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CONSUMER AWARENESS NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS NEWSLETTER

From Russia With LoveOur featured agent, Yelena Mokrova, has come a long way from Moscow to SAV-ON. 2

he U.S. population continues to age. Both men and women are living many years longer than only a generation ago.

Modern medicine, along with new treatments and remedies for elderly diseases that in the past were end-of-life issues now allow the elderly to survive longer. Today’s adults, who are the children of these elderly parents, are faced with Mom or Dad living well into their 80s and even 90s.

As people age, their needs and abili-ties change. They may have trouble getting around the house or difficulty driving. They may not remember things as easily as they once did. And adult children of aging parents may notice that Mom or Dad is having dif-ficulty – with their finances, perhaps, or with personal hygiene.

We all want to support our older loved

ones’ desire to live independently, even when we have concerns about their safety and well-being. But how do we know when it’s time to step in?

Caring for the aging parent usually reaches a breaking point when a crisis hits, and decisions have to be made on how they’re properly cared for, whether in a nursing home or some form of assisted living arrangement. Broken hips from falling many times means rehabilitation in a nursing home, months of physical therapy, and then a long, slow recovery. While their immediate care is usu-ally handled by Medicare, who will care for them in the long-term, as they recover? What specialized needs will they require if they aren’t capable of a full recovery? Start with an assessment.

An assessment is a full review of a person’s mental, physical, environmental and financial condition to determine his or her ability to remain safely independent. It identifies risks and helps determine options to reduce them. It’s very important to involve your parents

in the discussion and decision-making about their options.

There are a lot of questions that come up when faced with the care of an elderly parent.

January 2010www.sav-on.com

See Elderly Care, page 2

Santa paid an early visit to the our Des Moines office on Sunday, December 13th. The Jolly Old Elf arrived to help SAV-ON’s Northwest Harvest donation program collect food for the hungry people in our area. Santa himself even donated $20 to the cause!

In addition to listening to all the kids’ Christmas wish lists, every child who brought non-perishable food to donate to the food bank got a free framed photo with Santa!

Donny, pictured at right sitting on Santa’s lap, was curious how long Santa’s list was, and wanted to take a look to see if he was on it.

Everyone had a fun time, and lots of food and money was collected for Northwest Har-vest. We promise to do it again next year!

SAV-ON is committed to making a dif-ference in our community, and proud to be involved with the vital work being done by Northwest Harvest to feed the hungry.

Santa Claus Visits Our Des Moines Office

NW Harvest HelpersSAV-ON employees roll uptheir sleeves for hunger. 4

Rony Adolfo Santos was our lucky Grand Prize winner in the 2009Referral Contest. He won a 32” TV!

Contest Winner Gets TV

2

The Need for Long-Term Care for Mom or Dad Presents Many Difficult Decisions for Families

First in a three-part series

It’s a long way from Moscow, Russia to Kent, Washington, but Yelena Mokrova has turned that uncertain journey into a

successful career in the insurance business.Immigrating with her mother and sister in

1994 to a small town just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Yelena was only eight years old. She knew very little English and faced a daunt-ing transition into an entirely new culture at an early age. Without her father, who had passed away, life was difficult for them. Yelena started working at 14 to help support the family. In 2000 the family moved to Lakewood, Wash.

After attending a number of high schools in Washington, and becoming a mother at 15, Yelena faced a lot of challenges in her young life. But, now that she had a child, she was more determined than ever to succeed. She realized that she needed to be responsible because she now had a child who relied on her. She went to work at a Wendy’s restaurant, com-pleted her high school education by earning her GED, then enrolled at a technical college and received a Certificate in Completion.

While working at Wendy’s, she ended up meeting the man who would become her husband. Yuriy, who had arrived only a year earlier from the Ukraine, was struggling with the transition to the U.S., and happened to come in to Wendy’s with his sister, who knew Yelena. They began dating, and got married in

2005. Now her daughter, Tanya, had a father in her life.

During this happy time, not only did her personal life improve, but also her career path changed course for the better. She was referred to a major insurance company, and in 2004 she was hired as a Customer Service Representa-tive at their Tukwila, then later Kent location, allowing her to leave the fast food business behind. In typical fashion, Yelena wanted to advance beyond that entry-level position. So, she studied hard for the various insurance li-censes she would need to become an agent, and passed them one-by-one. It took six difficult months to pass the tests and get all the licenses needed, but she did it. With a family to care for, she was determined to succeed.

Now she was an insurance agent, but didn’t like the company’s emphasis on quotas rather than customer service, and demands that she work nights and weekends and “be on call 24/7”. She was a mom and wife, after all, and wanted to have time for her family, too. That’s when she found SAV-ON Insurance Agencies. After applying for an opening at SAV-ON, she interviewed and was impressed by their 40 years in business, and their emphasis on family and community. It was so different from the corporate culture she was in at the big insur-ance company.

