Home Inventory “Knowing is half the battle”

Home Inventory

The old adage “knowing is half the battle” probably wasn’t first uttered about Home insurance…but it still works!  Because when it comes to covering your stuff, it’s important to first know what stuff you’re covering, right? And that means taking an inventory.

A full home inventory can do wonders for your Home insurance. It can:

What is a home inventory, and how is it done?

A home inventory is what it sounds like; a detailed list of everything in your home…from basement to attic, furniture to fixtures. If you bought it, it goes on the list.

For everything in the inventory, you’ll want to include a(n): Description of the item, Serial number, Purchase date, Estimated value

How you make the inventory is up to you though. You can write everything down in a notebook, make a spreadsheet, get super techy with cool inventory apps, or be creative and make a home movie of all your stuff (complete with a celebrity voice over). However you get it done, just make sure you’re as thorough as you can be!  Physically walk around your house to build your list. You don’t want to do it from memory, because we’re all humans and our memory isn’t always spot on.
Go from room to room and organize your list that way. It’s faster and easier.

  • Save receipts! You’ll want to describe the cost of your inventoried items, and receipts are much more accurate than guessing.
  • Take pictures! Pull out that smart phone, disposable camera, or reliable old Polaroid and visually record the things on your inventory.

Once you’ve got your inventory (whatever form it takes), make sure to protect it. Store it in a safety deposit box, in a strong safe or lockbox, on a cloud storage service, or with a friend. Just make sure it’ll survive if there’s ever major damage to your home. Remember that’s what it’s there for!

From Farmers.com, by Corrin Trowbridge, Farmers-Trowbridge Insurance 650-876-9600, ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com, www.trowbridgeins.com

 

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The Social Security challenge!

As Americans are living longer, it stands to reason we are paying more for our largest national safety net, Social Security. In 1950 there were 2300 people Americans living over the age of 100, in 2010 that number had grown to 80,000, and by the year 2050 (35 years from now) that number is projected to grow to 600,000 people living at age 100+ !

The major cause of concern is that the number of payers into the system per beneficiary of the system is, and has been for some time, going down. That means the Payors will have to pay more, or the Beneficiaries are going to get less. In 1960 there were 4.9 payees for every Beneficiary, but by 2010 that number had shrunk to 2.8 payees per Beneficiary. The projections look to level out at just under 1.9 per Beneficiary for the foreseeable future. (US Census Bureau 2/12)

This means that there is less revenue coming into the system to pay for this benefit, and Social Security has begun to run a deficit! In 2010 Social Security paid out $48.9 Billion Dollars more in benefits than it received in payroll taxes! As the U.S. population ages more and more, this annual deficit is projected to grow to $344 Billion Dollars for the year 2035. It doesn’t take a math scholar to be overwhelmed by these numbers! They, on the very face of them, are unsustainable.

Please consider this article a clarion call to YOU! Don’t shrug your shoulders, acknowledge it, and turn the page! Those of you who turn 30 years old this year will be facing a future with either painful taxes in your prime earning years, drastically reduced benefits when you turn 65, or both! Take action to mitigate this eventuality. Start saving as soon as you can and keep putting that money away until you need it when you retire. For those of us over 30 the same can be said, even more urgently! Obviously, the more you can put away the better, but anything is better than nothing! Don’t say, “I can’t afford to put away enough to make a difference.”  Would you rather have nothing and be trying to get on the meager payments that the system will deliver when you retire, or have a couple thousand dollars in the bank as well? You would be surprised at how $20 dollars a week, automatically deducted and invested, can add up to a sizable nest egg down the road! Take responsibility for your own future and don’t surrender your future to the winds blowing about the political landscape. Take this warning as a commonsense fact we cannot escape. If you fail to act on it, you will regret having done so!

If you would like to discuss any of these facts, or consider what a savings plan would look like for you, please contact me at ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com , 650-FARMERS (327-6377).

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Three “must have” Business Insurance endorsements!

Most Business Insurance policies contain the typically standard Property and Liability coverage’s, but there are three other coverage’s (not included in these standard coverage’s) that you really should make sure you have in your policy.

