Buying Insurance: What Savvy Consumers Should Know

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Money Matters

presented by: Vision Financial

You’re ready to buy an insurance policy, but you feel a bit uneasy embarking into the insurance world. Whether you’re buying an auto policy, a homeowners policy, a life insurance policy, or some other type of policy, here are some general tips to help you tread the insurance waters.

Comparison shop. Perhaps the single most important thing you can do when buying insurance is to shop around. You don’t want to rely on a quote from just one company. Compare the policies and prices of several different insurance companies. Try to compare policies that offer identical benefits.

Don’t buy features you don’t need. If you discover policies that offer slightly different features, make sure you understand what these features are and whether you need them. Don’t buy any benefits you don’t need–additional benefits can increase the cost of your policy. If you need help, ask your insurance agent.

Don’t automatically settle for the cheapest policy. It’s easy to select the cheapest policy. But unless such a policy offers the same benefits as a more expensive policy, think twice. You get what you pay for. And even if the benefits are the same, you’ll want to examine other factors, like the company’s customer service record or claims-paying ability.

Know the company’s financial-strength rating. All insurance companies are rated by the major rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, A. M. Best, Fitch, and Weiss. This rating reflects the company’s ability to meet its obligations (pay its claims) under its insurance contracts. Though such a rating doesn’t guarantee a company’s future financial strength, it’s a good yardstick to measure a company’s current financial security. These ratings can usually be found in public libraries or on the Internet.

Understand a policy before you sign it. An insurance policy is a legal contract that can be full of legal jargon and technical terms. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you understand the details of each policy provision and the coverage you’re buying. You’ll want to be able to answer the following questions:

  • Who or what is protected?
  • When does coverage begin?
  • How much coverage is provided?
  • How should a loss be reported?
  • What happens if there’s a disagreement over whether coverage exists for a particular loss or event?
  • What isn’t covered (exclusions and limitations)?

For additional help, contact your insurance agent and ask him or her to walk you through the document.

-S. Joey Elmore

Vision Financial Group, Inc.

4505 Pine Tree Circle, Ste 101

Birmingham, AL 35243

205.970.4909

www.vision-financialgroup.com

Investment advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.  Securities offered through ProEquities Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC.  Vision Financial Group, Inc. and West Alabama Bank are independent of ProEquities, Inc. Securities and insurance products offered are not bank deposits, have no bank guarantee, are not FDIC insured, and may lose value.

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Mission Makers

Only canceling for severe weather, Police Officer Glen White has volunteered his time every week for the past seven years to watch over the Special Ops team in the toughest areas of Birmingham Ala. “It’s a huge blessing to be a part of the group,” says White. “You are able to help people when life has put them in a bad situation and see results. You can see what God is doing through you.”
Only canceling for severe weather, Police Officer Glen White has volunteered his time every week for the past seven years to watch over the Special Ops team in the toughest areas of Birmingham Ala. “It’s a huge blessing to be a part of the group,” says White. “You are able to help people when life has put them in a bad situation and see results. You can see what God is doing through you.”

Once a week, almost every week, for seven years, Officer Glen White of the Mountain Brook Police Department has volunteered his time to serve as the safety director for a small band of individuals called Special Ops. The mission of these Christians is to reach those sex-trafficked at local hotels and truck stops as well as minister to the homeless and addicted that they encounter on the streets- providing hygiene kits, Bibles, and information about how they can get help from various agencies.

Every Monday at 1p.m. the group meets, usually at the McDonald’s in Woodlawn, and commits to spending one-hour ministering on the streets. “I’m really just watching over people,” says White adding with a chuckle, “Sometimes that is like trying to herd cats.” Special Ops leader Lisa “Roxanne” Richardson describes White’s role as critical. “Glen can be quiet and reserved, as his training requires. But his sensitivity to the spirit the Lord is astounding. On so many outings, he’s felt prompted to go to new areas where we then encountered women in crisis, which is the goal,” she explains, adding, “He’s a tough guy, but he has allowed us to see how moved he is when someone accepts the Lord as Savior, and when a woman calls for rescue. He is deeply loved and respected by the Special Ops Team, and it’s possible we owe our lives to him.” Richardson gives an example from a recent Special Ops. “A very intoxicated, large and threatening man was using profanity and telling us he would ‘kill somebody.’  Quickly I contemplated how to drop to the ground swiftly as I saw the man reach in his back pack. For a moment thought I might be meeting Jesus face-to-face, earlier than planned! Glen immediately diffused the situation and called for the team to flee the scene. It’s those split-second judgment calls that make having a Safety Director like him essential.”

