Germania Today

Transcription

1 HELP on the Today Fall 2012 ROAD is here! Defensive Driving Discount, Pg. 6 Online Home Banking, Pg. 7

2 A Message from the President Assuring the security of our policyholders is a tall order of business and one which Germania is committed to in a number of ways. Our new Roadside Assistance coverage available to our Auto policyholders is a smart, economical security blanket for any driver. In this issue of Germania Today, as well as in mailers and information from your agent, you ll get details on the range of services and discounts the new coverage provides. I m pleased that we ve added it to our mix of product offerings and hope you ll see how valuable the benefits can be to you and your family. Paul Ehlert, President If you are not yet relying on Germania for your Auto insurance, this is a great time to save money by adding it as a companion policy to your owner-occupied property coverage. Our main feature in this newsletter details how you can save 15% on both your dwelling and auto premiums with the Companion Policy Discounts. You can also receive an additional 10% discount on your owneroccupied dwelling policy with the added security of a companion Germania Life insurance policy. In addition to ensuring your security, our leadership team often looks for ways to provide additional value to your relationship with us. Be sure to check out the available vendor discounts, including a new one, through our Germania Advantage program. The discounts are listed on our website, GermaniaInsurance.com, beneath the Policyholder Login section. No one is able to escape this season s onslaught of political messages. It s not our place to suggest who you vote for, but I do feel an obligation to encourage you to make your voice heard at the polls. This summer, a contingent from the Germania Board s Legislative Committee traveled to Washington, D.C. to make our voices heard on important issues affecting the insurance industry in Texas. We discussed National Flood Insurance reform, maintaining insurance regulation at the state level and the many benefits of model building codes. Our goal is to vigilantly reinforce our beliefs in minimizing federal legislation affecting our industry and in the mutual insurance concept as a whole. If you would like to support our efforts with a contribution to our Political Action Committee, please contact Bill Boeer at If you are a Farm Mutual policyholder, you can also make a difference by participating in our annual call for nominations for open District Director positions. District Directors are asked to share their skills and knowledge and give their time to help guide our Association. They are a true reflection of Germania s grassroots strength and success and I am honored to work with each of them. At the very core of our strength is our ability to respond to the unexpected nature of life. It s been a year since fires ravaged Bastrop, and I am still reminded of the way all of Texas pulled together to help with the recovery. Germania s Bastrop area agents, our Catastrophe Response Team, our staff and independent adjusters all put their own lives on hold to offer peace of mind to others. It was a true reflection of Germania s 116 years of being there for our neighbors and remains a lasting reminder of why we continue to be The Insurance Texans Trust. I wish you all safe, happy and cooler autumn days. Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association 507 Hwy. 290 East Brenham, Texas GermaniaInsurance.com Fall 2012 Volume 38, Issue 3 Paul Ehlert Gary Weiss Blake Lovelace Derrell Krebs Laura Popp Julia Rosenfeld James Pharaon President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Director of Corporate Communications Contributing Writer Senior Creative Designer 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 Life Lines The Phases of Life As we travel life s roads we learn how important financial security is to our peace of mind. That s why you re never too young or too old to consider the benefits of life insurance. Germania s Companion Policy Discount can make this protection even more affordable, offering a 10 percent owner-occupied property insurance premium reduction for members that own a Germania Life policy. For many members, the premium reduction is significant enough to offset the cost of their life insurance, says Pete Newman, life production manager. For recent college grads starting a career, a Term 4 Life policy makes a lot of sense, explains Newman. The low premium and lifetime of coverage assures you that your family won t be burdened with your college expense debt now, and that you are covered well into the future. Single parents concerned with security for their family today and covering funeral expenses far down the road find Participating Whole Life with Term Riders the perfect, affordable fit. The term riders ensure young families will be taken care of should tragedy strike at a young age, he says. And cash values can help with college expenses or emergencies, while the whole life guaranteed death benefit will help with final expenses later. At mid-career, protect everything you ve worked for with 10- Pay or 20-Pay Whole Life plans. You ll pay for either 10 or 20 years, and have guaranteed protection for a lifetime. It s designed to protect your family during your high-earning years and into retirement. The simplified issue application process for Prime Life makes it an ideal product for adults between 50 and 85 who don t want an awkward medical exam to stand in the way of coverage. It features guaranteed, fixed and level-for-life premiums plus guaranteed cash values and death benefits. A Joint Decreasing Term policy insures two people on one policy. The premium is based on an average of the two people s ages and the policy payout is made upon the first death of the two. It s a great policy for couples, business partners and family members who want to protect each other financially, explains Newman. It s a wonderful option for a wide range of people. Ask your Germania agent to prepare a no-obligation quote for the plans that are right for you. You can also contact Germania Life directly at , or us at glife@germaniainsurance.com for assistance or a quote. Fall