  1. If you are a Habitational owner, or Landlord, my claims people tell me one of the most common losses is for “Back up Sewer and Drain” claims. If your plumbing gets clogged, and the resulting “back up and overflow” causes damages to your property, or your tenants have to move out, this situation could cause you lost income from rents not being collected, and cost you thousands in repairs. This prevalent loss is also one not covered by your standard property coverage’s. They won’t do you any good when/if this happens, and the endorsement is not very expensive to add. If you are a Habitational owner, or Landlord, my claims people tell me one of the most common losses is for “Back up Sewer and Drain” claims. If your plumbing gets clogged, and the resulting “back up and overflow” causes damages to your property, or your tenants have to move out, this situation could cause you lost income from rents not being collected, and cost you thousands in repairs. This prevalent loss is also one not covered by your standard property coverage’s. They won’t do you any good when/if this happens, and the endorsement is not very expensive to add.
  2. One of the fastest growing threats to all Business Owner/Landlords is Cyber Liability. If you are renting to people, or doing business with others, they generally have some assets. So they are not necessarily millionaires, but they have a job/business that is making them some money. This makes you an attractive target for Cyber criminals. If they hack into your client records, and steal your clients identity, this could come potentially come back to haunt you. Many carriers offer stand alone Cyber Liability policies, and others (like Farmers) offer endorsements to your business insurance policy for a lot less than the stand alone coverage’s. You may think ‘why would any one come after my records?” but welcome to the modern world, with modern threats you need to be aware of, and take steps to protect against!
  3. Also, if you are an Employer, it has been said that you face more Liability exposure form your own Employees than from your Client-Customers. In today’s litigious environment, Employers are sued for wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. And your common General Liability coverage does NOT protect you from these clams! You need to make sure you have Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) to protect yourself from claims like these. Again, many carriers off standalone policies, or Farmers has a much more affordable endorsement which can be added to its Business insurance policy.
  4. While it is obvious having Business Insurance is important, it is equally important to have the right kind of insurance! If you do not have these coverages, your typical standard policy will not do you any good if you suffer a claim for one of these prevalent, and growing threats to your business!  Please contact me to review your coverages, and let’s see if we can do better for you? 650-FARMERS (327-6377), or 650-876-9600. ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com
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What coverage do I need for my second home?

Vacation homes can provide a relaxing getaway from stresses of everyday life. Just as with your primary residence, a vacation home needs to have adequate insurance protection. These types of homes require a different type of property insurance, however. A vacation property isn’t your primary residence, so why insure it like it is? While it may not be your primary residence, your vacation home still faces potential damage or loss due to fire, wind, storms and severe weather. It is also vulnerable to vandalism and theft during the time it is unused, or occupied by tenants. Because of these risks, not all insurance companies will insure second homes. You need to communicate clearly with your agent to make sure they have all the information they need to get you the right package of coverage’s.

Seasonal and Vacation Home Insurance

Seasonal and Vacation Property insurance provides coverage for accidental damage, liability, and loss, as provided in the policy. You can choose a prepackaged policy or customize one to meet your specific situation. Some insurers  require you to insure your primary residence with them as well. Just like standard Homeowners Insurance, Seasonal and Vacation Property Home insurance helps offset the costs of repairs, replacement costs and living expenses if something happens to your vacation home due to accidents like fire, lightning, wind-driven water, hail damage or theft.

Additional Specialty Homeowners coverage’s available with certain carriers 

Do have a rental property? Is it rented annually, or weekly? Tenants increase the need for adequate Liability coverage as if there is a loss or injury you are an obvious target for compensation. Do you own a vacant property or one in less than optimal condition? As a landlord, with certain carriers you can choose a Landlord or Rental Property insurance package that can customize your policy with extra options to suit your unique situation and help you protect your investment.  If your home’s market value is lower than it would cost to rebuild it, some insurance companies may be reluctant to provide coverage. For older or lower-valued properties, certain carriers have created specialty policies specifically for these types of homes.  Specialty Property insurance covers additional types of properties in addition to seasonal and vacation properties, providing coverage for homes that may not qualify for typical homeowners coverage, such as vacant homes or short term rental properties. Make sure your homeowner’s coverage is the right one for the property in question.

