Services
Advantage Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. (AIFSI) provides a wide variety of financial services to both individuals and business clients. These include:
Group insurance plans typically form the cornerstone of an employee benefits package with most firms. In today's competitive business environment, benefits can frequently be the difference in hiring, or more importantly, retaining key personnel. Communication of the value of these benefits is a priority with our firm. We are one of the few firms offering a secure, customized internet presence for our client's benefit offerings. Please take a moment to review an example of this award winning service in our Client Access area. AIFSI believes that the more an employee understands about each of their benefits, the more they will appreciate it's value.
AIFSI provides a number of other services in support of employer based employee benefit plans. These services are designed to take advantage of Tax Code provisions allowing both employers and their employees to reduce the net cost of their benefits via tax savings. AIFSI provides many of these comprehensive services to our clients at NO CHARGE from the implementation process to annual reporting.
In addition to employer based plans, AIFSI also provides a full line of insurance services for individuals. One of the primary differences between individual coverages and group plans is that individual coverages are almost always medically underwritten. This means, depending upon your medical history, you could be a) denied coverage entirely, b) coverage could be limited by an exclusion rider, or c) your premium may be surcharged to accommodate the additional underwriting risk, as perceived by the insurance company. Medical history will likely also include evaluation of your HT/WT and use of tobacco products. Other factors besides medical history affecting your approval for coverage can be, a) participation in hazardous activities (e.g. piloting, sky diving, auto racing, etc.), b) your driving record, d) any plans for extended travel out of the US, or d) your financial status, including credit scores. Carriers will also routinely request complete medical records from any of your physicians. This will often delay the underwriting process, as responding to such requests is a very low priority with most physician offices. If possible, we advise you to personally pick-up a copy of your records for submission WITH any application for coverage.
Some insurance companies participate and utilize the Medical Index Bureau (M.I.B.) to secure information on your medical history during their underwriting process. Normally, the M.I.B. will have a record for anyone who has tried to secure medically underwritten coverage within the past 7 years. Before applying for any new individual coverage (particularly if you have any concerns about pre-existing conditions), it is extremely important for you to know what's in their database on your medical history. You are entitled annually to a free disclosure of any information they have on you in their files. You can go to www.mib.com, or call 1.866.692.6901 for this information.
Complementing our insurance services and products, AIFSI offers a wide range of financial advisory services to both groups and individuals. These are available on either a "fee for service" basis for individuals, or a "prepaid" via payroll deduction basis to groups. We also will customize services to meet the needs of any client.
Real estate is commonly the most valuable asset and perhaps best long-term, tax-advantaged investment for many people. AIFSI offers extensive real estate services by credentialed professionals to our clients. We feel this is imperative if we're to truly provide comprehensive financial planning services. Whether you're in the market for a personal residence, corporate retreat, or investment opportunities in real estate, we can exceed your expectations.