Let's file  this under don't take yourself too seriously!
Cowboy Steve age 3 1/2 circa 1969. 

by Stephen Donohue NH Small Group Health Insurance Broker
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a unique program that lets employees and their family members save money on healthcare costs. You can save on:

• MRIs & CT Scans
• Lab test
• X-rays
• Physical Therapy
• Surgical Procedures
• and More!

Anthem's SmartShopper helps members find the best prices for health care
Medical costs vary dramatically depending on where you go. SmartShopper helps members compare and find the best price for the care they need. And it rewards them with cash when they find and use lower-cost options.

This is what makes ANTHEM's online resource, SmartShopper, the smart way to manage health care costs. This tool is available now for Fully Insured Small and Large Group clients in New Hampshire.

Here’s how SmartShopper works:

1. A doctor recommends a medical service.
2. The member logs on to smartshopper.com or calls the SmartShopper Personal Assistant Team to find lower-cost, high-quality options nearby.
3. The member gets the procedure done at the preferred location.
4. After the procedure is complete and the claim is paid, the member gets a reward check in the mail.*

 The Personal Assistant Team is happy to help Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The toll-free number is 1-866-832-2436. 

Want to know more?
Check out this brochure or call NH Small Group health insurance broker Steve Donohue 603-882-2909 for more ideas on how you can help your employees save on health care costs! 
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by Steve Donohue NH Teen Driver Insurance Agent

As a parent of 5 daughters (and a car insurance agent)  I would like to THINK i am  an expert on teen driving and what kind of car is safe for a teen driver. But my expert status is self-proclaimed and unconfirmed, however, over at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)  they ARE THE REAL EXPERTS on safe driving.

The IIHS offers a great deal of information that parents of teen drivers will appreciate including:

• What kind of car is SAFEST for a teen driver
• Features that car's have safety features like Electronic Stability Control and Blind  Spot Indicators 
• Educational help for parents and teens

A friend of mine shared one of their best resources is an article titled SAFE VEHICLES FOR TEENS that lists specific cars AND their estimated cost. See if your family car makes the list of BEST CHOICES and  check out their other helpful resources. 

If you are a parent of a teen driver- please visit my article Helpful Hints for Parent's of Teen Drivers.

If you think you are paying too much or need help with NH TEEN DRIVER INSURANCE please call us today at 603-882-2909. We work with several NH auto insurance companies and know the BEST INSURANCE PROGRAMS for teen drivers.

See 2 VOLVOs of the DONOHUE Fleet below that make the list for safe driving cars by the IIHS!!! 

Hit the holiday road with fun and great suggestions offered by NH Car Insurance Company Plymouth Rock Assurance- Nashua NH Auto Insurance Agent..
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​Family vacations can be a lot of fun, and maybe even a little relaxing. But before you get to your destination there’s inevitably a long trip in the car. Hours on the road can be torturous for kids – and you – if you don’t plan ahead.

After escaping the stress of work, the last thing you want on the first step of your vacation is excitable feet kicking the back of your chair and constant accusations of “he started it!”

​That’s no way to start (or end) a vacation – and you don’t need to! Here’s how to keep kids happy in the car during those hours on the road.

1. Play games that won’t distract you from the road. While it’s difficult to jilt the classic I-Spy, anything could happen on the road in the time you spend trying to find your chosen object. Instead, play games like 20 Questions. Everyone can get involved, and the quick-fire nature of the questions means that you should never be spending too much time thinking instead of concentrating.
2. Have a singalong. The road trip singalong may be clichéd, but with the excitement of going on vacation the mood might just be bright enough for you all to tone those vocal cords.
3. Share a storytelling experience. Pre-plan and find an audiotape that everyone can listen to or if you’re feeling extra creative, try making your own tale. One person says one sentence; the next adds another, and so on.
4. Bring treats. Ideally ones that are low in sugar (to refrain from giving your kids even more energy). Think popcorn, carrot sticks, or even pistachios … just make sure you have a way to deal with all the shells.
5. Technology is your friend. With phones, laptops and DVD players at your disposal, it’s easier than ever to watch a movie on the go. Don’t forget car chargers!
6. Create a countdown. Segment your journey into half-hour periods with an activity every 30 minutes. If your kids know that they have any of the above activities to look forward to in only a matter of minutes, the true length of the journey will be diluted into easier-to-manage segments.
7. Plan a play date right before you leave. Enlist some of your friends to supervise playtime (make sure it’s full of high-energy playing). Not only will this make your journey easier, it will also give you some valuable packing time with minimal distraction.
8. Plan stops on your trip. A little legwork can go a long way to break up the monotony. Are there any funky attractions en route? How about some child-friendly museums or a picnic spot with great views? A break from driving will not only help to stretch the legs, but will also help you re-focus for the rest of the journey ahead.
9. Color! A classic kid standby. Need something to color? Plymouth Rock has you covered. Here’s a downloadable coloring book featuring our mascot Otto! Your kids will have a blast helping Otto navigate has way through the tricky maze to the Crashbuster van, spotting the difference between pictures and coloring everything in.