With numerous choices and options, for a variety of Seasonal and Vacation Property insurance packages, you need to make sure your agent is providing you with the right property insurance so if you do have a claim there are no issues that could make it difficult to get taken care of.

ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com, 650-876-9600

 

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Teaching Young People About Money

FDIC Consumer News Spring 2015 – For All Ages: Teaching Young People About Money

It’s never too early or too late to introduce everyday financial concepts to a young person. And, you don’t have to be a financial expert. Here are tips from FDIC Consumer News to help parents, guardians and caregivers show a child — from a preschooler to a college kid — why and how to become responsible with money.

Engage in regular conversations about money-related topics: That includes discussing with your child what you are doing, and why, when you manage money at home, around town or with the bank. For example, consider talking about similar products that have noticeably different prices at a store, and how you decide what is a good deal. And, you can explain that having a savings account at a bank has advantages such as income from interest, peace of mind of knowing the money will be there when you need it, and FDIC deposit insurance coverage for each customer up to at least $250,000 if the bank fails.

“If you are using plastic to pay for purchases, consider explaining the difference between a debit card, which is like writing an electronic check, and a credit card, which requires the consumer to make a payment in the future,” said Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC’s Outreach and Program Development Section. For more information about credit and debit cards, see the Summer 2012 FDIC Consumer News.

Even with automatic transfers, such as direct deposit of your pay, consider using your bank statements to show how money can move in or out of your account.

And, special times of the year — like during tax time or your workplace’s “open season” for selecting health insurance — present opportunities to explain financial decisions.

Consider giving an allowance as a teaching tool. It can be a positive way to teach kids, even those who are preschool age, about money management. But before you give the first allowance, help your child decide how much he or she will spend now and how much to save for future goals. Then, help your youngster see whether that target is being reached by looking at a bank statement online or a paper copy. Also talk through the tradeoffs involved with spending decisions, such as how buying one toy may mean forgoing the opportunity to purchase another item the child also wants.

“There are many approaches to how best to structure an allowance, particularly whether to tie it to work such as household chores, so each family will need to decide what is best for them,” Reynolds added.

Think twice before giving a child more money if he or she runs out of funds before the next allowance payment. That’s because part of the purpose of an allowance is to teach savings skills, self-control and the benefits of waiting to enjoy a bigger reward.

And, for younger kids, consider paying an allowance in smaller denominations to make it easier to learn counting and saving skills.

Help your kids develop a healthy skepticism of advertising and unsolicited inquiries: In general, teach children how to analyze advertisements; they need to know that “special offers” often are not the great deal they appear to be.

Even young consumers are targets for identity thieves and among the victims of scams and rip-offs. Information for parents on protecting children’s personal information from identity theft is available at OnGuardOnline.gov.

If I can assist in any way please contact me at 650-876-9600, ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com , or visit my website, www.trowbridgeinsurance.com

 

 

 

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A Lifetime Gift for your Children/Grandchildren- Juvenile Life Insurance

 
We buy our kids toys and clothes, and they use them up and wear them out. But, my Dad bought something for me that I did not appreciate until I was married with a family. It turns out that gift has more meaning to me than all the toys and clothes my parents ever bought me. When I was 20, he bought me a permanent Life Insurance policy!
The policy on my life protects the financial future of my daughter, or his granddaughter, and it was in place before she was even born. It is truly a gift that transcends the generations! As I can personally attest, this is a gift that will be forever appreciated when your child/grandchild begins their own family. There are no medical requirements, and it can be started very easily. For $25-$35 per month, you could provide them with a lifetime of protection. Not only is it inexpensive when the child is young, but it puts a permanent policy in place so that, god forbid, if your child should come down with a serious illness, they will have some life insurance already in force, and cannot be declined for health reasons.

