Have a Great Summer: Summer Scribes Writing Camp

Posted on May 18, 2012 by admin

(Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

It’s May, and kids in schools all over Orange County are acutely aware that summer vacation is just around the corner. They can’t wait to say goodbye to homework, sleep in on weekdays, and spend all their time hanging out with their friends.

Summer vacation is like a dream come true… for about a week or two. After that, the boredom sets in.

Whether they like to admit it or not, kids are happiest when their minds are engaged; they’re happiest when they’re learning. It’s good to take a break, but too much (or too long) of a good thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

This summer, instead of letting your kids’ brains atrophy with too much TV and video games, why not stimulate their minds with a writing camp? Summer Scribes is a writing camp program. They hold week-long writing camps aimed at kids from 3rd to 5th grade. Sessions are limited to five students per class and are led by a credentialed writing instructor.

This is a great way to keep your kids’ minds sharp over the summer, and to improve their writing skills as well! It’s only a week long, but it could keep your kids entertained with their own writing all summer. They’ll benefit greatly from having engaged in at least one productive activity over the long summer break.

Alandale Insurance Agency supports the young writers of today. We believe they’ll go on to become the leaders of tomorrow. We encourage you to give your young writer every possible advantage to help them to develop into leaders who can envision a brighter future!

Posted in Los Alamitos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Too Cool for School: Orange County High Schools Among Best in the Nation

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

(Image: imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Congratulations to the students, teachers, and administrators at Oxford Academy (Cypress) and Los Alamitos High School (LAHS), which were recently rankedamong the top schools in the nation.

Both schools ranked in the top 4% of schools nationwide based on enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and strong scores in the Academic Performance Index (API). LAHS was ranked the 167th best high school in California, and Oxford Academy was ranked #1: the best high school in California.

We at Alandale Insurance Agency have always been proud of our local schools, and couldn’t be happier to see our students, teachers, and school administrators recognized for their hard work and commitment to excellence. We’re sure that these students have bright and prosperous futures ahead.

(Hey, students! Once you’re out there making the big bucks, be sure to keep Alandale in mind! We offer financial services as well as insurance for items of high net worth.)

Posted in Community Events, Cypress, Insurance Advice, Los Alamitos, Orange County | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

City News: Video from the Latest Los Alamitos City Council Meeting

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

(Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Do you know what’s going on in your city? If you live in Los Alamitos, you should know that your city council had a meeting last week to solidify the city’s budget for the coming year.

You may think it’s dry and boring, but you’d be surprised at how interesting a city council meeting can be when it has to do with your own city. If you’ve ever voted and wished you had a better understanding of what it was exactly that you just voted for, watching your city council meetings is a great place to start learning the ins and outs of municipal government.

The meeting was an hour and forty-five minutes long, so it’s not exactly a quick watch, but it’s still an interesting video that, if you’re a Los Alamitos resident, has a direct impact on your life. There’s a general election coming up on June 5th, and watching this meeting is a great way to gear up for doing your civic duty as a registered voter.

Alandale Insurance Agency has always been an active part of the Los Alamitos community, and we encourage you to be active in your community by staying informed and caring about how your city’s government is being run.

Here’s the full video for you:

Don’t forget to vote on June 5th!

Posted in Los Alamitos | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Off the Beaten Path: Are Your Big-Boy Toys Insured?

Posted on May 11, 2012 by admin

(Image: paytai / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Summer is coming, the weather is warming up, and people are looking forward to pulling the protective covers off of their ATVs and dirt bikes, and getting ready to take their off-road vehicles and RVs out where city life seems but a distant memory.

But before you hit the road (or drive off it, as the case may be), don’t forget to make sure that your big-boy (or big-girl) toys are properly insured! These vehicles don’t come cheap, and you’ll need more than a helmet to make sure that you’re fully protected. A helmet protects your noggin. Think of insurance as a helmet for your favorite toy.

Planning to take your RV cross-country? Get RV insurance.

Got a motorcycle or a dirt bike? Check out your options for motorcycle insurance.

Have an off-road vehicle you’d like to take… well, off-road? You need off-road vehicle insurance.