“It’s a lot like going to church,” says Officer White about Special Ops. “You gather, pray for each other and go out and pray for others. I love doing it.”
“It’s a lot like going to church,” says Officer White about Special Ops. “You gather, pray for each other and go out and pray for others. I love doing it.”

In January, a change in Officer White’s job responsibilities will no longer allow him to continue with Special Ops, but he is praying for a replacement. “The group can’t go out if an officer is not with them. My hope is that we can find an officer that is willing to put in the time to act as security for this most effective team. Although there is not monetary pay, the satisfaction of doing the Lord’s work is tremendous. Along with that I have a whole family of Christian believers that I can laugh with, pray with, cry with and hold as my own. These people are ones that I will hold dearly in my heart for a lifetime.”

–Laurie Stroud

 

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Legal Matters

Presented by: Bradford & Holliman, Estate Planning, www.bradfordholliman.com 

Recently during a presentation, I was asked how a person can prove she’s sane (has “capacity” in legal lingo) if the children do not believe she has capacity and is making decisions for her using a power of attorney (POA).  Let’s say as an example, Jane Smith gave power of attorney to her son, Robert Smith.  Robert believes Jane does not have capacity and is moving her money and making decisions that she disapproves. How can Jane stop him?

First, Jane can revoke her power of attorney to Robert if she has capacity. A power of attorney can be changed unless the person is determined to be mentally incompetent or dies. Jane can sign a document revoking the power of attorney and give that document to every bank or institution that may have a copy of her power of attorney with Robert as the agent. Jane should also record the revocation in the probate court in the county where she resides so that it becomes part of the public record. And of course, she should have a new POA drafted with both an agent and successor agent.

In the unlikely but possible event that Jane is asked to prove her capacity for the revocation to be accepted, she should go to her doctor and obtain medical documentation stating that she has the mental clarity to make decisions for herself. She may even go to a neurologist and take a series of tests to prove that she has mental capacity to make her own decisions including changing her POA. Assuming Jane passes the medical examinations, she should have no problem stopping Robert from using the power of attorney, resuming control of her affairs, and setting up a new POA with different agents.

A slightly different situation can occur if Robert, the son, is trying to obtain guardianship and/or conservatorship over his mother, Jane. A key difference here is that Jane cannot manage her own affairs at all with a guardianship or conservatorship, while with a POA, she basically shares management with her POA agent. In this case, Jane should hire a lawyer and prepare to show the court that she is sane using the strategies listed above. Jane and her lawyer will determine the best evidence to prove that she has mental clarity. The goal is to convince the Judge that Jane is fine, and that Robert is improperly trying to obtain control over her and her affairs. 

Powers of Attorney are likely the most frequently used aspect of an estate plan, and when used correctly, POAs help adult children increase support of their parents as needed. The key is for the adult children and parents to agree on what support is needed and when.

-Melanie Bradford Holliman 

Partner, Bradford & Holliman, LLC

Practice focuses on estate planning, elder law and special needs trusts.

2491 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, Ala. 35124

205-663-0281, www.bradfordholliman.com

This article is for educational purposes and is not intended as specific legal advice.

No representation is made that the quality of legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of service performed by other lawyers. 

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Hassle Free Zone

Have you ever considered the order of the holidays? First, we are thankful for what we have on Thanksgiving and then, we give gifts at Christmas…as if to say, think about what we already have first before shopping or asking for more.

What does this have to do with organizing, you might ask? Well, LOTS!

For almost 20 years, I have been working with clients, organizing their homes, and it has taught me so much about Gratitude and Giving. As the clients pull out each item and examine everything they have accumulated over the years, they can sometimes remember who gave it to them, or where they bought it, or from whom they inherited it. However, more often than not, they have no recollection and now, it is considered clutter.