If you are planning a family road trip, make sure to brush up on your skills to prepare for the unexpected, like replacing flat tires, reviving dead car batteries, reporting an auto insurance claim and driving through a rainstorm.
Make sure you also have your auto insurance ID cards handy, too. Plymouth Rock customers can get electronic ID cards (if they are accepted in your state) by downloading our mobile app.

If you have more tips to keep kids happy in the car on a long road trip, share them with us and everyone else!

by Steve Donohue Nashua Medicare Supplement broker
In New Hampshire there are 22 different insurers that sell Medicare Supplemental plans  this year.  So who has the best rates for you this year? See quick overview of the  NH Medicare Insurance Market below:
Age 65 Female                
Plan F    $175.54   Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire
Plan G    $136.05  Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire
Plan N    $114.95   First Health Life & Health Insurance Company

Age 65 Male
Plan F    $180.00    TransAmerica Life Insurance Company
Plan G    $145.00    Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Insurance Company
Plan N    $122.03    First Health Life & Health Insurance Company

To get a NH Medigap Quote Click here and complete the form- it takes less than 2 minutes. Or please give us a call at 603-882-2909.

This post brought to you by Trusted Choice the Big I and AIG​

Summer. It brings to mind pleasing images of bright sunshine, beaches, pools, backyard cookouts, watermelon, vacation travel, ice cream, high temperatures and refreshing lemonade, among others. The hazards of summer include heat stroke, drowning, sunburn, bug bites, and food poisoning as food spoils faster in the heat. Protecting yourself from these and other hazards takes a few precautions. 

Protecting your home is a little more complicated but not overwhelming. AIG has prepared a short list of steps towards protecting your home during summer months and beyond. Feel free to share these helpful tips with your clients 

Water safety

• If you have a pool, restrict access to the area with a gate or doors that automatically lock. Have your gate locks checked annually to ensure they are working properly.
• For added safety, especially if there are young children at home, equip the door/gate with an alarm or sensors at the pool.
• Consider a rolling pool cover, which can provide even more protection than a gate or fence.
• If you are entertaining at your pool or on a lake, consider hiring a lifeguard to ensure someone is always watching those in the water.
• Elaborate pool areas with rock formations and slides can enhance the risk for injury. Be sure areas are properly secured or restricted when needed.

Traveling

• Don't post on social media that you are leaving town, and wait to post photos until after you return.
• If you will be gone for an extended period of time, ask a private staff member, friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home and have your mail held at the local post office.
• Put lights on timers to give the impression that someone is home.

Fire prevention

• If your grill or outdoor kitchen is near your home or on a deck/porch attached to your home, it should be equipped with an automatic shutoff device. These devices have a timer installed in the gas supply line that automatically shuts off the gas supply after a predetermined length of time.
• Never use chimineas or fire pits on decks, gazebos, covered patios or anywhere there are overhangs. They should be located at least 15 feet away from any structure.

General home maintenance

• When cleaning gutters and roofs, remove debris and check for winter damage that should be repaired.
• Make sure trees on your property are healthy to avoid toppling onto your home during high winds.
• If you live in a wildfire-prone area, remove all dead materials from trees/bushes/landscaping to eliminate fuels in the wildfire, and keep grass areas short.

Get Nashua, Merrimack, Hudson, Hollis or Amherst Home Insurance Quote Here

If you are looking to sby Steve Donohue NH Medicare Insurance Agent                                                                                                                              August 20, 2018

If you are enrolled on Medicare you may be concerned about the kinds of preventive care that Medicare covers. As a NH Medicare Supplement agent and NH Medicare Advantage broker each year in order to sell certain kinds of Medicare plans I am obligated to complete a thorough Medicare training.

