Breast Cancer Awareness: Early Detection and Why It’s Important

Fall is (finally) in the air, the smell of cinnamon lingers as you walk, and the color pink is in abundance. Welcome to October, otherwise known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual campaign to increase awareness and raise funds for a disease that will affect 1 in 8 women over the course of their lifetime. Until there is a cure, early detection practices are key to surviving this diagnosis.

How Can You Be Proactive?

Mammograms and breast self-examinations are key early detection practices. They allow for more treatment options, as well as a better chance of survival. It is recommended that women over the age of 45 have a mammogram performed once a year. A mammogram can be used to find a lump or signs of cancer even before they are felt by you or your doctor. While a mammogram is recommended for women over 45, breast cancer knows no prejudice. Monthly breast self-examinations can help all women stay mindful of their bodies and monitor any changes that may develop.

Stages of Breast Cancer:

·      Stage 0: This stage is non-invasive and abnormal cells have been found in the tissue. Since this is extremely early detection, it is a highly treatable stage of breast cancer.

·      Stage I: Cancer is evident; however, it is contained only to the area in which it originated. Individuals in this stage can be effectively treated.

·      Stage II- The cancer is growing and either still contained in the breast tissue, or it has only moved to the nearby lymph nodes. Those in this stage typically respond well to treatment even though the treatment is more aggressive.

·      Stage III- This stage is said to be advanced. The cancer has spread beyond the immediate region of the breast tissue and is now in nearby lymph nodes and muscles. It has not yet spread to distant organs, but treatment must be aggressive at this stage.

·      Stage IV- The cancer has spread to other areas of the body and is considered incurable. However, due to advances in technology, women with stage IV breast cancer are living longer by treating the disease as a chronic condition.

Early detection is of the utmost importance in fighting the battle against breast cancer. Be knowledgeable, be proactive and be aware. As your local Allstate agent, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is helping customers through their times of need.  I am here for you and all of your personal insurance requests.

Everything You Need to Know About Life Insurance

I often have people come into my office wondering whether they really need life insurance, and the answer is almost always the same – YES! Life insurance can give you and your family peace of mind, and it's often much more affordable than you think. In fact, usually, the younger you are, the less expensive the insurance.

Do You Need Life Insurance?

If you have assets, which can be easily liquidated to support your family after you pass, you may not have the need for much life insurance. However, they must liquidate prior to the burial which may be difficult.  People who will leave no dependents might also have no need for a policy, however you will still need to be buried. Most people, however, have a family who will be financially pressed to cover expenses in the event of their untimely passing. In these cases, a life insurance policy can certainly be helpful. Even children may benefit from a policy.

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

To determine how much life insurance you need, I often recommend that my clients calculate the living expenses of their dependents and estimate how long it would take for them to become self-sufficient. A person who has young children might need a larger policy than someone who just wants to make sure their adult children aren't saddled with funeral expenses. Other factors include the funeral expenses themselves, potential future college expenses, and one-time expenses such as a vehicle or other costs.  To see how much life insurance you need you can download the app Life happenshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/life-happens-needs-calculator/id433922619?mt=8

How to Choose the Right Agent

First, it's important to find an insurance agent who is experienced and knowledgeable. You also want to find a local agent who will take the time to talk to you and find out what is important for you and your family. As an Allstate agent with close ties to my  community, I take pride in creating a personalized experience for each of my clients. For more help in understanding life insurance, call (985) 875-7707 to make an appointment with me today.

Why you Need Rental Insurance

If you rent your home, you may be worried about your belongings if something catastrophic happens to your dwelling. While the property owner’s insurance will cover the structure, your belongings will not be covered unless you have Renters Insurance. There are many misconceptions about this type of insurance coverage, so careful consideration is necessary when choosing the policy that is right for your needs. Here are some things to consider.

• Your policy may not cover everything -  Like other types of insurance, rental insurance has different levels of coverage. Take some time to discuss your policy needs with your insurance agent to determine what is the best level for you.  Some policies might only cover your personal possessions, however there are additional riders that can protect other items.
• It does not cost as much as you think – Many renters forgo insurance because they believe it is far too expense. Much of this cost is associated with the value of the items you are insuring. In some cases it could cost you  as little as $30 per month.
• Can provide liability – If someone is injured on your property, depending upon the type of renter’s insurance you purchase you may be covered for accidents involving more than just your possessions.
• Coverage when you are without a home - If your rental property sustains enough damage that you are not able to go back to your home, some policies will cover the cost of your living arrangements until you are able to return to your home.
• Theft -  Many renters are unaware that their insurance might cover items that are stolen away from their property. If your bike is taken at school or your laptop is stolen at the airport, depending upon your policy, these items might be covered regardless of where they were taken.