4 New from Germania: Roadside Assistance Coverage Flagging Down Help Flat tires. Radiator problems. Dead batteries. Being stuck on the road is a hassle no matter what. New coverage from Germania signals help is here. Introducing Roadside Assistance Coverage a safe helping hand dispatched around the clock, any day of the year getting you back on the road and out of harm s way. It s affordable too: The $25/year fee provides assistance throughout the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) plus Canada and Puerto Rico to you or a family member using any private passenger vehicle, and to others driving any covered vehicle on your Germania personal auto policy. There are no admission fees or dues, nor additional costs for dependents. On the Road Designed exclusively for Germania auto policyholders, Roadside Assistance Coverage includes: 24 Hour Emergency Towing Service To the destination of your choice. The first 50 miles are covered under the plan; you ll have to pay for additional towing miles. 24 Hour Emergency Road Service Up to 60 minutes, from the time of arrival, for minor on-site labor where the vehicle is disabled. 24 Hour Emergency Delivery Pays only for the cost of delivering emergency supplies you need like gasoline, water, oil or other mechanical necessities. You will be responsible for paying the cost of the supplies themselves. 24 Hour Emergency Battery Service A service vehicle will jumpstart your drained battery and take care of minor adjustments to other ignition parts to get you back on the road. Lockout Service Sends help to unlock the passenger compartment should you be accidentally locked out of your vehicle. Map Routing Service Directions and travel routing free of charge. Theft and Hit & Run Protection Should you be a victim of vehicle theft or a hit & run accident, the coverage offers a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible criminal. Additional Discounts Whenever and wherever you travel, you can save hundreds of dollars each year with the program s travel discounts. You ll have the added benefit of special assistance online or by phone to secure great rates on flights, hotels, cruises and tour packages, plus direct-booking discounts on car rentals from the major rental companies. When you add the coverage you ll also receive discounts on automotive services from AAMCO Transmissions, Jiffy Lube, Maaco Collision Repair, Meineke Discount Mufflers and Precision Tune Auto Care. Pull Over Now Your Germania agent has all the details on adding this valuable, money-saving coverage to your auto policy. Even if you have Towing on your policy, adding Roadside Assistance is a smart move for your peace of mind. Remember, the $25 annual fee covers all the personal autos on your policy. This article is an announcement and not a complete solicitation for a policy of insurance. Coverages described are subject to the provisions of the policy. Please read the policy for coverages and exclusions. 4 Germania Today

5 2013 DISTRICT DIRECTOR ELECTION REQUIREMENTS L Germania District Directors serve for a term of three years, and may seek reelection. Elections for District Director for districts 1, 9, 13 and 19 will be held in April of Anyone seeking a District Director position must meet the following eligibility requirements and be nominated and selected at the District Meeting being held in San Antonio on January 22, 2013: The member must submit to the office of the president of Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association at least 45 days prior to the District Meeting (December 8, 2012), the member s intent to be placed in nomination for district director; The member must submit to the office of the president of Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association at least 30 days prior to the district meeting (December 23, 2012), an executed Board Nominee Criteria form, an executed Requirements of Candidates and an authorization release for a criminal background check. (These forms will be provided by Germania); The member must have never had a license for any professional designation placed on probation, denied, suspended, revoked, canceled or non-renewed by any state or regulatory body; The member must have never been disciplined, fined or censured by a state department, or any regulatory body; The member must have never been convicted, pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or to any felony; The member must not currently have charges pending against the member which could result in a conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony; The member is a resident of Texas and has at least $3,000 of insurance in force with Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association and resides within the district for which the member intends to be placed in nomination; The member must meet with the Germania Board s Governance Committee upon timely request; The member must be one of not more than five nominated and selected at the District Meeting to run for the District Director position. For additional information, visit the Corporate Governance link on Germania s website, Fall

