Health & Home Safety: Tips for Clean Air

Breathe that clean, fresh air … In your home

Reprint from Farmers Insurance:



We live in an ocean of air, yet research shows that we’re not always breathing clean fresh air, particularly in our homes. In fact, air quality is often worse indoors than outside.¹

The main causes of outdoor air pollution are industrial and vehicular missions. Pets, hair, smoke and moisture all combine to pollute the air indoors. And, in addition to other negative effects on our health, air pollution can cause or exacerbate allergies and in many cases serious breathing disorders, including asthma.


Pollution solutions
Here are some tips that may help improve the air quality in your home:

• Source control — Typically, one of the more effective ways to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. For instance, if you smoke, do it outside; better yet, QUIT! If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, be sure to operate it safely and maintain it properly. Brush and bathe your pets frequently and do it outdoors, if possible.
  
• Improve ventilation — Try to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems don’t bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants from the room and increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.
  
• Clean the air — There are many types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, some more effective than others. For information on various air-cleaning devices and how they work, download a free copy of the EPA’s “Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home”.
  

Farmers Insurance: New Reality TV Star?

Weathering Disaster: Weather Channel Series To Profile Farmers Catastrophe Response

OK, maybe we won't be the next Kardashians or even the next "Pawn Stars", but the new series will definitely be entertaining and educational.  Using the drama of real life, viewers will learn how to be better prepared if a natural disaster strikes their hometown, and be assured that if it does, there will be someone there to help with the recover.

We all know that when natural disasters strike, no one in the industry responds as well as Farmers. An upcoming six-episode series on The Weather Channel will focus on Farmers’ catastrophe buses, as well as our responses to tornadoes, firestorms and hurricanes.


Click HERE for some trailers of the series. 

The series, Weathering Disaster, will focus on individual families affected by disasters, and show how Farmers helps them through the rebuilding process.

What’s more, numerous Farmers agents and claims team members were filmed as they helped customers through the recovery process. “One of our goals in partnering with The Weather Channel on this series was to showcase the real-life heroic efforts of the Farmers agents and catastrophe response employees who help our customers through the recovery process,” says Kristina Ferrin, advertising manager. 

“The Weather Channel is a perfect fit for Farmers, and, in addition to our original programs, we will also have various promotional elements and an advertising presence on The Weather Channel’s online and mobile sites.” Additional promotional components include a Weathering Disaster web page where visitors can view the episodes after they air, as well as "promercials" and vignettes shown on the channel.

The shows will air repeatedly throughout late September and October, with initial airings of each on Saturdays from September 17-October 22. Check your local listings for air times in your area.

Across The Waves: Celebrating The Asian Pacific Community

Excerpt from blog originally published on Why Platinum?

Agents of Farmers Insurance and The Platinum Elite Group are committed to the children of the communities they serve. With governmental budgetary constraints affecting schools, any help given to a teacher for his or her classroom can come in very handy.

One such area of support comes in the educational series of DVD's, readers, and lesson plans geared for all grade levels offered free to educators. Perfect for public or private schools, or home schoolers.

"Farmers free resources offer new and innovative tools for bringing lessons in democracy, diversity, history, the arts and literacy to your classroom. The programs and lesson plans will engage elementary school students and help them develop life-long curiosity and love of learning."

Fire safety and child identification programs are also available through your Platinum Elite Team Member. One such DVD is Across The Waves: Voices from the Asian-Pacific American Community.

To preview this and other programs in the series, go to GoFarmersEd.com.

"Across the Waves Brings together eight Asian Pacific American communities who share their struggles and triumphs in their own words. With all original interviews never before seen with stories that are fundamental to understanding the Asian-Pacific American community, Across the Waves provides insights and information not found in middle and high school history books. Narrated by Ming Na (E.R.) and Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy)."

The Japanese Community

The Korean Community

The Filipino Community

Other communities explored on the DVD include: Indian, Vietnamese, Hmong, Cambodian, and Chinese.

Newest Farmers Insurance Commercial: Gatorade Bath

Definitely a reason to celebrate.  The University of Farmers is named  #1.

Click HERE to learn other reasons why you should not only consider a career with Farmers Insurance, to do it as a member of the Platinum Elite Group.

