So, you decided to engage in sales in Russia, which means that you will inevitably run into the import of goods.
Import of goods should be understood as a process characterized by the importation of products produced abroad of Russia for the purpose of local consumption, the subsequent sale of imported goods or the re-importation of goods.
The company plans to expand interests and engage in foreign economic activity, always strives to think over the optimal scheme for importing goods to Russia, which will take into account its material benefits and, not least, time costs.
However, the import of goods to Russia is a rather complicated procedure and is very different from similar activities, for example, in the European Union. Despite this, a lot of European and American companies show a genuine interest in the issue of importing their goods to the territory of Russia and the countries of the Customs Union.
The Russian Federation accession to the World Trade Organization positively influenced to the import of products from foreign countries. In particular, there was a reduction in customs duties on many types of goods, which made the Russian market more attractive for foreign companies. But the procedures for passing customs control remain very complicated.
The procedure for importing products into Russia is regulated by the Customs and Tax Codes of the Russian Federation. All imported goods must be taxed: there is a collection of customs duties, excise duty, VAT (value-added tax) and other types of customs duties are levied. The fees are paid by the importer (declarer) or the importer's authorized representative, whose powers are to represent the interests of the importer at the time of crossing the border and are confirmed by the relevant documents.
Documents For Importing Goods To Russia.
The rules for the import of goods into Russia presuppose the mandatory registration the following documents :
- The constituent documents of the company that buys goods - your Russian company (copies).
- Original properly formed (according to the "Requirements for the contract") contract and its two copies, which will be the seal of the acquiring company.
- Passport of the import transaction (copies certified by the bank, copies certified by the buyer).
- Accompanying documents related to the goods arrived, which will indicate the current details of the buyer and seller, the number assigned to the contract, the cost of the products, the essential terms of delivery (all the data above must necessarily coincide with the same data , specified in the contract).
- Translated invoice of the goods, certified by the seal of the company.
- Documents confirming the company's license to conduct foreign trade, various certificates and other permits (when required).
- Payment order or any other document confirming the payment of customs fees (original).
- Information (packing list) on the packing material, weight of the products, the number of seats for the expected consignment should be indicated - relative to each item of the goods.
- Other documents mentioned in terms of delivery and contract. For example: a bill of lading (if carried by sea); TIR, CMR (if road transport is carried out); documents confirming cargo insurance; documents confirming the availability of prepayment, and others.
- Documents confirming the customs value of the products: transportation documents, documents confirming insurance (if specified in the terms of the contract), documents in which the transport costs are indicated, if those were not specified in the invoice.
The Customs Service May Request The Following Additional Documents :
customs declaration of the sending country, certified by the seller;
- Additional contracts concluded with persons related to the transaction;
- Accounts for payments to third parties in favor of the seller;
- Accounts related to commission, brokerage services and related to valued goods;
- Payment accounting documents;
- Licensing or author's agreements;
- Licenses for export / import;
- Receipts from storage warehouses;
- Documents confirming the order of delivery of the goods;
- Catalog, specification, price-list from the manufacturer;
- The calculation made by the manufacturer on the goods being valued (if firm agrees to provide such a calculation to the buyer from the Russian side);
- Payment and other documents related to the conduct of similar transactions or the purchase of similar goods;
- Other documents that can confirm the value of the goods declared in the customs declaration.
If the goods after crossing the border are delivered to the destination point by the territory of Russia, the shipping cost is deducted from the customs value. However, in order to carry out the recalculation, clear documentary evidence is required that the goods were transported through the territory of Russia, and evidence of such deductions and their quantity.
This can be contracts for the delivery of goods, which will indicate the cost of delivery and payment method, invoices indicating the details of the parties, documents confirming the payment for delivery services in accordance with the invoice.
Article 19.1 (a) of the Russian Law "On Customs Tariff" states that the cost of delivery includes the cost of transporting the goods, the cost of work related to unloading and loading of goods, the cost of cargo insurance. Accordingly, when the question of reimbursement of customs value is considered at the expense of the cost of delivering goods across Russia from the place where it was imported, each component of the cost of delivery is considered separately, since the cost of transportation will depend on the distance, loading operations - on the weight of the goods, and insurance - of the cost of the goods themselves.
The following explanatory materials are provided for a specific products: booklets, samples, technical description of the goods, drawings and so on. Copies of these documents must be certified by the seal of the acquiring company.
Under What Scheme Realized Import Of Goods To Russia?
Import of goods to Russia can be dealt independently, thoroughly studying the current legislation. But if there is a big deal and it is necessary to reduce the possible risks to zero, the intermediary should be connected to the import procedure. We are ready to take all the necessary obligations on ourselves and save you from documentary red tape. However, you need to know that there are two most common import options :
The First Import Scheme
The first scheme of import of goods to Russia is used for residents of the Russian Federation. It is convenient for companies that need to purchase goods abroad, but they do not plan to become participants in foreign economic activity.
To do this, these organizations adress to the services of an intermediary company, reducing the possible risks associated with the import of goods and avoiding the payment of additional taxes on the territory of Russia. Currency operations (if there is a need for them) are performed by the intermediary, so the customer may not open his own currency account, for transactions with the intermediary, it will be sufficient to have an already existing ruble account.
Participants In The Scheme :
- A resident (a Russian firm) planning to purchase goods abroad and at the same time wishing to protect themselves from the perceived risks that may arise, for example, in the process of customs clearance of imported goods; (your Russian representative office or company).
- The intermediary (the importer company), taking on the customs clearance of the goods (our company) arriving in Russia, and selling the imported goods to the resident;
- The supplier (the foreign seller of the goods and most likely the sender of the goods-YOU).
- Currency control and customs authorities do not check the resident when importing goods to Russia and after their release for free circulation;
- There is no need to participate in each related procedure: - Registration of the organization in customs authorities;
- Registration of a foreign trade contract;
- Opening a passport of the transaction in the bank;
- Control of storage times in temporary storage warehouses.
To implement the scheme, the intermediary and the resident can conclude a commission agreement or a contract of sale. An intermediary on behalf of a resident enters into a foreign trade contract with a supplier for the import of goods and services to Russia. If necessary, prepayment for the goods is made, this is done by the intermediary.
Then the goods are delivered to the address indicated by the intermediary, and then he carries out customs clearance of the cargo.
The Second Import Scheme
The second scheme of imports to Russia is used for non-residents (foreign persons). As a rule, it is used in companies that are manufacturers, forwarders, carriers, or in any other foreign companies interested in exporting their products. This option is used when the customer in Russia wants to buy goods and at the same time does not want to deal with importation, customs clearance, participate in foreign currency foreign trade transactions.
Participants In The Scheme :
- Non-resident (foreign organization);
- The importing company (the consignee of the goods) registered in Russia, engaged in the customs clearance of cargo in Russia and selling goods issued by a foreign company;
- A customer (buyer) who has a registration in the territory of the Russian Federation and who wants to buy goods in any country, but he does not want to deal with customs clearance issues and be under currency control by the auditors.
- Conclusion of an agreement with the customer, prepayment by the customer on the basis of the concluded agreement;
- Conclusion of a foreign trade agreement with a non-resident;
- Purchase of goods abroad and import to Russia;
- Customs clearance of goods;
- Payment of state duty and VAT;
- Sale of goods to the customer.
- The customer removes all risks, because the prepayment is paid by the Russian company, and there are no problems associated with the customs clearance of the import of goods to Russia.
We will take care of all these hardships.|
We will provide legal advice, select an office and legal address, hire a General Director or offer you a nominee as long as you do not choose your representative for this position, we will help to complete all the documentary processes and even will hire a staff!


The following is an excerpt from a fraud alert recently posted to the Law Society of British Columbia, with a scenario that could also threaten Nova Scotia lawyers:
“Two BC law firms, one in BC’s interior and one in downtown Vancouver, have recently fallen victim to sophisticated social engineering frauds involving millions of dollars. One firm redirected over half a million dollars in sale proceeds that it was holding in trust for a real estate client. The firm’s original instructions were received in-person, from the client. Before wiring the funds to the client as originally instructed, the firm received an email, purportedly from the client but in fact from the fraudster, directing that the funds be wired to a different account. The client never received the funds as the lawyer sent the funds to the fraudster’s account. In this case, the email address used by the fraudster was identical to that used by the client.
The second firm redirected over 1.5 million dollars in investment funds it was holding in trust for a corporate client raising capital in a securities transaction. The firm originally received payment instructions from the corporate client. As in the first fraud, before wiring the funds to the client, the firm received an email, purportedly from the client but that was actually from the fraudster, directing that the funds be wired to a different bank account. The funds were sent to the fraudster and not received by the client. In this case, the email address used by the fraudster was identical to that used by the client, except for one letter.
Protect yourself from liability.
Any time a payment of trust funds is imminent, assume that a hacker is also aware. Any client’s or lawyer’s email account can get hacked allowing a fraudster to perpetrate a social engineering fraud on the lawyer. Establish due diligence protocols for transferring funds and ensure all staff receive training and adhere to them.“
As we’ve warned in the past, we bring this to your attention for several reasons. First, and we do not want to scare you, but you should take appropriate steps to confirm, perhaps by phone, that emailed fund transfer instructions you receive from a client, especially if they seem odd or are significantly different from your original instructions, (which could include a wire transfer to a foreign country) are correct. Second, social engineering fraud is not part of the cyber coverage we offer in our policy. In the similar cases, coverage has been denied by a cyber insurer when the lawyer/firm did not have the social engineering rider on its commercial cyber policy. Third, depending on the facts, there may not be coverage for such a fraud under the professional liability part of your insurance policy either. Accordingly, a lawyer falling victim to such a fraud who lacks appropriate insurance coverage could be in the position of having to reimburse their trust account for the loss.
Where possible, use the Large Value Transfer System (LVTS), an electronic funds transfer system that allows large payments to be exchanged securely and immediately.
For tips to avoid being victimized, visit the Fraud section on lians.ca. To report or seek advice on dealing with fraud and scam attempts, contact Cynthia Nield at [email protected] or 902 423 1300, x346.