“I really liked the fact they they’re a small,

family-oriented business that is locally owned and involved in the community,” states Yelena. “They emphasize that working with clients to get them the best insurance for their needs is the SAV-ON goal.”

Yelena, who speaks fluent Russian, was also an asset for the SAV-ON customers who speak Russian, but struggle with English. But Yelena prides herself in explaining to the customer what insurance is best for them, at the best possible rates, no matter what lan-guage they speak. One of her favorite customer stories illustrates that.

One day an Asian woman came into the Kent office after having an accident. She was a SAV-ON cus-tomer, but spoke very little English. Yelena could only make out a few words, but understood that the woman had been involved in a car accident and didn’t know the steps she needed to take to make a claim. Yelena was able to determine who her insur-ance company was, call her carrier and explain the situation, then explain to the distraught woman where to get a damage estimate and repairs. Even though there was a big language barrier, Yelena was able to help the customer, who was very grateful.

That’s what Yelena enjoys about her job; helping people find the best insurance rates,

and the best kind of insurance for their par-ticular needs. She is, above all, a good listener and enjoys being a problem solver.

“I really like working with my clients, listen-ing to their experiences and hearing their sto-ries. It gives me a chance to get to know them,

and then I can help them more effectively,” Yelena emphasizes. “I’m very honest with my custom-ers, and they appreciate it.”

Yelena, who admits to having a loud, strong voice, is a very outgo-ing, personable agent who really connects with her customers. She is proud that she gets lots of client referrals to their friends, relatives, and even their children when they’re old enough to drive.

“I love having my customers tell their kids to come to me for insurance when it’s time,” she says. “My goal is to get lots of referrals, and what could be better than generation to generation?”

Now Yelena has even more to be thankful for, as she is expecting a new addition to her family, a baby girl, to join the family by the end of December. Anastasia will be the first child for her husband, Yuriy, and it means a sister for 9-year-old Tanya, too.

What does she do in her spare time? Yelena loves to see other cities, but never wants to

travel too far. Vancouver and Victoria, Canada are favorite destinations, and the family has enjoyed spending an over. But mostly it’s family time and going to movies.

She appreciates working at SAV-ON for their emphasis on family and customer service. Last year she was honored as the “top producer” in their Kent office. She is “shocked” by how well they treat their agents, with bonuses and a nice Christmas party.

“I tell them I appreciate them all the time. I feel like part of their family, and that’s the way they treat us,” she exclaims. “They help you, they educate you, and they truly want you to succeed. I am very happy working here. If anyone has an issue, they can address it. The owners care and they listen. That doesn’t hap-pen at a large agency.”

As for the future, Yelena sees herself right here at SAV-ON, but gets the most satisfaction moving clients from high-risk auto insurance to preferred rates, lowering their premiums substantially. With that in mind, she would love to eventually be part of SAV-ON’s “Grad” department, where the emphasis is helping cus-tomers make that transition to more affordable auto insurance.

With her determination, there’s little doubt she will eventually get there. After all, she’s achieved everything else she’s attempted on that long journey from Moscow.

Yelena Mokrova: Determination to Succeed and Desire to Help Clients is Her Formula for SuccessThe SAV-ON DifferenceOur Top 10 ‘Smart Driver’

Graduates Saved anAverage of $762!*

In November, a total of 40 graduates of our ‘Smart Driver’ program saved anaverage of 29% Off Their Auto Insurance!*

Smart Driver City Savings

n Annisse H. Tacoma $1332n Munish R. Des Moines $1330n Siaki S. Des Moines $1228n Humberto L. Puyallup $802n Erin L. Seattle $566n Rolando G. Seattle $509n Stepan A. Seattle $492n Wilver A. Kent $481n George K. SeaTac $478n Kristie K. Renton $405*Cumulative average savings over 6 months

We profile a SAV-ON employee each issue, so you can get to know the wonderful people who make our offices an inviting place to be! They pride themselves on customer service and getting customers the most for their insurance dollar. Each one has a unique story to tell.

Yelena Mokrova

Grand Prize Winner in2009 Referral Contest

Monthly Winners, Too!SAV-ON’s referral program awards monthly winners 2 free lottery tickets, a dinner certificate and a chance at our year-end drawing for a LCD color TV. All you have to do is refer a family member or friend for a free no-obliga-tion insurance quote. It’s that simple!

You may be the only person who steps in to become the caregiver, or the linchpin of a network of family members and friends willing to help care for them. At some point, however, the constant care can prove too much to handle, even for the extended family. Both you and your parent begin to suffer emotionally and even physically. The unhap-piness caused by this situation creates tension and stress on all involved, including other family members. There comes a time when the situation becomes untenable, and the need for outside help becomes necessary. When that happens, you need to be familiar with what care is available, and the cost of that care.

