When you think about long-term care, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it may be nursing homes or something associated with aging and increasing medical needs. In a broad sense this is appropriate, but much has changed in the last decade or two in regards to options and how to fund them.

Boomers (and the next generation of retirees) need to plan for elderly care in a different way than their parents as they’re facing the unclear future of entitlement benefits and rapidly rising medical costs. And they’re living longer. When it comes to planning, many people have the “it won’t happen to me” attitude, however approximately 70 percent of people over age 65 will need some sort of long-term care assistance during retirement.

Evolving options

The difficult question that weighs on many people is how do you plan for these unforeseen expenses so they don’t derail retirement? When planning for care costs, you have options such as earmarking savings for medical expenses or relying on entitlement benefits or family.

Long-term care insurance is another option for people to consider. Over the past several years, insurance products have evolved with care options and trends. Today, nearly half of benefits paid by private insurers are for in-home care or assisted living care. Whereas before this insurance was primarily used to pay for skilled nursing care. Many current policies also pay the benefit to the insured or insureds, unlike many policies in the past that paid a nursing facility directly. To understand more about the evolution of long-term care, here’s a deeper look at long-term care planning past and present:

Government programs: The silent generation (those born during the great depression and World War II), were among the first to experience longer lifespans, and the first to have access to official nursing care facilities. However, the question of whether or not entitlements would be there was not a topic of conversation for this generation. As more boomers reach retirement age, the potential of a strain on government entitlement programs has become an increasing concern as current benefits may not cover most medical services a person will face.

Long-term care insurance: With long-term care insurance being a relatively new idea, many parents of baby boomers likely didn’t consider the potential needs (and realistic costs associated) of formal long-term care. Since then, a number of options have been developed by insurers to meet boomer’s needs, and over time, insurance features have evolved. Some of them include:

• Straight long-term care insurance policies: These are policies that pay a benefit up to the daily or monthly maximum. The amount can be paid to the insured person, who can then pay the care provider. The insured person also can choose to pay for the care provider to bill the insurance company directly.

• Life insurance policies with a unique rider: Advanced benefit riders can be somewhat inexpensive additions to a life insurance policy, and they allow the death benefit (often up to 90%) to be paid in advance of death if the funds are needed for long-term care. Whatever amount is provided to the insured is simply deducted from the death benefit when that person passes away.

• Policies that combine life insurance and long-term care insurance into one policy: Some insurance plan options may allow a lump sum premium to be paid for insurance that provides a combination of benefits such as a death benefit and the ability to advance most of that benefit for long-term care needs. These policies may even include a “right to rescind” the contract in which the policy holder may change his or her mind after a period of time and the full premium is refunded (if no benefit has been paid).

Family: Relying on family may seem like the simplest option, and it’s one that many people choose, sometimes out of necessity. However, the emotional, physical and financial stress on family members caring for a dependent family member can be a very large undertaking. If you plan to rely on family members to support your long-term care needs, make sure to tell them well in advance so they can create a plan to address your needs and wishes.

An aging person who needs care may choose from many options to help provide or fund professional care including family, government resources, self-insurance (if there are enough assets) or private insurance. Each of these options has some merit, but in most cases, no single option on its own will cover everything. It’s difficult to predict what kind of long-term care needs you may need, which is why you may want to talk with a professional who can discuss the options for your unique situation.

*There can be many variations on insurance policies so clients should carefully consider each policy with respect to their own current and potential needs

In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to mysteriously multiply by itself. But just how long do you need to keep all those receipts, bank and credit card statements and other financial papers? Below is a handy In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to mysteriously multiply by itself. But just how long do you need to keep all those receipts, bank and credit card statements and other financial papers? Below is a handy reference that you can use for dealing with your home paper trail.

