Life Insurance

22 Babies at 24 Years Old The Unbelievable Story of Kristina Osturk Shield Insurance Agency Blog

22 Babies at 24 Years Old: The Unbelievable Story of Kristina Osturk

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | 22 Babies | By Allison Levine | March 6, 2024 | Life Insurance

Kristina Ozturk and her husband Galip are currently the proud parents of 21 children, plus one more Kristina had before they met. What’s more, all 21 of the couple’s children were born within 18 months of each other. How is that possible? Here is the unbelievable, but true, story of the Ozturk family.

Teenage Single Mom of 22 Babies

In 2014, the Moscow-born woman Kristina Ozturk was a 17-year-old single mother responsible for caring for and raising her daughter alone. It was at this moment that, in a plot twist that could have been written into a Disney movie, Kristina’s life changed forever.

The Russian teenager, who had been working as a stripper in order to support her family, took a trip away. As the mother and daughter enjoyed their first international vacation in the Georgian seaside resort of Batumi, Kristina met a 50-year-old millionaire hotel owner named Galip Ozturk and, despite the 33-year age gap, the two fell head over heels in love.

On the Same Page

It wasn’t only an attraction for each other that the teenage Kristina and millionaire Galip shared, they were also on the same page when it came to extending their family. While many couples wish to have 2, 3, or even 4 children, Kristina and Galip Ozturk, who married soon after meeting, wanted to have as many as they possibly could.

At first, Kristina and Galip planned to have one child a year. They quickly decided that wouldn’t give them as many children as they wanted, as quickly as they hoped for. That’s when they decided to begin using surrogates.

22 Babies in 17 Months

By using surrogates to grow their family, Kristina and Galip Ozturk removed all biological limitations on the number of children they could produce, and how quickly. Between March 2020 and July 2021, the couple welcomed 21 children into their lives. Added to Kristina’s existing daughter, that meant 22 kids to look after, 21 of whom were under 18 months old.

Read the full story and see the adorable photos…

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Valentine’s Day Gifts for your LOVE

Free Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Love

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Mom Generations | FEBRUARY 7, 2013 | AUDREY | Valentine’s Day | Life Insurance

Are you looking for some really cute and amazing Free Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Sweetie? I know I love to find the best FREE things that I can find! When my husband and I first starting dating we were in college, so we literally had NO money. Gifts were nothing you had to buy. You needed to think about it and really dig deep for something special. Free gifts were something we did for years because our budget just didn’t allow it. Honestly? Those were the best gifts of all anyway!

Free Valentine’s Day Gifts

Are you on a budget? Are you out of ideas? Try these out! I’m dishing all of my fave FREE Valentine’s Day Gifts for your LOVE! That’s right!  Valentine’s Day is a special day to declare your love even more with the one you love!

I always love to do something different for Matt. It’s not about buying an expensive gift, it’s about doing something thought-worthy. I always love to do something out-of-the-box and a little (I’ll say it) cheesy, but that’s me! I’ve come up with 61 FREE Valentine’s Day Gifts for your LOVE!

FREE Valentine’s Day Gifts for your LOVE:

1) I’m going to start with the easiest for Valentine’s Day – a handwritten love letter.

2) Romantic dinner at home. Why pay for an expensive meal?

3) Share a bubble bath. Ohhh… la… la!

4) Send romantic quotes to each other throughout the day via email.

5) Declare your love to each other on Facebook. What is it that you love about each other that you would share with the world?

6) Watch a romantic movie.

7) Play a game together.

8) Find old love notes you sent each other and put them and share.

9) Take photos of the 2 of you together and create a collage.

10) Create a scavenger hunt of love notes around the house.

More Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

11) Clean the kitchen for him or her.

12) Clean the bathrooms for him or her.

13) Breakfast in bed.

14) Romantic walk around the neighborhood together holding hands.

15) Call each other throughout the day just to say “I Love You”

16) Have romantic music playing and his/her fave snacks on the counter when they get home from work.

17) Surprise him or her with changing the sheets before bedtime. It’s always a treat to sink into a freshly made bed!

18) Pin photos of each other throughout the day and tag each one with each other’s twitter handle.

19) If you’re a blogger, create a beautiful post to your love.

20) Do a chore around the house that you’ve been putting off forever! Always a bonus surprise!

