MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR 2019 IS FROM 10-15-18 to 12-07-18!

For 2019 Medicare coverage, open enrollment runs from October 15, 2018, to December 7, 2018. This is a time sensitive opportunity for you to choose between traditional Medicare or a Senior Health Plan which could include, Medicare Supplement,  Medicare Advantage, or a Prescription Drug Plan – WITHOUT ANY MEDICAL UNDERWRITING.

My name is Mel Leveque. I am a licensed, independent, insurance agent and the owner of Apron Agencies, LLC.  My goal is to educate you on all of your MEDICARE options, while helping you choose the best coverage available at the least possible cost to you and your family. Here are 5 things you need to know about Medicare Enrollment:

1.       Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for enrollment is a 7-month time frame (3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday and three months after your birthday month). If you are eligible for Medicare due to disability, your IEP is based on your disability date. The only time you can make changes after initial enrollment is during the Open Enrollment Period.

 2.       There are 2 pathways to enroll in Medicare: 1) Original or 2) a Senior Health Plan such as:  Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage. or a Prescription Drug Plan.

 3.       Medicare Advantage Plans: These plans are managed by health insurance carriers. Locally, your options include Humana, Peoples Health, United Health Care and Blue Advantage and various other carriers.  

You have a choice of Senior Health Plans Medicare Advantage plans.  Need help understanding your options?  Call us at 504-416-0237 today!  We will be happy to help you navigate through all your Medicare options, Parts A, B, C and D, as well as Medigap Supplement plans.

IT’S STILL HURRICANE SEASON, ARE YOU PREPARED?

It’s more important than ever to prepare for any risks from hurricanes, floods and other disasters. Here are some ways to prepare in advance:

- Learn what types of disaster are most likely to affect your business. 
- Look over your insurance policies to see if there are any gaps in coverage. For example, some policies only provide coverage if a business is physically damaged.
- Plan ahead for what your business will do if a disaster forces it to close for an extended period.

Call us at (504) 416-0237 or visit www.apronagencies.com

Apron Agencies, "Like momma in the kitchen, we've got you covered."

IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED TO FACE A FIRE OR NATURAL DISASTER?

Many business owners fail to consider how they would manage if a fire or natural disaster rendered their business premises temporarily unusable. According to FEMA, almost 40 percent of all businesses that close down following a disaster never open again.


With advanced planning, there are measures you can take to protect your company’s bottom line. To safeguard your business, consider business continuity coverage, an insurance coverage added to your property package that funds the restoration of your business operations after a loss.

Call us at Apron Agencies today or visit www.apronagencies.com.

"Like momma in the kitchen, we got you covered”

FIRST, UNDERSTAND YOUR HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE POLICY - THEN SAVE!

Ever wonder how your homeowner's insurance policy is calculated?

While your home's value and household contents play a part in determining your rate, there are other factors that determine how your premium is calculated:

1. Location - Insurance companies will take into consideration the crime rate in your neighborhood, how near your house is to the fire station, and the chance for "act of God “claims.

2. Your Home - The age of your home, the type of construction (wood, stucco siding, brick, or stone) and whether your home has a security system all affect your premium.

3. Extra - Rates may increase if you have a pool, trampoline or own a dog.

4. Added Protection - If you have any optional riders on your policy for additional coverage for wine, art, jewelry, etc., you will pay a higher premium.

5. Amount of coverage - the amount of coverage you purchase on your home, the contents of the home, and the liability limit will be factors in the price of your policy.

The biggest determining factor when it comes to rates for all insurance companies is RISK. Insurance companies determine risk by looking at how often you have filed a claim and the severity of the claim.

At Apron Agencies, we want to help you save money on all your insurance policies. Take advantage of our free HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE CHECK UP at www.apronagencies.com

 and earn a $50 gift card, just by allowing us to quote you!

5 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WHO CAN BUY FLOOD INSURANCE

According to FEMA, misinformation about flood risk and the NFIP falls into several categories. Here are 5 misconceptions followed by the facts:

#1 Misconception: You can only buy flood insurance if you are located in a high-risk flood area.

Fact: There are no restrictions on who can purchase a flood insurance policy, however, the majority of those who purchase flood insurance, live in areas affected by flooding. For property located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) -- an area with a 1 percent chance of flooding in any year -- lenders usually require borrowers to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally-backed mortgage loan.

#2 Misconception: You can't buy flood insurance immediately before or during a flood.

Fact: You can purchase flood insurance at any time. There is usually a 30-day waiting period after you've applied and paid the premium before the policy is effective.

#3 Misconception: Flood insurance is only available for homeowners.

Fact: Flood insurance can provide up to $100,000 of coverage for the contents of any residential building, which includes the contents of a renter's residence.

#4 Misconception: Homeowners insurance will pay to repair and replace property that is damaged by flooding.

Fact: Unfortunately, many homeowners do not find out until it is too late that their standard homeowners policy excludes any coverage due to water damage from flooding.

#5 Misconception: Only residents of high-risk flood zones need to insure their property.

Fact: One-third of NFIP insurance claims involve property not located in an area identified as a high-risk zone. Even if you live in an area which is not flood-prone, it's advisable to have flood insurance. Flooding can be caused by extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall or hurricanes as well as new developments which decrease ground absorption of water.

At Apron Agencies, we are here to educate you and clear up any misconceptions about insurance coverage. We strive on making sure our clients have the right coverage at the right price! Call us today at 504-416-0237 or visit our website at www.apronagencies.com.

Apron Agencies, "Like momma in the kitchen, we got you covered".