Long Term Care Insurance (LTCi): Features of a good policy

Don't let your LTCi be a disappointment
"I have $100 a day for life," Gloria, one of my clients, complained. "Why do they only give Carolyn $25.00 a day?"

Gloria owns several policies with my company. However, her LTCi, which she is currently using, is with a different company. Carolyn, her home health aid, receives limited pay because Gloria's policy includes only 50% home care. While Gloria would receive $100 a day indefinitely in a nursing home, she can only get $50.00 a day for home-care. Furthermore, since Carolyn does not work through an agency, she is considered "non-professional" and will be paid no more than $5.00 an hour. To make matters worse, Gloria is still paying her full monthly premium because her policy does not include a waiver of premium unless she is in a nursing home! This situation could have been avoided.

Take action to protect your interests
Long Term Care insurance, a type of protection that pays the bills when a person needs extended care either at home or in a nursing home, should be part of senior planning for every adult who owns property, investments or savings�or who simply wants to protect freedom of choice, independence, and family harmony. Nevertheless, 65% of adults over 40 admit to having made no plans for long term care for either themselves or a spouse, according to Genworth Financial.

Put the excuses on the table
The first excuse for putting off the purchase of LTCi is money, but the real reasons are usually a matter of denial�you don't really believe you will ever need it�and confusion over the mountain of information. Numerous companies offer LTCi insurance, and while the policies are similar, the language can vary significantly from one company to another. Make one inquiry, and multiple packets crammed with information will soon fill your mail box. You don't know what to do, so you do nothing.

LTCi: Basic coverage and features
Fortunately, understanding LTCi is not as difficult as it seems. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all program, so doing it on your own or over the phone is not a good idea.

Basic coverage
All LTCi begins with the basic coverage�a maximum dollar amount per day multiplied by the number of days of coverage. The actual premium is then based on your age. For example, a three year, $100 per day benefit would give you 1095 days times $100, or a "pot of money" of $109,500 to spend. Even though most nursing homes charge more than $100 a day, your pot will last at least three years because you can't spend more than $100 per day. Once the company has paid $109,500, your policy is exhausted, and you will have to pay for additional care yourself.

The other part of your basic coverage is the elimination period, a deductible consisting of a set number of days that you must pay for care before your policy will start paying. Some companies go strictly by the calendar, others go by the actual days you received care. A longer elimination period reduces your premium.

Feature 1: Home care
Features are benefits included with no extra cost. For example, most companies can offer a choice of whether you want to include care in your home. It may be included at a slightly higher premium, or it could be a rider, depending on the company. You can also choose 50% or 100% home care. If you choose 100%, you can spend your maximum of $100 per day for care in your home. Furthermore, while nursing home care has to be calculated on a daily basis, most companies calculate home care by the month. You could thus spend $50 one day and $200 another day, so long as you do not go over $3100 per month (in our $100 per day example).


Feature 2: Waiver of premium and discounts
Most companies will waive your premium when you have to start using your coverage. Some waive the premium from day one while others require you to be on claim for at least 90 days first. If you should get well and go off of claim, your premium would resume. Some companies waive the premium for both spouses if just one goes on claim. However, nearly all companies give a discount if husband and wife are on the same policy.

Feature 3: Restoration of Benefits
The best companies include a restoration of benefits feature, meaning that if you only need care for a few months and are able to go off of claim, your entire pot of money is "restored," giving you the full policy to use again when you need it. However, the pot can only be refilled if it has something left in it�even as little as $50.00.

Feature 4: Home modification
Many companies will pay several times your monthly benefit to modify your home with things like wheel chair ramps, widening of bathroom doors, or rails in the bathtub or around the commode.

Feature 5: Caregiver training
Do you have a family member who is able and willing to participate in your care? Some companies will pay several times your daily benefit to train that person who will then take care of you at their own expense, making your policy benefit last much longer.

Feature 6: Respite care
Respite care is simply a vacation for a family member who has agreed to help take care of you. For a certain number of days each year, a company will put you in a nursing home or find someone else to take care of you, and the company will foot the bill up to your maximum daily benefit.

Feature 7: Equipment rental
Equipment rental is simply the rental of hospital equipment�such as a hospital bed�usually up to the purchase price of the equipment.

Feature 8: Adult day care
The better companies include adult day care where you can get therapy and interact with other seniors. Usually transportation, meals, therapy, and help with activities of daily living are included.

Feature 9: Prescription drugs
The inclusion of prescription drugs�of the type given in a nursing home or hospital�is a very important feature, but many companies only include drugs with a rider. Ask about it.

Feature 10: Room reservation
What if you get sick while you are in the nursing home and have to go to the hospital? The room reservation feature reserves your bed for a certain number of days each year.

Feature 11: Hospice and ambulance
Medicare pays for the nursing needed during hospice as well as for a certain number of ambulance trips per year. However, most LTCi policies offer some additional ambulance dollars as well as the home health aid and domestic services if you are on hospice.

Feature 12: Patient Care Coordinator
Companies have different names for this, and many don't offer it at all. A patient care coordinator is a person who will work with you to find the agencies in your area. The person will find out what the agencies charge, and will help you choose the appropriate agencies to meet your need. The coordinator can also help you file claims by explaining how to correctly complete the paper work.

Remember, features of a policy are included without extra charge. It's worth paying a bit more for a policy that includes a lot of features rather than buying something cheap only to find out that benefits you would have liked aren't included.

Term Life Insurance: Is It Right For You?

If you've spent any time at all watching television recently, you've probably seen commercials advertising low-cost life insurance with guaranteed coverage that anyone can afford. And, if you're like many people, those commercials do get you thinking about the fact that you don't have life insurance yet, but you continue to procrastinate. (After all, you're going to live forever, right?) Or, maybe you think you can't afford the premiums or that you won't qualify for the rates advertised because of a medical condition, so you put off checking into your options.

The truth of the matter is that you DO need life insurance, and there really is affordable coverage out there to meet your needs. There are two main types of life insurance, whole life and term life. The less expensive of the two is term life insurance.

What is Term Life Insurance?
When you buy term life insurance, you're purchasing a policy that will provide protection for a certain period of time. A 'death benefit' is paid only if the person insured dies during the term of the coverage. Most insurance companies have set coverage period lengths you can choose from. These coverage periods could be as little as one year at a time, but most often are offered in five or ten-year increments.

As the policyholder, you get to decide who will receive the benefit payment in the event of your death. You should know, though, that some states and insurance companies have requirements concerning who can or must be designated as the beneficiary. For example, certain states require that your spouse be the beneficiary if you're married, and some insurance companies will not allow you to name your pet as the beneficiary (too bad for Fluffy, you won't be setting her up with a golden doghouse and steaks for life!). However, within limits, you can leave the benefit to anyone you like or to your estate to be divided up according to your will.

The biggest downfall of term life insurance is that you have to die before your family gets anything out of it, because the benefit is only payable when the policyholder dies. The policy itself has no cash value, and you can't borrow against it like you can with whole life policies. Another negative aspect of term life insurance is that it becomes more expensive as you get older. And, speaking of age, you don't have the right to continue the policy regardless of your age the way you can with whole life.

You might be familiar with term life as a benefit that employers offer to their employees, but that doesn't mean you can't purchase an individual policy for yourself. On the contrary, many insurance companies offer individual term life coverage. The only trick is to determine what type of term life insurance is best for you.

What Kinds of Term Life Insurance are Available?
There are three different kinds of term life insurance. Each of them has unique aspects that make them the best choice for certain situations. The three types of term life are:

Depreciating Term Life: Depreciating term is used as a means to cover a mortgage loan in the event that someone dies prematurely. The amount of the benefit goes down, or depreciates, as the amount owed on the mortgage is paid off (a slow and painful process...). This is an excellent option if you're concerned about your spouse's ability to pay the mortgage payment after your death. The popularity of these plans has waned because level term life policies are generally cheaper.

Level Term Life: Level term policies are available in increments from five to twenty years. These policies are a good choice for anyone who needs relatively cheap coverage for a longer period of time than just a few years. The cost of the policy will be a bit more expensive than annual renewable policies for the first few years, but will then stay level for the term of the policy. Most insurance companies offer policies that once issued, premiums remain level regardless of the insured's health status.

Annual Renewable Life: Annual renewable life policies must be renewed every year, but they're a good, inexpensive option if you just need a few years worth of coverage to cover a short-term expense, such as college tuition for a child (which is only slightly less painful than paying the mortgage!).

