Holland & Usry March 2019

Is Your Financial Security and Peace of Mind Worth a Few Bucks a Month? PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE UNTHINKABLE BEFORE IT HAPPENS

Brace yourselves. I’m about to do some preaching.

the policy limits on your car and every other car in your household that has UIM until you use up all the coverage or reach an amount to fully compensate you. That means three cars with $100,000 in UIM limits can create $300,000 in coverage. How much better does that feel when you hear the screech of tires behind you or see your spouse and children off to the interstate? Still not convinced? Let me be blunt. If it didn’t happen to folks like you, who I care about, I wouldn’t be writing this. And if you don’t carry as much UIM as you can possibly afford, you are CHOOSING to NOT protect yourself and your family. 1. Don’t assume you have UIM with “full coverage.” It DOES NOT MEAN you have UIM. Review your policy for this vital protection. 2. Call your agent and get a quote for more liability insurance because you can only get UIM limits as high as your liability limits. If you don’t have UIM, get it. If you do, discuss getting more. This is so important that I’m willing to help you out. If you want a free car insurance review, get a copy of your “dec page” from your agent and email it to me at [email protected] or fax it to 864-585-9499. Just be sure to include your name and “car insurance review” on the message. We all know there are some truly irresponsible drivers out there. You can’t control them, but you can control how much financial damage they can do — and maybe prevent it completely if you’ve got enough coverage. You might be shocked by how little this extra insurance costs, and it will be worth its weight in gold if you ever have to use it. I’ll be happy to help you, as always, since I’m here for you. Take action because it’s easy. The time is now. After the crash, it’s too late. Do this:

Here’s the question you’ve got to answer:

Is my financial security and peace of mind worth a few extra bucks a month to protect us from the unthinkable?

Don’t move on. Answer it first.

And no, I’m not selling legal services here. I’m trying to help you avoid being the center of a story that plays out all too often in my office. It starts with the unthinkable: a bad car crash with serious injuries. Then come the eye-popping medical bills coupled with the missed work or, in the most tragic cases, funeral expenses and wondering how you can make up the difference when half or even all of your income is wiped out in an instant. Then I tell you the bad news. There’s not enough car insurance to cover it. By the way, did you know the minimum required level of liability insurance is only $25,000? That won’t get you home from the hospital. But that’s not the worst news. The worst news is that you could’ve done something to protect yourself and your family a long time ago, before it was too late. Let that sink in. You can choose to control your situation before it ever happens. Here’s how. For just a few extra dollars a month, you can buy protection against this horrible outcome by adding a single type of coverage to your own auto policy. It’s called underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM.

Here’s how it works in the face of the unthinkable:

• Once you settle your claim for the at-fault driver’s liability limits, you make a UIM claim with your insurance company. Then your own insurance company fights you, which is weird, but hey, that’s what I’m for.

–Rob Usry

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If you qualify, UIM creates a problem worth having. Sometimes UIM can be “stacked,” meaning you can collect

Stay safe out there.

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IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S …

Ms. Marvel has become an established superhero in comics, and it won’t be long before she steps onto the big screen with a live-action movie.

‘SUPER SONS: THE POLARSHIELD PROJECT’ Jon Kent, son of Superman, and Damian Wayne, son of Batman, couldn’t be more different. But when a mysterious force threatens the world, these super sons must learn to trust each other — and themselves — to save the day. Based on the hit “Super Sons” comic book series, “Super Sons: The Polarshield Project” doesn’t hit shelves until April 2, 2019, which means you and your kids have plenty of time to reserve a copy of this graphic novel at your local comic book shop! ‘CHAMPIONS’ “Champions” is a story about teenage superheroes, but don’t expect pizza or relationship drama in these panels. These comics tackle how young people today approach problems, with a readiness to rally together and take matters into their own hands. “Champions” doesn’t shy away from hard topics, making it more appropriate for older kids and teens. But that doesn’t mean this story lacks heart or humor. Featuring comic favorites like Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man as well as popular newcomers, “Champions” is about identity, purpose, and what it really means to save the world.

It’s no secret that superhero movies are dominating the box office. The highest- grossing movies of 2018 (and the third and fourth highest-grossing of all time) were “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” There’s never been a better time to be a fan of superheroes or to become a fan of superhero comics. If your kids are interested in reading more about superheroes, here are a few great titles your whole family can enjoy together. ‘MS. MARVEL’ Since her debut in 2013, Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, has been a wildly popular character, and her comic has gained critical acclaim. A 2015 Hugo Award winner, “Ms. Marvel” explores what it means to be a teenager, a first-generation American, a friend, and a superhero. The storylines promote an important message: “Good is not a thing you are, it’s a thing you do.” In just a few years, Testimonial SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US

Find these titles and other incredible stories at your local comic book shop.

