3 Reasons Why Self-Employed People Should Consider Critical Illness Insurance

Being your own boss has plenty of perks — freedom, flexibility, and control over your career. But it also comes with unique financial risks, especially when it comes to health. Without the safety net of employer-provided benefits, a major illness could threaten not only your wellbeing but also your livelihood. That’s why critical illness insurance is a smart move for self-employed professionals. Here are three reasons it deserves a spot in your financial plan.

1. Protect Your Income When You Can’t Work

As a self-employed individual, your ability to earn depends on your ability to work. A serious diagnosis like cancer or heart disease can suddenly put your business — and your income — on hold. Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum payment if you’re diagnosed with a covered condition, giving you the financial breathing room to pay bills, maintain your business, and recover without draining your savings.

2. Keep Your Business Running During Recovery

Even short-term illness can stall self-employed work. The lump-sum benefit from critical illness insurance can help you keep operations afloat — whether that means paying a contractor to fulfill client work, covering rent for office space, or maintaining marketing efforts while you’re focused on recovery. It helps ensure your business survives even while you step back to heal.

3. Cover the Costs Health Insurance Doesn’t

Traditional health plans rarely cover all expenses. High deductibles, treatment-related travel, or home care costs can take a real toll, especially when income has stopped. Critical illness insurance fills the gaps by providing cash you can use for anything — medical bills, mortgage payments, or even personal expenses while you recover.

A Critical Illness policy can cover a list of "specified illnesses"* like cancer, heart attack, stroke, major organ transplants and other health events. We offer an online quotes system that lets you find a rate for you (or your family). You can even apply online if you like!

Critical Illness insurance can be an affordable way to cover deductibles and other expenses. If you have any questions about the coverage, reach out to us. 

*Policies differ in coverage. Please read the Outline of Coverage before applying.

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. Please subscribe to this blog!

3 Little Known Advantages Of A Cancer Insurance Plan

When most people think of cancer insurance, they think about paying for medical bills. But cancer insurance can offer much more than just coverage for hospital stays and treatments. Here are three lesser-known benefits that could make a significant difference for you and your loved ones:

1. Coverage for Non-Medical Expenses

Cancer treatment doesn’t just affect your health— it can disrupt your entire life. Many cancer insurance plans provide cash payouts that you can use for non-medical costs such as:

• Travel to treatment centers, sometimes far from home

• Lodging for both patients and accompanying family members during treatment away from home

• Everyday living expenses like rent, groceries, and childcare when your income is affected by your diagnosis

This flexibility allows you to focus on recovery, knowing that your policy can help with much more than doctor’s bills.

2. Lump-Sum Payouts with No Hospitalization Required

A little-known advantage is that many cancer insurance policies pay out a lump sum upon diagnosis—no hospitalization or long claim processes necessary. This cash benefit is often available immediately after your diagnosis and isn't restricted to medical spending. You could use it for travel, experimental treatments, or simply as a financial cushion while you’re unable to work. 

3. Income Replacement and “Waiver of Premium” Benefits

Facing cancer often means missing work and losing income. Some cancer insurance plans offer income replacement benefits—regular payments to help you manage monthly expenses if you’re unable to work. Additionally, certain policies provide a “waiver of premium” option, so you don’t have to continue paying your policy premiums after a diagnosis, keeping your coverage active without extra financial strain.

While often overlooked, these advantages can provide critical support during a challenging time, making cancer insurance a valuable supplement to traditional health coverage—especially for expenses that standard policies don’t touch.

Feel free to visit our site and run a rate for you or your family. You can even start an application online. And if you have questions, please drop a note. 

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. Please subscribe to this blog!

Surf Financial Brokers Now Offering UnitedHealthcare Ancillary Products

Surf Financial Brokers is thrilled to announce the addition of UnitedHealthcare ancillary products to our suite of offerings. This expansion allows us to deliver even greater value and flexibility to our clients, helping employers and individuals access a broader range of health and financial protection solutions.

What Are Ancillary Products?

Ancillary products*—also known as specialty benefits—go beyond traditional medical insurance. They include essential coverage such as:

• Dental

• Vision

• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance

• Supplemental Health Coverage (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity)

These policies don't pay the doctor or hospital, but instead pay the policy holder. This way, the insured can use the money for deductibles, copays, loss of income or any other bills that need to be seen to.

Adding UnitedHealthcare’s ancillary products enables Surf Financial Brokers to support a whole-person approach to health and wellness. This integration helps identify and manage chronic conditions, increase engagement in preventive care, and provide holistic protection for life’s uncertainties. 

One of the best parts is that you can visit our site and compare plans, run quotes and apply online! It's really easy!

Whether you’re an employer looking to enhance your benefits package or an individual seeking comprehensive coverage, Surf Financial Brokers is ready to help you explore the new UnitedHealthcare ancillary product options. Contact us today to learn how these solutions can make a difference for you and your team.

*Not all products are available in all states and some policies may be subject to underwriting. 

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. Please subscribe to this blog!

Why Hospital Indemnity Insurance Is A Must For Self-Employed And Small Business Owners

Being your own boss comes with a unique set of rewards – freedom, flexibility, and the satisfaction of building something from the ground up. But it also comes with unique risks, especially when it comes to healthcare. For self-employed individuals and small business owners, a sudden hospital stay can wreak havoc on both personal finances and business operations. That's where hospital indemnity insurance steps in, offering a crucial safety net.

Unlike employees with employer-sponsored health insurance (and options for HRA's and company funded HSA's), self-employed individuals and small business owners often shoulder the full burden of healthcare costs. Even with a solid health insurance plan, unexpected hospital stays can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copayments, and non-medical costs.

Here's why this is especially concerning:

• Lost Income: When you're running your own show, time off means lost income. A prolonged hospital stay can severely impact your ability to work and generate revenue.
• Business Disruption: For small business owners, a health crisis can disrupt operations, potentially impacting employees, clients, and overall business continuity.
• Financial Strain: The combination of medical bills and lost income can create a financial burden that's difficult to recover from.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance: Your Financial Buffer

Hospital indemnity insurance provides a fixed cash benefit for each day you're hospitalized. This benefit is paid directly to you, regardless of your other health insurance coverage. Here's how it can be a game-changer:

• Covers Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Use the cash benefit to pay deductibles, copayments, and other medical expenses not covered by your primary health insurance.
• Replaces Lost Income: The cash benefit can help offset lost income during your hospital stay, allowing you to focus on recovery without financial stress.
• Pays for Non-Medical Expenses: Use the money for things like childcare, transportation, or even hiring temporary help to keep your business running.

Why It's Ideal for Self-Employed and Small Business Owners:

• Flexibility: Hospital indemnity plans typically offer flexible benefit options, allowing you to choose a level of coverage that fits your needs and budget.
• Direct Payment: The cash benefit is paid directly to you, giving you the freedom to use it as you see fit.
• Supplement to Existing Coverage: It works alongside your existing health insurance, filling in the gaps and providing extra financial protection.
• Affordability: Compared to major medical insurance, hospital indemnity plans can be relatively affordable, making them accessible to those on a tight budget.

Investing in Your Well-being and Business Continuity

As a self-employed individual or small business owner, your health is directly tied to the health of your business. Hospital indemnity insurance is a smart investment that can protect you from the financial fallout of an unexpected hospital stay, ensuring you can focus on what matters most: your recovery and your business.

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. Please subscribe to this blog!

"Group Benefits" For The Self-Employed

I spend a portion of my time working in the "voluntary benefits" arena as an enroller, or "benefits counselor". In a nutshell, I enroll benefits for large groups, like schools, hospitals and municipalities, for example. Typically I sit with an employee in a one-on-one meeting and review their current benefits and check to see if they need any other insurance poducts. It's great to meet these folks and help them with insurance products like dental, vision, disability, accident and life insurance. 

The majority of my working time is spent working with individuals, however, many of which are self-employed. Realtors, sales professionals, small business owners and other "contract employees" or 1099's for instance, make up a lot of my clients. These great people are just as deserving of having decent insurance products, regardless of the size of their company. 

With this in mind, we invite all to visit our site and take a look at some of our voluntary products that can be purchased on an individual basis. There, one can get quotes for products such as life, cancer, hospital indemnity and accident insurance right from our site. And if you see coverage you like you can even start an application!

For some of our other products, like disability insurance and long term care insurance, one can book a short phone call to get a quote as accurate as possible.* We are independent agents and have access to many of the best policies. 

As independent insurance agents, we are also independent contractors, which means that we use our own products. Having a disability or cancer plan come out of our bank account instead of a paycheck doesn't change the fact that we need these important insurance plans. 

Please take the time to get a quote for yourself or your family. It probably won't cost as much as you think. 

*Quotes are not guarantees or offers of coverage and all policies are subject to underwriting. 

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. And please subscribe to this blog!

5 Ways We Are Different Than Our Competitors

For several months now I have spent a large amount of my time on marketing (or learning to market) our website. I'm realizing that there is a huge learning curve when it comes to getting your message out on social media sites. In this journey for knowledge, there have been times when I have found a new workaround or app that my own social media guy was unaware of. 

With all of that in mind, several of my friends and team members and I kicked around some ideas. After identifying who we think our main competitor is (we'll call them "XYZ"), we took the time to look at their site. We discovered that there were several differences, such as

1. On our site you get your quote* immediately. With XYZ, you will be contacted by an agent (or several). This is because...
2. They sell your name to an agent as a "lead". And it may not just be one agent who gets your information. Several agents may call you. On the other hand...
3. We will contact you to see if you have questions, but all of your information stays with us. 
4. We have other products, such as cancer, accident and hospital indemnity insurance plans that can help you with out of pocket expenses when you or a family member becomes ill. 
5. If you like your quote, you can even start an application! We will get a notification that you have started an application and will reach out to you (via email or phone call) to assist you through the underwriting process. 

Please do us a favor and visit our site and run a "no obligation" quote. Let us know what you think! 

Thanks and please stay healthy!

*Quotes are estimates based on information you submit and final rates are subject to underwriting requirements. 

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life, disability, long term care, cancer, accident and other insurance coverages in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient, and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. And please subscribe to this blog!

What Are You Buying Online? 2023

When I originally got into the insurance business the internet didn't exist. Agents would carry rate books with incredibly small print and have to calculate the premiums and fees by hand. Needless to say mistakes were a common occurrence, and I was one of the biggest culprits of quoting someone an incorrect price. 

At that time (back in the 1980's) we were taught a method of prospecting which involved networking and learning verbiage to ask for referrals. The networking part was not as bad as it would seem because I am comfortable talking to strangers. And I found out later that most of the people I was trying to connect with were not as comfortable as I was in that situation. On the other hand, though, the referral part was hard for me.

Let's face it, most people don't like to give referrals. When I have asked for referrals in the past I can sense the tension build and the wheels turn in my client's head. I understand the trepidation because I have been on that side of the situation as well. You give a friend's name and the next thing you know your friend calls you angrily. "Why did you give that insurance agent my name?"

Unfortunately, things haven't changed much since then. There are still companies out there trying to teach their new agents the old school ways. This is because they believe that insurance selling is built upon a relationship of trust. There's nothing wrong with that, but people in general, and younger people specifically, don't feel the need to have that relationship anymore. 

From an insurance agency standpoint, we still do some of the same "old school" things, but with the internet available, we can now market to a wider geographical area without having to be physically able to see and talk to our clients. Zoom and other tools have given agents access to people who need our products and services from multiple states.

This is evident by the increasing numbers of people who are buying financial products on the internet. Things like auto insurance, life insurance, investments and banking were handled in person by an agent or advisor, and they still are. However many people feel they no longer need, or want, to deal with someone for these types of services.

Personally speaking, I began purchasing my car insurance online years ago, as well as my small investment portfolio. By doing this, it keeps more money in my pocket and I don't have to wait for someone to return a phone call or be in their office. Convenience is the name of the game.

With that in mind, we have done our best to make available more products on our website that clients can look at when it is convenient for them. And if someone wants to speak to a real person, we have made our calendar available for a phone appointment accessible too. 

Check out our website and run a quote, and if you see a rate you like that fits into your budget, you can even start an application. We want to make things as convenient for our clients as possible. In the meantime, please stay healthy!

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life, disability, long term care, cancer, accident and other insurance coverages in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient, and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. And please subscribe to this blog!

Now Is A Great Time To Reconsider Benefits For Your Employees

There has been a lot of talk on the news and social media about the labor shortage that we are having in our country of late. Despite what some outlets are saying, there are a variety of reasons why employers are having a hard time finding and keeping personnel.

One way employers can get the employees they want is to offer benefits. I have worked in the workplace benefits arena for years and have seen many small business owners brush off the idea of having to deal with payroll deductions and billing issues. But those same people are now starting to reconsider as they find staffing their businesses to be more difficult than ever.

We work with several companies that offer benefits and can coordinate existing benefits into the mix as well. And we can cover groups of any size, from 2 people to 2000! If you are a business owner or know of someone having staffing issues, let us help you find a good product mix that your employees will want.

Drop us a note or book a short phone call to discuss what you currently offer and how we can help. 

Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life, disability, long term care, cancer, accident and other insurance coverages in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient, and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. And please subscribe to this blog!