Who Should Purchase Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance is an excellent option for anyone who simply cannot afford the higher premiums required by whole life insurance.

One popular use of term life is to help young families to cover expenses if one of the parents passes away. Couples who are just starting out and have young children may be unable to afford expensive whole life policies, but it's not wise to leave one spouse without a means of covering financial burdens if the other should die�especially in today's two-income world. The benefit can help the spouse to pay the mortgage or care for the children on his or her own.

Another good reason to purchase term life is to cover your business debts. If you're the owner of a small business and have taken out a business loan, you may want to consider purchasing a term life policy to pay that loan in case you die.

What Options Should You Look For?
Just like the car sitting in your driveway, life insurance policies come with options (and just like the options in your car, these options may raise the price of the policy). Term life options that may be available include:

Conversion: This option allows you to convert the term life policy to a whole life policy at the end of the policy's term.

Automatic Renewal: Some companies offer an automatic renewal of the policy without requiring a medical examination.

Premium Waiver: Your insurance company may allow you to waive, or not pay, the premiums if you become disabled. The policy remains in effect just as if you were paying timely premiums.

Accidental Death Coverage: If your death is the result of an accident, the benefit paid increases, and may even double.

Regardless of your situation, there is a life insurance coverage out there for you. Take the time to request quotes and speak with insurance professionals who will be able to answer your questions. The time you spend finding a policy that meets your needs could save someone you love a lot of hassle and worry when you die.

Finding the right pet insurance

Pet health insurance usually covers common illness, medical problems associated with the pet's type or breed, together with accidents or mishaps, optional vaccination, routine care, medication and diagnostic testing. Each of us should evaluate a number of pet insurances and choose a plan that is ideal for our pets and our financial circumstances. There are many eligibility factors and plan intricacies to understand when it comes to any kind of pet insurance.

Scope and Coverage

The annual premiums, excesses, coverage and costs are determined by the policy. The coverage depends on the species, age, pre-existing conditions and lifestyle of the pet. Levels of cover are generally higher for dogs than those for cats and other domestic animals. Vet fees cover typically varies from �1500 to �6000 each year. Hospitalisation, holiday cancellation, finding a lost pet, theft and death is frequently covered up to �500 with travel cover around the �750 mark.

Some packages offer comprehensive cover that includes annual check-ups and vaccinations, preventive medication, routine care and spaying or neutering surgery, while other plans cover only accident and illness. Usually when a pet is insured prior to the emergence of any given health problems, the condition is covered. There are some common exclusions by most of the insurance companies including hereditary and congenital conditions which may sometimes be covered at an additional cost.

Limitations and Contributions

The premium can often be reduced by selecting a higher excess option. There are usually standard excesses for third party liability and property damage claims, typically around �250. Naturally, you should be aware of the excesses, caps or limits covering a specified incident.

Insure Early

Most pet insurance companies start policies at the age of 6-8 weeks while some companies have no lower age limit. The earlier you take out the policy, the lower the annual premium.

Conclusion

Pet insurance is a way of potentially saving money and keeping our pets healthy. Technical advances within the veterinary profession are providing more effective options for sick and injured pets � but at a cost. A decent pet insurance policy makes the miracles of modern veterinary science more accessible.

Health Insurance 101

We all understand the importance of health insurance; however, as the types of health insurance continue to increase it is becoming more and more difficult to select the type of coverage that is best for you and your family. To help you find out which type of policy might benefit you the most, let's take a look at the most common types of policies.

There is usually a lot of hype regarding HMOs so let's look at that one first. A HMO is a health maintenance organization plan that works with a specified group of doctors and hospitals within the network. A primary healthcare physician is selected and you must obtain referrals for care that cannot be provided by that physician. The benefits of this type of plan are lower office visit costs and prescription drug co-pays. In addition, there will typically be either no or limited deductible costs for hospital stays. Depending on your coverage, there may also be no pre-existing condition cause limitations. It is also important to understand that your choice of doctors and hospitals will be limited with a HMO and you won't be able to have out of network services covered.

A PPO or Preferred Provider Organization works similar to a HMO; however, the major difference is that you are not required to select a primary care physician. In addition to the benefit of being free to choose your own physician without worrying about a referral you also gain the benefit of limited or no deductible costs for hospital stays as well as a possible larger selection of physicians that might be available with a HMO. Out of network services may also be covered; however, for a higher charge than in network services.

A POS, or Point of Service, is also similar to a HMO in that you select a primary care physician. The difference is that you are free to choose out of network treatment if you're willing to pay a higher out of pocket cost. �

Another option is what is known as a traditional coverage policy. This type of policy will have a higher monthly premium as well as deductibles. In addition, you will generally be required to pay for services out of your own pocket up front and then submit claim reimbursement forms.

You may also wish to consider various types of disability plans, which cover a percentage of your income in the event that you experience an illness or accident that prevents you from working for a period of time. A short term disability plan will provide benefits from the first day of an accident or the eighth day of an illness up to 26 weeks. Generally, this type of plan will cover 66% of your weekly income.

Long term disability will begin after short term coverage has expired and will provide coverage for a variable term, depending on the policy you select. Some policies are limited to providing coverage up to two years while others will cover you up to the age of 65.

Health Insurance Quotes

Getting Health Insurance Quotes By Phone
Though calling around for insurance quotes can be a very time-consuming task, it is a good way to get your questions answered about the policy by a professional. In many cases, calling an insurance company for a quote will lead to an automated session and then being placed on hold. This is the kind of frustration that you will face, over and over, when trying to receive any kind of insurance quote by phone.

It does take up a lot of time and you do have to keep notes about each quote you receive, but there are some good reasons for obtaining health insurance quotes by phone:

� You can talk to a professional in real time
Eventually, you will get through to an actual human being on the other end of the phone. This person can explain the policy to you in detail, answering any questions you may have as they come up.

� You can learn about different premiums and options on the same policy
When a certain health insurance policy interests you, you may be able to talk to someone about adjusting the premium and/or deductible on the policy, tailoring it to better suit your needs.

� You can purchase a policy right away
By using a check by phone or your credit card, you can purchase a policy based on the health insurance quotes you receive over the phone. This process is generally quick, including a brief question-and-answer session.

Getting Health Insurance Quotes Online
For those who prefer a quick and easy method of insurance shopping, the Internet is definitely your best option. Using the Internet, you can go to a specific company's site and learn more about their policies by receiving free online health insurance quotes, or compare and contrast the policies offered by several companies at once.

The Internet allows you to receive many more health insurance quotes, in a much shorter period of time than you would be receiving quotes over the phone. There are many benefits to shopping for health insurance quotes online:

� You can get many health insurance quotes, quick
When time is a factor, the Internet is your best friend. You can look at several different health insurance quotes at the same time online, much more quickly than it takes to get through most phone automated systems.

� You can compare lots of health insurance quotes at once
Side-by-side or page-by-page, with the Internet you can compare health insurance quotes from several different health insurance companies at once. This makes comparison shopping a breeze.

� Ease of purchase
You can often purchase a health insurance policy online, using a secured method and your credit card. This allows you to get your health insurance policy quickly, so that coverage can start right away.

An Independent Agent
When doing your own research, finding different quotes, calling around or even using the Internet to shop just isn't your thing, you'll want to use an independent insurance agent. These agents do not work for any specific company but for you. They use their time to shop around for you, finding you the best possible policy based upon the health insurance quotes they receive.

Often, independent agents can get much better rates than the average customer. This is because insurance company offer agents deals and discounts simply for brining in new business. An independent agent will work for you to find the best health insurance quotes, so that you pay less while still receiving the best coverage possible for you and your family.

Health Insurance 101 Explained

We all understand the importance of health insurance; however, as the types of health insurance continue to increase it is becoming more and more difficult to select the type of coverage that is best for you and your family. To help you find out which type of policy might benefit you the most, let's take a look at the most common types of policies.

There is usually a lot of hype regarding HMOs so let's look at that one first. A HMO is a health maintenance organization plan that works with a specified group of doctors and hospitals within the network. A primary healthcare physician is selected and you must obtain referrals for care that cannot be provided by that physician. The benefits of this type of plan are lower office visit costs and prescription drug co-pays. In addition, there will typically be either no or limited deductible costs for hospital stays. Depending on your coverage, there may also be no pre-existing condition cause limitations. It is also important to understand that your choice of doctors and hospitals will be limited with a HMO and you won't be able to have out of network services covered.

