Insurance Tips

Term Insurance

2007-07-24T19:07:00.000-07:00

Term Insurance
By: ArticleGOLD

Term insurance is a level term life insurance product that pays out a lump sum when the insurance policyholder dies or becomes terminally ill. It provides peace of mind to the insurance policyholder that loved ones left behind after their death will be financially secure. Term life insurance can be configured to pay off all existing loans - including the mortgage - and leave a cash sum in the bank to support your spouse and children. If you don't want your family to have to cope with financial pressures during their bereavement, or struggle to find the funds to pay for your funeral then term insurance is the life product to have.

Term insurance is different to mortgage insurance

It is important to realise that term insurance is a different life product to mortgage insurance. Term insurance is a long-term insurance product that can be taken out over a lifetime of 50 years. During this time the insurance premium remains the same as does the amount paid out in the event of death or terminal illness.

Mortgage insurance on the other hand mirrors the life of your outstanding mortgage loan. The insurance premiums remain the same throughout the life of the product, but unlike term insurance the amount paid out upon death or terminal illness reduces in line with the outstanding mortgage loan. So, if you were to die at the point that you owe only £2000 on your mortgage, then the mortgage life insurance product would only pay out £2000.

Terminal illness

Terminal illness cover generally comes as standard with term life insurance polices. The terminal illness clause tends to trigger pay out if the insurance policyholder is diagnosed with a terminal illness named on the term policy and is given 12 months or less to live. Pay out in these circumstances allows the policyholder themselves or someone with power of attorney for the policyholder to receive the full lump sum from the term life insurance policy. They are then free to enjoy the final months of their life with their family free from financial constraints.

When a term life insurance policy pays out for terminal illness the policy will end. Therefore the life insurance company will not be liable to pay anything further upon death of the policyholder.

Term life insurance restrictions

As with most insurance policies there are restrictions and exclusions that apply to term life insurance policies. The main restriction is on pay outs to term life insurance policyholders who become critically ill, yet are not diagnosed as terminally ill. In this case, a standard term life insurance policy will not make a payment, unless a critical illness policy has been added to the term life insurance.

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Health and Medical Insurance - Comparing Managed Care Health Plans

2007-07-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Health and Medical Insurance - Comparing Managed Care Health Plans
By: Abi

Health insurance plans have been forced to take action to contain costs of quality health care delivery as health care costs have skyrocketed. Health insurance premiums, deductibles and co-pays have steadily increased, and health insurance companies have implemented certain strategies for reducing health care costs. "Managed care" describes a group of stratgies aimed at reducing the costs of health care for health insurance companies.

There are two basic types of managed care plans; health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, and preferred provider organizations, or PPOs. So which health plan is best? How do you choose what type of health insurance best suits the health care needs of you and your family?

Both HMOs and PPOs contain costs by contracting with health providers for reduced rate on health care services for its' members, often as much as 60%. One important difference between HMOs and PPOs is that PPOs often will cover the costs of care when the provider is out of their network, but usually at a reduced rate. On the other hand, most HMOs offer no coverage for health care services for out-of-network providers.

Both HMO and PPOs also control health care costs by use of a gateway, or primary care provider (PCP). Health insurance plan members are assigned (or select) a primary care practitioner (physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner). usually a family practitioner or internal medicine doctor for adult members or a pediatrician or family care practitioner for childern. The primary care provider is responsible for coordianting health delivery for plan members. Care by specialist physicians require referral from the primary care provider. This cost containment strategy is intended to avoid duplication of services (for example, the cardiologist ordering tests that have already been done by the PCP, or a sprained ankle being referred to an orthopedic) and avoid unnecessary specialist referrals, tests and/or procedures.

HMO and PPO plans also contain costs by requiring prior approval, prior authorization, or pre-certification for many elective hospital admissions, surgeries, costly tests and imaging procedures, durable medical equipment and prescription drugs. When such services are required, the provider must submit a request to the health insurance plan review department, along with medical records that justify the service. The request is reviewed by the health insurance company to determine whether the services are justified as "medically necessary" according to the health plan policy and guidelines. Review is usually performed by licensed nurses, and, if the reviewer agrees that the service is necessary, approval is given and the service will be covered by the health insurance plan.

As health care costs continue to rise, many indemnity health insurance plans, or "fee for service" plans are being forced to adopt some managed care strategies in order to provide quality health care and keep health insurance premiums affordable. And as long as health care costs continue to rise, the distinctions among PPO, HMO, FFS and other health insurance plans will become blurred. Rest assured, however, that managed health care is here to stay.

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Can I Afford Health Insurance?

2007-07-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Can I Afford Health Insurance?
By: Mark

In light of today's health care costs, a better question would be, "Can I afford NOT to have health insurance?". Indeed, medical expenses are a leading cause of bankruptcy in the US. A health insurance plan should be an essential part of any responsible financial plan, whether married or single. Even young, healthy adults should bear in mind that a single emergency room visit can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and intensive care can cost thousands per day. And that's not even counting the costs of prescription drugs.

There are steps to take to minimize the expense of health insurance. Many employers offer health insurance as a benefit for employees. Rates for group health insurance such as this are usually lower than private insurance rates; employers can negotiate better rates as a group. Labor and trade unions also may offer group health insurance for their members. Spouses and children can often be added to most employee health plan, though the rate will be higher. Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance can be deducted from the employees' paycheck, often with pre-tax dollars, increasing the savings. Many employers offer multiple health plans. The employee may be able to select from PPO, HMO, and traditional plans. Compare the options, check the policy to determine what medical expenses are covered, and select the plan that most suits the needs of you and/or your family.

If a group plan is not available, private health insurance coverage is available. Private health insurance is usually more expensive than group health insurance, but there are ways to minimize the rate. Shop around and compare rates offerd by various health insurance companies. Health insurance companies usually offer lower rates for younger persons, for nonsmokers, and those with normal weight. Rates will be higher, or coverage denied for pre-existing health conditions, for those working in high-risk occupations, and those who engage in high-risk activities such as race car driving.

A relative newcomer to health insurance plans is the health savings account, or HSA. An HSA allows the individual to save money to pay routine health care expenses, deductibles and co-pays. The IRS allows this money to be set aside pre-tax as well. HSAs are paired with a health insurance plan with low premiums and high deductible to cover major health expenses. In a sense, the individual is "self-insured" for routine health care, with a major medical plan for bigger expenses. Many experts predict that HSAs will become more popular in time as an alternative to traditional health insurance plans.

Whatever health plan that you choose, health care coverage is essential. A major surgery and/or extended critcal care stay could easily bankrupt any individual or family. Consider the options available. Be certain of what is and is not covered, and consider how appropriate that coverage is for your situation.

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Medical Insurance Policy

2007-07-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Medical Insurance Policy
By: Jody

A Medical Insurance policy is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or a group which promises to pay for medical care reasonably required by the insured policy holder for treatment in case of any injury or illness. Even now a day’s medical insurance policy is provided for disease like obesity.

If an individual has taken up a medical policy then he pays the premium according to a specific time frame as decided between the two groups. Usually, the policy takes care for the health & medical acre of an individual but if the premiums value is higher the insurance covers the family members also. In the case when the policy is taken by a group or an association, then all the individuals under the association receive the certificate of insurance. Some key points like payment of premiums, deductibles and co-pays are decided at the beginning and both the parties have to abide by these rules.

Searching a Medical Insurance Plan?

The terms in the policy may be hard to understand at times and the person may stand confused. So here is list of some terms commonly used up in an insurance plan:

Deductible-The deductible refers to the yearly amount of money that the insured would need to pay before any benefits from the health insurance policy can be used.

1. Co-insurance / Co-payments- This is the amount that would need to be paid by the insured before the insurance pays and in addition to the deductible.

2. Out-of- pocket- An out of pocket expense can refer to how much the co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible is.

3. Waiting Period- This is the time one would have to wait until certain health insurance overages are available.

4. Grace Period- This is the amount of time one has to pay their health insurance premium after the original due date and before insurance coverage would be canceled.

5. Lifetime Maximum-This is the most amount of money the health insurance policy will pay for the entire life. Pay attention to individual lifetime maximums and family lifetime maximums as they can be different.

6. Out-of-Pocket - This is the cost one would pay out of their own pocket. An out of pocket expense can refer to how much the co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible is.

Is Medical Insurance Necessary?

Man saves money for a better & safe future. But life is a string of surprises. A serious medical situation can strain one’s pocket, thereby emptying all the lifetime savings. The best option to save oneself from this situation is to secure your future with the help of a medical insurance policy

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Pet Insurance : What To Look For

2007-07-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Pet Insurance : What To Look For
By: Nicholas Hunt

Keeping a pet is a rewarding experience which many of us enjoy, but it can also be expensive. As well as all the routine costs such as food and grooming, you can also come up against unplanned expenses such as vetinary bills through sickness or accident. These bills can unfortunately be very high, so to ensure that their pets can get the treatment they need many people decide that taking out pet insurance is a sensible way of helping to cushion these costs. But what should you be looking for in a pet insurance policy?

The first thing to consider is what kind of pet you have. The cheapest kind of pet insurance is that for the most common pets - cats and dogs. Prices for these policies can be very reasonable indeed, amounting to only the cost of a few tins of pet food a month. If, however, you keep a more unusual kind of animal as a pet, then the price you pay may well be higher. Make sure that any policy you take out specifically includes your kind of pet, as many will exclude more 'exotic' kinds of animal.

The main reason for considering pet insurance is cover for medical treatment, but there are some exclusions that you need to be aware of. Firstly, your policy will almost certainly not cover routine treatments such as vaccinations, flea control, or worming. Secondly, you won't be covered for any pre-existing conditions that were already known about when you took out the policy (you should also declare any existing conditions when you take out the policy, or you risk it being declared invalid when you come to make a claim).

You also need to check your policy for claim limits: there may be a time limit of cover, so for example a long-term condition such as arthritis may only be covered for a period of 12 months, after which you will be responsible for meeting the bills. There is also usually a limit to the total cost of medical bill claims you make in any one year, but this is usually high enough to cover almost any conceivable situation.

Another major reason for taking out insurance is to help you cover the costs of getting your pet back if it goes missing. Most policies will contribute towards advertising in local newspapers etcetera, and also to providing reward money for the safe return of your pet.

Another very important part of your insurance cover is public liability, especially for dog owners. Even the calmest and most well behaved of pets could possibly cause damage to someone's property, or even cause an injury to a person. In this thankfully rare event, you could be open to huge legal bills and compensation claims - make sure that your policy includes a substantial amount of third party liability cover as standard.

Finally, check whether the policy you're considering places a limit on the age of your pet. Many policies are only available to, for example, cats up until the age of eight years. As it is in later years that your pet is most likely to need treatment, it obviously makes sense to ensure your policy will cover this, especially if your pet has a few years under their belt!

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About Winter Sports Travel Insurance

2007-07-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

About Winter Sports Travel Insurance
By: Nicholas Hunt

As the days grow shorter and summer becomes a memory, many of us will be turning our thoughts towards planning a winter vacation, especially one involving winter sports such as skiing. Travel insurance is an often overlooked part of holiday planning, but if you plan on taking part in sporting activites then it really is essential.

A normal travel insurance policy will probably not be up to the standard you need for winter sports, and if things go wrong you could be left facing a huge bill. So what features should you be looking for in a policy?

- Injury Cover

No matter how accomplished a skiier you are, hurtling down a mountain is always going to be more risky than simply lying on a beach working on a tan. And if you do have an accident, a mountainside isn't the easiest place for medical services to reach. If you're unlucky enough to need a mountain rescue or airlift to hospital, you'll be facing a bill running into the thousands even before you get medical attention. This sort of expense is likely to be specifically excluded on a standard insurance policy, but will be an integral part of almost any winter sports cover.

- Equipment

Most winter sports require expensive equipment, and where there are valuables there's always the chance of theft. Your insurance should provide enough cover to fully replace your equipment with brand new items if necessary, right there at the resort. Even if you plan to hire your equipment, the hire company will probably require insurance - and your own policy is likely to be cheaper than the standard one they'll try to sell you.

- Liability

Even the best skiiers or snowboarders can be involved in an accident in which someone else gets injured. Whether or not an accident is your fault, you could end up being taken to court and this is usually a long and expensive process. A decent insurance policy will cover costs from any legal proceedings and / or compensation payments.

- Closure of Piste

If bad weather (or warm weather!) means that the pistes are closed and you can't ski, your policy should pay you compensation to cover the costs of any pre-booked lessons or lift fees, and many will even include a payment simply to cover the inconvenience of not being able to ski.

- Off Piste

A final point to note is that a standard winter sports policy will probably only cover you for accidents that occur when skiing on designated pistes. If you plan to go off-piste, then make sure your insurance will cover this - you'll probably have to pay a supplement.

As with most kinds of insurance, paying out for travel insurance can seem like a waste of money. However, if you find yourself caught up in an accident on the mountainside then the costs involved can be truly frightening and you'll be glad you took the time to arrange adequate cover in advance!

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Should Medical Students Consider Disability Insurance?

2007-07-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

Should Medical Students Consider Disability Insurance?
By: Andy Puls

Last year the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) said that schools should require disability insurance for all medical students and provide access to policies. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to the financial hardships that may result from a disability. Disability insurance protects students from possible fiscal disaster and is also a prudent investment. Purchasing a policy while still in medical school presents tremendous advantages that can save students money after graduation, while protecting their financial future and providing the peace of mind necessary to focus on the demands of a career in medicine.

Most medical students do not generate income while in school, but instead accumulate debt at staggering rates. In 2005, medical school graduates who took out loans started their residencies with an average debt of $100,000, a figure that does not include undergraduate debt. Only the expected future income from a career in medicine makes such exorbitant debt palatable; however, a student that suffers a disability may never realize that income. According to the 1994 Statistical Abstract of the United States, in the course of a year, 1 in 10 people between the ages of 25 and 64 will suffer a disability. When comparing that ratio to the odds of being victim of a house fire (1 in 122); injured in an automobile accident (1 in 160); or even of death (1 in 117), the value and protection offered by disability insurance is clear.

A student who suffers a disability and is unable to complete their education will be saddled with student loan debt and may not be able to work in any field depending on the disability and its severity. Repayment of student loans combined with medical expenses and lack of income due to disability can destroy a financial future. Even a student that is able to continue medical school could face the burden of simultaneously repaying loans and paying tuition.

Aside from the obvious advantages disability insurance offers by minimizing the risk riding behind a medical student’s debt, there are other long-term advantages to purchasing a policy as a student instead of as a physician. A student purchasing a policy will likely get a lower rate than a physician. According to doctordisability.com, three factors determine disability insurance rates: age at the time of purchase, occupation, and health status. These factors tend to favor a student. Not only are students younger, but generally the health status of younger people is better than that of older people. Obtaining insurance at a younger age may also protect the policyholder from the difficulties of securing a policy later in life when other health issues may affect insurability.

A disability insurance policy also adapts to meet the changing needs of the insured. A Future Increase Option (FIO) Rider allows the policyholder optional future increases in coverage without providing evidence of medical insurability. The ability to increase coverage regardless of current health status is attractive to any policyholder, but the FIO Rider is also ideal for a student who wants to increase coverage upon graduation and the expectation of significant income. A policy purchased by a student before they take their first class in medical school can be flexible enough to last a career.

The protection, flexibility, and benefits the insured has by purchasing a disability insurance policy as a student are reflected by the stance that medical schools take. Dartmouth Medical School and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine mandate that all students have disability insurance. While in some states it is illegal to require students to have a disability insurance policy, most medical schools at least recommend that all their students have it. In 2006, the University of Washington School of Medicine was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of only three schools in the top 10 for both research and primary care. Their office of student affairs and services says it is “advisable” to have disability insurance in light of the cost of education and risks associated with practicing medicine. The school offers its students a plan, but in general, group plans come with limitations and restrictions.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the sole accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in the United States. Accreditation standard MS-28 states, “all students must have access to disability insurance.” Simply allowing access to disability insurance—a minimal requirement placed on accredited medical schools—or even recommending it, is not enough to save students from the risks of not protecting their future income. In light of the monetary investment that students make to medical schools, it should be the responsibility of each school to promote and educate its students about the benefits, value, and importance of disability insurance.

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8 Easy Tips for Cheaper Home Insurance

2007-07-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

8 Easy Tips for Cheaper Home Insurance
By: Nicholas Hunt

No one likes paying for home insurance, but it's a necessary evil for most of us. This doesn't mean you have to pay through the nose for it though - try these 8 easy tips for cheaper home insurance and see how much you could reduce your premiums by.

- Shop Around

By comparing prices from several insurance companies, you'll probably be able to reduce your premiums by a substantial amount. This may seem obvious, but research has shown that a surprisingly large proportion of people either just renew their current policy, or get only one or two quotes. Many insurance web sites will automatically compare dozens of policies for you, making this one of the easiest ways to reduce your insurance bill.

- Buy online

If you buy your policy online you can often get a discount of up to 20% on normal prices, because there are less administration costs involved and the savings can be passed on to you.

- Combine your buildings and contents policies

Many insurers will give you a discount if you take out both types of home insurance with them, and this usually works out cheaper than getting the two kinds of policies from different companies.

- Pay upfront

Although most insurers let you pay your premium in monthly instalments, many will charge interest for this. If you can afford to pay a full year's premium in advance, then this will work out cheaper in the long run.

- Don't claim for small amounts

Making many small claims can increase your insurance costs, as your insurer may see you as a greater risk and increase your premiums. You will also lose any no claims discount your policy has. Of course, you're entitled to claim for anything your policy covers, but ask yourself if making a small claim is really worth the hassle and possible future costs.

- Voluntary excess

This is related to the last point. Insurance policies feature something known as 'excess', which basically means that the policy won't pay out on claims below a certain value. On some policies, if you choose to raise your excess to a higher level, then your premiums will be lower.

- Increase your home security

Beefing up your home security with better door locks, window locks, outdoor lighting, and alarm systems can all result in lower premiums. Ask your insurer what you could do to get extra discounts.

- Reduce your cover

Many policies feature benefits that you might not need, such as cover for personal possessions while travelling, or 'free' legal advice. Look through your policy and see what parts of it you really need - by cutting your cover down to size you may be able to reduce your premium.

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Health Insurance Basics for the Self Employed

2007-07-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance Basics for the Self Employed
By: Vlad Ehrsam

When you're self-employed, and meet your own health insurance bills, it can work out to be quite expensive. And in the absence of insurance benefits you'd get as full time employee in a company, it can exasperate you trying to get it, in the bargain. So before you start looking around for health insurance, here are some things you'll need to look for.

Like where to find health insurance. Try the Internet for starters, it'll give you a basis for comparison of various types of plans available, and even rates, on some sites. Low-rate plans may look attractive at first sight, but not so good when take a closer look. They could demand more in deductibles, or exclude your personal doctor from their panel. So take your time to assess the plans and what they offer before you choose a health plan, and before you sin on the dotted line.

Health insurance for the self employed comes with its own phraseology which you need to understand so that you can know the benefits of each plan before you choose one.

HMO. You will hear this phrase quite frequently. HMO is a managed care plan, often costing less than a PPO (see following paragraph) but that has more exclusions. In addition, it carries a low rating. Most HMOs stipulate that you have a primary care provider who is responsible for referring you to specialists if necessary.

PPO. This type of insurance plan is one that offers you wider choices within a network. You can see ay provider in the network (most companies have a very wide network) and they are very handy if you happen to fall ill while traveling. You can go outside the network, but you will have to pay a little more up front to do this. An EPO is similar, but there is no coverage outside the network (this usually isn't offered to the self employed anyway).

Another option you might see, Co-Pay, works on the up-front amounts you pay. Known as co-pays, you'd make payments of around $15-$25, or optionally choose to meet your deductible by paying 20% of your bill over a gradual time-period. Thereafter, the co-pay is very little, or even nothing. You can usually expect one co-pay for consulting a doctor in the office, and quite another for emergency consultations and prescribed medication.

Deductible. This is the amount you pay from your own pocket. If you have a co-pay it does not count towards your deductible. Under a 20% plan, office visits count as part of your deductible. Health insurance is similar to auto insurance in that the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium.

And having identified your health insurance needs, make sure the benefits of the plan you choose meets them. Remember to check they include maternity care, consultations with chiropractors, and mental health professionals. And while getting something ideal for your needs may not be possible, you have a good chance of getting a health plan that is almost there, and meets most of your needs.

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Life Insurance: Tell Me About It And How It Works ?

2007-07-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance: Tell Me About It And How It Works ?
By: Mike Armstrong

Life insurance offers you an opportunity to ensure the financial security of your family and loved ones, no matter what happens. Life insurance can be used to:

* Pay off any final expenses or personal debts like credit cards, car loans or a mortgage
* Offset the loss of your income for those who rely on you for financial support
* Contribute to the future education of your children
* Protect your estate by helping to pay the taxes due on an estate upon death
* Leave a legacy to your favourite charity

Who should buy life insurance?
The purchase of life insurance is often associated with major life events like getting married, buying a home, or having children. However, if these don’t apply to you ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of them, you’ll want to consider life insurance:

* Does anyone rely upon you for financial support? Whether it’s a spouse, child, grandchild, parent or dependent adult, life insurance will help them protect their financial well being no matter what happens.
* Do you have a mortgage, or any other debts? If so, a life insurance policy can provide a way to take care of these outstanding bills along with any others like funeral expenses, legal fees and taxes, and medical expenses.
* Do you own a business?
o For sole proprietors, you're accountable for the debts your business owes. If you do not have enough life insurance to cover these debts, your personal assets could be liquidated to pay them off, possibly leaving little left for your family.
o If you’re in a partnership, a life insurance policy where the other partner is the beneficiary means the surviving owner has the cash easily available to buy out your portion of the partnership from the estate.
* Do you want to leave a legacy? Life insurance policies can be used to leave money to your favourite charity.

How much will life insurance cost?
There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all insurance policy. Insurance professionals need to look at a lot of different things before they come up with a final insurance rate. They'll consider your age, gender, whether you're a smoker, and your past and current health record and family history. Then they'll balance all that with the amount and type of policy that you're applying for.

What types of life insurance are available ?
There are two main types of life insurance, level life insurance also known as term life insurance and decreasing life insurance or mortgage life insurance.
Level life insurance as it suggests is level cover that stays constant during the full term of the insurance and a level lump sum pay out would occur upon death. The sum assured is decided from the outset of the policy.
Decreasing is most often used to cover a mortgage and works exactly the same as level life insurance however the sum assured decreases over the term of the policy this is ideal cover for a mortgage or any decreasing debts that maybe paid off over a period of time.

Life insurance is now more accessible than ever with the advent of the internet. The best online brokerages offer instant online quotes, thus avoiding any hard sell tactics the industry was associated with in the past. A good example of this is Unbeatable Quote UK if you visit their website you will find an instant online quote with generous discounts and an online application.

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What Benefits Are Available On Life Insurance ?

2007-07-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

What Benefits Are Available On Life Insurance ?
By: Mike Armstrong

I want life insurance what options should I consider adding ?

When taking out a life insurance plan there are a number of different options you could decide to add should you think they would be appropriate to your circumstances. These need to be added at the start of the life insurance policy from the outset.

Waiver of Payment Benefit
Waiver of payment benefit can be added to most life insurance polices, this benefit if added means that you do not have to pay your life insurance premiums if you cannot work for six months or more as a result of illness or injury. Most of the insurers will expect the premiums to be paid on the life insurance policy for normally at first, however after normally about 26 weeks of incapacity the premiums will be waived.

The incapacity or waiver on a life insurance policy is normally assesed by something called Functional Assessment Tests and these are to be done without the help of another person.

Walking - the ability to walk 200 metres on the flat ground with or without the aid of a walking stick without stopping or experiencing discomfort.

Bending - the ability to get into and out of a standard saloon car and the ability to bend or kneel to pick an object up off the floor and straighten up again.

Communicating - the ability to answer the telephone and to take a message.

Reading - having the required eyesight(corrected if necessary) to be able to read a daily newspaper

Writing - having the physical ability to write legibly using a pen or pencil without aid.

Climbing - having the ability to climb a flight of 12 stairs without stopping or suffering severe discomfort.

These are only guides and should not be relied upon totally your life insurance broker, will be able to advise in individual circumstances

Conversion of Life Insurance Policies
Some life insurance brokers/assurance companies will offer the flexiblity to convert your life insurance policy to a Whole of Life Plan without providing further medical evidence. When taking this option there are some restrictions that need to be explored fully when adding it. Your life insurance financial advisor/ broker needs to advise you on this option carefully.

Indexation of Life Insurance Policies
This option is added to keep your life insurance policy up with inflation. Both the premiums and the amount of life insurance increase with the RPI (Retail Price Index) this can be up to 10% in any one year. Normally if the indexation option is added to the life insurance policy the opportunity to increase the cover will be given regularly but if it is declined it wont be offered again.

If you are ever in any doubt about what options to add to your life insurance policy then you should consult your life insurance broker and request the technical guides and key facts for the products being cosidered. Life insurance is not complicated but it is important to pick the right policy with the right options from the outset.

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Term Life Insurance Understood

2007-07-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

Term Life Insurance Understood
By: Roger Kelley

Life insurance provides a death benefit to your beneficiaries and can replace some of the income you were earning. Therefore, an important part of a sound financial plan is aqequate life insurance. Adequate meaning that it will provide enough money that your family can continue living the same standard of life that you've worked so hard to provide for them while you're alive. For example, this can help preserve any investments, savings, or other assets you intended on paying off.

Term Life Insurance:

A term life insurance policy can provide financial stability when you need it most in your life. This type of insurance policy provides coverage to the insured over a certain length of time. One key characteristic of level term life insurance is that the premiums remain level for the life of the policy (whether it be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years).

The benefits in the different types of life insurance should not be overlooked. Before you buy a life insurance policy you should evaluate the overall condition of your financial portfolio. Yearly renewable term life insurance has a lower initial premium. However, the premium rises each year. Yearly renewable term life insurance is only cost effective for a few years because of the increasing premiums. If you are looking for term life insurance that runs more than a few years then a level term life insurance policy can cost less.

Reasons For Buying Term Life Insurance:

Term life insurance cost less than permanent insurance. A potential buyer may have young children at home and he/she has to protect his/her income. They may have bought a house and now have a 30 year mortgage for $500,000. Hence, they would need to purchase a level term life insurance policy for $500,000 30 year term to cover their mortgage. If something were to happen to the proposed insured between now and the next 30 years the insurance company would write a check for the full face amount of the term life insurance- policy for the survivor to pay off the mortgage and the balance would be paid to the designated beneficiary.

Term Life Offers Conversion Options:

You can convert all or part of the term insurance to a permanent life insurance product without having to prove evidence of insurability. This type of "conversion" is called a convertible term life insurance policy and means that during a specified time the policy can be converted from term life to permanent insurance. For instance, if you took out a term life insurance policy the amount of coverage you need may change down the road. The need for some life insurance may still exist. The conversion option on a term life insurance policy gives you the option to convert over a certain amount of the policy to cover final expenses.

The attraction to term life insurance is that it can be bought at an extremely low price and can be very beneficial to young families. If you lock in a term rate at an early age while you are young and healthy the rate is guaranteed for the full length of time on a guaranteed level term.

However, some clients like to combine different types of insurance plicy for even greater benefits. You can use term life insurance with a permanent life insurance policy so that during the earlier years of the policy you will have more coverage. As you get older you may not need as much insurance as you originally applied for. For example, the children are grown and/or the house is paid off so the need for so much coverage is not there. At that point you could allow the term insurance policy to expire and still have the permanent insurance that was put in force at the same time the term insurance was issued. If you take advantage of this opportunity you will still have the permanent life insurance to pay off final expense benefits down the road.

Why You Need Life Insurance:

1. Protect your family’s home by allowing them to pay off your mortgage.

2. Allow your family to maintain their standard of living.

3. Give you spouse a retirement income.

4. Provide income to pay off any outstanding debt you may have incurred.

5. Keep the family business.

Important Benefits Of Term Life Insurance Policies:

1. Term policies are designed to meet a multitude of personal and business needs and offer the most coverage for your investment.

2. Term insurance is available for a certain period of time (10,15,20,25,30 years) and wil benefit your beneficiary if anything happens to you during this time.

3. Many term life insurance policies allow you to convert your policy to a permanent policy within a specific time period.

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Get Covered By Workers’ Compensation Insurance

2007-07-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

Get Covered By Workers’ Compensation Insurance
By: rateempire

Workers’ compensation insurance, commonly called workers’ or workmen’s comp, is a form of insurance designed to provide compensation to workers who have been injured while on the job.

While the details can vary significantly from one plan to the next, insurance plans in this category typically provide for some form of wage replacement, payment and/or reimbursement of medical costs, compensation for economic losses, possibly damages for pain and suffering, and settlements to the insured’s dependents in the case of a fatal work-related accident.

Given this broad range of covered areas – essentially combining the key features of disability insurance, health insurance, and life insurance, among others – workers’ comp is certainly one of the more critical forms of insurance an individual can obtain. By knowing all you can about workers comp you can ensure that if an accident happens on the job you are covered. If you are not you could find yourself and your family in trouble down the road. We all need money to pay the rent and buy food and getting compensation for an injury at work can help you to pay for these necessities.

Workers’ comp insurance is typically associated historically with labor or professional unions, and is often the result of coordinated campaigns to obtain the coverage for the union members. Proponents of workers’ comp cite improved working conditions, economic support for employees, and the safety net provided by the insurance, as key benefits of workers’ comp. Critics of this type of insurance cite increased costs to employers and potential infringement on workers’ rights to seek recompense on their own. Another concern that is frequently raised is the possibility of American companies moving parts of their operations or even their entire companies to areas with looser workers’ comp law. In the United States, however, workers’ comp laws are nearly universal, and almost all employers must carry the insurance in some form for their employees.

The body of laws governing workers’ comp insurance has become extremely complex and varies from state to state. For example, in many states it is illegal to terminate an employee for filing a claim or for reporting an injury incurred at the workplace. This isn’t illegal in all states, however. And while most states don’t allow employers to deny employment based on previous workers’ comp claims, employers are able to check a commercially maintained database of claims, a system that could potentially be abused by unethical employers.

Because abuse of the system has occurred on the part of employees as well, stiff fines and other legal penalties are in place for persons who file false claims for workers’ compensation benefits. While stories of supposedly injured employees engaging in physically demanding activities are commonplace, little hard data exists to indicate what percentage, if any, of the claims filed every year are actually fraudulent.

Vigorous investigation by employers, including tactics such as secretly video taping claimants engaged in physical activity, have also undoubtedly helped reduce the number of false claims. Certainly the vast majority of claims filed are the result of legitimate, unavoidable work-place injuries.

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Insurance Explained

2007-07-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Insurance Explained
By: Price Digger

Home insurance
This product covers your home and contents against a flood, fire, flood or break-in for example, or if your pipes burst. Your home insurance policy has to include those just covering the contents of your home, those just covering the actual building you live in, or joint policies, covering both.

Motor insurance
Finding the right policy and the cheapest car insurance cover can be a tricky process; drivers use the Internet, by telephone, read magazines, watch TV advertisement to get information on savings and offers on car insurance.

Owning and driving a car means taking on many risks to yourself and others. When a traffic accident happens, damage, injuries, loss or all of these factors may be inflicted upon you and others. Damage and loss of your property may also occur. Fire, theft, vandalism and natural disasters are other possible risks.

Car Insurance protects motorists and drivers against liability in the event of accidents they may cause. It can also provide cover for the motorist's own vehicle.

Many different types of cover are available, ranging from third party cover which protects individuals against liability should they injure a third party or cause damage to a third party's property, but does not provide any cover for the individual's own vehicle or property, through to comprehensive cover, which can offer protection for accidental damage, theft, fire damage as well as liability towards third parties. The minimum legal requirement for car insurance to drive in the UK is Third Party Only.

Here are 5 steps to follow to find the cheapest motor insurance deal:

STEP ONE: EXCESS
Voluntary excess the easiest way to cut your insurance premiums is to accept a higher voluntary excess. An insurer's standard excess may be £100; but if you meet the first £250 of any claim, you'll see a reduction in your premium. This is simply because you are more of the risk so you get a discount by your insurance company. This however is a gamble, insurer should be aware that they may have to meet the cost of a broken window after an attempted theft, then a bill for repairing bodywork damage after a car park crunch.

STEP TWO: SECURITY
One way to get cheaper insurance premiums is to fit a security device. Many insurers advise insurer’s to use Thatcham rated security equipment, usually minimum of an alarm. If you are living in a high-risk which may be known for car crime it would be useful to fit an extra security such as steering lock. This will save you money when your insurance renewal is due and gives you extra peace of mind.

STEP THREE: NAMED DRIVERS
Adding a named driver to your policy can increase or reduce your premiums depending upon the named drivers age, sex and driving record. When adding a young driver will increase your premiums, particularly with a limited or poor driving record. However, adding a driver over 30 years old with a long and clean driving record can cut premiums, particularly if the named driver is a female.

STEP FOUR: ANNUAL MILEAGE
If your annual mileage is, 5,000 miles or less, ask insurers if they offer discounts for agreed mileage restrictions, as some insurance companies do give discounts for restricted mileage. However many insurers won't offer this option as standard but will agree a discount if you ask.

STEP 5 - SHOP AROUND FOR GOOD RATES
The biggest potential savings come from shopping around. This has been made much easier with the explosion of the internet. There can be massive differences between the lowest and highest car insurance quotes for exactly the same car and driver(s).

Health insurance
This type of insurance include policies which pay for your private medical treatment, if you don't want to rely on the National Health Service, to those giving specific cover for dentists and optician bills.

Travel insurance
Insurance to protect you and your loved ones while on holiday and in case of holiday cancellations. This is available as Annual trip and also single trip cover. The cheapest travel insurance to find depends on which company your purchase from.

Life insurance
This cover, is to ensure your loved ones are financially provided for, if the worst should happen to you.
Income protection insurance
Insurance to help replace some of your earnings if you can't work because you become ill or are made redundant.

Pet insurance
Vet's bills can be expensive at times. This type of insurance covers you for unexpected vet's bills and more.
Purchase insurance
Provides cover on goods you buy.
Different ways to buy insurance
If you want to buy direct

There's lots of different ways to buy insurance:

Buy on the phone

Buy on the internet - it's really easy to compare quotes from different companies online before you buy. Many give a discount if you apply online

Buy from an insurance broker. You'll find local brokers in your phone book

Buy from your local bank or building society, or in the case of travel insurance, from your travel agent - but remember you may not get the best deal

Buy from a specialist insurer - for some types of insurance, like medical insurance, insurance for boilers/cookers, there are specialist companies just providing this type of insurance.

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Some Statistics On Critical Illness Cover

2007-07-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Some Statistics On Critical Illness Cover
By: Mike Armstrong

Statistics reveal that someone somewhere in the UK falls prey to a critical illness every 2 minutes. That critical illness is most probably the heart attack. As surveys are carried out, results appear, showing that 93 percent of these people are likely to have a critical illness cover. As a matter of fact, a serious amount of people continue to fall critically ill every year without getting any financial help to match the costs of possible treatments and intensive care.

According to ERC Frankona, 1 of every 3 men may suffer from a critical illness such as heart attack, stroke or cancer before reaching the age of 65. The same thing may happen to 1 of every 5 women. Sadly many women in England and Wales suffer from one of these critical illnesses: breast cancer. 36,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the year 2000 among women, that is approximately 114 of every 100,000 women suffered from this critical illness. Consequently around 11,000 women died due to breast cancer in the year 2002 in England and Wales. Thus, these figures confirm that breast cancer may be the most lethal critical illness among women.

Furthermore, The Office for National Statistics shows that 80 percent of women between the ages of 50-55 may have developped a breast cancer. The process of discovery of this disease demonstrates such an elevated result as many women may have been tested for the first time. Also, in the years 1940s and1950s the death rates among women for a critical illness such as cancer decreased. It then rose back in 1980 and lowered again in the year 1990. On the other hand, the death pattern among men was the contrary. It rose to the 1970s and then continuously lowered from the 1990s.

Another well known critical illness in England and Wales is the circulatory disease accompanied by heart disease and stroke. This critical illness caused death rates among men to rise more than that of women. The Office of National Statistics states that of every 100,000 men 312 died due to circulatory malfunctions as compared to 194 of every 100,000 women. Further researches carried out define that the percentage of death from heart failures were greater than that of stroke among both sex.

Hence a most in depth analysis was carried out by the Office of National Statistics pointing to the death rates among people of various age categories. They are as follows:

In the year 2002 mortality for people between the age of 15 to 29 resulted from injury and poisoning. That is 0.041 percent for males as compared to 0.01 percent for females based upon a population of 100,000.

Men falling between the ages of 30 to 44 died also as a result of injury and poisoning. That is 0.045 percent based upon a population of 100,000. On the other hand, 0.032 percent of women on a population of 100,000 died due to a critical illness like cancer.

People aged between 45 to 64 suffered mainly from a critical illness, the most dominant being the cancer. 0.245 percent of men upon a population of 100,000 died as compared to 0.218 percent of women over the same population count.

For those people aged between 64 and beyond, the critical illness namely circulatory disease was the main cause of death. People aged 85 or more were more apt to suffer from circulatory diseases along with respiratory diseases and then pass away.

Figures show that at some point in someone’s life he may suffer from a critical illness. When you are young and energetic doesn’t mean that everything is fine. Life is so unpredictable. Anything can happen to you. So why not secure yourself and the ones you love by getting an insurance cover. Whether it is critical illness cover of life cover, you should know that you could be taken care of during your bad days.

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Understanding The Fine Print Of Dental Insurance Plans And Supplemental Dental Care Coverage

2007-07-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

Understanding The Fine Print Of Dental Insurance Plans And Supplemental Dental Care Coverage
By: Tony Reineker

Dental insurance is an important incentive for many people in the workforce, but there are many instances when an employer doesn't provide adequate coverage. For example, some dental insurance programs do not cover orthodontic work, while others provide full coverage. Some companies offer dental coverage plans that will only address toothache relief with tooth extraction, but will not cover tooth fillings or root canals. It all depends on the type of dental insurance plan offered by a worker's employer.

Employers can offer their staff a few options in dental plans, which may include an HMO, PPO, or a simple "wrap around" coverage plan that works in cooperation with other coverage plans. Choosing the correct coverage plan can be difficult and even intimidating, but if an employee is handed the correct information, the choice between types of dental insurance plans can be quite easy.

Dental insurance that is based on the HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) option provides many benefits, but some additional rules apply when compared to other plans. For example, the employee who is provided coverage has a choice between only select dental practitioners that are part of the HMO. The employee usually decides which dentist they will use; at the time they start to receive dental coverage.

One potential drawback to the HMO plan is that there are higher fees, when an emergency dental procedure becomes necessary and the covered employee cannot use one of his or her HMO-approved dentists. The HMO system is usually not a problem for routine dental work, but may become a problem for an employee that needs emergency dental care. If a claim comes to the insurance company, they may refuse the claim, because the dental practitioner was not part of their HMO network. However, this is an extreme situation.

Many HMO companies also offer dental care providers that will be available in emergency circumstances, or the insurance company will provide coverage for a dental emergency if the insured agrees to an additional premium. In some cases, the insured patron must make sure that in such a situation, they still utilize a practitioner that is within the HMO network. HMO consumers should know in advance what their options are if an emergency dentist is needed.

Another option is to receive dental coverage through a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). With this option, the employer allows the employee to choose the dental provider they want to use. The dentists do not have to be within the network of the PPO, and it provides the insured a good option for employees who have been within the area for some time and have a good relationship with their current dental care provider. It should be noted that usually the out-of-pocket costs are generally higher when utilizing a practitioner that is not within the PPO network.

If the employee chooses the PPO option and uses a dental practitioner that is affiliated with the insurance company, then the out of pocket costs are sure to be lower than using a practitioner that is not affiliated with the program. Another advantage with the PPO option is that sometimes the employer may add additional benefits to the plan such as orthodontic coverage. This is a major benefit for employees with young children that may need the help of an orthodontist in the future. With this type of option, the employee usually must use a participating orthodontist in order to receive all the benefits from the plan. The PPO purchased by an employer is different for every organization, so it is important for an employee to research the options available to them.

Another type of plan offered by employees is sometimes called a supplemental plan. In order to get this type of plan, an employee must already have a health plan that includes some dental services. The supplemental plan provides for any benefits that the regular health plan does not cover, so that the employee is provided with full dental coverage for all services that they may need.

With many supplemental insurance packages, the primary health plan usually must provide diagnostic and routine preventative benefits and then the supplemental plan fills in the rest of the dental coverage for an employee, such as crowns, fillings or an emergency dentist visits. These are non-routine procedures and the supplemental plan was designed for employees that need these types of services, but cannot receive them because their health plan does not cover specific dental procedures. The supplemental plan usually requires an employee to sign up for the plan and use the preferred providers that are affiliated with the insurance company. This is a good option for those employees that have a good health plan with routine dental benefits, but may need additional coverage for further dental procedures.

Dental insurance can provide an employee with the coverage needed to keep an entire family with beautiful, healthy teeth without large out of pocket expenses. The HMO provides dental care through preferred providers that help keep the expenses for the insured low. A PPO offers the added flexibility for an employee to choose the dental practitioner of their choice, while a supplemental plan works in cooperation with an employee's already existent health plan, which provides for routine dental procedures to cover additional dental coverage needs.

Dental insurance plans can be confusing, but fortunately, with the proper information, an employee can choose the dental plan that will best represent the needs of their family.

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Affordable Health Insurance and How to Get it

2007-07-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Affordable Health Insurance and How to Get it.
By: Dennis Alexander

Getting and keeping affordable health insurance in your state is up to you. With health insurance market constant changing with new laws, new research and increasing cost of healthcare. It is up to us to do our research to understand health insurance and the ways on how we can control health insurance costs. Health insurance companies to stay competitive understand the need for affordable health insurance plans. Insurance companies are constantly changing their health plans to make them more affordable. The only real way to make health insurance plans more affordable is to exclude certain benefits. It is a risk that insurance companies are taking. Since most of the time when shopping for the health insurance plan most people do not understand what is exactly covered and what is not covered.

We have to agree that health insurance companies are not going to give away free coverage. With that in mind we have to agree that insurance companies are also not going to have a plan that cost less cover everything exactly the same as the plan that cost more. The cost of health insurance is almost the same across the board not matter which insurance company you go with. It is true that insurance companies that run more efficiently can offer better rates. What makes that largest difference in the cost of the actual plan is what and how it covers medical bills in case of emergency. The great thing is insurance companies are closely regulated by state insurance commissioner. State laws do vary and so do health insurance health plans in every state. For example in some states insurance companies can exclude certain pre existing conditions to offer you a lower rate. If you have some medical issue and it is being covered by workman’s compensation insurance then you would not need to have double coverage. In other states like California you either get approved or you will get a higher rate or you will get declined. Insurance companies in the state of California cannot exclude coverage on pre-existing conditions once you are approved.

With all of that in mind let’s look at all the options we have to make our health insurance plans more affordable. First is our deductible, which will give us largest control over health insurance premium we pay to Health Insurance Company. There are three types of plans with deductibles. One is a health plan where you have to meet the deductible to get any benefits, the second one is where everything is covered with small co-pay and deductible applies only for hospital stays and third the most popular and the most dangerous one in no deductible. No deductible plans in most cases are the creative work of the insurance companies. In most cases plans that have no deductible you will be responsible for what’s called daily fee and co-insurance. In most cases you could be more out of pocket with no deductible plans then a plan with a deductible.

Second we have more and more insurance companies offer health insurance plans with option of have brand name drug coverage or just generic prescription drug coverage. What does that mean to you? Well the simple way to explain this is that brand name drugs are the drugs that you see on TV commercials. Prescription drugs are regulated by FDA and by FDA rules after the brand name drug has been on the market for over five years over drug companies can copy it. That means that when Drug Company comes out with a new drug they can charge for it as much as they want and no one can copy their formula for that drug for over five years. The reason FDA has that type of rules is because they figure that it takes a lot of money to research new drug. By FDA regulations brand name drugs and generic drugs must have exactly same active ingredient. Basically they are exactly same drug just one cost a lot more. Talk to your doctor before you make any changes. Here is where we are getting with this is if you get a health insurance plans that covers generic drugs only you can save your self a lot of money on your health insurance premiums. With some health plans you can also customize your prescription drug deductible.

Third is health insurance plans that give you option of covering your doctor visits or not covering them. This option could save you a lot of money. What that means is some health insurance plans will allow you to pay for your own doctor visits versus having insurance company pay portion and you pay co-pay. You have to ask your self how many time do you really go to a doctor every year? Most regular doctor visit will cost you anywhere from $55 to $75. Therefore you if you go once or twice a year to a doctor and you can just pay out of pocket and save $50 a month on your health insurance, would you do it?

Well here you have it with these three options you can get affordable health insurance. There are some other options you can also take a look at like Health Saving Account qualified health insurance plans, which is a different topic. It all just makes sense, why pay for something you do not need and not going to use. With some simple decisions you can get the coverage you want at the premium you can afford.

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Growth In Demand For Critical Illness Cover In The UK

2007-07-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

Growth In Demand For Critical Illness Cover In The UK
By: Mike Armstrong

With the continuous advance in the medical field, critical illnesses such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, etc are being discovered prematurely. Therefore, the chance of pulling through the critical illness could be much higher. Recent statistics state that there has been a minor increase in critical illness among people. Consequently, this has resulted in much more people seeking a critical illness cover.

Going through a critical illness could be quite a harsh time. As financial breakdowns occur, money is needed for your treatment. Critical illness insurance could be the right answer for you at this tough moment in your life. Though advances in the medical industry now make it possible for more survival cases, disability may still occur. As a result, the use of a wheelchair may require different attention. Your lifestyle could be changed. You could even resume work after a long time of rehabilitation.

Here are some statistics about the growing need of a critical illness cover in the UK:

According to Munich Re (2002), 1 in every 3 men between the ages of 40 to 70 are likely to develop a critical illness. More precisely speaking, 32 in every 100 men may suffer from a critical illness. Out of these 32 men, 15 can develop cancer, 10 are likely to have a heart attack, 5 may suffer a stroke and 2 can undergo a coronary artery bypass surgery.

As for women, 1 in every 4 women between the ages of 40 to 70 may also develop a critical illness, which is 25 in 100 women. Out of these 25 women, 17 are likely to develop cancer, 3 can have a heart attack, 3 may perhaps suffer from a stroke, 1 may be capable to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery and 1 is likely develop multiple sclerosis.

