Travel Insurance Tips � Understand the limits, excesses and exclusions to avoid huge bills and get the best price

Travel insurance is a 'must' for anyone going away whether on holiday or for business so it is wise to check that the insurance you take out is relevant to the type of cover you need. The last thing you want is a huge bill after your trip, medical or otherwise, because your policy did not cover you for what you thought. There are many different areas to take into consideration when you buy travel insurance. If you don't make sure the travel insurance is right for you, you may not be covered, so follow these simple tips to help ensure you get the right travel insurance for your needs, what to look out for, and how to compare travel insurance prices for when you buy travel insurance.

A standard travel insurance package should normally provide compensation for a range of holiday and travel mishaps such as:

* Cancellation or curtailment of your trip
* Medical emergencies and repatriation
* Loss or damage to personal possessions
* Loss or theft of money
* Personal liability
* Compensation for permanent disability or death

Often these areas of cover can be subject to limits, excesses and exclusions so do check your policy carefully so you know what you may or may not be covered for. If you are the energetic or adventurous type, check that dangerous activities such as snowboarding, skiing, white water rafting or journeys to remote areas are included in your insurance policy � you may need a special type of insurance or an endorsement to cover your needs. Expenses caused by a terrorism event may be excluded or an expensive item of luggage or equipment may need to be insured separately. Some insurers do not cover people over the age of 65 or 70, and if you have any existing medical conditions, these also may not be covered.

It is true that your household insurance will offer cover for personal items and you may be able to remove these from your travel insurance cover to save you money. Also your credit card providers may offer some limited cover. A European Health Insurance Card will entitle you to reduced-cost or sometimes free medical treatment in the European Economic Area countries, but will not normally cover rescue costs or repatriation. If you are travelling for business your employer may offer some travel insurance cover. So where do you go to find the most suitable travel insurance for you? You can buy travel insurance from many different sources, travel agents, tour operators, banks, the post office, credit card providers or direct from insurance companies. The easiest and quickest method is online and Heathrow travel insurance offers a comprehensive service which is easily accessible.

In short, if you follow these steps, you can be sure that you have the right cover for you and that you have not paid over the odds for this peace of mind.

* Consider what cover you need
* Consider where you are going and what you are going to do
* Take into account the cover you may already have
* Tell your insurer all the relevant facts i.e. your age and any existing medical conditions
* Shop around and compare travel insurance prices
* Check your policy carefully

When you go to buy travel insurance, you want to make sure you have got the right price for the cover you need. One way to do this is to use an online travel insurance Heathrow Airport price checker, where you can compare travel insurance prices online. The best travel insurance Heathrow airport price checker that I have found to compare travel insurance prices is www.heathrowinformation.co.uk. This website also provides lots more information and suggestions as to where to buy travel insurance.

Finally, before you go away on your trip, make sure you take a copy of your policy and a note of the telephone number in a safe place, and of course, take good care of yourself and your belongings whilst you are away. You can now look forward to your trip safe in the knowledge that you have done everything necessary, and that if anything were to go wrong, you would be fully covered. But of course we all hope it won't and thankfully the majority of the time it doesn't � but you should always be prepared! This article is free for republishing.

Why Bother with Travel Insurance if you're a Canadian Travelling Within Canada?

Whatever your politics, whatever your religion, and whether you're wealthy or not so well off, we Canadians are indeed a blessed people when compared with most of the rest of the world. Anyone who doesn't recognize this obviously hasn't done much travelling outside of Canada, or simply has a very particular grievance of some sort against some aspect of Canada.

For the most part, Canada works, and from sea to shining sea, from our southern border to the icy north, we are collectively better off than most of the rest of the worlds population. You know this to be true if you've been outside of our borders for any length of time.

Physically, our great land is so varied, and so vast, that in fact it would be possible to spend every vacation right here in Canada, never leaving the country, and barely even scratch the surface of what there is to see and do, and still have a great vacation every time.

One of the things we can be most proud of is our health care system. Yes, it's not perfect, but how many things are? And, fortunately, as a Canadian traveling within our own borders, our various Provincial and Territorial health care plans cover us for the most part, in the event of accident or tragedy that injures our health while travelling outside of the province or territory of our residence, but still within Canada.

However, it may interest you to know (especially if your next vacation is going to be within Canada), that there are gaps in the Provincial and Territorial Health Care Plans, that may leave you considerably out of pocket under certain conditions, and this is precisely why smart travellers opt to purchase travel insurance even when traveling within Canada.

Using the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) as an example, an Ontario resident travelling to Alberta, who had an accident which resulted in chipped teeth, but did not require a hospital visit, would have to bear the full cost of repairing the damaged teeth themselves. This could add up to substantially more than the few dollars a day that it would typically cost to purchase travel insurance. There are many similar scenarios.

Although OHIP covers a wide range of medical services, it does not pay for services that are deemed not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery. It is unlikely that OHIP would pay the full cost of cosmetically restoring the disfigurement that many accidents cause.

Many other health care services are only partially covered, or may not be covered at all. Medical services such as Podiatrists and Osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists, may or may not be covered depending on a variety of factors. Even ambulance services, prescribed medications and long-term care services may only be partially covered depending on the circumstances.

The facts are that OHIP is not unique in this regard. Each Province and Territory has it's own rules and regulations, and it's often quite a challenge to figure out exactly what they are.

This is one good reason that smart travellers within Canada arm themselves with Travel Insurance.

There are other reasons for purchasing travel insurance for travel within Canada,
Some of these include:

Baggage Insurance � What difference would it make if you were traveling from Vancouver to Halifax or from Toronto to Singapore if your baggage was lost or stolen? Baggage insurance would protect you either way.

Trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance � Imagine that you've reserved expensive hotel rooms and other services for your vacation within Canada, and you are forced at the last minute to cancel or abandon your trip. You could be out of pocket a great deal of money. This kind of travel insurance could restore your out of pocket expenses.

Emergency Medical Insurance � It would be comforting to know that if the unimaginable were to occur, and you were involved in an accident while on vacation, that you and/or your family members/fellow travelers would not have to worry about the costs of prescription drugs from pharmacies, home care services, ambulance services, long-term care services, dental and cosmetic surgery if needed, and other health care services that may be needed or desired. � Especially when this kind of coverage can be as little as a couple of dollars daily.

For the few extra dollars per day that it costs, travel insurance is easy to obtain, and buys enormous peace of mind while on your trip.

Remember, in the event of tragedy, you will "submit for consideration" the costs associated with your treatment to your particular Provincial or Territorial Health Ministry. They will decide the extent of your re-imbursement.

Given how inexpensive these kinds of insurance can be, do you still want to "not bother" with travel insurance when travelling within Canada?


The information collected and compiled here is for general reference only. Always speak with a licensed insurance representative to answer your specific questions.

Get A Life Insurance Quote Online

The technical definition of life insurance is a system that provides compensation in case of the individual's demise. In other words it means having a back up in case you or the person insured dies. This is in terms of a sum of money that is then payable to the surviving nominee by the life insurance companies who provide these policies.

There are a number of people who mistakenly believe that buying a life insurance policy means inviting death and bad luck. In fact it is just the opposite. By buying a life insurance policy you actually secure your surviving nominees in event of your death. Life insurance policy is therefore a good thing to have.

This process usually begins by the life insurance quotes, many of which are obtained online. An applicant simply has to log on to the websites of the many life insurance companies and fill in the relevant details. You are also required to answer some specific questions that pertain to your health and medical history as well. However the first thing you need to do is actually decide which type of life insurance you need and what is the amount you require to insure yourself with.

There are basically two types of life insurance policies- Term life insurance policies and Cash back life insurance policies. Term life insurance policies are active as long as you pay the premiums. Cash back life insurance policies are those where you are assured of a sum on policy maturity.

Your life insurance policy sum is actually an amount that your family will receive and that will take the place of the loss of income that will result due to your death.
This would mean that this sum would have to take care of some urgent and other important needs. The urgent needs would probably be the funeral expenses, final medical expenses, repayments of any loans and outstandings due to the insured name, any mortgages that need to paid off and such others. The important needs which may not be urgent but which would still be required would be the educational expenses of the children, the medical expenses of the surviving family members and the like.

If you are a single parent then it is all the more important to get a life insurance online quote at the earliest and buy the best and most suitable life insurance policy thereafter, Your life insurance amount is also decided by your economic and family situations. Your earnings and capacity to pay premiums will be taken into consideration along with the number of dependants you have and their ages.

Remember all Life insurance companies that offer you a life insurance online quote require very specific information regarding your medical history. Smokers are generally considered a high risk proposition for insurance companies and this increases the premium you would pay. Your age is also another very important factor. The higher the age, the more the premium payable as the quality of your life and your health generally deteriorates with age.

Once you decide on the two basic choices you can get your life insurance quote online.
Run a search for the life insurance companies that operate in and around where you live. When you log onto the relevant websites you are asked some general questions like your name, age, gender, height, weight, usage of tobacco or nicotine, the amount of insurance you are seeking, mode of payment of premium etc, Click on the submit button. You will receive the life insurance online quote specific to your requirement.