A PPO or Preferred Provider Organization works similar to a HMO; however, the major difference is that you are not required to select a primary care physician. In addition to the benefit of being free to choose your own physician without worrying about a referral you also gain the benefit of limited or no deductible costs for hospital stays as well as a possible larger selection of physicians that might be available with a HMO. Out of network services may also be covered; however, for a higher charge than in network services.

A POS, or Point of Service, is also similar to a HMO in that you select a primary care physician. The difference is that you are free to choose out of network treatment if you're willing to pay a higher out of pocket cost. �
Another option is what is known as a traditional coverage policy. This type of policy will have a higher monthly premium as well as deductibles. In addition, you will generally be required to pay for services out of your own pocket up front and then submit claim reimbursement forms.

You may also wish to consider various types of disability plans, which cover a percentage of your income in the event that you experience an illness or accident that prevents you from working for a period of time. A short term disability plan will provide benefits from the first day of an accident or the eighth day of an illness up to 26 weeks. Generally, this type of plan will cover 66% of your weekly income.

Long term disability will begin after short term coverage has expired and will provide coverage for a variable term, depending on the policy you select. Some policies are limited to providing coverage up to two years while others will cover you up to the age of 65.

Cosmetic Surgery - Are You Covered By Health Insurance?

Cosmetic surgery, in its true sense, is an elective procedure that is performed to reshape or enhance body parts a patient may find unflattering. Since cosmetic surgery has an intrinsic aesthetic intent, it is usually not covered by health insurance. The argument put forth by insurance firms is that a person can very well do without cosmetic surgery, and the procedure is used for mere beautification instead of being a life saving surgery. On the other hand, reconstructive surgery is generally covered by health insurance, though the extent of coverage may vary a lot from one case to another.

In many ways, the answer to the insurance question lies in discerning whether the plastic surgery procedure is cosmetic or reconstructive. For instance, abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck), when performed on an obese patient to guard the patient against heart problems, is eligible for health insurance. Breast reduction surgery, when carried out with the intent of reducing weight of the breasts to curtail orthopedic pain, is typically covered by health insurance. On the other hand, breast implants or augmentations are performed with the aesthetic aspect in mind and, therefore, don't normally qualify for an insurance.

There is a fine line dividing the two categories of plastic surgery, namely cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as far as eligibility for insurance is concerned. For instance, eyelid surgery, when performed to attain an aesthetic enhancement is considered cosmetic and ineligible for insurance. The same procedure may be covered by insurance if the eyelids are drooping to the extent of obscuring a patient's vision. The hard fact remains that most of the plastic surgery procedures are performed with an aesthetical intent, in order to enhance alluring portions of the body.

To summarise, plastic surgery that is performed to improve function instead of aesthetics is normally eligible for an insurance cover. However, it's best to discuss your case with an insurance agent, in order to determine if you are eligible for an insurance cover.

Choosing an Insurance Company

Lock your doors, hide your money in the safe, hire security guards to protect your prized possessions, but what can you do if someone stole your identity? If something valuable is stolen, you can call the police and hope to get your stolen property back. Rightly termed as the crime of the 21st century, victimizing millions of Americans, you can do very little if you find your identity stolen. Identity theft is on the rise, and nearly everyone is vulnerable to this new-age form of fraud.

How is it done?

Using all possible methods, criminals steal credit card numbers, social security numbers, telephone calling cards, ATM cards and other key pieces of an individual's identities. The information on these is used to impersonate the victim, by spending maximum money in the shortest time they can.

Preventive steps or Precautions

1. Avoid carrying valuable documents and cards with you whenever you go out, unless it's absolutely necessary.
2. Opt for the Direct Marketing Associations Mail Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service. By doing this, your name is added to the computerized name deletion lists used by marketers all over the nation.
3. Pick the newly ordered checks from the bank and do not allow them to be sent to your residential address.
4. To keep the mailing system secure, install a locked mailbox at your residence.
5. Post mail bills and other sensitive items at the post office instead of the neighborhood drop boxes. Sometimes the envelopes containing the address could land in the wrong hands and be altered.
6. Do not give out information over the phone unless it is an individual belonging to a trusted company. Lottery and �lucky dip' calls should not be entertained, as they are usually hoax.
7. Release Social Security Numbers (SSN) only if it is necessary.
8. While creating passwords and PIN numbers, avoid using numbers from social security, birth date, middle name or any kind of important personal numbers; these are said to be easy for criminals to figure out.
9. Cross check that financial institutions are safeguarding your important data. Insist on the removal of account numbers from ATM slips; also ask them to shred the paper reports before throwing them away.

After the Theft

1. The moment you feel that there has been an identity theft, it is important to report the crime to the police. Provide all the requisite documented evidence. Even if the police refuse to give the report, be persistent and demand it. Keep the police report for the bank and credit card company's reference.
2. Inform the banks, cancel all the savings and checking accounts and get new account numbers.
3. Call the 3 credit reporting companies and ask them to flag the accounts. Ask for a fraud alert to be attached to the report and extend it later if you want to. This fraud alert lets creditors contact you whenever there is an attempt to open an account in your name.
4. File an ID theft affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission after reporting the theft. This affidavit can be sent to credit bureaus and institutions to close fraudulent debts and accounts opened in your name.
5. Lastly, do not blame yourself for the theft, you being the victim should not feel guilty for the theft, and instead handle the situation calmly.

Do not let all the reputation and respect you have earned be trifled with by a petty thief. It is sometimes observed that people you know are the ones who sabotage your identity by using it against you. Be on the safe side and avoid disclosing any personal information to anyone. The identity you have been given is yours to have; no other person has the right to take it from you.

Medical Insurance Overseas - Is Your Home Insurance Valid Overseas?

Whether traveling for a short period of time or living overseas for an extended stay it's a good idea to have medical insurance overseas. Most plans no matter how comprehensive in ones native land are basically useless when in another country. Since the whole idea of insurance is to make sure that contingencies are covered, it's a good idea to get a health insurance policy that will be applicable in another country.

What A Policy Should Include

When looking for a policy that will hold you in good stead during your overseas jaunt there are the usual variables in coverage to consider as well as others. By virtue of being in a different country than your native land issues may arise that wouldn't at home. One of those is evacuation. What if you need to be transported back to your native land and that can't be facilitated in any way other than through a medically induced evacuation. Such an event would be extremely expensive if you had to pay for it out of pocket. Just something to keep you eye out for when choosing medical insurance overseas.

Cheap is good but making sure to get all the necessary ingredients from the policy are something to strive for as well. When going online to get quotes on this type of international insurance don't forget to look for how the policies handle such things as, hospitalization, emergency care, medications, transplants, outpatient services, emergency medical examinations, air ambulance within the country, terrestrial ambulance conveyance, and maternity.

Other considerations include whether you would have to use certain specified doctors and facilities or can you pretty much count on being able to use anyone who is available wherever you find yourself in this foreign land. That could be a very important consideration to keep in mind as you might find yourself in need of medical attention and the potential distance from a plan approved doctor might mean the difference between being able to take advantage of his/her services or not.

As always a well researched decision usually provides for the best results. Knowing what's possible and what might be needed will guarantee making a good choice when buying insurance of this kind.

Different Kinds of Term Life Insurance

If you're considering term life insurance, keep in mind that there are many different kinds of term life insurance. This includes decreasing term insurance, increasing term insurance, increasable term insurance, decreasing term insurance and renewable term insurance among many. It's important to find the type of term life insurance that fits your needs best.

Decreasing term life insurance reduces the coverage of the policy year on year. The policy holder usually requires the cover for a loan repayment such as a mortgage or to cover a potential inheritance tax bill.

Increasing term life insurance is just like basic term life insurance, except that, as the name suggests, the level of coverage increases. Premiums increase along with the level of coverage as well. Increasing term insurance is suitable for long term insurance because increasing prices reduce the value of a fixed level of coverage over the period of the policy.

Increasable term life insurance provides the option of increasing the level of coverage either at specific intervals (such as every year on the start date of the policy) or specific events (such as marriage or the birth of a child). Premiums increase for additional cover, but they are based on your health at the start of the policy, even if it has deteriorated since.