Music Lessons + Studio
ALL AGES • ALL SKILL LEVELS • ALL WELCOME
Music Lessons, Practices, Events, and Parties By Appointment
MONDAY-THURSDAY: 1:00 PM-8:00 PM
SATURDAY: BY APPOINTMENT
NEXT TO DINOSAUR EGG
$130 per month for weekly 30 minute lessons
Discounts are available for families with multiple students or multiple weekly lessons
$40 per half-hour lesson
$70 per hour lesson
PAYMENT POLICY: Tuition is paid by automatic payment on the fifth day of each month and may be canceled without penalty 14 days prior to end of student's final enrolled month. There is no long-term contract or enrollment fee.
24 HOURS NOTICE: 24 hours cancellation notice must be sent (call, email or text) to the studio manager for a make-up credit to be issued. For our scheduling purposes, we are going to be quite literal about this. Lessons canceled less than 24 hours in advance or simply missed will be counted as a credited lesson due to our reserving the time slot for your student and our instructor preparing accordingly for this lesson. This policy helps us create a quality time of instruction for your student by allowing us to plan ahead. There will be no exceptions.
SCHEDULING A MAKE-UP LESSON: If you have given 24 hours prior notice for your missed lesson, you can schedule a make up with your instructor anytime within his/her posted teaching hours.
MISSING A MAKE-UP LESSON: There are no "make-ups" for missed make up lessons.
CANCELLING MONTHLY LESSONS: If you cancel monthly lessons, you must complete your last paid contract to the end of that month. It is your choice if you would like to attend those remaining lessons.
FIFTH-WEEK LESSONS: Every student receives 48 lessons per year; that is one lesson every week except for 4 designated holiday weeks. Some months you will receive five lessons and other months you will receive four lessons depending on the day of the week that the month falls on. Both Fifth-Week Months (where you have five lessons in a month, instead of four) and Holidays are calculated into your monthly tuition. We calculate our holidays so that these fifth-week lessons make up for missed lessons due to holidays. For this reason, tuition stays the same each month, and you can expect weekly lessons with the exception of the holidays posted below.
HOLIDAYS: On some months, your lesson will fall on a holiday - like the Thursday of Thanksgiving. These holidays are factored into your tuition rate. Every student receives 48 lessons per year (an average of four per month). The months that you receive fifth-week lessons will make up for our holiday break. This is so that you are not charged extra on some months, and less on others. Simple! So, no make-ups will be needed for these lessons, and your tuition will still remain the same.
Spring Break // March 14-18
Summer // July 4 & 5
Thanksgiving // November 22 - 25
Winter Break // December 18 - January 1


Mark Zuckerberg Announces recently announced the birth of his baby girl on his website; Facebook. His wife Priscilla Chan has given birth to a baby girl and they have named her Max. In the spirit of love and joy Mark announced that he plans to give away 99% of his Facebook stock over the course of his life. That is a gift currently worth $45 billion.
The Facebook CEO Zuckerberg is currently the 7th richest person in the world, according to Forbes’ Real Time Billionaires ranking, with a net worth estimated at $46.8 billion.
Zuckerberg made his stock giveaway promise official in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing says:
“On December 1, 2015, our Founder, Chairman and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that, during his lifetime, he will gift or otherwise direct substantially all of his shares of Facebook stock, or the net after-tax proceeds from sales of such shares, to further the mission of advancing human potential and promoting equality by means of philanthropic, public advocacy, and other activities for the public good. For this purpose, Mr. Zuckerberg has established a new entity, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, LLC, and he will control the voting and disposition of any shares held by such entity. He has informed us that he plans to sell or gift no more than $1 billion of Facebook stock each year for the next three years and that he intends to retain his majority voting position in our stock for the foreseeable future.”
In a letter to their baby girl, Mark spells out the purpose of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will do:
“As you begin the next generation of the Chan Zuckerberg family, we also begin the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to join people across the world to advance human potential and promote equality for all children in the next generation. Our initial areas of focus will be personalized learning, curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities.”


You can make a difference, and together we can impact our community and our world with the absolutely life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Here at Harvest Church we believe in the biblical principal of bringing the first 10%(tithe) of your income into the storehouse(the church) talked about in Malachai 3:10. The Bible talks about the principal that it is much more blessed to give than to receive(Acts 20:35). We believe that every person that entrusts and commits their finances to God can, and will experience the kind of blessing described in Luke 6:38:
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
When you give, you partner with God's church to advance the Kingdom of God in our community, and around the world!


When it comes to costs of any sort, none of us like surprises. Our policy is to tell you, in advance of any treatment, what your investment will be and make definite financial arrangements before we begin. The emphasis in our office is on providing the highest quality care at a fair fee.
After your initial examination, diagnosis and consultation, we will review with you our recommended treatment plan and its estimated cost. We will also offer alternatives and their costs.
Occasionally, we may modify the treatment plan and its estimated cost somewhat as therapy progresses. This happens only if additional treatment or changes become necessary. Usually, we will complete the specified procedures for the quoted fee. We only ask that you begin treatment within three months from the date of the presentation and complete treatment within a 12-month period so we may honor the quoted fee.
To make payment as convenient as possible, we offer several methods. Our office manager is available to discuss financial arrangements and help you select the method of payment that best meets your needs.
Our office is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits. Because insurance policies vary, we can only estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee coverage due to the complexities of insurance contracts. Your estimated patient portion must be paid at the time of service. As a service to our patients, we will bill insurance companies for services and allow them 45 days to render payment. After 60 days, you are responsible for entire balance, paid-in-full. If you have any questions, our courteous staff is always available to answer them.
CareCredit is a flexible patient/client payment program, specifically designed for healthcare expenses, that makes it easier for you to get the treatment or procedures you want and need. CareCredit is ideal for co-payments, deductibles, treatment and procedures not covered by insurance and can be used at over 35,000 practices nationwide.


JOB TITLE: Staff Accountant
EXEMPT Y/N (US Positions only): NO
SUPERVISOR: Director of Accounting
The Staff Accountant is responsible for assisting the Senior Staff Accountant with the daily operations of the Finance Function in the US.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
- Coordinate setup and communication of project numbers for executed contracts
- Coordinate billing and collection process for US operations (ensure communication with Sales team)
- Pay invoices by verifying transaction information; scheduling and preparing disbursements; obtaining authorization of payment
- Record activity related to items #2 and #3 in the SAP Business One accounting system
- Record activity related to monthly accruals
- Respond to all customer and vendor inquiries
- Assist Senior Staff Accountant with cash forecasting
- Ensure documentation of accounting procedures are maintained
- Maintain effective business relationships with accounting and finance departments and outside business departments.
- Special projects as assigned
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Experience with SAP accounting is preferred but not essential
- Requires a minimum of 3-8 years’ experience in a finance role
- Extremely detail oriented
- The ability to work well independently as well as part of the team is essential
- Excellent time management skills are essential
- Proven ability of meeting all required deadlines
- Experience in a multi-country environment is desirable but not essential
- Communication with international regional office personnel during non-business hours as required
Kalibrate is an Equal Opportunity Employer


CRB CHECK PRICES:
We currently work with many companies throughout England providing CRB Disclosures for people working with children or vulnerable adults. The following prices apply for the services currently offered by CRBCheck4u.
|Item:||CRB fee (£)|
|Any Voluntary Position||0.00|
|ISA Adult First Check||6.00|
|CRB Check||10.99 per disclosure|
|ISA Adult First Check||1.99 per disclosure|
All prices are exclusive of VAT and will be charged at the prevailing rate.
Please Note: If an application is incomplete or information is missing and the CRB Check requires re-submission to you or your applicant for further information or evidence then an additional administration charge will apply at a rate of £5.99 plus VAT at the prevailing rate per disclosure. To avoid this, please complete the form carefully and complete the additional form we send to you as well as the CRB Disclosure Application. Please include ALL information requested.
We will only process checks once payment is received.
We accept the following types of payment:
- Postal Order


We are delighted to announce we have been successful in an application for funding from the Barclays Community Football Fund, being delivered in partnership with sported, to start football sessions for women and girls.
It has always been the plan for the organisation to become a club for all and offer provision for all to play football. This funding allows us to begin that process for women and girls in Glasgow.
If you're interested in getting involved, please visit our Women and Girls football page and leave an expression of interest. We will be in touch with further details in the near future.