(What do you think?? GOOD, right? There’s more for Valentine’s Day)

21) Meet each other for lunch.

22) Just sit on the couch after the kids go to bed and just enjoy each other’s company.

23) Read together (it can be different and VERY romantic!)

24) Record his or her FAVE TV show for the week leading up to Valentine’s Day and then surprise him or her with a marathon of their FAVE show.

25) Do some gaming online together.

26) If you have a pool and jacuzzi, enjoy a midnight swim!

27) Build a fire and enjoy a glass of wine together.

28) Build a puzzle you’ve had boxed away forever.

29) Play “50 Questions” with each other. See how many answers you can get right!

30) Create a special movie montage of old movies and photos.

31) Foot massages.

Need more Free Valentine’s Day gift ideas? Click here!

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Discover the Surprising Contrast between Group and Individual Life Insurance

Discover the Surprising Contrast between Group and Individual Life Insurance

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Shield Insurance Blog | Group and Individual Life Insurance | Contact Us

What’s the difference between group and individual life insurance?

When it comes to protecting your loved ones financially, life insurance is an essential tool. It provides a safety net that ensures your family’s financial stability in the event of your untimely death. However, choosing the right type of life insurance can be confusing, especially with the various options available. Two common types of life insurance are group life insurance and individual life insurance. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two types of coverage and help you make an informed decision.

Group Life Insurance

Group life insurance is a type of coverage that is typically offered by employers or organizations to their employees or members. It provides life insurance benefits to a group of individuals under a single policy. Here are some key features and benefits of group life insurance:

1. Group life benefits: Group life insurance offers several benefits to the insured individuals. These benefits may include a death benefit, accidental death, and dismemberment coverage, and sometimes even disability coverage.

2. Group life coverage: Group life insurance coverage is usually provided at a fixed amount or a multiple of the employee’s salary. The coverage amount may vary depending on the employer or organization’s policy.

3. Group life insurance advantages: One of the main advantages of group life insurance is that it is often provided as a part of an employee’s benefits package, which means the premiums are typically lower than individual life insurance policies. Additionally, group life insurance policies often do not require a medical exam, making it easier to obtain coverage.

4. Group life insurance policy: The group life insurance policy is owned by the employer or organization, and the insured individuals are covered under the master policy. The policyholder pays the premiums, and the coverage is typically terminated when the individual leaves the group or organization.

Comparing Group and Individual Life Insurance

Now that we have discussed group life insurance, let’s explore individual life insurance and the key differences between the two:

Individual Life Insurance

Individual life insurance is a type of coverage that is purchased by an individual directly from an insurance company. Here are some key features and benefits of individual life insurance:

1. Individual life insurance advantages: One of the main advantages of individual life insurance is that it provides personalized coverage tailored to the individual’s needs. The coverage amount can be chosen based on the individual’s financial obligations, such as mortgage payments, education expenses, or other debts. Additionally, individual life insurance policies often offer more flexibility and options for customization compared to group life insurance.

2. Individual life insurance policy: The individual life insurance policy is owned by the insured individual, and they have control over the policy. The insured individual pays the premiums, and the coverage remains in effect as long as the premiums are paid.

3. Individual life plan: Individual life insurance plans can be further categorized into term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years, while permanent life insurance provides coverage for the insured individual’s entire life.

4. Individual life insurance rates: The premiums for individual life insurance policies are based on various factors, including the insured individual’s age, health, lifestyle, and coverage amount. Generally, individual life insurance premiums are higher than group life insurance premiums.

Choosing the Right Group and Individual Life Insurance

When deciding between group life insurance and individual life insurance, it is important to consider your specific needs and circumstances. Here are a few factors to consider:

1. Coverage amount: Evaluate your financial obligations and determine the coverage amount you need to protect your loved ones adequately.

2. Flexibility: Consider whether you need the flexibility to customize your coverage or if a standard group life insurance policy would suffice.

3. Cost: Compare the premiums of group life insurance and individual life insurance policies to determine which option fits your budget.

4. Long-term needs: If you anticipate the need for coverage beyond your employment or membership in a group, individual life insurance may be a better option.

Contact Shield Insurance Agency for a Free Quote

Shield Insurance Agency represents over 40 insurance companies and can help you find the right life insurance coverage for your needs. Contact Shield Insurance Agency at (616) 896-4600 for a free quote today or start the quoting process by visiting this LINK, and an agent will be in touch soon. Don’t wait to protect your loved ones financially – get the right life insurance coverage today!

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Shark Attack App Uses AI to Forecast and Detect Risk for Swimmers at 89% Accuracy

Shark Attack App Uses AI to Forecast and Detect Risk for Swimmers at 89% Accuracy

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A sophisticated app generates shark attack “forecasts” using artificial intelligence.

GoodNewsNetwork.org | By Andy Corbley | May 19, 2023 | Shark Attack | Boat Insurance

The developers are taking advantage of a deep learning algorithm to compartmentalize over a hundred years of shark attack data to create a sort-of weather forecast for beaches around the US with an 89% accuracy.

Called SafeWaters.AI, they hope not only to save lives—their primary objective—but to help reduce the persecution of sharks in response to attacks on humans.

Shark Attack Risks

The risk of shark attack is about 1 in every 3.7 million swimmers, and 60% (28) of all recorded shark attacks in the US have occurred in Florida.

As the developers point out, most consumers of news regarding AI see it employed for aspects that seem frightening or purely futuristic, such as deep fake video creation or self-driving cars.

But the ability of a targeted AI to parse out trends and forces in mountains of data lends it to working with all manner of unique applications. In this case, over a hundred years of shark attack reports are analyzed, with data points being whether it was a swimmer or surfer, where the victim was swimming, what time of day it was, what the marine weather conditions were like, and even whether they were wearing shiny jewelry.

Shark Attack App Uses AI to Forecast and Detect Risk for Swimmers at 89% Accuracy

credit SafeWaters AI

In an era where artificial intelligence is progressively transforming our daily lives, a groundbreaking app, SafeWatersAI, has arrived. This innovative application, which has recently launched its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, revolutionizes our interaction with marine environments. SafeWaters forecasts the risk of shark attacks with an impressive 89% accuracy rate. You can say it’s like a weather app, for sharkiness.

All of this contributes to the total percentage risk displayed on the app.

Currently, the project is being crowdfunded, with 5% of all future sales to be donated to ocean cleanup efforts.

Click here to read the full article and see some great photos…

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The History of Memorial Day

The History of Memorial Day

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HISTORY.COM | APRIL 20, 2023 | Memorial Day | Shield Insurance Agency | Start A Quote Today!

The Birthplace of Memorial Day and Early Observances

The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict
in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national
cemeteries.

By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding
springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with
flowers and reciting prayers.

It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities
may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. And some records show
that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of
formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the
Confederacy surrendered in 1865. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government
declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.

Waterloo—which first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it
hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and
residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

Did you know? Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

Decoration Day

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.

Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and reprised the tradition in subsequent years; by 1890 each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states, on the other hand, continued to honor the dead on separate days until after World War I.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date General Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Memorial Day Traditions and Rituals 

Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem. On a less somber note, many people take weekend trips or throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because Memorial Day weekend—the long weekend comprising the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day and Memorial Day itself—unofficially marks the beginning of summer.

Visit History.com for the full story and some great photos

Click here for the full story…

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Types of Retirement Plans for Individuals in 2023

Types of Retirement Plans for Individuals in 2023

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PersonalCapital.com | By JJ Lester, CFP® | November 10, 2022 | Retirement Plans | Life Insurance

Imagining your retirement can be exciting, but for many, building your nest egg can also be overwhelming.

There are numerous types of retirement plans for individuals. Choosing which one to use may leave you unsure of the best option. The best way to feel confident about your retirement savings is by having a long-term financial plan and a fiduciary financial professional on your team.

In this article, I’ll give a primer on the most common retirement account types, how they work, and who they might work best for.

Selecting the right savings vehicle is not always straightforward. Many factors come into play when you are building a retirement plan: your current age, income level, and ideal tax-optimization strategy. Here are some common retirement plans and criteria to consider.

Tip: Free personal finance tools can help you analyze your retirement plan. A good place to start is with Personal Capital’s Retirement Planner, which will help you assess your retirement readiness and identify areas for improvement.

1. Traditional 401k | Retirement Plans

One of the most popular and widely known investment tools, the 401k, is an employer-sponsored retirement plan that lets you save for retirement in a tax-sheltered manner.

Traditional 401k contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, ultimately reducing your taxable income and allowing your contributions to grow tax-deferred until you withdraw your money in retirement.