Renewable term life insurance gives the policy holder the option to extend the insurance term when it comes to an end. The premium paid is the same at the start of the term, despite any deterioration in the policy holder's health.

Always do your research when looking into purchasing term life insurance. Spending some extra time now deciding what is best for you will most likely save you a lot of money in the future.

Lost Your Job? - How To Keep Your Insurance Coverage

In this day when companies are facing layoffs, buyouts, and other financial difficulties, it may be difficult to hold on to a good health insurance policy. Thanks to the government, however, there has been a couple of programs that will allow you to keep the same coverage you had before your situation changed - if you act soon enough. Here are some things you need to know about the COBRA program that could enable you to enjoy the same health insurance coverage you had.

COBRA, which stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, enables you to keep the same coverage for up to 18 months. In some cases, this time period may be extended for an even longer period of time for dependents.

Qualifying Events

In order to qualify for this program, participants have to meet certain qualifications. The good news is that the conditions for COBRA are rather lenient. If you were an employee, and are now out of work, you may qualify - even if you were fired, or laid off. The exception is if you were extremely negligent in your duties, or performed some act of misconduct that got you fired.

Other qualifying situations may occur in the event of a divorce or the death of the employee. Sometimes there may also be a separation involved, or the employee may retire, or go on Medicare. In cases like this the coverage may be extended for periods up to 36 months. One situation, however, where coverage will not be given, is in the event that the company goes out of business. In that event, though, you may still be able to get your health insurance coverage through HIPAA.

Application Time Is Limited

After a qualifying event occurs, you need to act rather fast because there is not a lot of time given in which you need to apply for the COBRA program. You must act within 30 days of the event by informing the insurance plan administrator (the employer) of your intent to continue the coverage. It is best that you do it in writing - for your own records. After you notify them, they will send you a letter within 14 days, and then you have up to 60 days to decide if you will accept the COBRA coverage.

The Premiums

While you are able to continue the coverage that you had prior to the event, there is a major difference that also takes place. Whereas the employer paid a part of the premiums previously - now it becomes entirely up to you to meet the full price. So, there may be a little sticker shock, because it will not be cheap. Since group insurance is usually much less expensive, you may be surprised at just how much the employer was paying.

The Coverage

One of the great benefits of using the COBRA health insurance coverage is that there most likely will not be any preexisting conditions given since you were already covered before. This means that your coverage continues without any hitches � hopefully, and you can then continue to enjoy what you had before.

How the Internet gave a new face to the insurance business

We all have a natural instinct to protect our environment and belongings. This is why, in a world living with the constant fear that something can go wrong at any moment; insurance companies are having the time of their life. The insurance business has developed more and more in the recent years even though the market is highly competitive. People want to feel safe and they are willing to spend important sums on an insurance policy. The concept of insurance is not hard to grasp; basically, the insured person transfers his risks to the insurer.

There are many types of insurance policies such as: life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance and even mortgage insurance. The market is rich in choices; you just have to make the smart ones. Insurance agents are the people you want to contact if you decide to purchase an insurance policy. They are true professionals, working in a stringent competition and following a code of ethics. These people are trained to look for insurance leads that could be converted into businesses. Insurance leads, also called qualified leads, require sophisticated search tools and it's not an easy job locating them.

Times have definitely changed and the methods which were once very effective are not as fruitful today. Cold-calling and door-to-door solicitation are procedures which have been replaced by the Internet. More and more people realize that the Internet is the place where you can find almost anything. Nowadays, many companies provide insurance leads online and they are making quite a profit. Agents purchase insurance leads in order to gather a list of prospective clients, who have already expressed the interest in acquiring a type of insurance. The insurance leads must be based on current and comprehensive information.

These online companies offer free insurance quotes and some even personalized brokerage to its customers. A wide range of filters enable the customer to obtain insurance leads of the most qualified prospects. Still, there should be no sign up fee or long-term contract and most important you should only pay for the insurance leads you receive.

A professional will always make sure that the insurance leads are generated without delay and you can even pay online with one the mentioned credit cards. These people have years of experience and they are only interested in helping you and by that helping their business grow. So, in the Internet age, insurance brokers choose channels like billboards, pop-up ads and emails in order to search for insurance leads. They are always prepared to offer specific information about the types of coverage offered. Insurance agents are in fact good salespeople; they have to create a supply or targeted referrals in order to succeed and they are always keeping in mind that insurance leads turn into referrals and in turn these turn into profitable businesses. The growth potential of a business is unlimited if they create a solid list of targets.

Online sites are easy to use and access, no to mention that they offer a 24 hours/day service from the comfort of your own home. Incorporating insurance leads into one's business is a cost-effective way to expand clientele and stop using other old-fashioned methods. Search for reputable companies and ensure that your insurance leads are well qualified. Many specialists advice that there is no need to use fantastic methods in order to succeed; all you have to do is get in touch with the customer and listen to his wishes.

If you decide to purchase a policy, going online is the best way to do it. Many websites offer up-to-date and accurate free insurance quotes for several types of insurance (auto, medical, dental, etc.) and they are ready to help you at every with every step on the way. You can obtain free insurance quotes from the best agents on the market and buy from any company you may choose.

Free insurance quotes are available on many websites which offer a fair comparison of health, life and disability insurance and also provide impartial insurance information to customers. These sites work with hundreds of companies that provide free insurance quotes based on information that you supply. There is a strong possibility that you might get competing free insurance quotes from different companies. Don't worry; this only widens the range of choices.

If you are searching for free insurance quotes, the Internet is a sure source. With one simple click, you will get free insurance quotes from the best companies on the market. All you have to do is compare and choose. Apply for free insurance quotes just by ticking the quote box and purchase the policy you not only need but also afford.

Prepare for your future with affordable insurance plans. You just have to follow three easy steps: first, get free insurance quotes; second, compare plans and third fill out an online application. The free insurance quotes from leading companies will help you to get started and purchase an insurance policy in a fast and also efficient manner.

Internet insurance leads would be nowhere without the help of free insurance quotes. And we, the customers, would be helpless without these people struggling to give a hand every time we are afraid.

What You Need to Know About Individual Health Insurance Quotes

When in the market for health insurance, it's a good idea to receive several (typically no less than three) individual health insurance quotes. Also referred to as personal or private health insurance, individual health insurance is issued for those who are not eligible for a group policy through their employer or other organization.

When reviewing your health insurance quotes, you should see two important issues addressed: The details of the policy, including but not limited to any co-pays, deductibles, and exclusions; and the cost of the policy. The premium should be spelled out for monthly, quarterly, or annual fees, as a discount is often granted for those willing and able to pay for longer periods of time.

With the widespread use and acceptance of the Internet for conducting business, the best place to obtain your individual health insurance quotes is from an online insurance broker. Indeed, using the typically free services of an online health insurance broker is fast becoming the most popular method of securing health insurance. The process is fast and convenient, with several reputable online brokers from which to choose.

One of the best things about using an online health insurance broker is how quickly you can be looking at several quotes. By simply entering your zip code and some personal information (typically safely guarded), you can be looking at multiple quotes in mere moments.

If you're like most people, you will probably have some questions after reviewing your health insurance quotes. Any reputable online health insurance broker will have toll free phone support available for their clients.

Nevertheless, whether you use an online or local insurance broker, don't hesitate to contact him or her to answer any questions you may have. Unquestionably, the time to do this is before signing any contract. Keep in mind that a good broker should have no problem with you asking any number of questions; and if they do, it may be time to find another broker.

Collecting several individual health insurance quotes is a vital step in the process of obtaining health insurance, and should never be skipped. With all the free resources available on the Internet, you can now easily accomplish this step efficiently from the comfort and privacy of your own home. When reviewing multiple health insurance quotes and compare various plans side by side, you will become a much better educated consumer. Only by being informed will you be able to make a confidant health insurance choice for you and your family.

Identity Theft Insurance: What The World Has Come To

This is undoubtedly a sign of the times. Currently not only do we have the usual suspects of quality of life, life, pet, travel, and car insurance, but now our society finds a need to provide identity theft insurance indemnity as well. The numbers speak volumes, as lots of costs are associated with identity theft not to mention the untold stories of damaged lives, and damaged reputations.

There are some monitoring offerings that for a fee will allow you to keep tabs of your credit accounts as well as other private files constantly. Some value-added solutions may include tracking systems to come to find the activities of identity-thieves as well as their theft activities if you become victimized by identity theft.

