Before you get any type of insurance, you should first of all be aware of its definition. The definition of renters insurance, in a nutshell, is a type of insurance that covers your belongings as a person who is renting a residential area.
Renters insurance could cover a lot of things. It could cover everything from your car to your jewelry, and to health and safety plans. Each insurace company you look up for help will give you a different definition of renters insurance, so you have to be careful when choosing your insurance provider.
Why do you need this safety measure in the first place? For one thing, as someone who is just renting a home, your basic payment to your landlord would normally cover only the area of the building or lot that you occupy. You don't have any insurance that could cover damage incurred by your property, or the damage incurred by the property of others through an event in which you will normally be held liable.
An example of such an event is if you accidentally leave the water in the tub running and flood out not only your apartment, but also cause some damage to the living spaces adjacent to and directly below yours. Renters insurance could not only protect your property, but also protect you from liability lawsuits. At the very least, you should be able to receive a good compensation in the case of accidents in your company where others are harmed.
Theft is another thing that renters insurance can protect you from. Make sure to ask, however, if the compensation for your stolen or damaged valuables is for "actual cash value" or "replacement cost." Actual cash value (ACV) is the amount of money your item was worth at the time it was purchased. Replacement cost approximates the current value of the item, sans the usual deductions. Replacement cost may be more practical if you plan to keep your renters insurance for an extended period of time.
Depending on the value of the items that you own, renters insurance could go as low as $10 or $20 per month. This way, even college students who work part-time and are renting a private dormitory room or boarding house can afford this sort of insurance.
To get cheaper premiums, people would normally opt for the most "standard" coverage. In order to get the best deal from your provider, ask the representative first for a good definition of renters insurance plans from their company.
Insurenters.com provides you with information on renters insurance related issues, the pitfalls and the best tips. We are dedicated to help you find your renters insurance. http://www.insurenters.com/
Friday, June 29, 2007
Getting a Comprehensive Definition of Renters Insurance
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Reduce Your Car Insurance Premiums
Insuring your car is without a doubt one of the costliest parts
of motoring. However you can make savings when it comes to your
car insurance just by following a few simple rules and using
some common sense. Here are just some of the ways in which you
can reduce your motor insurance premiums.
Before you buy your new or second hand car then check out which
insurance group it is – the lower, the better – and the prices
of insurance premiums. The insurance will be based on the cost
of the car, its safety record and the risk of theft that comes
with the model. You may be surprised how much the premiums can
vary simply by owning a car in a higher insurance group.
The number one point - apart from buying a car in a low
insurance group - to help save yourself some money is to shop
around for your motor insurance. Simply by shopping around you
can save yourself quite a bit of cash. Prices do vary widely
from company to company so it is in your best interests to get
at least three quotes, preferably more.
You can do this online, quickly and easily.
If your car is an older vehicle then consider reducing the type
of cover you have for it. If it is worth less than £4000, Maybe
just insure it as third party, fire and theft instead of fully
comprehensive. This will lead to cheaper premiums.
Some companies offer discounts to those motorists who keep
their mileage down. If you don't use your car a lot then
consider going with such a company.
If you have no claims bonus, this will attract a discount. And
if you have taken extensive or advanced lessons in driving then
ask about reductions for this. Many companies offer cheaper
premiums for those with excellent diving records or additional
motoring qualifications.
About The Author: Louis Rix is Director of http://Netcars.
(http://www.netcars.
websites. Established in 2000, its mission is to become the
UK's number one site for used car searches and motoring
information. Netcars also provide car finance, loans and
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Understanding Home Contents Insurance
Home contents insurance is taken out by home owners in order to
safeguard their possessions through accident, theft, fire or any
other misfortune that should happen. It will help you to replace
the items and for this you pay a monthly set premium to the
insurance provider you take the policy out with.
However as with any type of insurance it is never always easy
to understand and there are often many hidden exclusions within
a policy, which can mean that you wont be able to claim on the
policy for certain things. An important factor to take into
account when it comes to home contents insurance is that even
if you are renting the property, insurance it is still
advisable because this cover is put in place to protect your
belongings not the shell of the property. When taking out a
mortgage the lender might insist that you take out insurance
for the shell or outside of your home but the contents
insurance is down to you.
