Never Assume Anything (including emails delivered)
Estimated reading time: 45 seconds
“Never assume anything” Heard that before? Me too…at least a million times.
Yes, it’s a cliché, but it always ring true!
Happy Father's Day - gift included
Estimated reading time: 30 seconds
Happy Father’s Day!
This post is dedicated to my late father, of blessed memory, who died of a sudden heart attack in 1974 at the age of 50.
Truth or Consequences
Estimated reading time: 35 seconds
Telling the truth is an essential virtue, especially when it comes to dealing with insurance companies.
A schoolyard fib gets denounced with 'liar, liar pants on fire', but an insurance fib can carry disastrous consequences.
I was planning to procrastinate …
Estimated reading time: 45 seconds
I was planning to procrastinate, but never got around to it.
How many of us don’t put off important things we know we should have done yesterday? Do you envy those super-efficient types who are so punctual, organized and always put together? Don’t they sometimes infuriate you.... with yourself?
Offense or Defense…where to start?
Estimated Reading Time: 40 seconds
The NHL hockey playoffs are now underway and eternally optimistic Toronto Maple Leaf fans (1967 was our last Stanley Cup) witnessed a heartbreaking collapse last night when our beloved team blew a 4-1 lead in Game 7. That was painful.
Today the “mourners” are at the water cooler and all over the media discussing the relative importance of Defense and Offense.
Beware of Doing it Yourself
Estimated reading time: 30 seconds
I've always admired the talents of people on cooking and renovation shows. Project oriented magazines like Popular Mechanics have fascinated me since I was a kid.
But the very thought of dealing with a project of any size causes nervous palpitations before pulling out my dusty toolbox. My affliction of two left hands breeds unvarnished respect for talented do it yourselfers - they truly deserve it.
Trading on Inside Information?
Estimated Reading time: 35 seconds
We started telling people about Critical Illness Insurance in a big way with a radio campaign launched in March 2005. You can listen to some of our ads here.
The subsequent milestones make us feel very proud, and I won’t bore you with them now. They are all here if you care to read them.
Insurance Medicals
Estimated reading time: 55 seconds
Most people don’t like taking tests.
The risk of failure and embarrassment is reason enough to avoid tests, even when fully prepared.
Cancel What?
Estimated reading time: 45 seconds
If you call your cable or wireless provider to cancel your service or switch to another company you will automatically be transferred to a member of the customer retention department. Their job is changing your mind.
If you call me to cancel an insurance policy you will automatically be told to get a complete medical first.
Travel Insurance? Don’t leave home without it!
Estimated reading time: 40 seconds
I received an urgent call from a good client with a big problem.
His 80 year old mother became ill while travelling and was admitted to a local hospital with symptoms of a stroke.
Guaranteed Issue CI is now available 24/7
Estimated reading time: 45 seconds
I am delighted to announce a new online program we just launched with Manulife Financial to help every Canadian get affordable Critical Illness Insurance protection on a guaranteed basis without a medical.
Most people buy life insurance to protect their family but never consider the possibility of what happens if they get sick.
You are what you read
It’s been said that twenty years from now, in a reflective moment of self-evaluation, it will occur to you that the biggest impact on your own personal growth and development resulted primarily from 2 things: the people you met and the books you read.
I make it a point to ask successful clients, mentors and other people I admire what books made an impact in their lives - and along the way some wonderful gems have reached the summit of my bookshelf.
When people ask me to recommend a good self-help book, I tell them about a great one that was originally recommended to me by a special mentor: "How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling".
Why I’m not an astronaut
Reading time: 90 seconds
People often ask me why I chose this profession. Truth is, it really chose me.
A short radio ad recorded with my client and friend Gord Stellick tells the story best. Listen here.
Long Term Care - Short Term Broke
There is a 50% probability that you will need some form of long term care (home care or facility care) in your lifetime.
A recent poll by Leger Marketing on behalf of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), reported that 74 per cent of Canadians have no financial plan to pay for long-term care.
CLHIA estimates a cost of almost $1.2 trillion ($1,200,000,000,000) to provide long-term care to the baby boomer generation as they pass through old age (those baby boomers started turning 65 last year!)
A Tale of Two Sisters - Powers of Attorney
Despite the fact that everyone knows the importance of having a current and up-to-date will and powers of attorney most people don’t think about their wills until the day before leaving on vacation. A recent survey of 544,000 Canadians with assets exceeding $1.5 Million reported that only 40% have a will and 80% of those wills are not up to date. Where do you fit?
In addition to the will, everyone needs to complete two (not just one) Powers of Attorney:
- Continuing Power of Attorney for Property - You name someone to make financial decisions for you, such as paying your bills, managing your investments, etc.
- Continuing Power of Attorney for Personal Care - You name someone to make personal care and health decisions such as where you live, what you eat or what medical care you will receive if you get sick or injured