When studying this year I came across this list of Medicare Preventative Services  and I thought it would be helpful to share with my clients and the world at large.

Medicare Preventive Services include:

One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit

• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers:
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
• Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling
• Bone mass measurements (bone density)
• Cardiovascular disease screenings
• Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)
• Cervical & vaginal cancer screening
• Colorectal cancer screenings
• Depression screenings
• Diabetes screenings
• Diabetes self-management training 
• Glaucoma tests
• Hepatitis C screening test
• HIV screening
• Lung cancer screening
• Mammograms (screening) 
• Nutrition therapy services
• Obesity screenings & counseling
• One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
• Prostate cancer screenings
• Sexually transmitted infections screening & counseling
• Shots:
  • Flu shots
  • Hepatitis B shots
  • Pneumococcal shots
• Tobacco use cessation counseling
• Yearly "Wellness" visit

Please know that beneficiaries may have cost sharing if they receive non-preventive services during an appointment for preventive services. For example, if they receive diagnostic lab tests during their annual wellness visit.

If you are looking to see how much NH Medicare Supplements cost for you or a loved one- CLICK HERE to complete our online quote (it only takes a few minutes)- or please call us at 603-882-2909.
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From expensive accessories to treasured heirlooms, we know how much your prized possessions mean to you.

That’s why it’s important to talk to your local agent to make sure that all of your valuables are fully covered in the event of damage, loss, or theft. By adding Valuable Articles Coverage to your current NH homeowners insurance policy, you will get the enhanced protection you need and peace of mind knowing the treasured items in your home are protected.

by Steve Donohue owner of Insurance Agency,  in Nashua NH
The insurance industry is full of jargon- terms that companies use that to an outsider make no sense.

I remember when I was buying one of my first policies, the insurance agent said to me I put an endorsement on your policy.  I didn't want to appear stupid so I just said thanks, but thought to myself "is an endorsement a good thing- or a bad thing?"

See definition:
Endorsement - an amendment or rider to a policy adjusting the coverages and taking precedence over the general contract.

For the most part endorsements are GOOD THINGS! The Concord Group has some attractive endorsements that take an ordinary home or car insurance policy and makes them better. See PDF's of the enhancements that each endorsement offers below- or give us a call and we can help you determine what coverage may be right for you.

Concord Group Home Insurance Endorsements:

• CHEC
• ESP
• ESP + Extra Security
• ESP Ultra

Concord Group Car Insurance Endorsements

• PACE
• PACE +
• Redi-Check Income Replacement
• Extended Transportation to Rental Car Coverage

Let Atlantic Insurance a Car and Home Insurance Agency in Nashua, NH help you buy insurance today- call us at 603-882-2909 for a quote. 

by RV Insurance NH Agent Stephen Donohue of Atlantic Insurance in Nashua, NH

Every insurance agent talks about selling RV insurance- but let's remember what insurance is for- to protect you, your family, and your belongings. I came across a great article about what to do if you are involved in an accident with your RV,  Motorhome or Camper.

Trusted Choice® offers some great tools for consumers.

Below please see our brief overview of an article by Trusted Choice® on what to do if you are in an accident  or need to file a claim for your RV.   Before you are ready to file a claim, here are 5 things may need to be taken care of first:

1. Get off the road to avoid injury from traffic.
2. If anyone is injured, or you are blocking traffic, call 911.
3. When talking with police, explain what happened. Let the authorities determine who is responsible based on the information gathered at the scene.  
4. Be sure to get a copy of the police report  this document will be helpful to your insurance agent.
5. Document everything that could help you file a claim. For example:

• Take down the contact information and insurance policy information from all other drivers involved.
• Take photos of the other motorists’ license plates.
• Make a note of the time of day and weather
• Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and any damage to other vehicles.
• Take pictures of your surroundings including street signs and any identifying landmarks.

This is just a quick summary of the helpful info provided by Trusted Choice®. To read the entire article and to
learn more about what to do if you need to file an RV insurance claim please visit the Trusted Choice® Page HERE for More detailed information.

Also be sure to visit our other NH RV Camper or Motor Home Insurance resources here:
​NH RV Insurance Quote Page
NH RV Safe Driving Tips
Great Tools & Gadgets for your RV
Reviews of 3 Top NH RV Insurance Companies SafeCo, Progressive and Foremost
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