Increasing healthcare costs have most people concerned about keeping expenses low, even leading some to pass up health insurance because they think they cannot afford it. Under the Affordable Care Act, everyone must purchase healthcare coverage or risk possibly paying a fine to the government. Truth is, even if you have to pinch pennies for a while, you can’t afford to skip health insurance. There’s always a chance you may slip at the pool and break a bone or your child may get burnt while roasting marshmallows at a backyard BBQ. 

Even though you need health insurance, there are still ways you can cut back on expenses. Here are some tips to help you save money on your healthcare costs.

Ask for the generic prescription: It’s often just as good as the name brand one, but without the colorful branding and catchy ad jingle. For medications you take regularly, the savings can end up being significant over the course of a year.

Inquire about a cash discount: When you haven’t met your deductible and have to pay out-of-pocket, ask your doctor for a discount for paying in cash. Start the negotiations by offering to pay 50 percent of your bill; you’ll be surprised at how well this can work in some cases. 

Give up unhealthy habits: People who smoke, drink or live a sedentary lifestyle usually have more illnesses and long-term diseases. By changing your lifestyle, you’re less likely to make frequent trips to the doctor.

Beef up your Health Savings Account:?Putting money in a Health Savings Account offers you a triple tax break. Contributions lower your taxable income, they grow tax-deferred and can be used tax-free for medical expenses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Health Savings Account, and if so, open one and start contributing each year.

Get regular checkups: Catching diseases or health problems early on is a key factor in treatment and regaining your good health. No matter how busy you are or how much you dislike the doctor’s office, stay current on your checkups.

Lose weight:? With more than a third of Americans obese, many people could stand to lose a few pounds. Even shedding as little as 10 percent of your body weight helps you stay healthier and cut your risk for many diseases. 

Need healthcare coverage? Want more tips on saving in regards to healthcare? Your independent insurance agent is here to help!

We’ll help you find the right coverage. Call First Community Financial Group today to get started on the right health care policy for you.
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Home break-ins are all too common, especially during the daytime on weekdays when most people are away at their jobs. Home break-ins are also most frequent during the warm months of the year. However, many break-ins are preventable by increasing your home security. Use these tips to protect your property.

Install a Home Alarm System
There are home alarm systems that use a variety of sensor technology, such as motion detectors, contact sensors and glass-breakage detectors. Most alarm systems also notify either the local police or a monitoring center through a land line. After installation, it’s important to advertise the fact that your home is protected by an alarm so that thieves are deterred. Use the stickers provided and place them in obvious spots where a break-in is likely to occur.

Secure Sliding Patio Doors
The latching mechanisms on sliding doors are easily forced open. Place a bar or a broom stick handle into the track on the door bottom. It should be sized so that the door doesn’t move, yet the stick is easily removed from the inside.
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Keep Ladders and Tools Inside
Don’t leave tools and ladders lying around in the yard. These can facilitate a burglar’s entry into your home. Burglars are opportunistic by nature and will take advantage of anything that makes their work easier.

Check Your Door Knob Locks
A common problem with door knob locks is that sometimes the latch barely extends into the strike plate. This could be the result of a sloppy installation or of repeated temperature and humidity cycles that cause the dimensions of the surrounding wood to change. When the latch barely extends into the strike plate, the door is easily popped open with a good shove. Test all of your doors. Exterior doors should be further reinforced with a deadbolt lock.

Install Motion Activated Lights
Motion activated lights that illuminate the exterior of your garage door and other exterior doors will help deter the thief who tries to break in at night. These lights should either remain on or should be timed to turn off after several hours.

Install a Timer
Use a timer that automatically turns on internal and external lights when you’re away on a trip or vacation. Set the timing so that it mimics your normal routine.

Back Up Your Window Latches
Windows often use latches rather than locks. Depending on your particular window type, simple and inexpensive secondary locks are available in various hardware stores. These are easily installed within an hour or so.

Use the above tips to beef up your home’s security so that your loved ones and property are protected. Also make sure that your homeowners insurance provides enough coverage by giving your insurance agent a call.
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Are you covered? Contact First Community Financial Group  today for more information on home insurance.

A home is the largest purchase most Americans will ever make. They want to protect it and their belongings in the event of an unpreventable disaster. This is why most people carry homeowners’ insurance.

Yet, having full coverage does not mean paying top dollar for home insurance premiums. The more secure your home is, the better chance you have of reducing your overall costs.
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These three home improvement projects might lower your premiums. They can also give you an incomparable peace of mind when it comes to protecting your family.

1. Install a Fence
Installing a fence will act as a theft deterrent and may lower your home insurance premiums. It can also help you protect recreational equipment like pools. It makes great sense to have a fence around your pool or home, and it is the law in some areas.
But before you begin digging holes, consult with your local city office. See where your property line is and find out any ordinances that cover the installation of a fence. Saving on your premiums will be moot if you have to install your fence twice.