If you are not happy to receive one quote at a time, there are many websites that provide you with multiple life insurance online quotes as well. This is a great way to get many online quotes from different life insurance companies and gives you a good choice. If you get your life insurance online quotes and find that they are too expensive you must review them. There are some ways to reduce your life insurance costs.

You can choose to buy one large life insurance policy instead of several. You can be a part of group life insurance policies which come cheaper. When you are searching for life insurance online quotes, enter your premium payment options as annual. You can save a lot here. Lastly make sure you shop online across several websites to obtain the best life insurance online quote there is.

Term Life Insurance - The Five Most Common Types Of Term Life Insurance Explained

Term Life Insurance is the lowest priced life insurance that is available to consumers. Unlike Whole Life Insurance, Term provides no Cash Value. This means that there are no funds building while you pay your insurance payments (premiums). Term is what is known as "pure" life insurance, with 100% of the premiums paid going toward the payment of your policy.

A Whole Life insurance policy will build a Cash Value because a portion of the premiums paid go toward the policy fund and the other portion go toward the payment of the insurance coverage.

Term life provides you with more Face Value coverage than other types of life insurance, for a "given" dollar premium.

There are five main types of Term Life insurance available, although there are other variables, such as Level Term, Decreasing Term and Increasing Term (The latter is only available as a "Rider"), we'll just focus on these main five for right now.

#1. Deposit Term Insurance - This is a 10 year renewable policy where you will make a security deposit at the time of purchase. The insurance company will return the entire amount of the deposit, plus interest, as long as the policy is maintained for at least 10 years.

#2. Re-Entry Term Insurance - This is the least expensive type of Term. You can purchase Re-Entry at what are known as "select rates", which are less expensive than standard rates. Each time the "Term" of the policy is up, you'll need to submit proof that you're still in good health in order to receive the select rates, which must be done by completing a physical exam. If you're not still in good health, then you must continue to pay the amount (premium) on the original Term policy.

#3. Renewable Term Insurance - You may renew this type of policy at the end of the policy term without having to take a physical exam or provide proof that you are still insurable. You would still have regular increases in your premium amount as you grow older, but not because your health may be suffering. One common type of Renewable Term Life is called "Annual Renewable". The premium on an Annual Renewable Term policy will automatically go up each year. Other types of Renewable Premium Plans include; Five Year, Ten Year and Twenty Year Renewable Term.

#4. Non-Convertible/Non-Renewable - This type of Term insurance will expire at the end of a given time. Example, 10-Year Term. It costs more than Re-Entry Term Insurance, but is less expensive than Renewable Term.

#5. Convertible Term Insurance - This type of Term has what is known as a "conversion" privilege. This means that you may convert this policy to a policy with a higher premium, such as Endowment or Whole Life. You can do this at any time that you wish and your new premium would be based upon your age at the time of the conversion. A reason for doing this would be so you may purchase a more "permanent" plan. Your health would not make difference in the premium costs at the time of the conversion.

An example reason for buying Convertible Term Life Insurance might be a young man or woman that buys a policy in order to take care of their final expenses and debts, just in case of the unexpected happening. When this young person grew older and married, then they may want to convert their Term policy into something with a long term Cash Value, while still maintaining the original Face Value of the policy. The only difference would be an increase in premium payments.

Texas Individual Health Insurance

The Texas individual health insurance market is flush with top health insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UniCare of Texas, United Healthcare of Texas, Aetna of Texas, Humana of Texas, PacifiCare of Texas and many more. The choices may seem overwhelming but do your research and take advantage of the tools that are available to you and your Texas individual health insurance search will be a snap!

Texas individual health insurance is different from Texas group health insurance in that most companies will have questions on the application for individual health concerning your health history going back 10 years. On the individual side most TX companies will scrutinize your health history for pre-existing conditions and will underwrite you based on your health history. This is opposed to the group health approach where the health insurance company will not closely scrutinize your health history but will underwrite your group as a whole. It follows then that individual health insurance in Texas is much cheaper than group because of this difference in underwriting.

Texas individual health insurance is very affordable for individuals, families, and the self employed. However, keep in mind that the rates are based on your home residence zip code. Thus, some companies are more competitive in certain areas of TX as opposed to others. Always compare quotes from multiple companies side by side to be sure that you are receiving the best value. Compare Texas individual health insurance quotes for free at Texas Health Insurance 360.

Texas individual health insurance companies can vary in reputation quite a bit as well. Be sure to research any health insurance company that you have never heard of and consult an independent agent that can offer you objective advice. For the most part you will want to stick with a well-known and reputable company like United Healthcare of Texas, Aetna of Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, UniCare of Texas, Humana of Texas, and PacifiCare of Texas.

Texas individual health insurance agents can be categorized into two main categories: Independent Health Insurance Agents and Captive Health Insurance Agents. You will want to make sure that you enlist the help of an independent agent/broker rather than a captive agent as Texas independent agents can work with multiple companies and "shop" quotes for you to find you the best value in a policy where a captive agent can only work with one health insurance Company.

Dental Plans vs Dental Insurance - Finally.... A Detailed Explanation

Choosing a Dental Plan these days can be just like pulling teeth. Pardon the humor, but for anyone who has tried to figure out the difference between dental plans, dental insurance, dental discount plans, dental health plans, ect., it can be an extremely frustrating and confusing experience.

First off, there are only two different things that we need to look at. Those are dental insurance and dental plans. Somehow there's become a lot of different terminology for these two, but they're the only ones that you need to worry about.

When most people think of dental care they think of insurance, which, twenty years ago was pretty much the only thing available to consumers. Many people could get coverage through their work either automatically, as an employee group benefit, or for a small fee. Things have changed a lot in the past two decades. Recent studies show that seven out of ten people in the United States have no type of dental coverage at all.

Dental insurance, unless provided by your employer, isn't as "cost effective" these days. Some of the drawbacks are annual deductibles, annual spending limits, non-coverage for pre-existing conditions or a very long (usually 6-12 month) waiting period, and limitations and exclusions on certain types of care. You must also pay a monthly or annual premium which can be in the $25-$50.00 per month range for an individual person and even as much as $100.00 monthly for entire family coverage. At these rates it's no wonder that there are such a high number of people who aren't covered. They simply cannot afford it.

Dental discount plans were introduced several years ago as an insurance "alternative".

Let's define a discount plan - it's really very simple. A dental discount plan allows you to visit a dentist at a reduced rate. You join the plan, which is usually very inexpensive and you may then visit any dentist in that plans "network". This network is a group of dentist's that have agreed to accept a reduced payment for services performed. They do this under the condition that the work be paid for at the time of the visit.

You see, it costs dentist's money and time to fill out forms for insurance payments or to finance someone's dental work. Besides the paperwork, it usually takes anywhere from 45-90 days for them to be paid by the insurance company after they've completed the work. In some cases, claims can even be rejected after they've already performed the work. The insurance company can claim that the person treated was no longer covered for whatever reason or that the procedure performed was excluded from being covered, in which case, the dentist is left "holding the bag".

With dental discount plans you'll pay a discounted fee for services rendered at the time of your visit. For example, let's say that you need your teeth cleaned. The normal price for this may be $80.00, but you'll get a discount card stating that you get a 50% (example) discount, so, in this case, you'd only pay $40.00.

Let's do another example - let's say that you need a root canal done and the price for a root canal is $800.00. Well, you've got a discount card that saves you 50% so you you'd only have to pay $400.00 out of pocket at the time of your visit to the dentist. Are you beginning to understand how this works?

This can be very cost effective for a family.

Is this beginning to make sense now? It's really very simple isn't it?

The 50% savings used was only an example. Many plans offer even higher discounts on certain procedures. Some even include discounts on procedures such as cosmetic dentistry, professional teeth whitening, orthodontics and more.

Also, pre-existing conditions are covered, there are no exclusions, no deductibles and no waiting periods to be treated. You can also see any dentist in the network. If for some reason you're not happy with the first dentist that you see, you can simply start seeing a different one.

That pretty much sums it up. I hope that this was helpful so that you may make an informed decision when you decide to buy dental coverage.

How Life Insurance Companies Determine Rates

Life insurance rates can be so misunderstood at times. Just how do the various life insurers determine what my rates are?

There are many different factors that go into determining each individual's life insurance premiums. These factors include, your age, gender, current health condition, whether you smoke or not, and any hazardous occupations or hobbies you are involved in. In addition, the life insurance company also adds in a profit margin. Let's take a quick look at some of these different categories.

Your Health Condition

Most every insurance company has 3-4 main health categories they use: Preferred Best, Preferred, Standard and Tobacco.

Obviously, the preferred best category is the at the top, and used for individuals in excellent health. The proposed insured will not have any adverse medical conditions or a past history of medical problems, and they are not on any kind of medication.

In addition to that, your family history will usually need to have no incidents of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or a host of other long term, life threatening diseases that may be considered hereditary.

Why? It's more likely for these people to live a long healthy life, so the life insurance company will charge them the lowest possible premium.