There are many different types of policy you can take out, so
it is advisable to shop around for your insurance and know what
is and is not included within the policy. For example the basic
policy will not cover such things as a laptop, which you can
take out of the home, while it might be insured if stolen from
within the property it probably isn't covered once taken away
from the property.
When it comes to taking out home contents insurance it is
essential that you don't underestimate or overestimate the
value of your possessions. If you were to suffer the misfortune
of losing all your contents in say a fire and have
underestimated the contents then of course you will lose out.
However if you have overestimated the value of your possessions
then your premium will be higher then it needs to be.
Finally when taking out a policy do make sure that you know the
exclusions and what is and is not covered by the premium you
pay. Also ensure that if you have anything of particular value
in your home that you mention this when taking out your policy
as extremely valuable possessions might need extra cover and
may not be included in the standard policy.
About The Author: David Thomson is Chief Executive of
BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdeal
independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their
clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Term Life Insurance For Armed Service Members
There are many different bills that ensure surviving members of
those who serve our country in the military will be taken care
of with financial benefits. However, it is still a good idea to
take out a separate policy to ensure that payments will be
sufficient as some of the benefits only cover household goods,
personal needs (the basics) and some funds are only allocated
to hardship cases. All the bills are dependent on different
criteria such as if the individual was killed in combat or was
killed from an illness or accident incurred from a past
service. Indeed, to fully protect your family financially,
taking out a separate simple term life insurance would help
supplement any military benefits you would receive.
Each military policy is different, and low cost service
members' group life insurance (SGLI) policies are quite common.
However, some of the military group member policies have a
limited face value of about $400,000.00. You do not want your
family to come up short in the event of your untimely death.
The average military family income is sometimes barely enough
to cover the basic bills. Term life insurance would be the most
cost effective way to build a financially secure future for your
family.
Deceptive Sales Practices and "Red Flags"
Unfortunately, just as the elderly are a commonly targeted
group for fraud, military personnel are also often victims of
deception. Because of the various benefits and discounts often
given to military personnel, many who serve do not question
services that they are offered. After all, one of the key words
in the military is "honor" and of course it is common practice
not to question orders (unfortunately, that has a tendency to
sometimes transfer to other areas of life). The following is a
list of deceptive sales practices of which to be cognizant:
• Solicitation of insurance policies as "investment" or
"savings" products sold as or with savings or investment
products.
• Non-military personnel posing as financial counselors or
advisors on veterans' benefits.
• Non-military or former military personnel acting as
investment advisors in a group or classroom.
• Pressure to rush through the application process, to complete
an allotment form or to authorize withdrawal of funds from your
bank account for the purchase of a life insurance policy.
• Agents selling on military bases without proper authorization
from base solicitations officer or the Department of Defense.
When in doubt it is always best to check credentials.
• Agents selling without a valid license from a state insurance
department.
• Delays in receiving a copy of the contract.
When you feel any of those "red flags" go up, it is probably
best to leave the situation. If purchasing a separate term life
insurance policy is something you and your family are seriously
considering, it is important to make sure you go with a carrier
that is "A" rated. Your best bet is to find a reputable broker
who can advise you properly. If you wish to add "war risks"
onto your policy, make sure you are familiar with the
regulations set forth by the carrier. Some stipulate that your
benefits will only be paid if you purchase the policy before
you are given orders of deployment.
Making Your Service Count
Members of the armed services can be deployed on short notice,
leaving little time to address their personal or business
affairs. Be sure that your spouse and children are covered and
financially secure, because life as a member of the armed
forces is met with great unpredictability. By ensuring your
family is properly covered you will be sure to serve them as
well as you have been serving your country.
About The Author: Sharon Taylor is a professional writer for
http://www.equote.
excellent online resource providing online quotes for
http://www.equote.
term life insurance to families in 42 states.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Car Insurance For Women
Car insurance is something that every car owner should have, without it you will be unable to obtain car tax and will therefore be driving a car illegally.