No one really is positively assured from identity-theft online as both educated and normal civilians are becoming victimized by increasingly high-end attacks on one's personal space. Identity theft insurance normally costs a nominal amount monthly and may help forestall excessive losses should the case arise where your identity is stolen.

It's really unfortunate that trying to avert identity theft has become almost a full time job. With some many new developments, and sneakier tactics and strategies employed by consumers to compromise other people's personal information online, it's positively a brave new world that we are facing. For starters, very much try to exercise safer browsing, and avoid downloading programs that are not digitally signed or that seem suspect.

Don't follow any links in your emails, if the email doesn't come from a trusted source or third party. When using public computer terminals, try to keep away from using your credit card information and also entering any intimate minutiae such as your password and username. Just keep your eye opened and you should be much better off. Remember those who like to steal other people's info are seeking easier victims. Don't let yourself be an easy target. Identity theft insurance can serve as a plan B if all else fails for you and the worst scenario happens.

College Grad Health Insurance

As you graduate college and head into the great, big, scary world, there are probably a lot of things on your mind. First and foremost is finding a good job, then finding a place to live, and then maybe figuring out how to pay back those student loans. One thing that might not cross your mind is health insurance. All of your life, you've most likely been a dependent on your parents' coverage, but that ship is about to sail�if it hasn't already.

We know what you're thinking, "Why do I need health insurance? I'm young, I'm healthy, and doctor visits are few and far between. So why pay for something I'll never use?" Hey, we understand where you're coming from. But accidents and illnesses happen without warning, even to the strapping young adults such as you. Sure, health insurance is expensive, but not having it will cost you dearly.

First things to know

Let's get one thing straight, health care in the United States is a nightmare, few will argue that. There are thousands of options when it comes to receiving care and paying for it, some of them good, some of them not so much. When it comes to choosing an insurance policy that's right for you, confusion abounds. So let's learn a little more about your options.

There are two essential categories of health insurance: managed care and indemnity plans. Though you'll pay more for indemnity coverage, it offers much more flexibility than does a managed care plan. Through indemnity coverage, you'll have your choice of doctor, lab, hospital or specialty clinic. When you seek medical care, you'll have to pay an out of pocket expense�called a deductible�before your coverage will kick in. Deductibles range from a few hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more, depending on your policy. Also, indemnity plans require a co-payment on medical care; meaning you'll be responsible for a percentage of the treatment costs along with your deductible. Generally, indemnity plans pay only for accidents or illness; they usually don't cover preventative care.

Managed care is the complete opposite of indemnity coverage. Deductibles are usually smaller, co-payments are lower, and preventative care is usually covered. Your options, however, are limited. Through a managed care plan, you can only choose between health care providers who are contracted by your health maintenance organization. If you go elsewhere, you pay�the full amount. Since that's a pretty rough deal, many managed care plans are offering hybrid options that include many of the desirable characteristics of an indemnity plan.

Which way to go

If you find a job that offers health insurance and you're single, take it. It may not be perfect, but it beats anything you can find on your own. When you sign up through your employer, you'll probably be confronted with many options. Take a good, long look at them and ask for help from a human resources representative if need be, but make sure you choose the plan that's right for you. Chances are�if you're young and healthy� you'll want a plan with a low premium and higher deductible. Look for a plan that minimizes your out-of-pocket expenses. When it comes to choosing between and indemnity plan or a managed care plan, you may or may not have a choice depending on your employer. Both offer advantages and disadvantages, so make sure to crunch the numbers before committing to one or the other.

Make yourself a deal

Though health insurance is a costly part of our lives, there are ways to save. If you're self-employed, shop around before you commit to a plan. If you're under 50 and in good health, insurance companies will want your business, and cut rates are to be had. Also, take advantage of breaks from Uncle Sam. The self-employed can write off up to 45 percent of their insurance premiums. Some employers offer flexible spending accounts, where you can pay for premiums and costs not covered by insurance with cash that isn't subject to taxes.

If you're married and your spouse also can get coverage from their employer, weigh your options carefully. It might benefit you financially and coverage-wise if you measure the pros and cons of separate coverage, double coverage, or one of you opting out of your work's plan and enrolling in the other's.

Finally, if you've been healthy and believe you can get by with minimum health coverage, look into purchasing "catastrophic coverage". This indemnity policy offers extremely low premiums, but deductibles can be very high�up to $2,500. Coverage is extremely limited to "catastrophic" events, which you'll need to learn all about.

All About Group Health Insurance

It is estimated that more than 60% of the U.S. population that has health insurance receives their coverage through an employer that offers a group health insurance plan. It's no secret that employees value health insurance benefits, perhaps above all other benefits. Employers, on the other hand, like to offer comprehensive group health insurance as it tends to attract and retain qualified employees as well as reduces the company's turnover rates.

In most states, group health insurance is available to companies with 2 or more employees. Often the number of employees covered under the group health insurance plan determines the types of coverage available as well as the premium costs.
For example, companies with between 2 and 50 employees are typically classified as a small business. Such businesses are eligible for small business health insurance; however, each state has its own set of regulations that determines what business can be classified as a "small business". It's interesting to note that some insurance companies will market a "group" health plan to a single individual that is self-employed. In such cases, it's important to realize that these "one-man" groups may not qualify for the same regulations that apply to larger groups.

Companies will thousands of employees may have their group health insurance plans customized for them by a health insurance carrier. Some large corporations will even choose to self-insure, with the health insurance carrier responsible for administering the health plans.

The primary difference between individual and group health insurance is that the plans offered to individuals (and "one-man" groups in some cases) are not "guaranteed issue". This is a significant difference and means that the insurance company cannot deny coverage due to preexisting medial conditions of any of the eligible employees. The insurance company is allowed to ask medical questions, but can do so only for purposes of assessing the premium to charge for the group health insurance coverage.

The costs of group health insurance premiums is typically split 50/50, meaning the employer will cover 50% of the premium costs with the employee responsible for the remaining 50%. Even though minimum employer contribution varies by state, these percentages have changed in recent years due to the dramatic increase in health insurance costs, with employees bearing an ever-increasing share of the total costs.

There are tax incentives available to both employers who offer group health insurance and their employees. Business owners can generally deduct 100% of the premium costs and can reduce their payroll taxes by offering group health insurance as part of an employee's compensation package. Employees, on the other hand, can pay their share of the insurance premium with pre-tax dollars.

In an environment of ever-growing health care and health insurance costs, eligibility in a group health insurance is becoming critical for many employees. Even with paying a higher percentage of premium costs than in the past, employees still are better off financially (and receive greater choices) with group coverage than with an individual health plan. At the same time, business owners are fully aware that offering quality group health insurance creates a more satisfied, and therefore more productive, workforce.

Arizona State Health Insurance-Ways to Control Costs

Arizona state health insurance offers the full gamut of health insurance options.
As with any type of insurance it pays to be an educated consumer and know the options and features available to you. This can be invaluable when going online in search of plans and quotes that will work for you. If you really know what you're talking about you can streamline Arizona health insurance options and find a quote that will fit your economic and medical criteria.

There are two variables that can be manipulated and so control costs.

1. Benefits

The more benefits you subscribe to the higher the cost of the policy. It behooves one to take a good look at exactly what is necessary to be fully covered and only get that which is necessary when trying to control costs. The three variables that will have direct bearing on the cost of the policy found within this category are the amount of coverage, the amount of the deductible and the amount of the copays. The higher the amount of coverage the higher the premium, the same can't be said the deductible or copays, in their case the opposite holds true.

2. Choices

The choices I'm referring to in this section have to do with physicians and hospitals. Different plans and aspects of plans offer varying amounts of leniency when it comes to being able to choose who your doctor is and what hospitals you can go to while still receiving health insurance coverage. If you don't really care about such things and are just honing in on a lower premium these factors may not matter to you. For many these are important considerations. Friends of mine have had to pay more because an ambulance had to take them to a different hospital than listed on their plan. As always the decision of what to choose is a very personal one and one should always go the route best suited to them.

Knowing the possibilities of options and choices will help you find just the right combination of insurance options when you go online in search of Arizona state health insurance. You will be an educated, well prepared to find the best deals.

