Today. Dill Potato Salad. Whole Life Explained, Pg. 3 Local Chapter Election Results, Pg. 7 PERIODICAL. Summer 2013

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1 PERIODICAL Today PO Box 645 Brenham, TX Summer 2013 Dill Potato Salad Using light mayonnaise and nonfat Greek yogurt means you still have creaminess but lose the excess fat of traditional potato salad. Gourmet fingerling potatoes add a nice texture or use Yukon Gold or other potatoes if you prefer. 3/4 pound fingerling (or other) potatoes 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise 1½ tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt ½ cup English cucumbers, diced 1½ teaspoons fresh dill, chopped ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Fill large saucepan 2/3 of the way with water. Add potatoes to pan; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Drain. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl; add drained potatoes and toss gently to mix. Serve warm or chilled. Servings: 6 (½ cup each) Whole Life Explained, Pg. 3 Local Chapter Election Results, Pg. 7

2 A Message from the President School is out, and the hot days of summer are upon us. Many will seek water parks and our Texas beaches for fun, relaxation and temporary relief from the heat. For those whose summer vacation plans include travelling across our Texas roadways please drive safely. Did you know that the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles estimates that 15 to 20 percent of Texas drivers are uninsured? And many more are underinsured. Our feature story in this issue tests your knowledge on auto insurance. Please contact your Germania agent to review your Germania auto insurance coverage and how it will respond if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Paul Ehlert, President The beginning of summer also marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricanes are not foreign to Germania or our members. Many of our members unfortunately experienced Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricanes Dolly and Ike in An above average hurricane season is predicted for this year with 18 named storms including nine hurricanes, four of which are predicted to be category 3 or larger. While you are visiting with your agent regarding your Germania auto insurance, talk also about insuring your home to value. If your home is destroyed by a hurricane or by another insured peril, you want to have enough insurance to reconstruct your home to its original condition. In this edition, you will see the Germania Property and Casualty Group of Companies operating results for Despite another year where Texas has experienced above average weather losses, I am happy to report we were able to add $8.7 Million to our policyholder surplus. This provides us greater financial strength to serve your insurance needs. Congratulations to Donald Scott Phillips, District 1, Donald W. Spiess, District 9, James Bryant Holub, District 13, and Michael L. Bayless, District 19 who were elected by our members to lead the Association as directors on the Germania Farm Mutual board. To read more about your Germania Farm Mutual Board of Directors, please visit our website at and click the About Us link. I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable summer and I thank you for the trust you have placed in Germania. Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association 507 Hwy. 290 East Brenham, Texas GermaniaInsurance.com Summer 2013 Volume 39, Issue 2 Paul Ehlert Gary Weiss Blake Lovelace Derrell Krebs Laura Popp James Pharaon Julia Rosenfeld President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Director of Corporate Communications Senior Creative Designer Contributing Writer Germania Today (USPS ) Published quarterly by Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association Postmaster: Send address changes to Germania Today at P.O. Box 645, Brenham, TX Periodical postage paid at Brenham, Texas and additional mailing offices. Subscription price is 50 cents per year included in yearly premium. 2 Germania Today

3 A Word to the Wise: Insure to Value! Smart Homeownership Each season offers rewards and challenges for homeowners and it s smart to remain aware of the potential damage from severe storms. Summer s lazy days can be quickly interrupted by hail storms, wildfires, hurricanes and the effects of prolonged Texas drought conditions. Because your home is your single biggest investment, regular maintenance is a simple way to secure it and ensure its peak performance. Use this checklist for a summer review of basic home upkeep: Prune or remove overgrown shrubs or plants near your home. Also, cut tree limbs that may rub on the roof causing damage and remove dead trees and branches that may fall on your home. Remove dead bushes, shrubs and brush to provide a defensible fire space around your home and outbuildings. Be sure downspouts are clear and able to drain rain properly. Clean leaves Whole Life: Going Beyond Basic Coverage One of the primary reasons people buy life insurance is to fund final expenses. In addition to the cost of a funeral, related line items often include hospital and medical bills, legal fees, taxes and other end-of-life care expenses. The bills can add up quickly, and costs continue to rise annually. In the last 20 years, for example, the average cost of a basic funeral in America has gone from $5,500 to $9,000. To avoid burdening family members with these bills, many people consider Whole Life insurance the best and most suitable solution for funding final expenses. Whole Life guarantees death benefits for the named insured to age 121, as long as the premiums are paid. It s flexible too, as premiums can be fixed for life or modified to shorten the payment period. and debris from gutters and valleys. Check that the grading around your house provides proper drainage. Inspect indoor and outdoor wiring for wear and damage. Replace any wires that show signs of cracking. Be sure any satellite dishes or antennas on the roof are properly anchored and no cracks are present on the roof that might cause leaks. Clean around outdoor AC units and equipment, cutting back any nearby plant growth and removing leaves and debris. Check for signs of rodents, bees, wasps, fire ants and other pests and treat or remove them. Value your home Protect your home year-round by insuring your property to its proper value. Taking this single step, with the help of your Germania agent, can mean a world of difference should disaster hit home. Another benefit of Whole Life is that it builds an equity or cash value, lowering the total cost of owning the policy compared to Term Life insurance. So not only will it help you manage end-of-life costs, it has a cash value if you decide to cancel early. In the early years of a Whole Life contract, the prime earning years for most people, Whole Life premiums are typically higher than Term Life premiums. As the policy matures and remains in force, the premiums become more cost effective. Your Germania Life agent can help you choose the Whole Life policy that meets your needs now and tomorrow. Ask for a noobligation quote or contact Germania Life directly at or at glife@germaniainsurance.com. Start by talking with your Germania agent about any additions you ve built or significant upgrades you ve made inside or out. Renovating your kitchen or bath, laying wood flooring, residing the exterior or adding a room make big differences in your home s value. Whether you ve upgraded or not, your property must be insured to its current value. To do so, your Germania agent will use an enhanced residential cost estimate tool that s a virtual walkthrough of your house. The result will be the proper value of your property and invaluable peace of mind. Germania s goal is to keep you whole. Take calculated steps to protect your property with proactive seasonal maintenance and seek assistance from your Germania agent, who can advise you on the proper amount of insurance for your home.