The newest television commercial in the "University of Farmers" themed Farmers Insurance commercials is set to debut shortly.  Here it is now:

Click HERE to also watch it on our Platinum Elite YouTube Channel.

This newest live action commercial is next in the series starring J.K. Simmons (Spider-man, Juno, Law & Order) as Professor Nathaniel Burke, the mythical leader of our own University of Farmers.

Past recent ads:  The X-Men  -   Dryer Fires  -  Distracted Driving  -  Cat Burglars & Home  -  Lobsters at Work (business insurance)  -  Expansion into Pennsylvania

See our Platinum Elite YouTube Channel for more ads.

The story behind the commercial:

Earlier in the year, Training magazine analyzed thousands of different companies and organizations by several criteria and named Farmers Insurance and it's "University of Farmers" as #1.

Excerpt from earlier blog:

Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, San Diego, CA.: Farmers proudly took first place at Training Magazine’s 11th-annual Training Top 125 contest.

As the leading business publication for learning and development professionals, Training ranks thousands of companies from around the world for their excellence in employer-sponsored training and development programs. See the above link for the complete list.

Being named No. 1 means beating out such powerhouses as Microsoft, Verizon, Bank of America, McDonald's, Best Buy, Intel, FedEx, the Loews Hotels, and the United States Navy.


end of excerpt.

"We Are Farmers!"

All of the members of the Platinum Elite Group study educational programs developed by the University of Farmers and at various stages attend the actual University of Farmers to learn to better serve their clients' needs.

In the end, its the quality of service and education your insurer gives you, the customer, that really differentiates one insurance company from another.  Call an agent below and discover the difference.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month: Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom

"Today, 30 percent of US households have no life insurance, according to the industry research group LIMRA. " - source: Life Foundation.

September is Life Awareness Month. Starting in August, Public Service Announcements featuring Lamar Odom (LA Lakers, Khloe & Lamar) will begin airing on television.

Click HERE to read the original press release announcing Odom's selection. To see a "making of" video / interview, see below.

When a loved one dies, the difference between having life insurance and not having it is vast for the ones who are left behind.   Keeping versus losing the home.  Staying in school versus changing schools when the family needs to move.  Maintaining hobbies and activities. Paying off debts. Raising the kids versus working 2 jobs.  Having time to mourn before money concerns overshadow the real loss.  

When Lamar's mother died, he was able to stay at his school.  This had to have had an impact on his basketball development, and his future career.  Read his story next.

Reprint from The Insider - June 17, 2011

"The Insider"'s Christina McLarty met up with Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom at a Catholic school in Los Angeles on June 15, 2011 to talk about his new PSA for the Life Foundation (on facebook) and "baby making."

"It's going well," Lamar answered when asked about his efforts to procreate with his wife Khloe Kardashian. At the moment, Lamar is already a father of three, which is important to the NBA champion who stated that he wanted to "leave behind a legacy" for his children.

The Life Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families' financial futures.

Lamar grew up understanding the importance of life insurance when his mother passed away from colon cancer when he was 12. Because of her life insurance policy, Lamar says he was able to continue his Catholic school education.

He is now reaching out to people to inform them of the benefits of life insurance through a PSA for the Life Foundation.

In the interview, Lamar also talks about his show with Khloe, "Khloe & Lamar."

Check out the video for more of Lamar's interview with Christina.

end of article

Past Spokesmen for Life Awareness Month have included Actor and Musician Donnie Wahlberg in 2008.  Click HERE for his video.

In 2007, it was Comedian Molly Shannon (Saturday Night Live).

In 2009, it was Actor Chris Noth (Sex and the City).

Past blogs on life: Single Parents

Families with Special Needs Children

Bristish Royal Marine spends a message with his life insurance

Advanced LUTCF Training for Platinum Elite Team Members

The Farmers Insurance agents who make up the Platinum Elite Group whole-heartedly believe in the importance of life insurance in a family's over-all financial plan, and sometimes sadly know the effects when life insurance is missing from the program.

We've had auto insurance clients die who didn't see the need to get life insurance.  Was the car really more important that their family's well-being?  It was insured for more that the people were.

There are a lot of types of life insurance out there, with various features.  Consult with a member of the Platinum Elite Group, like the ones below, to explore, with no obligations, your options.