Toss after One Month

ATM and bank deposit/withdrawal slips

• keep in a file folder until monthly statement received
• reconcile with your statement to ensure that charges and payments have been properly processed
• if for major purchase with warranty, staple receipt to the owner’s manual and file for the term of the warranty
• if for major purchase without warranty, keep receipt if item replacement cost is higher than the deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy
• if for minor purchase without warranty, shred

Cash purchase receipts

• enter into your chequebook or computer software to ensure that you are accounting for all your purchases
• if for major purchase with warranty, staple to the owner’s manual and file for the term of the warranty
• if for major purchase without warranty, keep receipt if item replacement cost is higher than the deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy
• if for minor purchase without warranty, shred

Credit card receipts

• keep in file until monthly statement received
• reconcile with your statement to ensure charges and payments have been properly processed
• if for major purchase with warranty, staple to the owner’s manual and file for the term of the warranty
• if for major purchase without warranty, keep receipt if item replacement cost is higher than the deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy
• if for minor purchase without warranty, shred

Toss after One Calendar Year

• Bank/Financial Institution monthly statements (unless needed for home business)
• Brokerage/Mutual Fund Statements (Monthly/Quarterly)
  • reconcile with your annual statement
• Credit card monthly statements
• Credit reports
  
  • you should request your credit report annually to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date, especially with regard to accounts you have closed in the course of the year
  • requesting this file annually helps to prevent identity theft, so you can see who has requested the report and for what purpose
• Monthly Mortgage Statements
  
  • reconcile with your annual statement
• Pay stubs
  
  • shred after reconciling with your W-2 or 1099 (US) or T4 (Canada)
• Telephone/Utility bills

Keep for 7-10 Years

• Any T4 Forms – including T4E, etc. (Canada)
• Annual Mortgage Statements
• Supporting documentation (cancelled cheques/receipts/statements) for tax returns including but not limited to:
  • donations
  • retirement account contributions
  • child care receipts
  • alimony/child support paid or received
  • medical expenses
  • mortgage interest
  • property tax payments
• W-2 or 1099 Forms (US)
• Year End statements from Credit cards (if provided)
• Year End statements from utility companies (if provided)

Keep Indefinitely

• Adoption Records
• Auto/Home/Life Insurance policy information
  • keep purchase records for as long as policy is in force
• Automobile Records (ownership certificate/registration)
  
  • keep for as long as you own your vehicle
  • if annual registration required, keep only current registration paper
• Birth Certificates
• Business Income Tax returns, and supporting documentation, if self-employed
• Death Certificate
• Divorce Agreement/Child Custody Court Orders
• Investment records clearly showing beneficiary information
  
  • purchase records
  • sales records
• Marriage Certificate
• Medical records
• Immunization records to children
• Military service records
• Pension Plan records
• Receipts for major home improvements/renovations
• Receipts for major purchases that have long life expectancy (refrigerator, stove, freezer, vehicles)
• Religious records
• School/Education records
• Tax Returns
  
  • In the US, the IRS has 3 years to from the date you file your tax return to examine your return for errors and up to 6 years to audit your return if they suspect that you have underreported your gross income by 25% or more. There is no statute of limitations on an audit when deliberate fraud is suspected.
  • In Canada, CRA advises you to keep your tax returns, Notices of Assessment, and all supporting documentation for 6 years from the date of filing your personal income tax return.
  • NOTE~I recommend keeping these indefinitely because they take up little space and can often be a valuable resource if there is any dispute over such things as income tax paid, child support/alimony paid or received and pension plan benefits.
• Will and/or Power of Attorney
  
  • should be kept securely in a fire-proof home safe or safety deposit box at your financial institution
• Year End Investment account summaries

Now what?

Now that you know what to keep, where are you supposed to put it all?

Set up a simple home filing system to cover the basics, and invest in a couple of sturdy cardboard or plastic filing boxes for the information you should keep log-term or indefinitely.

And a final caution – when you decide that you no longer need to keep certain documents, make sure you shred them and DO NOT put them in the general trash or recycling. Sensitive financial information or personal information should always be DESTROYED to avoid any chance of identity theft that could lead to headaches greater than you can imagine.

A decent cared for truck usually lasts longer than one which has not been looked after. How long do you think a truck will last without a routine maintenance? What if all the transmissions, the engine and some components fail on you?

