InsTrust Tax Services’ program, or Free Tax Office in a Box^TM, is a risk-free, no obligation partnership that assists insurance professionals who are interested in implementing tax preparation in their agencies. Independent insurance agents can essentially own two businesses for the price of one by using their existing resources and maximizing their agency infrastructure during tax season.

InsTrust Tax Services provides free tax return processing software and set-up, free training and free marketing support, with no upfront costs or costly contracts involved. Partners can offer their clients competitive bank products, just like nationwide franchises, and the tools to succeed.

To learn more about increasing agency income in a short amount of time, an informational video is available on www.instrusttax.com. The enrollment form is also available, at www.instrusttax.com/enroll.

Claims may be made 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 1-866-665-2410.

A new roof-strength requirement aimed at protecting passengers in roll-over crashes is the reason there are 67 vehicles cut from the IIHS’ list. The institute, an auto-safety research group funded by the insurance industry, runs rigorous tests to address specific circumstances in which drivers and passengers are injured and killed in collisions. These results might encourage car manufacturers to strengthen the car roofs so that its vehicles are not seen as safety hazards.

Among the top picked cars are the Audi A3, Honda Civic, Dodge Journey and Ford Taurus. Auto makers with the most top-rated models include Subaru, a unit of Fuji Heavy Industries, with five vehicles; Ford Motor Co. and its Volvo unit had six top-rated vehicles, and Volkswagen AG and its Audi unit combined for five vehicles. Four Chrysler LLC vehicles got the top rating. General Motors Corp.’s Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu are also on the list. Toyota Motor Corp. did not have any automobiles picked as a top-rated vehicle.

For the entire article from the Wall Street Journal

New claims may be reported, as always, by calling 1-866-665-2410 and payments may be posted online at www.goinstrust.com.

A weekend Halloween holiday translates into more adults celebrating with higher incidences of reckless individuals choosing to drive while impaired, NHTSA cites.
The following list of precautions is recommended to ensure safety and fun for all on Halloween. By implementing these tips, the only thing revelers will have to worry about is eating too much candy!

Rules for drivers:

•   Slow down while driving through residential areas – even 6mph can make a big difference in an emergency stop.
• Watch for children darting out from behind parked cars
• Come to a full stop at designated intersections and proceed slowly when driving through them.
• NEVER drive while or after drinking – find alternate transportation such as riding with a designated driver, or calling a taxi.
• Call *47 (North Carolina’s Highway Patrol) if you suspect a driver of being drunk or reckless. Provide the driver’s license plate number, make, model, location and travel direction. Do not try to stop the vehicle on your own.

Rules for parents and children:

• Wear light or reflective costumes that are easy to move in and don’t cause tripping, and use face paint instead of wearing a mask.
• Children need to carry a flashlight
• Ensure the “loot route” is planned along well-lit streets
• Before starting out, review the rules of the road with children.
• Accompany children and make sure the group travels together.
• If there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic and as far from the road as possible
• Never run out between two parked cars. Always cross at a designated intersection, looking both ways to make sure drivers see you before you cross.

David Harkey, director of UNC Highway Research Center, said that in the past five years North Carolina has seen a 27 percent increase in deer-related crashes.

In North Carolina, 50 percent of all deer-related crashes occurred during the three months of October, November and December, according to Harkey. While a crash involving a deer can happen at any time, almost 80 percent of deer-related crashes in 2008 occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Drivers need to exercise more caution than usual during the next few months, especially when driving at dawn or dusk.

The Highway Safety Research Center offers the following tips for lowering your risk of a crash with a deer:

Slow down! In areas with a large deer population, or where there are deer warning signs, drivers should reduce their speed.

Always wear your seat belt! It’s your best protection from injuries in the event of a crash.

Watch for eyes reflecting in your headlights. Try to look far down the road and scan the roadsides, especially when driving through field edges, heavily wooded areas, or posted deer crossing areas. The sooner you see a deer on or approaching a road, the better your chances of avoiding a crash.

Remember that deer travel in herds. If you see one deer cross the road in front of you, don’t assume that all is clear. Deer herds can be fairly large, and the animals often move one right behind the other.

Do not place confidence in “deer whistles” or other “ultra-sonic” devices that claim to prevent deer collisions.

Maintain control of your vehicle. It is important that you not lose control of your vehicle or veer into the path of an oncoming vehicle to avoid contact with an animal. Loss of control usually results in a more serious crash.

Sources: The University of North Carolina Highway Research Center and physorg.com/news

To win the prizes indicated on the Woooooooo! Scratch-off lottery ticket: players must match any of their numbers to any of the winning numbers to win the prize indicated below the number. If a money bag symbol is revealed, players win that prize instantly. If a “Woo” symbol is revealed, players win all 16 prizes!

InsTrust Insurance Group supports appointed agents through various contests and promotions throughout the year to show agents appreciation for their support and continued loyalty. For more information about current promotions, please visit http://goinstrust.com/agents/promotionshome/

Cars have a bad tendency to start acting unusual at times when our budget just cannot handle it. The best way to prepare for this untimely breakdown is to have a fund only for car repairs. Financial advisor, Dave Ramsey, suggests that this amount be $1,000. Whatever the amount that you decide to set aside, it should not be touched unless it is a car emergency. Buying air fresheners and seat covers does not count as an emergency, however, replacing a dead battery does. By setting aside a little each month for that particular fund, you will have the money when you need it and your cash flow will remain steady.

Another good habit to develop is checking the owner’s manual for maintenance schedules. By regularly having the car checked, small leaks and funny sounds that hold potential for big problems can be caught before it gets too ugly. Some parts in the car also need to be replaced after a certain period of time or distance. If you know when you need to have a part, like the timing belt, replaced then you can prepare monetarily for it.

These are two simple habits that can keep you from getting into a very tight spot financially, and it takes pressure off of your mind. Develop these habits and take care of your car. It is worth it.

One way to keep your agency fresh in customer’s and potential customer’s minds is through a referral program. PostcardMania, a direct mail company that has been working with insurance agents for almost 10 years, suggests starting a referral program to offer a small portion of premium to past clients when they refer a friend or family member. Sending a postcard or other direct mail sparks conversations and initiates word of mouth referrals. Help your satisfied clients remember your agency’s great customer service!

Another way to reach those in your area is through the internet. Social media, such as Facebook Fan pages and Twitter, provide a free opportunity to set up a presence for your agency online. Creating a Facebook Fan page for you agency also allows you to advertise on Facebook, narrowing down your target market to the age, location and gender. Once you have created the ad for the agency Fan page, you pay a fixed amount each time the ad is clicked and once your daily budget is reached, the ad will not show for the rest of the day.

By reaching out and using a minimal amount of resources, you can save clients time and money while promoting your agency.

For direct mail products go to the InsTrust Reward Store to find customizable items. If you want more information on how to market your agency through online resources contact marketing@instrustinsurance.com or call the marketing department toll free at 866-665-2410 ext. 2666.