Always make sure your auto, fire (home, condo, & renters), earthquake, flood, umbrella, and life insurances all properly work together to protect your home, your business, your family, your future.

"We Are Farmers!"

The Platinum Elite Team:

Susanne Romo - Chula Vista & Kearny Mesa  (license #: 0720743) - (858) 751-0956

Araceli De La Torre - Kearny Mesa (license #: 0G17321) - (858) 751-0956

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

Tony Gutierrez - La Jolla (license #: 0A87116) - (858) 751-0956

3675 Ruffin Rd.

Suite 220
San Diego, CA  92123

We 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 Group, there is a difference.  Discover:

Why 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 necessarily 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.

The Farmers Airship, The St Louis Gateway Arch, & The Cardinals

Still on its 6 month cross country tour, the Farmers Zeppelin named Eureka, is currently visiting St. Louis, Missouri.

Click on the following news report to see video of the airship above the St. Louis Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River.


The Farmers Airship also made it's first Major League Baseball appearance over the St Louis Cardinals' stadium.

The Farmers Airship made its first-ever Major League appearance on
 August 23 as it cruised over the St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium.

For past airship and hot air balloon blogs:


For a news video from Detroit, Michigan, click here.

Or for a report from Chicago, Illinois.
Or even Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or Muskegon.Or the Oshkosh Air Show.


Farmers Airship embarks on National Tour.

Farmers Airship adds to the New York City Skyline.
Farmers NASCAR racecar & Hot Air Balloon at Pocono; chance to win an Airship ride.
Farmers, Facebook, & FarmVille: chance to win an Airship ride.
The steps to inflating the Farmers Hot Air Balloon.

Click HERE for a video from airship flights over San Diego.  Explains the difference between zeppelins and blimps.

Members of the ground crew guide guests on and off

 of the Zeppelin between flights. - Derik Holtmann/BND

* 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.

Life Insurance & Las Vegas: A Royal Marine's Final Message to His Friends

Update:  David's friends are back from Las Vegas.  Click here for an new article from The Sun.


Re-print of our original blog from Why Platinum?


Let's face it, if life insurance makes the news it takes abnormal circumstances. It might be a high profile murder. Maybe a remarkable instance of charitable giving. 

When people who don't buy life insurance die, their family's hardship doesn't make the news at all.

Recently a story concerning the purchase of life insurance hit the news. Admittedly, it took place in the United Kingdom, but the US press has run with the story.

In brief, a Royal Marine buys the equivalent of $400,000 plus in life insurance before shipping out to Afghanistan.  He always loved going on trips with his best friends so he leaves instructions that more than $150,000 of it should be used to send 32 of his friends and their girlfriends to Las Vegas in his memory should he die.

David Hart was killed by a road side bomb and now his friends are leaving for the United States one year after his death.

See excerpt from The Sun, or click for the whole story:

A ROYAL Marine killed by a Taliban bomb left £100,000 to send all his mates to Las Vegas.

David Hart, 23, took out life insurance before he went to Afghanistan.

And he wrote a letter saying a chunk of the £250,000 policy proceeds should pay for his pals and their girlfriends to go on a party trip in his memory if he died.

Now 32 friends are jetting to the US - a year after David died in the Helmand danger spot of Sangin.

Pal Andy Hare, 25, said: "He loved going away with his mates - it was always the best two weeks of the year. They were lads' holidays and great times."

Money also went to a charity which cares for injured marines, and the remainder to his family.

The event might raise a few eye-brows, and the Vegas Party aspect of it is getting most of the media attention. This isn't what most life policies are usually used for, but in reality, it's what life insurance is exactly meant to be.

Ghost Insurance? Fantasy Sports Insurance? Gambling or Alien Abduction Coverage?

Insurance against death or injuries caused by ghosts?

Insurance is meant to cover things that can easily happen, and happen relatively often. Predictability makes it easier for the major insurers to insure the standard risks and perils and charge the correct rates.  We don't like surprises in the insurance world.

But occasionally, smaller insurance companies, or enterprising individuals decide to market an insurance for something that's less likely to happen, or at least is a more specialized risk.