If the major components such as the engine fail, then you should then think about replacing your old truck with a new truck. However, if certain truck parts such as the axle or suspension fail, you can simply replace those truck parts. A truck can be kept for as long as you provide it with a regular service, is in good running condition, and can take you from point A to B.

A new truck should last you about ten to twenty years depending on how it is used. New carrier trucks are usually accompanied with a service plan that will cover major and minor truck services. If your engine should break down, that would mean you must replace it (which could be as costly as a new truck) or get a new one. If the truck it is still in a good working condition then replace only the truck part that needs to be replaced.

On the other hand, the longer you keep your truck the less valuable it becomes. When you reach the point when the truck’s value is worth less than it’s worth, then it is time to let it go. In other words, if the truck causes more problems in terms of engine failure and regular part replacements, it may work out better to invest in a new truck. This goes without saying that new insurance, service plan, licencing, labelling and branding must now be done. By investing in a new truck especially for long distance driving the old one can now be used for short distance deliveries and pickups.

If you can, it’s ideal to keep your truck for as long as you can. It is also worth considering trading your truck in before the service plan expires, namely before five years. Then consider buying a truck that is either new or is less than a year old so that you can continue with a service plan. This will keep your service costs to a minimum for the five year period. If you are able to get a maintenance plan that would be better. This will cover the costs of any maintenance required and should also cover the costs of new truck parts.

Until recently, consumers had few choices when it came to long term care insurance. Traditional policies, which provided a certain amount of selected coverage, were the norm. Policies could be designed to cover care expenses for a few months, or much longer, even providing benefits for the insured’s lifetime. For example, consumers could purchase coverage that would provide $100 a day in benefits for a period of three years. When calculated, the $100 daily benefit multiplied by 365 days in a year for 3 years would create a $109,500 “pool of money” available for care. This pool of money would pay for care in a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult day care, or in the personal residence of the policyholder once certain criteria had been met.

When the pool of money was depleted, the traditional policy would provide no more benefits. However, if the policy was never used, the owner would lose the investment of his or her premium payments. Thus, some seniors opted not to purchase these policies, deciding instead to rely on their families or current savings in the event that care became necessary.

With the cost of health care rising rapidly, and a single day in a nursing home costing $175 or more in major cities, self insuring is a risky proposition. Relying on family is an alternative, but not necessarily a viable one. Unfortunately, most families do not have the time, resources or ability to provide around the clock care to a loved one.

The Introduction of Hybrid Policies

The insurance industry realized that consumer needs were not always being met with long term care policies. While traditional policies were satisfactory for some, many others wanted more guarantees in the event their policy was never used. Thus, these traditional policies added a “return of premium” rider. If the policy was not used over a set period of time, say 10 years, then the insurance company would return a portion of the premiums to the policy owner or a family member. This, like any other rider, came at an additional expense to the purchaser.

In response to customer and agent demand, insurance companies have designed what can be best described as hybrid or linked policies. These policies combine the benefits of an annuity or life insurance agreement with a traditional long term care contract. With hybrid policies, the consumer has the guarantee of long term care benefits or, if no care is needed, the promise of insurance benefits to themselves and their beneficiaries.

Long Term Care and Life Insurance

Hybrid policies work in several ways. One policy links long term care to a life insurance policy. With this plan, the insured deposits a set premium into a policy. Depending on the age, gender and health of the client- an immediate pool of money is created for long term care. At the same time, an immediate death benefit is created in life insurance. Take, for example, a healthy 65 year old non-smoking woman with $175,000 in liquid assets. If she deposits $50,000 into this account, approximately $87,000 in long term care benefits would be created immediately. There would also be a death benefit to her beneficiaries of approximately $87,000 created from the life insurance component of this account. At an additional cost, she can select a benefit rider which would provide approximately $260,000 in long term care benefits as oppose to the original $87,000. In this example, she receives guarantees on her investment as well as protection from the high costs associated with a nursing home stay. In addition, she would still have $125,000 in assets at her disposal.