Let’s see some statistics about three of the most life threatening diseases in the UK: cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Cancer
According to Cancer Research 2002, 1 of every 3 people may be diagnosed by a critical illness such as cancer. On the other hand, 1 of every 4 people is likely to pass away due to this critical illness. Moreover, four types of critical illnesses dominate the painful world of critical illness. These are: lung, breast, colorectal and prostate. Furthermore, according to Munich Re 2002, a quarter of the population in the UK could probably suffer from this critical illness in the future. Also, more than half of the people who suffer from cancer such as breast, cervix, testis, etc. may survive for a minimum of 5 years.

Heart disease
According to the British Heart Foundation 2002, each year about 280,000 new cases of coronary heart disease in the UK are most likely to occur. As seen, the level of this critical illness is quite elevated. Also, less than half of those suffering from a heart disease may die within 28 days, which means that care may be probably given on time. Moreover, about 28,000 coronary artery bypass surgeries are carried out each year, perhaps a 5 times increase since 1980. It is therefore unfortunate to see that a critical illness such as coronary heart disease can be the most common cause of premature death in the UK.

Stroke
According to the stroke association 2002, about 100,000 people may suffer from stroke each year in the UK. Around 10 percent of victims of this critical illness may be of retirement age. Stroke can be considered as a severe critical illness as its impact could be big on someone’s life. About 33.3 percent of people who suffer from this critical illness are likely to become disabled. The similar percentages of people may die within a year while the remaining can make a good recovery. Stroke is probably one of the largest causes of disability in the UK, with over 300,000 people being affected at any time.

As seen, these statistics show that we should be concerned about critical illness. Many people are left with no other choice than taking a critical illness cover. Although critical illness is a preventive measure, as it should, the cover can be useful by sometimes awarding you a payment at the right time, to save your life.

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Critical Illness Insurance VS Life Insurance

2007-07-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

Critical Illness Insurance VS Life Insurance
By: Mike Armstrong

• Critical illness insurance
Critical illness insurance is a type of insurance designed to award a tax free lump sum on diagnosis of a critical illness acceptable to the insurance company. People are becoming more aware of the need for insurance cover, particularly critical insurance cover. That is why most people nowadays seek cover from critical illness insurance. Let’s see some advantages that a critical illness cover can offer.

To possess a cover from an insurance such as critical illness insurance can be a plus for you. Normally critical illness insurance covers seven major diseases namely: stroke, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, major organ transplant, etc. If you claim for one of these listed diseases, you may be entitled to receive a tax free payout. The way you will consequently use the money is completely up to you. It can be towards your own advantage if you use the money intelligently.

As a matter of fact, due to your critical illness and state some financial pressures may grow up at your home. The payout may surely alleviate some of the financial breakdowns by settling some or part of your debts. Your mortgage repayments could be handled. Daily expenses could be covered such as paying of bills and buying of food. Your children could continue their studies as fees would be taken care of.

Moreover, when buying a critical illness insurance most companies offer you the choice to tailor make your own policy. You could decide how much cover you want and for how long you would be taking out the policy. The joint account option may also be available which pays out on illness of any one member of the account. This may be a definite advantage as you could make some important savings. That is both persons do not have to pay separate premiums and still could obtain the same benefits from only one policy.

Furthermore, when you make a claim, your critical illness insurance may wait about three months before awarding you payout. If by misfortune you happen to pass away, the inheritor you had already specified could obtain all the money hence having a degree of support even if you are not around.

• Life insurance
Likewise to critical illness insurance, life insurance also awards a payout but under different circumstances. Life insurance will make the payment only on death of the insured person. Life insurance can be considered as a long time investment. Normally it may last for 25 years or more. It depends on which type of policy you choose.

There are basically two types of policies that most people look for: term life insurance also called level term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance is probably the most popular life insurance policy. The reason behind is because of its cheap cost. As its name already describes, this type of insurance lasts for only a short period of time. It can be fifteen years or less, depending on which type of policy you choose.
One of the advantages of term life insurance is that you know exactly when the policy is going to terminate. Therefore, you already have an idea of how much you are going to invest. Also, the relative low pricing of the policy may not affect your monthly budget so contributing may not be a burden. People who have a limited monthly income could also take term life insurance. Remember that if you opt to go for a combined policy, for example, term life insurance with critical illness insurance your premium payment values could be affected. They might either be lowered or elevated.

Permanent life insurance is a type of insurance that may last for a very long time. You could take a permanent life insurance policy if you want to ensure maximum cover in the future. If you happen to cross the entire policy in good health, you may be entitled to profit form a beautiful sum paid to you as survival benefits. Otherwise on your death, your inheritor may get the payout similar to term life insurance.

With permanent life insurance you get to pay a premium that may rise as you grow older contrary to term life insurance which stays constant throughout the whole term. Therefore, the premium payments may tend to be higher but you may surely get the lump sum compared to term life insurance. Upon termination or cancellation of term life insurance policy you may lose all your contributed money.

Insurance protection may be an advantage in your life. If you love your family and want to ensure their safeguard should you be victim of a critical illness or death, life insurance or critical illness insurance may be the right choice.

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Wedding Insurance - Reduce the Stress & Worry Over Planning Your Wedding

2007-07-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Wedding Insurance - Reduce the Stress & Worry Over Planning Your Wedding
By: Kathy Hildebrand

It's finally here... he proposed! She accepted! Or maybe the other way around! Regardless of who made the first move, there's a wedding to plan... decisions to be made, vendors to be booked, venues to choose... shopping to do... the mad preparation begins!

For many people, planning a wedding is probably much like embarking on a college education: there's a lot more to it than people think who haven't already been through it before. It's more than planning a party; there are some pretty serious emotions involved -- all around. It can be highly stressful at times. There are ways, however, to mitigate this stress and make this a happy time.

If you want to bypass most of this stress altogether, consider hiring a professional wedding coordinator to do all the legwork for you and even absorb much of the logistical stress on the big day itself. A competent coordinator will orchestrate the entire event for you, for a percentage of your total wedding budget. Before you balk at the idea of adding yet another cost onto everything else that must be paid for, realize that professional wedding planners often actually save the couple money by knowing how to get certain services for a much lower cost than the general public would pay for the same thing. And since the wedding coordinator's fee is a percentage of the budget you've already set, you won't actually be adding another cost. Considering how much work you will be saved, hiring a coordinator may be something that's well worth looking into.

Whether you hire a professional coordinator or organize the wedding all by yourself, there are many additional ways to minimize stress. One consideration is event insurance, just in case anything should go wrong. Wedding event insurance is quite comprehensive and can cover a wide range of possible disasters. According to one source, the top five reported claims include:

* damaged wedding attire
* having to re-take the wedding photographs
* having to cancel the wedding due to an illness or bereavement
* caterers not showing up
* loss of wedding rings

While it's never desirable to have to actually use insurance and file a claim, it's a good thing to have the policy in place nonetheless. This is the first day of the rest of your married life, and you want it to be as perfect as possible. Whatever you do, don't allow little mistakes or omissions to become calamities. It may not be understood by those who have not been through it, but on your wedding day, everything seems so much larger than life -- whether good or bad.

The last thing anyone wants is to have their wedding be remembered as a disaster, and with how much of an expense weddings can be these days, it only makes sense to have some form of insurance. After all, a wedding can cost as much as (or more than!) a down payment on a house, and you wouldn't buy a house without insurance, right? Right!

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Different Types of Health Insurance in California

2007-07-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

Different Types of Health Insurance in California
By: WittyArticles

Different Types of Health Insurance in California
Whether you buy group or individual health insurance in California, the options you have regarding the different types of health insurance are generally the same. In some groups you can even choose from available plans. These different types are traditional health insurance, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and preferred provider organizations (PPOs).
California goes beyond the Federal requirements for offering health insurance to its residents. Examples of this include Industry Advantage plans (IAHP), short-term health policies, Insurance for high risk Individuals and special plans for children and teens.
Additional Health Insurance in California
The traditional health care delivery system is based on a fee-for-service type of arrangement. In a fee-for-service system, you pay or each itemized medical service you receive. In the days of the frontier, "Doc" often received a chicken as payment. Today, physicians are paid with money, lots and lots of it. Fee-for-service health insurance recognizes this practice and is designed to reduce or even eliminate your duty to pay directly for your medical care. Traditional health insurance comes in three parts:

California has four basic options for choosing a health care plan:
1. Health through an employer or association
2. Health Insurance through Income eligibility such as Medicaid
3. Health care for high risk individuals such as those that have had cancer or a heart attack
4. Private Insurance
Hospitalization
Hospitalization covers defined expenses incurred while in the hospital. Generally, the insurance will pay for all of the covered services rendered by the hospital staff. However, if the insurance benefit is an indemnity payment, the payment will be for a fixed sum regardless of the actual expenses incurred. This fixed sum will usually be far below the daily charge actually made by the hospital.
Medical/surgical
This part of a traditional health plan covers the expensive costs of medical care other than the bill from the hospital. Services such as doctor visits, treatment charges, etc., are covered here. Medical/surgical usually has a deductible and requires co-payments by the insured (payments you make for charges not covered by the insurance), typically 20 percent of the doctor's fee.

Catastrophic or major medical
There are usually lifetime maximum payments that hospitalization and medical/surgical plans will pay, after which the well runs dry. Unfortunately, these maximums may not be sufficient to pay for all of the care required if a major illness or injury should strike, since such afflictions can eat up hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars worth of health services. Thus, catastrophic coverage adds to your umbrella of protection in an amount sufficient to protect you from the horrendous expenses of such serious and prolonged illnesses. These policies also fill in some of the gaps not covered by hospitalization or medical/surgical.

Health Maintenance Organizations or Private Insurance in California
The health maintenance organization (HMO) is a relatively new player in the health insurance game, although it has been around in a limited fashion since the 1930s. The idea behind an HMO is to pay one premium and receive all of your health care at no or a nominal additional cost. The point is to save money compared to traditional health plans that cost more to purchase and require more out-of-pocket payments from the insured. What you, the insured, give in exchange for reduced cost is a substantial loss of your freedom to choose who will take care of your health needs.

Preferred Provider Organizations
Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) seek to give both the benefits of traditional health plans and the money savings of HMOs. They do this by paying higher benefits as a reward for your using the doctors or hospitals they preselect for that purpose.

Disability Insurance
Disability insurance does not pay for health care; rather it pays for lost wages caused by a disabling injury or illness.
How Health Insurance Is Priced
Ask anyone how health insurance is priced and you will get a simple answer: expensively! Beyond that, there are underwriting criteria used by health insurance providers, whether they are for-profit or, like Blue Shield/Blue Cross, nonprofit.

Underwriting Criteria
Age. The older you are, the more likely you are to get sick; therefore, the higher your health insurance premiums will be.
Number of people covered. Many people buy family coverage rather than individual policies. This means that there will be adults as well as minor children protected by the same plan. Some companies will charge based on the size of the family. Others charge a basic family rate without regard to the number of members.

Gender. Unlike life insurance, where women get the better end of the bargain than men, in health insurance women often pay higher premiums. This is based on health insurance industry statistics which indicate that the female of the species tends to need medical care more often than the male.
Health history. Insurance operates on statistical probabilities. If you have had a poor health history, statistically you are more likely to have a more expensive health care future. This, in turn, means that you will pay higher premiums-if you can get health insurance at all.
Occupation. The more likely you are to suffer injury or illness because of the work you do, the more likely the health insurance industry will be to charge excessively for benefits.
This may be well and good for professional deep-sea divers. But the industry has begun to stretch the concept into areas that have nothing to do with the inherent danger of the work.

Lifestyle. In your application for health insurance you will be asked questions about your personal habits. Your answers will have a lot to do with the cost of your premiums. If you smoke, you will probably pay more for health insurance. If you drink to excess, you will probably pay more for health insurance. If you are known to be under a great deal of stress, you may pay more for health insurance. California does reward the health care Insurance consumer with lower premiums if they have practiced good health policies.

One of the most important things you can do as a health care consumer is to engage in preventive care. Not only will you be able to spot serious diseases at an early stage, thereby increasing your chances of effective treatment and cure, but you should be able to save money as well, since it is usually far less expensive to treat a disease when it's a molehill rather than a mountain.

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Travel Insurance - is it important?

2007-07-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Travel Insurance - is it important?
By: gerimar

Before planning your summer vacations,think at great length if it needs to buy a travel insurance. There are situations that can make you cancel your ttravel,or to return to your house before time or to force to look for yore medical attention while traveling.

Travel insurance can give you extra protection that you needs. Before buying the cover, review the policy of your medical insurance or home, to avoid any confusion. For example, expensive articles like the camcorder, your personal computer or jewelry shop can be places setting by the insurance of your home, if they were robbed while in travels. In case that the airline loses your registered luggage, they have the obligation to reimburse your suitcases ( by a certain amount of money). Or if you become ill or suffers some injury while traveling, your personal medical insurance can cover the amount with your medical costs.

In agreement with the Magazine of the Consumer (Consumer Reports) travel insurance policy includes several types of protection. Be sure to read what it is written in the small letter: These establish if your travel insurance covers what you need. The policies and insurance agencies vary in their cover, so make sure to ask. Some of the different types of insurance available include:

Cancelación/Interrupción of Travel (TCI) - If your plans are altered suddenly and you must cancel or give by finished your travel before time, TCI will cover you by all this. But only it will reimburse you in case that you have a reason including in the list of the insurance, like for example, injury, disease, death or of a member of the family, of a partner or fellow traveller. Some travel insurance policies will include some reason for medical type solely and others will not cover preexisting medical conditions. It is important to read what it is written with the small letter.

Transfer by medical emergency - If takings vacations type venture or to moved away from a hospital center that counts the necessary thing yet, would be good idea to buy this type of cover. If the suitable treatment is not available in a local hospital,You will be transferred to the appropriate medical facility that is nearer.

Loss of luggage - This cover reimburses to you by the lost of one or damage to your luggage.Make sure to make a list of everything, because if you lose your suitcases, they will reimburse to you part of the content. BBB, altogether with the Magazine of the Consumer, advise the following thing to do:

Read what it is written in the small letter. Know exactly what type of cover is or is receiving.Considers to acquire travel insurance of a separate company, instead of buying it from your travel operator or cruises. Secure even more, paying with a credit card. The protection by loss of luggage is necessary solely if it takes in your suitcases, articles with a greater value to $2,500. Verify the policy of your house insurance .

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Disability Insurance: Being Adequately Protected despite of Disability

2007-07-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

Disability Insurance: Being Adequately Protected despite of Disability
By: Lala C. Ballatan

It is not a good thing to become sick and unable to report for work for an extended period. Being sick and absent for a few days is bad enough, but being forced in bed for an indeterminate period because of disability can be quite a frustrating situation.

Aside from the boredom and pain of being unable to move around, what makes your situation more frustrating than ever is the fact that you are not being paid for the time you spent having to be forced in your bed. If you are the breadwinner of your family then it is not only devastating for you, but your family suffers severely, too.

Being disabled, becoming unable to move by yourself, wholly, becoming dependent on your family for the most basic tasks are already overwhelming concepts for you, let alone a contemplation of your future financial status.

Most importantly, if you have spent all your life saving adequately for your retirement, then the question dominant on your mind is how to continue your savings now that you need these most. Another is your nagging worry that since you cannot continue on working, then how could your retirement savings go on?

These questions and apprehensions could be easily answered and eased by having disability insurance. Many have their car, house and other important things insured, but only a few realize the significance of being insured against the days when lack of income from their jobs would occur.

Presently, 80% and more American workers do not have protection by having any kind of disability insurance. Meanwhile, according to latest survey on foreclosures, almost 50% are because of the homeowners’ loss of ability to work and earn income. Probing deeper on issue of being out of work, most of them suffered long-term medical issues causing their inability to work.

Many employees fall into the wrong assumption that when they become sick, the normal sick time benefits would be enough to cover their loss of income for a while.

However, once the sickness stretches to full weeks and even, months, that is when the problem starts. When they already run out of allowed sick time, even social security disability benefits cannot compensate for the lost wages. What’s more, not all is approved for social security disability claims as soon as possible. There are issues like eligibility that need to be hurdled until one gets to receive benefits.

Disability insurance is a very sure safety net for long-term illness that borders on partial or full disability. This is a type of insurance designed to replace some percentage of the income you lost after suffering from inability to work for an extended timeframe because of illness or disability.
If your employer offers some benefit packages and asks for your preferences, choosing disability, insurance benefits may be a very wise choice. It would be up to you whether to choose short term or long-term disability insurance.

Making sure that you have saved up for a rainy day beats being stuck without anything at all.

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UK House Insurance - What Policy To Choose

2007-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

UK House Insurance - What Policy To Choose
By: Trevor Dace

The first step is to consider your needs.

As a starting point let's consider

What sort of property do you live in and do you have many collectibles or just typical fittings and furnishings?
Are you living in a flat or bed sitter?
Are you the owner of the buildings?
Maybe the landlord is already paying the insurance for the actual bricks and mortar?
Do you tend to have more than your fair share of accidents?
Are there any children rushing around the house?

Remember that you need to choose (for both buildings and contents) if you need, and want to pay for, accidental damage cover or if you are happy to accept just the basic perils covered. Considering questions like these will help you decide.

Nowadays, most of the companies offering online home insurance calculate their building valuations based on the type of building and number of bedrooms together with your post code. You are then invited to increase this value if your property is particularly well preserved or if it has additions such as a conservatory or converted loft. You must remember that this estimate is for the cost of having the house rebuilt, it doesn't include the cost of the land that the property is built on.

When considering the contents there are two options. You could write down a list of everything you have and note beside it the replacement value (we're presuming that you have 'new for old' cover). If that sounds too much like hard work then you might consider a 'bedroom rated' policy i.e. the contents valuation is calculated from the number of bedrooms in the property. It would save all that work but you would be very likely to be paying out a higher premium for higher sums insured than you need to.

Next, consider all those special items and valuable pieces you have. When considering any valuable jewellery, antiques or works of art, we always suggest that you specify them as individual items on the policy. This will add to the policy cost but it is worth the additional cost. Before listing them, get a professional valuation for each piece (and if jewellery, gem checked) and get a photograph of each piece. Similarly with laptop computers, Ipod's,bicycles, expensive camcorders, PDA's and so on. In fact, anything of value that you take out and about with you.

Next, I recommend you take out cover for unspecified items outside of the home. This cover should also give you insurance to cover accidental damage for these items within the home. This is essential cover for everybody that ventures past their front door! It will also cover you for your basic baggage whilst on vacation thus saving you on your travel insurance. And the cover is better! (Travel insurance providers always pays indemnity - i.e. item value minus wear and tear. Your unspecified items cover, if you follow my advice, is 'new for old' - except clothes).

Fifth - liability cover. In this age of blame culture this is essential. It is always provided free with your other cover. Make sure you have it on both buildings and contents if you are an owner. If you do not own buildings, then the liability cover on contents is fine on its own. It's a bit like having 'third party' cover on your car (although not legally compulsory).

Lastly, there are the 'freebies' that many insurers now provide. Services such as emergency assistance providers or free legal help sound like a good idea but you really shouldn't let these extras affect your buying decision

Now all you have to do is to buy the policy that you want. Chose an insurer that has a good reputation, even if it costs a little more. (All of the insurance companies featured on our site have a good reputation !)..and of course they offer superb value for money.

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Mesothelioma

2007-07-24T09:14:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.

Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI’s cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI’s Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinical_trials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

Why Is Small Business Health Insurance Worth It?

2007-07-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

Why Is Small Business Health Insurance Worth It?
by: Jeff Schuman

If you’re looking for a guide to how to get health insurance and
what kind of health insurance is best for your small business,
then this is the article for you. Your business qualifies for
small business health insurance if you have anywhere between two
and fifty employees in it. If you are self employed then you’ll
want to look into getting self employed health insurance.

There are many benefits to getting small business health
insurance. A small business health insurance plan will help
spread the financial risk around to everyone and not just
yourself. As this is the case, this generally will bring lower
premiums and more extensive coverage. Along with this, the
health insurance provides medical care for you and all other
employees as well.

With a small business health insurance people often get group
insurance. This too has its advantages on several different
aspects. All contributions from the employers are 100% tax
deductible, and you’ll save on payroll taxes as well. Small
businesses will be eligible for group insurance just as long as
you have two or more full time employees working.

When setting up a group insurance plan for your small business,
all members will be set up with a coverage plan with rates
calculated using the group and individuals. After that it is up
to the separate employees themselves if they wish to add riders
and additional coverage to satisfy their needs. Keep in mind
that not all employees in the small business have to join the
group plan. Just as long as there is no fewer then two
employees in the business that have the group insurance plan,
then you will be fine.

The cost of the group insurance plan varies based on several
different characteristics. Some of these include age, health
status, business and/or residential location and so on. Like
everything in this world it’s not going to be cheap, but it will
be cheaper then having a bunch of separate health insurance
plans.

Most health plans are going to require employees to pay at least
half of the premium cost for covered employees. Some employees
will offer to pay 100% of the cost, white now there is a new
health plan giving employees the option to pay as little as 25%
of the cost. Just know that typically most types of coverage
will cost employees a minimum of $1,600-$2,500 per year per
employee. By clicking on the link below you can begin getting
quotes for your small business health insurance.

http://www.buyerzone.com/benefits/health_insurance/qz_questions_2.jhtml

Just remember that many times medical services are needed
unexpectedly. If you or other employees do not have health
insurance this could be a devastating blow to the wallet. The
cost of a hospital visit, depending on the circumstance, will
many times be much higher then the cost of health insurance.
You want to be able to live life knowing that you’re insured
just in case the unexpected happens. Nothing hurts to at least
look at some quotes and talk it over with other employees, but
you have the power to make the decision.

About the author:
Small business grants and small business resources to help you start and run your own small business. Small business training, information, articles, loans, and more.
http://www.sites-plus.com

China Portfolio Insurance

2007-07-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

China Portfolio Insurance
by: Carl Delfeld

Are you excited about the upside potential of China but can’t pull the trigger because of the significant downside risk? Here is a way to invest in China growth and still sleep at night.

China has been the largest economy in the world for eighteen of the past twenty centuries and it is clearly determined to regain its role as the hegemonic power in Asia and then challenge U.S. global leadership. Will it be able to sustain its 10% economic growth rate, quell rural discontent, build a sound market-based financial system, privatize dominant state-owned enterprises and move towards openness and democracy? This is a tall order and you can put me in the skeptic column.

Nevertheless, China’s raw industrial power, momentum and the palpable ambition of the Chinese people could realistically yield a huge return. I advise my clients to go ahead and invest in China but emphasize that this is a speculative investment. It is smart to protect against the considerable downside risk.

Here is a simple plan you might want to execute to capture the upside while cutting your losses if the Chinese economy hits a speed bump.

First, you could take a broad stake in China through investing in the China iShare exchange-traded fund (FXI) that is comprised of 25 of the largest and most liquid China names. All of the 25 stocks included in the China iShare are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Some of them are incorporated in mainland China (H shares) and some of them are incorporated in Hong Kong (red chips). The China iShare has been picking up steam in the last few months and is up just over 12% so far this year.

The China iShare provides good exposure to three key sectors of China: energy (20%), telcom (19%) and industrial (18%). This concentration can be viewed as a plus or a minus depending on your perspective. For example, some smart investors are placing a bigger bet on China’s consumer markets. The top five companies represent 40% of the index. The annual operating expenses of the China iShare are only 0.74% compared to 2% plus for other alternatives out there including actively managed China and greater China regional funds. Keep in mind that most of these companies are still largely controlled and owned by the Chinese government.

Next, you could take out some insurance to protect this position by purchasing a put option on the China iShare (FXI). It sounds complicated but is actually very straightforward. An option is a right to buy (call) or sell (put) 100 shares of a security on a fixed expiration date at a set price (strike price). For this right an investor pays a fee or premium.