Care Needs Vary ConsiderablyWhat kind of help does your parent need…long term el-

derly care, or help for only a short time after hospitalization? Are problems undiagnosed but correctable? For example, prescription drug interactions and side effects, Vitamin B12 deficiency, dehydration and other treatable causes are often mistaken, even by doctors, for Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. According to Consumer Reports on Health,

“Any new health problem in an older person should be con-sidered drug induced until proven otherwise.”

Each elder care situation is unique, of course. Your loved one’s medical history, financial resources, personality, relation-ships with potential caregivers, proximity to services and other factors all determine the best approach to take.

When It’s Time to ChangeTelling Mom or Dad that they can no longer make it on

their own is a life-altering situation, and not one to be taken lightly. They have cared for you your entire life, and you feel obligated to care for them in return. Wherever they reside, they have enjoyed the freedom to come and go as they like, eat what they like, do what they like. Now that will change, and never be the same again. The enormity of the situation for a family, and the person, can be traumatic. It’s something no one likes to do, but is necessary once it’s clear that the parent can no longer safely survive on their own.

Next: What is the Right Level of Care?

Sources: American Associaton of Retired Persons (AARP),www.eldercare.com, www.aging-parents-and-elder-care.com

TOP 10 Savers This Month:

Caring for Elderly Parents: When the Time Comes, What Are the Care Options Available?Elderly Care, continued from page 1

Flooding ClarificationIn our previous newsletter, the flood

insurance article had a “Know the Facts” box that listed mud damage. It mentioned “mudslides”, but flood insurance does not cover mud slides, only “mud flow” damage, which is “mud or dirt carried by water caused by flooding”. We apologize for the error.

“Find Sam’s Hat” WinnerIsaiah Hall was the winner of last issue’s

“Find Sam’s Hat” contest, and was the first person to contact us with the correct letters appearing on Sam’s hat. He won a $25 Star-bucks Gift Card.

Congratulations, Isaiah! (Hint: There’s another hat buried in this newsletter, too.)

We’ll be Contacting You SoonWe want to stay in touch with you. Your

life and needs change, and we want to keep current with customers on their changing in-surance needs. Expect a call from your agent.

News From SAV-ON

Elderly Care Options and Costs

Medicare. Covers a very limited amount and does not pay for Home Care, therefore most advisors recommend that you should not rely on Medicare to pay for your long-term care needs.

Medicaid. Only pays for care of individuals who are low income and have spent most of their assets, and covers very limited amounts for Home Care.

Self-Insure. You pay for your care out of your personal resources such as your savings and investments, but you should keep in mind that today’s average long-term care costs can run $4,500 to $6,000 per month, and can therefore easily wipe you out financially in a very short period of time.

Long-Term Care Insurance. Purchase an insurance policy that will pay for most or all of your long-term care costs. If you purchase it when you are younger and healthier, you will be paying pennies on the dollar when it comes time to pay for needed care. Between the ages 50 and 65 is the best time to be considering the purchase of a policy.

For information on your particular situation, call SAV-ON’s Long-Term Care specialist, Steve Klein, at 425-646-6000, ext. 25.

Congratulations to Rony Adolfo San-tos, who won the Grand Prize of a 32” LCD flat screen color TV in our Referral Contest. Find out how you can be our next winner! Ask your SAV-ON Agent for details.

SAV-ON Insurance has partnered with Grocery Outlet stores in the community to gather food for Northwest Harvest the past two holiday seasons.

This season we added a contest to boost donations even more. Anyone who brought in three or more cans of food was regis-tered for our monthly drawing, and the lucky winner awarded a Roadside Assis-tance package (a $70 value). Collection bins were set up in Grocery Outlet stores and all SAV-ON offices. Last month’s winner was Sarvar Mugriyev. Congratulations, Sarvar!

SAV-ON staff and their families also volunteered to work at Northwest Harvest one evening, putting a variety of food into boxes. The kids got in big containers of canned or boxed non-perishable food and handed it out to the adults, who determined if it was acceptable to give away. Others put together smaller boxes that we filled up with 25 lbs. of food.

It was a rewarding two hours of work, and the children learned an important les-son in helping the others. Everone involved had a great time (We’re all pictured at right)!

Referrals Become DonationsAt the SAV-ON offices, we began a

campaign this year where we donate $1 to Northwest Harvest for every referral our clients send us. To date we’ve donated $878, and we have one more quarterly donation still to go that we estimate will be approximately $200.

So, even if our clients don’t have the means to donate, they are still donating through us when they refer a client for a quote.

Corporate Office22815 Pacific Highway S.Des Moines, WA 98198

Congratulations to Rony Adolfo Santos, who won the Grand Prize

of a 32” LCD flat screen color TV in our Referral Contest. Find out

how you can be our next winner! Ask your SAV-ON Agent for details.

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSEATTLE, WA

PERMIT NO. 4081

SAV-ON Insurance Agencies are pleased to represent

PEMCO Insurance to provideour customers with super-

low preferred insurance rates.

Helping NW Harvest Make a Difference During the Holidays

Representing