Next is the preferred category which is somewhat like the preferred best, but it allows for the proposed insured person to be in slightly less than perfect health.

The category that most everyone falls in to is the standard group. If you have minor health issues, or are currently on medication, or perhaps have a family history of diseases, etc., then you'll most likely be assigned to this category. Keep in mind, if you happen to be extremely overweight, or have a number of health issues, the company will generally charge more in premiums.

The last category is for smokers. People in this category are considered high risk and will pay much higher premiums for life insurance than those who do not smoke.

Your Age and Gender

All life insurance companies use life mortality tables to calculate their premiums. These life mortality tables use statistics that show the life expectancy for every age. So, for example, a female aged 28 can be expect to live much longer than a female aged 67. By using mortality tables, the insurance companies can produce rate tables that show the various premium contributions for every age.

Statistically speaking, women can generally expect to live 3-6 years longer than men, so many insurance companies use the male rate less 4 years when calculating the life insurance premium for a female prospect.

Finally, an insurance company will look at your current occupation, as well as any hobbies you pursue in determining whether or not to rate up your life policy, or even offer you coverage at all. For example, if you spend your weekends parachuting out of airplanes you can expect to have a hard time even getting life insurance, or you'll pay substantially higher rates for it.

Remember, always be up front and honest when applying for any type of life insurance coverage. If you are given a policy and later it is discovered that you were not truthful, the life insurance company has no legal obligation to pay the death benefit to your beneficiary in the event you were to die. That's the last thing you want happening, as the reason for taking out a life insurance policy is to provide a benefit to the ones you love.

Group Health Insurance Instant Quote - What Information Is Needed?

These days it's fairly easy to get group health insurance instant quotes just by going online. Most every site that offers instant quotes on their group health insurance plans will provide a questionnaire which must be filled out in order to receive the quote. This type of questionnaire will also find out what area of the country your business is in and be able to tailor the quote to the economics of the area. Group health insurance is available when two or more people are working for the same company.

So What Might The Differences Be?

The economic climates of states vary greatly, and believe you me I can vouch for that. I've lived in the Northeast, Southwest and Southeast and each area is unto itself offering variations in living standards and cost of living. Given these factors it's easy to understand how plans and quotes could differ in such widely divergent regions such as those found in Colorado, California, Arizona or Florida.

Other key questions you will be asked by the insurance companies eager to supply you with group health insurance instant quotes elucidate such issues as whether you currently offer such insurance. They will want to know other information including:

1. What types of insurance are you considering?

2. What types of coverage in addition to primary medical?

3. How many years has the company been in business?

4. How many eligible employees do you have?

5. Do you have a preference for what kind of plan-higher deductible, employee paid or not?

6. And there is usually a box for personal comments to add any information deemed necessary but not asked in one of the preceding questions.

Once the form is filled out you can be guaranteed of an instantaneous quote or quotes being delivered via the digital highway to your computer screen for your leisurely perusal.

Will Health Insurance Really Saves Money?

Health insurance is a type of an insurance whereby the insurer pays the medical costs of the insured, if the insured becomes sick due to covered causes or due to accidents. A health insurance policy is a legal binding contract between the insurance company and the insured.

Health insurance benefits are many. Health insurance is termed also as accident insurance, sickness insurance and medical insurance. Health insurance is purchased generally, with no assurance of renewability and if renewable no guarantee that premium rates will not increase.

Before getting the health insurance a person who wants to insure, may ask to fill a comprehensive medical history. In that they came to know about whether the person suffered from any disease or he/she has some bad habits such like that. Regarding that the person can claim for insurance with some restrictions.

In our scheduled commitments it's very essential to maintain our healthcare in the day-to-day life. You can save money for health insurance by joining in an association that allows members to get together in a local chamber of commerce for the insurance. The money we spent for health insurance will be affordable like our day to day expenses.

Health insurance costs rising in all the time. Many people feel that they cannot afford for health insurance. Some feel they don't need it, because they are healthy and fit. But it's wrong. If you think that you need health insurance, there are lots of ways to get affordable health insurance for yourself and to your family. It is a protection against the health problems that could happen in the future. It's a precaution. We have to go by the proverb �Prevention Is Better Than Cure'.

Health insurance can be classified into two classes- indemnity plans and managed care plans. The basic difference between the two is that while in indemnity plan the insured has the right to approach any doctor and get indemnified of all or a part of the medical expenses; in managed care plans, the insurance company will restrict the insured's choice of doctors and hospitals. The insurance company has entered into an arrangement with select doctors and hospitals for the health care needs.

Each health insurance company has its own set of policies and procedures. If you have a large claim, you will want to review the rules especially carefully. Many claims are denied over a simple technicality. Knowing the process is likely to help you make sure your claim does not get denied.

Remember, insurance companies are hoping that you will not need medical services. That is how they make their money. If you don't use your insurance, the insurance company just gets to keep it. You will notice that the bigger the claim, the more paperwork you will need to fill out and the more red tape you will need to wade through.

If you receive medical services that should be covered by your insurance, make sure that the doctor or hospital files the appropriate forms. Make sure that you file any forms that you need to in a timely manner. If you have any questions, call the insurance company directly and find out the answer. Make notes of whom you speak to and when.

Health insurance really saves your money. In case, if you met with an accident or you suffer from severe attack. That time you may not in the position to spend that much of amount. But if you applied for a health insurance, it may saves your money otherwise you can claim for the amount that you had spent. In some cases they may not take into account about insurance that time you may spend your money and later you can claim for the amount you spend by providing proper documents and you can reimburse the amount you spend on it, if it's reasonable according to the instructions.

Insurances can be manage by both lower and higher level peoples. Every state has a Medicaid program but the requirements vary from state to state. All you have to do is to fill out the application and submit the documentation about your finances. This program covers the insurance needs of the entire family including dental care, eye care, doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions and more.

Another option for cheap health insurance is to look on the internet. There are lot of companies that offers different type of health insurance plans. It is possible to find out the perfect for your family. The costs vary from one to other, so it's in your hand to verify about it and choose a better company among others. Any way health insurance safeguards your family from the expenses that you spend for your health.

Several Factors To Consider When Evaluating Your Family Health Insurance Coverage

Family health insurance coverage, naturally, will vary depending on the type of plan you have. Most plans generally offer basic medical coverage, but you should be cautious not to make assumptions and evaluate the details of any plan carefully.

When comparing different types of family health insurance coverage, be sure to look at how each deals with various benefits. For instance, does the policy offer an annual physical exam benefit? What is the process for receiving care by specialists? Do you need a referral from your primary care provider (typical for HMO's) or can you self-refer (option for PPO's, and traditional indemnity plans)?

How is hospitalization and emergency care handled? What sort of prescription drug benefit is included? You will also want to inquire as to any vision and dental benefits that may be included with your family health insurance coverage? Often these last two benefits, if available, are provided through and underwritten by a different insurance company than the one providing the health insurance. Be sure to discuss this with your health insurance broker.

Many insurance companies that offer family health insurance coverage will provide limited coverage for mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, family planning, physical therapy, home health and hospice care, and chiropractic services. If you or a family member will need any of these services, look closely at the potential out-of-pocket expenses. Depending on the cost, it may make more sense financially to select a more expensive premium that provides better coverage for one or more of these services.

Preventative care is an important issue for any family health insurance coverage. Yearly physical exams were mentioned above as usually offered as a basic benefit. However, you should also inquire about such services as children's immunization, breast exams and Pap smears for women, as well as help for people who want to quit smoking or lose weight (if applicable).

Evaluating your family health insurance coverage requirements means you need to look at several different factors. It's essential that you ask lots of questions and educate yourself when going the process of acquiring health insurance for your family. By doing so, you can be confidant that you are making the wisest health insurance choices for you and your family.

Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About Family Health Insurance (Part I)

Family health insurance, as with individual health insurance, can be categorized as either indemnity (fee-for-service) or managed care health insurance. Managed care plans come in a variety of "flavors": Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and point of Service (POS). It's important to also realize that if you are not eligible for a group health insurance plan (e.g. self-employed or unemployed), you actually require an individual health plan, regardless if you need coverage for simply yourself or for you and your family.

This use of the terms individual and family health insurance is often a source of confusion to those in the health insurance market. Health insurance for individuals can be issued to either an individual (i.e. one person), or to a family (i.e. more than one person). As you can see the confusion centers around the fact that for an individual policy that is issued for a family, more than one individual is covered.

The difference can also be described in terms of the plan as opposed to the quantity of people covered. That is, when using the term individual health insurance, whether for one individual or one family, the "individual" descriptor in reality refers to the fact that an individual policy is issued as opposed to a group policy.

Even though the terms family health insurance and individual health insurance are often used interchangeably, there is one main difference. This difference is, as you probably already know, cost. An individual family health insurance policy is always going to be more expensive than a single person policy for the simple reason that more people are covered.

When shopping for family health insurance, you will quickly see that there are several different types from which to choose. There really is no "right" choice, as every family's situation is unique. Indeed, not only may one plan be right for one family, but not for another, you may run into a situation where, within a family, one plan is right for one member, but not for another.

