Growth, New Staff, and Name Change for ETA Benefits Group

There have been some big, positive changes in our agency recently! 

ETA Benefits Group is pleased to announce a record year of growth since expanding its line of benefits and insurance to encompass the availability of Medicare plans and Medicare advisory services.  “This was a natural benefit expansion for us,” says agency president Joseph Pilla. “Healthcare insurance is among our core strengths. We’ve grown considerably over the last year and have added two new professional staff members and promoted a third to better handle Medicare services.”

ETA Benefits Group is also changing its name to ETA Insurance Group, effective immediately. Pilla says that the name change makes sense as the company nears its 20-year anniversary in business. The agency’s commercial insurance services have steadily grown in recent years, making the agency a one-stop shop for all business needs, from benefits to risk management and insurance. The agency’s growth and strength in the property-casualty market also encompasses personal lines of insurance such as auto, homeowners, and more available through partnerships with several dozen of the nation’s premier insurance companies.  “At one time, we primarily served employer groups throughout the state, but now with a full line of insurance programs for families and individuals too, it makes sense to change our name to more clearly indicate the insurance availability.”

“You’ll be seeing a new sign over our signature Main Street marquee,” says Pilla. “We’re the same people with a new name, still dedicated to providing friendly, reliable service to our neighbors.”

Pilla also announces the appointment of two new staff members and the promotion of a third:

•         Sharon Ford, Insurance Sales Specialist.  With more than 25 years in the insurance industry, Ford’s primary focus is Medicare sales and service.
•          Michelle Antiga, Receptionist.  In this role, Antiga’s primary focus will be customer service. 
•          Joann Chickilly, promoted to Insurance Sales Specialist focusing on the senior market for Medicare and personal lines.  

Give us a call for all your insurance needs! ETA Insurance Group is an independent, locally-owned, full service insurance agency and employee benefit consulting firm comprised of dedicated and experienced insurance advisors. Since 1999, we have proudly served businesses, families, and individuals throughout Pennsylvania, with a strong presence in the Northeast, Central, and Lehigh Valley.

Common Car Insurance Terms Explained

Like just about every professional field, insurance is full of industry-specific jargon and acronyms that can leave the average person scratching their heads, or calling their insurance agent in a panic, asking what something means.  We thought we’d clear up some of the confusion.

Let's take a closer look at an important document most people don't spend much time reading in great depth--your auto insurance policy. Read on for a helpful explanation of some of the most common auto insurance policy terms:

“Binder”.  A temporary insurance policy that shows proof of insurance until the insured receives a permanent policy.

“Comprehensive”. Also called “comp”, this coverage pays for loss or damage to your vehicle from something other than an accident, such as a fire, flood, hail, or other weather-related incidents.  

“Collision”. This coverage pays for accident-related damages, regardless of who caused the accident. The carrier must pay for the repair or up to the actual value of your vehicle.

“Contract”. An insurance policy is sometimes referred to as a “contract”, as it is an agreement between the insurance company and policyholder.

“’Dec page’”. Short for the “declarations” page or called the “dec” for short, this is an important part of an insurance policy because it contains all the vital information about the coverage—the insured’s name and contact information, policy period and limits, and other important details.

“Deductible”. This is the amount the insured must pay in a loss before the company pays out any money.

“Premium”. The amount a policyholder pays to the insurance company to maintain the insurance policy.

“Named Insured”. The named insured is the actual owner of the insurance policy.

“Second Named Insured”.  This is the second person named on the insurance policy who has the same coverage as the primary named insured.

“Vehicle Identification Number”.  Commonly referred to as the VIN, the vehicle identification number is the unique 17-digit code given to every on-road vehicle in the United States.  The VIN is found on the identifying documentation for your vehicle, including your insurance and registration cards.

If you’re still confused or overwhelmed about your car insurance or any other coverage, contact us! We work with several carriers for a wide range of coverage, and as independent agents we have the flexibility to shop around for the best plan for your needs and budget.

