Lyndon Thomas Insurance
Protect Your Belongings
SOAK IN THE SUN WITH NO WORRIES
The best part of summer vacation is definitely spending time at the beach. It’s a great place to relax while soaking in the sun and dipping your toes in the water. One thing that can be a hassle, though, is protecting your valuables. With so much traffic on the sand, it’s an easy place for someone to scoop up a bag or snag a phone that’s sitting on a towel. Here are a few helpful tips to keep your valuables safe while you enjoy the beach. The Pros of the Lifeguard Tower Something as simple as sitting near a lifeguard tower can deter potential thieves. Since lifeguards have a clear view of the area, they’ll be able to spot suspicious-looking people who are creeping too close to your belongings. If there isn’t a tower nearby, consider sitting near a pier. Your items are less likely to be stolen where there are more witnesses. Waterproof Accessories Who says you can’t be stylish on the beach? Wearing a waterproof waist pouch or carrying a waterproof dry bag can create a greater sense of security. Knowing your valuables are right there floating with you can ease your mind. You could even bury your waterproof bag in the sand for extra protection. Disguising Valuables One great way to hide smaller valuables, like keys or cash, is to disguise them in food packages. Items such as Cheez-It boxes or cans of Pringles are a sneaky way to divert attention away from your belongings. If
someone just so happens to creep by your spot, it’s unlikely they’ll grab a snack as they look for valuables to steal.
Someone to Watch Your Belongings If you don’t have acquaintances nearby, find someone who appears trustworthy to watch over your things — families with children may be a safe option. This isn’t an ideal tactic, since it requires you to have a bit of trust in human kindness from a complete stranger. Or you could possibly leave belongings at a restaurant or bar you frequent. Spending vacation at the beach doesn’t need to be stressful. The risk will always be there, but these options can reduce the chances of someone stealing your valuables and can ease your mind while you relax.
AVOID THE ENDLESS TELEPHONE CALLS GET A LOCAL AGENT
I can usually tell when the advertising is getting particularly bad. Clients begin calling me about the TV ads. Ads featuring a couple of good old Joe’s. Can you believe that Joe Namath is 78!? I’ve got big ears, but I hope my ears don’t get that big when I’m 78. Joe talking about getting $144 a month back or Medicare plans with dental, vision, and all kinds of other super-duper benefits you’re supposedly missing out on. These TV and telephone marketing activities are all marketing Medicare Advantage plans. Advantage plans work very well for many people but not for others. So, you bite on the TV ad and call the number Old Broadway Joe tells you to. Then what? You’ve given marketers permission to call you, and call, and call until you enroll. After that, you will never talk to that telephone agent again. So, who do you call when you have a question or problem? Advantage plan provider network contracting can be complex, and a freshly-licensed 21-year-old agent — I confess to reverse “ageism,” since I’m 62 — who is probably ten states away looking at a computer screen just doesn’t know the nuances of locally managed care networks. For example, here in Ventura County, while Humana and SCAN work with both Community Memorial Hospital and Ventura County Medical Center, the available provider medical groups are different
and exclusive to one or the other. While all of these providers show up online, our 21-year-old sales agent in Florida will not be aware from the website directories alone that access to VCMC requires enrolling in the ValleyCare IPA network. Or that a Primary Care Physician in the SeaView IPA network is required for CMH access. A competent, local, independent agent will know these network nuances. As for the TV ads, these are nationwide ads. While there may be a $144 Part B premium refund somewhere in the U.S., no plan in Southern California gives back $144! Medicare Advantage plan benefits may vary significantly from state to state. During the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall, keep in mind that all of our TV ads come
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