Insurance

The importance of getting insurance cannot be overstated. This is true not only for your car or truck, but also for your health and life. In the United States, it is actually required by law that you purchase insurance before you are allowed to drive your vehicle on public roads. This is because of the huge costs that can be associated with an accident that only a very small majority of us would be able to pay out of pocket ourselves.
In addition to auto insurance, it is important to insure yourself in a medical sense. If you work for a large corporation, business, or governmental organization, that may already be taken care of. Many such organizations are actually required to offer health insurance as a part of your employment benefit package. The rules on this vary from state to state, and in some cases from county to county, so you would be wise to check the local legislation which should be available at your county building.
If you are not employed by such an organization, you will probably want to get health insurance in the same way you would get car insurance�by shopping for it. Fortunately the internet has helped to reduce the costs associated with all types of insurance dramatically. How? By online price comparison tools. What these tools do is they ask you for all the pertinent information such as age, location, employment, etc. etc., and then they query all the major insurance providers based on the information you gave them. They will then get all the quotes and arrange them together side by side so that you can quickly see which company is offering the best rates for your individual situation.
Because different companies use different formulas in calculating their rates, you will find that different people are better off with different companies. Some small feature related to your health could be devastating with one insurance but entirely irrelevant to another. For that reason it is again a smart idea to use a side by side insurance comparison tool, particularly when there are so many of them available on the internet for free.
We have touched on both auto insurance and health insurance. The third form of insurance touched upon in the introduction is life insurance. While it may not be particularly important to you, it is very important to those you love. If you are supporting a family or loved ones and you pass away, where would they be without you? The answer is often times quite frightening, and is the reason so many of us have decided to pay the minimal monthly rates required for a high quality life insurance policy. Again, you may be able to find discounts through your employer if you work for a large corporation, business, or government entity. Otherwise, like with auto and health insurance, you would be wise to turn to the internet where you can get a large number of rate quotes and compare them side by side.

Long Term Care Insurance Policy

Most young people ignore the fact that they will grow old one day. It is the wise ones who not only think about it but also provide for their future. Statistics show us that almost one out of two Americans require long term care when they grow old. Due to immobility and illness people become dependant on families and institutions to carry out normal daily activities such as dressing and bathing.

Long-term care refers to a system where this can be taken care of in your own home, a hospital, a home center or an assisted living facility. It could be a reality to many who have led a strong and active life earlier. This is why its importance is growing each day. Most Medicare programs and State Medicaid programs do not provide the necessary facilities for payment. Some only cater to those who fall below the poverty line. Therefore, it is prudent to consider applying for a Long Term Care Insurance policy early in life.

If you have worked all your life and have made a substantial saving, then perhaps you can fund your own long-term care. Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky and therefore long-term care insurance is very vital to secure a safe future especially for those who have a history of health problem in the family.

Like for any other policy, it is best that you know all the details prior to buying one. Often times, people forget that premiums for life insurance policies increase over time. This makes it difficult to pay especially when there is no enhancement of the financial situation. Thus, policies are cancelled when they are needed most because policyholders cannot continue to pay high premiums. It is easy to get drawn into buying a policy because market savvy sales executives make it sound so easy. But, it is up to the individual and insurance advisors to properly instruct prospective customers.

One sure way of protecting yourself is to be sure of all the terms and conditions given in the long term care insurance policy document. If the insurance sector is not your cup of tea; you could hire an agent or a broker who will act on your behalf. They will be experts on quotes, claims, processes and other issues. You need to also be careful on selecting the right broker at the right cost. Long-term care insurance not only provides security for you, but for the entire family. So you can take their advice before buying a policy. Remember, to choose an insurance company that is reputable and trustworthy. You can take it for granted that sales people will only state the benefits of a policy. They will not tell you the flip side of the story. Do not rely on brochures and other sales oriented literature to make your decision.

To summarize, a long-term care insurance policy can be used for different types of long term care such as skilled nursing, intermediate nursing and custodial care. The kind of care you choose largely depends on your physical health and situation. This kind of insurance is definitely worthwhile and affordable when you think of life beyond 65 years of age.

Choosing a Syracuse Health Insurance Plan

Choosing a Syracuse Health Insurance Plan

A large number of Americans are offered health insurance through their employers. Unfortunately, not everyone is. If you or your family is currently without health insurance, you are advised to act fast. No one, especially children, should be without health insurance.

The first step in obtaining health insurance, for yourself or your family, it is familiarize yourself with all of your options. The first option that you should examine is the health insurance companies that are able to assist you. If you live in or around the Syracuse area, you may want to start examining Syracuse health insurance companies. Syracuse health insurance companies are often defined as health insurance companies that are based out of Syracuse. In addition to Syracuse based life insurance companies, companies that service the area can also be deemed as Syracuse life insurance companies.

When examining Syracuse life insurance companies, you will likely see that you have a number of different options. If you are looking for low-cost health insurance, you will want to not only compare the services offered by each company, but their prices as well. This can easily be done by requesting a free Syracuse health insurance quote. After you have requested a number of free Syracuse health insurance quotes, you will want to compare your findings. If low-cost is what you are looking for, you will want to go with the company that charges the lowest fees.

Once you have found a Syracuse health insurance company to do business with, whether that company is known as a low-cost company or not, you will have to choose a health insurance plan. As with all other insurance companies, you may find it difficult to choose a Syracuse health insurance plan. Since the Syracuse health insurance plan you choose will be important, you may want to consider seeking professional assistance.

Professional assistance, when it comes to choosing a Syracuse health insurance plan, often comes in the form of a health insurance representative. Many health insurance representatives are there not only to sell you insurance, but to offer you assistance. By corresponding with a representative, whether it is online or by phone, they should be able to help you understand all of the health insurance plans that are available.

In addition to helping you familiarize yourself with all of their available health insurance plans, you will also find that most Syracuse health insurance company representatives will also offer you assistance in selecting the right plan. However, to offer you this assistance, they may request that you provide them with important information. This information may include, but should not be limited to, your personal information, the personal information of your family, your occupation, your current living situation, and the current status of your health.

It is likely that you will benefit from whichever Syracuse health insurance plan you choose. The first step in preparing yourself or your family for the unexpected is to obtain health insurance. That is why it is important to remember that any health insurance plan is better than no plan at all.

Is Yonkers Term Life Insurance Right for You?

Is Yonkers Term Life Insurance Right for You?

Life insurance, we all should have it, unfortunately, not all of us do. Many Americans are provided with life insurance through their employers, but even more are left uncovered. If life insurance coverage is not available through your employer, you may want to consider obtaining it on your own.

When it comes to buying your own life insurance policy, one thing is for sure; it can be a difficult task. Life insurance is important and for that reason, you should not make a decision on impulse. Instead you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with life insurance and what it can do for you.

The first step in familiarizing yourself with life insurance is to learn about the life insurance plans that are available to you. If you are a Yonkers resident, it is likely that you will come across Yonkers term life insurance and Yonkers whole life insurance. While you may not know this right away, there is a big difference between the two. Before you make a decision as to whether or not you want to purchase Yonkers term life insurance or Yonkers whole life insurance, you are urged to further examine each.

Yonkers term life insurance is an insurance policy that is available to all Yonkers residents. In a way, term life insurance can be compared to health insurance. With health insurance, you are only covered for a specific amount of time, often referred to as term. That is also how term life insurance works. If you are interested in obtaining Yonkers term life insurance, you will only be covered for a certain period of time.

If you are interested in obtaining a Yonkers term life insurance policy, you will have to decide on a time range or term. In many cases, the Yonkers life insurance company you are working with will provide you with a preset term; however, you may also be able to negotiate the length of that term. In addition to deciding on a term, you will also have to decide on the money in which your policy will be worth. The amount of money that your Yonkers term life insurance policy will be worth will have a significant impact on your monthly or yearly payments.

If you decide that a Yonkers term life insurance policy is not what you are looking for then you may want to examine Yonkers whole life insurance policies. Unlike term insurance policies, whole life policies are covered for as long as you live, whether that time is one year or twenty years. As long as you keep up with your payments, you should be covered under your whole life insurance policy.

Life insurance may not only be used to pay for your funeral services, but it can also be used to help your family members financially survive without your assistance. Whether you make the decision to obtain a whole life insurance policy or a term life insurance policy, you are making a step in the right direction.