Having it paid up relieves me of the burden many adults face when they realize that they want to have this protection but it’s an expense that must compete with everyday expenses for your financial resources. I now only have to consider the less expensive Term coverage when looking at the amount needed to adequately protect my family should something happen to me. One of my favorite phrases is “We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan…” and this is a great step to make sure your child/grandchild is not living that reality.

Please consider the gift of Life Insurance for your children, or grandchildren, and how it can benefit them throughout their lifetimes. Especially when they start their own families and are working hard to make ends meet.

 

The following is from a Farmers Friendly Voice, June 2015, Publication

Juvenile life insurance is permanent, affordable insurance that can provide your children or grandchildren with their own life insurance policy as well as benefits above and beyond what your own life insurance policy may offer them.

Why do people insure their children and grandchildren?

There are many reasons:

  • A medical exam is typically not required and coverage is guaranteed for life1, regardless of the future health of the child.
  • The cost of insurance for a child is typically less than similar coverage for an adult. Most policies offer an option to purchase additional insurance in the future, regardless of insurability.
  • Over time, the policy may accumulate cash value. This cash value can be used to pay future premiums.
  • You may withdraw or borrow funds from the policy generally income tax free.2
  • Unlike funds in 529 college savings plans, a juvenile life insurance policy’s cash value doesn’t have to be used specifically for education. It can be used by a grown child for other purposes such as wedding expenses or a down payment on a home, for example.
  • Juvenile life insurance may also helpful for estate planning by providing for the tax-efficient transfer of wealth.

How is it different than college savings plans?

Let’s say you want to accumulate funds for your child or grandchild’s future college tuition. You may consider a 529 savings plan. There may be up-front tax savings which might be attractive, but if your child or grandchild’s college plans change, withdrawal restrictions will generally apply. With limited exceptions, you can only withdraw money that you invest in a 529 plan for eligible higher education expenses without incurring taxes and penalties. In contrast, a permanent life insurance policy’s cash value can be withdrawn or borrowed tax-free by the policy owner for any purpose. It can be used to help the child purchase a car, a home, or even to start a business.

If the child goes to college as planned, under current rules, the cash value that has accumulated in a permanent life policy won’t have to be declared and counted against them when it’s time to qualify for financial aid. Although each educational institution may treat assets held in a 529 plan differently, investing in a 529 plan will generally reduce a student’s eligibility to participate in need-based financial aid.3

Consider a non-traditional and versatile gift for your child or grandchild. Let’s talk about how the cash value in a permanent juvenile life insurance policy can potentially provide your children or grandchildren with a lifetime of financial and life insurance options.

1The death benefit[s] is [are] guaranteed according to the terms of the contract and provided that premiums are paid.

2Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce cash surrender value and death benefit. Policy loans are subject to interest charges. If your policy is a modified endowment contract, loans and withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.

For informational purposes only. In general, partial withdrawals from a permanent life insurance policy in excess of the policy’s basis are taxable, and limited circumstances exist where death proceeds will be taxable. Neither Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, its employees nor its Agents provide legal or tax advice. Always consult your own attorney, accountant or tax adviser as to the legal, financial or tax consequences and advice on any particular transaction.

Distributions from a life insurance policy in the character of partial surrenders (withdrawals) up to basis or policy loans will generally be income tax free, provided the policy does not violate Modified Endowment Contract (MEC) guidelines and the policy is not terminated during the lifetime of the insured. MEC guidelines are rules in the Internal Revenue Code which specify maximum premiums that can be paid without triggering adverse tax consequences for withdrawals. A policy termination during the life of the insured can cause the owner a single taxable event for any gains in the policy that were borrowed or withdrawn on or before the termination date.

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Five challenges can make Homes hard-to-place

Even the savviest insurance professional can face challenges when dealing with their client’s hard-to-place risks.

The housing market is no exception and brokers may find that some homes are falling outside of the standard insurance market appetite due to a number of unique exposures. If not outright cancellation, many homeowners are facing exponential increases in their premiums, something hard to stomach for the occasional weekend visit to the second home.  In these situations, clients can get frustrated, particularly if quick, and acceptable solutions are not delivered.

Here are five contributing factors that can make some homes hard-to-place:

  1. Physical Structure: Often the physical structure itself is a challenge. The home may be older or in need of repairs or updates to the electrical or plumbing systems. Alternatively, a client may purchase a home that is still under construction or renovation which may disqualify it for a standard homeowners’ policy.
  2. Location: Homes may be located in areas prone to earthquake, flood or wildfire. Often, these homes are in a remote location, placing them at greater risk for fire.
  3. High-Value: High-value homes and the contents inside often create a challenge for the standard insurance market. These homes and their owners require a carrier that caters to the affluent market.
  4. Client Profile: High-profile clients, such as celebrities, athletes or entertainers are natural targets for lawsuits and may not qualify for standard home policies because of the high limits of liability they require. Conversely, clients with a history of credit or payment issues may also have difficulty obtaining standard coverage.
  5. Previous Claims: Some applicants have filed too many insurance claims or certain “red flag” types of claims such as dog bites and have been non-renewed or cancelled from the standard market.

Numerous insurance options are available for hard-to-place risks with the right Agent/Broker. Experienced Brokers and Agents can tailor coverage solutions to fit their client’s exposures and make sure they have the protection they need.

Adopted from an Article found in the May 21, 2015 edition, Insurance Market Source, Copyright 2015 | Kaufman Financial Group.

For more information, or if you have questions, contact Corrin Trowbridge, 650-876-9600, ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com

 

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If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or Sidecar this is important information for you!

Rideshare providers like Uber (#uber), Lyft (#lyft) and Sidecar (#sidecar) have gained in popularity, but unlike taxis or limousines, Rideshare drivers use their own personal vehicles to transport riders. But, personal auto insurance ceases when the driver turns their App. on. Rideshare companies (#rideshare) typically provide some level of insurance coverage during the time a driver has accepted a trip from the app until the driver has dropped the passenger off.  This leaves the driver on the hook for insurance when the app is on and the driver is seeking riders. Starting July 1, 2015 rideshare drivers are legally required to be covered from the moment they turn on their app.

On May 28, 2015, Farmers (#farmers) will be the first major carrier in California to begin offering a new Rideshare Endorsement through Farmers Specialty Insurance Company. This will extend your coverage up until the Rideshare coverage kicks in so you do not have a gap in coverage. If you are engaged with one of these Businesses, please contact my office (650-876-9600) for a free quote to make sure you have the coverage you need.

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Thoughts on Retirement?

I just read an article,( in Financial Advisor Magazine, March 2015) that is pretty scary, because it hits close to home (my age bracket). It says that a report by the Center for American Progress has been released that highlights that the median retirement account balance among all households headed by people aged 55-64 (those nearing retirement) was only $14,500 in 2013! It also points out that retirees needs have grown significantly in recent decades. Life expectancy has risen, full social security benefits aren’t paid out until age 67, health care costs have risen substantially, and the decline in interest rates, since 1983, means that the amount of wealth saved produces less retirement income.

More Americans than in past generations, approximately 31%, reported no savings for retirement, and of those nearest retirement (ages 55-64), 19% reported no savings for retirement! That’s one in five Americans near retirement have NO retirement savings! For those near retirement that have saved something the median account balance is $104,000. not enough when you consider we are living longer and Social Security is facing bankruptcy as 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day. Households nearing retirement are worse off in 2013 that they were in 1989 as the Great Recession is still being felt across the retirement spectrum.

Christian Weller, one of the authors of the report, said that after taking many factors into consideration such as pensions, Social Security and home equity, “The rule of thumb for the wealth to income ratio is about 10 to one, meaning a person making $50,000 for the majority of their career would need about $500,000 to maintain their standard of living in retirement.”  These ratios did improve for near-retirement households during the 1990s and early 2000s, but collapsed following the Great Recession.

In response to that recession the government has been printing money, and increased the money supply by 30% in just the last six years of our nations history! While it has kept the wheels turning, it may unleash forces as yet unimagined!  You can’t buck classic economics, and that tells us with a growth of money supply we should have inflation. While the reasons it has not shown up yet are numerous (including the recalibration of what counts as inflation), it does not invalidate this eventuality.  When it finally does arrive, considering the incredible recent growth in the money supply, it could be worse than we have experienced in the past. And, while we can still have a growing economy with inflation, it will be another difficulty facing those nearing, or in retirement.