There’s a good chance you have money tucked away in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) as part of your family’s benefits package.
There are many differences between HSAs and FSAs, but both help you save for eligible medical expenses, from childbirth to braces and many things in between.
But did you know that some of these funds could be lost if they remain unused before the end of the year?
Here’s the scoop on what happens to your unused funds and how you can make the most of them with premium eye care from the Monocle team.
What happens to unused HSA/FSA funds?
This is where one of the big differences between these two accounts comes into play.
If you have an HSA, unused contributions are rolled into the next year, meaning you don’t need to hurry to spend the money before the clock strikes midnight on January 1st.
With an FSA, it’s more of a “use it or lose it” situation. At the end of the year, unused contributions are no longer available and you start from scratch in January.
This is tax-exempt money that’s being pulled from your paycheck each month or that you’re taking directly out of your pocket to offset the cost of medical expenses. So don’t let it go to waste!
Can I use my funds on eye care?
Yes! For many of us, the fourth quarter of the year rolls around before we realize these funds are sitting in our account, waiting to be spent on qualified medical expenses.
But the final few months of the year are often the busiest for medical professionals for this exact reason. Everyone wants to take full advantage of their benefits before the year ends.
That’s why we recommend you keep up to date with your eye care throughout the year. Plus, who wants to head to the doctor amidst the holiday season hustle and bustle? We think we’re pretty great over here at Monocle, but your plate is full as you prep for the new year. So give yourself the gift of a check-up-free holiday season and come in sooner!
What are the eligible eye care expenses with an HSA/FSA?
What are the benefits of using my HSA or FSA funds on eye care?
First and foremost, these are tax-exempt contributions that are available for use on qualifying medical expenses.
When your health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of a medical expense, you can use your funds to offset direct, out-of-pocket costs that might incur.
While many eye care costs are covered by insurance, not all of them are. This makes taking care of your vision the perfect way to make sure your health benefits never go to waste.
Save on premium eye care with your HSA or FSA.
Our eyes are not to be taken for granted. Put your funds to good use and schedule an appointment for your next (or first!) eye exam.
The Monocle Premier Eye Care team offers years of experience and a true commitment to providing you with excellent care.
Your satisfaction is our top priority. We take as much time as is necessary to have conversations about the health of your eyes, your vision, and anything else with a focus on optimizing your well-being.
Click here to schedule your eye exam.


The project entitled “Company investments in R&D infrastructure for developing innovative potential” was co-financed by European Funds
Project goal: design, development and implementation of new small terminal blocks used in electrical engineering to work in the area of permissible insulation voltage up to 400V.
Total project value: PLN 591,015.00
Contribution of European Funds: PLN 216,225.00
Project entitled “Working capital subsidy for ‘Pokój’ Spółdzielnia Elektrotechniczna” under measure 3.4 Subsidy for working capital of the Intelligent Development Operational Program 2014-2020
Project objective: Support for medium-sized entrepreneurs who found themselves in a challenging economic situation due to disruptions in the functioning of the economy as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Total project value: PLN 278.762,61
Contribution of European Funds: PLN 278.762,61


Speidel Law Firm's work in estate planning covers all aspects of managing and transferring personal financial resources by the strategic use of trusts, gifts, sales and other income and wealth transfer devices to accomplish family planning goals and minimize the impact of income, gift and estate taxes. Personal estate planning requires coordination with existing business and investment entities and often the creation of new ones. Once the attorney-client planning phase is completed, we draft the documents necessary to implement the plan, which may include the following:
"You have been outstanding in taking care of my legal needs over the years. This gives me a great sense of security, as I have no family to provide any assistance on my behalf. Your firm is especially recognized in the field of elder law; and since I mostly associate with that age group now, I never hesitate to recommend your services to my friends with full confidence."


Thinking of turning your weekend pastime into a full-fledged business? You don't need a resume to become a full-time antique dealer, but you do need to consider your investment. Read on to get started investing in your antique business today!
Biggest Antique Dealers Investment Considerations
Consider the Capital Investment when Becoming an Antique Dealer
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, “it takes money to make money.” While this is often true, the investment in selling antiques really depends on what you want to sell. At the outset, new antique dealers should focus on selling items that they have readily available.
There will be several upstart costs (booth rental, transportation, marketing, etc.), but once you start making sales, take your profit and invest in larger and more profitable sale items. Use sales to reinvest in future rent, acquiring a larger space, and more inventory.
Antique Dealers Must Invest Time
Do you have the time to embark on a new venture as an antique dealer? Will your current job allow you the hours to spend curating and transporting vintage items and staging a booth? Do you have time in your week to replenish your inventory?
Being a successful antique dealer amounts to hours cleaning, prepping, tagging inventory, going to estate/garage sales, refinishing furniture projects, and arranging inventory in the booth space. Time is a major investment and one that must be fully considered before you take the plunge.
Investment in Antiques
Becoming an antique dealer means different things to different people. There is no shortage of things we would call “antique.” What do you want to sell? High-end antique furnishings? Collectible items? Homemade items? Furniture? Stocking your booth with a theme and making sure you have a variety of price points in your booth with your antique investments will keep your sales steady.
Furniture sells but can take more time for the right buyer. If you mainly sell furniture, you may need to sell 3-4 pieces a month to cover your rent and costs for an average space. Supplement furniture sales with a steady stream of smaller items, like sterling-plated silver, book bundles, small art, decorative containers with plates, mirrors, vintage tins, and other "smalls.” Success in an antique mall requires stocking a wide range of high- and low-priced items.
Transportation Investment for Antique Dealers
Becoming an antique dealer means there will be a lot of inventory to be transported, so having a vehicle with a large carrying capacity is a must. If you have a very small space to fill, you may be able to get away with a car and the occasional borrowing of a truck. If you have a larger space to fill, a truck, trailer, or van might be necessary. You will also want to invest in some moving equipment as you will work much more efficiently and be less prone to injury.
With your initial antique investments covered, you can enjoy picking and restocking your booth as items sell and you find new things to add to your space. Being a vendor in an Antique Mall can be a wonderful part-time job with a great steady income – plus, it is a lot of fun.
Learn more information on becoming an antique dealer or vendor at America's Antique Mall.


>>We currently are not offering (nor are we accepting) the 10% coupon that used to be found on this website or our Facebook page. It has been removed, so any production of those coupons would now be unauthorized and not valid.
>>We are accepting the 10% off PTO cards some Cabarrus County schools have distributed to parents (as long as they are valid for this year).
>>We are offering what we call STAMP CARDS for loyal customers; these are a great way to be rewarded for your repeat business!
This is how they work:
-Every $8 you spend prior to tax earns one stamp.
-Once you have earned ten (10) stamps, you can turn in your card for $8 off your final bill!
-You may NOT acquire additional stamps if you are redeeming a stamp card; you are welcome to start a new card on your next visit.
-Maximum discount of $8 per table; you may not redeem multiple stamp cards in one order, not may you combine or use a stamp card if you are using a 10% discount, or getting discounts via the Wine Down Wednesday promotion, or the Tuesday Kids Eat Free promotion.
-STAMP CARDS do EXPIRE; expired cards will not be accepted. You must acquire your stamps for your visit prior to leaving, once you leave we cannot give you stamps for previous visits since there is no way of tracking your visits.
We apologize for all the fine print, but due to the abuse of what used to be our 10% off coupon we must specify each and every stipulation. We want to reward loyalty, but as a small business we cannot afford to be taken advantage of.


On 2 March 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced new rules and guidance about handling PPI complaints. We are dealing with all PPI complaints under these new rules straight away to ensure our customers are treated fairly. The FCA is also setting a cut-off date for making PPI complaints which will be 29 August 2019.
What is PPI?
Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) provides cover for the monthly repayments of your car loan(s) if you are made unemployed, have an accident, become sick or die. Ford Credit (FCE Bank plc) never sold PPI, we are therefore not responsible for any "misselling" complaints, and instead those are the responsibility of the Motor Dealer that sold the PPI policy to you (when you purchased the vehicle).
However under the new FCA rules there are now TWO steps to a PPI complaint:
Step 1 is the misselling element of a complaint; this is where the person that sold the policy (the dealer) has to investigate and respond if the policy was mis-sold.
Step 2 – If the person that sold the PPI "rejects" the complaint and no payment is awarded to the customer then under step 2, we need to assess (under Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 "CCA"), if the commission of a PPI policy was not disclosed whether an unfair relationship existed between the Creditor (Ford Credit) and the Debtor (yourself).
This form is for STEP 2 complaints only.
It should only be filled in where misselling complaints have been rejected.
This form should not be filled in if you have already been awarded compensation/redress for a PPI policy, and you must declare details of any previous complaints if you feel you are still entitled to complain.
If it is discovered you have received payment for a misselling claim then any payment from us in respect of an unfair relationships complaint must be returned. It is an offence to claim for Step 2, if you have already received compensation under Step 1.
By completing this form, you confirm you were the account holder at the time of the agreement- if you are looking to claim on behalf of someone else please write to us at: Ford Credit, 1 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN (any complaints on behalf of a 3rd person will need proof of authority to act on that persons behalf).
To be eligible your finance agreement must have been active on or after 6th April 2008. Only PPI policies that were in place on or after this date are eligible to be considered.
Please provide as much information as possible to ensure we can match your policy and assess the complaint speedily and fairly. Feel free to use the comments section for any further information you think will be useful.
By completing this form you will be disclosing personal information to Ford Credit. This information will only be used to investigate your complaint.
Your security is of paramount importance at Ford Credit, the secure form is encrypted end to end.


