Mobile Defense – A MUST HAVE! – If you lose your phone or if it gets stolen, you can log on through the web and lock your phone, send a message to the screen, track it in real time using the gps on a interactive map.  You can also backup and wipe your phone if needed. https://www.mobiledefense.com/

Coin flip – sometimes you have to settle things by flipping a coin, don’t have a coin, no problem.

Automatic Task Killer – automatically stops programs after your phone goes to sleep, real nice program to keep the phone from slowing down.

aTrackDog - helps track if there are updates to the apps you have installed on your droid.  Only problem I have with it, is sometimes the update is not released in the market yet so you have to wait to upgrade.

Coin flip – sometimes you have to settle things by flipping a coin, don’t have a coin, no problem.

Barcode Scanner – wondering if you are paying the lowest price?  Scan the bar code and find out.

Compass – Sometimes you need to know which way you are heading.

Shopper – Google has just realeased their app called Shopper, downloaded but not much experience with it yet.

Where’s My Droid - nice little program that lets you send a text to your phone that will turn the ringer on if it was off and ring for a period of time so you can find your phone.

Google Voice – while this program is still being developed I like the fact that it will transcribe my voicemails into an email and/or text message so I can just read them.  Thats a real nice feature if you are already  on the phone when someone calls, you still get the message, however if the person leaving the message doesn’t speak clearly or speaks too fast google will grey the words out so you know they might not be the exact words that were said.  Also another nice feature of this is that I can label my contacts in different groups such as family, co-workers, clients which allows me to record a different greeting for each group.  Allows me to stay professional when clients call my mobile phone.  Make sure your carrier does not charge you for conditional call forwarding if you use google voice this way.  Currently I use sprint and they started allowing this for free as of November 09.

Google My Tracks – if you are one who likes to exercise outside, this seems to be a nice program to track running times an routes.  I have been waiting for it to get warmer outside to try this one out, but I am also sure you can use it for other applications.  Make sure gps is turned on.

Google Sky Map – just simply amazing, you have download this turn it on while outside on a clear night and hold your phone above your head like you were looking at the stars.  Make sure your gps is on.

Google Talk –  nice that this is integrated into the system, super easy to use, only downfall is that not all of my friends use google talk.

Sodoku free – enough said

Metal Detector -  not sure how this works or what I would use it for, but its fun to play with.

Magic 8-ball -  just a fun little app bringing back the good times with the magic 8-ball

PdaNet –  nice app with software you install on your computer allows you to use the internet connection on your phone to power your computer. Works perfectly if you don’t want to pay the extra for a mobile internet card.  make sure you have unlimited data plan on your phone. http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php

Ringdroid or Mabilo Ringtones – pretty sweet little ringer app if you like to add songs and things as custom ringer to your favorite contacts.

Sound Grenade – if you just want to annoy your dog or anyone else who hates high pitched noises

Radar Now – pulls a big live radar map from wherever your gps tells it you are so you can see where the storm is.

Toddler Lock – if you have kids, and they love to play with your phone a great app to have.  Just be careful, now all my daughter wants to do is play with my phone because of this app.

Jewels – like a bejeweled game

Ustream Broadcaster - shoot an publish live video right from your phone with an internet connection.  you can also shoot video and upload it later.  They also have programs you can download to your desktop to edit an publish other videos, pretty sweet. http://www.ustream.tv/

Proximity Sensor - if you don’t have one built in on your phone, this is a nice little app that keeps your face from doing stuff while talking on the phone.  It uses the light sensor in your phone to know when it is being held up to your face.  I have the HTC Hero right now and love this app because of the lack of a real proximity sensor.

gStrings – if you like guitars, play one on your phone.

Pandora – a nice little music app

Grooveshark – If you liked Pandora and were considering paying the $3 a month, I suggest you check out grooveshark.  Much easier to find music and a lot faster on the web.  If you do upgrade to VIP you can pay $30 for the year instead of $36 for Pandora and also get access to a desktop version and an app for your android.  Biggest downfall is that you can’t use the android app unless you upgrade to VIP, which I think will really cut down on the users who will try grooveshark.  To the grooveshark peeps, consider a free app with ads, you might find a new revenue stream!

iTriage – just like webmd.com but on your phone.

Spark – another app my daughter loves

Steamy Windows – wipe the screen and blow into the microphone to watch your window steam up and water beads run down the screen.

Teeter -  fun little game to kill some time.

and last but not least:

Fartdroid – because sometimes you need to be 8 again!

Do you have more than the minimum?  Currently the majority of the states only require a minimum ($25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident an $10,000 in property damage) of liability coverage.  If your agent has sold you this amount of coverage then the only thing they are protecting you from is a ticket if you get pulled over.

As an insurance advisor, I have to recomend coverage that would properly cover you and I don’t know about you, but there is not much you can get done for $25,000 if you were seriously hurt in a crash, not to mention $10,000 doesn’t cover much with the price of vehicles on the road today.

I do have to give props to the state of Wisconsin though,  I just saw an article that the minimum limits allowed by law have been increased from 25,oo0 / 50,000 to 100,000 / 300,000 in the state of Wisconsin.  Not only does this more accurately reflect the minimum policy that one should have in todays dollars, but more often than not depending on what company you are with, there is another company that will give you the higher limits for less than what you are paying for your state minimums.

I guess my point is, just as in all my posts.  Take time to interview the person whos job is to look after your best interest, not the one just trying to sell you a policy on price.

While I do enjoy saving people money, properly protecting them is my first priority.  In most situations I can do both really well, properly protect and save a good chunk of money.

There is never any charge for answers to your questions, an the only dumb one is the one you won’t ask so give me a call (816-254-6100) and let me show you what a real insurance advisor should do.

Until next time

Travis

To my clients, friends, and family,

THANK YOU!

Thank you for your trust and appreciation with your referrals!  By referring your friends, family and co-workers to me, it lets me know that we are doing something right.  If we were not serving you like you should be served, we wouldn’t have all the awesome referrals that we do.

With that being said, we want to show our appreciation even more for your referrals.  We (as in the Mochel Insurance Agency) have started our 2010 Referral Program to thank you for your continued referrals.

2010 Referral Program

Send us someone to quote we send you a $10 Gas Card! (Even if we don’t write a policy!)

Quarterly $100 VISA Gift Card drawing (For every referral you get one entry)

42″ Flat Screen TV! (Anyone who provides a referral from Jan 1st through December 10th is eligible to win!)

There is no limit for the number of entries you can receive!  Please only refer truly interested parties – Thanks!

Have questions or know of someone who we can help  Call 816-254-6100 or send me a message here