Another example of these combination policies links long term care benefits to a single premium deferred annuity. This product begins as an annuity with either a lump sum deposit or structured deposits made over time. If no care is needed, the annuity gains interest functioning like any other fixed annuity. But if the owner/annuitant needs care in a nursing home or elsewhere, a formula will be used to determine the amount of the monthly benefit available to the client. Taking the example used earlier, a healthy 65 year old woman who deposited $150,000 into this account would have the advantages of tax-deferred, safe growth in the annuity and approximately $4,700 a month of long term care benefits for 36 months. At an additional cost, a benefit rider added to this policy would provide the $4,700 monthly benefit for her lifetime. On these types of policies, the additional benefit rider is usually a wise purchase in order to obtain maximum guarantees.

The Long Term Care Annuity

The newest addition to the hybrid marketplace is the long term care annuity. This product also functions exactly like a fixed annuity, but has a long term care multiplier built into the policy. There is no premium rider attached to this medically underwritten annuity policy. Instead, a portion of the internal return in the contract is used to pay for the long term care benefit. Long term care coverage is calculated based on the amount of coverage selected when the policy is purchased. The insurance company offers a payout of 200% or 300% of the aggregate policy value over two or three years after the annuity account value is depleted. For example, a policyholder with a $100,000 annuity who had selected and aggregate benefit limit of 300% and a two year benefit factor would have an additional $200,000 available for long term care expenses after the initial $100,000 policy value was depleted. The policy owner would spend down the $100,000 annuity value over a two year period and then receive the additional $200,000 over a four year period or longer. In this example the contract pays $50,000 a year for a minimum of six years, but care will last longer if less benefit is needed. Again, if long term care is never needed the annuity value would be paid out lump sum to any named beneficiary.

These scenarios are only basic examples of how hybrid policies work. That is to say, the coverage will be different from person to person depending on age, health, gender, premiums and benefits requested. In order to get an accurate proposal, an illustration would be required from the insurance company. These innovative products can meet consumer demands and provide more guarantees by combining traditional long term care insurance with the advantages of life insurance or annuity policies. Thus, consumers who utilize hybrid policies can avoid self-insuring against catastrophic long term care related expenses and have the peace of mind associated with a comprehensive plan.

A major consideration when planning for a successful future retirement is longevity. With longevity comes Long-Term Health Care. The financial costs and burdens of aging not only impact you, but your family, savings and lifestyle as well. Long-Term Care Insurance makes it easier on you and your family. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance said the nation’s insurance companies paid $9.2 Billion in benefits to American families in 2017 alone.

As you search the internet you may find information which is not fully accurate. It’s important to consider a few facts prior to retirement.

The US Department of Health and Human Services states if you reach the age of 65, you have a 7 in 10 chance of needing some type of Long-Term Care service. In 2016, the value of assistance provided by unpaid caregivers to people with Alzheimer’s or dementia was over $230 billion.

Many people think Long-Term Care will not happen to them. Others think their family will be able to take care of them without any problem. The fact remains as medical science advances the risk of needing care increases with longevity. Without an advance plan the impact is tremendous.

The national average for one year of home care is $49,192 based on a 44-hour week. Assisted living national average is $45,000 a year, and one year of skilled nursing costs nearly $100,000 annually. In 20 years, these costs will certainly increase.

You must factor the financial costs and burdens of aging as part of your retirement planning. Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will provide the resources for quality care, either at home or in a facility, allowing family to be family.

Nearly half the people who apply for LTC Insurance after age 70 are declined because of health, compared to 17 percent for those under age 60. Premiums are very affordable – especially when you are younger. Acting prior to retirement is key.

Premiums are intended to remain level, based on your health, age and the amount of benefits you apply for. You may read articles about rate increases. These increases have to do with “legacy products”. These are older series of policies that were priced prior to the interest rate crash and rate stabilization.

First, most long-term care insurance policies are intended to have level premiums. There are some policies where the premium does go up each year, by design, as benefits increase or you elect to increase benefits. However, most policies have premiums which are intended to remain level based on your age at the time of application, your health, and the amount of coverage you selected. Since most people will select some kind of inflation protection, the premium is intended to remain level while the benefits increase-the cost of the inflation benefit is already factored into the premium. As you read articles about premiums increasing, be aware that there are plans that intentionally go up over time.