4 Pop Quiz: Auto insurance isn t taught as a general subject in school, but maybe it should be. After all, most Americans drive a car and need to understand the importance of having the right protection. Whether you re just getting your learner s permit or have been behind the wheel for decades, test your knowledge of auto insurance and be sure you re well versed in the topic. 1. Which type of auto insurance coverage takes care of hail damage to your car? A. Other Than Collision (OTC) B. Collision C. Liability The answer is A. Other Than Collision, as the term implies, responds to losses that don t meet the definition of Collision. It covers damages to your car such as: vandalism, falling objects, fire, hail, flood, contact from animals, breakage of glass and theft. 2. What coverage could you use for damage to your vehicle caused from a hit-and-run driver? A. Other Than Collision (OTC) B. Collision C. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) D. Collision &/or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist The answer is D. Collision &/or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. Collision covers physical damage to the vehicle but Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist can also provide coverage for damage to your vehicle and bodily injury arising from an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, which includes a hit and run driver when actual contact of the vehicle is made and the driver of the other vehicle cannot be determined. 3. How many vehicles on Texas roads are estimated to be uninsured? A. 33% B. 20% C. 18% The answer is B. According to recent figures from TexasSure, around 4.28 million registered cars could not be matched to a policy. That s 20 percent of the total registered vehicles in Texas. 4. What is TexasSure? A. An auto insurance verification system B. A low-cost auto insurance company The answer is A. TexasSure is a verification system used by law enforcement and county tax officials to check if cars have auto liability insurance. The TexasSure database connects every registered vehicle in the state by its license plate, VIN and liability insurance policy. The system helps reduce the number of uninsured vehicles in Texas, prevents the use of counterfeit proof of insurance cards and reduces insurance fraud. 5. What are the Minimum Liability Limits required by Texas? A. 30/60/25 B. 15/30/5 C. 50/100/50 The answer is A. Texas law requires its citizens be financially responsible for accidents they may cause. Most drivers buy insurance to meet the state s law, the state required minimums are 30/60/25. That means the coverage must be set at least at $30,000 for each injured person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident for bodily injuries and $25,000 for property damage per accident. With the rising costs of cars, repairs and medical care, responsible Texans should carry much more than the Texas state minimum. Germania has limits available to meet most insured s needs. 6. Are you responsible for paying the excess damages above the limits of your insurance if the damages, as a result of an accident which was your fault, exceed your insurance limits. A. No B. Yes The answer is B. Yes, you are. The limits you select set the amount the insurance company can pay on your behalf. However, you are responsible for everything outside of that from your personal assets. That s why it s important to have adequate coverage limits that are right for the times. 7. You loan your car to a friend and your friend is in an accident that is his fault, who s auto policy has to pay first? A. Your auto policy B. The friend s auto policy C. Both must participate The answer is A. In most instances, the insurance on the 4 Germania Today