You can’t get any further off-road than in the water. Get watercraft insurance for your boat or jet ski!

No matter what your idea of summer fun is, make sure that you have the proper protection: safety first and then adequate insurance!

Posted in Boat Insurance, Insurance Advice, RV, RV Insurance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Skin You’re In: May is Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

(Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

What’s your body’s biggest organ? Many people immediately turn their thoughts inward, missing what’s right under their noses… and on the backs of their hands… and covering their bodies from head to toe. The skin is the body’s biggest organ, and it has a tough job to do. It keeps contaminants out and keeps everything else in. But because it also protects your body from the elements, it can be subject to a lot of punishment, which can take its toll over time.

One of the elements your skin protects your body from is sunshine. Sunshine’s great for your mood, but can be harmful to your skin. With the weather warming up, though, it’s hard for people to resist the temptation to bask in the warm, spring sunshine.

That’s why the Skin Cancer Foundation has designated May as Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month. In celebration of this month, they offer nine tips for preventing skin cancer.

1. Stay in the shade, especially between 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.
2. Don’t burn. Getting sunburned even 4-5 times in your life can double your risk for melanoma.
3. Avoid tanning salons and booths. The machines used at these places use UV radiation.
4. Cover up. Wear long sleeves, hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
5. Use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher.
6. Apply 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
7. Keep newborns out of the sun. They’re especially sensitive to both UV rays and sunscreen.
8. Check yourself for new or changed moles. Moles can indicate skin cancer.
9. Have an annual skin exam performed by your physician.

That skin exam is an important part of making sure that, if you do develop skin cancer, you catch it early enough. It’s simple enough to schedule such an exam if you already have health insurance. If you don’t, contact Alandale Insurance Agency for more information on a policy that will cover regular exams like an annual skin check-up.

Enjoy the sunny weather, but be wise about it. It could save your life.

Posted in Health Insurance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What You’re Worth: Confusion Common About Life Insurance

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin

(Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

When it comes to life insurance, there can be a lot of confusion. People aren’t sure how much coverage to get, what provider to choose, and even how much it should cost.

A recent report showed that there’s a lot of confusion over the price of life insurance particularly. The 2012 Insurance Barometer Study asked respondents to estimate the annual cost of a 20-year, $250,000 level-term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old consumer. Most participants guessed that it would cost an average of about $400 per year, but the actual cost is closer to $150 per year.

“If someone offered to sell you a gallon of milk for $10.00, you would likely choose to spend your grocery budget on other necessities, knowing that the actual cost is closer to $3.50,” explains Marvin Feldman, president and CEO of the LIFE Foundation. “If people think that something is too pricey, they often won’t give it a second thought.”

Life insurance is actually more affordable now than ever before. Costs have fallen 50% in the last 10 years.

Almost one-third of respondents said they needed more life insurance, but 83% said they hadn’t purchased or increased their coverage because it was too expensive.

Life insurance is an important investment in your family’s financial security. If you don’t have a policy, or if you haven’t updated your policy in a while, you should take a look at ING Life Insurance Tool on the Alandale Insurance Agency website to help you determine whether or not you’ve got adequate coverage. You can also contact us directly to get help with choosing the right policy.

Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. A life insurance is a great safety net to guard against the unexpected.

Posted in Insurance Advice | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Can You Stand the Rain?: Umbrella Insurance

Posted on May 4, 2012 by admin

(Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

As Southern Californians, we don’t see rain very often, and many of us think that getting caught in the rain will be like this:

But thunderstorms aren’t always this benign. Rain is a great metaphor for life, since it can be unpredictable and can often have more serious consequences than people expect. And umbrellas are a great metaphor for protection from the unexpected things in life.

That’s why umbrella insurance is named what it is. You’re generally protected by your insurance policies, including your home, auto, health and any other policies you might have. But what will you if these policies aren’t enough? It can be a frightening thing to discover the hard way that you are underinsured. But an umbrella insurance policy can supplement your existing insurance policies and keep you from getting caught short if the worst should happen.

Umbrella insurance is relatively inexpensive, and it’s simple to add it to your existing policies. Contact your local Alandale Insurance agent, and he or she will help you to make sure that you’ll be protected from the unexpected storms that sometimes arise in life.