The Benefits of Obtaining Los Angeles Long Term Care Insurance

The Benefits of Obtaining Los Angeles Long Term Care Insurance

In the United States, including the Los Angeles area, there are many individuals who are growing in age. When many of us get older, our health begins to deteriorate. At some point in their life, there are many individuals who end up needing long term care. Unfortunately, this care cannot always be provided by relatives. If you are concerned with how your family will handle your changing health, you may want to examine how long term care insurance can help.

Long term care insurance is a type of insurance that is offered all around the United States, including in the Los Angeles area. By acquiring and making regular payments on a long term care insurance policy, you will be protected in the event that your health changes for the worst. If you are required to live in an assisted living home or another long term care facility, your long term care insurance policy should help pay for the cost of care.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and you are interested in learning more about Los Angeles long term care insurance, you will need to contact a local insurance provider. It may also be a good idea to request information from a number of different long term care insurance providers. There are a number of different providers that offer different insurance plans for different amounts of money. Whether you are looking for a low-cost insurance plan or the plan that best fits your needs, you may be able to benefit from making contact with a number of different providers.

Once you have made contact with at least one Los Angeles long term care insurance provider, you will need to start making a decision. This decision is whether or not you are interested in doing business with that particular insurance provider. If so, you will then have to decide on a specific Los Angeles long term care insurance plan. This plan will often outline how long you are covered for, what your insurance policy is valued at, and how much your insurance premiums will be.

When deciding on a Los Angeles long term care insurance plan, you are advised to fully examine all of your options. Choosing the wrong insurance plan could not only have a negative impact on your future, but the future of your loved ones as well. If you find it difficult to choose a Los Angeles long term care insurance plan, you are advised to seek assistance. This assistance may come from a close friend, family member, or insurance representative. No matter who you choose to seek assistance from, all of these individuals should be able to help you.

Most Los Angeles individuals request and pay for their own Los Angeles long term disability coverage, but not everyone does. If you have an elderly relative and you are concerned with their health, you may want to convince them to acquire a Los Angeles long term care insurance policy. Even if you must make payments for that plan, you may still be able to save yourself and your relative money in the future.

The Benefits Of Health Insurance

Our health is perhaps our greatest and most treasured possession in life, yet many people overlook health insurance as an option that is too expensive. Although health insurance can cost a lot, there are some great deals to be had and if you can afford it then it might help save your life. Here are some benefits and tips about health insurance:

What is private health insurance?

Health insurance covers the cost of private medical treatment for curable illness or injury. Private health insurance means that your treatment is paid for and takes place in a private hospital. You usually pay a premium monthly or yearly for the level of cover that you desire. Private health insurance is designed to give you the peace of mind to have elective treatment faster than you could on the NHS.

Benefits of health insurance

The obvious benefit of health insurance is that you don't have to wait for treatment. With the NHS being stretched to the limit many people have to wait for operations and treatment whilst in discomfort and pain. With private insurance your treatment is covered and you can have the treatment much more quickly, whilst also being in the comfort of private accommodation. This gives people the peace of mind knowing that if they need any elective treatment they will not have to wait for it. If you wanted private treatment but did not have insurance, the fees would be extremely high. Even a simple MRI scan done privately can cost over �1000, so having insurance to cover this extremely cost effective.

Levels of cover

The level of cover you receive depends on how much you are willing to pay and what you want. Policies can cover you just for surgery, or for other treatments like physiotherapy and acupuncture. Some policies will cover you for all of these things, but expect to pay quite a lot of money in premiums for all the benefits. The amount you have to pay also depends on your age and current health status.

Things not covered

Although private medical insurance can cover you for most curable acute illnesses, there are a number of things it does not cover you for. Normally when you take out health insurance you will be asked about your medical history and to provide documents detailing past medical treatment. Anything that you have problems with already will not be covered by your policy. Also, you won't be covered for things outside the scope of private health insurance, like accident and emergency admittance. Other examples of things that are usually not covered are psychiatric illness, long-term incurable illnesses, GP services and regular dental treatment.

Getting medical insurance

There are a number of providers of medical insurance, both online and offline. It pays to shop around to find a good deal for the level of cover you want. Although medical insurance can be pricey with full cover for someone over 50 costing thousands of pounds a year, the benefits are immeasurable. Even if you claim just once in a few years you will have saved yourself time and money. If you look around you will be able to find a reasonably priced health insurance policy to suit your needs.

Buying life insurance: a checklist

Life insurance can be an effective tool to make certain and protect your family's financial future. It has been acknowledged universally as a method by which the breadwinner can substitute risk and uncertainty with timely aid for the family in case of their unfortunate death.

Since a life insurance policy will replace your lost income after your death, it is important to choose the right kind of policy. Hence, it is essential to find a company that will cover your insurance with the right amount, and at a reasonable price.

Need for a life insurance policy:

There are several reasons for an individual, specifically a breadwinner, to make out a life insurance policy. To assuage your concern for your family in case of your death, most life insurance policies offer various death benefits that take care of your family after your death:

1. For example, a member of your family may have some special needs. You can buy a life insurance policy that will act as an emergency fund in the event of your untimely death.
2. If you want to make sure that your child gets quality education even after your death, a life insurance can also work as a fund for your child's education.
3. An insurance policy will ensure the maintenance of your family's standard of living.
4. Your family can also use it to clear personal and business debts, after your death.

Duration of insurance coverage:

Before buying a policy it is advisable to ensure the duration for which you want life insurance coverage. You can take online help to decide the coverage duration.

Need for a checklist

After you decide on your specific need, and the duration of your life insurance policy, you can begin looking for a suitable policy. It is prudent to prepare a checklist before buying, as this will ensure that you end up purchasing the right policy.

The checklist must include various factors on which you can assess insurance companies, which includes various criteria set by insurance companies too. Here are a few pointers:

1. Before buying a life insurance policy, it is advisable to ensure that you have all medical information regarding your health, because most companies expect that, depending on your age and the duration of insurance coverage.
2. It's a good idea to compare various life insurance companies on the basis of quotes that they have to offer. You can take the help of the Internet to compare the quotes based on your choice of insurance product and your age.
3. You can also take help from a broker through the telephone or the Internet and clear all your queries.
4. Once you decide on a particular insurance company, it is important to ascertain the company's financial strength and stability.
5. It is also advisable to gather information about the options for renewal that various insurance companies offer, because some companies charge high premiums if you renew your policy.
6. Some insurance companies charge a penalty if you cancel your policy, so make sure that the company you choose does not demand a penalty on cancellation of policy.
7. You may also want to make some changes in your policy in due time, as your insurance needs can change with time. So, when you purchase your insurance policy find out if there is an age limitation for any kind of conversion of your policy, and whether the option of moving into a better policy is there.

All about Health Insurance

Health insurance is a necessity for all. With medical expenses soaring every day higher than a hang glider, paying for them could have you digging deep into the pockets of your jeans.

What types of health insurance are available?

Health insurance plans usually falls into one of two categories: indemnity plans (also known as reimbursement plans) and other one managed care plans such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point of service (POS) plans.

An indemnity plan gives the privilege to choose your own doctors and pays for your own medical expenses totally, in part, or even up to a specified amount per day for a specified number of days.

Managed care plans generally provide wider coverage, but they all have an arrangement between the insurer and a selected network of health-insurance providers (doctors, hospitals, etc.). For example, an HMO would require that a primary care physician in the network coordinate all of your care and also refer you to specialists in the network.

No matter which type of health insurance you buy, you'll should to make sure it offers the right kinds of insurance coverage.

What should be covered?

� A good health insurance policy holds several types of coverage.

� Hospital cost insurance pays your room, board, and other incidental services costs if you're hospitalized.

� Surgical expense insurance covers surgeons' fees and all the related costs associated with surgery.

� Physicians cost insurance pays for visits to a doctor's office or for a doctor's hospital visits.

� Major medical insurance offers tremendously wide insurance coverage with a very high maximum benefit that's designed to protect you against losses from catastrophic illness or any injury.

Where can I get health insurance?

You may get health insurance through a group insurance plan at work or through another group affiliation (a school, a club, etc.) or by purchasing an individual insurance plan on your own. By purchasing an individual insurance plan on your own, you might even be able to modify the health plan. Shop online to compare rates from numerous companies to find the best plan and rate to meet your needs.

Which plan is best?

The best health insurance plan for you is the one, which gives you the greatest flexibility and the most payback for the lowest cost. You'll need to shop around and get several quotes before selecting a plan. Here are a few points to consider:

� What co-pays, deductibles, and other coinsurance requirements apply?
� How much freedom do you really have to select your own health-care providers?

