Ryan Hanley, Albany Insurance Broker - Guilderland Agency, Inc.

I am always looking for ways to stay top of mind with my current clients. A member of my BNI chapter, Crossroads Connections in Delmar, NY, mentioned something he does with every client. This gentleman buys business card magnets from Office Max or Staples, attaches his business card and places a magnet on the refrigerator of everyone of his clients.

Buying the magnets and "assembling" them yourself is much cheaper than buying Business Card magnets pre-made. The assembly process is extremely easy and the idea is effective genius.

Many of you associated with a large real estate company may already have this tool at your disposal and for those of you that use Business Card magnets, good for you. For those of you who have never heard of this idea or have thought they are too expensive or just never bothered to use them, you are missing an opportunity.

Every time your client goes to the frig they see your name. When your client's co-worker is complaining about their insurance/Realtor your name is top of mind. I have seen these magnets get passed from house to house in a neighborhood.

I paid like $8 for 50 magnets and I send them with a thank you note to every client I have. If you are interested in ROI, I would recommend this investment.

For more information on me please check out my LinkedIN profile: www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhanley

Internet Marketing News

This is an announcement for all Capital Region Networkers. 

Is it difficult for you to hit the early morning networking scene because of work or family obligations?

Do you love networking but just can't pull your rear-end out of bed in the morning?

Are you looking for a networking venue outside of our local Chambers of Commerce?

Have you been looking for a professional, organized networking group that will provide significant value for your time spent?

Would you like to meet individuals similar to yourself, serious about building relationships and creating business?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS THEN YOU NEED JOIN THE MOONLIGHT NETWORKERS!

The Moonlight Networkers are group of Capital Region professionals who wanted to create a serious, professional, fun networking group for individuals who may struggle to make early morning events.  The Moonlight Networkers meet once a month with the goal of building business relationships and creating business.  The events are organized and structured in a way to maximize the exposure group members have with one-another.

This is a very exciting time to do business in the Capital Region and the Moonlight Networkers want to connect the people that are doing business in it.

For more information please email moonlightnetworking@gmail.com

For updates follow me on Twitter or check out the group on LinkedIn.

Water and Sump Pump Backup is an endorsement to the Homeowners Policy that is often forgot about by first time home buyers.  A homeowners insurance policy in its basic form will not cover water that is backed up through a drain, toilet, etc.  If you own a Sump Pump and it fails or is over-loaded, you also not covered.

Though it may not feel like it outside today, Spring is rapidly approaching and with Spring comes snow/ice melt and lots of rain.  All that water has to go someplace and for many unfortunate people that place is going to be their basement. 

This is not Flood Insurance.  Flood insurance is a different monster and is designed for areas such as the Mississippi River Valley or any other area where flooding occurs.  If you live in a Flood zone and don't have flood insurance, your Homeowners does not cover Flood either.  Go find a good insurance professional and get a flood policy today.

Water and Sump Pump Backup covers drains, discharges, sump pumps, and toilets. Basically any place where excess water can "backup" into your home.  Most often this happens in the form of six inches of water on your basement floor.  The water is dirty and disgusting and its going to cost you a few grand to clean up and dry out your basement, not including the damages to your personal property.

On most policies you can buy an "Endorsement" or "Rider" to cover between $2,500 and $25,000 worth of damage and repair.  Do NOT assume you have this endorsement.  Many agents will leave Water and Sump Pump Backup off a policy because they want to offer their client the "Lowest Price" in order to get the business.  And since you didn't ask for it, they don't feel obligated to offer it to you.

So if you are a First Time Home Buyer or current Homeowner who may be at risk of a wet basement, talk to your insurance professional about the Water and Sump Pump Backup endorsement.  The small fee is worth the coverage.

If you have any questions on this or any other Property/Casualty or Health Insurance related questions please feel free to email me.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhanley

You just bought your first home. What an amazingly rewarding and expensive day. During closing you dealt with a tornado of professionals, Real Estate Agent, Mortgage Broker, Banker, Real Estate Attorney and you somehow found time to sit down with an Insurance Broker to obtain Homeowners Insurance.

You recline comfortably in your new living room imagining yourself King of the Castle. You have a good job, a good family and good health. You are "Livin Large" as one might say. But this beautiful dream is really nightmare. Your castle, just a house of cards. You only purchased Homeowners insurance at the closing. Thats all you thought you needed. No one explained to you that Homeowners insurance alone does not guarantee the security of your new home purchase. When skillfully crafted by a strong insurance broker there are actually a minimum of five insurance policies needed to secure the future of both your family and your new home.

Auto, Homeowners, Umbrella, Life, Disability.

First and foremost, DO NOT SKIMP ON AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY COVERAGE. If you own a home and do not have at least $500K in Liability coverage you are putting your family and home at risk.

Second Homeowners, same deal, spend the extra $20 bucks a year and get $500K in Liability.

Third, get a Personal Umbrella policy for at least an extra $1 million in Liability. An umbrella policy is going to cost a little more than $10 a month. Cut one Starbucks coffee a week out of your diet and be a responsible homeowner.

Fourth, LIFE INSURANCE, if you have a family and own a home and you do not have a life insurance policy, you are both an irresponsible spouse and parent. In the majority of American families one spouse alone cannot cover the mortgage payment and the rest of the household expenses. And in 99.9% of American families the kids are screwed if both parents are gone and the mortgage falls on them. Life insurance is not an expense or something that can wait. It’s a necessity. Call your insurance professional today.

Fifth, Disability Insurance is often overlooked. Many people see disability insurance as a luxury for those rich enough to afford it. Bluntly, disability insurance is what keeps you from having to watch them take your house when you can no longer work and can't afford it. If you don't have life insurance, at least you don't have Watch them take the house. Without disability, the horror unfolds right before your eyes. These are very blunt words. But I hope that everyone who reads this post understands just how significant the risks of not being properly insured are.

So please, Real Estate Agents, provide a value add, discuss these topics with your clients.

Homeowners, go see your Insurance professional and discuss putting a package similar to this together. Thank you and if you have questions please feel free to email me.

www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhanley

By TwitterButtons.com

I have been a member of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters group for four months now. I joined Toastmasters because I wanted to gain confidence speaking in front of a large group. One of my 2009 goals was to speak on an Insurance related topic to an audience as a SME (subject matter expert). I'm not shy, and I'm not scared, but I also am not a refined speaker. I want to step in front of a crowd with poise, and confidence and deliver a speech that radiates excellence. I know the insurance part cold, and I am good at putting the right words together, but I really wanted to improve my delivery.

Toastmasters has been the most amazing avenue for developing the skills needed to be the type of insurance related public speaker I want to be. Through functionary roles, such as inspirator, evaluator, toastmaster, and table topics coordinator you learn to speak clearly and succinctly for short periods of time, maybe 2-4 minutes. But as you become comfortable you begin doing speeches ranging in length from 4-12 minutes. The best part is you get 30 individual pieces of written feedback and one oral evaluation in front of the entire group. In a supportive way this group really pushes you to grow as a speaker.

No matter what business you are in, if you want to become a better public speaker I firmly suggest joining your local chapter of Toastmasters. If you give the group 100%, in 6 months time you will be very happy you joined.

Thank you,

www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhanley