Brad Cunard – Surviving a Nightmare
Brad and Lisa Cunard bought permanent life insurance early in their marriage for protection, but also to allow them to start saving for retirement. They were also partners in a commercial printing business with their two best friends, and the business took out key person insurance on all four. Several years later, Brad and Lisa’s dream of growing old together ended suddenly when a giant tree fell on the couple’s car, instantly killing Lisa and their two young boys who were in the back seat. The proceeds from Lisa’s life insurance gave Brad time to deal with his immense grief and helped keep their business running, saving 20 jobs in the process. View full story
Brian House – Passing the Baton
Brian House knew that one day he would run the family’s Chevrolet dealership, but he never imagined that it would be at age 29, after his father suffered two massive heart attacks. Life insurance proceeds ensured that Brian’s mother would be financially protected and provided the business with the cash needed to ensure a smooth transition. Today, Brian is vice president and dealer-operator at the family-run dealership, one of the most successful in upstate New York. View full story
Brigette Hunter – Keeping a Family and a Business Afloat
Brigette and Anthony Hunter were business owners when Anthony discovered that the melanoma he had battled as a teenager had returned. He invoked a provision in one of his life insurance policies allowing for an early payout to a terminally ill policyholder and used part of his death benefit to buy a home for his wife and children. The remaining death benefit helped Brigette pay off medical bills, meet household expenses and keep the business running. View full story
Debbie Mentz – A Lesson in Life
Bob Mentz, the owner of a successful greeting card business, bought life insurance partly because of a lesson he learned from his father, who left his wife virtually peniless when he died. Bob was able to finance an expansion of his business by borrowing against the cash value of his permanent policies. And when Bob died unexpectedly of a bleeding ulcer at age 50, the proceeds from his coverage allowed his wife Debbie to care for the family, and keep the business going strong. View full story
Ernesto Hines – Insurance Saves a Family Business
Ernest “Peanut” Folks took great pride in the fact that his son, Ernesto, chose to follow in his footsteps. Peanut owned an auto body repair shop, and his plan was to one day pass along the business to his son. Life insurance never factored into Peanut’s plan until an agent called on him in 2003. His decision to buy a policy proved fateful, as he was diagnosed two years later with terminal cancer. Today, the business continues to thrive under the stewardship of Ernesto, who takes great pride in running the company that his father worked so hard to build and pass along to the next generation. View full story
Frank Szatkowski – Insurance Safety Net Holds Fast
Frank was a successful dentist before Lou Gehrig’s disease robbed him of the ability to speak, walk or even eat. The disease forced Frank to stop working, but a safety net of insurance protected his business and his family. A business overhead disability policy helped cover office expenses and pay employee salaries. And a buy-sell agreement funded by disability insurance enabled Frank’s partner to buy out his share of the practice. With the money from the buy-out and benefits from an individually owned disability insurance policy, Frank’s family continues to be financially secure and can afford the 24-hour home care Frank needs to maintain his quality of life.” View full story
Jeanne Rizzotto – Insurance Saves a Business
Linda Benders and Jeanne Rizzotto, partners in a real estate business, decided to purchase life insurance to fund a “buy-sell agreement.” As time went on and the business took off, they eventually met with their agent to increase their coverage. Days later, Linda was killed in a car accident. The money Linda’s family received helped her husband to care for their 3-year-old daughter and elderly mother, and enabled the three older children to continue their education. It also helped Linda’s survivors avoid unwanted financial entanglements by providing Jeanne with the resources to buy out her partner’s share. View full story
Jimmy Brebner – Employees Rescued My Business
For Jimmy Brebner, split-dollar life insurance offered an innovative way to reward key employees at his textile plant. He had intended that they would use the policy’s cash value for extra money upon retirement. But Jimmy couldn’t have been more surprised when, after a severe downturn threatened the future of the business, his employees volunteered to borrow against the cash value of their policies to help revitalize the company. With this money, Jimmy was able to meet payroll, pay his suppliers, and invest in retooling the firm. View full story
Ken Howell – Overcoming the Unthinkable
After Ken Howell lost his business partner and longtime friend, Jeff Moses, in a small plane crash, he knew their automotive manufacturing company would be all right because of a smart business continuation plan. Life insurance policies funded a buy-sell agreement and the two remaining partners were able to take control of the company. Key person insurance on Jeff’s life provided the money needed to hire a new salesman to take over many of Jeff’s duties. As for Jeff’s family, they are financially secure because of money they received through the buy-sell agreement as well as life insurance Jeff owned individually. View full story
Linda Bloomer – Building a Legacy
Del Bloomer had considerable ambitions for his business, community and family. A devoted father of eight-year-old twins, Maya and Matthew, he was the CEO of Delinda Technological Services, a successful information company named for him and his wife, Linda. Del also established Light On, a foundation that teaches computer skills to underprivileged children. And the word around his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama was that he’d one day be mayor. View full story