For example, for families with just two adults, it may make more sense for each family member to have their own individual policy. This affords each family member the opportunity to tailor their policy more closely to their own needs. This option can also be, at times, actually less expensive than a single family plan. If this option interests you, be sure to discuss it with your health insurance broker.

Family managed health insurance plans have all but replaced traditional indemnity plans. The reason for this is, again as you may have guessed, cost. As health care costs have continued to rise at double digit rates, managed care plans have been able to control costs better than indemnity plans, so therefore have become more popular.

Please look for the continuation of this article in Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About Family Health Insurance (Part II)�

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

If you are one of the many individuals who are not covered by group health insurance through your employer or other organization, you will need to go out into the market and research individual health insurance plans. Individual health insurance plans essentially come in two "flavors": Indemnity (fee-for-service) and managed care plans (HMO, PPO, POS). In general terms, the major differences lie in the choice of healthcare providers, out-of-pocket expenses, and how the bills are paid.

Even though the health insurance market has seen a dramatic shift away from indemnity plans (due to higher costs), these plans are still often referred to as the more traditional form of health insurance since they have been around the longest.
For indemnity health plans, individuals typically pay a predetermined percentage of medical care costs (called co-insurance) and the insurance company pays the balance. A common indemnity plan is an 80/20 plan, where the insurance company pays 80% and you, the insured, pay 20%. Your insurance company will only make payment in accordance with the "usual, customary, and reasonable" (UCR) fees as determined, which are based on what health care providers charge in your area for a given service. Of course, if your individual health insurance plan has a deductible, this must be met first before this pay structure kicks in.

Depending on your indemnity health plan, you may be required to pay for services upfront and submit claims for reimbursement directly from the insurance company, as opposed to your provider directly billing your insurance company for services.

While an indemnity individual health plan allows you much freedom in terms of provider and medical facility choice, this freedom does not come cheap. The cost can vary as to how much of a deductible you have and your out-of-pocket limit. As you might expect, as your out-of-pocket expenses increase (deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance), the cost of your health care premiums go down. Even so, this is one of the more expensive types of individual health insurance plans out there.

Additional individual health insurance plans are managed health care plans, like HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations), and POS (Point of Service) plans.

Managed health care plans have become the most popular form of health care coverage offered in the United States today. One of the reasons that managed care plans have become so popular is because of cost. Indeed, as health care costs continue to rise at double digit increases year after year, those looking for the most affordable individual health plans available more often than not choose managed care plans, as they are the least expensive.

Managed health care plans are plans work off the basic premise that health care costs can be better controlled by controlling access to health treatments and services. While this may be true and works to keep costs down, from a patient's perspective, it can be difficult to get approval for health care that goes beyond basic preventative care. You will need to see doctors within the HMO network and any specialists that you do see will need to be by referral. This loss of freedom is the trade off you must accept in return for more affordable individual health insurance plans.

To be continued in 'Every Thing You Need to Know about Individual Health Insurance Plans (Part II)'.

Long Term Care Insurance (LTCi): Riders or Not

The last thing you need from an insurance company is a packet of confusing brochures and tables. The best companies know that sending you more "stuff" will just add to your trash can without helping you figure out the intricacies of LTCi. It isn't as difficult as it seems, but understanding a company's language and procedures is crucial to getting the policy that fits your needs. To help simplify this language I have compiled�in plain english�many of the basic definitions of the features and optional riders of a LTCi policy.

LTCi basics
Long term care insurance, an insurance program that pays the bill when you need extended care in your home, assisted living facility or nursing home, consists of basic coverage and features plus riders. The basic coverage is the maximum dollar amount per day times the number of days of coverage for which your company will pay for care. It includes an elimination period�which is simply the number of days that you will have to pay for care. Basic coverage should include nursing home and assisted living along with an option of receiving care in your own home.

LTCi features
Features are benefits that are included with your basic coverage. A feature�with the exception of home care�neither adds to your cost nor takes anything out of your "pot of money." The following benefits should be included in your policy as features, not riders. You might pay a few dollars more, but it will be worth the cost when you need care.

Home health care at 50% or 100%. HHC is the only feature that should add cost to your policy.
Help with activities of daily living, various therapies, skilled nursing, assistance from home health aid or medical social worker
Domestic services
Waiver of premium/spouse discount
Restoration of benefits
Adult day care
Prescription drugs of type given in nursing home or hospital
Rental of hospital equipment
Care giver training
Respite
Hospice/ambulance
Patient Care Coordinator
Home modifications
Bed reservation
LTCi Riders
A rider is an extra benefit that will increase the premium on your policy, often substantially. A certified agent can be indispensable as he/she will help assess your situation to determine which, if any, riders you need.

Don't refuse LTCi insurance just because you can't afford the riders. If the initial price seems too high, ask the agent what riders he has included, as agents often include inflation riders without asking. Also, be aware that companies that appear to have lower premiums may simply be listing several of the features as riders. If so, by the time you include those benefits, you will be paying as much as you would to a company that simply includes them as features.

Waiver of premium for spouse
Nearly all legitimate companies waive the premium for the person who goes on claim. However, only the best waive the premium for both when one person needs care. Others add the second waiver as a rider.

Inflation rider
All companies will urge you to include an inflation rider with your policy. This rider will increase your daily maximum as well as your total pot of money by 3%, 4%, 5% compounded, or by 5 percent simple each year. On a 5% compounded, if you start with a $100 per day benefit, you will have $200 per day in 15 years without increasing your premium each year.

Since nursing home costs increase faster than inflation, it's a good idea to take some sort of inflation rider if you can afford it. It does nearly double the cost of the policy. An alternative is to start with a higher daily benefit in the first place; for example, starting with $200 a day will be much less than $100 a day with an inflation rider. The draw back is that your ceiling is then $200 a day.

If your health is still good, you will have the option of adding the inflation rider at a later date. Keep in mind, however, that the price of it will be based on your attained age. Your agent can do the math to help you determine which approach will save the most money. LTCi without the inflation rider is better than not having LTCi at all.

Optional Increase
Even if you cannot afford an inflation rider, some companies will offer as much as a 15% increase in your benefit every three years. This will increase your premium at the time you add the increase, and you will not receive the offer again once you have turned it down. The increase will be based on your attained age but will not require medical underwriting.

Return of Premium
Return of premium gives your money back after a certain number of years if you have never needed care. If you do not claim it yourself, the premium goes to your beneficiary. However, this rider increases your premium substantially�as much as double or triple the basic premium. Furthermore, neither you nor your beneficiary will receive the entire premium in one lump sum. It is given back over time at approximately the same rate at which you paid it. Most people do not purchase the ROP rider.

Shared benefit
The shared benefit rider is only for a married couple. With some companies, it simply allows a spouse who has spent all the money in his policy to draw out of his wife's policy, providing she is not on care herself. With others, the rider purchases a third pot of money, equal to the pot of one spouse, that either spouse can draw from when his or her own pot is exhausted. The spouses must have equal benefits to get this rider, and the extra pot does not receive the "restoration of benefit" if the user goes off claim. An inflation protection option will usually apply to the shared benefit amount, however.

Paid-up Survivor benefit
The survivor benefit is one of the best riders a married couple could choose and is very inexpensive, adding as little as $5 or $10 to the basic premium. If husband and wife are on the same policy, and have owned it for at least 10 years, the remaining spouse will receive a life time waiver of premium�with no reduction in benefits�when the first spouse dies. This waiver is priceless to the living spouse, but not all companies offer it.

Non-forfeiture rider
The non-forfeiture rider provides you with a reduced benefit if you should ever become unable to pay your premium and be forced to drop your coverage. Generally, if you have owned your policy for a certain number of years�depending on the company�what you have already paid will be applied toward a paid up policy of up to three years. This prevents you from losing several years of premium and is a relatively inexpensive rider.

Survivor maximum benefit increase
Upon one spouse's death, a company will increase the surviving spouse's maximum benefit by one half the deceased's maximum benefit at the time of his or her death. This one is usually less expensive than an inflation rider or a shared benefit rider, but more than a paid-up survivor benefit.

Don't assume that any rider can be added to your policy later. Any company will require proof of insurability unless you have a clause that says otherwise; for example, the guaranteed purchase option does not require medical underwriting. The inflation rider can be added later, with proof of insurability, with some companies. If you choose to try to sort out various company brochures on your own prior to sitting down with an agent, be sure to write down a list of questions. There is a lot to know about LTCi; understanding what you are getting in the beginning will save you both dollars and frustration later.

Life and health insurance in personal financial planning.

Life and health insurance have long been recognized as necessary and essential elements in an individual's or a family financial program. In a modern society, a sense of family responsibility meant that life and health insurance would grow in importance.

And still today life and health insurance continue to occupy an important role in the financial planning process.
This article has the purpose to provide an introduction to this process and highlights the means by which life and health insurance can assist in accomplishing one's financial plans.

