Lakeview Insurance Agency, Ltd. - Since 1976

By Cody Hebden

As we age, we depend on our safety net.  Our family is usually our first protective layer to providing assistance to us when in need.  About 80% of long-term care needs are provided by family members.¹

The problem is that this source of care can be limiting for the aging LBGT.  A New York Study in 2005-2007 found that gay and bisexual men over 50 were twice as likely to be living alone and one third of older lesbian and bisexual women were about a third more likely to live alone in comparison to heterosexual men of the same age.² In addition, the aging LGBT may be less likely to rely on their children for assistance.  Another large New York study found that the aging LGBT were four times less likely to have children to assist them.  As a final challenge, some aging LGBT may feel estranged from their biological families.

These are all important factors to consider when looking for the security you need and deserve.

Private long-term care insurance can provide the security an LGBT person may need to rely on.  Long-term care goes beyond medical and nursing care to provide total assistance if you ever have a chronic illness or injury.

It is important to assess your individual needs.  Review your long-term care safety net, and consider whether purchasing a long-term care insurance policy may be right for you.  If you are interested in discussing your options, give me a call or write to me at chebden@lakeviewins.com

¹ B.Colman, S.M. Pandya, “Family Caregiving and Long-Term Care,” AARP Public Policy Institute, 2002. Retrieved from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/fs91_ltc.pdf

² Community Health Survey, Bureau of Epidemiology Services, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, July 2008.

What is the difference between coverage, and protection?  Many people believe they are one and the same, yet find out after an adverse event that they are not, and have never been, protected by their coverage.

As consumers, we are all pretty well trained to look for sales, values, and convenience.  We can buy everything on the internet, often at better prices than at an actual store.

The people who work in that store don’t change the product we’re buying; they just handle it – off the truck, onto the shelves, down the conveyor belt, into your bag.  The product remains unchanged throughout this process.

Buying insurance in the same way we order shoes, however, can result in us having coverage, but not protection.  Is the “shoe” the right size?  Aside from talking to or becoming our own expert, there is no way to know in advance.

To make things even less consumer-friendly, some insurance websites are designed NOT to give you a policy that protects you, but to collect your information to sell it as a lead to someone else!

At Lakeview Insurance, our website does start the process.  We do two very consumer-friendly things after that:  We have an experienced insurance expert look at the facts, and find an insurance carrier who offers the best solution.  The other thing we don’t do, is sell your valuable data to others.

We are like Nordstrom – very well trained staff, many high quality product options to choose from, where you can expect to get all of your insurance needs met.  No need to keep shopping afterward, so you save time, too.

Have you ever thought you were protected, and then discovered that your coverage was incomplete?  Leave a comment and tell our readers about it.  If you suspect any of your coverage may not be fully protecting you, give us a call, or fill out our website contact page.  Your information stays with us!

Life is filled with good times and unexpected occurrences. We can help you insure:

• Against sewer back-up and sump-pump failure: Before storms strike, be sure the batteries in your sump pump work. We offer coverage for sewer back-up and sump-pump failure.
• Against flood arising from surface water: Flood insurance is available to provide protection against rising waters.
• Against loss to artwork, jewelry, antiques and other treasures: Insure your valuables with an endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy. Your valuables should be professionally appraised.
• Against underinsured liability losses: Add an umbrella liability policy for your home, auto and business. Limits of $1M to $10M are available.
• Against loss to your “toys”: We offer insurance for secondary property, RVs, motorcycles, boats and snowmobiles.
• If you have a nanny, an in-home business, kids away at college or other special circumstances, be sure to talk to us about your additional insurance needs.

And, remember, we provide insurance for everything from hearing aids to earthquakes!

Talk to an agent at Lakeview Insurance Agency about any of your insurance needs.

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