In 2022, the contribution limit is $20,500 ($22,500 in 2023), and individuals aged 50 and over may contribute up to an additional catch-up amount of $6,500 ($7,500 in 2023).

Employers may offer a profit-sharing or employer match program where they contribute a certain percentage to your 401k plan. Employers can utilize different vesting requirements, such as being employed for a certain number of years. Other times, contributions made on behalf of your employer may be 100% immediately vested, meaning that money is in your own hands once applied to your 401k account. If an employer requires a certain amount or percentage of your salary to be contributed to your 401k in order to receive the matching benefit, you should contribute at least that amount to take full advantage of your employer’s contribution.

Before withdrawing contributions from your 401k, you should work with your financial advisor to avoid paying withdrawal penalties. If you are age 59½ or younger, withdrawals are assessed at a 10% penalty in addition to ordinary income taxes (taxed at your highest marginal tax rate). Though there are a few IRS exceptions from the early withdrawal penalty, taking money out of your 401k before you are 59½ or at the age of 72 (for Required Minimum Distributions) is usually not advised.

Ideal For: If you think you will be in a lower marginal tax bracket when you start withdrawing funds in retirement, a traditional 401k plan can be advantageous.

2. Roth 401k

Read more about Retirement Plans..

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Year-end financial checklist

Year-end Financial Checklist

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US Bank.com | October 11, 2022 | Shield Life Insurance | Financial Checklist

An end-of-the-year financial checklist is a good opportunity to make sure you’re still on track toward your financial goals. 

Sometimes it feels like a year can disappear in the blink of an eye. When you look back over the previous 12 months, you might be surprised at what may have changed for you, whether that’s in terms of the economy at large, your individual finances, or your personal circumstances.

That’s why the end of the year is a good time to review your accounts and investments and make smart adjustments for the new year. Also, with tax season around the corner, reviewing your portfolio and personal finances now could potentially help reduce your tax liability.

Use this year-end financial checklist as a guide.

1. Review your financial plan

Think about what you spent money on this year, and how much. Whether it was home improvements, a vacation, or boosting a loved one’s college savings, did you achieve your family’s financial goals? Or did you put some on hold in favor of other priorities that came up during the year? Do you foresee having to make any large purchases in the next year?

Also, consider what changed in your life this year. Births, deaths, marriage, divorce, and retirement can all have an impact on both your personal finances and your strategic financial plan.

Financial planning tips

  • Be honest with yourself. If money was tight, or if you had a surplus, this is a good time to adjust your spending and priorities.
  • Use a financial professional as a sounding board. An outside perspective is helpful when reviewing short- and long-term family financial goals. A financial professional might be able to make suggestions you haven’t thought about. 

2. Review your employee benefits

It’s tempting to just keep your employee benefits humming along in the background, but reviewing them yearly can make a big difference. Look at your employer-sponsored 401(k) or IRA account contributions for the year. Did you max out your contributions? If not, did you at least contribute as much as the company match?

For the 2022 tax year, the maximum 401(k) contribution is $20,500, plus an additional $6,500 if you’re 50+. The maximum IRA contribution is $6,000, plus $1,000 if you’re 50+. If you’re not maxing out your contribution, consider at least increasing it on an annual basis.

Don’t forget to pay attention to your allocations. Are you happy with the ratio of stocks, bonds and other assets, or do you need to rebalance?

Other employee benefits to review and adjust—with a financial professional, if you like—include corporate stock options and other incentive plans (restricted stock, restricted award units, etc.); health, life and disability insurance coverage; and your flexible spending account (FSA).

And don’t forget your health spending account (HSA), if you have one. For the 2022 tax year, the maximum HSA contributions are $3,650 for individuals, $7,300 for families, and an additional $1,000 for individuals age 55+.

Finally, are your beneficiaries up to date? Can you also designate a successor beneficiary? You work hard for your employees’ benefits, so be sure they end up where you want them.

Employee benefit tips

  • Calculate your remaining health insurance deductible. Can you accelerate or postpone medical treatments?
  • Use up your FSA. There are some qualified products you may not have thought of, from contact lens solution to bandages, that you can purchase with those funds.

3. Conduct a year-end tax review

Tax Day might not be until April 15, but it’s always a good idea to get a head start on preparation. For example, did you experience any life transitions (marriage, births, divorce, deaths, retirement, etc.) in the last year that could affect your tax withholding status?