Today, all plans are priced with the very low interest rate environment in mind (interest rates have been low in the United States over the last decade). This was not always the case. Some of the older series of products have had rate increases. Those increases were based on a few factors:

• Interest rates

• Lapse rates (meaning, how many people drop their policies. In practice, very few do, but this was not factored into premium pricing on many older plans)

• Claims and underwriting experience

Today, underwriting is much more scientific and conservative than before. Premium costs now consider low interest rates, low lapse rates and actual claims experience as well. The Society of Actuaries suggests the chance of a rate increase on a long-term care policy sold today is very, very low. Regardless of those facts, it is also not easy for insurance companies to raise rates on the products being sold today.

Working with a Long-Term Care specialist will allow you to get the accurate information you seek. There are several reference websites for research:

LTC News offers articles and resources: http://www.ltcnews.com

US Department of Health and Human Services: https://longtermcare.acl.gov/

Long-Term Care will impact you, your family, your savings and your lifestyle. Long-Term Care Insurance is Easy and Affordable Asset Protection. These plans not only protect your savings but reduce the burdens placed on families members. Act before you retire to take advantage of lower premiums and your overall better health.

Millions of American seniors who currently own an annuity are not aware of the IRS-approved planning technique that enables them to also benefit from 100 percent tax-free benefit payments should they need long-term care (LTC).

The planning technique utilizes a special provision of the tax code, a Section 1035 exchange. The law, passed by Congress, was designed to encourage more Americans to plan for the real risk of needing care at some point in their lifetime.

Roughly eight million Americans have any type of long-term care insurance that will pay for LTC costs. However, millions already have an annuity designated as their ‘what if’ funds. The latest data gathered by various industry research groups including LIMRA reveal that some $2.8 trillion is invested in non-qualified annuities.

Simply stated, the law now allows for an annuity owner to re-purpose their current annuity into one that meets IRS criteria. The new annuity continues to grow in value on a tax-deferred basis.

The reasons to consider a change are multiple. For many, there can be significant tax savings should a need for long-term care arise at a future date. Monies can be withdrawn from an annuity to pay for long-term care. However, there may be income tax consequences. That means the risk of facing a tax-bill at a time when funds are critically essential.

An annuity that meets new criteria can continue to grow in value. But, all funds withdrawn to pay for a LTC need are received completely free of income taxes.

Second, many of the new annuities created to provide consumers with both tax deferred annuity growth and tax-free long-term care benefits, also offer some rather unique financial planning opportunities. An example shown in the just published Guide To Long-Term Care Planning Using 1035 Exchanges, explains how a one existing annuity valued at $200,000 could be re-purposed into a plan that provides both spouses with an unlimited or lifetime long-term care benefit of $5,000 monthly. If neither of the spouses needed long-term care, the annuity would eventually pay the designated beneficiary $202,000 upon the death of the second spouse.

Sold by many financial advisors and investment professionals, the new forms of annuity contracts offer varied benefits and options. Because some professionals may only favor or offer annuities from one company, experts advise working with a 1035 exchange specialist familiar with multiple companies. In addition, implementing an exchange incorrectly can result in tax consequences, something a knowledgeable and experienced professional should be competent in helping you avoid.

Your new resin fountain was exciting and rewarding. It looked beautiful nestled in your garden. As the summer wore on, the color faded. The spring hail chipped it and now it’s peeling. Your delight diminished as the once-cherished resin fountain deteriorates.

Polyresin, also referred to as alabastrite or resin, is a member of the epoxy-plastics family. “Hong Tze” and “Liberty Bronze” are also resin products. Resin products are commonly sold for outdoor use such as water fountains, statues, birdbaths, furniture, and stepping stones.

Some resin products marketed for outdoor lawn and garden use were weather tested by Gardecor®, LLC. They found that the resin products under testing cracked, peeled, and faded within a year. Some resin products even deformed in the hot summer sun! A reliable resin product such as fountains or statues suitable for long-term outdoor use has yet to be found. Resin technology has not advanced to the point of providing a good polyresin product suitable for long-term outdoor use, unless the item is for use on a covered porch.

When seeking an outdoor water fountain, statuary, birdfeeder, or other outdoor item exposed to the elements, it’s wise to know what to expect it to look like in the future. Here are some common materials suitable for long-term outdoor use.

• The Bronzes, including Brass.
• Aluminum.
• Cast Stone Concrete.
• Fiberglass.
• Iron: Cast Iron and COR-TEN® Steel.
• Marble.
• Lead Metal.

Bronze and Brass can last long enough to hand down through generations as heirloom treasures. Bronze art dated B.C. has been uncovered from underwater archaeological sites. Now that’s a long time!

Left to weather, the bronze family continually develops a stunning aged patina (surface finish). Just look around your local park at the bronze statuaries. Depending on the metal composition, bronze and brass can age to beautiful blues and greens (from the copper and nickel), yellows (iron) and other colors.

Aging doesn’t happen right away, but takes decades. Bronze and brass statues age in the same manner, but not exactly the same. Each piece will have an unique patina. Bronze and brass can have the same overall appearance because copper is the predominant metal in both.

Bronze contains tin whereas brass contains zinc. Other metals are present in small amounts and can contribute to the color. Tin makes bronze harder than brass; however, the homeowner won’t be able to tell the difference. Brass is strong enough for hardware and fittings. Pure bronze can be 3-4 times more expensive than brass. That’s why some outdoor fountains and statues are brass with a bronze patina.

If you want color, look for bronze with a colored patina. Gold foil can give brilliant oranges to the artwork whereas other techniques can impart deep blues, reds and brilliant yellows to your piece.

One more note about casting bronze statues. Look for those manufactured with the lost-wax method. Although more arduous, the lost-wax method produces pieces without seams seen on other methods of casting.

Aluminum. Aluminum being lighter than the bronzes is preferred because transport is cheaper. Exposed to the weather, aluminum doesn’t weather as nicely as either bronze or brass. That’s probably why you don’t see aluminum fountains or statues in parks or in front of corporate buildings. You can maintain your aluminum piece by coating with a clear acrylic floor wax.

Cast stone is popular for outdoor water fountains, statuaries and birdbaths because of it’s strength, bold appearance, and barring a hurricane, it won’t blow over. Classical statues of cast stone are reminiscent of the Grecian ancient times. Some manufacturers have developed colored surface finishes that last.

Cast stone concrete is great in the southern states, however, in the northern states, it’s susceptible to water freezing and thawing in tiny crevices. You might have to dry the fountain bowl and cover it during the freezing months. Statues tend to withstand the winters because they don’t have bowls that hold a large volume of water. Formulated properly, cast stone can withstand more than 10 winters.

Fiberglass is less often used for backyard statues and fountains. Not many consumers are familiar with fiberglass for a decorative statue. Fiberglass won’t crack or break as easily as resin. The surface finish is tricky to apply for long-term use, but some manufacturers have had success with it. Fine detailing is also hard to accomplish with the fiberglass structure. Detailing is usually done with the surface coating. You’ll see enormous fiberglass statues in amusements parks and other places because it’s not only strong, but also lightweight and easy to move without a crane.

Iron and Steel Products. Rust can provide a protective surface to outdoor decor. Iron products should be considered if you want an aged or antiqued outdoor decor. Iron is more brittle than the bronzes and less frequently used for statues and water fountains. Iron and steel can be powder coated to prevent rusting and add long-lasting color.

Marble statues and water fountains are valued for the artistic sculpting and uniqueness each marble piece imparts. Some marble is harder than others. Outdoors, marble tends to age differently than the bronzes. Moss and small plants can make a home on the marble making it a truly living piece of artwork. Depending on the amount of acid rain, the surface texture can change with time. As with concrete, it can crack in the winter’s freeze-thaw. The same care must be taken with marble as with cast stone. Marble should be used indoors to preserve the original finish.