Everyone jokes about women drivers so are women drivers penalised when it comes to taking out car insurance? The answer is no, over the past few years insurance companies have jumped on the band wagon and actually turned this theory upside down, more often that not insurance companies are now aiming to attract women drivers offering them lower car insurance quotes simply because of their gender.
Also the jokes that we have all heard imply that women are not the best drivers insurance companies think otherwise, they consider women to be safer drivers and statistics show that claims that have been associated with a man cost the insurance company far more that when a woman makes a claim.
The reduction in womens car insurance is not just because of the cost of the claims it is also down the the type of cars women drive. Women tend to stick with a car that has a smaller engine and men go for something that is usually bigger and more sporty which would undoubtedly cost the insurance company more to repair the vehicle or offer a settlement figure if a claim was to be made.
When looking for car insurance for a woman you may find that you are offered extra cover such as breakdown cover, this is usually offered at a considerably lower rate when purchasing it alongside your car insurance and well worth considering if you are a woman that travels alone or with children.
Although companies aimed at women drivers will offer a lower insurance there are some factors that can affect the price, these will include:-
Age - generally younger drivers are more likely to make a claim on their insurance so insurance companies will increase the price to cover their costs, it may be worth being a named driver on your parents car insurance policy for a while to reduce this cost.
Car Security - Keeping your car in a locked garage will help to reduce the cost of your car insurance because your vehicle is less likely to be vandalised and you are more likely to avoid the vehicle being stolen. Installing other safety aspects such as steering wheel locks, alarms and immobilisers will also reduce the risk of damage or theft and in turn your insurance premium should be reduced accordingly.
Previous Claims - If you have made several claims on your car insurance then this will affect your policy as you would be considered a higher risk. If the work that needs to be carried out on your vehicle can be done without making a claim this is always the best option as you're no claims bonus will not be affected and you would not have to pay any excess.
Generally speaking keeping a clean driving record will mean you are eligible for cheaper car insurance. Always obtain several quotes before you decide which policy suits you best.
Allen Jesson writes for several sites that specialize in
http://www.loans-finance-insurance.com
http://www.0-debt.com
and http://www.abacapital.com
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Making Savings On Your Home Insurance
There are many things you can do when it comes to shaving off
the cost of your home insurance, one of the biggest factors
when it comes to making huge savings is who you choose to go
with and how you choose to look around for the deal.
When looking for the best deal you shouldn't just take the
price of the policy into account, also look at factors such as
the level of after care service which the company offers,
whether or not they offer any online services such as the
ability to chat live with an advisor, or free phone telephone
numbers on which to speak to an advisor.
The next factor you should take into account in order to reduce
the amount you pay for your insurance is to offer to pay more
for the excess. The excess you pay is the amount that you have
to pay before the insurance company will take over. If you
going to pay more for your excess then it is in your best
interests to make sure that you keep money aside in order to
cover this if needed. Of course this is the gamble you have to
take if you choose to save money this way from your premium.
If you have other insurance polices and they are ready for
renewing then consider going with the same company for all your
insurance needs. For example you can often take your car
insurance along with your home insurance from the same company
and by doing so not only make great savings but also just have
the one company to deal with when it comes to making payments.
Making safety improvements to your home can also help you to
save money when it comes to taking your home insurance. If you
install the latest and approved alarms to your home then this
alone can help you to get cheaper home insurance. Sprinkler
systems, fire alarms and other safety measures all add up to
you getting your premiums cheaper.
Getting home insurance doesn't have to be costly.
About The Author: David Thomson is Chief Executive of
BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdeal
independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their
clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
A Guide To Business Insurance
If you have a business, then it is important to get the right level of insurance to protect your business interests. Without the proper level of insurance your business could be in serious trouble if anything unexpected should happen. Here are some tips about how to get the right business insurance for your needs:
Required by law
There are a number of types of insurance that businesses must have by law. The main type of insurance that is legally required is employers liability insurance. This type of insurance protects you from any claims that your employees might make for accidents or sickness that they suffer whilst at work or as a result of work. Some businesses are not legally required to have this insurance, but if you have insurance then it makes sense. If anything should happen to any employee you could be hit with a massive compensation bill if you are uninsured.