2. Install a Home Monitoring System
Total home monitoring systems connect smoke and fire alarms with intrusion detection. A central office monitors these systems. Systems can often dispatch police and fire support for any breaches that may occur.
Subscribing to a home monitoring system can help you save on your home insurance policy. Even installing smoke detectors, motion-activated lighting or shatter proof windows can affect your premium costs.

3. Consider Upgrading Structural Components
Upgrades such as a new roof, new plumbing and new electrical wiring go far beyond a weekend do-it-yourself project. However, they may end up saving you on your insurance costs.
Older homes are especially vulnerable to fire from old wiring, water damage from old pipes and wind damage from an old roof. Upgrading the home can help you protect yourself. Use a reputable contractor that is both licensed and insured for any system upgrades. Notify your insurance carrier once the contractor completes the job. You might qualify for discounts once you renew your policy.

Whether you are a first time homeowner looking to save on insurance costs or are looking for strategic upgrades, these home improvement projects go beyond insurance. They offer you additional peace of mind in a safe, sound home.

We’ve got you covered. We can help you get a home insurance policy that is affordable. Call us for more information on pricing and discounts. 

Whether your East Texas home is a three-story Tudor, a skyline-grazing apartment or an RV on wheels, you need at least one fire extinguisher for it. But if you don’t have the right one, or you haven’t checked it recently, you may have a false sense of security rather than a fire-fighting device.

There are a few important things to know about fire extinguishers, but they aren’t complicated. Here are three things to help you get up to speed:


1.      There are extinguishers for each type of fire. Class A: ordinary combustibles, such as wood; Class B: flammable liquids or gasses, such as gasoline or propane; Class C: energized electrical equipment like appliances; Class D: combustible metals; and Class K: cooking oils and greases. An extinguisher that isn’t rated for the fire you’re trying to fight likely won’t help.
2.      Multipurpose extinguishers are widely available. Typically rated for Class A, B and C fires, they are good for most living areas and also work on small grease fires. You need at least one for each level of your home, and one in the garage is a good idea, too. Store them in an accessible area and inspect them regularly for rust and other damage. Also follow any maintenance instructions included with the device. Some need to be shaken regularly, for example.
3.      Remember “P.A.S.S.” when you use your extinguisher.  

• Pull the pin. 
• Aim the nozzle at the fire’s base.
• Squeeze the lever.
• Sweep the nozzle back and forth.

And always keep your back to an exit when fighting a fire. You need to be able to escape quickly if necessary.
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Even more important than knowing how to use your fire extinguisher is knowing when not to use it. If you’d be putting yourself at risk trying to fight a fire, leave the area immediately. You should already have a family fire escape plan in place, so don’t hesitate to use it if there’s any question about your safety.

After all, your life is irreplaceable. Your insurance, however, can help you rebuild your home and replace your belongings. If you’d like to check up on your coverage, give us a call today.  Contact Us - First Community Financial Group Inc (firstcfg.com)

Trees are pretty amazing things. They produce oxygen. They serve as natural air conditioners, both by blocking sunlight and through evaporation. And they even absorb sounds, helping to keep things peaceful.

These benefits, along with countless others, are great reasons to keep the trees on your East Texas property in good shape. Looking for another? Unhealthy trees can actually pose great danger to your home and property, as well as to your family and other people.

With these tips from the National Arbor Day Foundation, you can help prevent tree trouble – and potentially save yourself from a home insurance claim:

1.      Inspect trees frequently. The size, color and condition of leaves, and overall leaf cover, are good indicators of a tree’s health. Cavities or disfiguration can be a warning sign, although they don’t always mean a tree is a hazard. Just keep a close eye on it. Dead branches are a big risk, because they can fall easily. Those that cross or rub can create weak spots.
2.      Plant in an appropriate space. Putting in a tree that will grow to be large? Don’t put it near power or sewer lines, or close to your home. And avoid brittle trees – their limbs are weak and more likely to break and fall. Examples include Silver Maples and Willows.
3.      Prune correctly. Cut outside the branch collar, and prune regularly as trees age. Don’t allow a tree to be topped.
4.      Leave it to an expert. Once a year, have a qualified arborist thoroughly evaluate the trees on your property. An arborist can identify ones that need to come down immediately, as well as those to watch. In particular, trees that have been topped, or that have lost large limbs unexpectedly, could cause trouble. Taking down trees can be very dangerous, so leave it to a professional.
5.      Remember, you’re responsible. Property owners are generally responsible when their hazardous trees cause damage or injury to others. So keep your trees healthy, your space beautiful and your liability low!

When a tree does fall, you may or may not have coverage through your homeowners policy for any damage it may cause. If you’d like to discuss your coverage, please give us a call today. It may be a good time to think about adding extra liability coverage to your insurance portfolio with an umbrella policy.