While you may grumble about paying the premium with cold hard cash when you might not need it, you probably have home insurance just in case disaster strikes and no doubt you have some life insurance as well. Why not protect your portfolio as well? It is especially important to consider hedging against more risky emerging markets such as China. While countries like China offer tremendous upside potential, the downside risk can be daunting and immobilize even the bravest investor.

Let’s look at a couple of examples. Say you buy 100 shares of the China iShare (FXI) which is trading at $62 per share. Your total exposure is $6,200. Then purchase a put option (right to sell the China iShare) that gives you the right to sell FXI at a price of $60 on the third Friday in January 2008. I think we all can agree that a lot could happen to China, good and bad, from now until January, 2008. If the price of the China iShare moves down toward the strike price, the value of the option will increase.

This will cost you a premium of a little over $500 but limits your potential loss to $2 per share plus the premium. Or buy a put option at a strike price of $50 and your premium drops to about $200 with a worst case scenario of a loss of $12 per share plus the premium.

Here is another example. You know Latin American markets are hot and believe the bull market will continue but are wary that there is the potential for a sharp pullback. You could buy 100 shares of the Latin America 40 iShare (ILF) giving you exposure to Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Chile at a price of $113 for a total exposure of $11,300. Then buy a put option giving you the right to sell 100 shares at a strike price of $100 in March 2006 for a premium of around $300. Your worst case scenario would then be a loss of 15% with unlimited upside.

Keep a cool head when investing in emerging market countries like China. They should represent only be a small portion of your portfolio and, whenever possible, take out some insurance.

About the author:
Carl Delfeld is head of the global advisory firm Chartwell Partners and editor of the the "Asia-Pacific Growth" newsletter and is the author of "The New Global Investor." For more information please visit http://www.chartwellasia.com

Brochure Printing For Good Business Impressions

2007-07-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

Brochure Printing For Good Business Impressions
by: Jinky C. Mesias

A full color brochure is a great means of showcasing your business and products. Brochures are usually done in three standard sizes and these are 8 ½ x 11, 8 ½ x 14 and 11 x 17. The different brochure sizes have its specific use or purpose take for example the unfolded 8 ½ x 11 which is commonly used in creating product sheets or may be tri-folded if ever to be used as a company’s brochure. However, for those companies that want to economize the 11 x 17 brochure may be employed. These 11 x 17 brochures are simply folded in half.

There are certain things to consider when creating brochures. First you have to make the cover as interesting as possible. Bear in mind that it’s the cover that will be the first thing that your customers will notice when they received your brochures. The cover will determine the very first impressions of your customers toward your business.

Likewise, try to create a theme in which your customers may relate to and then make use of this theme all throughout the content in your brochure. Make use of one large illustration that illustrates a story that has significance to your readers for a much greater impact. In terms of pictures to be use for your brochures again it is best to choose photographs that provide an idea on the message that you want to convey. And then put captions on the cover to further provide your readers with ample information on what’s in store for them.

Try to have as much information in your brochure. Don’t be afraid to include every important information you deem helpful to your clients. And then highlight every facts that you want your customers to remember about your business like business hours, your business address, your business phone numbers, costs of products and services. Then make use of photos instead of drawings since photos suggest realism and is known to increase retention by 26%.

Then lastly try to make your brochures worth keeping. Make use of convincing words to encourage consumers to continuously support your business. Have your brochures printed by only the best brochure printing company available. Remember that your brochure acts as your representative to your customers so make sure you make a good impression.

GE Mortgage Insurance Issues Statement on S&P Credit Watch Action

2007-07-24T09:06:00.001-07:00

GE Mortgage Insurance Issues Statement on S&P Credit Watch Action
by:
Contact: Terry Souers of GE Mortgage Insurance, 919-846-4459 or terry.souers@ge.com

RALEIGH, N.C., June 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- GE Mortgage Insurance today released the following statement in response to the decision by Standard and Poor's to put GE Mortgage Insurance on CreditWatch:

S&P made its decision despite the fact that our capital position has never been stronger.

The S&P action is based on a change in S&P's rating methodology, not on any change in the financial condition of GE Mortgage Insurance. S&P noted that changes within its rating criteria "now limit the rating support for a strategically important subsidiary to one notch below the parent's rating" unless there is a significant explicit support agreement from a higher rated parent. We believe we have such an agreement from GE Capital, which is rated AAA by Standard & Poor's. Our implicit and explicit support from GE Capital has not changed.

GE Mortgage Insurance always has been one of the strongest capitalized participants in the mortgage insurance industry and continues to hold capital well in excess of S&P "AAA" requirements. In fact, we have operated with the lowest Risk to Capital Ratio (the industry measure of capitalization given a company's portfolio of risk) in the industry for the last five years.

The other two rating agencies, Moody's and Fitch, continue to recognize the unmatched financial strength of GE Mortgage Insurance. Both agencies recently reaffirmed their ratings for the company at "AAA," their highest levels.

We appreciate the fact that Standard & Poor's sees GE Mortgage Insurance as having "strong fundamentals" and "very strong earnings and market position, extremely strong capitalization, and deep and experienced management." Those factors make it clear why GE Insurance includes credit enhancements such as mortgage insurance in its vision for the future.

GE Mortgage Insurance (Web site: http://www.gemortgageinsurance.com) is part of GE Insurance, a global family of insurance and reinsurance businesses with $13.6 billion in premiums and assets of $188 billion. GE Insurance provides life insurance, retirement income products, property and casualty insurance, risk prevention services, mortgage insurance, and selective financial guarantee insurance. GE Insurance is part of General Electric Company, a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.

Build Your Own Insurance Business with InsureAmerica

2007-07-24T09:05:00.001-07:00

Build Your Own Insurance Business with InsureAmerica
by: Casey Coke

Dallas-based InsureAmerica Management Company has released a new Internet site, www.byoib.com, to aid in recruitment of nationwide health insurance agents. Complete with commission examples, earnings potential breakdowns and an income potential calculator, interested health insurance agents can get a good look at the opportunity InsureAmerica has to offer.

The new website is part of the company’s aggressive growth and expansion plan to further extend its national reach.

“We know we have a business opportunity and a system that health insurance agents and agency owners can be successful with. We just needed an avenue to express this,” states Dan Roberts, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “The days of simple newspaper ads are a thing of the past. People want more information and want to know what you can do for them. This is what our recruiting site is about…the agents and what we can do to make them successful.”

The website address, www.byoib.com, comes from the acronym of the phrase Build Your Own Insurance Business, which is the recurring theme of the website. InsureAmerica isn’t about selling health insurance. It’s goal is to also help others grow their own businesses.

“Selling health insurance and running your own insurance office is a daunting task and at times agents can feel like they are all alone. Through this website we want to convey to potential agents that we are here to help them and that they are not successful because of us, but that we are successful because of them. We have people in our group that have built very lucrative businesses and enjoy helping others do the same,” says Dan Roberts, Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

In addition to being able to see commissions and earnings information, potential agents can find out more about the products that InsureAmerica represents, the in-house lead program and company background.

About InsureAmerica
Headquartered in Dallas, TX, InsureAmerica has been providing individuals and small businesses with quality health insurance for 17 years. The company has a nationwide presence with agents in 30 states. Insurance of America offers health insurance, life insurance and health savings accounts, among other products. All products are provided by A-rated or better carriers and endorsed by the National Business Association.

About the author:
Casey Coke is an Internet Marketing Specialist for Insurance of America Agency in Dallas, TX

You may have found the best advice regarding life insurance

2007-07-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

You may have found the best advice regarding life insurance.
by: Tom Brown

You may have found the best advice regarding life insurance. When you are trying to find top advice concerning life insurance, it will be easier said than done extricating superior advice from foolish life insurance suggestions and support so it is important to know how to judge the advice that is offered.

Now we'd like to offer you some advice which we think you should use when you are trying to find information about life insurance. You need to understand that any recommendation we present to you is only pertinent to internet help on life insurance. We are unable to offer any guidance or advice for conducting research offline.

A great hint to follow when you're presented with help or advice about a life insurance web is to verify the ownership of the website. Doing this could reveal the owners life insurance credibility The quickest way to work out who owns the life insurance web site is to find the sites 'about' page.

Any worthwhile website providing information on life insurance, will almost always provide an 'about' or 'contact' page which will record the site owner's contact details. The details should divulge major points about the owner's skill and understanding. You can then arrive at a decision about the webmaster's familiarity and qualifications, to provide advice to you regarding life insurance.

About the author:
Tom Brown is the webmaster at informationspecialnews.info

What Factors Determine Term Life Insurance Rates

2007-07-24T06:16:00.000-07:00

What Factors Determine Term Life Insurance Rates
by: Peter Crump

Term life insurance policies provide a limited coverage period, which is determined by the policy owner. Term life insurance rates are actually the cheapest form of life insurance, but there are different rates for different people. This is because once the term of the policy is up you don’t receive any payout from the policy. If you take out life insurance at a young age, you will get much better term life insurance rates than if you wait until you are older.

The total cost of your term life insurance rates can be tricky. Some term life insurance policies appear to cost more, but may, in fact, be cheaper when you look at the total cost of the term life insurance policy. For example, annual renewable policies increase your premiums every year and thus may appear to be more expensive than level term policies where the premiums never increase (although the initial premiums for a level term policy will be higher). But, in fact, level premium policies may involve higher costs over the policy's full term, and become particularly expensive when you try to renew your policy at the end of the term. This is why you do have to compare term life insurance quotes.

Some of the factors that influence your term life insurance rates are:
· Whether or not you smoke. Tobacco users are twice as likely to die as non tobacco users while they are insured. Life insurance companies take this into account when they set their premium and cash benefits levels. You can save from 20% to 30% on premiums by quitting smoking.

· Medical Record. If you have a terminal illness, it is unlikely that any life insurance company will issue a policy. In the case of heart disease, you will get a policy but your rates will be high

· Occupation. if you work in a dangerous occupation, such as working on a ship that carries gas, this will put you into a higher bracket when it comes to getting rates for term insurance. You will have to shop around to compare term life insurance quotes if you are in this category.

Term life insurance rates vary a lot, and you can do something about your premiums by taking some decisions to become more healthy, like giving up smoking.

About the author:
For a website totally devoted to Life Insurance visit Peter's Website Life Insurance Answers at http://www.life-insurance-answers.com/and find out about Life Insurance as well as Cheap Life Insurance at http://www.life-insurance-answers.com/cheap-life-insurance.html and more, including Online Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance and Life Insurance Agents.

Term Life Insurance. What Is It All About?

2007-07-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

Term Life Insurance. What Is It All About?
by: Donald Lusan

What is term life insurance? You have an interest in buying term life insurance, that is why you are reading this article, and you want to know how it really works. Right? Well, there are many types of term life insurance and I am going to give you a brief explanation as to how each one works.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

Decreasing term life insurance is very popular with home owners and mortgage companies. The homeowners want to know that the mortgage is paid off if they should prematurely die, and the mortgage company want to be assured that they are repaid the money loaned to the homeowner. The face amount of these policies decrease in a uniformed manner each year as the balance owed on the mortgage decreases, and the premium remains level. This is very inexpensive life insurance.

Increasing Premium Term Life Insurance

This is initially the cheapest term life insurance you can buy. The death benefit remains level for the duration, however, the premiums increase every year and as a result this may turn out to be the most expensive term life insurance you can buy. If you should purchase this policy it would be wise to convert to a level plan as quickly as possible.

5 Year Level Term Insurance

The face amount of this policy remains level for the entire 5 year period and so does the premium. Upon death the face amount is paid either in one lump sum or in the form of an income. If you have a short term need for life insurance, like covering a bank loan, then this may be the plan for you.

10 Year Term Life Insurance

Like the 5 year term life insurance policy, the ten year term life policy can be used to cover a bank loan, but it can do considerably more. It can be used for family protection and a myriad of other needs. The face amount of the policy remains level for the duration and so does the premium. Some companies allow you to continue the policy after 10 years with an increase in premium.

20 Year Term Life Insurance

The 20 year term life insurance policy is probably the most popular of term life policies. The death benefit remains level for the duration and in some cases so does the premium. With some companies, however, the premiums increase after the first 10 years to reflect the cost of the additional risk to which the insurance company is exposed as the insured gets older. All in all, the 20 tear term life insurance policy is fairly inexpensive and does the job it is intended to do.

Unlike whole life insurance, universal life insurance or variable life insurance, term life insurance does not have cash values or earn dividends. There is a fairly new type of term life insurance policy, however, called a return of premium policy which returns all your premiums at the end of the term period, if you do not die. The premiums are so high it may not be worth your while to buy this type of term policy

Health Insurance - Are You Covered?

2007-07-23T08:42:00.001-07:00

Health Insurance - Are You Covered?
by: Jeff Lakie

With the ever-increasing cost of health care, procedures and medicines, it's no wonder that the cost of health insurance has also dramatically risen over the past few years. But as that's happened, insurance companies and the government have seen the potential negative impact of families and individuals without insurance. There are some things you can do if you don't have health insurance.

A federal mandate requires that all 50 states have a health insurance program for children. Each state was allowed to create a plan tailored to the needs of children in that state, but there are some things that are the same from one state to the next. The first is eligibility.

Government funded health programs typically have very stringent income guidelines. These health insurance programs have income requirements, but the criteria allow higher income than most programs.

Another criteria for participation is that the child isn't covered by any other health insurance. That differs from most programs in a very important way. Most programs say that if the family has access to insurance, they aren't eligible. That means that parents who have employer-based insurance don't qualify. But many of the employer-based plans are too expensive, and workers sometimes simply can't afford the premiums. This program is designed to help fill that gap.

These programs don't cover families - only children. But there are some great benefits for those who qualify. Some states offer mental health benefits, transportation to and from appointments and dental/vision benefits.

If your children don't qualify for this program, or if you're in the market for individual health insurance for an adult or private insurance for a family, you have some options. Even though insurance is typically very expensive, you can take some steps to control costs.

You can eliminate extras such as vision and dental coverage, and increase deductibles to lower the cost of your insurance premiums. Look for policies that don't include maternity benefits and cancer plans as more affordable general health insurance plans. Basic coverage will likely be less expensive than an all-inclusive health insurance program.

Finally, shop before you make a decision. Even if you're offered employer-based insurance, you might find a better deal elsewhere (depending on the amount of employer participation). Look to professional groups for discounts and advice.

THE TOP FIVE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

2007-07-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

THE TOP FIVE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS
by: David Chandler

Since competition in terms of health insurance is on the rise, it is no wonder that more and more forms of health insurance are being designed. Among these, there are few that are popular and they are briefly described below.

Individual Insurance: Ensuring a person individually is a common mode of insurance. One may be selective about what s/he wants in a plan through this process. Accordingly, one has required premium is calculated, and the insurance plan takes effect.

Group Insurance: Another type of insurance is the group arrangement. Through this type of insurance, one is compelled to abide by what others are going for, and this is dependent on the insurance providers. They are the ones that decide what is feasible to include in a plan, and on that basis, a group insurance can take place.

Indemnity Plan: This plan allows one to go to any doctor when one needs to; there are no restrictions on this, and it is believed to be more of a traditional plan. One does not need permission to go to a particular health care provider. However, usually what happens is that the member pays 20% of the total fee for treatment while the insurance provider pays 80%. In addition to this, there is a period through which one pays up in this manner, and then the company takes over paying the whole 100%.

HMO: The Health Maintenance Organization is one that allows a member to select a particular doctor off the panel. It is these selected doctors that will deal will with members' problems. The selected doctor is the one that will be approached for checkups of any kind, and if there are problems with a member that cannot be handled by him or her, the member is referred to specialists.

About the author:
For more information, visit http://www.healthinsuranceinfocenter.com

How to Shop for Individual Health Insurance

2007-07-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

How to Shop for Individual Health Insurance

by: Keith Thompson
Copyright 2005 Keith Thompson

If you find yourself in the position of shopping for an individual health insurance policy, there are certain things you'll want to keep in mind. Whether you are coming out of a job that covered you before, or are at the end of your COBRA benefits, or simply have never had coverage before there are things you can do to get coverage on yourself and your loved ones.

The basic thing to know is that if you have a shot a group health insurance, whether through a job or an association you're a member of, that is usually much more affordable than buying individual health insurance on your own. First you need to figure out your health insurance goals; in other words, what are you after? If you're young, healthy as a horse, no dependents and not attempting Mt. Everest next week, you may want to opt for a policy that covers only the catastrophes, and cover the rest out-of-pocket. On the flip side of that, if you're the sole bread winner with a family to support, the scenario is different.

The basic choices you'll have are Fee-for-Service, Managed Care Plans, and Association-based health insurance. Fee-for-service is the traditional indemnity plan, harder to acquire, more expensive, but usually great coverage. Managed care plans include most HMO's and PPO's. These offer lower costs but your choices are somewhat limited. Another way to get insured is through a group or association you may already be a member of, such as professional, religious or trade organizations. Often they may offer health insurance. It's worth checking out, as sometimes you can strike gold in this vein.

Things to consider when you're looking for any policy are what's covered on this plan, how much are the monthly premiums, what is the yearly out-of-pocket, what is the deductible, how much are office visits, does it cover preventative medicine, vision, dental? And I'm sure you can come up with many of your own. Sit down before you go shopping and make a list of your needs and wants, and decide in advance what you're willing to give to get. Be aware that once you start getting quotes they can vary as much as 50% for the same person! Remember, you're shopping, and nobody's making you do anything. If one insurer isn't cutting it, move on to another. If you're coming at this cold and have no good recommendations it may be wise to use a broker who represents several companies, as he or she wil be more likely to find the best policy for you, as opposed to selling the company they work for.

Shopping for individual health insurance can be frustrating and time-consuming, but if you come armed with facts you'll be able to navigate this highly competitive and ever-changing field.

About the author:
Keith Thompson is the webmaster at http://www.health-insurance.giftsforbiz.com,a site geared toward helping you find great individual health insurance!

Understanding Health Insurance Coverage: A Primer

2007-07-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

Understanding Health Insurance Coverage: A Primer
by: Peter Lenkefi

Health Insurance Coverage: What are ‘Covered’ Services?
Health insurance coverage is a contract used to determine medical benefits that are covered, or not covered, between you and your insurance provider. The insurance company, based on a fee that you provide them on a regular basis, promises to pay health insurance coverage on certain items or benefits listed in that contract. These are called ‘covered’ services. ‘Covered’ services can include a wide variety of things, such as implements, prescriptions, services (such as massage), checkups, tests and/or research.

Your contract should also list all of the things NOT covered in your health insurance coverage – these are items or services that you will need to pay for out of your own pocket, should you require them.

Health Insurance Coverage: What is a Medical Necessity? How is this Different from Covered Services?
Just as it seems, a medical necessity is something that your health professional has deemed a required service/ item that will affect your health negatively should you decide not to purchase it. However, just because your doctor tells you something is a medical necessity does not mean your health insurance actually offers coverage for it.

Since insurance companies decide what health coverage they will and will not provide, you really have no leeway in this area.

Health Insurance Coverage: What Do I Do?
Most doctors try and keep themselves abreast as to what the major insurance companies do, and do not cover when it comes to health coverage. However, there are a LOT of plans out there, so this just isn’t enough. So how can you avoid any nasty surprises during an emergency?

Read your health insurance coverage. You’re better off knowing what your health insurance company will, and will not provide coverage for right off the bat. Then, if your doctor decides on a treatment plan that isn’t covered, you can ask for alternatives that may be.
If there are questions regarding your health insurance coverage, do not hesitate to contact the insurance company. Questions are good, and they expect them.

Health Insurance Coverage: What Do I Do if Something I Need Isn’t Covered?
The gross majority of what your doctor orders for you will be covered in your health insurance plan. If you do get a treatment or supply that isn’t covered, you can always challenge the health insurance coverage. You may not be the only one who requires the same type of service, benefit or item – so you’ll end up fighting not just for yourself, but for others in the same situation.

Ask your doctor for their side, and use this in your claim. It may not help in the end, but if your doctor is on your side, you may be able to convince the health insurance company that coverage is required.

About the author:
For more more information about health insurance coverage please visit http://www.1health-center.com/articles/Health-Insurance-Coverage.php

Is Pet Health Insurance an Option?

2007-07-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Is Pet Health Insurance an Option?
by: Peter Lenkefi

Most pet owners aren’t aware that health insurance for their loved animals has been available for about 15 years now. However, both the availability and restrictions on most plans have made this type of health insurance out of reach for most pet owners.

Interestingly enough, pet health insurance has changed in the past couple of years. Now, animal owners are able to afford medical procedures previously prohibitive because of the cost. But many skeptics are concerned that health insurance for pets will see an increase in the red tape us humans already encounter every day.

Animal medicine is one of the few health care services that isn’t financially dependent on health insurance. Medical, dental, surgical and pharmaceuticals are all pretty much covered by health insurance in humans, but veterinary patients are responsible for all of that, themselves. Or, at least their owners are.

Health insurance for pets is very similar to insurance for humans. The same fees, deductibles, coverage rates and plans are all in place, with different plans based on the age, species, and general health of your pet.

Most health insurance policies for animals start around the 6-8 week range, but when the policies end depend on a variety of factors, mostly decided by the health insurance company. Some have age limits, and some don’t.

And just like with humans, some health insurance companies will only accept your pet on their plan if they are healthy; others will accept them only if they have had a stable condition for more than six months in a row.

Currently, deductibles stand around $100 for pet health insurance. Policy costs vary as much as human health insurance does, unfortunately. Some depend on what types and kind of coverage is desired, and yet others are just blanket coverage catch-alls. Some may only cover accidents and illnesses. And more pets usually means a reduced health insurance rate for subsequent animals.

But what if you decide that an health insurance policy is not right for you, and your pet? There are other options, of course!

First, discuss your situation with your Veterinarian. Some animal hospitals offer packages that aren’t quite health insurance, but can offer a rate deal of some sorts on more mundane medical procedures (spaying/neutering, vaccinations, etc.), or packages for your aging animal.

Secondly, research plans that offer discounts on animal health services. PetAssure is one of these companies, but there are a myriad of not-for-profits that may offer this as a side benefit when you join. Or, these same animal not-for-profits may offer financial assistance for pet owners whose health costs are beyond their means – a sort of emergency fund, if you will.

All in all, it depends on you, and your pet(s), whether or not pet health insurance is the right choice. Hopefully, with the help of this article, your choice will be an informed one.

About the author:
For more more information about pet health insurance please visit http://www.1health-center.com/articles/The-Important-of-Health-Insurance.php

Before You Look for Health Insurance

2007-07-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Before You Look for Health Insurance
by: Richard Keir
Copyright 2005 Richard Keir

Shopping around for medical insurance can be a confusing business. You need to keep your wits about you and keep track of the benefits and costs of each policy and each type of policy. Too often we tend to look at the price first and the rest of the policy becomes a blur of fine print. And we're off to check the next policy.

Slow down. There some important things you should do before you start chasing around to get a policy. Doing these few things will make the whole process simpler and clearer - and you're much more likely to make a good decision.

You need to carefully consider your situation. Think about these questions and note your answers:

What's the general state of your health?

How old are you?

Do you have any serious medical problems currently or in your medical history?

Do you have any history of recurring or on-going medical needs?

Do you use tobacco? How much?

Do you drink? How much?

Are you over- or under-weight for your height, body-type and age?

Is your job hazardous?

Do you participate in any activities or sports that could affect your health?

