The standard USA/Canada life insurance contract has only a few major exclusions. There are no geographical restrictions, but some companies may exclude death as a result of war, hazardous activity, failure to pay the premium or aviation. For the beneficiary to be paid, a valid certificate of death/proof of death and return of the original policy is all that is needed to receive the benefits. You may die in Manchuria or on the moon, as long as you obtain a valid death certificate. Some local Panama companies will even advance a small amount ($2,000) to the beneficiary to help with funeral expenses based on a newspaper article.

Confusion may stem from Expats residing in Panama who wish to APPLY for life insurance in the USA. Some US/Canada companies do not wish to issue a NEW policy to foreign residents.

More....

My good friend Gerry "D" has asked me to do a series of shows from his COOL FM studio.

We will discuss different types of insurance available here in Panama. Click on the link below if you wish to hear our first effort:

http://www.pbcpanama.com/breakfastshowwed.html

The interview with Kevin begins 35 minutes into the show. Gerry has good info to open the program (new rules for Scrabble) and great taste in music!

As you probably know, in Panama all cars must have insurance in order to get the vehicle inspected, registered, and to obtain license plates. I bet the people in this video are happy they have insurance. At least in Panama we don't have to worry about snow and ice.

Kevin and his English speaking team are an integral part of the Ducruet Insurance Agency. Whether coverage is needed for your Corporation or as an Individual, Kevin, Carmen, Rosita and Charlene are standing by to help with all your Panama insurance needs. Our location (DUCRUET) is in San Fransisco, near the end of Calle 50, turn left just BEFORE the light at Via Porras on calle 77E, between the Deli Gourmet and Volvo Store, directly across from HSBC. Here's a link to a map showing our office location. Know your policies! With the rash of floods, earthquakes and windstorms here in Panama, we can help explain protection available for each risk. Does your fire insurance have extended coverage? Auto insurance is essential to protect you from the crazy drivers and complicated legal system. Let us help you understand your coverage. Knowing how roadside assistance works can be a life saver if you are involved in an accident!

If you would like additional information regarding all types of insurance in Panama, please send me an email to kevin-pg@panamakevin.com. I would be more than happy to answer all of your questions to the best of my ability.

This article is by David Young from La Estrella Online newspaper, 18 December, 2007.

My staff, clients and I have moved to L.R. Ducruet y Hijos, effective August 1, 2007.

A company - where honor and service walk hand in hand

Breakfast in a private room at a five star hotel may not be a big deal for a jet-hopping business executive, but it's an event to be savoured when your role in the company could be office cleaner or coffee room supervisor. Especially when the meeting is sans departmental managers, but includes the company president.
For Luis "Tito" Ducruet, who heads one of Panama's leading insurance brokers, it's a bi-monthly event when he sits down with his grass roots employees to listen to their concerns and suggestions and to share with them his plans and dreams for the future. The meetings are fruitful and have produced many innovative approaches to management, and underline the cooperative philosophy of a company that has expanded its business by 800 percent in the past six years.
It also gives the company the opportunity to reinforce its commitment to the statment that sits on a plinth in front of the company headquarters, a commitment to honor.

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There is much more to Panama than its famous and important Canal. This international crossroad is a great place to live.

http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20061216161417197

Eight out of ten people think that moving abroad was the best decision they ever made.

The findings come following a survey of BUPA International members from around the world on their views on being an expatriate.

Paula Covey, head of marketing for BUPA International, said: "These findings, which come a year after BUPA International almost doubled in size, are in line with the growth we are seeing as more people choose to make another country their home.
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What a Guy!

By BOB TEDESCHI: MIGRATORY retirees have lent more than a touch of gray to Florida, Arizona and Southern California. Next stop on the aging boomer bandwagon: Panama. Panama Today With low housing and living costs, a stable political environment, relatively safe streets and that tropical climate, people in their 50's and early 60's are flocking to the Central American nation, rather than working for a few more years to scrape together enough money for a condo on the Florida coast. "We're seeing a significant number of Americans coming here to retire," said William Ostick, a spokesman for the United States Embassy in Panama City. "Panama as a nation is trying to attract people who want to build second homes here, but a lot of them are selling their homes in the U.S. and just buying here." Mr. Ostick said the embassy did not keep statistics on Americans who have moved to Panama to retire, but he said there were 25,000 to 30,000 Americans living there. According to the Panamanian government, four times as many American retirees applied for visas last year as in 2004.

Although Panama, a country of 3.2 million people, can present challenges to those unaccustomed to living in a developing nation, its quirks are, for many, part of its charm.

One of my ALLTIME favorite quotes:

Are there not... Two points in the adventure of the diver:

One -- when a beggar, he prepares to plunge?

Two -- when a prince, he rises with his pearl?

I plunge!

-- Robert Browning