5 Auto Insurance vehicle would respond first. Your auto policy pays first, and your friend s insurance policy would potentially provide excess coverages so consider this when loaning your car. 8. When do parents stop being financially responsible for their teenage drivers? A. When they pay for the child s auto policy B. When the child pays for their own auto policy C. When the child turns 18-years-old The answer is C. Parents are financially responsible for their children until they reach age 18. So, if you purchase a car for your child in their name before they are 18-years-old it is important to consider limits that protect you as well. 9. You borrow a friend s car and his insurance limits are insufficient, and you have an accident that s your fault, will your policy respond? A. Yes B. No The answer is A. Subject to certain limitations on your auto policy, yours could respond as excess coverage. 10. Your child takes a vehicle titled in your name and insured on your policy with him to school. He graduates from college, but does not move home. What coverage does he have from your insurance policy? A. Coverage only when he drives that vehicle or another vehicle listed on that policy B. Coverage as insured regardless of vehicle he is driving C. None The answer is A. If your child does not reside in the household or would reside in the household if not away at school, the child becomes a permissive user and would have in essence the same coverage as a friend to whom you ve lent your car. Permissive users only have coverage from your policy when operating or occupying the vehicle listed on your policy. Give yourself an A if you answered nine or more questions correctly! The answers to questions above are based on given scenarios. All losses are subject to policy provisions. If you have questions about your policy or coverages, please contact your Germania agent. Summer

6 Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association and Subsidiaries Hurricane Season is Here Again As The Insurance Texans Trust, Germania understands how important it is that all of us be prepared for hurricane season, officially June 1 November 30. This year we have posted an in-depth article at GermaniaInsurance.com about these storms, the common damage from them and how you can prepare your home and family for the impact. You ll also find a downloadable Home Inventory Checklist which will help you create or update an inventory of everything in your home. Simply complete the checklist and store it in a safe place along with your other important documents. Prefer a paper checklist? Ask your Germania agent for a Home Inventory Checklist brochure. Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association Claims Paid By Peril Storm $ 86,267, Fire $ 30,618, Water $ 16,504, Theft $ 4,027, Other $ 4,407, Total $141,825, When the West, Texas tragedy occurred, Germania jumped into action. This video highlights the devastation we encountered and our response to the needs of West. View the West, TX video on Germania s Facebook page at facebook.com/germaniainsurance or at As a Germania policyholder you have the benefit of signing up for electronic funds transfer (EFT) to make your premium payments. You can select the date that works best for you, and your payments will always be on time. When you use EFT you can also save up to $30 a year by eliminating installment fees. To sign up, go to the Electronic Funds Transfer link at GermaniaInsurance.com. 6 Germania Today

7 Dollars and Sense College Expenses101 Everyday expenses for your kids certainly don t end when they go off to college. In fact, when your first child leaves the nest for campus life, you could be shocked at the non-academic expenses you both face, from dorm room necessities and snacks to organizational dues and special event costs. You might be able to cut initial bills by coordinating with roommates to eliminate duplicate electronics, for example, or using existing furnishings, sheets and décor from home for the dorm. But for many parents, the summer months before the big move-out date can turn into one long spending spree. The Germania Credit Union staff (especially the parents) understands what you re facing and have a simple idea on how to cope: A GCU personal loan. A personal loan offers competitive rates and flexible terms, delivering a smart budget solution for managing upfront college expenses without high credit card fees. Here s another great financial idea for your college student: Talk about the importance of budgeting and controlling spending before they leave home and work together on a plan for expenses. If you will be providing an allowance, be sure they have a GCU Share Draft account set up before they go, then transfer the allowance into their account at the agreedupon frequency. Most importantly, be sure you both stick to the plan. Germania Credit Union has flexible options for repaying loans. Your credit worthiness determines the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) you are offered. If you re not yet a member, visit www. GermaniaCreditUnion.com for information on joining, details on loan types and rates, or to apply for a loan online. Results of April Local Chapter Meetings Approximately 18,500 members of Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association attended their Local Chapter meetings during April. Many enjoyed the hospitality of meals and refreshments, as well as business updates on Germania. District Director elections were held in four districts with the following director nominees elected for a three year term: District Director 1 Donald Scott Phillips (LC 161, Denison) 9 Donald W. Spiess (LC 14, Brenham) 13 James Bryant Holub (LC 85, Wichita Falls) 19 Michael L. Bayless (LC 386, Lumberton) subsidiary boards and board committees. All districts participated in the voting on an amendment to the Constitution. The amendment did not pass by the required two-thirds majority vote of the members voting at the April Local Chapter meetings. As we welcome Mr. Phillips and Mr. Bayless as new members of the board, appreciation is extended to Fredda Lemons for her 15 years of service and Daniel Wilkinson for his 12 years of service on the GFM board, Michael Bayless Donald Scott Phillips Summer

8 PERIODICAL Today PO Box 645 Brenham, TX Summer 2013 Dill Potato Salad Using light mayonnaise and nonfat Greek yogurt means you still have creaminess but lose the excess fat of traditional potato salad. Gourmet fingerling potatoes add a nice texture or use Yukon Gold or other potatoes if you prefer. 3/4 pound fingerling (or other) potatoes 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise 1½ tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt ½ cup English cucumbers, diced 1½ teaspoons fresh dill, chopped ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Fill large saucepan 2/3 of the way with water. Add potatoes to pan; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Drain. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl; add drained potatoes and toss gently to mix. Serve warm or chilled. Servings: 6 (½ cup each) Whole Life Explained, Pg. 3 Local Chapter Election Results, Pg. 7