Insurance is usually not meant to cover "speculative risks" such as gambling where it's done deliberately and there's a chance to profit from the risk.  That didn't stop a couple of inventors though.  Read the whole story...

Insurance for gambling losses?

Click on this link for read an MSN Money article titled: 6 Strangest Insurance Policies Ever.

According to another MSN Money article on Celebrities and their Insurance needs, Shirley MacLaine and 20,000 other Americans have purchased alien abduction insurance.

My favorite story is Immaculate Conception Insurance.  But sorry, it's not offered anymore.

But what about my fantasy league?  What about getting injured as a fan?

Fantasy Sports Insurance in case "your" player misses
 too many games?

For any of these insurance, don't give me a call for a quote.

For regular auto, home / fire, earthquake, business, and life insurances, you can definitely give me a call.

858-751-1357

* 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 necessarily 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.

Farmers Insurance Sponsors Kasey Kahne & Hendrick Motorsports for 3 More Years of NASCAR Races

Update: Hendrick Motorsports unveils the 2012 Farmers NASCAR paint scheme

The Farmers No. 5 car is getting a makeover.  Each day this week, one new element of the design will be revealed to the public. The 2012 driver of the Farmers No. 5 car, Kasey Kahne, personally crafted the new design and will be tweeting as each layer is unveiled throughout the week.  Or click HERE.

Follow him at @kaseykahne. You can also catch updates on his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KaseyKahne.


Amendment (8/26/11):  Final look at the 2012 Kasey Kahne NASCAR design...

2012 Kasey Kahne NASCAR Impala design

Re-print from past Why Platinum? blog...

Kasey Kahne signs sponsorship with Farmers Insurance

It looks like we've enjoyed our relationship with Mark Martin and Hendrick Motorsports so well, Farmers has signed up with Hendrick Motorsports for another 3 seasons of Nascar Racing.

With Mark Martin retiring, the driver will be Kasey Kahne.

See our past blogs about Farmers' sponsorship of Mark Martin:

Part 1 - Announcement

Part 2 - Blessings in Backpacks, a favored charity

See press release from Hendrick's website for more info below:

CONCORD, N.C. – Beginning in 2012, Farmers Insurance will be the majority sponsor of the No. 5 Chevrolets fielded by Hendrick Motorsports and driven by 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner Kasey Kahne.

Paul Patsis introducing new Farmers Insurance
 NASCAR design for 2011.

Covering the 2012, 2013 and 2014 racing seasons, the agreement secures primary paint schemes for Farmers Insurance in 22 Sprint Cup Series events annually and prominent brand placement in all non-primary races. A new No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet car design will be unveiled at a later date.

“Kasey Kahne is a very talented driver and a class act,” said Paul Patsis, president of Enterprise Marketing for Farmers Insurance. “He will represent Farmers well, and we are all so proud to have him driving what will be a successful partnership, both on and off the racetrack.”

In April, Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance joined Hendrick Motorsports as a five-race primary sponsor of the No. 5 Chevrolets for 2011, debuting with a special paint scheme at the May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Farmers Insurance also is an associate-level sponsor of the No. 5 team this season.

Farmers Insurance Sponsors Hendrick Motorsports & Mark Martin for NASCAR Races in 2011

LOOK FOR THE FARMERS INSURANCE #25 CAR NEXT WEEKEND ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 27TH!!!


Originally published April 22nd, 2011....


The Platinum Elite Group is proud to announce...

Farmers Insurance has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a five-race primary sponsor of the Chevrolet's driven by Mark Martin in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The agreement secures primary placement for Farmers Insurance in five events and associate-level sponsorship on Martin's cars beginning with the May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.


To read the full press release, click here.

Farmers Insurance, Mark Martin #25
NASCAR (2011)

"This partnership makes a lot of sense for Farmers," said Paul Patsis, president of Enterprise Marketing. "NASCAR fans are among the sports world's most loyal and passionate. This is a great opportunity to show them why Farmers is an industry leader, just like Farmers customer and world-class driver Mark Martin."

"I'm proud to be associated with Farmers Insurance," said Martin, a 40-time Sprint Cup race winner. "I've been a customer for more than five years -- my agent is in Searcy (Ark.) -- so I know it's a terrific company that offers the highest quality products and services."