And, because it’s Friday, we’ll let the 90s R&B group New Edition smooth your way into the weekend.

Posted in Alandale Insurance Agency, Insurance Advice, Umbrella Insurance | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Matter of State: California Announces First Counties to Transition to Medi-Cal Managed Care

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

(Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

The State of California recently announced the first four of its counties to participate in the Coordinated Care Initiative , the state’s three-year-program transitioning it’s 1.1 citizens with dual eligibility — for both Medi-Cal and Medicare — to a Medi-Cal managed care program.

The four counties are Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and San Mateo. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) hopes that the program will provide better care at lower costs for this vulnerable demographic. Some people manage different conditions and medications through different programs, which can lead to overlapping in certain areas and neglect in others. This initiative would help to streamline care and coverage for people in this situation, allowing them to get better and more comprehensive care.

But even this ambitious initiative may not be enough for every senior citizen. Some find the need to supplement their Medicare or Medi-Cal with additional health insurance. If your federally-sponsored healthcare isn’t covering all of your health needs, it may be time to contact Alandale Insurance Agency about getting a policy to help cover any areas of your healthcare that are left vulnerable by your Medicare or Medi-Cal plan.

Medical care can get expensive as you get older. But it’s possible to find the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Posted in Alandale Insurance Agency, Health Insurance, Insurance Advice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pay Attention: Secretary of Transportation Calls for Distracted Driving Ban

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin

(Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

We’ve all seen it: a teen texting in traffic. A woman reapplying her lipstick on the freeway. A man stalling at a green light as he gabs into his cell phone. Some of us, if we’re honest, have even been guilty of doing these things. But states around the country, including California, have been cracking down on distracted driving, and Ray LaHood, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, recently called for a federal law banning texting and talking on cell phones while driving.

LaHood think it’s important to give police “the opportunity to write tickets when people are foolishly thinking they can drive safely or use a cell phone and text and drive.”

But not everyone else agrees. Gary Biller, president of the National Motorists Association, argues that these activities are already covered by existed distracted driving laws, and that resources would be better used to fund campaigns to discouraged distracted driving.

38 states, including California, already have laws restricting or outlawing the use of electronic devices while driving.

Whether you’re an occasional traffic texter or not, you still risk having a run-in with a distracted driver every time you’re on the road. That’s why it’s so important to have auto insurance. No matter how careful you are, you could still be the victim of someone else’s carelessness.

It’s also important to remember that auto insurance is mandatory in California. If you’re driving, you’d better be insured. If you need to get insurance, or if you’d like to see if there are any better options out there for you, contact Alandale Insurance Agency, and we’ll help you to find a policy that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Posted in Alandale Insurance Agency, Auto Insurance, Insurance Advice | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No Need to Cram: Doctor Panels Recommend Fewer Tests for Patients

Posted on April 27, 2012 by admin

(Image: ponsulak / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Most people think that undergoing certain tests are a routine part of a visit to a doctor. In fact, getting tested may reassure us to a certain degree that the doctor is doing his job. But recent doctor panels show that, while certain tests are necessary, most patients are being subjected to more tests than are actually necessary.

Medical tests aren’t free. Doctors charge to run them. It can often be tempting for doctors to order unnecessary tests in order to make a little more money. But some bold physicians are stating plainly that most people are having to undergo more tests than they really need to, and that doctors could be saving their patients time and money by reducing the number of tests they make routine.

These tests are not only time-consuming and expensive, but some can be invasive as well. So it’s really in the patient’s best interest only to have the absolutely necessary tests done.

You may think this news doesn’t affect you because your medical insurance covers tests, but are you sure that it covers every test? It’s worth taking a look at your policy to see what it does and doesn’t cover. You might be surprised at what kinds of tests aren’t covered, and dismayed at how expensive they are.

And if you don’t have health insurance at all, you should learn more about it. The knowledgeable agents at Alandale Insurance Agency can help you to find a policy that will cover all of your needs and make sure that you don’t end up paying too much for coverage you don’t need or for unnecessary lab fees.

Posted in Health Insurance, Insurance Advice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment