Happy New Year!

An old one ends, a new one begins. Looking forward to a promising 2016 with our friends, clients and colleagues. All the best to you! Have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

Storm Damage from last weekend's weather???

Do you have damage or loss from the recent storms in North Texas?

Or, anywhere else in the state for that matter. If so, we are here to help. Please call us if you need any assistance. All carriers are engaged and ready to take whatever action is needed. There are a lot of folks affected, so it is best to get a report in, early. But, you have plenty of time to make a claim.

Here are some quick tips --

Take care of  yourself and your loved ones and pets first. Property can wait. Find shelter or another place to stay.
Do not attempt to enter a building/home that is damaged/unstable.
Let the authorities help you for emergency needs.
Watch out for scammers trying to make a quick buck. Trust your instincts.
If safe, secure your home and auto. Prevent further damage.  If not, leave it.
Take pictures as convenient.
Keep receipts for any expenses you incur. Some might be covered by your insurance.
Only deal with identifiable claims personnel
Only deal with reputable vendors.
Help out your neighbors. We're all in this together
Claims contact information
Ruzicka Insurance Services
Office 281-565-7550
Email for claims CLICK HERE

Claims info for our carriers CLICK HERE FOR CLAIMS WEBSITE

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is a special time of year. We hope you enjoy it today and this weekend and all year long!

Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

It's time to take a break.

Today is Hump Day, but its also the day before Turkey Day, so many of us are about done for the week.


We hope you have a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving weekend. Counting our blessings, in all circumstances, is the theme of the day. I hope you are in that spot, and have the opportunity to share and enjoy it with others.

And a special thanks to those who are at work, on duty, during the holiday.

Our office will be closing Wednesday November 25 at 3 pm for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will reopen on Monday November 30 2015 at 9:00 am. We monitor phone and voice mail, so if an emergency comes up, we will respond as needed.

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Office phone 281-565-7550
Website www.brinsure.com
Claims assistance - www.brinsure.com/claims

THANK YOU VETERANS !!

We live in the most wonderful country in the world. The biggest reason for that is the thousands and thousands of men and women who have served us and our country in uniform. Many have suffered, most have been displaced, some have made the ultimate sacrifice. And families have given up their loved ones to a great calling, that can only be described as heroic.

The flag waves high and proud, the people walk and talk freely, and the Constitution is protected because  these folks put their lives aside, some of them made it a career, to take on adversity, danger. They are a special group.

Thank you Veterans, this is the day we remember you. Your country is grateful. God Bless You !

2016 Health Plans - what you need to know

2016 Healthcare Information for Individuals and Families

If you have started looking around at health insurance in the past few days, you are finding out that there have been drastic changes in health insurance policies and how they perform. Especially in Texas, and, more especially, here in the Houston market. Here is a summary of some of the changes --

• PPOs are not offered in the Houston Market from any major carriers. One exception is Memorial Hermann Health Plans. See below for more information.
• PPOs offer out of network benefits. HMOs do not. VERY important if you are using a doctor you like, but he isn’t in the network of your current plan. If you end up on an HMO, you won’t be able to use him/her on the plan at all.
• Benefit amounts, limited number of copay office visits, higher deductibles/out-of-pocket expenses are all being affected
• There are better rates out there if you shop around, but you will have to change plans, and probably give up or change coverages, deductibles (higher) copays and providers.

It seems that the insurance carriers lost a lot of money in their PPO plans in 2014 and 2015. Click here to see one media report.  They are re-calibrating their offerings to be more financially stable. You might think they make plenty of money, LOL, but the reality is that they are significantly changing what they offer for plan year 2016 due to cost pressures.

In other words, it seems, the regulations they are forced to comply with, are causing higher costs, which they did not anticipate. And, they don’t think you will pay what they would have to charge for those plans.

EPOs and HMOs are the only types of plans being offered right now. EPO is Exclusive Provider Organization. No referral is required to seek specialist treatment. That is because the only providers available are ones that are already a part of their network, so you have to go to their doctors. (in other words, if your doctor is not on their plan, you will have to change doctors.) HMO is Health Maintenance Organization. This is the old, original scheme that was used when health insurance first came out in the 1970s, thanks to a bill sponsored by Sen Ted Kennedy. It has been updated several times since then, but it is not the same animal we are used to in PPOs.

HMOs are designed to cut costs, and provide maintenance care,  generally in your home market area. If you are out of their service area (IE out of state) access to covered care can be limited or unavailable. They cut costs by contracting with a specific group of hospitals, facilities and doctors and providers. They are certainly worthwhile, but if you are used to PPOs and how they work, you will have to re-educate yourself for this new product.

As noted above, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System opened a health insurance company a few years ago. They offer individual plans. PPOs and HMOs. Since they only operate facilities and provider groups in the Houston area, they are only available to those who live in the Houston Metro area. Therefore, the service area may be smaller than other carriers, and their network only includes Memorial Hermann providers. BUT, they do have a PPO, which includes out of network benefits. Please let us know if you would like more information or a quote.

News reports and other information has indicated that you can find cheaper premiums if you just shop around this year. That is probably generally true, BUT, it means disruption for you in changing plans, possibly changing doctors and facilities, and just general aggravation and turmoil. Especially if you are currently in treatment/care for an ongoing medical condition.

SOOOO, please pay attention to the details of the new plans that are available for 2016.

And remember, open enrollment is from November 1 2015 to January 31 2016. To get a plan that starts January 1 2016, your application MUST be submitted by December 15 2015.

More information is available at healthcare.gov

National Night Out 2015

Yes, we are later than most of the rest of the country, because we don't want to cook outside in August! NNO in Texas is tomorrow, Tuesday October 6 2015. Get some drinks, hot dogs, chicken, brisket, ice cream (Blue Bell is back!) and hang out with the folks. Always good to know your neighbors. Maybe even make a new friend or two.

http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/nationalnightout or google your hometown's national night out info.

Have a great time!!!

Its Fall! Can you believe it???

September is halfway done! Wednesday was the first day of Autumn, and we are well into football season. Tailgating, watch parties, and team apparel are all over the place. Its also back to a regular routine after the summer break. Sometimes that brings to mind opportunities to take care of some tasks or responsibilities you've been thinking about. If any of those involve asset protection, insurance, or expanding needs, please give us a call. No obligation, no pressure, just a pleasant conversation. If something develops, great. If you get some good information or understanding, even better.

As local residents, may we suggest that you help do something to make our community and its residents better. Volunteer, host a National Night Out party, be engaged with your neighbors, enjoy your neighborhood, be active in your church, temple or synagogue, and lets protect and serve one another.

Enjoy your day to the fullest!

In Memoriam Deputy Darren Goforth, HCSO

Thank you for your service Deputy Goforth. Prayers for your family, friends, colleagues in blue. #endofwatch8282015
Remember our law enforcement officers and their families. They are there for us everyday.

http://bit.ly/1IOvMm4

A Shocking Experience

I had a pretty nasty traffic accident about 3 weeks ago. Got t-boned, spun around 180 degrees going backwards down the road. The drive shaft rolled out from under the truck after I stopped. I didn't have any serious outward injuries, but have some back and neck pain. Been "off" ever since. Hard to sleep, get tired easy, no stamina.
Since then I have been noticing the habits and behaviors of other drivers. It scares the living daylights out of me. Texting, talking, weaving, flying. Reckless. Everybody's in a hurry and thinks they are the only ones on the road, or just don't give a flip.
We can't stop what other people do, but we can control our behavior and reactions. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't push the pace. Don't gun it when there's no where to go. If you're in a hurry, and have a wreck (even if its not your fault) you won't be in a hurry anymore. It took me 12 hrs just to shake off the shock. Let somebody else go first if its not apparent who got there first. Try to be accommodating if its practical. Just a thought...

Happy Independence Day!!!

Independence Day 2015, 239 and counting.

The First Independence Day...

Was based on the legal separation of the original 13 American Colonies from England on July 2 1776. This is the day that the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution before them to break away.  July 4 was the date on the Declaration of Independence, and the date that they approved the final draft. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin all wrote that they signed the Declaration on that day. It seems that it actually took about a month for all the signatures to be collected. That was completed in August, 1776.

Weather Alert

The system in the Gulf is now Tropical Storm Bill. Heavy winds are not expected, but lots of rain is. Keep an eye on the weather, but its probably not gonna be as bad as the TV people say! Watch out for friends and neighbors, and don't drive if it starts flooding. Call us if you need us. Be safe!

National Weather Service local forecast and information here

Greater Houston weather conditions

Houston area weather is causing considerable problems for residents. No need to tell you that. If you have actual or possible damage or loss to your property, it is important that you take quick action to protect yourself and your property. Being very careful to not get hurt, please have temporary repairs made or do them yourself as you are able. If you are not able, wait it out for a safer period or location. Take pictures, make notes, and keep receipts. Claims reports can be made over the next few days; they don't need to be reported today. We will help you determine the next best possible actions so that you can make good decisions.

You can access our website, brinsure.com for contact and claims information. Or email me here to report your situation. We will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you and Be Safe.

Bob Ruzicka
Principal

Memorial Day 2015 -Remembering and Honoring

To be an American is a great honor, coupled with a specific responsibility. To protect the nation, keep it free, help others where appropriate, and keep it a place for others to come. We honor our fallen veterans today who have done so in so many ways and various different periods of history over the past 239 years.

Thank you to those who gave and to their family and friends. If you know of one of these thank them.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -- John F. Kennedy

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr King is an icon in American History. His value and worth and example endure today in a world that is troubled. His influence in society is important for our future as well. If you are off, enjoy the day! If not,its still a good day to remember a great American hero.