastating effects a traffic collision can have as far as death, injury, and property damage.  We also don't want to deal with the cost of a ticket, and then going to traffic school.

Together we can make the changes needed to protect our families, protect others, avoid additional costs associated with tickets by making some minor changes while we drive.

The Platinum Elite Headquarters can be found in the Farmers Insurance Building at:

1011 Camino del Rio South

Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92108

The Platinum Elite Headquarters can be reached at:

(619) 296-FARMERS

(619) 296-3276.

Farmers Insurance & The Platinum Elite use an investigative and educational process to ascertain your current risk exposure and deliver to you through our 'Value Insurance Proposal' (VIP) the correct levels of coverage at the right price without compromising vital coverages. You need to protect your family and the assets you have spent a lifetime acquiring.

With Farmers Insurance & The Platinum Elite, there is a difference. Visit our website at farmersplatinumelite.com and discover:

Why Farmers Platinum! 

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.