6 In remembrance Learn more about our newest partner in the Germania Advantage program: Receive a 35% discount off our bundled package: Online Defensive Driving Safety course (6 hr) PLUS a Certified Copy of your Texas Driver Record (required by most Texas courts). Our Texas Online Defensive Driving Safety course is Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved. Total cost w/discount is $ Certificate of course completion included. PLUS you will receive your Dept of Public Safety (DPS) Certified Texas Driver Record, done automatically online directly from us. Visit: 6hourdefensivedriving.com or call (866) and use DISCOUNT CODE: GERINS35 We are saddened by the passing of Mr. Leonard Roeske on Sunday, August 19, He had more than 40 years of service with Germania, serving as 1st Vice President from 1955 until his retirement in Survivors include his wife, Loraine, of Brenham, his sons, Rodney and Sidney and their families of Brenham, and daughter, Deborah Bryant and her family of Arlington. NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICY Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Association and its subsidiaries as well as our business partner, Home State County Mutual Insurance Association, (referred to as us ) value you as our customer and respect your right to privacy. We collect non-public personal financial information from you and consumer reporting agencies about your transactions with non-affiliated third parties and us. We do this to process, administer and maintain the products and services you purchase from us. We have in place policies and procedures that limit who may access or use your non-public personal financial information that comply with state and federal regulations and our own high standards regarding privacy and confidentiality. We only disclose your non-public personal financial information to affiliates or non-affiliates as permitted by law. A full privacy policy notice is available at or by calling us directly at and requesting one. 6 Germania Today

7 Dollars and Sense Companion Policy Discount: DOING MORE TO SAVE YOU MORE Saving money is always a good idea. Saving money and getting more is an even better idea. Germania s Companion Policy Discount saves you money on the insurance you already have with Germania when you turn to us for additional protection. In the end, you ll pay less for the insurance coverage you already have, plus gain the peace of mind of broader security from a company you trust. Save percent How does a 15 percent savings sound on your property insurance premium? Just add a Germania auto insurance policy and it s yours*. Want to save more? You ll also get a 15 percent discount on that new auto insurance premium! Still want more? OK. Protect your family with a Germania Life Insurance product in addition to property and auto and you ll save another 10 percent on your property premiums. Simplify and save now When you review your insurance coverage, look for ways to simplify and save. Then talk to your Germania agent about making the most of Germania s Companion Policy Discounts. *To qualify for these discounts, you must have your primary owner-occupied dwelling, liability and auto insured with Germania. Home Banking from GCU: Connect with Your Finances Most of us rely on the Internet to remain connected to friends and family. It s an ideal way to stay in control of your finances too. Secure Home Online Banking from Germania Credit Union offers quick click-through access to your account balances and transaction history, plus the ability to transfer funds between accounts, or to transfer funds for making GCU loan payments. The fast new tool goes beyond balance checks and loan payments, says C.W. Barker, GCU president. The account alerts feature allows members to set customized reminders for when loan payments are due. They can also set the system to alert them when their checking account balance gets too low or when a certificate of deposit matures. It adds a layer of instant information that s helpful for more effective money management. The credit union continues to offer Access 24, an interactive voice response program available by phone 24/7. Through Access 24, members can also check account balances and recent transactions, plus transfer funds between GCU accounts. We know some members continue to rely on Access 24, so it s remaining in place, assures Barker. Germania Credit Union offers membership to Germania policyholders and employees, plus many of their relatives. Employees of several Brenham area businesses are also eligible for membership. In addition to checking and savings accounts, GCU offers competitive rates for auto, boat and RV loans, farm equipment loans, plus personal and other consumer loans. Visit to view current rates and full eligibility details. Fall

8 PERIODICAL PO Box 645 Brenham, TX Crockin Girls King Ranch Chicken Nicole Sparks, wife of Kris Sparks of Sparks Insurance Agency in Early, Local Chapter 464, is one-half of The Crockin Girls, whose website and recipes have made the team an Internet sensation. Designed to reintroduce the convenience and flavor of slow-cooked meals, the Crockin Girls recipes are available at 1 package of corn chips 1 half of a chicken, cooked and de-boned or 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chiles 1 can of cream of chicken soup 1 can of cream of mushroom soup 1 small onion, chopped 2 cups of shredded cheese 1 cup of chicken broth Step One: Place a single layer of corn chips on bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Step Two: In a bowl, combine chicken, diced tomatoes with green chilies, both soups, chicken broth, onion and mix until combined. Step Three: Place half of the mixture on top of the chips. Then top with half of cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Step Four: Cover and cook on LOW for about 6 hours. This dish can cook faster on HIGH for 3 hours.