SUMMER 2019

MUTUALLY YOURSMUTUALLY YOURS

THE INSURANCE MARKET OF CHOICE FOR EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN ALBERTA

Compassion

WHERE ARE WE GOING?A few years ago, I remember watching my little niece as a plane flew overhead. Stopping her play, she gazed up into the sky for a few moments. Then, with all the strength she could muster, she lifted her tiny voice and shouted as loud as she could, “Where are you going?”

I love great questions. I think that there are several key questions that frame the story of our lives. Simon Sinek points to at least three for organizations: “What do we do?” “How do we do it?” and the big one, “Why do we exist?” If we can provide answers to those three questions, I think we will be able find the answer to the overarching question, “Where are we going?”

It is not hard to figure out what MMI does. The answer is in our Mission Statement: “We provide mutual aid by meeting the property and casualty insurance needs of the Mennonite community and those of like faith in Alberta”. That is what we do – just like a myriad of other P & C companies in Alberta.

How we do insurance makes us unique, however. Our vision is “to be an organization… that consistently exemplifies the principle found in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”

We know that a mutual insurance company is owned entirely by its policyholders. Any profits earned by a mutual insurance company are either retained within the company or rebated to policyholders in the form of dividend distributions or reduced future premiums. In MMI’s case, however, a decision was made in 1960, and the regulator agreed, that MMI would be owned by member churches rather than individual policyholders. Building strategic partnerships with member churches is how we would do insurance.

This brings us then to the most important question any organization can ask of itself: “Why do we exist?” The answer is contained in our Mission Statement. Our purpose for existence as a company is first and foremost to support and strengthen the church.

Practically, the only way we can accomplish this goal is through our volunteer representatives, who are the bridge between MMI and the member church. While other companies provide a service to their customers, MMI –through our volunteer representatives – is able to go one important step beyond service and provide a ministry to our policyholders.

So, where is MMI going?

1. We are working to partner with churches in the Mennonite and wider evangelical communities;

2. We want to partner with volunteers in these member churches who will work with the Insurance Advisors to refer potential policyholders into the company;

3. Those volunteer representatives would then be accountable for triggering the compassion fund and advising MMI of possible ways to support local church activities in addition to providing ministry when a policyholder has a claim;

4. MMI will support and strengthen the member churches through donations.

Exciting times lay ahead for our company. It is our sincere hope that you will join us, as we continue to do our part to support and strengthen the church.

Sandra van Raalten, MA CIP CEO and General Manager

GOING GREEN Request your copy of the newsletter by emailing media@mmiab.ca

Board of Directors with the Executive Leadership Team

Compassion

INTRODUCING SANDRA VAN RAALTENWe are pleased to introduce you to our newly appointed CEO & General Manager, Sandra van Raalten.

Sandra comes to MMI with a wealth of insurance and leadership experience. She was most recently employed by Wawanesa Insurance as Alberta Region Claims Manager, Bodily Injury. Her past employment includes project leadership and claims management with Allstate Insurance, claims adjusting for ICBC, and Music and Programming Director at Kamloops Alliance Church.

Sandra’s education includes a master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Management (Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC), a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and English (University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK) a Diploma in Pastoral and Missions (Nipawin Bible Institute, Nipawin, SK) and the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

We are excited about Sandra’s arrival and look forward to continuing our current path as an innovative, growing company.

Join us in welcoming Sandra to MMI.

Spring has finally come.

I’m sitting on a field’s edge watching the machinery coming towards me. It’s supper time, definitely one of the highlights of the day for the farmers on this farm. As I watch this massive tractor of over 600 hp pulling an air seeder that is spanning 60 ft. wide with a huge tank in tow, I can’t help but reflect on how my dad, now passed, would be enjoying this.

Farming: it is what I know, it is what I grew up with and in turn, what I have now raised my family in.

But how this life has changed. One can’t help but reflect on the stories from many years past, when my and many others’ ancestors came to this country with not much more than a few bare necessities. The land had never been tilled, there were no tractors, the land was far more treed and rawer. The work would be endless. And yet slowly, acre by acre, they cleared some trees, built a house and toiled endlessly over this land... picking rocks, roots and working solely with a horse – or if they were lucky, maybe a couple horses.

This is still a life of much work, huge risks, and a faith that reminds us that somehow, everything will work out. There is a complete understanding that regardless of how much planning and preparation is made for each year, ultimately this is all in God’s hands.

Faith, trust and hope: these are challenged constantly today, just like they were challenged in years prior. I am grateful for my forefathers, who not only kept the faith of God but passed that onward – and grateful that regardless of all the changes in this industry, our God has remained constant and faithful.

But as I sit in this pickup on the field edge, I am once again struck with immense gratitude to my forefathers, for their foresight to get out of Russia. I am grateful for their courage to not only leave what they knew behind, but to head to some place they knew nothing of – and their dedication to succeed, to make it better, and to pass that on to the next generation.

Now the fourth generation is farming this land, and I would have none of this life if it were not for my grandpa and my dad, before me. Heritage: I am blessed beyond words or measure.

By Bernice Siebert, Northern Branch Manager.

Since April 1 2016, Albertans will no longer receive mailed renewal notices for vehicle registrations and driver licenses. Best to renew in person if you are 10 days or less away from your expiry date.

Wondering when to renew your vehicle registration each year or your driver license?

Sign up for a free email or text reminder at www.e-registry.ca.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

RENEWAL REMINDER

Renewal Dates Family / Company Name Begins With:

July renewals Av, Be, L, Sz, V, Z

August renewals E, Gr, R

September renewals F, Po, T

October renewals S

November renewals K, P

December renewals Me, O, W

OUR HERITAGE

Are you generating revenue from a home-based business (bookkeeping, architect etc)? Are you visiting customers on their properties or are they coming to see yours (Tee-Lite, Pampered Chef, Amway etc)? Do you build anything that is later sold, perhaps customized product orders such as tables and chairs? Are you repairing anyone’s equipment (farm machinery, licensed vehicles, electronics etc)? Have you purchased equipment / tools / property / buildings and are using them beyond personal or hobby use – perhaps registered in a company name? If you’ve answered yes or are now thinking that you ‘could’ answer yes, then chances are that you have a commercial/business-based property and casualty exposure.

Standard Home / Farm Owners as well as policy wordings exclude losses arising from commercial or business use, operations or products. Some smaller, home-based businesses can request to add an extension on their

home / farm policy coverages, but those ‘extensions’ are very limited to what they cover and how big and type of commercial / business exposure are designed to insure, properly. Whether your business is incorporated, or you run it as a sole proprietor, no matter how small, they face identical loss exposures as any other like companies. You need specific insurance to properly protect yourself against those commercial / business risks. All of this is true for automobile insurance as well.

Society is becoming ever increasingly litigious. Contracts require proof of in-force commercial insurance. To keep up with your competitors, you must build trust in your company, which is the modern-day currency of today’s economy. MMI has many options to help you protect your assets, your livelihood! Please contact us: we are well versed in helping our clients identify and cover those exposures. We look forward to hearing from you.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED COMMERCIAL INSURANCE?By Matthew Marven.

Water-related claims continue to be the leading claims experienced by our policy holders. Water damage leads to costly repairs and significant inconvenience. The good news, though, is that some these can be prevented. Here are some easy to implement strategies.

1. Install water leak sensors in problem areas: around hot water tanks, dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators with water supply.

2. Check your hot water tank for signs of aging and perform annual maintenance to extend its life. Consider replacing hot water tanks that are over 15 years old.

3. Install water containment pans under appliances, such as your hot water tank and washing machine.

4. Extend downspouts away from the foundation, by at least six feet.

5. Make sure your yard is sloping away from the home.6. Regularly check that your sump pump is functioning

properly.7. Replace the hoses on your washing machine with

braided stainless-steel lines.8. If you’re away from home, make sure someone

checks to ensure the heat is maintained in the winter.9. Disconnect hoses and drain exterior hose taps in the

fall.