“In 2012, I was hit by a car while I was driving my motorcycle. I was in the hospital for over a month and unable to walk for almost six months. I had many surgeries and a great deal of pain. My insurance did not cover all of my bills because I didn’t carry underinsured motorist coverage, but Rob worked tirelessly

to gain me as much money as possible to help with my medical bills. He was courteous, available to answer questions at any time, and sympathetic to my case. Rob did a great job for me, and I highly recommend him in any case.”

–Pavel V. – Spartanburg motorcycle accident client

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The Invisible Motorcyclists

STAYING SAFE STARTS BY BEING SEEN

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers and passengers of regular vehicles — not 27 percent; 27 times. That’s a sobering statistic and one that speaks to the inherent dangers of riding on two wheels. To help mitigate some of the increased risk, it’s crucial for all motorcyclists to exercise extreme caution on the roads.

considerations matter a great deal, they fall short of earning our pick for the No. 1 practice that will increase your safety on a motorcycle. That tip, without further ado, is … ASSUME YOU’RE INVISIBLE Among the most common excuses motorists will provide after they’ve hit a motorcyclist is “I didn’t see them.” Whether that’s an honest response or an attempt at damage control will depend on the nature of your case, but it goes to show just how important it is to stay visible on your bike. Protective gear goes a long way in that regard. Far from simply decreasing your risk of injury in the event of a wreck, bright, reflective clothing alerts others on the road of your presence, lessening the chance of a crash happening in the first place. The same goes for your headlight(s), which should remain on no matter the weather or time of day. In terms of road positioning, you should try to avoid the blind spots of other vehicles. Additionally, you should maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles and only pass when you’re totally confident it’s safe to do so.

In the past, we’ve covered how to test your bike before your first ride of the season and the gear you need to wear for maximum protection. While these

Sadly, following this rule and every other best practice cannot guarantee your safety. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today at 864-582-0416.

Good News

Psalm 138:3 “In the day when I cried out, You answered me. And made me bold with strength in my soul.” Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

EVERYTHING POPCORN

Everything is the best bagel flavor. This is not a matter of debate. Sprinkle the seasoning on popcorn for a delicious snack that will have people asking, “What does this remind me of?”

Ingredients

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2 teaspoons granulated garlic

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3/4 cup popcorn kernels

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2 teaspoons granulated onion

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2 tablespoons flaky sea salt

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1/3 cup canola oil

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1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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2 teaspoons white sesame seeds

Directions

1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds. Shake skillet often and cook until white seeds are golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic, onion, and salt. 2. In a large saucepan, combine popcorn kernels and oil. Cook over medium-high heat, covered, until popcorn kernels start to pop. Once popping, continue cooking and shaking the pan intermittently until popping ceases, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Pour in butter and toss to coat. Finally, add seasoning, toss again, and serve.

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Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.

101 W. St. John St. Suite 206 Spartanburg, SC 29306

INSIDE this issue

1

Is Your Financial Security and Peace of Mind Worth a Few Bucks a Month?

2

Super Comics for Your Super Family Testimonial The No. 1 Rule for Motorcycle Safety Everything Popcorn

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4

Celebrate Dr. Seuss

If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email [email protected] .

On March 2, Read Across America Day is celebrated by students, teachers, and community members in towns throughout the country. They chose that date to pay homage to one of the most beloved children’s authors who was born that day: Theodor Geisel. That name may sound unfamiliar to you, but “Dr. Seuss” should ring a few bells. His name alone is so associated with literacy that in 2007, the author of an article in U.S. News & World Report that chronicled the history of 1957 — the year “The Cat in the Hat” was published — wrote, “Greece had Zeus — America has Seuss.” In 2001, Publisher’s Weekly released a list of the bestselling hardcover children’s books of all time in the U.S. Of the books in the top 100, Seuss authored 16, which is more than any other author on the list by a long shot. But Seuss did not break into the children’s literature industry easily. Seuss and his nearly 50 children’s books almost never got off the ground. His first children’s book, “And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” was denied by more than a dozen publishers. Legend has it that Seuss was on his way home to burn the manuscript when he ran into an old friend who suggested another publisher. The rest is history. Given the enthusiasm for reading Dr. Seuss has fostered in children for the past eight decades, it’s no wonder the National Education Association chose his birthday to mark a day dedicated to celebrating reading. After all, he’s often quoted as saying, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.” 1 BOOK, 2 BOOK

WHO WAS THEODOR GEISEL?

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