Another insurance that is often required is motor insurance. If your company has any vehicles then you are required to get at least third party insurance to cover any damage to property or other people. It is usually advisable to get comprehensive insurance for your vehicles in case they are damaged or stolen. Although it costs more, it could save you a lot money in repair bills.
Liability insurance
If you are selling products to the public or have a large number of non-employees using your business premises, then you should consider public liability insurance. This type of insurance will cover you in the event that anyone is injured by your product or hurt at your business premises. The cost of this insurance will vary depending on what products you sell and the size of your premises
Building insurance
If you have dedicated premises for your business, then you need to make sure that the building and its contents are insured. If you rent the building then the landlord should be insured for the property, but you need to make sure that the contents are fully insured. If an accident should occur and you do not have adequate cover then you could lose money.
Key man insurance
A business relies on its key employees to make it successful, so you should think about insuring yourself and other top employees against health problems or accidents. Getting health insurance for your main employees will not only make sure that they can get back to work as soon as possible, it will also give them a sense of belonging to the company. If the type of work you are involved in has the potential for accidents to occur, then getting adequate insurance to cover this is important. Obviously working on a building site is going to lead to higher premiums than sitting behind a desk.
Reducing your premiums
Reducing your premiums is a good way to save money for your business. The best way to reduce the risk for the lender and so reduce the price of insurance is to make your business a safe and secure one. Make sure that security systems are up to date, and that health and safety procedures are adhered to.
Using a broker
The easiest way to obtain business insurance is by using an insurance broker who has expertise in your particular business area. They will be able to help you find the right insurer for your needs and get you a good deal.
Peter Kenny is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at http://www.thriftyscot.co.uk/Insurance/Car_Insurance.html and http://www.thriftyscot.co.uk/Insurance/life-insurance.html
Monday, June 25, 2007
Do You Understand The Importance Of Horse Insurance?
A number of terrible things have happened to horses I have
known or worked with. Blaze escaped from her paddock and
wandered onto the road, where she was hit by a truck coming
over the hill suddenly and was killed. Sultan caught himself
on a piece of barbed wire that cut him from fetlock to withers.
April suddenly dropped dead.
All of these situations led to heartache and a lot of expense.
While no amount of money can really ease the pain if a beloved
horse dies or suffers injury, horse insurance can do something
to ease your financial loss. Of course, prevention is better
than compensation. Good attention to fencing would have saved
Sultan from a painful injury and saved Blaze's life.
Checking a field used for grazing to ensure that no poisonous
plants are growing there is also very important. While horse
insurance can offer you a lot of peace of mind, it is no
substitute for taking commonsense precautions. That being
said, horses are natural jumpers and we all know that accidents
happen in life. Illness and injury are common tragedies.
Horse insurance, as the name suggests, is a form of insurance
policy that makes sure that you will receive some compensation
should a tragedy - or other unwanted occurrence - happen to
your horse, whether the horse was bought for business or
pleasure. But not all horse insurance policies are the same.
Cover in the case of death is the most common form of horse
insurance, but other policies are available.
Possible policies can cover major veterinary bills in the case
of serious injury, as happened to Sultan; loss of use, where a
percentage is paid if a horse is permanently prevented from
working the way you intended it to (e.g. a showjumper or
racehorse); surgery (e.g. for colic), or breeding infertility
to cover broodmares and/or stud stallions for reproductive
failure. Other policies can give you cover in the case of
lightning, fire, theft, etc.
It is very important to talk through all aspects of horse
insurance with your insurance broker before signing a policy.
You will want to know what the fine print covers before the
stress of an emergency situation. Make sure you make a list of
any questions you want to ask your agent and be prepared to
define your needs exactly.
Ask your agent to explain any parts of the policy that you do
not understand, and any difficult words. Insurance agencies may
often require certification or other action from a veterinary
surgeon for a claim to be validated. You will also need to
know what action is required from you in order to make and/or
validate your claim. It is also important to find out how to
ensure your claim is valid if your horse, for some unfortunate
reason, needs to be "put down" or euthanased.
As with all forms of insurance, it is important to shop around
and find the horse insurance policy that works best for you and
gives you the cover that you need.
