Welcome to Amica Life's InSights
Amica Life's InSights newsletter presents consumer news about finances, health, safety and more. You'll also find useful articles on life insurance issues and choices. Come back to visit often!
Spring into Action
Okay, no more excuses. Now that spring is finally here, it's time to get your heart pumping - in the great outdoors.
- Put away the skis, dust off your bicycle, and go for a ride
- Drag out your kayaks or canoes and go for a paddle.
- Get your hands dirty and uncover a beautiful garden waiting to bloom.
- Pick up some trash along streets or wooded areas in your neighborhood.
- Take the kids to the park and try to keep up with them.
- Take your dog out to play ball or throw a Frisbee.
- Fly a kite or swing on a swing.
- Rake the leaves left over from the fall.
- Volunteer for Special Olympics practices and games.
- Mow the lawn with an old-fashioned lawn mower.
- Take a walk on the beach and bring a trash bag and gloves to pick up beach litter.
- Blow bubbles, chalk up the driveway, or play hide-and-seek with your grandchildren.
- Golf and then golf some more - and don't use a cart.
- Help a relative or friend paint his house so that you can ask him to return the favor.
- Build a rainwater run-off collector in the backyard to reduce water costs and help the environment.
- Walk to the local market instead of driving.
- Wash your home's outside windows, and wash and clean out your car.
- Walk around your neighborhood and talk with neighbors you haven't seen outside all winter.
- Get out your baseball gloves and play catch.
- Plan family outings and weekends that include physical activity (hiking, backpacking, swimming, etc.)
- See the sights in new cities by walking, jogging or bicycling.
- Make a weekly date with a friend to enjoy your favorite outdoor physical activities.
- Join a recreational club that emphasizes physical activity.
Whatever you decide to do, just know that your heart thanks you!
How to Ace Your Medical Exam
When you apply for a fully-underwritten life insurance policy, you'll be asked to take a medical exam. But don't worry, it's quick and easy - and in many cases can be done right at home.
Here's what will be done in a routine exam:
- Measured height and weight
- Three blood pressure readings
- Pulse reading
- Blood test
- Urine specimen
Depending on your age, the amount of life insurance coverage sought, and your personal medical history, you may be asked to take some additional tests. These might include a resting or treadmill electrocardiogram, a chest x-ray, or a doctor's exam.
Remember, the exam is usually done at the insurer's expense - and at your convenience. We contract with paramedical facilities who will call you soon after you submit an application to set up an appointment.
A qualified technician will come to your house, your work place - or wherever it's convenient for you. The technician can complete the basic exam in a short time. A resting electrocardiogram also can be completed by the technician at the same time as the basic requirements, but additional tests will require a visit to a medical office in your area.
To get the best possible results, follow these guidelines:
- Try to get a good night's sleep the night before the exam.
- Avoid strenuous exercise within 12 hours of your exam.
- Don't consume alcohol within eight hours of your exam.
- Avoid excessive caffeine and tobacco in any form for two hours before your exam.
- When scheduling the exam, let the technician know if you have a very large arm so a larger blood pressure cuff can be used.
- You'll get more reliable results if the exam is done first thing in the morning before breakfast.
"At Amica Life we'll provide you with the results of your exam when your policy is issued," says Lori Waterman, an Amica Life Officer. "Our goal is to make the underwriting process, including the collection of medical requirements, as easy for our customers as possible."
Safeguard Your Important Papers
It's remarkable how "important papers" - insurance policies, wills, birth certificates, tax records, savings bonds and financial statements - are out of sight and out of mind until we need them, and then they can't be found.
That's what happened to Ed Naya, a Life Officer at Amica Life, when his father passed away and some crucial documents came up missing.
"As the executor of my father's estate, I was responsible for making sure his affairs were taken care of after he passed away unexpectedly. Although my father was a fairly organized person, when it came to having his important documents in one place, he sure didn't make my job easy," he explains.
"After many long hours digging through his desk and files, and making several phone calls to his lawyer, bank, and accountant, I was able to track down most of his important documents. In hindsight, I should have spent some time with my father to make sure all of his important papers were in one place and well documented.