A personal financial planning can be considered the process where an individual or a family decided to develop and implement an integrated plan to accomplish their objectives. The essential elements of this financial planning concept are the identification of financial goals and the development of an integrated plan to accomplish the objectives.

As all of us know humans are exposed to many serious perils, such as property losses from fire and windstorm, and personal losses from disability and death. Although individuals can not predict or prevent completely the occurrence of these dangerous events, they can provide against thier financial effects. The function of insurance is to safeguard against such misfortunes by having the losses of the unfortunate few paid by the contributions of the many who are exposed to the same peril.

The essence of of insurance is the sharing of losses and, in the process, the substitution of a certain small loss ( that is to say the premium payment ) for an uncertain, large loss.

In the peril under consideration is that of the death, the financial loss suffered can be reduced through life insurance. If the peril is instead disability, the financial loss can be compensated by the health insurance.

Insurance may be defined from two perspectives: that of the society and that of the individual. From the society's point of view, life or health insurance may be defined as a social device where individuals transfer the financial risks associated with loss of life or health to the group of individuals, and which involves the accumulation of funds: and this concept means that the insurance exists when there is a transfer of the risk from the individual to the group.

From the individual's point of view, life or health insurance may be defined as an agreement where one party pays a stipulated consideration ( the premium ) to the other party ( the insurer ), in return for which the insurer agrees to pay a defined amount of money if the person whose life is insured dies or suffers an illness to a stated time.

How To Save Money On Health Insurance

There are some things you can do to get affordable health insurance quotes for individual and family. This may mean paying more on your regular visits to the doctor, however it can prevent you from being stuck with several thousand dollars worth of bills hospital bills in the event of an emergency. Let's take a look at how this is done.

One of the best ways to make health insurance coverage more affordable is by raising your deductible. The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay out of pocket each year before your insurance will take over the payments for you. Example, let's say that you were riding your bike and you got in an accident which resulted in you breaking your arm. In this case you would pay for the deductible amount out of pocket and the insurance would pay the difference, if the amount exceeded the deductible.

A deductible is usually set at any were from $100-$5000 or more. The lower your deductible is, the higher your insurance premiums will be. Let's do one more example just to make certain that you understand how this works. Let's say that your deductible was $1000 and you got in the accident as described above. Let's say the total costs for you being seen, having x-rays done, seeing a doctor and getting taking care of were $2000. In this example you would pay $1000 out of pocket and the insurance company would pay the other $1000.

By choosing a higher premium you can substantially lower your insurance costs. However, it's still a good idea to have money in the bank in the event that paying the costs of seeing your doctor becomes a financial hardship. You're basically saving money for a rainy day. Most medical emergencies are rare, therefore as long as you have the amount of your deductible set aside in the event of an immediate need, you shouldn't have any problems at all. By being willing to carry a higher deductible you should have no problem finding affordable health insurance quotes for individual and family.

Disability Insurance Protection You And Compare Policy Before Purchase

If disability income insurance is the protection you need, shop around and compare policy features before making a purchase. Some professional insurance agents consider the ideal disability policy to be a form called 'own occupation' coverage. But the average life of a disability insurance policy is about 5 years. Even if you have long-term disability insurance through your employer, you may want to consider an individual policy as well. That's why after recently meeting with his financial planner, he decided to supplement his employer's disability coverage with an additional long-term disability insurance policy.

Sometimes, your employer pays for an individual disability insurance policy on you. You choose the length of your waiting period when you purchase your individual disability income insurance policy. During this process, the insurance company collects information about you and uses it to decide whether to issue you a disability policy. They are not affected by payments from any other individual disability insurance policy you have purchased. Neither long-term care nor long-term disability insurance terminates once it pays a benefit unless the maximum benefits of either policy are exhausted.

Unearned income you may receive includes private disability payments from an insurance policy or short-term and long-term disability coverage from your employer. The maximum normally allowed under a disability policy is 60-66% depending on the insurance carrier. If you're not sure, an individual disability insurance policy can help. In summary, as the disability insurance market continues to deteriorate, every physician should perform a "policy check-up" to better understand his/her policy. Business Overhead Expense (BOE) insurance is a disability policy that reimburses the practice for specific overhead expenses if a shareholder is disabled.

Variables in coverage Insurance is always complicated and disability is no exception. Benefits are taxed, however, if your employer pays for the disability insurance coverage. Long-term disability insurance usually kicks in after short-term disability coverage ends - typically after six months. Free disability insurance quotes to help consumers find insurance coverage with the lowest rates for disability insurance. As with many other insurance plans, having disability insurance coverage usually makes more financial sense than not having it.

Although it gets less attention than life insurance, experts agree that disability coverage is at least as important. Nationally recognized attorneys representing medical, dental, business and legal professionals in disability insurance coverage disputes with carriers throughout the United States. Lack of coverage could ruin your family's lifestyle but disability insurance will ensure a continuous income stream. One coverage I don't have is disability insurance that will cover my loss of income in case of accident or extended illness. Most school districts do not provide disability insurance coverage for their employees. individual coverageDisability insurance may be included in your benefit plan from your employer or union. While on a disability-related leave, you may continue your insurance coverage by paying premiums directly to the Lab's Payroll Office.

For a longer illness, lasting six months or more, your employer may provide group long-term disability income insurance. Employee Benefits Disability benefits from your employer may include workers' compensation insurance for work-related injuries. In either case, you should find out as much as you can about the group disability insurance provided by your employer. Group disability insurance can be fully paid by your employer or may require an employee contribution. When you purchase disability insurance through your employer, you may be able to have premiums deducted from your pay on a pretax basis. Plus, one overwhelming advantage of personally owned disability insurance is that it cannot be reduced or terminated if you leave your current employer.

Your employer or association-sponsored group disability insurance plan may not be all you think it is. However, be aware that benefits paid by group disability insurance policies paid for by an employer are usually taxable. If your employer is among those who have overlooked disability insurance, you may want to suggest a reallocation of benefit dollars. You're actually less likely to get long-term disability insurance from your employer than life insurance.
http://www.insurance-health-quote.com/disability-insurance/

Mortgage Insurance Protects Bank Forced Repossess Your House Loss

The coverage usually is supplemental to a Mortgagee's Title Insurance policy, and the premium is customarily paid by the buyer. As with most other types of insurance, you pay a monthly premium on top of your monthly mortgage payment for this policy. A mortgage insurance policy protects the bank in the event they are forced to repossess your house and sell it at a loss. Private mortgage insurance is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender in case you do not pay back your mortgage loan. A one-year paid receipt for homeowner's insurance policy for at least the amount of the mortgage is required at the loan closing.

As soon as the sum insured is paid out the mortgage life insurance policy ceases. A mortgage insurance premium is a policy that insures the lender against loss if the homeowner defaults on a mortgage. top Insurance Fees Your policy of homeowner's or hazard insurance will need to be current at the time the new mortgage closes. Compare the cost of a term life insurance policy to a mortgage insurance policy. It is often less expensive to purchase a term life insurance policy to function as a mortgage protection life insurance policy. The idea behind mortgage protection insurance is straightforward: You pay a premium, which remains the same for the duration of the policy. You have a separate policy for the mortgage and other policies for other life insurance needs. An individual mortgage insurance policy, obtained directly from an insurer, puts you in control of your own coverage.

If a borrower stops paying on a mortgage, the insurance company ensures that the lender will be paid in full. Disposable Income A term referring to all income remaining after all necessary expenses are paid, such as mortgage, car payment, insurance, etc. Private mortgage insurance can help out enormously, especially after you have already paid your closing costs and your down payment. The refunds will involve premiums that were paid for unnecessary mortgage insurance over the last three years, although aides to Mr. It also does not allow you the option of retaining the insurance coverage past the point in time that the mortgage is paid off.

Most mortgage insurance premiums are paid monthly as add-ons to the principal, interest, insurance and tax escrows. Your insurance terminates when your mortgage is paid off or transferred to another party. Private mortgage insurance can be paid on either an annual, monthly or single premium plan. Homeowner's InsuranceExperts say that even if a mortgage is paid off, homeowner's insurance is still a good buy. Lenders are paid in advance for how is difficult to 80 of borrowers, who put down on mortgage insurance preamble. Once your loan balance is paid down to less than 75% or 80% of property value, you can cancel your mortgage insurance. The mortgage loan insurance premium may be paid in cash or added to your mortgage.

With mortgage insurance, the borrower pays the premiums, but the lender is the beneficiary. A mortgage insurance apart from providing security against losses to the lender also helps in reducing the down payment. Mortgage insurance coverage on low-down-payment loans protects a lender against losses due to homeowner default, says the company in a news release. With PMI, the borrower pays a premium to a mortgage insurance company selected by the lender. When you have private mortgage insurance you are essentially protecting the lender from any bad deeds on your part. Don't throw away your money, ask your lender for the details about private mortgage insurance and your mortgage.