Now this may be unpleasant but if there's any chance an insurance company could discover a history of drug or alcohol abuse or sexual behavior that might put you in a high risk group, you may want to be direct and upfront about it - especially if it's in the past. Having a claim denied later because you had failed to disclose medical information to the insurance company would be far more upsetting - and very expensive. The same goes for any significant medical condition. Insurance companies are in it to make a profit - at least most of them are. Paying large claims isn't their favorite activity, so they often do investigate.

If you're seeking a family policy you'll need to make the same analysis for everyone and consider carefully what kind of coverage you want.

Do you need dental, orthodontic, pregnancy, mental health, and/or drug coverage? Do you need long-term care coverage, either inpatient or in a nursing facility? Assisted living coverage? What about traveler's or international coverage?

If there's a possibility that you may require - or want - in-home care as opposed to a residential nursing or assisted living facility, be sure that coverage is included and be sure you understand exactly what you can expect to receive.

Think about deductibles and what you could afford pay to reduce your insurance costs. But be very careful here, because medical expenses tend to pile up quickly and reach nearly insane levels for complex treatments or inpatient stays. Many drugs in common use are ridiculously over-priced and depending on the specifics of your insurance you may not be able to use the least expensive sources.

If you will end up with multiple sources of coverage, be clear about how they fit together and what the rules are about overlapping or combined benefits.

Once you are clear on your current situation, your (and other family member's) medical history, and your projected needs, you can begin looking in a organized way with a better sense of where you're going and what will actually meet your needs. This may seem like a tedious process, but it will serve you well in finding appropriate and affordable health insurance and making sure your health care needs can be met by the medical insurance you choose.

Take some time to work through these questions. Write down your answers. Make a chart with your desired coverages and any special conditions the policy must meet. As you look at health insurance policies, note the rules, exclusions, information about pre-existing conditions, any limitations, the dollar amounts covered and especially any deductibles.

Don't try to do too much at once. If you hurry, it'll become confusing and tiring. You may hate it (I know I do), but you really do need to read all that fine print and understand it. That's not a task to rush through. You might as well face up to it, because it's a lot better to do it BEFORE you need medical services than after you get a bill for the uncovered portion that sends you into shock.

So is it an impossible job to find health insurance that works for you? Not at all. There's a world of resources on the internet to help you find the policy you need. Just be sure to do your homework first.

About the author:
Richard is a writer, educator and consultant providing services to medical, scientific and business professionals. For more on choosing a health insurance policy or finding the best medical plan for you, visit http://www.aboutinsurance.info/

Travel Nurses Provide One Solution To Nursing Shortage

2007-07-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

Travel Nurses Provide One Solution To Nursing Shortage
by: Terry McDermott
Copyright 2005 Terry McDermott

America is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to get worse as baby boomers age and the need for health care increases. Complicating the nursing shortage problem is the fact that nursing schools and universities across the country are having difficulty maintaining enrollment levels that remain insufficient to meet the projected demand for nursing care.

Based on a recent survey, it is common knowledge that there is a nursing shortage and this is viewed as a serious issue. The study revealed that 75% of Americans think that the nursing shortage is a very real and very important health care concern. The general view is that the nursing shortage will have a negative effect on health care services. The poll indicates that 81 percent of the population is acutely aware of the nursing shortage and fully 65 percent believe that the nursing shortage is nearing crisis levels.

The survey also found that, despite the nursing shortage most Americans are confidant that nurses' opinions on medical issues are highly credible and that the nursing profession is generally respected and admired. Because of the nursing shortage there are many more nursing positions available than can be filled. This is despite the fact that average nurse salaries match up quite well with other professions.

Many potential solutions, such as travel nursing, are being developed to address the current nursing shortage. The position of travel nurse was created more than 20 years ago in order to address shortfalls in staffing in states that experienced dramatic swings in seasonal population. Now, being a travel nurse is regarded as operating in a specialized nursing category and has become a crucial factor in potential solutions to the worsening nursing shortage.

Becoming a travel nurse opens the door to a world of possibilities. Agencies that specialize in travel nurse placement will help locate a variety of travel nurse positions in areas of the U.S in which a nurse has an interest. A travel nurse assignment will normally last for about 90 days but may continue for up to six months. After selecting the region or state the nurse must decide which travel nurse position tol accept. It is entirely up to the nurse which type of program and which type of medical facility to join.

The compensation for a travel nurse is well above average and is attracting more nurses into the travel nurse profession. The salary or a travel nurse is well above the norm. What's more, the travel nurse package usually includes complimentary housing. Plus, travel expenses are also covered. A travel nurse will also receive generous benefits such as health insurance or a retirement plan, if it is a good travel nurse agency.

Most travel nurse assignments provide a substantial bonus upon completion of a tour. The collective compensation for a travel nurse is far greater than permanent, local nursing positions. In many cases being a travel nurse can result in a six figure annual income.

About the author:
Terry McDermott is the administrator of http://www.TravelMedPro.com,a website that specializes in providing resources and opportunities for travel nurses and other medical professionals.

Health Insurance and health care

2007-07-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance and health care
by: Mike Yeager

Health insurance is something that everyone needs today. The rising cost of visiting a health care provider or a hospital stay makes it imperative that everyone have some type of health care coverage. Government statistics estimate that over 40 million people in America are not covered by any type of health insurance on any given day. That's an enormous number of people who really are taking a financial risk.

Even if you're on a tight, limited budget, it's very important that you pick up some kind of affordable health insurance. Even if you only have a plan that covers unexpected hospitalization, your peace of mind will be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind that a catastrophic health insurance policy can come with a high deductible before their coverage kicks in. They don't pick up the cost of preventive physician visits or emergency room visits to get a few stitches.

Some questions to ask when considering affordable health insurance.

1) Can your and/or your family afford to pay ALL your medical expenses if you're sick or injured?

2) How much is the deductible?

3) How much are the premiums?

With a little searching and comparison shopping you find the best rate for your personal affordable health insurance.

About the author:
Mike Yeager
Author/Publisher
http://www.a1-healthinsurance-4u.com/

Caregiving across the Miles—Tips for Successful Long Distance Caregiving

2007-07-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Caregiving across the Miles—Tips for Successful Long Distance Caregiving
by: Torey L. Farnsworth

Caring for a parent or a loved one is a difficult job. Your duties as a caregiver become increasingly difficult as the miles increase between you and your loved one. The following are a few helpful tips in order to plan ahead in the event your loved one needs your help, as well as ideas on how to become a successful caregiver once your caregiving duties begin.

1. Have a discussion with your loved one. Years before the need for caregiving arises, discuss ideas and thoughts with your loved one. Discuss with them their thoughts on possibilities of relocation, assisted living or nursing home care, and end of life arrangements. Make sure all of their legal and financial needs have been met. Talking with your loved one ahead of time will make them more comfortable with the idea of needing help down the road.

2. Design a “Family Plan of Action”. Before the need arises, get the family together and discuss responsibilities and divide them up accordingly. Devise a plan to keep in contact with those members who may be out of state by frequent phone calls, emails or set up a private chat room on the internet for family discussions. Investigate costs for care and travel expenses. Design contingency plans in the event that funds run out, level of care increases, and availability of family is limited.

3. Gather emergency contact information. Make a list of important emergency numbers such as out of town family members, family friends, physicians, attorneys, clergy, etc. To help preserve this list in the event of an emergency, place this list in a zip lock bag and store it in your loved one’s freezer where they keep their ice cubes. Place a magnet on their refrigerator with a note as to the location of this list.

4. Gather important documents. Locate important documents such as social security card, Medicare and/or health insurance cards, legal documents such as living trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, all financial statements including life insurance information and real estate deeds. Inform the family regarding the location of these documents. Keep copies of powers of attorney in the event you need to make health care or financial decisions from a distance.

5. Organize and set up a network. Contact relatives, friends and neighbors who live close by your loved one. Ask them to routinely stop by and visit your loved one, and ask them to contact you if they observe anything out of the ordinary. Find out about community programs that provide services such as meals or transportation, and get them involved. Consider hiring a geriatric care manager to help coordinate the care.

6. Make the most of your visits. Schedule and attend physician appointments with your loved one when you are in town, and keep yourself informed with your loved one’s diagnosis. Meet with members of your network, and ask them detailed questions about their interaction with your loved one.

7. Keep a journal. Take detailed notes of your loved one’s care such as their progress, medications, changes in level of care, recent injuries, personality changes, etc. A journal will help keep the family organized, as well as provide helpful information for the physician or other caregivers who might be involved in your loved one’s care.

8. Be observant. Be aware of changes in your loved one’s personality, their appearance such as lack of grooming or soiled clothing. Verify that the mail is being opened and the bills are being paid. Set up a consistent schedule for communicating with your loved one, and pay attention to what they’re “not” saying. Remember, your loved one doesn’t want to give up their independence, and they may not always tell you the truth.

9. Re-evaluate the situation. Assess your loved one’s situation and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as the circumstances change. Don’t hesitate asking for help from other family members, and investigate the potential for placement in a care facility or hiring a full time live-in caregiver if the family and physician deems necessary.

10. Care for the caregiver. Don’t allow yourself to get to the point that you experience burn-out. Get help from other family members, as well as take time for yourself. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise daily. When caregiving becomes too much for the family, and the level of care is beyond your immediate resources, seek out other options. Don’t let your guilt get in the way of providing the best care for your loved one, even if a care facility or full time caregiver must provide that care instead of you.

Above all, remember to allow your loved one to remain involved in the decision making process for as long as their decisions do not negatively impact their health or safety. Remember to discuss your concerns with their care in a sensitive manner. Your loved one deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Be realistic about the situation, and in addition to looking out for your loved one’s care, remember to look out for your own as well.

About the author:
Torey L. Farnsworth, CSA has over 12 years of experience working with seniors. Ms. Farnsworth’s vast expertise encompasses a wide variety of senior issues ranging from adult care to elder law. Most recently, Torey served as Elder Law Director and Paralegal for a Phoenix based law firm where she provided assistance in a variety of areas including long term care planning, estate planning, ALTCS eligibility and Medicaid planning. Ms. Farnsworth is also a certified caregiver with the State of Arizona as well as a Certified Senior Advisor. Ms. Farnsworth has spent her career in senior care as her family owns and operates assisted living homes.

Ms. Farnsworth currently owns her own senior care placement business called Horizon Senior Care Referral. Her placement services are free to seniors and their families in Arizona. For more information, visit www.adultcarecentral.com

Health Care Costs Are Rising At Epidemic Proportions - Here's How To Protect Yourself

2007-07-23T05:40:00.001-07:00

Health Care Costs Are Rising At Epidemic Proportions - Here's How To Protect Yourself
by: Blaine G. Dares

Health care costs are now approaching 15% of our national economy and the economic repercussions have been felt by most American families as employers are unwilling to absorb the bulk of the health care cost burden.

In 2004, employer health insurance premiums increased by 11.2% - nearly four times the rate of inflation. The annual premium for an employer health plan covering a family of four averaged nearly $10,000. The annual premium for single coverage averaged $3,695. Health insurance premiums will rise to an average of more than $14,500 for family coverage in 2006.

In 2004, health care spending in the United States reached $1.7 trillion, and is projected to reach $1.9 trillion in 2005. Health care spending is 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense.

Overall national health care costs will increase further with the implementation of Medicare prescription drug coverage. Too many Americans are uninsured while even a greater percentage have no insurance at all. Uninsured individuals also present a problem for hospitals and other providers who must provide treatment in catastrophic situations without compensation.

Many employees receive restricted coverage and insurance plans that are negotiated between employers and insurance providers limit coverage to a single insurance carrier or an HMO.

Prescription drugs are the fastest-growing part of the nation's health care expense. Pharmacy bills have become a significant item in the budget of most families.

For 37% of Americans without prescription coverage, the problem is critical. Especially for seniors who constitute 12% of the population but use 37% of prescription drugs. The rest especially those without health insurance, is significantly affected by high drug prices.

What has caused this cost increase?
Much of it is due to a riddled health care system of excessive administrative expenses, inflated prices, poor management, inappropriate care, waste and fraud. These problems significantly increase the cost of medical care and health insurance for employers and workers.

On the other side of the cost issue there is the recent development of new effective medications for a variety of illnesses. Such newer "brand name" medications are patent-protected and cost far more than generic medications.

The drug industry argues that the higher cost of new medications helps fund research and development of even newer medicines. Many critics argue that much of the research and development of pharmaceutical products is actually government funded.

Also contributing to the cost increase is marketing. As this is 30% of a drug manufacturer's budget. Brand-name U.S drug makers were reported to employ 81% more people in marketing than in research and development of much needed drugs.

Policymakers and government officials agree that health care costs must be controlled. But they disagree on the best ways to address rapidly escalating health spending. Some favor price controls and imposing strict budgets on health care spending.

Others believe free market competition is the best way to solve the problems but if people can't afford it, how will they protect themselves and their family?

Well there is something you can do and that's become apart of the solution and not the problem by learning more about our troubled medical industry.

Visit http://www.medicalcardsavings.com and sign up to our weekly ezine and receive our Free ebook for complete details and answers to these questions and mo

Share this article with others and we will reward you with cash and more subscribers. for your eZine. http://www.medicalcardsavings.com/ezinepublisher.html

About the author:
Blaine Dares is the President of Medical Card Savings USA Saving over 1 Million Americans over $100 Million on Dental, Medical, Prescriptions, Vision & Chiropractic Care. Instant Nationwide Savings. For complete details visit http://www.medicalcardsavings.com

Why Our Healthcare System Isn't Healthy

2007-07-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

Why Our Healthcare System Isn't Healthy
by: Deb Bromley

Most people are well aware that an estimated 45 million Americans currently do not have healthcare, but is the crisis simply the lack of health insurance or even the cost of health insurance? Is there a bigger underlying problem at the root of our healthcare system? Although the U.S. claims to have the most advanced medicine in the world, government health statistics and peer-reviewed journals are painting a different picture -- that allopathic medicine often causes more harm than good.

People in general have always felt they could trust doctors and the medical profession, but according to the Journal of the American Medical Association in July 2000, iatrogenic death, also known as death from physician error or death from medical treatment, was the third leading cause of death in America and rising, responsible for at least 250,000 deaths per year. Those statistics are considered conservative by many, as the reported numbers only include in-hospital deaths, not injury or disability, and do not include external iatrogenic deaths such as those resulting from nursing home and other private facility treatments, and adverse effects of prescriptions. One recent study estimated the total unnecessary deaths from iatrogenic causes at approximately 800,000 per year at a cost of $282 billion per year, which would make death from American medicine the leading cause of death in our country.

Currently, at least 2 out of 3 Americans use medications, 32 million Americans are taking three or more medications daily, and commercials and advertisements for pharmaceutical drugs have saturated the marketplace. Although our population is aging, exorbitantly expensive drugs are being marketed and dispensed to younger and younger patients, including many children who years ago would never have been given or needed medication, for everything from ADHD to asthma to bipolar disease and diabetes. Clearly, the state of health in this country is not improving even though there are an increasing number of medications and treatments. Between 2003 and 2010, the number of prescriptions are expected to increase substantially by 47%. In recent years, numerous drugs previously deemed safe by the FDA have been recalled because of their toxicity, after the original drug approvals were actually funded by the invested pharmaceutical companies themselves.

According to the media, thanks to advances in U.S. drugs and medical procedures, Americans are living longer statistically, but they are living longer sicker, with a lower quality of life, and often dependent on multiple expensive synthetic medications that do not cure or address the underlying causes, but only suppress symptoms, often with a plethora of dangerous side effects to the tune of billions of dollars for the drug industry. Considering that the U.S. is supposed to have the most advanced technology in the world and the best health care system, it is at odds that we spend the most on healthcare, yet are the most obese and most afflicted with illness outside of the AIDS epidemic in some third world countries.

Unless you have an acute emergency that requires emergency room care, being admitted to a hospital environment may also be more dangerous to your health than staying out. In 2003, epidemiologists reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that hospital-acquired infections have risen steadily in recent decades, with blood and tissue infections known as sepsis almost tripling from 1979 to 2000. Nearly two million patients in the U.S. get an infection while in the hospital each year, and of those patients over 90,000 die per year, up dramatically from just 13,300 in 1992. Statistics show that approximately 56% of the population has been unnecessarily treated, or mistreated, by the medical industry.

Additionally, as a result of the overuse of pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics in our bodies and environment, our immune systems have become significantly weakened, allowing antibiotic-resistant strains of disease-causing bacteria to proliferate, leaving us more susceptible to further disease. Not surprisingly, incidences of diseases have been growing at epidemic levels according to the CDC. Now diseases once thought conquered, such as tuberculosis, gonorrhea, malaria, and childhood ear infections are much harder to successfully treat than they were decades ago. Drugs do not cure. They only suppress the symptoms that your body needs to express, while they ignore the underlying root cause. Side effects of synthetic and chemical drugs, which even if they are partly derived from nature have been perverted to make them patentable and profitable, are not healthy or natural, and usually cause more harm than any perceived benefit of the medication.

Where "physician errors" are concerned, these may not be entirely the fault of the doctors, as they are forced to operate within the constraints of their profession or risk losing their license, but doctors have become pawns and spokesmen for the drug companies, and the best interest of the patient has become secondary. In the name of profit, physicians are also under great pressure from hospitals to service patients as quickly as possible, like an assembly line, increasing the likelihood of error.

In conclusion, increases in healthcare costs are not just the result of frivolous law suits, but are primarily the result of a profit-oriented industry that encourages practices that lead to unnecessary and harmful procedures being performed, lethal adverse drug reactions, infections, expensive legitimate lawsuits, in-hospital and physician errors, antibiotic resistance due to overprescribing of antibiotics and drugs, and the hundreds of thousands of subsequent unnecessary deaths and injuries. Many people do not realize that there are healthier natural options, and anything unnatural or invasive we are exposed to is likely to cause either immediate or cumulative damage over time.

For more information on how to help your body heal itself naturally without chemicals, information on drug side effects, and harmful disease-causing chemicals in the foods you eat and your environment and how to avoid them, please visit the NatureGem web site at http://www.naturegem.com

About the author:

Deb Bromley is a science and technology researcher and the President of NatureGem Nontoxic Living, an organization devoted to promoting awareness of toxins in our food and environment that can cause disease, and providing access to nutrition information, natural remedies, and alternative health resources. Please visit http://www.naturegem.comfor more information.

What to look for in good Health Insurance

2007-07-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

What to look for in good Health Insurance
by: Mike Spencer
Copyright 2005 Mike Spencer

Health insurance is a kind of protection that provides payment of benefits for covered sickness or injury. Included in health insurance are various types of insurance such as accident insurance, disability income insurance, medical expense insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Before sign the health insurance policy make sure that you have read thoroughly the benefit’s section. Take note of any health care service that is not covered by your health insurance policy. Also, pay specific attention to how the health insurance policy is worded. Sometimes, health insurance companies hide the health insurance coverage exclusions within the definitions of words.

For instance, a health insurance company may define the term ‘emergency’ as anything that is life threatening condition that cannot be reasonably treated by a primary care physician. Whereas, your definition of ‘emergency’ may be anything that requires quick medical attention.

Clearly, there is conflict for the two definitions. If you find yourself in an emergency situation where you incur a broker arm, for instance, your insurance company may deny coverage for emergency room treatment of a broken arm for the reason that the broken arm does not fall under the life threatening category.

Therefore, you should read over carefully the health insurance policy definitions, paying close attention to the seven key words:

medical emergency
medically necessary
accidental injury
experimental or investigational
pre certification
pre-existing condition, and
reasonable and customary

These words and any words that are open to interpretation should be regarded with wariness. Find out how your health insurance company defines each of these.

Finally, find the section describing the procedures you must follow in order for your insurance company to reimburse you. These policy conditions or prerequisites are typically worded in a positive tone. Read through each condition carefully, make notes and call your health insurance company with any questions.

You should also compare health insurance contracts before you sign one. In order to compare exclusions, take two policy contracts and find the exclusions sections. If you want to compare a number of health insurance contracts then you could use an online service.

After you obtain your free quote for the health coverage you desire, apply for it online, and you'll obtain all the information that you'll need to compare exclusions of each health insurance policy (though sometimes this will require more research.)

About the author:

Mike Spencer recently became unemployed and moved into self employment. He was forced to find his own health insurance plan to protect his family. It wasn't as easy as he first thought. Here he shares the pitfalls of various plans and what you need to look out for when picking a good plan for you: http://www.1st-for-health-insurance.com/articles/what-is-health-insurance.html

"How To Get Fit And Slash Your Health Insurance Costs"

2007-07-23T05:34:00.000-07:00

"How To Get Fit And Slash Your Health Insurance Costs"
by: Neil Stelling

Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of this
article. I want you to get so healthy, you'll never need
to make a health insurance claim. You'll save money by
increased fitness. You'll save money with a long no-claims
insurance history. And you'll look and feel much better.

There's three sides to your maximum health and fitness.
Diet, and Exercise. But that's only two ! Let me split
Exercise into Aerobic exercise and Aneorobic exercise.

Get all three right. Get the right balance. And you'll
get as fit and healthy as your body and genetics will
allow.

Whole forests of paper have been filled with advice on each
of these fitness factors. Just go into your local
bookstore, and see shelves of diet advice. Shelves of
exercise advice.

Funny how so much contradicts itself, especially for diet
e.g right next to each other on the shelf, you'll find a
book advocating low carbs & low fat; another saying high
fat is okay if you keep the carbs low. Yet another focuses
on high protein, and says carbs don't matter...

* Diet

Let me give you this simple diet advice. Stick to low fat,
low carbs and high protein. Many medical and weight loss
studies over the last 10-20 years prove this approach.
Many other diet myths come from way back in time, and look
just plain wrong when analyzed with modern methods.

* Aerobic Exercise

Couch potatoes don't realize how easily they can start
feeling fit and healthy. Just walk somewhere 3-4 times per
week, for around 20 minutes each time.

Ideally, do some more demanding aerobic exercise. I do a
lot of cycling, because it's great low-impact exercise.
And I get to see beautiful scenery while I ride.

Running provides even more intensive aerobic exercise, but
careful of your joints. Maybe you prefer hiking, to see
the local countryside ? Or take up a sport like rowing or
tennis. You also get to meet new friends by taking up
exercise as a sport.

* Anaerobic Exercise

Many people work on their diet. Many people take aerobic
exercise. But many people ignore anaerobic exercise, or
weight training.

What makes weight training so important ?

As you get older, muscle mass decreases. Muscle burns fat.
So as you lose muscle, it gets harder to keep the fat off.
Equally important, weight training can reshape your body.

No matter how much aerobic exercise you do, you'll still be
a pear shape (a smaller pear shape) if you started out a
pear shape.

Using weights you can flatten your stomach, tone your
thighs, bulk up your chest and shoulders, and reshape your
body any way you want.

Weight training is incredibly beneficial to your general
skeleton strength and conditioning. Older women can reduce
the effects of osteoporosis, and older men can maintain
their strength and agility.

This short article can do nothing more than provide an
introduction to the three keys to your health. Follow
these and you shouldn't need to make a health insurance
claim.

Slash your health insurance costs with a long no-claims
bonus. Slash your health insurance costs with any insurer
who rates your fitness.

Long Term Health Care Options

2007-07-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Long Term Health Care Options
by: Peter Lenkefi

As you grow older, housing may pose more and more of a concern, especially if your health is failing. If you are worried that you may not be able to take care of your basic needs as you age, such as cleaning, cooking, bathing and maintenance, then looking at your long term health care options is an important choice. Let’s start right away with your options.