In a capitalist market, governed by the invisible hand of supply and demand, sellers are constantly searching for new technologies to increase productivity, allowing them to reduce the costs of producing their goods and services so they can sell them cheaper than their competitors, win over consumers and secure sufficient profit for their investors. Marx never asked what might happen if intense global competition some time in the future forced entrepreneurs to introduce ever more efficient technologies, accelerating productivity to the point where the marginal cost of production approached zero, making goods and services “priceless” and potentially free, putting an end to profit and rendering the market exchange economy obsolete. But that’s now beginning to happen.
Over the past decade millions of consumers have become prosumers, producing and sharing music, videos, news, and knowledge at near-zero marginal cost and nearly for free, shrinking revenues in the music, newspaper and book-publishing industries.
Some of the US’s leading economists are waking up to the paradox. Lawrence Summers, former US treasury secretary, and J Bradford DeLong, professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley, addressed this in August 2001, in a speech delivered before the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Summers and DeLong focused their presentation on the new communication technologies that were already reducing the marginal (per-unit) cost of producing and sending information goods to near zero.
But, Is it possible to have zero marginal costs really? If so, how?
In The Zero Marginal Cost Society, New York Times bestselling author Jeremy Rifkin describes how the emerging Internet of Things is speeding us to an era of nearly free goods and services, precipitating the meteoric rise of a global Collaborative Commons and the eclipse of capitalism.
Rifkin uncovers a paradox at the heart of capitalism that has propelled it to greatness but is now taking it to its death―the inherent entrepreneurial dynamism of competitive markets that drives productivity up and marginal costs down, enabling businesses to reduce the price of their goods and services in order to win over consumers and market share. (Marginal cost is the cost of producing additional units of a good or service, if fixed costs are not counted.) While economists have always welcomed a reduction in marginal cost, they never anticipated the possibility of a technological revolution that might bring marginal costs to near zero, making goods and services priceless, nearly free, and abundant, and no longer subject to market forces.
Now, a formidable new technology infrastructure―the Internet of things (IoT)―is emerging with the potential of pushing large segments of economic life to near zero marginal cost in the years ahead. Rifkin describes how the Communication Internet is converging with a nascent Energy Internet and Logistics Internet to create a new technology platform that connects everything and everyone. Billions of sensors are being attached to natural resources, production lines, the electricity grid, logistics networks, recycling flows, and implanted in homes, offices, stores, vehicles, and even human beings, feeding Big Data into an IoT global neural network. Prosumers can connect to the network and use Big Data, analytics, and algorithms to accelerate efficiency, dramatically increase productivity, and lower the marginal cost of producing and sharing a wide range of products and services to near zero, just like they now do with information goods.
The plummeting of marginal costs is spawning a hybrid economy―part capitalist market and part Collaborative Commons―with far reaching implications for society, according to Rifkin. Hundreds of millions of people are already transferring parts of their economic lives to the global Collaborative Commons. Prosumers are plugging into the fledgling IoT and making and sharing their own information, entertainment, green energy, and 3D-printed products at near zero marginal cost. They are also sharing cars, homes, clothes and other items via social media sites, rentals, redistribution clubs, and cooperatives at low or near zero marginal cost. Students are enrolling in free massive open online courses (MOOCs) that operate at near zero marginal cost. Social entrepreneurs are even bypassing the banking establishment and using crowdfunding to finance startup businesses as well as creating alternative currencies in the fledgling sharing economy. In this new world, social capital is as important as financial capital, access trumps ownership, sustainability supersedes consumerism, cooperation ousts competition, and “exchange value” in the capitalist marketplace is increasingly replaced by “sharable value” on the Collaborative Commons.
Rifkin concludes that capitalism will remain with us, albeit in an increasingly streamlined role, primarily as an aggregator of network services and solutions, allowing it to flourish as a powerful niche player in the coming era. We are, however, says Rifkin, entering a world beyond markets where we are learning how to live together in an increasingly interdependent global Collaborative Commons.


Stephen Lincoln is an Associate Broker and has been selling homes and managing property with Lincoln Realty for more than 8 years. He specializes in investment Sales, Multi-Family properties, and Buyer Representation. Whether you are looking to create extra cash flow or add to your retirement portfolio, Stephen can assist in locating, negotiating, and acquiring a property that fits your needs.
Parker Lincoln came to work with Lincoln Realty in 2005. For over 10 years Parker has worked with a wide range of customers and clients on projects ranging from first-time home buyer sales to investment sales and leasing. Parker obtained his Georgia Real Estate license in 2007 and will help guide you to success in your next real estate endeavor.
Sharon Devane Waters is our Accounting Specialist and has over 25 years of accounting experience. Sharon started with Lincoln Realty in 2013 and works hard to ensure our clients receive accurate reporting of income and expenditures each month.


Huobi Argentina a subsidiary of Chinas Huobi Group has announced its plans to invest $100 M to create a data center in a report published by Reuters on Wednesday, November 6.
According to the post, The Argentina center will be the biggest of its kind in the region. Prior to this announcement, Huobi Argentina pointed out in September that it considered creating a local team and a fiat gateway to trade or convert the Argentine peso to cryptocurrency.
The company has reportedly decided to make this important investment as a result of the country’s declining economic situation, which has made Argentine citizens look for alternatives to the Argentine peso.
The investment comes as a pervasive economic crisis in Argentina prompted the government to impose stricter currency controls to prop up the rickety peso currency following President-elect Alberto Fernandez’s victory over incumbent Mauricio Macri in the October presidential elections.


In 1934, the Roosevelt Administration launched the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The agency insures mortgages made by private lenders, protecting those lenders against losses. The agency was designed to promote home ownership during the Great Depression. Private lenders, including suburban developers here in this region, helped inform the policies the FHA would use to guide its lending, transforming private practices of exclusion into the federal policy of redlining. While suburban communities around cities across the nation were built up through the FHA, people of color and those living in integrated areas were overwhelmingly denied access to FHA programs. The FHA’s lending practices changed with the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, but the legacies of the policy continue to shape realities today. The history of the FHA, which is inextricably intertwined with the history of redlining explored in the Johnson County Museum’s new special exhibit, REDLINED, reveals both the value of investment in communities and the long-lasting consequences of disinvestment.
An Era of Turmoil
When the Great Depression began in 1929, most Americans were concerned about affording food and rent, finding work, and making ends meet. Few considered buying or building a home. The real estate industry, through its national membership organization, the National Association of Real Estate Boards (NAREB), lobbied the federal government to help the struggling industry. NAREB leaders believed that two million of the 12 million unemployed people were in the building trades – by putting them back to work, the government could jump start the economy.
But homebuying was unattainable for many Americans prior to the Great Depression. The typical terms were 50 percent as a down payment with the other 50 percent of the home cost paid off over the next three to five years. Interest rates were high, there were no lines of equity, and often balloon payments drove homeowners out of their home in the final months of repayment. But NAREB had a plan to transform home buying. They just needed the federal government to help.
The Government Lends a Hand
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Administration launched the New Deal programs after 1933, one of those programs was meant to help current homeowners in default. Called the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC), it purchased mortgages in default to make the banks whole, and then extended new mortgages directly from the federal government using U.S. Treasury funds from taxpayers. This unprecedented intervention into the private real estate market came with unprecedented mortgage terms – low monthly payments, low interest rates, and longer loan terms.
The HOLC program was so popular, and the mortgage terms believed to be so accessible, that the federal government launched the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in 1934. Through the FHA, the government sought to extend homeownership to as many white Americans as possible by extending unprecedented mortgage terms: 10 to 20 percent down payments, 20-year loan terms, low monthly payments, low interest rates, and amortization (equal payments with a portion going to the principal loan amount and a portion going to interest), as well as the potential to access equity as a line of credit. The FHA backed the mortgages by covering the insurance on the loan, taking all the risk off of the banks. The FHA made the threshold to buying a home so much lower, thereby making owning a home more accessible to far more Americans.
The FHA Builds Suburbia
The FHA program’s results speak for themselves. Suburbs across the nation exploded with new home builds and populations as young families bought or built their first homes. Following World War II, the Veterans Administration (VA) adopted the FHA’s policies and procedures to help place white veterans in new homes for zero money down. This aid helped the Greatest Generation become homeowners, something that their parents’ generation could rarely afford. By 1950, the FHA and the VA were backing 51 percent of all home mortgage loans. New housing starts reached 1.7 million in that year alone.
The FHA helped launch the idea of home ownership as the American Dream. Because mortgage payments were low ($39 per month in the 1940s, less than $700 in 2019 dollars), young families had more money in their pockets each month to save up, or to spend. The postwar era was known for consumerism, as Americans purchased second cars, washing machines, took vacations, saved up for college funds, and built additions to their homes. Most homes that received FHA-backed mortgages were new, and owners could be reasonably sure they would earn a profit if they sold their homes. Additionally, homeowners could access lines of credit through their equity to help maintain or enlarge their homes.
The investment in white suburban homes was massive. Historians and sociologists estimate that 11 million households purchased a home through an FHA-backed mortgage by 1972. One researcher estimated that the federal government extended mortgage insurance for over $120 billion in home purchases in the 1950s – or more than 1.239 quintillion 2019 dollars. This unfathomable number represents just the initial injection of money into suburban communities. The long-term consequences of this federal investment is incalculable.
In the Kansas City area, between 1934 and 1962, experts estimate the FHA extended more than 77,000 government-backed mortgage loans (this number does not include any VA-backed mortgage loans). Homebuyers in Johnson County received 16,624 of these mortgages. The county’s population skyrocketed, growing from 33,327 in 1940 to 143,792 by 1960.
“Federally Mandated Segregation”
Only some Americans were able to realize the benefits of the FHA and VA backed loans. This is evident by the growth in Johnson County’s population during the first decades of the policy – it grew by 110,000 white residents between 1940 and 1960, the Black population grew by just 150 residents. The growth in Johnson County’s white population stems from the FHA’s racially discriminatory lending practices. The FHA’s 1938 Underwriting Manual, the guide on how to work with the FHA, stipulated that eligible homes were required to have restrictive covenants (lists of rules governing how the property was used), including racially restrictive covenants to ensure a “prohibition of the occupancy of properties except by the race for which they are intended.” The FHA manual went on to explain that “if a neighborhood is to retain stability, it is necessary that properties shall continue to be occupied by the same social and racial classes. A change in social or racial occupancy generally contributes to instability and a decline in values.”
Th assumption that Black people and other communities of color devalue not only their own property but all the homes in the neighborhood surrounding them was rooted in NAREB’s policies and practices that had been honed for a generation prior. This belief, however, had no factual basis. No report or statistical analysis was ever produced to prove it. Still NAREB members worked as advisors to the federal government when the FHA was created, bringing their private discriminatory practices to the table as federal policy was being shaped. The FHA refused to work with Black Americans (and often Latinos, Asian Americans, and other communities of color) and explicitly required developers to exclude African Americans from their subdivisions. Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law, characterized the FHA’s discriminatory requirements as “federally mandated segregation.”
By 1947, 96 percent of suburban developments in Johnson County (148 out of 154 neighborhoods) were racially restricted. This means that Black families and other people of color were prohibited from owning, leasing, renting, or occupying homes there. Of the 77,000 FHA-backed loans in the Kansas City area between 1934 and 1962, less than one percent (770 at most) went to Black families, and often for older homes in segregated neighborhoods.
Changing the System
The homebuying system has changed today. First, racially restrictive covenants favored by real estate developers and required by the FHA were deemed unenforceable (not unconstitutional) by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Shelley v Kraemer decision in 1948 (the FHA permitted filing them through February 15, 1950). Additionally, Congress passed the 1968 Civil Rights Act, which made redlining – both the private practice and federal policy – illegal. Subsequent legislation, such as the Community Reinvestment Act, the addition of a presidential cabinet position for the director of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other federal regulations have worked to make home lending more equitable and accessible, especially for communities of color. The FHA continues to provide accessible mortgages to hundreds of thousands of Americans each year.
The FHA’s history is complex, full of incredible stories about launching homeownership for millions of families across the nation. Yet it is also a history full of heartbreaking stories of loan denials, exclusion, and discrimination. As a social program born out of the Great Depression, the FHA was integral to creating suburban communities like those located in northeastern Johnson County and around cities across the nation. Yet it shaped who could enjoy the benefits of more accessible home loan terms, who could enjoy the newly built suburbs, and who could realize the American Dream for decades.
For more information about the FHA, redlining, and related history, view the Johnson County Museum’s newest special exhibition, REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation. Included in Museum admission, and open for viewing Monday through Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm. Learn more: www.jcprd.com/Redlined.