Wading through the different types of Renters Insurance can be overwhelming. This is why it is important to work with a trusted insurance agent who can help you determine the best policy for your specific needs. Allstate Insurance Agent, Melissa Baxter-Penzato has been helping clients choose the right insurance policies for their valued possessions since 2001. Contact her today to discuss your renters insurance needs.

Enjoy a Sun-Safe Louisiana Summer

There is so much to love about the South in the summertime, including balmy breezes and sultry nights. However, the scorching southern summer sun can be a dangerous if you are not properly protected from harmful UV rays. Taking the proper precautions is not only important to protect your skin from a nasty sunburn, it could also help prevent skin cancer down the road.

 

1. Avoid peak hours -  If at all possible, refrain from exposing your skin to direct sunlight during midday hours. This is the time when UV rays are most intense. Also, be aware that sand and water reflect sunlight, so if you’re at the beach you are even more vulnerable to the impact of UV rays.
2. Cover up - When out in the sun try to keep skin covered by wearing long-sleeves and pants if possible. In addition, wearing a hat can guard your neck and face from prolonged exposure. Finally remember that dark-colored garments offer the best protection.
3. Use Sunscreen - You should always use sunscreen when you will be exposed to the sun; however, it is beneficial to wear it every day, as UV rays are also present when the sun is not visible. Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and read the directions for proper application. It is also important to reapply your sunscreen often, especially if you are swimming or sweating a lot as this will wash it away more quickly. 
4. Sunglasses - Make certain your sunglasses can block UV rays to help protect your eyes from serious sun damage. Quality sunglasses should have a UV ray absorption rate of 99% to 100%. And, just because the lenses are darker does not mean the the UV protection is higher. UV rays are blocked by a chemical applied to the lenses and not the color of the lens. 
5. Avoid tanning beds - Tanning beds and sunlamps are not free of UV rays. While they might make your skin more attractive in the short-term, they significantly increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the long-term.
   

Allstate insurance agent, Melissa Baxter-Penzato is passionate about keeping her clients safe and healthy. She encourages everyone to implement these 5 steps into a daily routine, to significantly decrease the risk of developing skin cancer, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

What Should You do After a Car Accident?

Accidents, while unfortunate, are a fact of life. This is especially true if you drive a car. In most states, you are required to carry some form of automobile insurance if you plan to own a car (and drive it).  While most individuals do not want to file an insurance claim, it is important to know what you need to do if an unexpected accident occurs.

Immediately after the accident

If you are able, pull your car safely to the shoulder of the road and call 911 for medical services as well as the police. If there are injuries,  wait for emergency services unless there is a life threatening situation. Take careful notes of the details of accident including the conditions of the accident site and surrounding area, names of individuals involved, license numbers, insurance information and the make and model of all vehicles involved.  

When the police arrive, get the name and badge number of the officers on the scene as well as any medical personnel dispatched to the scene. And, if there are witnesses try to get their information as well. It is important to note that the police officers will also obtain this information which will be available in the police report.

 

Call the insurance company

As soon as you are able after the accident, call your insurance company. They will provide you important information regarding how you should proceed with the claim process. Keep a careful record of all expenses incurred as a result of the accident. This should include the police report, repair bills, car rentals, medical expenses, lost wages and even home health care if needed. Be sure to keep copies of all bills for your personal records.

 

Important details that you will need to provide your insurance company include:

• Your full name 
• Your policy number
• The start and end date of your policy
• Date and time of accident
• All information you collected at the scene about drivers, passengers, witnesses and vehicles involved

 

Knowing that you do not make accident claims every day, a trustworthy insurance provider should be able to walk you through the entire process and ensure that all details are taken care of.  If you have questions about your car accident claim, contact Allstate Insurance Agent, Melissa Baxter (Zeigler) Penzato.