Lead Metal. Many designers and architects prefer wall fountains and decorative plaques because of it’s traditional antique quality. Lead can turn darker as it ages and isn’t prone to weathering like aluminum is. It’s a very soft metal and fountain bowls may need periodic reshaping with careful pounds of a soft mallet. Care must be taken when handling lead products. Maintaining the surface with a clear wax or acrylic coating can help you prevent lead from leaching into the environment.

Whatever you decide, to re-design your outdoors every year with resin or to show off heirloom pieces of artwork, be certain to know the characteristics of the materials used before you buy.

Next time, we’ll discuss what you should know about materials used in outdoor lawn, garden and patio furniture and discuss the difference between authentic wrought iron and ornamental ironwork.

Have you heard the famous saying that about the tail wagging the dog? When it comes to long tail keywords, it can often be beneficial for the “long tail” to wag the dog. Long tail keywords are often a three to five (or more) word search phrase, many of which may only be searched five or ten times a month. These phrases are often very specific, but when a user types in the phrase, they can be your ideal insurance agency prospect. That’s why it is important that the search engine results page (SERP), lists your agency at the top. Let’s take a look at some examples of insurance long tail keyword phrases:

· Arizona Garage Keeper Insurance

· New York Owner Operator Insurance

· California Professional Liability Insurance

· Best Florida Business Insurance Rates

· Florida Coastal Condominium Insurance

The more keywords included in a phrase and the more specific the term, the narrower the results, and the less frequently that term is searched. And of course, the shorter the phrase, the broader the results, and the greater the competition for the phrase. An example of a broad phrase might be “Trucking Insurance” or “Auto Insurance”. When targeting long tail keywords, quantity is important. Your agency should target 100 or more long tails, along with more competitive phrases, for a comprehensive approach to your insurance agency search engine optimization efforts.

On page insurance search engine optimization (insurance SEO), includes both content and Meta data. This means the search bots from Google or Bing search the text, images, blog posts and video that appears on your page, and the Meta such as Page Description, Alt Tags and Header Tags that exists but is not seen on the page. Effective insurance search engine optimization also includes off page optimization such as news releases, social media posts, bookmarking, and videos to mention a few. Effective long tail optimization will result in improved insurance website traffic and increased insurance agency leads.

With the increasing number of mobile searches, your agency should add questions to your long tail efforts. Some examples include:

· Where do I buy Arizona Garage Keeper Insurance?

· What are the best New York Owner Operator Insurance agencies?

· What are the lowest California Professional Liability Insurance rates?

· Where do I find the best Florida Business Insurance Rates?

· Who offers the lowest Florida Coastal Condominium Insurance prices?

Though organic insurance search engine optimization and social media marketing are an important aspect of insurance agency marketing, agencies seeking to rapidly build their pipeline often find that insurance agency email marketing and targeted appointment setting calls can represent a faster path to lead generation.

Insurance agencies and brokers lacking the time, tools or skills to manage this type of initiative can consider outsourcing it to a proficient insurance marketing firm.

Long haired cats are known for their beauty and lustrous but labor-intensive coats. Popular breeds include the glamorous Balinese, the affectionate Himalayan, the almost dog-like Maine Coon, the water-loving Turkish Van and the quintessential Persian. If you’re a lover of long haired cat breeds, keep reading for 10 fun facts about long haired cat breeds.

1. Long haired cats were first spotted in Europe in the early 16th century. The first known longhair, the Angora, was named after the Turkish city of the same name. Meanwhile, Persians weren’t imported into Europe from Persia until 1620.

2. The Maine Coon is the largest domestic, non-feral cat breed and regularly grows to over 20 pounds. This hardy and robust cat originated in Maine and is known for its love of snow and unique willingness to “play fetch.”

3. The Norwegian Forest Cat is another long haired breed known for its size. These winter-loving, independent and robust cats will reach up to 22 pounds and are believed to be ancestors of the popular American Maine Coon.

4. The Turkish Van is one of the oldest cat breeds and unique because of its love of water. Vans are known for enjoying the occasional swim and love to get into bathtubs, puddles and any other body of water they can find.