In-Home Care
In-home health care is the best option for people who have a higher level of fitness, and want to remain as independent as possible throughout their later years. In this situation, home health care nurses may come and visit you daily, or every couple of days, to take care of your everyday medical needs. Also, a housekeeper may be utilized, as well as a personal health care attendant, who would be responsible for more of the day-to-day living help – such as a companion, driver, cook or the like. In-home health care is quite easy to locate; just contact a nurses’ association or look in the Yellow Pages.

Continuing Care
An intermediary between nursing homes and independent living, continuing care, or retirement communities, offer a wide variety of health benefits and services to their inhabitants. These communities are usually all-inclusive, where dwellers receive lodging, meals, social events, varying levels of health care, and sometimes other perks as well.

Entrance fees for these establishments can be quite high (ranging from $10,000 to over 300,000); added to their monthly fees (ranging from $800-4000), and this option can prove to be expensive health care. However, services are guaranteed for the remainder of your life if you choose this option, and if your health falters, you can always be moved to the nursing home portion of their health care facility.

Because of the all-inclusive nature of this kind of health care, you’ll want to read the fine print carefully in your contract. What are all of the recurring and one-time fees? What exactly is covered with those fees? What health care options are, and are not offered? Do you need to purchase extra health insurance to cover your specific care costs? Also don’t forget to check up with the Better Business Bureau about the status of the facility you are interested in; if you plan on living there the rest of your life, you may want to double check it’s reputation, too.

Nursing Homes
In a very simple sense, nursing homes will take care of your health care needs when you are no longer able to. This may be for a short period of time while you are recovering, or for a longer period of time as you age. Nursing homes are the whole meal deal of health care for the elderly or otherwise incapacitated. If this is an option that you think you may require, there are many things to discuss and consider when looking at your options. Does the home provide the type of care that you will require? Research the history of the nursing home; are there any black spots on their record? Talk to people who have lived there, have used their services, or who are still living there now, if at all possible. Get their viewpoint.

About the author:
For more more information about health care please visit http://www.1health-center.com/articles/How-To-Jump-Rope-For-Health-and-Fitness.php

MEDICAL BANKRUPTCIES: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF

2007-07-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

First the bad news: about 2,000,000 personal bankruptcies each year are caused by unexpected medical expenses. Of all those people, 1,500,000 have (or had) health insurance before they ran into difficult financial straights.

But wait a minute. Isn't the whole idea behind health insurance - security? The financial security that comes from knowing that you're covered if something goes wrong with your body? You say you're covered, but what if your medical "situation" exceeds your policy limits? Then what?

No one wants that to happen, so the question is: are there other options? For instance, is there a way to "insure" against getting sick in the first place? Most people assume that's not possible, but personally, I disagree.

Several years ago my wife Sandy and I stumbled onto a very unusual health product. We both had our own experiences with it and have seen it work miracles for others.

But before going there, I'd like to explain something. To me, health insurance should be about staying healthy. In China, for instance, doctors used to be paid only if they kept you healthy. That's what I call real health insurance. And although the U.S. has some of the best-trained, dedicated physicians in the world, heart disease, cancer, strokes, and autoimmune diseases are all on the rise.

Clearly, our health isn't being protected - at least not to an appreciable extent. The medical paradigm in the U.S. is mostly about treating symptoms, not fostering health. And while we're all very grateful to doctors for all their efforts, symptom treatment is intrinsically short-sighted.

If symptom treatment was effective in restoring health, people would be getting well and staying well. But that's not what usually happens.

There's a growing movement of people who've recognized the shortcomings of the traditional medical/pharmaceutical "health" model. They're not stupid. For instance: 106,000 annual deaths from properly prescribed prescription drugs sure got my attention when I heard the news. Check it out on the net. It's a fact.

OK. So everyone knows there's a problem. Again, the question is: are there options out there and if so, what are they?

As I was saying earlier, there is an option. I can say that because I have personal proof. Four years ago, I was diagnosed with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation. It wasn't painful per se, but the irregular, spasmodic poundings inside my chest were very disconcerting.

My wife Sandy and I were in Maui when a friend of ours told us about something called glyconutrition. Now, I'm a fairly open-minded kind of a guy and I've been interested in health supplements for a long time, so I decided to try it. (By the way, nothing I was taking before then was helping my heart condition). After a few months, the condition went away. It hasn't returned since.

Sandy also had a positive health reversal. She was in a lot of pain from neck surgery she'd had seven years earlier. She also decided to try the glyconutrients. It took a little longer for her, but her pain subsided and surgery was avoided.

My point in telling you these two stories is that we saved a ton of money and who knows how much pain and suffering by not having to undergo surgery. I don't know if my atrial fibrillation would have led to a worsening condition requiring surgery, but I do know that Sandy was considering a second neck surgery before we heard about glyconutrients.

Since then, we've learned a lot more about the science behind glyconutrients and why this new category of nutrient is turning around so many health conditions for so many people.

Even highly trained medical doctors and surgeons are taking notice. Case in point: Dr. Ben Carson is the department head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. A severe form of prostate cancer led him to discover glyconutrients. Long story short: he attributes to them his complete recovery. He now recommends glyconutrients to all his patients, to his staff and others as well.

Without going into a lot of complicated detail, science now has a pretty good idea about why glyconutrients seem to be helping so many different kinds of health conditions. The bottom line is this: enhanced cell-to-cell communication.

Glyconutrients provide the body with highly specialized building blocks that the body transforms into communication molecules that all cells use. Without an adequate supply of these molecules, communication starts to break down and illness starts to creep in.

The reason glyconutritional supplements are so effective is this: our diets suck. Let me explain. If we got all the nutrients we needed in our diet, we'd rarely get ill. By the way, the scientific evidence to support that statement is huge.

But because 90 percent of the food we eat is processed (devoid of essential, health-promoting nutrients) and for a number of other reasons, we're not getting the nutritional build blocks our bodies need in order to stay disease-free.

Bottom line: understand the powerful relativity between the nutrients we consume and the state of our health.

So to reiterate - there are options for warding off illness and medically related bankruptcy. Just don't look for them in the current medical - pharmaceutical - health insurance paradigm. Look for them in the emerging science of glycobiology - the same science that's starting to describe the cellular mechanisms behind the major health recoveries that thousands of glyconutrient users are now reporting.

About the author:
David Lear is an independent nutrition researcher and free-lance writer. His main interest is in cutting-edge supplements that improve health and reverse illness. For further information, visit http://www.glycoresults.com

Lose Weight - Do You Really Need To?

2007-07-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

If you are overweight, you may be more at risk of developing disease. That should be reason enough to lose weight. Weight related conditions include:

Premature death
Cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol
Stroke
Gallbladder Disease
Osteoarthritis
Sleep apnea and breathing problems
Some cancers
Diabetes

Obesity can also cause irregular periods, complication with pregnancy, hirsutism (excessive body and facial hair), incontinence, depression, surgery complications and more.

If your health doesn't concern you, maybe your pocketbook does. By staying overweight, you may increase the amount of time spent visiting various healthcare professionals. Most of them don't work for free. Medications to treat these diseases can run into hundreds of dollars a month. Not to mention, you may have to take more time off work to care for your ailments. This means less income for you. And, you may notice that your health insurance premiums keep going up. It's because the amount being spent on healthcare keeps going up. A majority of which is related to treating problems that could be prevented by exercise and staying at a healthy weight. What a vicious cycle it is.

The annual cost associated with obesity and being overweight is staggering. The national cost of healthcare related to this is well over $100 Billion dollars. Diabetes and heart disease are among the fastest growing diseases that could easily be prevented in most people by staying at a healthy weight and exercising. Visit the NIDDK to get a breakdown of the costs associated with each disease that is related to being overweight.

By losing weight and starting a healthier way of life you can really save a lot of money. Eating healthier usually also means eating less. You may be able to save on the amount you spend on groceries and eating out each week too. Think of all the other things you could do with that money you'll be saving. It may require an initial investment to get the weight off but the rewards are well worth it.

About the author:
Gerald Meyer is a registered pharmacist and provides advice on the many weight loss programs available today. Many natural weight loss programs can be found at http://www.natural-weight-loss-programs.com. Also try a free sample of TsuNoni while you're there. TsuNoni is a tasty and powerful blend of green tea and Noni.

How to Find Affordable Health Insurance

2007-07-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

Affordable health insurance - it seems, especially today, those words just don't belong together in the same sentence. Health insurance monthly premiums have become the biggest single expense in our lives - surpassing even mortgage payments. In fact, if you have any permanent health problems, such as diabetes, or have had cancer at one time in your family history, your monthly cost could easily be more than the house and car payment combined.

Shopping for affordable health insurance can certainly be an eye-opener. If you have always had a health insurance benefit where you work - especially a state or federal employee - and now have to buy your own, you may not be able to afford the level of health insurance coverage you have become used to.

Affordable health insurance, however, is definitely available -if you know how and where to look.

When you are looking for affordable health insurance, you want the lowest cost per year that will fit your budget, of course. But, even more importantly, you want a company that has a good record for paying without fighting with you on every detail. Just as there is a car for just about any budget, there is also affordable health insurance. You may not be able to afford a "Cadillac" policy - but then you probably don't need all the frills anyway.

Shopping for health insurance on the internet is the easiest and best way to find affordable health insurance. Here are five reasons why.

1. You don't need a local agent to help you submit the claims for health insurance. The medical provider does it for you. You save money because the health insurance company saves money by not paying the agent commission. This could amount to an 8% to 12% savings to you.

2. All the top health insurance companies are at your fingertips on the internet. Most local agents can only quote you from the few companies that they represent. They may not offer you what is best for you financially or health-wise but only what they happen to have available.

3. Health insurance companies have to be extremely competitive because it is so quick and easy to compare them with their competitors on the internet today. In the past you would have had to visit physically eight to ten agents to do a similar comparison. Most folks just didn't have the time or desire for that.

4. You can change your coverage, deductibles, and payment options with just a few clicks rather than going through the paperwork delay with a local agent (and then finding out he/she made a mistake - more delay).

5. Charging to a credit card means you aren't going to forget a payment and be without insurance. Also, it gives you another 30 days before you actually have to pay. Also, many companies today give an additional discount for "auto-pay".

The key, however, to finding affordable health insurance is realizing that the purpose of any health insurance is to protect you from a major financial loss - not to protect you from spending small money on clinic visits and sliver removal. These small expenses may be cumbersome but they generally will not hurt you. It's the $100,000 heart operation that will break you. That's the financial disaster health insurance was originally designed to prevent.

Also, keep this in mind. Health insurance, as with any insurance, is a gamble. You are gambling that you will draw out more than you pay in. Your health insurance company is gambling they will pay out less. The odds are in their favor for two reasons. They have all the facts for millions of families to average out, so they know the risk in advance. Also, they get to set the rules and the prices. The higher you set your deductible, the more risk you take. This is not a bad thing at all. You will most likely be the winner in the long run.

Yes, finding affordable health insurance is much easier than most people think.

Taking more of the risk with higher deductibles, spending a little time on the internet comparing eight to ten different companies, and deleting coverage that you will not likely need (such as maternity for many folks) will make it very possible to find your own affordable health insurance.

Article-by Dr. Deepak Dutta

Disability Insurance Information

2007-07-20T08:09:00.001-07:00

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Many individuals struggle to understand what disability insurance covers. There are two basic forms of disability insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Short-term as its name implies is for a short period of time usually less than a year. Group short-term disability is more prevalent in the work place than long-term. One of the failures that individuals make is assuming that their policy covers 100% of their income. The policy usually covers up to 66 2/3%, it may be only be 50% for 13 weeks only. (Check your employee handbook) Uncle Sam allows you to get the benefit tax free, but you cannot get more in benefit than your pre-tax salary. It is very important that people read their employee benefits carefully.

The two main definitions used to define if benefits under a disability insurance policy are paid include own occupation and any occupation. Own occupation disability means you are unable to perform the substantial duties of your current position in a nutshell. Any occupation includes the duties of a job that you have been trained for through education, training, or experience.
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Individual disability policies cover a percentage of your income based on your occupation, the hazard of your responsibilities, and your income. The elimination periods for disability policies usually range from 30-365 days. If you become sick or disabled, exceed the elimination period, and become certified by a physician as unable to work, you may receive a tax free benefit except in rare cases (your employer pays for the policy). The policy is coordinated with any group disability benefits you may be receiving as well as Social Security Disability Insurance if you qualify.

Things to consider when thinking about Disability Insurance:

Can I get sick?

Do accidents occur?

Can I afford to self-fund?

Can I live off my savings?

Does my coverage at work cover short-term & long-term disability?

Auto Insurance Information

2007-07-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

General Information About Auto Insurance Protection

What Is Liability Insurance?
What Are Collision and Comprehensive Insurance?
What Are Medical Payments Coverage and Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
What Is Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Protection?

Driving is a privilege, but it comes with a price tag. There's the cost of the vehicle itself, maintenance, repairs, fuel and auto insurance. Many states require you to carry a basic, minimum level of auto insurance. It's a way of sharing the risks of driving. Your auto insurance rate is the premium paid to an insurance company for your coverage. In return, your coverage will protect you against most financial losses that might otherwise be your responsibility to pay.

Auto insurance is more than a matter of insuring your vehicle for loss or repairs after an accident. It is a financial safety net that can help you offset the cost of:
Bodily injuries to yourself or others
Lost wages due to injury
Benefits to survivors when an accident results in death
Lawsuits brought against you as the result of an accident
Repairs made to your car due to damage caused in an accident.

Below you will find information on the basics of auto insurance:

What Is Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance helps protect you and your assets if you cause an injury to others or damage the property of others with your vehicle and you are determined to be liable. Bodily injury liability protects you in the event you are determined to be responsible for an accident in which someone is hurt or killed. Property damage liability covers the damage your vehicle causes to someone else's property, such as their car, mailbox or a fence on their land.

If you are judged to be legally liable for an accident, you may be held responsible for property damage, hospital and medical payments, rehabilitative care, lost income and even the pain and suffering of the injured person. You can be sued for the full cost of the damages. If the cost of this loss exceeds the amount of your liability insurance coverage, you may have to pay the rest. So, be sure you have sufficient liability coverage to protect your assets.

Your insurance policy usually describes the amount of liability coverage you have as split limits. Suppose your limits of liability coverage reads 50,000/100,000/50,000. In this example, $50,000 is the maximum the insurance company will pay for bodily injuries to each person in the accident. The maximum amount paid for all bodily injuries, no matter how many people are hurt in the accident, is $100,000. The maximum amount paid for damage to someone else's property in the accident is $50,000. Your Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability may also be shown as a single limit, e.g., $100,000 Combined Single Limit (CSL). Many states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance of approximately 25,000/50,000/10,000. That means there would be $25,000 to cover injuries to any one person, $50,000 total for all injuries, and $10,000 for property damage.
What Are Collision and Comprehensive Insurance?

Collision coverage pays for damage to your own auto that results from colliding with another vehicle or object, or from a vehicle rollover. Your car is covered no matter who caused the accident.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your auto caused by something other than a collision. This includes theft and vandalism, and disasters such as fire, flood and hail.

Collision and comprehensive coverage's usually do not pay for the total loss. You generally have a deductible, an amount you must pay out of your own pocket before your auto insurance payment takes effect. Suppose, for example, that you have a $250 deductible. On a loss of $1,000, you would pay the first $250 and your insurance company would pay the remaining $750. Depreciation will also affect the amount you recover for the damages done to your car. As your car ages and its value declines, the amount you would collect for a total loss declines as well. Your insurance company reimburses you for the actual cash value of your car or its parts, at the time of the loss. For example, if your car was purchased for $20,000, you will get less than your original purchase price to replace it due to the car's "natural" depreciation in value. You can find out the current value of your car by consulting the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide, which is in most public libraries and banks.

Sometimes it may not make financial sense to buy collision and comprehensive insurance on an older car. Why? Generally, speaking, cars depreciate as they age. The maximum amount that will be paid under Collision coverage is the actual cash value of your car minus the deductible. When making this decision, you need to know, the "book" value of your car, your deductible for each loss, the cost of coverage, and the amount you would receive if your car was "totaled" (after subtracting your deductible from the book value). Only you can decide after considering everything whether the cost of insurance is more economical than the cost of repairing or replacing the car at your own expense.
What Are Medical Payments Coverage and Personal Injury Protection Insurance?

Medical payments insurance covers the cost of doctors, hospitals and funeral expenses of you and/or your passengers, that result from an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage will protect you when you drive another person's car (with permission) or if you or your family are struck by another vehicle as pedestrians. The coverage is relatively inexpensive and generally available with limits between $1,000 and $100,000. It also provides for funeral expenses, when necessary. The availability varies state by state. Personal injury protection (PIP) is a form of no-fault insurance required in states with no-fault laws. This coverage is a broader form of medical payments insurance. It pays for medical care, lost wages and replacement services for the injured party (for example, paying for a baby-sitter for children while a mother is hospitalized). It pays regardless of who is at fault in an accident. States with no-fault laws usually limit the right to sue for non monetary damages such as pain and suffering, but you still may be able to sue in cases of incapacitating disability or death. This coverage varies by state and is sometimes an optional offering in states without no-fault laws. In your evaluation of coverage, remember that Medical Payments and PIP also protects your passengers. If you exceed your medical medical coverage on your auto policy, then Bodily Injury coverage may be needed. Before choosing medical payments or no-fault protection, check with your state's insurance department for details of no-fault coverage in your state. Then review your other insurance policies. If you already have good medical and disability insurance, you may not need to purchase protection in addition to the minimum limits of your state (if Medical Payments/PIP is a required coverage).
What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection?

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you have very little chance of collecting payment for your damages from that driver. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage* pays the cost of damages and injuries resulting from being hit by an uninsured driver or by a hit-and-run driver. Both you and your passengers are covered for medical expenses, lost wages and other injury-related losses. You may also be able to collect for pain and suffering.

Similarly, Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage* will pay for damages that exceed the amount of coverage carried by an underinsured driver. You choose the amount of coverage when you buy this protection.

Free Life Insurance Quotes

2007-07-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

We often ask ourselves whether we really need life insurance. Well life insurance can be thought of as an investment for loved ones or can also be thought of in terms of protecting one's assets financially. Imagine, leaving your children in a lurch. No matter what, one would always try and protect the interests of family first. So to get the best insurance you first need to get best life insurance quotes. Getting them from various organizations give you the flexibility to pick and choose the offer that will suit you best. You can select the period and the premium which is financially viable without pressure or liability. Now with Life Insurance Quotes available online makes our life much easier.

Often we get information by surfing web pages endlessly and ultimately making it more confusing then when you started in the first place. All you need to do is input the information asked, and the Term life insurance quote engine will give simplified information instantly that will enable you to make the right decision for your insurance needs. Life insurance quotes can help you find the best life insurance policy for your particular situation.

Being online makes it all simpler. You can access life insurance quotes on a 24x7 basis through out the year. By just filling up the quote form you can start investing money today for a better tomorrow.

If you are worried about privacy of your information, just relax. Rest assured that the information supplied will only be used to provide you with life insurance quote, and will never be shared with third parties.

Life insurance quotes which are available online save you time by providing you with faster access to information about various insurance policies and coverage. Online insurance quotes and online insurance rates from different insurance companies can quickly show you differences in policies between the various insurance companies. These insurance quotes can help you to save money through comparison shopping. Life insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies will help you to find the insurance with lowest premium, along with tailored insurance coverage to meet your personal insurance needs. Online life insurance quotes can save you time and even money.

They will give you the right information and the most appropriate quotes instantly. The more accurate is the information provided by you, more accurate will be your life insurance quote. The quote you will receive will depend on your medical history and current health status.

Don't think life insurance as an addition to your expenditure. Life insurance coverage is the first help your family would get in the unfortunate event of your death. Especially in the event of untimely death. For those who are the breadwinners, an untimely death would cause dependents to be suddenly without financial security. This is where the right kind of insurance policy can help you financially. A life insurance benefit would steady the rocking boat. Insurance money cannot replace you but it can atleast support your family financially in the time of grief.

Be prepared, with the right insurance! The right insurance coverage will give you peace of mind, and can also help reduce any financial impact to you. Get a life insurance quote today!

Home Insurance Pricing

2007-07-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some factors to consider when purchasing home insurance. All of these factors can and will have an influence on the price you pay for home insurance.

The Condition of the Home

Insurers factor in general wear and tear on your home when setting a premium. They will inspect such things as the condition of the roof, porches, decks, and the integrity of the home's wiring system. Because new homes tend to be in better condition than older homes, some insurers will offer up to a 15 percent discount if your home is new.

The Construction of the Home

Certain types of homes are less expensive to insure because they are more resistant to damage. For example, a brick home is preferable because of its resistance to wind damage.

Safety Factors

Many insurers also offer discounts of approximately 5 percent for safety features such as burglar alarm systems, deadbolts, window locks, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems. You may also receive a discount if your home is in close proximity to a fire department.

If There is a Smoker in the Home

Because smoking in the home greatly increases the risk of fire, some insurers will offer a discount of about 2-5 percent if no one in the home smoke.

Is the Home in a High Risk Area

Flood and earthquake damage is not covered by standard home insurance policies. Special supplemental catastrophic policies that cover these conditions are available, but can be quite costly. If you are currently covered against these catastrophes through a government plan, however, research coverage through a private insurer. It may actually be lower.

Type and Amount of Home Insurance Coverage Needed

Homeowner's insurance typically covers damage or loss to your home and its contents, but some packages also provide other benefits such as personal liability coverage if someone is injured on your property or theft insurance. Read the fine print. Prices and coverage can vary significantly between packages that appear similar. Make sure you get what you need and use what you get.

Your Desired Deductible

The deductible is the amount that you the policyholder must pay before your insurance company starts paying benefits. The higher your deductible, the lower your home insurance premiums. By raising the deductible, you can save up to 50 percent of the cost of your homeowner's insurance.

Loyalty to Your Company

Insurers will often reduce their rates if you buy more than one type of coverage such as auto and homeowner's from them or if you stay with them over a period of time.

Is There a Retiree Living in the Home?

If you are over the age of 55 and retired, check with your insurer to see if you qualify for a discount. Most insurance companies offer these discounts because retired people are home more and can spot fires sooner than working people and have more time for maintaining their homes. Some insurance companies will offer discounts of up to 10 percent to seniors who qualify.

Group Discounts

As with other types of insurance coverage, you can often obtain better home insurance rates if you get coverage through a group plan. Check with your employer, alumni association, or other affiliations to find out if they offer group coverage.

Is Homeowners Insurance Enough

2007-07-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

Is Homeowners Insurance Enough in the Toughest of Times?

Homeowners Insurance is supposed to protect us in case of disasters. That is what we have come to expect from our homeowners insurance over the years. But what if the disaster is the costliest in U.S. History? What if your insurance agent’s home and office were destroyed in the disaster also?

That is what happened to many customers and homeowners insurance agents and companies after Katrina hit the Gulf coast. Many agents' homes, offices and insurance Companies' claims centers were in the same situation as their clients due to the storms. So what did they do? They set up “office” in tents and mobile trailers. Then Hurricane Rita blew away these temporary offices and the agents and companies set them up again. These temporary shelters acted as a communications center for all people in the surrounding areas. Local people would come by to ask questions, meet with their claims adjustors and just catch up on the news with their neighbors.