Think about your own home: do you know where you got each item? Are there things you feel like you “have” to keep it…because so-and-so may come visit and look for it? Truth is, we all have those things! Too many times, our gifts become the clutter in our homes, the donations to charity and worse, the guilt or resentment we feel.

I believe the problem is even bigger when it comes to parents of young children! Of course, it is a well-known fact that grandparents spoil their grandchildren – after all, we say, they have “earned the right!” So, they overload their children’s homes with toys, rarely stopping to think about the clutter they are causing. When I work with these young moms, they tell me how they wish they could stop the volume of stuff coming in, but they don’t want to hurt the grandparents’ feelings. At what cost? Their own sanity. Babies come with so much stuff, so these moms are already struggling to manage it all. The last thing they need is just more stuff on top of it.

Why not consider giving experiences to the grandkids instead, like a trip? It allows you to make memories with them that will last way beyond the typical battery life. Or, lessons to play the piano or dance? And cleaning (or organizing) services to that young mom, to make life easier for her?

We all want to give gifts that people will love. Ask yourself: are you giving something that will produce CLUTTER or GRATITUDE? And give wisely.

–-Kim McBrayer 

Designer  | Professional Organizer  | Speaker 

SPACE CADETS

5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 121

Birmingham, AL 35242, 205-368-2425

www.spacecadetsorganizing.com

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Healthy Living

No matter what your age is, a fitness plan that includes cardio (or aerobic exercise) is an important contributor to your overall health. The benefits of regular aerobic exercise include weight loss, increased stamina, and a stronger immune system. Endorphins released while you work out can also help improve your mood and sleep quality. Because it requires the use of so many major muscle groups, a rowing machine is an effective way to raise your heart rate and increase your oxygen intake for an effective cardio workout. The adjustable resistance on most rowers lets you easily work up to your target heart rate as well as slow back down to your resting rate. Great for weight loss, toning and building muscles, and increasing stamina, this machine is a fitness game changer. Rowers work out several major muscle groups and will help you develop both your upper and lower body. Most importantly, using a rowing machine gets your heart pumping and lungs working, providing a serious aerobic workout.

It has been called the “new spinning.” Yet this fitness craze is based on a sport that dates back to Ancient Egypt, and the machine itself has been around since the Civil War era. So why, suddenly, has rowing skimmed ahead of many modern fitness fads and longtime cardio standards? Besides the fact that “vintage is in,” it seems this age-old workout is finally gaining speed and getting its proper due with mainstream America. And it’s well placed. Rowing is high intensity and low impact, so it’s a win-win at the onset. Even better – when it’s done correctly, rowing engages about 85% of your muscles. Now that’s a championship workout!

There’s a proper technique to oaring, though, both in and out of the water. Below are a few training tips to help you maximize the benefits of your rowing routine:

  • Don’t Grip the Handles Too Tightly. This will protect your hands and forearms from pain and soreness later.
  • Lead with Your Legs. If you’re doing it right, your leg (and butt) muscles should be doing the most work.
  • Legs, Hips, Arms – Reverse! This is the progression of movement for rowing. Very important!
  • Pull Straight Back. If you’re pulling back – not up – your body should stay firmly seated throughout the workout.
  • Pull with Your Legs, NOT Your Arms. Keep your elbows straight, but relaxed, while your legs are doing the heft.
  • Sit Up Straight. Maintain good posture throughout; your entire core should be in line all the way down to your seat.
  • Breathe Well. Exhale going backward; inhale going forward.
  • Stay Fluid. Don’t drive the seat into your feet; keep your motion steady and smooth to the finish – not choppy.

So, who’s ready to row? It’s a great workout for all ages and fitness levels. Best of all, you don’t need an Ivy League coach, eight-man crew or frigid winter waters – just your neighborhood Y!

-Jean Bowick

YMCA of Greater Birmingham, www.ymcabham.org 

Read more healthy information from the YMCA at www.BirminghamChristian.com. Click on News/Health

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Faith at Work Aho Architects Food Bus

Faith at Work

Brought to you by: Community Partner Aho Architects, LLC, www.ahoarch.com  

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

When we introduce our firm to potential customers, one of the things we want them to understand about us, is our concept of stewardship. Simply put, stewardship means we’re given something with the trust we will take care of it… or use it in service to others.