Ed's story is not uncommon, especially when today's important papers also include computer files and online documents. As a result, the paper trail becomes even harder to control. Here are some ideas from the Internal Revenue Service to help you manage it all:
- Many people receive bank statements and documents by e-mail. This method is an outstanding way to secure financial records.
- Scan all other important tax records such as W-2s, tax returns and other paper documents into an electronic format.
- Once all records are electronically saved, you can periodically copy all of your records onto a "key" or "jump drive" (USB flash drives). These can be sent to a relative in another city for safe-keeping in case one's normal computer backup systems are destroyed. Other options include copying your files onto a CD or DVD.
- Once you have electronic copies of your important papers, you'll want to file and store the originals in a safe and manageable filing system that works for you. A fireproof metal box that locks serves most families well.
Remember, it's important to take precautions with your family documents. Store your paper and electronic records in a safe place. Back up your electronic files, and make duplicates of your printed and digital files to keep in a separate location. Your important papers will be secure and available when you need them.
Mind Your Antioxidants
An Antioxidant a Day ...
Beta-carotenes? Luteins? Lycopenes?
If these sound more like something you'd put into your gas tank instead of your stomach, no doubt you've lost your way in the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid.
Some medical studies indicate that these minute substances, found in a variety of foods, are actually powerhouses that work hard to increase your overall health and well-being. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers some helpful information to munch on:
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage that free radicals otherwise might cause. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins C, E and A.
Can antioxidants prevent cancer?
Considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicates that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. However, in recent years, large-scale, randomized clinical trials reached inconsistent conclusions. The NCI strongly recommends that you get your antioxidants from a variety of fruits and vegetables, some of which are listed below.
How might antioxidants prevent cancer?
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals as the natural by-product of normal cell processes. Free radicals are molecules with incomplete electron shells which make them more chemically reactive than those with complete electron shells. Exposure to various environmental factors, including tobacco smoke and radiation, can also lead to free radical formation.
Which foods are rich in antioxidants?
Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts, grains, some meats, poultry and fish. The list below describes foods rich in antioxidants:
Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables - collard greens, spinach, and kale, for example - are also rich in beta-carotene.
Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.
Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries. In the United States, meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.
Vitamin A is found in liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks, and mozzarella cheese.
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also in cereals, beef, poultry, and fish.
Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds; in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn, and soybean oils; and also in mangos, nuts, broccoli, and other foods.
The benefits from consuming antioxidants are still under study and much more information is available from government and private health organizations. While the research continues, there is evidence that antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, and grains may provide positive effects on our health.
Keep a Personal Medication Record
The best way to keep track of your medications is to keep a personal medication record. Click on and print out a copy of the Personal Medication Record form below. Fill it out as completely as possible. Make copies of your completed form to give to your doctors, pharmacist, and a family member. Keep one copy at home and carry one with you.
What is an Annuity?
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company in which you agree to make a lump-sum payment or a series of payments. In return, the insurer agrees to make periodic payments to you starting either immediately or at an agreed-on future date.
Annuities typically offer tax-deferred growth of earnings and may include a death benefit that will pay your beneficiary a guaranteed minimum amount, such as your total purchase payments.
What does contributing to an annuity allow you to do?
- Safely create wealth for your heirs
- Help plan for retirement
- Achieve tax-deferred growth
- Allow your heirs to avoid probate after your death
- Provide an increased death benefit
With a fixed annuity, the insurance company guarantees that you will earn no less than a minimum rate of interest during the time that your account is growing. The insurer also guarantees that the periodic payments will be an ensured amount per dollar into your account. These payments may last for a definite period, such as 20 years, or for an indefinite period such as your lifetime or the lifetimes of you and your spouse.
It's important to remember that annuities are intended for long-term planning. There are often surrender charges if you cancel the contract during the first 5-10 years or before age 59½
"If you're thinking about purchasing an annuity, Amica offers very safe fixed annuities," explains Suzan Mitchell, a senior life representative at Amica Life. "We'll work with you to provide the most suitable option for your needs. We can design a program to guarantee that you will not outlive your money. Amica has no administrative fees, so your money goes to work for you immediately."
InSights is issued quarterly by Amica Life Insurance Company.