Extreme circumstances dictated unconventional responses: some agents even filed claims for their clients without even talking to the clients just so they could get the claim “in the queue.” Allstate allowed customers to submit claims through any agent in the country and set up a priority line to assist. They sent email to agents in the areas surrounding the disaster areas to act as messengers by “word of mouth” to their fellow agents in the effected areas. The larger companies such as State Farm & Allstate that service claims for the national flood Insurance Program even used satellite imagery to determine damage in some neighborhoods that were entirely flooded.

Lessons Learned: Those of us not effected by these disasters can learn a few lessons about coping with future disasters from the thousands of policyholders that are still waiting to get their claims paid. As soon as possible, take steps to prevent further damage to your home if possible: such as covering the roof with a tarp if possible. You can hire a contractor if you can find one, as that would be safer for most of us than climbing on our roofs. Hold off making any repairs until you see or talk to an adjuster first. Plus, keep your receipts, as you’ll need them to prove expenses that can be re-imbursed later.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

You can generally expect your homeowners insurance to help pay for additional living expenses for up to 12-24 months while your home is being repaired. But, homeowners insurance usually pays only after they verify you have a legitimate claim. After Katrina, many insurers made an exception, automatically distributing enough to cover two weeks’ worth of additional living expense to anyone in an area subject to mandatory evacuation. Some companies even gave small advances on contents under the personal property part of their homeowners insurance policies.

If you have to wait to get your check, it helps to have cash that is easily accessible in a bank account or money market fund. Stashing cash at home isn’t a great idea because if your home burns down and you weren’t able to get to your cash, most homeowners insurance policies only cover $100-$200 in cash whether it is stolen or burned up in a fire. Your goal should be to have an emergency fund available to take care of your family for 2-4 weeks (minimum)if possible. In a disaster it might be hard to even find a local bank to get cash. Debit/credit cards with a statewide or national bank would perhaps be better.

Your biggest problem in getting your claim handled may be in either not having the proper homeowners insurance coverage or not having enough coverage. Most good homeowners insurance policies today cover up to 120% of your dwelling coverage limit. It is important that you review the dwelling limit with your agent every couple of year’s at a minimum. Homeowners insurance policies do not cover Flooding, but you should again see your agent for this coverage.

If your homeowners insurance falls short, you may qualify for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or a disaster-assistance loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for rebuilding and $40,000 to replace personal property at very low interest rates for up to 30 years.

Cheap Auto Insurance for Teens

2007-07-20T08:01:00.001-07:00

By Krista Farmer

Purchasing cheap auto insurance for your young driver can be a breeze – if you know where to look!

Prom dresses. Football camp. School uniforms. Cell phone bills. Birthdays. Specifically, 16th birthdays. The upkeep of teenagers’ expenses can be financially disheartening. Fortunately, quality auto insurance is one purchase that parents can find in the bargain bin. Yes, it is possible to find cheap auto insurance if the shopper is looking in the right places. Today’s consumer has many online options to find whatever he or she is looking for, including auto insurance, and can comparison shop with the click of a button.

“But my son JUST turned sixteen. He’s still learning the rules of the road.
Is it possible to find cheap insurance for my young, inexperienced driver?”

Because young drivers are considered “at risk” drivers, you might think cheap insurance isn’t an option. If you know where to shop, however, you may find a perfectly reasonable price for auto insurance. There are several insurance comparison web sites that allow you to quickly get an insurance quote – whether you’re looking for health, life, home owner’s or auto coverage. In this case, there are a few things you might consider while shopping for auto insurance at a reduced rate:

1) While you’re on the lookout for your perfect policy, keep in mind that you can probably add your teenager to YOUR auto insurance policy. This will be much cheaper than having your child purchase his or her own policy.

2) Encourage your child to do well in school. Many insurance companies will offer a good student discount on auto insurance. Whether the student is in college or high school, often if he or she is making at least a B average, makes honor roll or is on the Dean’s list, the student will be eligible for a discount. Companies base this reduction on the idea that good students are better drivers.

3) Most importantly, let your teenager observe your good driving habits – they learn by example. If your teenager sees your seatbelt dangling next to the car door, you are giving him or her a reason to ignore it when he or she gets behind the wheel.
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While you are bargain hunting for auto insurance, remember to think about the price AND the package. Do not strictly base your purchase on the price tag alone. You want your young driver covered in the event of an accident. It is important to know what you are paying for and you want to be sure the policy contains all the coverage you want or need. Consider the amount of coverage you’re paying for. You will be financially responsible for your young driver’s wreck if the policy limit is too low – meaning you will have to pay for damages out-of-pocket.

Regardless of where you purchase your insurance, keep in mind that there are web sites that were created to assist you in your search for reasonable insurance. You have endless opportunities to find cheap auto insurance for your teenager if you take advantage of them. Happy hunting!

Changing Auto Insurance Companies

2007-07-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Changing Auto Insurance Companies May be Easier Than you Think!

There are many reasons why you may choose to change your auto insurance coverage to another company. Perhaps you’ve found another company that offers you the same amount of coverage for considerably less money. You might have changed jobs and are eligible for a group discount through another insurer, or maybe you’re unhappy with the service that your present company provides. With the growth of the internet and quote comparison sites, investigating your options has never been easier!

Why change to a new Auto insurance carrier?

You need to regularly review your auto insurance coverage to make sure that you are receiving the best insurance value for your money. You will discover that it pays to shop around. In some states, premiums for identical policies vary widely among different auto insurance companies. The reasons for this price variation can be very complicated, but they boil down to a company's claims experience with policyholders in a coverage group (e.g. people of similar age, number of accidents, type of vehicle). For example, if a large number of people in a coverage group files claims during a given year, their rates will likely rise. When this happens, better discounts and lower overall premiums may be available at other insurance companies. When you decide to switch your auto insurance to another company, you’ll find that it's fairly easy to do so.
How to cancel your old Auto Insurance policy

Generally, all you need to do to cancel your auto insurance policy is to inform your insurance company in writing, specifying the date you want the policy canceled. In some states, the new agent must notify the previous agent of the policy change. Some auto insurance companies ask the policyholder send back the actual printed policy. The insurance company will send a cancellation request form that will need to be signed and returned. Examine the form carefully to make sure that all information regarding the policy is correct. If the form is not received within two weeks of sending the letter, call the agent or company immediately to check on the status of the cancellation. Don't just walk away from the old policy without formally canceling it. Each state requires that auto Insurance policies be cancelled with notice, thus the insurance company might assume one wished to continue the coverage, and it might eventually terminate the policy for failure to pay premiums and report the lack of coverage to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. This can hurt your credit rating and ability to get a new policy.

Be sure to get a new Auto Insurance policy first

Always have a new policy in place before canceling the old auto insurance coverage. Otherwise you might have a gap in protection for a day or more! Most states require all drivers to carry a minimum level of auto insurance and most insurance companies require policyholders to present proof of new coverage before they will cancel an active policy. The new company will be able to time the beginning of the new policy to coincide with the cancellation of the prior coverage.
When to Change Auto Insurance policies

At Renewal

Renewal is a convenient time to change auto insurance policies, as you don’t have to wait for a refund from your current carrier. A renewal notice will be sent to you approximately 30 days before a new policy begins, depending on the regulations in your state. Should you decide to switch companies, you’ll need to have a new policy by the time the current policy renews. Though a company might say there is 10-30 days to get your payment in before a policy terminates, you do not have coverage until the carrier receives the payment. If you have an accident during this time period you most likely will have no coverage since the premium wasn’t paid!

Anytime:

All Auto insurance policies contain a provision allowing you to cancel your policy with proper notice at any time. In a few states auto insurance companies “short rate” the policy that means one pays a penalty for canceling before the policy renews. Most insurance companies pro-rate their policies so there is no penalty. The advantage of switching before the renewal date can save you a lot of money. For example if you have a policy that runs from Jan 15th to Aug 15th and you have an accident or ticket that will be over 36 months on March 15th. By switching Auto insurance companies on March 16th, you get a discount for having a clean driving record. Your current carrier won’t apply this discount until the policy renews on August 15th! This can save you Hundreds of dollars immediately!
How long does it take to change Auto insurance?

When you change auto insurance companies, the new agent or insurer can generally change carriers while you wait! Generally they’ll just need a copy of your current declaration page, driver’s license and down payment to get the policy issued.

Car Insurance is All About Guarding Against Risk to your Car

2007-07-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

If finding cheap car insurance is a hassle you are facing, consider going online. There you can find many quotes that may be suitable to your needs. The good thing is that you can dispense with the terms and clauses that are not applicable to your insurance requirements. And then you may also get some of them customised as what you feel would do well for you. At the same time, there are some means and ways by which you can reduce your insurance premiums.

Shopping around for quotes would not only give you more options to consider but also a better idea of what you are looking for. Different companies can have different rates, and by finding the most appropriate deal, you can save hundreds of pounds by negotiating for quotes according to what you require but at the same time, saving yourself from an unnecessary expensive deal.

There are some accepted methods to strike on better insurance deals. If you are seen as a safe driver, there definitely are many more chances of being considered for cheaper deals, because the insurance companies will have faith that your chances of having to make insurance claims is much lesser. Furnish as many details as you can with documentary evidence. This helps in building up your credibility.

One another good thing to consider is to raise your deductible amount which can lead to lower premium. At the same time, you can consider some other financial backups as and when you require, to make up for the deductible. Installing anti-theft devices such as car-alarms or some form of security tracking system in your car, helps you get discount from insurance companies, because it again works to improve upon your profile as someone safe with his car.

Insurance is, in fact, all about the amount of risk you are willing to guard against. Needless to say, the lesser the risk, the lesser to guard against. The same applies to Car Insurance as well.

How to Find Car Insurance Discounts

2007-07-20T07:57:00.001-07:00

Saving money wherever you can is important to us all. Car Insurance should be no different. Do not assume that your insurance agent knows everything about you and your car. At HometownQuotes we go out of our way to find all the possible car insurance discounts that are available to each customer.

Drivers should take advantage of all discounts that many providers offer, that can significantly reduce the cost of car insurance. Understanding discounts and how they can affect car insurance premiums can help smart shoppers make better decisions about their coverage and possibly save themselves some money in the process.

Read below to identify possible discounts that could help you save money on car insurance this year. Other than discounts, there may be some other ways for you to save on your insurance premiums. We will go over several discounts that can help with your current situation.
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First, there are discounts for Car Safety features. Certain states will give you discounts for anti-lock breaks. Make sure you know if it is two or four wheel anti-lock break vehicle. Automatic seatbelts and airbags are frequently discounted on your insurance premiums. In most states, a defensive driver class discount may apply. If the principal driver usually 55 years old or older has completed an approved defensive driving class a discount could apply. Keep in mind that most states will only approve this class if it is voluntary meaning that it was not the result of a violation or infraction.

Some insurers will give you a discount for having multiple cars. In some cases, this will only apply if you have two or more drivers. If you have a clean driving record, meaning you do not have any tickets, accidents or suspensions in the last three years (some companies require five years) then you could be eligible for a safe driver's discount.

Many insurance companies will reward you with staying with the same insurance company for many years without any accidents reported. They will offer you a renewal discount. It makes sense, you have carried insurance with a company for several years, and have not had an accident, your insurance company likes you and wants to reward and keep your business. Some companies honor you with a discount if you had prior limits on your previous policy. They discount you because they understand you are a better risk.

Conversely, if you do decided to change insurers a proof of prior insurance discount may apply. Most insurers request at least 6 months of consecutive insurance from the previous insurer. If you are a full-time student who meets certain grade requirements and are unmarried and usually under 25 years of age (some states the age is 21) you could be eligible for a good student discount. If you own a home, including condominium, town home, or mobile home, which is used as a principal residence, a discount could apply. Military personnel either currently active or retired from any branch of the US military a discount could apply. If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft device, a discount could apply.

You could lower the cost of your car insurance in other ways as well.

For people who own older cars, it may not be necessary or cost-effective to protect them with collision and comprehensive coverage. By comparing the book value of your vehicle and the premium that the insurer has offered, you may find that it cost as much for the insurance as it does for the vehicle. If the car is worth less than $2,000, you will probably spend more insuring it than it is worth. The whole idea of driving an older car is to save money, so why not get what is coming to you.

In addition, keep in mind that the type of vehicle you buy could greatly affect your premium. A flashy red sports car is usually going to cost more to insure than a mid sized sedan. This is also true of vehicles that are on the list of most stolen. There are many ways that policyholders can save on their insurance. Knowing more about auto policies and premiums can help consumers take advantage of less obvious discounts while ensuring that they have the appropriate protection for their vehicles. The last way to save is to assume more risk. If you chose higher deductible on your Personal Injury Protection or Comprehensive and collision coverage will lower your premium as well. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your insurance company begins paying the rest.

The Three Basic parts to an Auto insurance Policy

2007-07-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

1: Other Party:

Auto Insurance Bodily Injury (BI) Liability and Property Damage (PD) coverage is Legally required in most states today. (BI & PD) Most people understand that they need BI & PD, but they have no idea how to determine how much coverage they need.

Try this simple question: What if your car was involved in an auto accident tonight where heaven forbid, someone else was injured or killed? Remember, everything you own is in the back seat of the car with you and is at risk in a lawsuit! So, what do you think their family would sue you for? $15,000? $25,000? $100,000 or even maybe a Million dollars! Where would you get the money to pay them?

Perhaps the Equity in your Home would help? How about your Savings and/or Investments? You could even have up to 25% of your wages attached to pay the award in most states! Are you prepared to sacrifice everything you own to pay an award due to this accident? If not, read on for how to choose the auto insurance coverage you need.

2: You and Your Family:

Now let’s turn the above accident around. For some unfortunate reason, you or a loved one is the one who is injured or killed in an auto accident. Where would you get the money if the person who hit you did not have auto insurance or not enough auto insurance? Medical bills can be covered if you have health insurance. But health insurance doesn’t cover loss of life, pain & suffering or permanent disability.

Maybe you have a life insurance policy through your employer or your own individual life policy. Is the benefit amount sufficient to cover your family if your loved one is killed? But even if you have life insurance, what pays for the misery, the pain & suffering, maybe the fact you or a loved one can’t walk or use their arms again?

You might have a disability insurance policy through your work if you’re lucky or had good financial advice. But disability insurance doesn’t pay for loss of life, pain & suffering, permanent loss of your legs, arm or hand.

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The only coverage that pays for these things is a part of an auto insurance policy known as Un/Under-insured motorist coverage. You can only buy as much coverage here as you have in Liability coverage. Your auto insurance agent should be able to help you determine the exact amount you need.

3: Your Car

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage are the third part of an auto insurance policy and are sometimes referred to as “Full coverage.” Basically the difference is this: If you run into the tree you are covered by Collision coverage. If the tree runs into you (hypothetically of course), then you are covered by comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive also covers broken windshields, fire, theft and vandalism. The higher deductible (risk) you take here, the lower the premium. Use the savings here to purchase higher limits in the coverages that protect your assets and your family.

The bottom line to determining proper auto insurance coverage is, of course, the money available in your household budget. An excellent place to start in determining the proper auto insurance coverage for your family is to meet with your local auto insurance agent.

Most cut-rate companies concern themselves with one thing only: Price. Tell them what coverage you have and they’ll see if they can give you the same coverage for less. You become the insurance professional. If this is the only need you have then that is ok. If not, you need to seek the advice of a professional to help you determine the proper amount of coverage you need and how best to accomplish it.

Car Insurance – California, Do You Have Auto Coverage?

2007-07-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

By Krista M. Farmer

Trying to find an alternate route to work when nearly 280,000 other commuters are scrambling to find their way into the city can definitely increase the odds of getting involved in a fender-bender. San Francisco Bay area interstate travelers will be the first to tell you that you cannot predict accidents or catastrophes. Whether you are involved in a natural disaster, auto accident or other catastrophe, insurance plays an important role in securing your funds for the future. Californian or not, it’s always important to see what auto insurance coverage your state suggests or requires.

There’s a long stretch of road between Redding and San Diego, California – which means many opportunities for unexpected auto accidents to occur. The Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco, for example, is a hotbed of confusion and congestion that travelers are trying to navigate and conquer.

Between the excitement of summer and trying to secure your vacation plans, preparing for an auto disaster is probably the last thing on your mind. But the summer heat and unexpected bumps in the road can both wreak havoc on your auto and put you in jeopardy if you’re not prepared. If something happens while you’re driving down that long California interstate, are you covered? Let’s sift through your car insurance policy to consider your options:

What coverages are included in an auto insurance package?

When you purchase auto insurance, you usually have several options – you can purchase medical, liability, property and under/uninsured motorist coverage.

Medical coverage in an auto insurance package will take care of treating injuries to those in the policyholder’s automobile. Medical coverage will be provided if the person is a passenger or hit as a pedestrian.

Liability is your financial responsibility to someone for damage you cause – whether the damage is to another person or to someone’s property. When you purchase liability coverage, the insurance company agrees to defend you in court and/or reimburse the other party for damages you cause.

California state laws require motorists to purchase the following liability insurance amounts.

$15,000 - bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident
$30,000 – bodily injury liability for all injuries in one accident
$5,000 – property damage liability for one accident

Covering property damage includes comprehensive and collision insurance.

Comprehensive coverage insures accidental damage to the auto including fire, wind, sleet, theft, vandalism and similar damages.

Collision coverage reimburses for damage caused by colliding with another object, regardless of who or what is at fault.

What happens if the person that hits you is uninsured or does not have proper coverage to take care of your entire loss? Purchasing uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage will cover both of those situations.

If you have not glanced through your auto insurance policy in awhile, it’s time to consider reviewing it. The warm summer weather means your air conditioning will be running longer and your engine will be working harder. It’s important to take time right now and make sure you will be covered if you find yourself stuck on that long stretch of California road between Redding and San Diego.

California Homeowner’s Insurance – 7 Tips for Ensuring Proper Residential Coverage PLUS Understanding Your Options for Homeowner’s Coverage

2007-07-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

By Krista Farmer

Owning and maintaining a home is one of the largest financial responsibilities you will ever have. If it has been awhile since you have looked at your homeowner’s insurance policy, it is time to examine your coverage to be sure you are prepared in the event of disaster. Consider the following tips to be sure you’re not in a mess the next time you file a homeowner’s insurance claim.

1) Request written guidelines from your adjuster regarding how claims will be adjusted.

2) File away copies of all correspondence between you and your insurer.

3) Be sure you call the California Department of Insurance if you consider hiring a public adjuster. You want to ensure s/he is properly licensed.

4) Keep all receipts of your living expenses and any other documents that pertain to your insurance or property. Keep those documents in one location, chronologically ordered, so they are easily accessed.

5) Log all phone calls between you and your adjuster.

6) Never speculate about what has been damaged or lost. Always stick to business and share only factual information.

7) Understand the Unfair Practices Act and Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations published by the California Department of Insurance. You can retrieve copies from the web site (www.insurance.ca.gov) or by phoning 1.800.937.HELP.

Now that we’ve covered tips things to keep in mind when you file a homeowner’s insurance claim, let’s do a quick overview of the homeowner’s insurance coverage available to you. Remember that these policies can fall into several categories.

Replacement cost coverage – Pays the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home or replacing your possessions without a deduction for depreciation.

Guaranteed/extended replacement cost coverage – This is the highest level of protection. Guaranteed replacement pays the cost to rebuild your home as it was before the disaster – even if that cost exceeds the policy limit. This policy will protect you against increases in homebuilding costs or other unexpected situations. In most cases this coverage will not compensate for home upgrades to comply with building codes. If your home is older, this policy may not be available to you. Extended policies pay a percentage over the policy limit to rebuild your home. Usually an extended policy will pay 20 to 25 percent more than the limit of the policy. Be sure to see what coverages your state offers. Not all states offer the same coverages.

Actual cash value – This coverage pays to replace your home/possessions minus a deduction for depreciation.

Other homeowner’s coverage:

Structures other than the dwelling – Includes structures on the residential premises that are not attached to the dwelling - sidewalks, driveways, permanently installed yard fixtures and private or decorative fences. The average limits on coverage are 10 percent of the value of the dwelling.

Loss of use – Reimburses for expenses beyond replacing property if a home cannot be lived in because of fire. This coverage usually pays for the living expenses incurred maintaining a normal lifestyle.

Mobile homes – Offered by a few companies. This coverage is considered residential if the mobile home is established as a permanent residence.

Building code upgrade – reimburses for building code upgrades that may be required during the repair/rebuilding process.

To learn more about what should be in your homeowner’s insurance policy, be sure to consult the California State Department of Insurance or your local insurance agent. Never take a gamble with your homeowner’s insurance - be sure it’s up-to-date and make sure you are covered for potential disasters.

Be in Safer Side; Go for Medical Insurance

2007-07-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

Medical insurance is meant to cover the cost of treatment that an individual incur after falling critically ill. Considering the uncertainties of life, it cannot be predicted when someone is going to fall ill or how much critical the illness will be. Nor anybody can foresee the cost of the treatment. So, it really makes sense to go for insurance so that you can get timely and adequate treatment in case you fall critically ill.

Medical insurance are available for individuals as well as for groups. The first one provides coverage to only one individual, or family. This type of insurance plans can be obtained directly from a company who offers them. Generally, an evaluation is made by the company with whom you apply. They provide a questionnaire, to be filled up by the applicant. It contains questions about your current and past health history.

What they want to asses is the risk they will have to undertake by offering you the health insurance policy. Most of the individual insurance plans come under managed health care plans. If you continue to pay your insurance premium, the coverage time continues and your insurer cannot cancel your coverage if you become sick. Individual insurance is preferable for those who want a customised plan.

Like all other insurance policies, medical insurance is also available for groups. This type of policy is usually more comprehensive and less expensive than individual insurance. In this type of insurance, the provisions of the policy are negotiated between the insurer and master policy owner that may be an employer or association. It offers varied options and lower premiums.

Individual or group, medical insurance is important for everybody. An unexpected illness or serious injury can render anybody unfit for work. Ultimately, you will be in an unsavoury situation and your family will be under financial stress. Hence, it is better to be in safer side and opt for insurance.

Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers

2007-07-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Like all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them “seasoned citizens”) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies. What they may not be aware of is that older drivers may present a higher risk than other drivers, usually leading to higher auto insurance rates.

Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy.

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesn't push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous "road rage" in less patient drivers. You don’t have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet.
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3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs.

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night.

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge -- and get a discount on auto insurance coverage in many states -- by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour "55 Alive" course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily.

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare.

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection.

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which insurance companies offer specific ‘Senior Discounts.’ While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. You'll get their best rates if you're healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Fire Risks Are More Abundant

2007-07-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

By Krista Farmer

Independence Day is less than 24 hours away and the scents of summer celebration are ready to be unleashed. The smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, sun-sweetened tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade, ripe watermelon and emblazoned fireworks will infuse the backyards, porches, waterfronts and street corners of many American cities and small towns tomorrow.

A report by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reports that approximately 150 million hot dogs will be eaten by Americans during this year’s Fourth of July festivities. While only a fraction of that number may suffer from injuries related to fireworks, fire safety cannot be ignored. A day to remember all that America stands for, the Fourth of July is a day that Americans must also remember and practice fire safety. Failure to practice fire prevention is sure to take the fun out of the Fourth.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that each year more than 8,000 Americans experience fire-related injuries or damages and more than half of those take place during the first week of July. In 2005, approximately 10,800 people made emergency room visits to treat firework-related injuries. The U.S.F.A. also estimates that cooking grills alone are responsible for approximately $35 million in property loss. Fifty-nine percent of fires caused by fireworks occur during the Fourth of July holiday. While property loss from fires related to fireworks may be fewer (because this activity typically takes place outside in open fields or near water), the past year’s dry weather raises the fire risk.