Don’t mean to be a downer, but I am putting this information out there in hopes you will take it for what it is, a clarion call to take action! DO something to improve your future! Start saving today, “pay yourself first” as they say, or you will face an old age of dwindling resources, and limited experience. Look for  investments that can protect you on the downside while allowing you to grow with the market. If you would like more information, or want to make a plan to move forward you can reach me at www.trowbridgeinsurance.com, or call me at 650-876-9600.

 

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Four HUGE Estate Planning Mistakes

This article is one I received from Attorney JANET L BREWER, THE DAILY PLAN-IT, VOL 10 ISSUE 5

There are a lot of mistakes your clients can make in estate planning. A lot.

Bad planning can result in your client failing to protect her children, surviving spouse, assets, and her business. It can ignite unnecessary conflicts between and pour on additional stress among a client’s surviving loved ones that are still grieving.

A Wall Street Journal article recently outlined their picks for the three most common estate planning mistakes. (http://tinyurl.com/oppg6tp)
We’ve chosen to add a fourth most common mistake to the list.

1. Absolutely Nothing

Let’s start with the biggest no-no: There is no estate plan to begin with. Regardless of whether your client has an estate value that surpasses the estate tax exemption rate when she dies, having basic estate plan documents is crucial.

The four cornerstones of any good estate plan include a will, a living will, medical power of attorney and financial power of attorney. To ensure your client’s wishes are upheld, these documents should be drafted by an attorney.

A Trust can be a strong foundation for building on those cornerstones. Clients often mistakenly assume they don’t have enough money or property to require the creation of a trust. However, depending on its language and state laws, a trust can add layers of protection against creditors, divorce settlements of a client’s children, and unintentionally disinheriting children when a client’s surviving spouse remarries. Special needs trusts, credit shelter trusts, pet trusts, dynasty trusts – there are a myriad of protections that a trust can provide.

2. Dusty Documents

Maybe your client already has an estate plan in place – but she completed it years ago and hasn’t updated it. Since then, she accumulated additional assets, bought and sold property, and has even seen the arrival of grandchildren.

A client’s documents should be reviewed by an experienced estate planning attorney every few years and whenever there are any “life changes” in a client’s circumstances. Those can include a move, a marriage or a divorce, property transfers, the starting or sale of a business, a decline in a client’s health, the death of a spouse, and the addition of new children or other potential heirs.

We can’t emphasize this enough: When there is a significant life change, a client’s documents should be reviewed and likely updated.

3. Outdated Beneficiary Designations

A retirement plan beneficiary designation is one of the most often overlooked parts of anyone’s estate planning. Unlike other assets, retirement plans are not disbursed by a will or a trust. Instead, they are released based on the beneficiary forms on file with your client’s financial institution.

Too often, people neglect to update their retirement plan beneficiary designations when their originally identified beneficiary (usually a spouse) dies or they divorce. Sometimes, the financial institution is bought out by another, in which case your client should probably refile the beneficiary forms using the new company in case the original designation won’t carry over properly, the WSJ said.

And now, our choice for the fourth most common estate planning mistake:

4. No Plan to Pay for Long Term Care

Many clients willfully ignore that they are growing older and one day they may be unable to care for themselves physically. They especially don’t like to think about paying for medical care. Sticking their heads in the sand about this issue is a HUGE mistake.

A single room in a private nursing facility can cost thousands of dollars. That can quickly wipe out a single person’s or a couple’s life savings. If your clients haven’t put into place a strategy to protect their assets and their families from the costs of long term care, they are risking their quality of life in their most vulnerable years.

Nowis the time meet with an experienced estate planning attorney with knowledge of elder law issues such as Medicaid planning, long term care insurance, and veterans aid and attendance benefits. Putting this sort of planning off for “someday” can have devastating results.

 

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