Options for Keeping Your Valuables Safe

Where do you keep your most important papers? If your answer is something like “In a shoebox under the bed”, “In the attic/basement”, or “Somewhere in my desk drawer” (or you’re not sure!), it might be time to get more organized with your storage methods.  Buying a home safe or fireproof lock box, or renting a safe deposit box from your local bank, is a great way to keep your valuables safe in case of an unexpected event, such as a burglary or natural disaster like a fire or flood.

There are three standard types of home protection units:

•          Safe with a combination lock
•          Fireproof box
•          Safe deposit box*

*Usually rented from, and kept on-site at, a local bank.

All of these safety units are good investments if you want to keep your prized possessions and valuable papers in one place. But what should you put in them?

Home safe or fireproof box

Your home safe or fireproof box should hold the items that you don’t use often, but would need to access quickly when you do need them. Some examples would include:

•         Birth certificates of all family members
•          Social Security cards
•          Passports
•          Spare car keys and all vehicle titles
•          Wills, Power of Attorney documentation (if you are named as such for a relative), and other important legal documents
•          Medical information for all family members (including physicians’ names, prescribed medications, and dosages)
•          Bank account information (including retirement accounts, investments, etc.)
•          Computer back-up discs and SC cards
•          Spare cash
•          Armed forces documentation papers (which could also be kept in a safe deposit box at the bank)

Safe deposit box

A safe deposit box would contain important items you don’t need or use regularly and don’t want to keep in your home. This could include:

•        Heirloom jewelry or watches
•        Collectibles (such as coins, stamps, or baseball cards)
•        Savings bonds
•       Property deeds

You should not keep your only copy of a document (such as a will) in a safe deposit box.  

If you're thinking of buying a home safe, there are several types available. A fireproof box is useful, but a burglar could pick it up and take it out of your home (although, if it’s locked, they would have a tough time getting it open). A traditional safe is usually quite heavy and might require a hand truck to get into your home; these models are best kept on the ground floor or in the basement. Smaller models that can be bolted to the floor or wall are usually kept in a spare bedroom, home office, or library.

Besides having secure storage units for your important possessions, consider purchasing insurance for valuables like jewelry, collections, sports equipment, collectible firearms, and artwork for additional peace of mind in the event of a burglary or natural disaster. ETA Insurance Group works with several carriers who provide this important coverage. Contact us to learn more!

Five Reasons to Buy Life Insurance

Unlike car or homeowners’ insurance, life insurance is one of those coverages that keeps getting moved further and further down the priority list. And that’s a shame, because life insurance can give both financial and emotional peace of mind to the insured’s family upon their death. While it may not be the most uplifting purchase you’ll ever make, in the long term, it could be one of the best.

If you’ve thought about buying life insurance but haven’t purchased a policy, below are five reasons why life insurance is a wise investment:

Pay for final expenses. Despite what you might hear or read on social media, GoFundMe is not life insurance. Rather than relying on the generosity of others to pay for your final expenses, why not take the initiative and pay for them yourself with the proceeds from your life insurance? There are many levels of coverage available; your agent can work with you to find a policy that best meets your needs.

Supplement your family’s income. If you’re part of a two-income household, losing one income would mean tightening up the household budget. But if you’re the sole earner for your family, the loss of that income due to your passing would be devastating. Life insurance can help make up some of the financial loss.

Pay for your child(ren)’s education. Many parents use the deceased insured’s life insurance proceeds to open a savings or 529 account to be used for their child(ren)’s higher education plans.

Charitable donations. If the insured was involved in a local organization or there was a cause especially important to them, you can still make contributions to that organization using some of the proceeds. Depending on the gift you wish to make or number of causes you wish to support, you may need to meet with a financial planner to make sure the funds are distributed according to the deceased’s wishes.

Continue a family business. Instead of selling the company that likely took years to build, life insurance proceeds can be used to offset business expenses, such as buying new equipment, upgrading or buying a new building, or expanding in other ways.

Life insurance is one of the best investments you can make in your family’s financial future. No one wants to think about the inevitable, but knowing your family’s needs can still be met after your passing can be very reassuring.