Costco Connection - September 2012

COSTCO SERVICES
Update
To learn more about our complete suite of Costco services, click on the “Services” link at Costco.com or call toll-free 1-800-220-6000.

FEATURE ENHANCEMENT

New monthly credit
report and score

IDENTITY GUARD®, Costco’s identity protection provider, has upgraded its Total Protection® plan to include a refreshed credit report and score based on Experian data every 30 days.

“If you’re planning to make a major pur-
chase such as a car or house, it’s important
to review your credit history before you
apply for financing,” says Ed Murphy, Costco
Services manager. “Monthly updates are a
great way to keep track of your credit health,
and healthy credit translates into better
interest rates on car or mortgage loans.”
For more information or to enroll, visit
Costco.com and search “Identity5,” or call
toll-free 1-866-818-0874.

PRACTICAL TIPS

Domain names made easy

DECIDING ON a domain name is similar to choosing your company name: It requires careful consideration. The process of registering a domain name is simple, but before committing to that name, evaluate it against these suggestions, courtesy of Costco’s online solutions provider, Go Daddy.

• Make it memorable. Say your domain name out loud, write it down and share it with friends. Does it make sense and is it appealing to others?

• Keep it short. Make it easy for people to remember, say and type.

• Avoid numbers and hyphens. They are often mistyped and verbally misinterpreted.

• Use keywords. Include a word that describes your business or the services you offer.

• Location, location, location. Include
your business’s geographical location (city
or state) in your domain name to improve
search results.

SERVICE EXPANSION
Vehicle Repair Protection now in
California and 43 other states

PRACTICAL TIP

Protecting your
valuable possessions

ARTVILLE

WHAT IF YOUR wedding ring were stolen, or you lost your laptop while traveling? Would your homeowner’s insurance policy cover those types of losses?

Typically a standard homeowner’s insurance policy provides only limited coverage on certain high-value items, and you may not be reimbursed for the entire value of your property. If you own items that are particularly valuable—such as jewelry, electronics, fine art, furs, silverware, firearms, collections, musical instruments or sports equipment—you should consider purchasing additional coverage.

Adding this coverage—referred to as an endorsement or as scheduling possessions individually for full value—is a cost-effective way to protect valuables. The cost of this additional coverage varies by state, but generally it runs about 1 to 2 percent of the item’s value annually.

Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance has been providing Costco members with auto and home insurance for more than 10 years, and they offer additional coverage for their policyholders’ high-value items. To contact them for a quote for auto and home insurance, call toll-free 1-888-404-5365, or visit Costco.com and search “valuables.”

VEHICLE REPAIR PROTECTION, provided by Century Warranty Services and its affiliates, is now in 44 states, including California.

If your vehicle is up to 10 years old and has between 10,000 and 75,000 miles, this comprehensive program can provide repair protection to combat expensive mechanical repairs when the factory warranty runs out.

Costco members get exclusive rates
from the provider, and vehicles can be
serviced at any licensed repair shop in the
U.S. or Canada. 24/7 roadside assistance,
same-day car rental, towing and travel
coverage are also part of the package.