� Does the plan cover the health services, which you need?

� Does the plan cover the health-insurance providers you're currently using?

� Does the plan offer family, individual coverage as well?

� Does the insurance plan cover pre-existing conditions? If so, is there a waiting period? (The average waiting period is three months to one year.)

Travel Insurance � smart choices

You decide to take that once-in-a lifetime trip, the one you've always dreamed of and you want to make sure that nothing goes wrong. As any human being, you are aware that you do not have a total control over your life and that accidents can happen. Travel insurance is a necessary item if you are going on a vacation.

The competition on the insurance market is stringent and there are many companies ready to offer travel insurance suitable for one's needs and preferences. Remember that is vital that you purchase travel insurance in order to protect your travel investment.

While browsing, decide what type of coverage you require. Take in consideration several factors such as: journey duration, destination and your age and health conditions. You should also check if preexisting conditions are covered by your travel insurance.

Travel insurance is a necessity you cannot do without. It offers coverage for unpredictable situations such as: cancellation of trips, delays of travel, lost of luggage and personal belongings, emergency evacuation or medical expenses. Some travel insurance policies have additional claims for accidental deaths.

For travel to Canada, it is best that you choose to purchase travel insurance for Canada as it has certain advantages. Former English colony, Canada is the world's largest country by land mass and offers a broad range of cultural and geographical features. This outstanding country offers its visitors one of the most untamed landscapes in the world. Still, all tourists are encouraged to have travel insurance in Canada for safety reasons.

You should also check if the travel insurance you choose has additional features like: travel document loss, optional medical benefits (helicopter for emergency cases), and accidental death during flight. These things are difficult to think about but not impossible to happen. It is best to be prepared and purchase complete travel insurance. In order to arrive to an informed decision search online, compare prices and benefits. In short: canvas and compare.

The tricky part is finding the appropriate travel insurance quotes. You just log on to your computer and go online. There are many insurance companies ready to offer free travel insurance quotes on their sites. Consider the features and compare figures.

Travel insurance quotes can be easily obtained by completing a form with basic information. After filling out the form, you will receive travel insurance quotes from several companies. These travel insurance quotes show in detail different travel insurance options, deductible and other details. This will help you pick out the best plan based on your need and preferences.

Choosing a reputable website can help you obtain instant travel insurance quotes from leading companies and also personalized travel insurance assistance. These travel insurance quotes are always up-to-date and accurate not to mention that there is a wide selection online. You can look at several different travel insurance quotes at the same time online, in a short period of time.

You can find on the Internet various travel insurance quotes for Canada from leading Canadian companies. These companies are the best on the market and they have been meeting the demands of a diversified population for many years. Travel insurance quotes in Canada are easy to find but you have to be careful if they are meeting your needs.

Traveling will always offer lifetime lasting memories. So it is in your best interest to look after yourself and purchase full travel insurance in order to feel safe and have fun. There is no reason to be skeptical; purchasing travel insurance is a must.

Five Things You May Not Know About Small Group Health Insurance

This past September (2006), America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Center for Policy and Research published a survey about the state of small group health insurance in the U.S. as of January 2006. The study was very comprehensive with many interesting results. Of the many findings, this article will touch on five that are most likely to shed some light on this subject for those in the small group health insurance market.

First, of the 650,000 small groups surveyed, it was found that for small group plans, premiums decreased as group size increased. On average, companies with between 26 and 50 employees paid about 13% less for single coverage than companies with 10 or fewer employees.

For those familiar with health insurance in general, this disparity probably does not come as a surprise. As group size increases, underwriters are able to spread risk more effectively. So, unfortunately, if you are looking for small group health insurance with say 10 employees, be prepared to pay more per employee than if you had say 30 employees.

Second, the amount of cost sharing by the employee typically is higher with small group health insurance plans. The average deductible for small groups (50 or fewer employees) was $849 while a survey by The Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust showed an average deductible of $469 for mostly medium size companies (up to 199 employees), a nearly 45% difference.

This disparity is most likely related to the higher cost for small group health insurance. Couple this with the fact that small firms may not have the resources of their larger counterparts, and you can more clearly understand this higher level of cost sharing for small group employee plans.

Third, among the companies surveyed with small group coverage, PPO plans enjoyed the most popularity. Fifty-seven per cent of employees with small group coverage chose a PPO plan, followed by HMO coverage with 39%. It's interesting to note that the oldest type of health insurance, indemnity health insurance, was barely a blip in the survey with less than 0.5%.

The recent popularity of PPO's is reflective of the changes in the health insurance market, changes brought on mostly by spiraling costs. Indeed, PPO's allow for the cost savings of an HMO, with the freedom to go out of your network if necessary and still have coverage, albeit at a reduced rate.

Fourth, just over 10% of small group employees had a choice of two or more insurance plans. This number seemed low until it was viewed in light of the popularity of PPO plans. That is, one PPO plan is more likely to offer coverage that addresses the needs of a larger number of individuals.

More significantly, perhaps, is the fact that more than 80% of the small groups surveyed had 10 or fewer employees. With such small groups to begin with, it would be very difficult to offer affordable group health insurance to any subset of such groups.

Fifth and last, is an issue that is mentioned in the survey results but was not a finding of the survey. That is, while small group health insurance is mostly regulated by the states, it is federal law that requires small group health insurance be offered as "guaranteed issue". This means that small businesses cannot be denied coverage due the health problems of its employees or dependents. However, even though the health status of a company's employees and dependents cannot be used to deny coverage, it can be used to determine rates. This varies by state, but will typically result in higher premiums.

The small group health insurance market can be a frustrating place for many. By gaining a greater understanding of the current state of this market, one can approach the subject in a more realistic manner. For those in the small group health insurance market, there are many factors to consider that can affect cost. These include, but are not limited to, the size of your small group, the state in which the company is located, and the level of benefits offered to employees.

Everthing You Need to Know About Individual Health Insurance Plans (Part II)

In 'Every Thing You Need to Know about Individual Health Insurance Plans (Part I)', we began our discussion of individual health insurance plans by talking about indemnity plans. We then started a discussion about managed health care plans. We now continue that discussion�

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan is less expensive than a PPO and generally includes coverage for preventative care. Participants are required to pay a monthly premium, and a nominal co-payment each time they see a doctor. They must be seen by medical care providers that are part of the HMO network. These medical care providers have an agreement with the insurance company to perform various medical procedures at a previously negotiated and reduced rate. Participants are required to select from this group of providers a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and must always see their PCP first. To be seen by a specialist, the PCP must initiate a referral.

The disadvantage of an HMO is that participants are forced to choose a PCP from the HMOs approved list of providers and sometimes, their 'preferred' doctor is not on the list. The HMO typically won't cover the costs of medical care provided by professionals outside the HMO network. And because an HMO network is limited in size, it often takes a long time to get an appointment with the PCP.

A Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) is similar to a HMO, except that there is no need to first be seen by a PCP. Participants are advised to choose a medical professional from the PPO's approved 'network' but they don't have to and they don't need a referral to see a specialist. Should a participant choose to go outside the network, their co-payment will generally be higher, the percentage that the PPO pays for the medical care will be lower, and they will likely have to satisfy a deductible. PPO plans have become the most popular individual health insurance plan in the U.S. today.

Although PPOs offer more freedom of choice, there are generally more costs involved in this type of managed care plan. These costs can be significant when participants go outside the network.

A POS or Point of Service managed care plan can be described as a cross between a HMO and PPO. It offers more freedom of choice like a PPO, and a lower cost like an HMO. Participants must designate a PCP, but even then it is difficult to get a referral to a specialist. When participants stay within the network, paperwork is minimal, and so are co-pays. Plus, there are no deductibles. Although they might sound like the best of both worlds, POS individual health insurance plans aren't very popular.
When considering a managed care plan, be sure to look closely at the list of in-network doctors. If you don't see your doctor listed, you may want to forego this option. Of course, if your health care is primarily yearly check-ups and the occasional antibiotics, and you do not have a physician preference, then this is an individual health insurance plan that could work for you. It will cover health emergencies, as well; there are just more hoops you have to jump through.

The many different types of available individual health insurance plans, as well as individual health insurance coverage, give you many options from which to choose when selecting coverage. Be sure to do your homework; becoming an educated consumer will help you decide on the best individual health insurance plan for you and your family.