5. The Persian cat, a longhair, is the most popular purebred cat breed in North America. Beloved for their sweet and gentle dispositions, these cuddly felines could win their way into anyone’s heart.

6. Most long haired cat breeds are known for their docile and sweet dispositions. Because so many long haired breeds, like the Himalayan and Persian, are very passive, it’s important to keep these gentle and kind cats inside and safe from potential predators.

7. The Javanese, a cousin to the popular Balinese breed, is a longhaired breed known for its intelligence. Hailed by breeders and fans of the cat, the Javanese is often touted as the most intelligent feline. These frisky cats have been known to open doors, break into cupboards, and track down hidden treats in safely locked drawers.

8. The Birman, a popular Asian longhair, is believed to have sacred origins in its homeland of Burma and Thailand. The legend goes that Sinh, the first Birman cat was owned by a respected and renowned priest named Mun-Ha and was appointed guardian of the temple of Lao Tsun. The legend says that one day Mun-Ha was killed during an attack on the temple. When he died, Sinh put his feet on his fallen master and his legs turned brown like the Earth, his eyes blue like the sky and where his feet touched his master turned pure white.

9. The Cymric, a close long haired relative of the Manx, is known for its small and sometimes absent tail. This unique breed is known as “the rabbit” thanks to its bobbed tail and tufts of fur on its neck and belly. This playful breed also has a reputation for chasing anything that moves.

10. The Ragdoll, a fairly new large long haired breed, was first bred in 1960s in California. Bred specifically for their gentle personalities, the Ragdoll is often considered the gentlest breed.

The question of the allowable time to keep an air mattress fully inflated seems to get asked time and time again. It’s a common question, but a good one. When you purchase that new air bed, the manufacturer’s setup instructions don’t necessarily go into much detail about inflation limitations, so people are usually left to fend for themselves. This article will provide you some guidance, and at a minimum, help you make an informed decision about what’s best for your situation.

The Answer Is…

The abbreviated answer is: there is no set time limit associated with leaving your inflatable mattress full of air. You won’t find any suggested limits or best practices in the literature provided by the air bed vendors. Therefore, you need to ask yourself a few questions to help get to a decision, since there are several factors that can influence your decision. The first thing to ask yourself is how do you intend to use the blow up bed?

What Are The Intended Uses Of Your Inflatable Bed?

Is this going to be a permanent bed or is this a guest bed situation? If this is going to be a bed that gets everyday use, you will probably want to leave it inflated as long as possible, right? The real issue in this situation is prolonged exposure to things that may inadvertently puncture the mattress. The longer it is inflated, the more chances there are for it to get a hole. This is especially true if you have animals or children that will be around the bed frequently. Come on, you know what I’m talking about! If the air mattress will be in an area where there are less opportunities for puncturing, you can leave it inflated for as long as you would like. Of course, all air beds lose air over time (some faster than others), so it won’t be “fully inflated” for the entire time anyway.

What Is The Impact Of Continually Inflating And Deflating Your Portable Air Bed?

To make a case for leaving the inflatable bed up for longer periods of time, you should consider the wear and tear that can occur on the mattress. As you fill up the air bed, the seams that hold it together stretch. The more you inflate and deflate the mattress over time, the more stress there is on the seams of the air mattress. This could eventually cause failure of the seams, and loss of the ability to hold air for any significant amount of time. This goes to the root of air mattress care and maintenance.

Are There Any Cost Implications? Depending on your choice, there could be. If you stress the seams of the airbed too much, they may fail, causing you to expend more money for another purchase. Additionally, if you do not have a built-in air pump for your mattress and it relies on those huge D-size batteries, you will have to make a budget for batteries if you choose to continually inflate and deflate your air bed.

In Summary…

Taking everything into consideration, there is no reason why you can’t leave your airbed inflated for weeks at a time, unless it is in an area where it can become easily damaged. The air beds do not have any requirements to be deflated after a certain period of usage, so that is not a factor. Lastly, they all lose a little air over time anyway, so keeping air in it, as long as it is not over-inflated, should not be an issue.