Who and What is an Ask Evan?

We’ve all been trapped in a loop of “press 3 if you’d like to speak with a service provider” and “stay on hold for the next available representative.” With each awful hold song, you get more and more frustrated just to have a real person at the end speak as if they were a robot themselves and just want you to purchase whatever it is they are selling- whether or not it’s the right option for you.

When HealthEE by HBG was born, our mission was to create something that provided access and education to all; that’s what the extra EEs are for; we want to help everyone everywhere. So while our team of insurance experts set out to find the best value and packages for you, Evan Armstrong cultivated our Ask Evan support team. But he does much more than simply provide support for HealthEE customers. Instead, Evan is an advisor and educator whose goal isn’t to sell you a product or make a commission but to problem solve with you in real-time to uncover how you can get the most out of your insurance. 

No premeditated scripts or robot voices telling you to repeat your name and date of birth over and over, just a conversation. Evan and his team define success as leaving callers with a peace of mind they didn’t have when they picked up the phone. “I’m not trying to convince anyone to buy anything,” Evan told me. “I’m here to provide clarity and walk you through the options available.”

A call with Evan or one of his team members is more casual in tone. The Ask Evan team isn’t purchase-driven, they are focused on ensuring you have the knowledge you need to make the best decision for you and your family.. Where ever before, have you had a representative in your corner who would speak with you one-on-one about your health and lifestyle? Then using that conversation, tell you honestly that while they have an array of coverage options available based on your needs, the right coverage lies elsewhere. Evan and his team value you and your health above all, and if we don’t have the benefits for you, we will tell you so and direct you in another direction. 

Evan was once a carpenter with many of our customer’s exact needs and concerns today. Before the pandemic, he was the help behind voluntary benefits and has had years of experience assisting consumers with insurance needs. However, for him, what makes HealthEE by HBG different from his prior experience is the unbiased nature of his conversations with callers and the joy Evan finds in truly helping someone when they call. He says, “My position at HealthEE is quite different from any previous position. As much experience as I have selling, I really don’t like selling. Being able to present someone’s options clearly, and having no real motivation to push them toward any decision makes it much more rewarding.”

HealthEE Habits For A Healthy Life

Summer is a time for spontaneity, too much ice cream, day trips to the beach, and sun on our faces. But as we move into August, we must come back to reality and check in with ourselves. August is the best time to evaluate what works with my routines and what doesn’t. Especially here in New York, the change of the seasons makes it difficult to stay motivated, and I find having consistent habits an excellent grounding element. If you have been searching for a new routine or want to spruce up your current one, look no further. Here are six habits for a healthier life,

Stretch every morning,

Stretching takes only a few minutes and will set your day up for success. In our monthly newsletter, we share stretches specific to lifestyle. Next month we will be sharing stretches designed for desk workers, you can sign up to receive the newsletter by filling out the get in touch form here, but an excellent place to start is to reach down and touch your toes. My mother has always taught me that if she can still feel her toes, so should I, and I extend this challenge to you. Do you want to be outdone by my mom? I didn’t think so. If you can’t quite reach out of the gates, no biggie; every day, try to reach a little lower. However, if you can touch your toes with no problem, I challenge you to put your back against a wall, heels touching the wall, and bend, keeping your legs flesh to the wall for a bit more of a challenge. 

8 hours of sleep a night,

This habit is much harder in the summer when it seems there is every reason to stay out or finish that beach read, but your body will thank you for the extra recharge, and your heart will probably thank you too for not needing as many cups of coffee. 

Stay up to date with your checkups and doctor’s visits,

With the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget that appointment you scheduled six months ago before whatever fabulous plans landed in your lap, but keeping those appointments is essential to your health. Especially with affordable preventative essential care options available here, there is no reason not to go. 

Read everyday,

The average attention span of a human is 8.25 seconds. The average attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds. I’m not talking about the average teen human or whoever you think is more addicted to technology than you are. That’s humans across the board. Whether it be a news article or a book, reading more than captions and tweets will be more stimulating for your mind and your sanity- not everything you read on social media is worth your time. 