Understanding Life Insurance

Whether you are new to purchasing life insurance, confused by your options, or just not a fan of the topic, a life insurance policy is deserving of consideration in every household, and an absolute must for some. When armed with the proper information, the decision-making process becomes a little easier and you can rest easy knowing you’ve made the right choice for you and your family.

 

Why Life Insurance?

 

The goal of life insurance is to provide a measure of financial security for your family after you die. So, before purchasing a life insurance policy, consider your financial situation and the standard of living you want to maintain for your dependants or survivors. 

 

Types of Life Insurance

 

• Term: The simplest, least expensive, and the most widely applicable. With term life, a life insurance company bases the policy premium on the probability that the insured will die within a stated term - typically 10, 20, or 30 years. The premiums are guaranteed for the length of the term, after which you can choose to continue coverage, or decide to let it lapse. 

 

• Universal: A type of flexible permanent life insurance offering the low-cost protection of term life insurance as well as a savings element (like whole life insurance), which is invested to provide a cash value build-up. The death benefit savings component and premiums can be reviewed and altered as a policyholder's circumstances change. Unlike whole life insurance, universal life insurance allows the policyholder to use the interest from his accumulated savings to help pay premiums over time.

 

• Whole: A contract with premiums that includes insurance and investment components. The insurance component pays a predetermined amount when the insured individual dies. The investment component builds an accumulated cash value the insured individual can borrow against or withdraw. 

 

Cost Associated with Life Insurance 

 

Most people are pleasantly surprised when they see the relatively low premiums of a simple term policy. Of course, a smoker or someone with health problems will likely pay more (or simply be declined for coverage).

 

Talking about life insurance isn’t always a popular discussion because most people don’t like talking about death. But open and honest discussions about planning for an unexpected death can be surprisingly life-giving. And chances are purchasing life insurance is still an important part of your long-term and comprehensive financial plan.

 

If you live in the Covington, Abita, Mandeville, St Tammany or surrounding areas and want to learn more about car, homeowners, and life insurance, visit the  website of Melissa Baxter-Penzato, Allstate Insurance Agent, or call (985) 875-7707. 

Sources:

https://www.fidelity.com/life-insurance-planning/what-is-life-insurance

http://www.iii.org/article/what-are-principal-types-life-insurance

https://resources.ehealthinsurance.com/affordable-care-act/life-insurance-basics

Keeping Safe from the Storm – Hurricane Preparedness

Summer and fall are prime months for stormy weather in the south. In addition to being rainy, the six-month hurricane season runs from June until November. Having an appropriate plan in case of severe weather is very important when you live in tropical areas such as Houston, Florida and the Gulf Coast States of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

 

• Secure your roof – Use hurricane straps or clips to strap down your roof. These fasten to the frame of the roof to help reduce damage from high winds.
• Bolt exterior doors – By installing head and foot bolts to all doors that enter your home, you will provide additional stability and protection from the damaging winds that typically accompany hurricanes and tropical storms.
• Create shutters for your windows – Custom-made storm shutters can be purchased to fit each of your home’s windows, patio door or other expanses of glass. Additionally, a skilled individual can also build them using exterior or marine grade plywood.  
• Fill in the gaps – Examine your windows, doors, and siding for gaps and cracks in the caulking. Fill these with new caulk promptly. This will help to keep driving rain from penetrating the area causing excess moisture to build up.
• Secure all exterior structures – Carports, porches, canopies and outbuildings such as sheds and pool houses can sustain severe damage from wind and rain. Make sure these buildings and additions are firmly secured.  
• Test pumps and drains – In addition to high winds, tropical storms and hurricanes also produce a great deal of rain. Be sure your sump pump and drains are working properly to help alleviate any standing water in your home. If you fear an electrical outage, consider purchasing a backup generator. 
• Trim the shrubs – Branches and limbs can create a lot of damage during a hurricane. Keep landscaping trimmed and remove dead or overgrown branches.
• Know your insurance coverage – Determine if you need any additional coverage on your existing insurance policy to cover flooding or wind damage. And, take careful inventory of the belongings in your home and store in a safe place so you can refer back to it if you suffer any property loss.

 

Allstate Insurance Agent, Melissa Baxter-Penzato, has the coverage you need to protect your home from natural disasters such as hurricanes. Contact her today at 985-875-7707 for information on this type of home insurance coverage.