Jeanne M. Brodeur Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of Jeanne M. Brodeur, former vice president of development at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
In recognition of Jeanne Brodeur’s immeasurable impact on the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Board of Directors has established the Jeanne M. Brodeur Scholarship Fund. Donations made in Jeanne's memory will be directed to this new scholarship fund, which is an endowment fund to be held in perpetuity. Each year a portion of the interest will be used to bring underserved school children to the Aquarium.
Thank you for considering honoring Jeanne's memory and accomplishments in such a meaningful way. Should you have any additional questions about donations to this fund, please call Kendra Jones at (562) 951-1605.


When applying for electric service, a membership fee and a connect fee are required. The membership fee establishes you as a member/owner of Clay County Electric Cooperative Corporation. Once the request is made and fees have been paid, the Arkansas Public Service Commission allows up to 5 working days for service to be connected.
In addition, a security deposit may be charged. Our standard deposit can be paid in two equal installments; 1/2 payment upon application and the remaining balance on your first month's bill. After you have completed 12 consecutive months of payment without any late payments, the deposit will be refunded to you in the form of a credit on your bill.
Deposits may be waived by providing one of the following items:
- A letter of credit from your previous electric utility stating that your account had no more than two delinquent notices in the past twelve months. If you would like to send a letter of credit to us, view our contact information.
- A present member of Clay County Electric can guarantee payment of your account. The third party must be a current member and have received service for at least one year from Clay County Electric with a good credit standing. A Third Party Guarantee form, which is available at each of our office locations, must be signed by the third party.
- By having received electric service from Clay County Electric for the previous twelve months and be in good standing with Clay County Electric.
Additional deposits may be applied to your account if there are two late payments in a row OR if there are three late payments within the previous 12-month period. As stated by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, the amount of additional deposit allowed on that account is equal to the total of the two highest bills over the previous 12-month period.
If you need electric service for a residence or business under construction, it may be necessary for our field personnel to meet with you at the service location to determine the proper facilities needed to provide electric service. Please call either of our offices to initiate that service.
For more information on new electric service, please contact your local Clay County Electric Cooperative Corporation office or e-mail us your question.
Thank you for allowing us to serve your energy needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. MOST INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY CLAY COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CORP. REFERS TO MEMBERS. WHAT PERSONS OR ORGANIZATIONS ARE BEING REFERRED TO AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS OF "MEMBERSHIP"?
A. Each person or entity receiving electric service from Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. is a member of Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. This cooperative is a not-for-profit organization formed to provide services at cost to its members. Members of Clay County Electric pay competitive rates for electric service that generates a margin for the cooperative. These margins are retained and invested in plant and equipment necessary to provide service to members. When prudent financial considerations allow, previously retained margins are refunded to members by way of a capital credit retirement check. Rights and obligations of members arise from a contractual relationship detailed in Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. Bylaws.
Q. HOW IS CLAY COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CORP. DIFFERENT FROM INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES?
A. As mentioned above, Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. is a not-for-profit cooperative organization, which means that all margins of Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. accrue to the benefit of the members we serve, not stockholders. Additionally, control of Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. is local; the members elect the Board of Directors, who themselves must be members of Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp.
Q. I SOMETIMES RECEIVE A CHECK FROM CLAY COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. ENTITLED "CAPITAL CREDIT REFUND". WHAT DOES THIS CHECK REPRESENT, HOW IS THE AMOUNT DETERMINED AND MAY I EXPECT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL CHECKS IN THE FUTURE.
Q. I sometimes receive a check from Clay County Electric Cooperative, Inc. entitled "Capital Credit Refund". What does this check represent, how is the amount determined and may I expect to receive additional checks in the future.A. Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations owned by the members we serve. Every year, any excess revenues (margins) from the operation of the cooperative are allocated to an account for each member based on their energy consumption for that year. Your cooperative Board of Directors determines the schedule for repaying capital credits based on the financial requirements of the cooperative.
Many times, members (owners) move off of cooperative lines, and we have a difficult time locating them. It is very important to keep your address up to date with your cooperative.
Q. WHAT CAUSES MY LIGHTS TO BLINK?
A. Most temporary power interruptions are caused by equipment on the power lines detecting faults in the electric current and correcting the condition resulting in a momentary interruption. These fault currents are often caused by trees or animals such as squirrels contacting lines. Clay County Electric Cooperative Corp. has an ongoing right-of-way program, trimming trees and brush to reduce the probability of momentary outages caused by tree contact with lines. If you are experiencing momentary interruptions with regularity, please contact your local office so that the cause of the interruptions can be investigated.
Q. WHAT IS THE SERVICE AVAILABILITY CHARGE ON MY BILL?
A. The service availability charge is the flat rate for the customer to have service. If no hours are used, this amount plus taxes is applied to each billing.


Gloria Takla is 72 years old. She lives alone in her home in Redwood City, CA. An accomplished German Expressionist artist, Gloria was once able to support herself by selling her paintings. Since the economic downturn, Gloria has been struggling to make her mortgage payments and relying on her Social Security checks and the income she gets working as an in-home support service provider, taking care of a woman with Alzheimer’s disease. Now Gloria is facing foreclosure. Chase Bank says they will sell her home at auction on April 9, 2012.
Gloria has tried to work with Chase. She has asked the bank to give her an affordable loan modification and a principal reduction. She has sent in her paperwork sixteen times and gone to their offices to meet with Chase bankers. Up until now, Chase has refused to give Gloria a fair deal. The stress of this ordeal has wreaked havoc on Gloria’s health, resulting in an immune disorder.
The fact of the matter is that Gloria doesn’t deserve to lose her home. She invested her life savings, $150,000, in the home as a down payment. Gloria was steered into a predatory loan by a banker at Washington Mutual, which was subsequently bought by Chase, because the debt-to-income ratio of her loan was disproportionate.
Gloria is a member of the grassroots community organization Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) which, along with Occupy San Jose and Occupy Redwood City, has organized four protest marches since November of 2011 where over 50 demonstrators marched into Chase Bank branches in San Jose and Redwood City and demanded that the bank give Gloria a fair deal.
Despite Gloria’s and ACCE’s efforts, Chase continues to refuse to give Gloria an affordable loan modification with principal reduction. That’s why we are calling on you to tell Jamie Dimon, “Do the right thing! Give Gloria Takla an affordable loan modification with principal reduction!”