You can ask the lender to cancel your private mortgage insurance once you get to the 20-22 percent equity mark. Much of the available jobloss mortgage insurance is available at no cost from the lender as part of a loan package or program. All dealings concerning mortgage insurance are usually handled by the lender. Private mortgage insurance helps to protect the lender if the borrower cannot repay the loan. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a form of insurance that protects the lender against loss in the event the borrower defaults on the mortgage. In effect, the mortgage insurance company shares the risk of foreclosure with the lender. Private mortgage insurance is insurance that protects a lender in the event that a homeowner defaults on a loan. http://www.insurance-health-quote.com/mortgage-insurance/

Would You Like To Agency Insurance Software

BrokerDB is insurance agency management software for contact management, customer service, commissions, and more. Developers of insurance automation, policy issuance and agency management software. - Developers of insurance automation, policy issuance and agency management software. - Agency management software for individual and group health, long term care and term life insurance.

After reading our article, you can impress your friends with the amazing amount of knowledge you have gained on this subject.

Developers of insurance automation, policy issuance and agency management software. - Developers of insurance automation, policy issuance and agency management software. is the world leader in insurance agency automation, with insurance software systems, online technology, and Transformation Station. cool to use insurance agency problem plan software to write a professional insurance agency problem plan. - Agency management software for individual and group health, long term care and term life insurance. ASI is an invaluable asset to their agency users through the formation and carry of an impressive annals of insurance software products.

Out-facing agency software army add function to a Web site, transforming it outside simple, information-only brochure-ware to a more complete insurance software system. This web-based insurance agency software is intended to address the exclusive needs of today's budding insurance agencies and brokerages. No other insurance agency software gives you so greatly for the money. BrokerDB is insurance agency management software for contact management, customer service, commissions, and more.

Keep reading further to learn how this topic can benefit you, as the rest of this article will supply you will the needed information.

If you type in the main word from the subject of this article into any reliable search engine, you will pull up a variety of resources.
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Review of the Golden Rule HSA Health Insurance products.

Review of the Golden Rule HSA Health Insurance products.

Many companies offer an HSA product. There are not too many variations that can be made with these products, but there are a couple of things that differentiate their products from the others. First, the rates are very competitive and if one is a non-smoker and one's body build (height to weight ratio) falls within the company's preferred range, the rate is hard for other companies to compete with. Their underwriting standards are tough but for those in excellent health, the reward is an excellent rate. For those that want to take the spirit of the HSA to the next level, Golden Rule offers what they call the "HSA Saver" plan. This product further reduces the cost of insurance by eliminating office calls, prescription, and preventive care. When you think about it, this is not much to give up, since these things are not covered anyway unless the high deductible is reached for the year. Keep in mind; you can still pay for these things with the tax free savings. This alone will cut the cost of these predictable items by 30 to 55% depending on your tax situation. When you look at the extra cost for the regular HSA that covers these things, and then you realize the low probability that the insurance will actually pay anything toward these, I think you will see how this "HSA Saver" plan makes sense. The last point to top everything off is that the interest on the savings account arranged by Golden Rule with the bank they work with. It is a flat 4% no matter what the balance in the account. There is a $3 per month service charge, but that is quickly overcome by the excellent interest rate. In summary, Golden Rule had the spirit of the HSA in mind when they put their programs together.

Richard Evans

"Google Insurance Saving Tips"

Auto Insurance
Multiple quotes- Insurance companies rate your auto insurance by zip codes.
The number of clams an insurance company has had in your zip code will
determine how much you will be charged. That is why it's so important for you to
get multiple insurance quotes. Using our service, http://www.GoogleInsuranceStore.com
will help you to get multiple insurance quotes at no charge !
Age and value of car- A good rule of thumb to use is if your car is ten years or
older or worth less then $10,000, and your insurance quote is $1000 or more per
every six months, you may want to consider removing collision and comprehensive
coverage to lower your auto insurance expenditures. If you take collision and
comprehensive off your auto insurance policy you should save big.
Low mileage-Did you know that if you work at home or car pool to work - both of
which limit the number of miles you put on your vehicle - you may be eligible for a
low mileage discount on your car insurance policy?
Alarm System- Having an alarm system on your car may help lower your car
insurance. Only customers that carry comprehensive coverage on their vehicles
can take advantage of this discount.

Home Insurance
Multiple quotes- Insurance companies rate your home insurance by zip codes.
The number of clams an insurance company has had in your zip code will
determine how much you will be charged. That is why it's so important for you to
get multiple insurance quotes. Using our service, http://www.GoogleInsuranceStore.com
will help you get multiple insurance quotes at no charge!
Alarm system- Most insurance companies won't tell you because they don't
want to lose money but by having an alarm system on your home can usually save
you more money on home insurance than the monthly monitoring cost.
Higher deductibles- Many times changing the deductible on your home
insurance from $500 to $1000 can often save you as much as $500 a year or more
depending on the cost of your home insurance.
Multiple policies- You usually get lower insurance prices when you buy
multiple policies such as auto and home with the same insurer.

Life insurance
Buy when you're young- Many people may feel they don't need life insurance
when they are young. You may have fewer financial expenditures at a younger age
and the rates are also substantially less expensive. The best advice is to purchase
as much life insurance protection as you can at a young age while your health and
prices are still good.
Check for price breaks- Life insurance companies often offer "price breaks"
at certain coverage amounts (e.g., $250,000 vs. $225,000). The truth is that many
people can actually pay less money for more coverage. Check how little your
prices increase when you increase coverage to $250,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000.
Check out your payment/billing options- Many life insurance companies
offer discounts to consumers who pay their premiums annually, or who pay
monthly by electronic funds transfer (EFT).

Health insurance
Compare quotes and benefits from multiple companies- You wouldn't
buy a car without first familiarizing yourself with the different makes and models
available. Similarly, when shopping health insurance coverage, don't limit yourself
to the offering of a single insurance company. This web site can help you get
multiple insurance quotes.
Consider a high-deductible plan- If your family is healthy and doesn't make
frequent visits to the doctor, this may be a good option for you. You can save
money and still retain valuable coverage for your family. Although you will be
responsible for paying higher deductibles prior to your coverage kicking in your
family will be protected from the catastrophic consequences of having no
coverage in the event of serious illness or injury.
Take advantage of available tax incentives- Educate yourself on the tax
benefits available to you as a business owner when you provide group health
insurance for your employees. You may be able to fully deduct the premiums and
offer coverage as part of a total compensation package and may help reduce your
payroll tax.

We hope you find these insurance saving tips useful. Be sure to check back often
as we will list new insurance saving tips every month. Google Insurance Store.com
provides an easy, one-stop place for you to find the right coverage at the right
price. Visit us today we can help!! http://www.GoogleInsuranceStore.com

Insurance 101 - Undermining America for the Good of Americans

Insurance is like a myth. From one small seed of truth, a fairytale the size of 1000 giant sequoias has sprung up. Reality is blocked from view. Surely, you've noticed all the giant, sequoia-like buildings are owned by banks and insurance companies. Where do they get all that money? How much money do the executives make? Who pays for it all? Grab a mirror. "Magic mirror on the wall, who's the biggest sucker of them all? What's that you said? The Masses!"

Insurance is yet another unquestioned social reflex. You just buy it. You must. The banker insists you have to purchase insurance or you don't get the loan. Your government orders you to buy auto insurance at any cost. Hence, it must be really good for you. Hell, why not stock up on some of the non-mandated insurances as well? You can't have too much of a good thing. Can you?

Somewhere in the dark, murky corners of our minds we hide our thoughts. Like The Emperor's New Clothes, no one screams out, "But he has nothing on!" or "Hey, this is just bullshit!" You are not alone in the darkness. We all think it. So you are no longer scared to speak, here are some of those secret thoughts voiced out loud for the first time:

1) If I speak out against insurance, I will be jinxed. My home will surely burn to the ground and I will look like a moron.

2) If I speak out against insurance, some pecker-head who heard me will have an accident and sue me because folks are not responsible for their own choices.

3) Insurance is betting against myself. Why would I bet against me?

4) If insurance companies must charge such high premiums because they're losing so much in payouts, how do they afford all those big buildings?

5) What do insurance companies sell? Air? Promises they intend to deny via small print? Contracts? Wouldn't I rather buy an IHOP franchise with that money?

6) If government represents the people, why do they make me, a people, a criminal when I cannot afford auto insurance to get to work and feed my family?

7) How much in dollars and perks do insurance lobbyists put into the pockets of politicians?

8) Do I really need trip-cancellation insurance? Why would I buy a dream trip, and then bet on my canceling it at the last moment?

9) If I put all the money I spend on insurance into the bank or toward building success, how much money would I have for coping with my problems on my own terms?

10) If I buy the extended warranty, will I remember I have it or be able to find it when my widget explodes?

11) Shouldn't companies make quality widgets that last three years in the first place?

12) And finally, did Jennifer Lopez really insure herself for hundreds of millions of dollars? What? She is already rich. The agent who sold this policy is phenomenal.

Yes, we all know the system is way out of hand! The blame lies with insurance companies, greedy bankers, spineless politicians and with the Masses unquestioningly supporting these absurdities. Every frivolous lawsuit provides government an excuse for mandating people be protected from themselves via costly insurances and removal of individual freedoms.