For some, architecture is ART. For others, it is SCIENCE. It is both of those things, but for us, it is also SERVICE.

Members of the Aho Architects Team use their skills to help in volunteer disaster response efforts.
Members of the Aho Architects Team use their skills to help in volunteer disaster response efforts.

Our team’s shared purpose is to help others. The kind of projects we seek out tend to be those which enable our team to be part of something greater than ourselves. It’s one of the reasons we design places for learning, worship, and low-income housing. There’s a direct connection to the purpose of the environments we create and the service we provide to produce them.

In our firm, stewardship and giving back take many forms. Since our inception, we have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, donated time and money to various other charities, funded scholarships at several community colleges, sponsored Kenyan orphans, provided materials for in-town mission projects to fix-up homes in low income neighborhoods, helped to retrofit an old school bus for a summer feeding program, volunteered technical assistance in disaster response, and sought to live out stewardship in many other ways. Last year, in addition to the firm as a whole contributing and supporting various charities, each member of our team was given a budget to spend however they saw fit, in support of a cause which meant something to them. This expanded our stewardship into new areas and was a very meaningful experience as we each shared what we had chosen to support. We posted information and thank-you notes from these charities on our breakroom wall, and then decided to leave them up all year as a reminder of things we get to be a part of through our work. It has inspired us to ensure we’re able to continue this Kingdom-building work this year.

The Stewardship Wall at Aho Architects reflects the many ways we can serve others in our community.
The Stewardship Wall at Aho Architects reflects the many ways we can serve others in our community.

We encourage you and your team to find ways to get out there and to serve, to give back, and see how you will in turn be refreshed. It will strengthen your team and bless you immeasurably. If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact us www.ahoarch.com 205-983-6000.

  • Tim Aho, President/CEO

Aho Architects, LLC 

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Encouraging Word

In our world today, stress is unavoidable. There is confusion, chaos and conflict all around. No one is excused or exempt from the trials and troubles of life. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “…In this world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

Stress is that which causes tension, pain, pressure or strain. With stress being universal, we need to learn how to respond to it. I Thessalonians 5:16-18, gives three important insights on dealing with stress. It says to be joyful always; pray continually; and give thanks in all circumstances.

  1. Be Joyful Always. To be joyful is to express confident assurance because of God’s presence, that life is going to turn out okay. As born-again Christians, we have the Spirit of God living inside us (I Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 2:20). I John 4:4 says, “… because greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world.” Therefore, we can express the joy of the Lord always.
  2. Pray Continually. Prayer is communication and communion with God. Prayer puts us in contact with God. It helps maintain our focus on Him regardless of what we are dealing with.  God is always bigger than the problem or situation!
  3. Give Thanks in all Circumstances. Being thankful helps keep a proper perspective and positive attitude. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

As we apply these helpful insights to our life, stress will become manageable and less threatening. So Be Encouraged!

-Tony Cooper 

Celebrating 28 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

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Education Extra 

Dr. Jim Boyce teaching biology from a Biblical perspective at Glen Iris Baptist School. https://www.gibschool.com
Dr. Jim Boyce teaching biology from a Biblical perspective at Glen Iris Baptist School. https://www.gibschool.com

The word “retirement” means “giving back” for Birmingham’s Dr. Jim Boyce. After a very successful career as an anesthesiologist at UAB, he joined the faculty at Glen Iris Baptist School in 2017 to teach biology, as a volunteer. “Dr. Boyce exemplifies the Biblical ethic and ambition of desiring not to waste his life. He firmly believes that God has prepared him all his life for this,” explains Glen Iris Baptist School Principal Legrand Lamb. “We are truly thankful for his influence over our students.”