We are pleased to announce that Spring Valley Senior Living and Health Care Campus accepts credit card payments!
Some advantages to online bill pay include:
- Accessible 24/7 from any computer or mobile device
- Easy and more secure than mailing in your payment
To make a payment by credit card, simply click the button below and complete all form fields. The Medical Record Number is located after the resident name on your statement. If you have any questions, please call us: 715-778-5545. Thank you!


Home Loan Specialists
Todd Savins - Murwillumbah & Mullumbimby Region
Phone: 0476 811 290
Todd joined SCCU back in 2008 as a Loans Officer at the Mullumbimby branch. Since that time Todd has held various lending and leadership positions and is now the Home Loan Specialist for the Murwillumbah & Mullumbimby area. With a Certificate IV in Financial Services and extensive experience in our local region, Todd's goal is to help our customers have a positive experience when it comes to buying or refinancing their home.


We have litigated and/or negotiated with numerous tax buyers throughout Illinois. For a representative list, please click here.
We can assist parties with property tax redemptions or redeeming under protest. A few important things to keep in mind:
Time of Redemption:
- If on the date of sale the property sold was improved with a dwelling structure of six or fewer units, it may be redeemed at any time on or before two years and six months from the date of sale.
- If on the date of sale the property is vacant, non-farm or improved real estate containing seven or more residential units or real estate that is commercial or industrial property, and the property was delinquent or forfeited for all or a part of general taxes for two or more years at the time of the sale, it may be redeemed at any time before the expiration of six months from the date of sale.
- In all other cases, the property may be redeemed at any time before the expiration of two years from the date of sale.
- The holder of the certificate of purchase (not any other party) may extend the redemption period up to three years from the date of sale, in which event the property may be redeemed at any time on or before expiration of the extended redemption period. After the redemption period has expired, the court may order an extension of the redemption period, but only if a tax deed petition has been filed prior to the expiration of the redemption period and only on motion of the tax deed petitioner. The redemption period may not be extended, however, to a date more than three years from the date of sale.
Amount of Redemption for Annual and Forfeiture Sales:
- The amount required to redeem must be deposited with the County Clerk in cash, cashier’s or certified check or money order issued by the post office or by a federally insured financial institution, payable to the County Clerk. Redemption must be actually received in person at the County Clerk’s office by the end of the redemption period or mailed with a post office cancellation mark dated not less than one day prior to expiration of the redemption period. 35 ILCS 200/21-355.
- The amount required to redeem includes:
- All taxes, penalties and costs paid at the time of the tax sale.
- Accrued penalty, computed as provided in 35 ILCS 200/21-355(b) (for annual or forfeiture sales) or 35 ILCS 200/21-260(f) (for scavenger sales.
- All taxes and special assessments (and accrued interest on those taxes and costs paid in connection therewith) paid by the tax purchaser subsequent to the tax sale, together with penalty in the amount of 12% for each year or portion thereof from the date of payment to the date of redemption.
- Amounts paid by the tax purchaser to redeem the property from a forfeiture occurring for a subsequent year tax together with penalty in the amount of 12% for each year or portion thereof from the date of payment to the date of redemption.
- Amounts paid by the tax purchaser to redeem a subsequently occurring tax sale.
- Fees paid to the County Clerk for serving the notice required by 35 ILCS 200/22-5 of the Property Tax Code.
- Court costs paid in connection with the filing of a tax deed petition and recording of a lis pendens notice, together with a fee of $35.00 if a tax deed petition has been filed and a fee of $4.00 if the §22-5 notice has been served.
- If a petition for tax deed has been filed, all fees up to $150 per redemption paid to a registered or licensed title insurance company or title insurance agent for a title search to identify all owners, parties interested, and occupants of the property, to be paid to the purchaser or his or her assignee.
- Fees paid for publication of notice in connection with tax deed proceeding.
- Sums paid to any city, village or town for reimbursement of municipal advances (e.g., demolition or receivership lien).
- Expenses of receivership authorized or approved by the court which appointed the receiver. 35 ILCS 200/21-355.
Amount of Redemption for Scavenger Sales:
To redeem from a scavenger sale, the procedure is similar. However, the party redeeming must also pay all delinquent taxes and penalties which were outstanding at the time of the tax sale and which were not included in the amount bid at the sale, unless the property is an owner-occupied single-family dwelling, condominium unit or cooperative unit. A party seeking to redeem property as owner-occupied must complete and submit an affidavit to the County Clerk. If the party submits a false affidavit, the redemption may be stricken.
Redemption Under Protest:
- A person entitled to redeem who desires to preserve his or her right to defend against the tax deed proceeding may redeem under protest by depositing with the County Clerk the amount required to redeem, together with three copies of a written protest signed by the party redeeming in the form prescribed by §21-175.
- The grounds for redeeming under protest are limited to those defenses which would provide sufficient basis to deny entry of an order for issuance of a tax deed.
- A redemption under protest must be filed after a tax deed petition has been filed, but before expiration of the redemption period.
- The court before which the tax deed petition is pending shall hear and determine the protest. If the redemption under protest is sustained, the court may declare the sale to be a sale in error, if appropriate grounds exist, and shall direct the County Clerk to return all or a part of the redemption money to the party redeeming. If the redemption under protest is not sustained, the court shall order the protest stricken and direct the County Clerk to distribute the redemption money to the holder of the certificate of purchase, and shall order the party redeeming to pay to the tax deed petitioner reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and the cost of use of the redemption money.
Another option to consider if the circumstances are right is to acquire the tax certificate from the tax buyer rather than redeeming the tax sale. For more information about assignment of real estate tax certificates, click here. For a detailed outline of this area of law, please click here.
If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Residual income is money that is earned on a recurring basis, typically as the result of a single original action. Rather than earning an hourly wage, residual income is typically generated through an initial investment of time or money with the goal of earning continuous payments. Once the initial investment, product, or service is made, the ongoing income that is earned is generally passive in nature.
Developing residual income is an important part of building long-term wealth. In fact, it’s practically impossible to do without it. Find out how to do just that in this quick and easy guide to residual income streams.


As per general finance, if you are looking for the most secured investment, then you should go for fixed deposits. These deposits are kept by banks, including both private and government banks. You will receive annual interest on these deposits and the interest rate is fixed for all.
The rate has been fixed up by RBI so that the investors can get a consistent income from their deposits at banks. Investment options are many therefore you are free to choose the right plan for yourself without any hitch. The interest rate might differ from private banks to government banks and thus you should consider the same.
You have to choose your investment option quite strategically in order to get the maximized returns. You got to maintain an account with bank for maintaining fixed deposits. You will also receive statements of the account duly like any other bank account.
The only difference is that your funds will be locked for a certain period and until the period is over you will not be able to withdraw the amount. But in case of normal bank account, you can access your funds at any point of time as per requirement.
What are the benefits of maintaining fixed-deposit accounts?
- Fund security is the highest in case of fixed deposits and this is one of the main reasons that people love to go for this investment option without thinking twice.
- Your funds will never get decreased rather you can get the chance of earning a fixed amount from your deposited funds in a consistent manner. This amount is received in the form of interests.
- Assured returns can be gained from these deposits and you do not have to bear any risks at all. If you want to secure your investment then fixed deposit is the right way to do that.
- Your investment goals can be properly fulfilled by means of maintaining accounts for fixed deposits.
- Multiple deposits of this type can be made at the same time with the intention of gaining increased revenues.
- The terms of these deposits are quite flexible and thus you can choose the term and deposit amount of your own.
- You can choose any option for receiving interests. You can receive either annul or monthly interests from your deposits. You just need to mention the option clearly while submitting the application form to your bank.
- Different kinds of financial requirements can be efficiently met by means of these deposits. You can withdraw the interest amounts at any point of time and can make your needs fulfilled.
- You can now create a great fund reserve with your savings by creating these deposits. You can enjoy the fruits of the same for a long time.
- Greater investment flexibility can be maintained and on the other hand your investment portfolio can be balanced in a proper manner with these kinds of deposits.
- You can utilize the deposits for meeting up your business or commercial needs.