Before long, we will be required to carry Coffee-Burn riders on auto insurance and Cell- Phone�Earring-Tear addendums on HMOs. These days Sleeping Beauty would have sued the castle owner (a.k.a. Dad) for that prick on the finger, lost wages from the coma and for trauma from the scar. Uninsured sewing needles would be outlawed throughout the kingdom.

With a system this out of control, how do you protect yourself? You cut the fat. Quit betting against yourself. Think about all those different types of insurance. Stop buying out of reflex and decide for yourself what you can kick to the curb. Consider the variety out there and what you truly must have.

Life Insurance is for betting you will die such a loser that you can't pay for your own funeral or leave your kids any inheritance. Extra Car Insurance�How much you betting that you will crash? Not to mention, homeowner's, mortgage, trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, unemployment, boat, credit card, business interruption, earthquake, disability, dental, smoker, expatriate, backpack traveler, winter sports, flood, warranty and health insurance. The list goes on.

Here is a new monument to the ludicrous: Terrorist Insurance. It's even pushed at Art Gallery Owner's in isolated communities of the Northern Great Plains. And, why not? No doubt Osama is crouching in an Afghan cave right now, plotting to rid the world of those pesky Remmington Cowboy bronzes.

Insurance agents prey upon these new fears like snakes on wounded mice. Apparently, companies want to terrorize you into buying coverage. Another possibility is a rebel SCUD aimed for Mount Rushmore may slam into a Canada Goose and go askew. It sucks when this happens! No doubt your goat ranch in Chug Water, Wyoming is in eminent danger from this likely chain of events. Perhaps, you should add a specific �Unpasteurized-Cheese Addendum' to your Terrorist Policy. Call your agent today and ask them. See if they will sell you one.

The odds of you dying of a mosquito bite are better than the odds you will die at the hands of a terrorist. Well, crap! The government better permit companies to require we all carry Mosquito Insurance. Maybe you can get a DEET discount! Better still; why not turn over all our bothersome responsibility, like freedom and privacy, to the Feds. Then good ol' Uncle Sam can protect citizens from the winged menaces that haunt our very souls.

Congress could raise taxes to fund Bug Inspectors. Their job would be to comb through your private life, home and property looking for freestanding water. They would not look for anything else (roll eyes here). Still cancer and glaucoma patients might want to keep the baggies away from the birdbath.

Speaking of cancer, the Air Force could spray us all from above with a perfectly "safe" mixture of insecticides called Agent Tan. Coincidently, that day your governor vacations far away. Is there anybody in his or her right mind who would elect an insurance salesman to public office? Of course, both politicians and insurers are selling you hot air, so perhaps it is a match made in H�

A very few insurances are worth buying, such as liability insurance for cars and real estate. Once you have something to lose, it's a sure bet some lazy troll with an entitlement-mentality will try to sue you. In this case, you want the giants on your side. Insurance companies provide lawyers to run evil little trolls back under their bridges.

Insurance prices in America are out of control. The wide range of insurance the bureaucracy would have us believe we cannot live without is genuinely insulting. Buying all the coverage companies would have you believe you need wastes thousands of your dollars each year. Look over policies and eliminate what you can. Insurance is just legalized gambling. If you are betting against yourself, how can you take a gamble on yourself? Pursue your dreams instead!

Free Health Insurance Quotes

Why waste time calling one insurance company after another to get health insurance quotes? Just as term life insurance rates dramatically decreased in price years ago after the price transparency of the Internet forced insurance companies into greater competition so too shopping for online health quotes is headed the same direction.

What was once a very time consuming affair is now a matter of taking a few moments to key in basic health information. What was once a process that could involve days and even weeks for agents and insurance companies to prepare proposals � now many companies offer instant and online free health insurance quotes.

So which insurance company to choose? One of the most important factors in determining the best insurance company for your particular situation is your home zip code. Health insurance rates are based on home zip code and insurance companies are more competitive in certain zip codes as opposed to others. Generally speaking you will want to choose a large and well regarded insurance company � not a company that you have never even heard of before.

Almost all health insurance companies provide free online health quotes at their website. However, it can be quite a chore to try and navigate through all of their different sites and keep inputting and re-inputting your information over and over (let alone trying to figure out if they even offer coverage in your home zip code). You will save money and time and a little bit of a hassle to boot if you compare free health insurance quotes at an independent site that can take your information one time and then show you health quotes from multiple companies side by side in an easy comparison format.

What You Need To Know When Shopping For Short Term Health Insurance Coverage

The benefits included with short term health insurance coverage are generally not anywhere as comprehensive as those with more traditional permanent health insurance. The level of coverage, however, should not keep you from seriously considering a short term option, since leaving yourself and your family unprotected in the event of a serious injury or illness could prove financially devastating.

Short term health insurance coverage will vary from one plan to another, but most will generally cover inpatient and outpatient physician visits, emergency medical care, surgical procedures, prescription drugs, hospital and intensive care needs, lab and x-ray services, ambulance care, and even some in-home medical care. However, it's important to understand that benefits will vary so be sure to consult closely with your agent before making any decision.

Short term plans are designed to protect against unforeseen illnesses or accidents, rather than provide comprehensive coverage. When considering short term plans, think of them in terms of catastrophic protection as opposed to comprehensive coverage.

When considering your health insurance options, you should know that if you have an option between going with permanent coverage and short term coverage, it is always safer to go with the permanent coverage. The reason is due to the possibility of developing a serious medical problem during coverage with a short term plan; you may not be covered for this problem when the short term policy expires. While this issue may vary with insurance companies, in general this is the case.

In addition, with this new preexisting condition, it would be virtually impossible to obtain an individual policy that would not exclude coverage for your condition. Of course, if you had chosen a group, or even individual, plan to begin with you would have been able to maintain your coverage.

When looking for short term health insurance coverage, you should start with obtaining several short term health insurance quotes. This can be easily accomplished by using the free services of an online health insurance. Using the technology on hand with such companies will allow you to compare multiple plans side by side almost immediately. Such information will allow you to "arm" yourself with the necessary information to choose the best short term health insurance plan in the end.

If you find yourself in a pinch and need to fill a gap in your health insurance coverage, you should serious consider short term health insurance coverage so as to not be left without coverage. Be sure to do your homework by reviewing several insurance quotes and asking questions of your broker. Only by going through this process will you be able to make an effective comparison of the various options and decide on the one short term health insurance plan that is right for you.

Wawanesa Life Insurance

Individual Products and services

It is sometimes said by poets that life is but a span, and if something bad happened to you, yours family would have to go through a heavy time; the welfare of your family would be deteriorated.
Life insurance companies offer you various insurance programs, which will provide financial security of your family in case of death, disability in your future. They help you keep your head above water, as well as support your most optimal plans.

Most life insurance companies are reputable because of the strict regulations in Canada and throughout the world.

The best way to get a good selection of life insurance most fitted to your needs in this day is to use the Internet.

It could be quickly found out that Wawanesa Life is among best rating life insurance companies.

Wawanesa Life is a subsidiary company of the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co.

Wawanesa has a rich history dating back to 1896, when it was founded in the Village of Wawanesa, Manitoba.
Today executive offices are located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Wawanesa Mutual operates in all areas of Canada as well as in the states of California and Oregon in U.S.A.

Wawanesa was awarded an A+ (Superior) Rating for its financial strength from A.M. Best Co. the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.

Some of Wawanesa traits are the out standing claims service and underwriting service, consistent range of quality products and among them:

Individual Products and Services.

It should be noted that a vast array of life insurance policy types available consists of one of two basic forms: Permanent insurance and Term insurance.

As the names imply, permanent insurance is permanent for life and term insurance is temporary. Examples of permanent needs are funeral expenses, survivors' income, taxes at death on capital gains and charitable bequests. Examples of temporary needs are mortgages, education and business loans.

Permanent Products

Types of permanent insurance plan:

Universal Life is a permanent insurance plan providing for separation of the insurance and savings components of the policy. All premiums are generally deposited to interest bearing investment accounts. From these accounts it is deducted Cost of Insurance (COI) charges and administration fees. Policyholders could direct premiums to different account choices, such as a Daily Interest Account, a Canadian Equity Index-Linked Account, a U.S. Equity Index-Linked Account, an International Equity Index Account and a Canadian Bond Index Account. It may be selected two COI charge methods by the policyholder. The charge may be level for policy's life, or may be level (at a lower amount) up to age 65 with a following increase to a new higher amount for policy's remainder.
The tax-free death benefit will consist of the death benefit provided by the insurance coverages selected plus the value of the different investment accounts. The Account Value, less a surrender charge in the early years, will be available to the policyholder upon surrender before the death of the life insured;

Term to Age 100 � this plan provides a level amount of permanent life insurance, to ago 100 of the life insured, at which time the face amount of insurance is paid.
Premiums are level and payable to age 100. This plan is also available on a joint-last to die basis;

Fifteen Pay Term to Age 100 plan provides a level amount of permanent life insurance to age 100 of the life insured, at which time the face amount of insurance is paid. All premiums are guaranteed, level and payable for 15 years only. Commencing in the 10 th year.
A guaranteed cash value will develop to be available to the policyholder upon surrender before the death of the life insured;

Twenty Pay Term to Age 100 plan provides a level amount of permanent life insurance to age 100 of the life insured, at which time the face amount of insurance is paid. All premiums are level and payable for 20 years only.
Commencing in the 10 th year a guaranteed cash value will develop to be available to the policyholder upon surrender before the death of the life insured;

Final Expense Plan is designed for individuals age 45 to 75. This permanent plan is a guaranteed issue with just 5 qualifying questions.
Premiums are level and payable for 20 years only. The death benefit in the first 2 years will be the return of paid premium plus 10 % interest to the death date. When death occurs it is paid the full protection. The death benefit amount is paid to the policyowner if living after the later of 20 years, or age 85.