​When it comes to power tool safety, there’s a simple way to think about it: Use your head, keep your fingers.

All joking aside, it’s extremely important to your entire well-being to use power tools with the utmost of care.

Here’s how:

1.      Read all about it. You love the feeling of firing up and wielding a tool that’s abuzz with power. Just don’t do so until you’ve read the instructions. The instructions will help you get the most out of your tool, both in terms of safety and performance.
2.      Take notes. When you get a new tool, jot down the details and add the notes to your home inventory. Include a description, serial number and a copy of the receipt if you have it, because it will all come in handy if your tools are ever stolen, or damaged in a fire or other disaster. Not big on writing? Photos or videos are great, too.
3.      Get to work. Finally, it’s time to work, so long as you’ve got the right safety gear. This may include: eye and ear protection; a mask or respirator if the project will kick up a lot of dust or other fine debris; and protective clothing that isn’t loose.
4.      Don’t rush. Working too quickly can lead to injuries. Always stay in control by making sure your work area is stable and clean. Use both hands to operate your power tools, and avoid distractions while you work. Don’t ever use powerful tools if you’re tired, sick or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Not only will you jeopardize your safety, you probably won’t be happy with your work.
5.      Take good care of your tools. Keep your tools clean and stored in a safe, secure area. Replace parts, such as blades, as soon as they become bent or warped, and don’t ever use tools that have been damaged. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, along with using a little common sense, should help ensure your tools remain in good working order for years to come. Let’s hope that deck you’re building will, too.
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It’s hard to imagine a time before power tools existed – think of all the calluses! Just be sure to wield the power responsibly each and every time you tackle a new project on your East Texas home.
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Leaving your lights on — is it really a good way to keep burglars away from your Livingston, Texas home, or can it actually attract them? Or, is it just a “good” way to increase your electricity bill?
As with so many questions in life, there isn’t one “right” answer. Using lights to enhance your home security can be effective, especially as part of a larger overall strategy. With that in mind, here are five things to consider:

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1.      Remember that variety is key. If your exterior lights are always on, even during the day, that can be a signal to burglars that nobody is home. Otherwise, you’d probably turn off the lights after sunrise, right? Don’t leave your lights on constantly while you’re on vacation or at work. Use timers or lights that can be turned on and off remotely to create different looks.
​2.      Try motion-detecting lights. These allow you to leave your lights off while you’re away or asleep, but, if someone is lurking around your house, the lights will come on. This often will scare off a burglar.
​3.      Consider your home’s surroundings. If you have overgrown bushes or trees on your property, burglars might be able to take cover even in the light. And, if you live in a rural area, with nobody around to notice uninvited guests on your property, lights may not do much to thwart them.
​4.      Connect with the neighbors. Even if you do have neighbors nearby, would they know when something – or someone – was out of place? Build a relationship with them, so they’ll know when you’re at work or on vacation, and so they can tell when something doesn’t look right.
5.      Switch up your interior lights. A house that’s dark inside for a few days looks unoccupied, no matter how many outside lights are on. So, remember to set timers or turn lights on in different rooms of your house occasionally as well. This can help create the illusion that someone is home.
Of course, there’s no one perfect way to keep your Livingston, Texas home safe. The best strategies oftentimes involve a number of different deterrents. So, mix it up, with your lights and other things, to keep burglars guessing whether or not anyone’s home.

​Your home protects you from the elements, but heavy rains can weaken that protection. With a little maintenance and a lot of vigilance, it’s not hard to stay safe and dry. 

Spring rainstorms in Texas are a fact of life in many areas of the state, and they help keep things green, even if they keep you inside. But when they get heavy, it’s time to start thinking about the potential impact all that water has on your home.

​The first step is finding and fixing any immediate problems as soon as it’s safe to do so. Then, you’ll want to take measures to prevent those problems from happening during the next downpour!

​Where is all that rain going?
Your roof and gutters form a key line of defense for your home – and in a storm, they’re vulnerable, because so many things can damage them. Trees, hail, and other objects can create weaknesses that might lead to leaks in your roof, so check for missing shingles and other issues. And keep your gutters clear so all that water drains properly.

Are you checking everywhere?
Water dripping from the ceiling is hard to miss. Water in your crawl space, however, can easily go undetected because hardly anyone ever checks there. Don’t forget to look down there after a storm (or have a professional do it) to make sure everything is nice and dry. If you do see moisture, you’ll want to get it out with a sump pump as soon as possible.

And don’t just look up – another place to check is your home’s exterior, whether it’s siding, brick, or another material. Weak spots can be hard to see, so look at various times of the day in different lighting conditions.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed to keep the elements out, too.