Don’t let fire ruin the fun for your Fourth of July festivities. Keep in mind a few simple safety tips:

GRILL SAFETY

1) Do not grill in enclosed areas – carbon monoxide can be produced. Be sure you are grilling in an open area.

2) Never overfill the propane tank.

3) BEFORE you use a grill, check the fuel line and propane tank connection. The venturi tubes – where the air and gas mix – must
not be blocked.

4) No loose clothing is allowed while you’re grilling!

5) Use care when using lighter fluid. A lit fire can flashback and cause an explosion if lighter fluid is added.
FIREWORKS SAFETY

1) Again, loose clothing is NOT allowed when handling fireworks.

2) Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.

3) Never stand close to lit fireworks. Always stand several feet away.

4) Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. Unmarked fireworks (no directions, warnings or content list) should
never be lit.

5) Always keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby.

6) Always purchase consumer fireworks from reliable sources and licensed dealers. These dealers will only carry those products that
meet standards set and enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

7) Lastly, leave fireworks to the professionals. The fireworks show will be much more enjoyable if they are handled by professionals
who know how to safely use them.

Be sure to follow these tips to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home in the event of disaster. While you cannot predict a disaster, following safety precautions will reduce your risk.

If your fun is ruined this Fourth of July, are you prepared with adequate insurance coverage? All insurance coverages are relevant when is comes to fire related disasters. From auto, home, health and life, you need to be sure you have adequate coverage to protect you should a bottle rocket misfire or other unforeseen Fourth of July event occur.

*Please note that this article is not a professional consultation. This article is for general information only. Always seek specific information from a licensed insurance professional.*

Publishing Guidelines: This article may be published with permission by sending a request to krista@hometownquotes.com.

HometownQuotes provides a quick and easy way for consumers to compare multiple insurance quotes. To learn more, visit http://www.hometownquotes.com.

Auto Insurance Buying Tips Consolidate Insurance Policies

2007-07-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Insuring two or more vehicles with the same insurance company can save you between 10 - 15% on your premiums. Covering your home through the same company that you have auto insurance with can reduce your premiums by another 10-15%.

Increase Your Deductible

One rule of thumb is to carry the highest deductible you can afford. By increasing your deductible from $100 to $1,000, you could save up to 25%. Keep in mind, though, that your lender might not agree to a higher deductible.

Install Anti-Theft And Safety Devices

Installing a vehicle recovery system such as Lo-Jack or Teletracer could save you up to 7-10% per year. There are other relatively inexpensive anti-theft devices such as "The Club", which locks the steering wheel in place, as well as having your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched on each window.

Safety features such as air bags, traction control and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are viewed positively by insurance companies which, in turn, is reflected in your premiums. Although these systems may not reduce injury during an accident, they will reduce your premiums.

Reduce Coverage On Older Vehicles

If you have an older car worth between $1,000 - $2,000, you might be better off dropping the collision coverage. Check to see if your collision premium is more than the value of the car.
Non-Smoker Or Early Retiree Discounts

Yes, some companies provide discounts for Non-smokers and Early Retirees. Insurers consider smoking a dangerous driving activity.
Park In A Garage

Sometimes the difference between getting auto insurance and going uninsured is where you keep your vehicle at night. Most thefts do not involve a garaged car and this is reflected in premium discounts. If you have a winter home with no garage, try putting the vehicle in storage. Let your insurance company know that your car is in storage, and you could receive a partial premium reduction.

Carpool With A Co-Worker

Most insurers surcharge premiums if the commute to work exceeds 3 miles. Carpooling with a co-worker may result in a discount for low-mileage use.
Drive A Conservative Car

Before buying a car you might want to find out how much your insurance will cost annually. Insurance companies consider certain cars easily damaged and expensive to repair, and other cars the target of thieves. You could end up paying a premium surcharge between 10 - 20%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, highway or traffic safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides information on death rates by car make and model as well as the standard safety equipment available. The Institute can be reached at 703-247-1500.
Teenage And College Bound Drivers

You may want to consider letting your teenager drive the family car instead of buying his/her own vehicle. This will very likely lower your cost to cover them. Students in school and living away from home can reduce their premiums by 30 - 50%, depending on the insurer.
Conclusion

After reviewing all of the savings tips, you may have determined that if you added up all your credits you could receive a 70 - 90% reduction in your premium. Well, unfortunately it doesn't work like that. Certain measures that you take may qualify you for being placed with the "preferred" company of a particular insurance group. This "preferred" company will be able to give you additional premium credits.

Auto Insurance – What’s In Your Policy?

2007-07-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

By Krista Farmer

If you are in an auto accident – the last thing on your mind should be money. It is important to know you are covered and what that coverage includes.

While thinking about wrecking your car probably isn’t the most pleasant thought, it is important to purchase auto insurance so you will be compensated for your losses and have funds secured for those unforeseen events.

The value of auto insurance cannot be stressed enough. If you are an uninsured driver involved in an accident, you may face thousands – possibly millions – of dollars in expenses, depending on the severity of the situation.

So you’ve purchased auto insurance. That’s good. Even more important, however, is knowing what that auto insurance covers if you are involved in a wreck or find your automobile broken into.

There are several types of personal auto insurance coverage. While you are not required to purchase all of the offered coverages, most states require you buy a few of them. Let’s examine some of the coverages you might find in your personal auto insurance policy:

The basics of auto insurance include liability, property, medical and under/uninsured motorist coverage.

Liability coverage pays for bodily injury or property damage claims to those you are legally responsible for. This coverage takes care of the damage you cause to someone else or his or her property.

Property coverage compensates for damage to or the theft of your car. Two types of property coverage include collision and comprehensive.

Medical coverage is responsible for the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s car. Coverage is provided regardless of whether the individual is a passenger or struck as a pedestrian.

Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you if you are hit by an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage provides compensation if the party at fault does not have adequate coverage to pay for your entire loss.

These are just a few of the coverages that might be found in your personal auto insurance policy. Do you know what’s in your policy? If not, it might be a good idea to take a look and understand the ways you, your car and your loved ones may or may not be protected.

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A Glance at the History of Critical Illness Insurance

2007-07-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

Critical illness insurance was firstly created in South Africa in the year 1983. It was generally known as dread disease insurance. Critical illness insurance was then brought to UK in the year 1985. The first policy was then introduced by Lloyds Life now member of Royal and Sun Alliance.

They attempted to sell the product through public press advertisements which led to unfortunately less than 100 policies sold. In the year 1986, Cannon, now Lincoln tried to have a shot at critical illness insurance. Their success was not immense. It was Abbey Life that had a taste at success with critical illness insurance. With the introduction of ‘Living Assurance’ it took only months for the business to have a new perspective.

The initial product aimed at severe critical illnesses. These illnesses could be classified as cancer, coronary artery bypass, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and major organ transplant. This type of policy was sold by direct sales companies or agents. Soon, other companies developed the same attitude. But a specific name to define this type of policy was not yet given. Serious Illness Benefit, Dread Disease and Crisis Cover were used generally before coming to Critical illness cover.

Moreover, critical illness insurance was slow at reaching the top level in the UK until the Direct Sales Force (DSF) took over. They achieved immense success as they discovered the market potential and their want for critical illness cover in the late 1980’s. Shortly other companies followed the same trend in 1990/91 and since then, critical illness policy sales have boosted. According to Swiss Re Life and Health Watch 5, sales of critical illness policies have increased from 150,000 in the year 1992 to approximately 900,000 in the year 2001.

As per Dinani A, Grimshaw D and others (March 2000) “A Critical Review”, in the year 1999 more than 800,000 life critical illness policies were bought, representing almost 38 percent of overall policy sales. Furthermore, around 50,000 lives were covered under group critical illness schemes which therefore represent about 10 percent of the working population. Although the growth in sales had been considerable, the peak had not yet been reached. Thus, the probability for further expansion remained.

Being a new type of policy at that time, critical illness cover sales had surpassed that of income protection. The reason behind was that critical illness policies were well defined with listed illnesses that could be positively looked by customers. Maybe it was the lump sum someone received on making a claim that had more importance for people than getting an income benefit.

As seen above, there has been a considerable increase in critical illness policy since it appeared. People have seen the benefits in critical illness insurance. The lump sum has probably attracted many people towards taking a critical illness cover. Critical illness policies with low costs exist but they may not always offer benefits that you have thought about. The bottom line remains that before taking out a critical illness cover, you should read the policy documents carefully before making an agreement.

8 Ways To Keep Your Home Insurance Costs Low

2007-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

All homeowners are looking for ways to reduce our home insurance costs. Costs continue to rise and budgets get tighter and tighter with each passing year. Here are 8 tips to reduce your home insurance costs.

1. Increased Home Security

Most homes are fitted with some sort of security device. To make the most of your Home Security Discount make sure that you home is fitted with: dead bolt locks, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a burglar and fire alarm that are monitored. You do not have to have all of these to receive a discount on your home insurance so even if you only have one or two make sure that you ask for the savings.

2. Keep your credit score as high as possible.

While it would seem that a good credit score would have nothing to do with insurance rates, it is a fact that they do.Home Insurance companies are using your credit score as an indicator of responsibility. The theory is the more responsible the individual the less claims they will have. So, insurance companies are giving lower rates to those individuals with a better credit score.

3. Consolidate your policies.

Most, if not all companies that sell home insurance, offer discounts for insuring your autos with them. These discounts can sometimes save you up to 30% off of your total insurance bill. Plus, you get the added convenience of having one agent for both your home and auto insurances.

4. Protect your home with updates.

Discuss with your agent about the possibilities of receiving home insurance discounts for keeping your home in good repair. Some home insurance companies will offer savings for a anew roof, electrical, HVAC, plumbing updates. The discounts are generally not enough to warrant the replacement but if you needed it anyway, be sure to get the discounts if applicable.

5. Make sure you are not over insured.

Your home insurance coverage should not necessarily be what you paid for them home. Land values are calculated into the final sales price and should be considered when insuring the structure. In others words you cannot hurt the dirt. A good idea is to call local builders and ask them what new home construction cost per square foot is going for. Take that number, multiply that times your square footage and that is the amount that your home should be insured for. Companies will not pay more than what it is going to cost to rebuild the home anyway, so make sure you are insured correctly.

6. Stay away from low deductibles.

The deductible is your portion of the claim that must be paid before the insurance company pays for the claim. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium will be. Deductibles can range anywhere from $100-$5000 or more. The majority of homeowners will carry a $500 deductible, but the savings one can receive by raising your deductible to $1000 can be significant, up to 20%. It doesn’t take too many claim free years to make up the difference between the two deductibles, but remember you should never raise your deductible to a level that you could not afford to pay.

7. Ask your home insurance agent.

Most of the time, an agent will make sure that you are receiving 100% of the home insurance discounts that you qualify for, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Some insurance companies have discounts that others do not. Some offer discounts that most would never dream as being a discount such as 55 and retired, non smoking, military service, law enforcement, single parent discounts, etc.

8. Don’t be afraid to shop around.

Home insurance shopping is easy. Insurance shopping online is even easier. Companies like ours at HometownQuotes.com (yes, I am biased) have given you the ability to get multiple home insurance quotes by filling out a form that takes about five minutes to complete. Also be aware that not all insurance companies are created equal. There are some bad ones out there but most, at worst, are pretty good. Getting the best price is great, but check up on the company offering you that price at reputable insurance rating sites like Moodys.com or AMBest.com.

About the Author: Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com

5 Tips to Save on Your Homeowners Insurance

2007-07-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

Getting quality insurance is a good first step towards protecting your home. But ultimately, the best protection is prevention. There are steps that you can take to help you avoid ever having to make a home insurance claim - the following home insurance tips can get you started.

1. Safeguard your home

Take action to make your home theft-resistant. "Case" your home as if you were a burglar.

Burglars look for easy targets - make sure your home isn't one of them.

-Install exterior lights that are out of reach and triggered by motion.
-Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows.
-Don't hide house keys outside - burglars know where to look.
-Consider investing in a security system. Not only does this make your home safer, it can lower your home insurance premiums.

When you're on vacation:

-Have mail and newspapers picked up.
-Leave blinds in normal positions.
-Arrange to have your lawn mowed or your driveway shoveled.
-Tell police and neighbors that you will be away and ask them to watch your home.

2. Be a responsible dog owner

The numbers speak for themselves: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 40% of Americans homes have a dog. There are 4 million dog bites per year, and dog bites create 33% of all homeowners liability claims - resulting in more than $1 billion in claims per year. Consider these tips to avoid having a claim brought against you:

- Pick a dog breed that's covered by your home insurance. Ask your insurance agent for details.
- Have your dog spayed or neutered.
- Train your dog.
- Keep your dog on a leash when walking.

3. Protect your home business

Home businesses are generally not covered under your home insurance policy. You may have only limited property coverage and no liability coverage for your business under your homeowners policy. Research the coverage that you have for property and equipment damage or theft, loss of income, and general liability for customer and supplier injuries.

4. Cover your domestic help

Check with your state Department of Insurance regarding whether you need a workers' compensation policy for your housekeeper, gardener, nanny, cook, or other domestic employees. In addition, if someone else occasionally runs errands for you and drives your car, have that driver listed on your auto insurance. Confirm that you have adequate liability and medical coverage on your home insurance policy. Consider purchasing a personal umbrella policy.

5. Review your coverage annually

Your home insurance should reflect your home's current value, condition and improvements. Check your policy each year and review your specific coverages so that you will be able to make the necessary adjustments to fully protect your home.

You can get personalized home insurance quotes online today from HometownQuotes.Com.

The insider's secrets on availing cheap car insurance

2007-07-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

by joanne

With the streets of Briton teeming with rash drivers, it is in your best interest to get a car insurance. In certain states you are actually required by the law to get a car insurance. So, even if you think of it as an excess baggage to your financial budget, you don't have a choice but to get it. However, there are certain steps that you can take to save money on your car insurance. This piece aims to give you a scoop on how to spend less on your car insurance. First and foremost element that affects your car insurance rate is your driving record. If you have been driving for a long time and have a relatively clean driving record, then you can get a cheap car insurance. Safety measures like air bags, automatic seat belts, car alarms and brakes can do you good in saving those precious pounds. Approaching the same insurance company that has your other insurance accounts also helps you in getting discounts. Moreover, sticking to the same insurer beyond one year can also make you eligible for discounts. Your premium rate can come down considerably if you offer high deductibles, which is nothing but the money that you pay prior to making a claim on an accident. Since new and flashy cars have high maintenance values, therefore insurances of such cars is also very high. Mileage also plays an important role in determining the premium rate on your car insurance. Less is your mileage count; lower will be your insurance premium. Another way of saving on your car insurance is by avoiding double health coverage. If you already have enough health coverage, then you can avoid clubbing it with your auto policy. You can also get great discounts by availing group insurance policies. Find out about such policies wherein you can become eligible for good discounts if you join the policy as a group. The safest and the most trusted way of availing cheap car insurance is by making comparisons of several car insurance offers. Compare the offers from a couple of companies before you decide on your car insurance policy.

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Exposing the Car Insurance Quote Mystery

2007-07-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

by Jay B Stockman

Congratulations, you have just purchased the car of your dreams; you worked a great deal, now it is time to insure it. Car insurance is mandatory in all states, and must be maintained throughout ownership. Insurance quotes can vary from company to company, and there are a few factors that you can control, and other factors you cannot. A full understanding of how insurance quotes are arrived at, will give you the best rate, and maximum coverage.

Factors that cannot be controlled include the age of the driver. Common sense tells us that a new driver would be more of a risk to an insurance company, than an established driver. Therefore a driver in their early 20's would pay a higher premium than a driver in their 40's. Further, elderly drivers have poor reaction time, and similarly would pay more of a premium. The ideal driving age would be between 35 to 55 years; anyone younger, or older would pay more.

Gender is another uncontrolled factor that insurance quotes are based on. Statistically, insurance companies see females as safer drivers than males. As a result, female drivers pay less than their male counterparts.

There are factors, which we can control, namely the amount of traffic tickets and accidents. A ticket is a violation of law that could potentially result in an accident. Insurance companies frown on this, and will penalize the driver with higher rates. Similarly, accidents could indicate a pattern of behavior; as such the driver is penalized with higher rates.

Where you live is another controlling factor that effects insurance quotes. Living in a rural area, puts the driver at much less risk of accident or theft as compared to living in a city. As a result, city drivers will pay a larger premium than rural drivers with very few exceptions.

Want to drive a Porsche 911 Carrera? It will cost you. The more your car is worth, the higher your insurance quote will be. The logic should be obvious.

Car insurance companies are now looking at your credit worthiness. Do you have excessive, outstanding credit, or no credit at all? If so, you are a risk in the eyes of the insurance companies, and will get socked with higher insurance quotes. Keeping your credit in check will show the insurance companies you are responsible, both financially, and on the road. As a result, you will pay lower premiums.

Your occupation can put you at a higher risk. Jobs that require many hours of driving, or driving in hazardous conditions, or places will put your quote at a higher rate. Less driving, and exposure to high-risk opportunities, will result in lower premiums. Additionally you want to keep your annual mileage down to a minimum. The more miles you drive, the greater the risk of accident.

Vehicle theft is a risk factor that can easily be minimized. Most companies will give you a discount for having better security for your vehicle. An alarm, or another approved anti-theft device will usually result in some discount. Some companies may insist on having such devices installed on more expensive and desirable cars before they even consider offering you a price.

Some companies look favorably on drivers who have taken a defensive driver's course. They see this as a commitment to safer driving, thereby lowering the risk of accident, resulting in lower premiums.

Keep in mind these are just general guidelines, and the difference in price between various companies can be significant. What one company may consider a high-risk factor another company may not view as so important. The bottom line, keep your credit in check, be careful on the road and choose a car that fits your budgets.

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Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Car Insurance Quotes Resource Visit http://www.car-insurance-usa.com/ for more information.

Discount Car Insurance - Saving Money On Car Insurance Is Easy

2007-07-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

by Greg Haehl

Car insurance is one part of our family budget that we will always have to deal with and so it behooves us to get better informed. We would all love to buy some form of discount car insurance. The reality of that already exists. There are more discounts in car insurance than ever before. Some of the newer vehicles have so many of them that they are often cheaper to insure than some of the older vehicles. Let's review some of the discounts available when purchasing car insurance.

Multiple Policy Discount - This one is common and yet there are many people that do not take advantage of this discount. This discount can be as high as 15% with some companies.

Good Driver Discounts - Insurance companies love to reward the driver that has an excellent driving record. These are profitable policyholders and help bring the over all rates down.

Auto Safety Features Discount - Automobiles with airbags and seatbelts receive lower rates. Anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices also lower car insurance rates. The vehicle identification number will identify all of these features and so it is important to give that number to whoever is quoting your car insurance.

Young Driver Discounts - Many companies give substantial discounts for high school and college students that have a 3.0 grade point average or better. The drivers training discount has been a standard discount for young drivers. Find a company that has both and you will help lower premium dramatically.

Senior Citizens Discounts - Drivers 55 and older are given retirement discounts if no longer employed. Homemakers can qualify automatically at age 55 with some companies. Mature driver discounts are also available when a driving course is completed.

that have a lower or limited tort option. This is your ability to sue for pain and suffering. The lower tort option limits your ability to sue but at the same time it can save you 20% or more in your premium. Contact your agent or insurance company about the tort laws in your state.

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Car Insurance Tips

2007-07-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

by Jamie Snodgrass

You have come to the right place, if you are looking for information on how to get car insurance for your new or pre-owned auto or if you just want to get a better auto insurance quote. Not all auto insurance companies have the same policy coverage, pricing or terms. To get the best car insurance policy at the cheapest rate, you will have to do a little research; most auto insurance companies offer online quotes, this is the easiest way to do comparisons.

If you have an existing policy from your current insurer, pull it out or request they send you a copy. Read it through carefully and highlight the most important coverage items to identify areas where you may need decreased or additional coverage.

Deductible in the event of a claim - Increasing your deductible can lower your insurance quote by hundreds of dollars.

Total loss - Coverage in the event your automobile is stolen or totaled in an accident.

Property Damage Liability - This coverage is important in the event your vehicle causes damage to someone else's property.

Can you go to the auto repair shop of your choice ?

Does it make a big difference if you opt for a higher deductible?

Car Accidents Claims And Insurance

2007-07-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

by Daniel Richards

If you are not sure of your rights in a car accident that you have experienced, you must consult the best lawyer possible. You can rest assured that the insurance company will have lawyers to represent them.

Your claim is very important and you should not take it for granted especially if you have encountered a serious injury in a car accident. Claims vary differently depending on the type of injuries sustained. Severe injuries include: losing an arm, fractured bones or losing any part of the body.

If you have been hospitalized for a long period of time, you are entitled to a higher compensation. If you are unable to work because of disabilities you may be eligible for a lifelong compensation. The compensation of disabled person will include the beneficiaries of the victim. He will also get the income he earns in a year.

Sometimes, being handicapped allows for the full compensation in filing for a claim. In order to get the compensation, you must choose the best lawyer who will not take advantage of you and your rights as a victim. Sometimes, the law takes advantage of the disabled person and of those who are not aware of the rules. Claims and compensation will consider the nature and the duration of injuries. If you have recovered from the injuries in days, you will get a smaller compensation compared to severe injuries which might take a month or longer in the hospital to heal. You should not worry about the expenses because you will rightfully get your compensation as long s the case is adjudicated. Pain, suffering, and disability is measured in determining a rightful compensation.

In considering your car's insurance, make sure that you know what your insurance covers. Dealing with the accident requires investigation to know who is at fault, and to find out if the other party is required to give compensation to the victim. An accident lawyer is perfect for this situation. You might not be familiar with the rules of filing for a claim, but a lawyer will be.

The law requires car insurance intended for public use. So it is better to find out if your car is insured and the consequences that you may face should you have an accident. It is important to make sure that the statements that you are going to give to your insurance company are correct so that the claim will be handled accordingly.

If you don't want to face these complications and procedures make sure that you are confident in your driving and knowledge. Car accidents are not be easy to deal with because they can be quite complicated. What is important is that you be given the right compensation for anything you have lost.

Arizona Car Insurance Quote - What Is Too Much To Pay?

2007-07-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

by Greg Haehl

Arizona auto insurance is not cheap

Arizona ranked as the thirteenth most expensive state for auto insurance during the years 1999 to 2003. With insurance average insurance premiums rising to $920.38 in the year 2003 that is nearly a 5% increase from the previous year. If these trends keep up the average for 2005 premiums paid will be about $1014.00.

With more than 3.3 million cars insured privately in Arizona there is plenty of opportunity to shop around and try to decrease what you are spending for car insurance. Even with high risk drivers saving money on auto insurance is quite easy.

Where do I start saving money on car insurance?

The first place to look to save money is with the deductible. Many don't know that deductibles can vary with each form of insurance coverage that is offered. You may have $250 deductible on comprehensive claims and a $500 deductible on the collision claims. Raising these deductibles can save money every month. Before increasing the deductibles compare what the savings are per month with what you would pay in the case of damage or an accident.

Many people do not change their insurance policy as their car ages. The fact that your car depreciates so quickly can allow you to save money on auto insurance. If your $30,000 car is now worth $5,000 then full collision coverage may not be that beneficial considering that you would pay more to insure the vehicle after a claim than you would to just pay any claim out of pocket. Remember after a claim insurance rates are increased and this makes many small claims cheaper to pay for rather than file a claim with an insurance company. Since these small claims may be paid for out of pocket decreasing your coverage can save a lot of money every month.

Please visit our recommended sources for insurance quotes.

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