When asked what led him to Glen Iris, he simply states, “I found out about a need at the school and as a retired anesthesiologist from UAB I felt I could volunteer to help in biology.” Dr. Boyce says as he teaches he also reaps the benefit of continued learning. “The most rewarding part is to discover (from what I am learning) new ways to glorify God by understanding more of the complexity of his creation and realizing we are only just beginning!” Boyce particularly enjoys teaching in a Christian environment. “Because it is a Bible based curriculum, it is easy for me to stay motivated and driven to do all I can to teach as an act of worship and bring to the classroom 50 years’ experience as a physician to enhance the biological principles.”

As a part of his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Boyce participates in the school’s weekly chapel services by reading the Scripture lessons.
As a part of his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Boyce participates in the school’s weekly chapel services by reading the Scripture lessons.

Boyce adds he hopes to be an encouragement to other senior adults to give back to the youth in our community. “I would encourage any Christian retired professional to investigate ways their experience developed over the years could be a valuable asset to young people by volunteer teaching in a school like Glen Iris Baptist.”

  • Laurie Stroud

 

 

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Church Leaders

Father Joy Thomas Nellissery
Father Joy Thomas Nellissery

Prince of Peace (POP) Catholic Parish is pleased to welcome Father Joy Nellissery as its new associate pastor. He joins Father John Fallon and associate pastor Fr. Jose Luis Gomez Guevara at the Hoover church. Father Joy comes to POP from The Cathedral of Saint Paul in downtown Birmingham.  He is a native of Irinjalakuda Diocese, Kerala, India and knew that he wanted to become a priest from early childhood. He was ordained on December 29, 1988, at his home parish.

Father Joy earned his Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola College, University of Madras, India while continuing his work as a priest and offering his assistance at two substance abuse treatment centers. In 1998 Father Joy came to the United States to study for a PhD at the University of Georgia. During his studies there, he also served the Diocese of Atlanta as an associate pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Athens. After graduating in 2002, Father Joy returned to Kerala and worked in a detoxification center and taught at Sahrdaya College, University of Calicut, Kerala.

Father Joy is a U.S. citizen, and in July of 2011 he came back to the U.S. and served at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover, St. John’s in Madison, and at Our Lady Queen of the Universe in Huntsville, Ala. He returned to Kerala in 2017; his father had passed away in June 2016 and his mother was ill. After the death of his mother, he returned to Birmingham in February 2018 and served at The Cathedral of Saint Paul before being assigned to his current position at Prince of Peace.

Father Joy enjoys working in a parish environment helping individuals and families to develop a personal relationship with Jesus that leads to communion with God. He is excited about his ministry at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. He said, “One day many years ago, when I was praying about becoming a priest, I opened the Bible to John 17:24 ‘Father, they are your gift to me.’ That has become my motto.”  My philosophy is to treat everyone as if they are a gift of God to me.” †

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Cool Stuff

Find great gifts from Crown Creations, Pottery by Mike Davis, Grandma Betty’s Pepper Jelly and much more at the Briarwood Christmas Shop, November 8-9. Proceeds support Christian education.
Find great gifts from Crown Creations, Pottery by Mike Davis, Grandma Betty’s Pepper Jelly and much more at the Briarwood Christmas Shop, November 8-9. Proceeds support Christian education.

Find wonderful gifts for friends and family while supporting Christian education at the annual Briarwood Christmas Shop. The free admission event features more than 60 different artists and vendors and is hosted by the Briarwood High School Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF). “All of the money raised is used to support our teachers in the classroom, the school’s faculty and administration and of course the students they teach and minister to,” explains PTF Pres. Amy Pylant. “It also gives our school family the opportunity to meet and minister to people in our community!”

Shop the event Thursday, November 8 from Noon-6 p.m. and Friday, November 9 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. A few featured vendors include art by Crown Creations, Jewelry by Napping Nest, Clothing by LuLu’s Loft and Everly’s Boutique, Pottery by Mike Davis and an event favorite, Grandma Betty’s Homemade Pepper Jelly!

Find stocking stuffers and more at the Briarwood Christmas Gift Shop November 8-9 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 2200 Briarwood Way, 35243. Door prizes given away each day, no purchase necessary! †

 

 

Find great gifts from Crown Creations
Find great gifts from Crown Creations
Grandma Betty’s Pepper Jelly
Grandma Betty’s Pepper Jelly
Shas Creations
Shas Creations

 

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