What about around your property?
Storm water has to go somewhere, and if your property doesn’t drain well, or if runoff goes toward your foundation, you could have problems. So watch for patterns, and grade property so it drains away from your home if possible. Always be wary of hillsides and tilting trees after heavy storms, because the land might not be stable.
And don’t forget to keep storm drains clear of leaves and other debris. This can prevent flooding both on the streets and your own property.

What should you do during the storm?
During powerful storms, stay inside. This is not the time to check your roof, your exterior, or your property unless there’s an emergency and you know it’s safe to go out. Monitor your interior, making sure no water is getting in. If it is, do what you can to alleviate the situation in the moment, even if it means just placing something under a leak to collect the water. For more serious problems, though, remember that safety is the most important thing. If your basement is flooding, for example, don’t go down there – you could be trapped and even drown.

Thankfully, powerful storms only hit once in a while. Preparing for them, however, should be on your mind a lot more frequently, because the next one could be tomorrow.
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Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
First Community Financial Group Incorporated (safeco.com)

During the summer, the warm weather makes it easy for you to heat your grill and cook your favorite food outside. Not only is it tasty, but it can also save you the discomfort of heating your home (and paying a higher HVAC bill triggered by the extra cooling costs).

Ribs, chicken, burgers and vegetables all taste especially flavorful when grilled on a beautiful sunny day, and grilling is a great time to gather family and friends and spend some time together. This is a great way to socialize while still abiding by social distancing precautions that continue to affect multiple parts of the country.

Still, grilling is as risky as any other type of cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to nearly 9,000 residential fires caused by gas or charcoal barbecues between 2007 and 2011. But, if you are aware of the risks, you can go a long way towards keeping your family safe.

Always keep these safety tips in mind while grilling up your favorites.

1. Only use the grill outdoors. Don’t feel tempted to bring the grill indoors during bad weather.
2. Keep the grill clean. The build-up of grease drippings or charred materials may cause fire flare-ups that can quickly get out of control.
3. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Make sure it is rated for grease fires. Sand or baking soda will also snuff out a fire.
4. Keep the grill out of a high-traffic area. People and children may walk too close, not knowing that the grill is hot.
5. Grills should also not be near any structures or deck railings. Look up and make sure there are no eaves or overhanging branches directly overhead.
6. Do not operate the grill with loose clothing. Hanging sleeves and apron strings are especially dangerous.
7. For a gas grill, check lines periodically with soapy water for any leaks.
8. If the fire ever goes out while you are cooking, open the lid and let any leaked gas dissipate for five minutes before re-lighting.
9. Use lighter fluid sparingly and cautiously. Charcoal chimney starters are a safer way to heat up charcoal.
10. Remember grills hold heat for a long time. Gas grills can stay hot an hour after you turn them off, and charcoal for several hours. Dispose of charcoal in a metal container after it cools.

Grilling season is often accompanied by backyard fun and relaxation, but don’t get distracted from your task while cooking outdoors. Keep these tips in mind to keep your home and family safe, and while you’re at it, review your homeowners insurance. Make certain that your policy will always have the appropriate benefits in place if a problem occurs.

Solar panels can be economically and environmentally sound, and they’re more accessible than ever. According to one research firm, U.S. homes and businesses installed a new system every four minutes in 2018.

But, is solar power right for you here in East Texas? It is sunny here a lot of the time, but to help you address the question here are five things to think about before making the switch:


1.      The different options for installing a solar system. Oftentimes you don’t have to foot the full cost of going solar yourself. Instead, you may be able to lease a system from a company that installs and maintains it, or enter into an agreement where a third party actually owns the system and bills you (likely at a reduced rate) for electricity. Just keep in mind that installing and owning your own system may provide the best long-term return, and tax credits or rebates may help to lower upfront costs.
2.      Your current energy costs — and your future needs. Depending on your situation, you could have relatively low energy bills now and not be as motivated to pursue solar as someone with higher costs. But what does the future look like? If your family is growing, your energy costs are probably about to grow, too, and investing in solar might be worth your while.
3.      The power a system would generate. Have a reputable solar company measure the amount of sun your home gets, taking into account things such as shade, trees, etc., so you can make an informed decision about expected savings.
4.      What your homeowners policy says. With any improvement that increases the value of your home, you need to make sure your insurance policy reflects the change. Give us a call to see if your policy already covers solar panels. If it doesn’t, we can help you amend it.
5.      Your goals. Are you mainly looking to save money? Help the environment? Both? Knowing your goals will help you determine whether solar is the right choice for you, as well as which option makes the most sense. No matter what you choose, even considering solar means you’re thinking about energy a little differently. And that’s a good thing.

Renewable power – it can help protect your from rising energy costs and even power outages, not to mention the good it does for the environment. Just be sure to consider your options and all the costs involved before making the leap.

Content provided by Safeco Ins. 
First Community Financial Group Incorporated (safeco.com)