Based on your anticipated income for next year, would deferring or accelerating any bonuses, property sales, other taxable transactions, deductible expenses, charitable gifts, etc., benefit you from a tax perspective? A financial professional can help you review your options.

Tax review tip

  • Explore tax loss harvesting. If you had investments that lost money, tax loss harvesting can help you reduce your tax liability. There are strict rules around how this is executed, so to avoid potential penalties, consider talking to a financial or tax professional before using this strategy.

4. Assess your investments

Read the full story on the financial checklist here…

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You should buy life insurance in your 20s if another person would face a financial burden upon your death, including your spouse, partner, children, parents or a business partner.

Should I Buy Life Insurance in My 20s?

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Experian | by Tim Maxwell | Life Insurance

Quick Answer

You should buy life insurance in your 20s if another person would face a financial burden upon your death, including your spouse, partner, children, parents or a business partner.

In your 20s, buying life insurance likely isn’t at the top of mind. You’re probably focusing on paying off student loans or meeting basic expenses, and adding yet another bill to the mix can be hard to justify. Still, making room for life insurance in your financial plan may make sense.

It may be a good idea to buy life insurance in your 20s if you have dependents who rely on your income, you have a lot of debt or if you want to lock in a low rate while you’re young and generally in good health. Locking in a good rate now can give you peace of mind knowing there’s a financial safety net for the people you care about most.

When It Makes Sense to Buy Life Insurance in Your 20s

Purchasing life insurance may protect anyone who would be financially impacted if you die by providing them with a cash payout. The following are some instances where buying life insurance while you’re young may be a wise choice.

  • If someone relies on you financially: Life insurance can protect anyone who depends on your income, whether it’s your partner, spouse or children, or a parent, sibling or business partner.
  • You have a family or plan on having one: If you have a partner, spouse or children who rely on your income, getting life insurance is essential to help cover your family’s living expenses and debts if you die. If you’re single but want a family in the future, getting life insurance now can save you money in the long run since premiums are less expensive when you’re younger and healthier.
  • You have large debts: Life insurance can make sure student loans, mortgages or other large debts are not passed on to your family upon your death. While federal student loans are discharged when you die, most private loans are not. Even if loans are forgiven, they can leave behind with a large tax bill.
  • You want to cover your final expenses: The average funeral costs $7,848, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. While you shouldn’t have to worry about your funeral for years to come, anything can happen. Final expense life insurance can cover funeral costs so your loved ones don’t have to.

Consider getting life insurance if you want to help mitigate the financial burden your loved ones might face if you die. Your beneficiaries can receive a tax-free death benefit, which they can use to pay debts, living expenses, college tuition or for any other purpose.

What Type of Life Insurance Should You Buy?

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Insurance Companies Response to Covid - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Insurance Companies respond to Covid

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Shield Insurance Blog | Covid |

There is a wealth of information in this article and too much to post, but please check it out as the Health Insurance Companies are listed A-Z and each one explains HOW they are responding to the Covid Crisis.

Insurance Companies response to Covid

The health and well-being of millions of Americans remain our highest priority. Health insurance providers are committed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are activating emergency plans to ensure that Americans have access to the prevention, testing, and treatment needed to handle the current situation.

Here are some ways health insurance providers are taking action:

Click this link to view the article

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Independent Agent - Dave Ramsey's Number One Top - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Independent Agent: Dave Ramsey’s Number One Tip

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“If you’re looking to save hundreds, even thousands, on your insurance costs, consider Dave’s number-one tip: Purchase your coverage through an independent insurance agent, which is an agent who represents several insurance companies instead of working for just one carrier.” – Dave Ramsey

Shield Insurance Agency is a 3rd Generation Agency providing all Independent Agents

In today’s economy we cut coupons, look for BOGO’s, and try to find the best insurance coverage for our buck. With insurance agents, there are two types – Captive and Independent.

A captive agent is one who works for one specific company and is able to provide one companies products.

From Dave

An independent agent is one who sells insurance products for several different companies but does not work for a specific company. So as we spend our time looking for ways to trim costs, one easy way to do that is to contact your local independent insurance agency and see how they can help. 

Shield Insurance is an Independent Agency, Endorsed by Dave Ramsey
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