About The Author: For more information on horses, try visiting
http://www.interest
in providing horse related tips, advice and resources
including information on horse insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Don't Just Renew - Review Your Insurance!
If one of your insurance policies is coming up to renewal – for
example, your household, motor, pet or annual travel insurance
policy – don't automatically accept that your current insurer
is offering you the best deal there is.
Most insurers know that when it comes to renewal time, around
70% of their customers will accept the quote, without even
seeing if they could get it cheaper elsewhere. This could be
because the customers feel don't have the time or the
inclination to bother or genuinely believe they are being
offered the best deal there is.
However, this complacency could cost the consumer tens – even
hundreds – of pounds every year. Insurers are running a
business after all and most will not reward their customers
with cheaper premiums for loyally sticking by them.
By shopping around – either by going online or by using an
independent broker - you could save yourself a hefty wad of
cash and it doesn't have to be a time consuming exercise.
And while the average consumer is probably sick of being told
that "you must shop around" even the Financial Services
Authority (FSA - which is the independent regulator set up by
Government to look after the financial services industry and
protect consumers – advocate it!
Do note however that when looking for a cheaper deal, whilst
price is important, you should never, ever compromise on cover.
No doubt, there will always be an attractive home or motor
insurance deal available, but the cover may not be adequate for
your needs. The sum insured may not be enough or the policy may
not have the same features and benefits.
Therefore, always compare any new quote on a like for like
basis with your existing cover and not forgetting to look at
the small print and any exclusions.
It doesn't take long to get alternative quotes and in most
cases, you'll be quids in!
About The Author: David Thomson is Chief Executive of
BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdeal
independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their
clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Do I Really Need Life Insurance?
Deciding whether or not you need to insure your life can be
tricky. For many people they consider it just another outlay
that they could do without. But is it something you should
seriously consider taking out? If you have a family who are
dependant on you then life insurance is something which you
should certainly consider taking. Having life insurance doesn't
just mean the funeral expenses would be covered in the event of
your death, it is much more.
Life insurance is all about giving those that are left behind
financial help. For example, if you are the main wage earner
then consider what would happen to your family and how they
would cope if they were left with bills to pay.
If you have a mortgage then the mortgage payments alone would
be a nightmare to find, not to mention other bills, such as
putting the kids through college as well as looking after their
well being. Even if your children are grown up then consider
what would happen to your partner and the home.
Benefits from life insurance can also help to pay off any other
debts which might be owing and which otherwise might have to be
found from assets that you have left to family members, so it
is worthwhile considering taking out a policy.
Buying life insurance doesn't have to be a complicated matter.
Simply determine how much cover you would be likely to need
before searching online for the best deal. Factors you should
take into account when deciding how much life insurance you
need to take include how much is left on your mortgage; how
much money your partner and the household would lose through
loss of your earnings; how much it would take to bring up the
children in your family; and how much would such things as
childcare cost if your partner had to return to work.
Once this has been determined then it's simply a matter of
finding the right cover. It is important that you choose the
right type and amount of cover for your policy and a specialist
broker will be able to help.
About The Author: David Thomson is Chief Executive of
BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdeal
independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their
clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Term Life Insurance To 100
Term Life Insurance Coverage for Life
Imagine that you have worked your whole life, past the age of
retirement, building a healthy and substantial fortune for
yourself and your family. Now that you are in your Golden
years, you want to make sure that the family fortune is
distributed according to your wishes. While most premiums for
insurance policies are based on age, carriers do have what is
called term life insurance to 100. You can purchase this policy
between the ages of 71-80 (check with a qualified financial
advisor as each carrier may have different requirements)
like level term insurance, the premiums for term life insurance
to 100 remain unchanged and stop all together when you reach the
age of 100. Even if you live to 120 years old, you will continue
to be covered. This type of policy basically covers you for
life.