Have questions? Call Blake in the Loss Control Department, and he’ll be happy to help you.

AVOIDING WATER LOSSES

Every follower of Christ has been called to serve and minister to their neighbors. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus explained that your neighbor is anyone who is in need. Paul echoes this command in his epistle to the Galatians”

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

In response to this clarion call, MMI was founded in Alberta with the principal aim of standing with those in need. Since the 1900s, MMI has remained to be a pillar of hope in the Alberta region through compassionate relief. Funds are disbursed through MMI’s church representatives to individuals or families that need some financial relief due to some life difficulties. The following are some scenarios where our compassion fund has helped individuals in the past:

• Job loss, health issues, family death and a myriad of other situations

• A companion dog • Expenses related to a lengthy stay at a health

facility • Travel expenses when a medical emergency

necessitates travel • Remedial work due to addictions

These funds are administered through the MMI office with input from the church MMI Volunteer Representative or church pastor.

Do you know anyone in distress in your church community? We would love to help. Please get in touch with your MMI Volunteer representative and they will help to initiate the application process. For over 100 years, we have proven that we are equal to the task and with God’s help we intend to continue on the same positive trajectory.

02S2019-07/2019 • Published by TNC Publishing Group • 1-888-822-8112 • www.tncpublishing.com

By Marguerite Jack.

MMI COMPASSION FUND

As a critical tool to ensuring you get the maximum bushels of your field, it is important that your pivot can do what it does best, irrigate! So how does insuring your irrigation pivot system work? Previously, when you added a pivot to your policy, it was insured on an actual cash value basis, meaning in the event of a claim, you are paid out on the current value of the pivot. However, we have updated our coverages to accommodate the increasing number of pivots going up, especially in Southern Alberta! For brand new pivots, we can now cover those on a replacement cost for the first 10 years, when insured to 100% replacement cost! When you insure your pivot to 100% replacement cost, you avoid the depreciated expense that follows. After those 10 years are up, your pivot returns to ACV coverage, and is depreciated 2% per year after that up to a 50% maximum. Although we do not apply depreciation for the first 10 years on the pivot, it does not mean it is not there. In the 11th year, the depreciation has built up at 2% per year that result in a 22% depreciation of the original pivot cost.

Hail and wind are common perils to file a claim on your pivot. Although you can’t control the weather, you can control your pivot coverage, by ensuring your insurance is not the thing standing in your way of growing a great crop. Talk to an insurance advisor or your MMI volunteer for more information!

IRRIGATING THE LAND

By Marguerite Jack.

MMI will be holding its first charity golf tournament in Edmonton, on August 22nd. Our golf tournament is an opportunity to aid organizations that care about the community and our policyholders. We are proud to support the Edmonton Mennonite Guest Home, which provides short term lodging for individuals in outpatient treatment, or the families of patients at nearby medical facilities. Their fundamental goal is to provide a compassionate and healing atmosphere to those dealing with fear, loss and uncertainty, due to a health crisis they or a loved one is going through. If you would like to participate or play in this event, contact Frank Gauthier at 403-797-3049 or fgauthier@mmiab.ca.

FIRST ANNUAL GOLF CHARITY EVENT

By Daniel Donkersgoed.

DID YOU KNOW?AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY CLAIM SERVICE: 1-866-556-7079

CALGARY1-866-222-6996(Head Office)

www.mmiab.ca

BRANCH OFFICES:LETHBRIDGE

403-942-5577EDMONTON

780-232-2924LA CRETE780-928-3711

GRANDE PRAIRIE780-296-4339

MEETING NEEDS TOGETHER

WE SELL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE!

Two weeks before your next automobile insurance policy renewal, call or visit MMI. We have agents in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, La Crete and Lethbridge. Our friendly, licensed insurance professionals are ready to help you.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE YOUR AUTO INSURANCE PROVIDER. GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUOTE YOUR NEW AND RENEWING AUTO POLICIES.

INSURING DRIVERS FOR GENERATIONSINSURING DRIVERS FOR GENERATIONS

CALL AND

SAVE!