Types of Temporary Products:

Life Style Term � these plans consist of 10 years or 20 years Renewable and Convertible Term Insurance. The insured sum is level and premiums are guaranteed.
Life Style Term can be renewed until age 80 of the life insured, at which time the insurance terminates. These plans are also available on a joint � first to die basis;

Preferred Underwriting of Life Style Term
These plans allow applicant to be grouped into a greater variety of lifestyle categories resulting in a more appropriate premium being charged. In the past, healthier applicants subsidized the insurance costs of less healthy ones. Life Style Term rewards better risks with lower premiums. Three nonsmoker classes and two smoker classes are included in Preferred Underwriting classes available for Life Style Term;

Lifestyle Adjustment Plan (critical illness protection) � this plan is designed to provide funds helping you care financially for yourself and your family maintaining the same quality of life after surviving a critical illness.
The plan provides a tax-free lump sum living benefit to the plan owner on the occurrence of the first of the covered illnesses of the insured, provided the insured survives the waiting period following the critical illness onset.
The waiting period is 30 days from diagnosis, except for Loss of Speech (6 months) and Paralysis (90 days). No living benefit is payable if cancer is diagnosed within 90 days of issue.
Three types of Life style Adjustment plans are available: 10 year Renewable to Age 75, Level to Age 75 and Level to age with Return of Premium.
Wawanesa Life has a plan to meet any your insurance and financial needs which can be tailored fitting your needs.
For more information, please, contact an Insurance Advisor from Wawanesa Life.

How to Buy Classic Car Insurance

How to Buy Classic Car Insurance

If you are fortunate enough to own a classic car - or any collectible automobile - then you want to ensure that your luck does not run out because of having inadequate insurance coverage. Call it covering your butt - or covering your "asset" - but by all means, call one of the major providers such as American Collectors, Haggerty, or Parish Heacock insurance companies and let them put you in the driver's seat in terms of professional protection of your cherished automotive investment.

How to Kick the Tires on Classic Car Insurance

The whole idea of insurance is that it needs to do what you expect of it in an emergency, when the rubber really hits the road. And classic car insurance is as different from conventional auto insurance as, well, a classic car is from your run of the mill generic vehicle.

When you buy a classic car insurance policy, you are essentially purchasing protection for those times when - God forbid and knock on wood it doesn't happen - disaster strikes in the form of a fire, a collision, or an act of theft or vandalism. Just as we now have modern airbags to save us in the event of a crash, we also have collector's car insurance, to protect us with adequate moneybags when calamity throws a wrench in the works.

The time you invest in choosing the right classic car insurance coverage is well worth the value and peace of mind that a quality collector's insurance policy delivers for owners of classic motor cars.

The Nuts and Bolts of Classic Car Insurance Coverage

Collector car insurance is not the same as the insurance you buy for normal coverage of your daily transportation. Collector car insurance, or classic car insurance, is made especially for the needs of the car collector. And while ordinary insurance does offer some protection, no matter what you drive, it can leave you high and dry in the event of a loss that it not effectively covered by the terms of the insurance contract.

For example, you may have a garage-kept Cadillac Sedan DeVille with swooping fins your grandparents bought for $7,000 brand new back in the 1960s. But dealers have offered you three times that much, and you saw another one sell at an auto show for $35,000. If you don't have special collector car insurance or classic car insurance, and the car is totaled, you will be lucky to get $7,000 for it. With depreciation calculated in, the insurance statisticians may decide that it is worth only half that much, or less, and you could wind up with two or three grand in exchange for your dream machine.

Stipulations or requirements normally encountered while shopping for collector car insurance or classic car insurance:

* A decent driving record.
* At least 10 years driving experience
* No teen drivers on the policy or drivers with poor driving records
* Secure and out of the weather garage
* Proof that you have another car for daily transportation
* Collector vehicle insurance is sometimes limited by the age of your car, and if your car is too young it may not qualify for a particular policy.
* Limited mileage. You probably don't want to drive your creampuff car all the time, and your insurance company doesn't want you to either. Mileage limits have increased recently, though, so if you can live with 250 miles a month you're probably okay.

Coverage with collector car insurance or classic car insurance:

Three kinds of value are important to understand when buying your policy.

1) Actual cash value:

This is what you usually get with ordinary insurance, and is based on replacement cost minus depreciation.

2) Stated value:

The insurance company pays up to the stated value of the car, but may not guarantee the full stated value. And deductibles of up to $1,000 usually apply.

3) Agreed value:

In most jurisdictions, those who provide collector car insurance or classic car insurance are allowed to insure for a value that you and your insurer agree upon. And for most autos, there is no deductible. If your $100,000 vintage Rolls get trashed, you get a check for 100 grand, plain and simple - which is exactly why collectors use special classic car insurance coverage.

Do a periodic review of your coverage limits, because classic car prices are rising. What you insured your cherry classic for ten years ago may be a fraction of what it's worth today. And if you are restoring a vehicle, ask your agent to give you appropriate insurance. There is no need to pay extra based on mileage statistics, if your car is up on blocks with no engine inside it. And as the car's value increases thanks to your hard work of restoring it, you should raise the coverage to keep up with the added value of the restoration.

Keep all your receipts and paperwork - for everything from parts and labor to expenses incurred to take it to a classic car show - so that you can document the total investment your collector's car represents. And take photos and keep them updated, for the same reason.

And Last But Not Least: Special Savings Opportunities

As long as you meet the criteria in terms of how you use and take care of the car, you can usually buy a policy.

Traditional insurers will either refuse coverage, offer only a replacement value based on the nuts and bolts (minus heavy depreciation) of the car, or will charge you a prohibitive amount for the premium. But many collectors find that special collector's coverage saves them money - as much as half - while insuring them for higher limits, sometime three or four times what a traditional company gave them.

Yes, it's possible to get collector's insurance coverage for full market value for your car, and save up to 50 percent off of the premium you'd pay with ordinary insurance. That makes classic car insurance a must-have for any serious car buff.

Below is information about three of the most reputable and dependable collectors and classic car insurance companies in the USA (All information listed below subject to change, please contact the insurance companies listed to be sure.):

Hagerty Insurance
P.O. Box 1303
Traverse City, MI 49685-1303

Email: auto@hagerty.com
Toll Free: 800-922-4050

Qualifications:

* Similar to the others listed below, but please contact Haggerty for details.

American Collectors Insurance
P.O. Box 8343
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Email: info@americancollectors.com
Toll Free: (800) 360-2277

Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).

* At least 15 years old
* Garage-kept
* Driven on a limited, pleasure-only basis (up to 5,000 annual miles - available in most states)

You may also qualify by:

* Having at least 10 years driving experience
* Having a good driving record
* Having at least one "regular" vehicle for every licensed driver in the household

You may request a policy application either directly from American Collectors Insurance or through your local insurance agent (rates are the same either way).

Parish Heacock Classic Car Insurance
P.O. Box 24807
Lakeland, FL 33802-4807

Email: info@parishheacock.com
Toll free: (800) 678-5173

Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).

* Each household member of driving age must have at least 10 years driving experience or be excluded.
* Each household member must have a regular use vehicle less than 15 years old that is insured with liability limits equal to or higher than the limits being applied for on the collectible vehicle.
* All licensed members of household and any other drivers of the vehicle must be listed on the application.
* Maximum of two accidents or violations in the household, maximum of one per licensed household member in past 3 years. No major violations permitted in past 5 years.
* A Driver Health Questionnaire must be completed for all drivers over 70 years old.
* Auto must be stored in a locked permanent garage facility when not driven.
* Auto may not be used for commuting to or from work or school, used for business purposes or as a substitute for another auto.
* Autos not covered while on a racetrack or when being used for: racing, speed, driver's education, or timed events.
* Must display pride of ownership: well maintained, in restored or well-preserved condition.
* Vehicles under restoration must be stored at residence or a restoration shop, with a target date for completion. Agreed value coverage is not available on cars under restoration. Eligibility subject to company review.
* Replica Vehicles and Pro Street vehicles are subject to company review.
* Trucks and Jeeps must be over 25 years old, and not be used for towing, hauling, off-road or utility use.
* Generally do not require appraisals, but may ask for one if vehicle value is difficult to determine.