Go easy on yourself and practice self-love,

Now I can almost feel your eyes rolling. “self-love” has been quite the buzzword as of late, but there is a good reason. Now, this looks different for everyone. Self-love to me can be walking by the dog park or journaling. But it can also be more subtle, talking to yourself in a kinder tone, not being mad at yourself for your mistakes, and complimenting yourself instead of criticizing when you walk by a mirror. Self-care to my brother is having the latest Yankees t-shirt. Well, each to each your own. There are no rules as long as what you’re doing makes you happy and brings you a sense of peace. 

Drinking water, 

Get yourself a reusable cup or bottle to keep by your desk and watch as, almost unconsciously, you drink more water. Drinking water helps every part of your body, from your joints to your brain to your internal body temperature. The benefits of water need no introduction. You simply have to choose to dedicate yourself to drinking at least2 liters of water a day. 

Coverage You Didn’t Know You Needed, Until Now…

Everyone knows the basics regarding insurance; typically, you’ve got medical, vision, and dental, which dominate most employer-sponsored coverage plans; however, there is lots of red tape and restrictions regarding coverage. You may think you are well protected, but read on to discover all the coverage options available to you and your family so you can rest easier;

For starters, it is never too early for life insurance. But unfortunately, nearly 50% of Americans don’t have any. This lack of life-insured Americans could be primarily due to typical 9-5 employer-sponsored plans excluding the option, but the longer you wait, the more you pay, and the less secure you leave your family.

For many, having a sense of home is quintessential to feeling safe, but our homes aren’t untouchable. You can face crushing repairs and replacement costs in a fire, break-in, or natural disaster. We know you would want your sense of home reinstated asap, and one way of ensuring such is to have a comprehensive but budget-friendly renters and home insurance policy. So if your home is where your heart is, don’t leave yours uninsured.

Our furry friends are one of the family. They eat with us, watch tv with us and unfortunately grow old. As they grow older, they, like us, are more vulnerable to sickness. Unexpected pet emergencies can strain your finances, especially if they require ongoing care. Be proactive and protect your pets so you and your family can enjoy their love for their entire lives.

Accidents happen, and we are all guilty of leaving something behind, whether it be a pair of sunglasses, AirPods, or our phone. Who among us hasn’t had to replace a bike, laptop, or tennis racket over a split-second fumble or left their phone after a mad dash out of an uber. When these mistakes occur, you can face high prices to replace your personal belongings. AKKO offers plans to ensure up to 25 items for just $15 a month, a steal compared to the high ticket of apple care or replacing items independently.

In today’s digital age, there are endless opportunities for your identity to become vulnerable. Whether you open an email from a supposed prince by mistake or a password becomes compromised, even the most careful among us are vulnerable. Identity theft requires an inconvenient, lengthy, and highly costly recovery process. For years to come, you may have tax and credit issues. In 2021 the average victim of identity fraud lost more than $1,000 per incident. Everyone with a digital footprint is at risk making identity protection a necessity that is more affordable than you think.

You never think you or your family will be in an accident or diagnosed with cancer until it is. When the unimaginable happens, the last thing anyone wants to think about is money, but when the medical bill starts rolling in, rest easy knowing you’ve got coverage that will take care of you and those you love.

Now that you know about these options why wait, browse these coverage options and more here 

 

3 Common Life Insurance Myths

Did you know that only 31% of Americans say they are “very” or “extremely” knowledgeable regarding life insurance?* The insurance world can be overwhelming for many, but it doesn’t have to be. It is said that the truth can set you free, so today, we are freeing you by busting some of the most common myths surrounding life insurance. 

If you think, “I have group life through my work; I don’t need an individual policy.” I hate to rain on your parade, but this is a classic myth, group life often provides $20,000 or just a single year’s salary, which isn’t nearly enough to ensure your family has financial security when they need it most. On the other hand, an individual life insurance policy offers up to $2 million in coverage. In addition, policies start at just $9 a month, a bargain that will give your family a sense of stability knowing they are financially protected.

“I can always get life insurance later.” Another misinformed myth, as we get older, our health becomes increasingly more at risk leading to policies increasing in price. If you wait too long, your rate will be exceedingly higher than if you lock in a lower rate while you’re healthy.

“It’s too expensive,” You’re not alone in this train of thought; more than half of Americans overestimate the cost of life insurance by as much as three times a policy’s average rate*. However, individual life insurance is more affordable than you think.

Locking in your life insurance will save you and your family many headaches later down the line. So do your older self a favor and browse your options today, click here for a quote. 

*According to 2021 data from financial research firm LIMRA