Ever had one of those nights where the thunder claps, lightning strikes and rain is pouring so hard it sounds like a symphony on your roof? You’re snug inside, comforted by the knowledge that you’re safe from Mother Nature’s tantrum. But then daylight comes, and with it, the realization – your roof didn’t fare as well in last night’s storm.
You glance up to see a watermark spreading across your ceiling or perhaps even a trickle making its way down. It’s clear; you have roof damage. The question pounding harder than last night’s storm is now – does insurance cover roof damage?
Let’s talk about how homeowners’ insurance policies typically cover roof damages and under what circumstances. We’ll explore the impact of weather events, like windstorms, that can lead to serious roofing problems. Plus, we’ll touch on situations where older roofs might be eligible for coverage.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Roof Damage and Insurance Coverage
- Types of Roof Damage Covered by Insurance
- Understanding Insurance Policies and Coverage
- Filing an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage
- Working with Christian Roofing for Roof Repairs
- Choosing the Right Homeowners Insurance Company
- Factors Affecting Insurance Coverage for Roof Damage
- FAQs in Relation to Does Insurnace Cover Roof Damange?
Understanding Roof Damage and Insurance Coverage
Homeowners frequently inquire, “Will insurance pay for roof damage?” Generally the answer is affirmative, though it may depend on the kind of harm and your individual policy. Let’s break down how homeowners insurance might cover roof damages.
Types of Covered Events
Different events can cause significant harm to your roof that may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. This includes common weather-related incidents like windstorms or hail – these are some top reasons why homeowners reach out to their insurers with a roof damage claim.
Apart from natural disasters, accidents such as fire or falling objects (like a tree branch) could also lead to potential coverage under an insurance policy. Even vandalism falls under this umbrella.
Common Reasons for Claims
Roughly one in every 20 insured homes makes a property damage claim each year due to various issues including thefts, fires, water leaks and more significantly – roofing problems. In fact, according to Research 1 stats, among all claims filed against home policies nationwide over the past nine years, nearly two-thirds were for wind and hail – mostly affecting roofs.
If you’re facing serious structural issues due to aging or storm-damage causing leaks into your house interior leading potentially even bigger problems like mold growth – you have valid reason enough for filing an insurance claim. It’s always a good idea, however, not just to rely solely on what’s visible at ground level; professional inspection often uncovers hidden damages too.
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Types of Roof Damage Covered by Insurance
When it comes to roof damage, homeowners’ insurance policies typically offer coverage for a range of issues. But not all damages are covered under standard policies.
Hail storms, high winds, and other severe weather events can wreak havoc on your roof. Most insurance companies understand this reality and will cover damage caused by such incidents. For instance, if a big storm rolls through town and your shingles end up scattered across the yard like confetti at a parade, you’re likely in luck with your claim.
It’s important to note that weather-related damages aren’t just about immediate impact; they also include long-term effects like water leaks due to ice dams or nearby trees causing damage over time because their branches keep scraping against your roof tiles during windy days.
Structural Issues and Aging Roofs
Aging roofs often face structural issues which could lead to significant damages. In certain situations, these might be covered as well. If you’ve maintained the good shape of an older roof properly but it still suffers from unforeseen structural problems—say its trusses gave way—it may fall within the ambit of ‘sudden and accidental damage’, making it eligible for coverage.
Risks associated with lightning strikes are generally part of basic homeowners’ insurance too since no amount of preventive maintenance can save you from Mother Nature’s electrical fury.
The trick is understanding what kind insurance policy you have—replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV). The former covers total replacement costs while the latter takes into account depreciation factors such as age and wear-and-tear before paying out claims.
The specifics of what is and isn’t covered can vary from policy to policy, so it’s a smart financial move to check with your insurance agent about the nuances of your particular plan.
Understanding Insurance Policies and Coverage
Homeowners insurance policies can feel like a riddle. They’re packed with terms such as “replacement cost” and “actual cash value.” But, don’t worry. We’ve got your back.
Coverage Limits and Deductibles
A policy’s coverage limit is the maximum amount an insurer will pay for a covered loss. This means if your roof needs replacement after damage, you’ll get up to this amount. Now, what about deductibles? Well, they’re simply the portion of any claim that comes out of your pocket before the insurance company starts paying.
The question now is: how do these affect roof repair or replacement?
Your policy might cover either actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost (RC). The difference lies in depreciation – ACV considers it while RC doesn’t. Here’s a good read on that.
If you have ACV coverage but need total roof replacement due to extensive damage caused by say, hailstorm or windstorm; you might find yourself reaching deeper into pockets than expected because ACV takes into account wear & tear over time whereas RC does not.
This link explains more about these types of insurances in detail, which could be quite useful when navigating through homeowners’ insurance jargon.
Remember – understanding how different elements like deductibles interact with your limits can make all the difference between smooth sailing through storm aftermaths or getting caught unawares without enough funds for necessary repairs.
Next time Mother Nature unleashes her fury on your roof, you’ll be prepared. Grasping the complexities of insurance policies may be daunting, yet it’s a shrewd financial move that could spare you from costly individual outlays in the future. So let’s get those roofing issues fixed before they become bigger headaches.
Filing an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage
Roof damage can be a homeowner’s nightmare, but your insurance policy might just turn it into a less stressful experience. The process of filing an insurance claim involves several key steps and having some guidance can certainly help.
Documenting the Damage
The first thing to do after discovering roof damage is documenting it. Photos are crucial as they provide evidence when you make your claim. A detailed description of the damages alongside these photos will make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
An adjuster from your insurance company may come over to evaluate the extent of the loss – that’s what we mean by ‘covered loss’. This evaluation determines whether or not you’ll receive compensation and how much it would be. Therefore, good documentation helps present a clear picture about what happened during the covered event.
In addition to taking pictures, jot down any important details about how and when each specific area was damaged – think dates, times, weather conditions – all these play into making a successful claim.
Navigating Through Claims Process with Confidence
Once everything is documented properly, get in touch with your insurer immediately. Start off by asking questions if there are parts of their procedure that aren’t crystal clear – remember no question is too small when dealing with something this critical.
|Tips for Filing Roof Insurance Claim:
|Contact Your Insurer ASAP After Discovering Damages
|Promptness aids quicker resolution.
|Maintain Detailed Records Of All Correspondences With Your Insurer And Adjuster
|Documenting everything helps avoid confusion later.
|Avoid Starting Repairs Until Adjuster’s Visit
|The adjuster needs to see the damage in its original state for a fair assessment.
Once you’ve reported the claim, it’s typical for an insurance adjuster to swing by your place. They’ll check out your roof damage and estimate how much fixing it will cost. Their report plays a big role in deciding if…
Working with Christian Roofing for Roof Repairs
If your roof has been damaged, you require a qualified team to repair it. That’s where Christian Roofing comes in. As a trusted roofing company, we’ve got years of experience under our belts.
The Role of Professional Inspection
A professional inspection is vital after a damaging event. It lets us assess what needs fixing and how to best approach the repair process.
Our inspectors are experts at spotting even subtle signs of damage that might go unnoticed by an untrained eye. They check every inch, from shingles installed correctly down to minor cracks or leaks.
We understand that dealing with roof damage can be stressful. Once we’ve finished our inspection, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the condition of your roof and what needs to be done in order for it to be restored.
Navigating Insurance Claims
Damaged roofs often mean insurance claims. Navigating this process may seem daunting but don’t worry –-we’re here to help.
We have extensive experience working with various insurers so we can guide you through each step until completion—making sure everything is handled promptly and efficiently for minimal disruption in your life during repairs. Learn more about filing insurance claims here.
Your Satisfaction Is Our Priority
At Christian Roofing, customer satisfaction isn’t just an aim—it’s embedded in who we are as a company. We won’t consider the job finished until you’re completely satisfied with our work because that’s just how much respect we have for homeowners like yourself. Read some testimonials from happy customers here.
Choosing the Right Homeowners Insurance Company
Not all insurers are alike, particularly with regards to roof damage insurance. You need a company that offers good insurance coverage and is easy to work with.
The first step in finding the right homeowners insurance company involves comparing policies. Each policy differs in terms of what’s covered and how much you’ll get paid if your roof needs repairs or replacement.
A comprehensive policy will typically cover roof damage caused by unpreventable reasons like fires, hailstorms, or wind damage. However, it may not cover damages due to lack of maintenance or general wear and tear.
Policies also differ on whether they offer actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV). ACV considers depreciation based on your roof’s age, while RCV covers the full cost of replacing a damaged roof regardless of its age – but premiums for RCV policies tend to be higher than those for ACV ones.
A higher deductible will mean lower monthly premiums, however it may require more out-of-pocket costs if repair works are needed. Higher deductibles usually mean lower monthly premiums but more upfront costs if there’s a need for repair works.
Taking Reputation into Account
You want an insurer known for their customer service excellence — one who responds promptly when claims are filed and does fair evaluations of reported damages.
Customer reviews can provide valuable insights about insurers’ response times, fairness in assessing claims, ease of filing claims online etc., so make sure you do some research before settling down with any insurer.
Factors Affecting Insurance Coverage for Roof Damage
Your homeowners’ insurance can be a lifesaver when it comes to roof damage. Did you know that the amount of coverage for roof damage is dependent on a variety of elements? Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Deductibles and Policy Terms
The age and condition of your roof play an important role in determining if your insurance will cover repairs or replacement. An older, more worn-out roof may not have as comprehensive coverage as a newer one in good shape.
Deductibles are another factor to consider. You’ll need to pay this amount before your insurance kicks in. The lower the deductible, the higher premium you’ll likely pay but it also means less out-of-pocket costs after an incident.
It’s also crucial to understand policy terms and exclusions – what’s covered under your specific plan, and what isn’t?
Nature of Damage Caused: Sudden or Gradual?
Sudden damages caused by weather events like windstorms, hail, lightning strikes, or fallen nearby trees typically get covered. On the other hand, gradual damage due to lack of maintenance might not make the cut.
Filing Claims: Timely Reporting Matters.
If you’ve suffered any loss from a big storm or other event causing damage, file a claim with your insurer ASAP. Prompt reporting helps expedite processing – delaying could complicate things down the line.
Don’t forget; insurers send adjusters who inspect reported losses – their findings impact how much payout (if any) is issued towards repair/replacement work.
Remember folks – understanding these nuances about ‘roof age’, ‘deductible amounts’, ‘policy exclusions’, and ‘timeliness in filing claims’ can make a huge difference to your roof insurance claim experience. If in doubt, contact your insurance agent for clarification to ensure a successful roof damage claim experience.
Keep this guide handy next time you’re assessing whether or not your homeowners’ insurance will cover any potential roof damage.
FAQs in Relation to Does Insurnace Cover Roof Damange?
Does homeowners insurance cover sagging roof?
Generally, if your roof is sagging due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance, it’s unlikely that your homeowners insurance will cover the damage.
Should I tell insurance about new roof?
Absolutely. Notifying your insurer about a new roof can often lead to lower premiums because a newer roof poses less risk of causing home damage.
How often should you replace your roof?
The frequency depends on the material used but typically, roofs last between 20-30 years. Always consult with roofing professionals for accurate advice tailored to your situation.
How do you negotiate hail damage claim?
To negotiate a hail damage claim, document all damages meticulously and get an independent estimate from reputable contractors before speaking with the adjuster from the insurance company.
Roof damage is a nightmare no homeowner wants to face. But when it does occur, knowing your homeowners’ insurance policy inside out is crucial.
You’ve learned that not all roof damages are created equal in the eyes of insurers. Weather-related damages like windstorms and hail typically get covered, while issues with older roofs might be a bit trickier.
Filing an insurance claim for roof damage can feel daunting but remember – documentation is key. It’s also essential to have professional inspections done by reputable companies such as Christian Roofing.
The question ‘Does insurance cover roof damage?’ isn’t black and white; various factors influence this including your policy terms, deductibles and even the age of your roof.


Mad Catz is one of the biggest names in the market when it comes to third party console peripherals, but now the company has been consigned to the history books as it has filed for bankruptcy. The company actually filed yesterday, March 30th, and all directors and officers of Mad Catz resigned on the same day.
Mad Catz had been struggling for a while financially and had invested a lot into Harmonix’s Rock Band 4 recently via its hardware, though the game wasn’t successful enough to help turn fortunes around. Last week the company was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange for non compliance with the exchange’s listing standards.
I’m sure a number of us have owned something Mad Catz branded through our gaming lives, and whatever your opinion of the quality it is a shame to see the company close its doors.


USE OF THIS GIFT CARD (“CARD”) CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS: Card must be activated before it may be redeemed. Card is redeemable on online and in-store purchases of merchandise from any Reitmans (Canada) Limited division stores (Penningtons, Reitmans and RW&CO.). Sales taxes applied at time of redemption. Upon redemption, any unused balance will be carried over for future purchases. Value of merchandise returns purchased with Card will be credited to original Card or a new Card will be issued for an equivalent amount. Card may not be returned, cancelled, or exchanged for cash except where required by applicable law. Not a debit or credit card. Reitmans (Canada) Limited is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged Cards or for unauthorized Card use. Treat Card like cash. For Card balance, refer to your last receipt, visit any Reitmans (Canada) Limited division store or call 1-866-REITMAN. We may refuse, cancel or hold for review Cards for suspected fraud. Cards are issued by Reitmans (Canada) Limited and do not expire. PROTECT THIS CARD.


Immigrant Investor Programme and Start-up Entrepreneur Scheme announced by Department of Justice and Equality
Date Published: 16-04-2012
Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter formally announced two new immigration programmes in March 2012. Applications for the Immigrant Investor Programme and the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme commenced on 16 April 2012.
The Immigrant Investor Programme
The Immigrant Investor Programme allows non-EEA citizens and their immediate family to enter the State on a multi-entry visa for an initial period of 5 years, reviewable after two years.
The following investments will be considered under this programme:-
- A once-off endowment of a minimum of €500,000 to a public project
- A minimum €1,000,000 venture capital funding into new or existing Irish businesses for a minimum of three years
- A minimum €2,000,000 investment in a special interest 5 year immigrant investor bond
- A minimum €1,000,000 mixed investment consisting of 50% in property and 50%in immigrant investor bonds. Special consideration could be given to those purchasing property, in the State, which have been enforced by NAMA. In such cases a single €1m investment in property might be sufficient.
The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme
Under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme, residency will be granted to migrants with a "high potential start-up" initiatives and funding of €75,000 for the purpose of developing their business. No job creation targets will be set initially as it is recognised that start-up businesses take some time to get up and running. In addition, persons must not be a ‘drain’ on public funds.
All applications for both the Investor Programme and the Start-up Programme will be subject to an evaluation process. Applications forms and guidelines will be available from 30 March 2012.
For further information:-
Guidelines and Application Form for both programmes are available on www.inis.ie


The massive $350 million-plus judgment rendered against former President Donald Trump on Friday in the civil lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James is a double whammy.
Paying such enormous damages seriously depletes the net worth of even a self-proclaimed billionaire. More devastating to Trump, the court’s decision eviscerates his public image as a shrewd New York real estate mogul — an image he has carefully cultivated for decades.
Yet the enormous damages are not the only blow to Trump’s pocketbook.
The massive financial headaches for Trump are just beginning. Before he can appeal the verdict, Trump will have to post a bond or pledge assets that could tally close to $400 million, equal to the verdict plus 9% post-judgment interest. This assures that if Trump loses the appeal, the state of New York will collect the money.
A business litigation observer previously told NBC News that Trump would have to pay a nonrefundable fee of $18 million to obtain a bond (for a $370 million judgment, so slightly more than the actual judgment). Any company putting up the bond will demand collateral.
If Trump needs to pledge any New York properties or assets to the bonding company to secure the appeal bond, an independent monitor appointed by Judge Arthur Engoron would have to be notified by Trump in advance.


The term versus permanent life insurance debate has been going on for years. We break them both down so you can make an educated decision about which type of insurance works best for you.
Term vs. Permanent basics
Consider term life for:
- Death benefit protection without cash value accumulation.1
- Life insurance on a limited budget.
- Ability to convert to long-term life insurance.
Consider whole life for:
- Long-term death benefit protection.
- Stable cash value accumulation.
- Potential to receive dividends.
Term life insurance benefits
- Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period. It is also less expensive than permanent life insurance which accumulates cash value and provides other benefits. Term life insurance has a guaranteed death benefit2, but no cash value, and its premiums will either stay level or increase at pre-determined intervals, such as after one year, five years, 10 years, or 20 years.
- Term life insurance is a great choice when your protection needs are expected to be high for a period of time, then drop back, such as when your family is growing. It can also be an effective way to supplement permanent insurance during high-need years, such as when family and other financial responsibilities are outpacing income.
- In these situations, term coverage allows you to obtain crucial death benefit protection that better fits your current budget. Also, if the coverage is convertible (the term policy can be “converted” to a comparable cash value policy, without the need to provide evidence of insurability), you can get the coverage you need today—with the ability to obtain permanent coverage in the future.
The disadvantages of term life insurance.
- Term life insurance provides a death benefit only, for a specific period. When the term expires, so does your protection. If you stop paying premiums, the coverage also ends.
- Once the contract expires, that’s it. If your policy expires at midnight on December 31, and you die at 11:59 on New Year’s Eve, your beneficiary receives the full death benefit. If you die at 12:01 on January 1, however, your beneficiary receives nothing.
- Purchasing term insurance is often compared to renting a house. When you rent, you get the full and immediate use of the house and all that goes with it, but when your lease expires, you must renew the lease (probably at a higher cost) or leave. Even if you rent the house for 30 years, you have no “equity” or value that belongs to you.
- There is a very real danger that you could suffer health reverses and be uninsurable when the term coverage expires. While many term policies are convertible to permanent coverage, others may not be. Even if the coverage is convertible, there are time limits. If the time period in which conversion is allowed has passed, you may be required to reapply for coverage. If you are found to be uninsurable at that time, you will be without insurance.
- Since premiums increase at the end of the term period, the long-term cost of term life can be burdensome. That’s why the term policy’s conversion privilege is so important. This valuable feature is usually available in the first few years of the policy and allows you to convert to permanent insurance without submitting evidence of insurability.
- Converting to a permanent policy lets you “lock in” a fixed and level premium. This coverage can never be canceled, provided premiums are paid.
Permanent life insurance benefits
Here are just some of the reasons why permanent life insurance with cash value can be a strong long-term solution for many people:
- Cash value life insurance provides lifelong insurance protection, provided premiums are paid. With few exceptions, your policy cannot be canceled by the carrier once you have been approved for the coverage. Regardless of your health, the insurance will remain in force.
- Despite higher initial premiums, cash value life insurance can be less expensive than term in the long run. Your premiums will be set when you purchase the policy, and they cannot be raised, no matter what happens to the economy or to your health. When your term policy is up for renewal, your premiums will increase. As a policy owner, you automatically become eligible to receive dividends. You can use them to purchase additional paid-up insurance to grow your policy, use them to help offset the cost of future premiums or use them for any other purpose.3 Dividends are not guaranteed, however; there are instances when an insurance company will not declare them.
- A whole life policy can eliminate the problem of future insurability. Cash value life insurance does not expire after a certain period, so you will not lose your insurance if health problems arise. Also, some policies contain guaranteed purchase options, which allow you to buy additional coverage at specified times, regardless of your health.
- Remember “cash value”? Cash value builds at a fixed rate determined by the insurer. It’s designed to reach the size of the death benefit when the policy matures. This cash amount—part of which is guaranteed under many policies—can be used in the future for any purpose you wish. If you like, you can access cash value for a down payment on a home, to help pay for your children’s education, or to provide income for your retirement if the insurance needs decrease. Accessing cash value reduces death benefit and available cash surrender value.