Why Term Life Insurance to 100 is Ideal
Term life insurance to 100 is an ideal policy for estate
planning. Usually, families put together estates if there is a
substantial fortune to distribute. Even if there is a modest
fortune, the goal is to make sure your heirs get their
inheritance intact and also for your heirs to avoid paying
taxes on what you leave them. With term life insurance to 100,
benefits are paid tax-free upon your death. You will not only
ensure that your funeral expenses are covered but also those
capital gains taxes are also taken care of. For example, should
you leave your children property such as houses, the capital
gains on those inherited items would be paid. Ensuring that
your heirs receive tokens of your legacy intact makes your
gifts truly gifts. Who wants to be left a cottage in the
country if you have to suddenly come up with a huge amount of
taxes before you can enjoy the bequest? Surely, as the
patriarch or matriarch of a large family, you could ensure that
your children and grandchildren will continue to enjoy your
legacy to its fullest.
If you outlive all of your heirs, term life insurance to 100 is
also perfect for leaving a bequest to your favorite charity. You
may purchase face value amounts of $10,000.00 to $1,500.000.00
(there are different versions of term life insurance to 100
that offer higher face values). If you choose to donate your
death benefit to a charity, make sure to visit the charity to
fill out all the appropriate forms. There are very specific
questions that require answers before a charity can accept a
gift in the form of life insurance.
Cash Back Options on Surrendered Policies
Some carriers have different versions of term life insurance to
100 policies as well as required number of years to pay before
you can surrender a policy. For example, if you choose a
carrier that has term life insurance to 100, the policy may
require you wait until after 10 years before you can cash out
the policy. If in the 11th policy year, for instance, you
decide you no longer require insurance protection, you can
surrender your policy in exchange for a one-time cash value as
stated in your policy contract. Other versions of the policy
might allow you to surrender the policy at any time with no
time requirement. You would be allowed to surrender for the
cash value stated on the policy.
As always, it is best to seek the advice of a reputable
financial advisor to help you choose the best carrier as well
as which type of term life insurance to 100 policy suits your
needs.
About The Author: Sharon Taylor is a professional writer for
http://www.equote.
excellent online resource providing online quotes for
http://www.equote.
term life insurance to families in 42 states.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Congress Scrutinizes Long Term Care Insurance
Conseco and Penn Treaty Long Term Care insurance companies
must be biting their nails to the quick, as the House
Committee on Energy and Commerce breathe down their necks
and the General Accountability Office closes in.
Conseco hired a great ad agency. I loved their long term
care insurance commercials. They were so funny! Yet every
time I watched them, I couldn't help but cringe. My
concern was that people would buy a Conseco policy, then
perhaps someday their rates would go up, or worse yet,
their claims might get denied. Clay and I knew that, as far
back as the 1990's, Conseco was selling relatively
inexpensive policies to lots of unhealthy people. Now,
approving "sickies" for long term care insurance seems
compassionate, doesn't it? Of course it does. I sure wish
companies would approve more, but that's not how insurance
works. Companies with smart actuaries know that insurance
can only work when there are more "low risk" policies sold,
than there are "high risk" sold. That way, more money is
coming in than going out. More premium payments, less
benefit pay-outs. That's how the "pool" of money held by
insurance companies stays strong.
When the high risk/low risk ratio is reversed, the money
pool is in danger of drying up. That was the problem we
saw, way back when. Clay never sold Conseco. He was
advised not to by his mentor, but he did sell a few Penn
Treaty policies to people who, due to health concerns,
would not have been approved by other companies.
Penn Treaty had decent policies, yet Clay always told his
clients that there was a good chance their premiums would
go up in the future, due to Penn Treaty's high risk/low
risk ratio and lower premium prices. Still, given the
choice between having no LTC insurance at all and the
possibility, no matter how great, of rate raises most
people chose the insurance. Would Clay have made the same
choice if he had the chance of being insured. You better
believe it"¦ He would buy a Penn Treaty policy today if
they would take him.
Even so, I think it's high time the long term care
insurance industry got a good once over. Rate raising and
refusing to pay-out, if only from a few companies, damages
the entire industry, not to mention consumers' well being.
If you diligently pay your premiums, year after year, and
you have a legitimate claim, you should expect the LTCi
carrier to pay-out, as per your contract. Paper shuffling
and other foot dragging techniques being used by a few
insurers are shameful.
Why has Congress waited so long to look into this
situation? Was the Insurance lobby too strong for the last
Congress? It may be political "low-hanging fruit" to rail
against the Evil Insurance companies during these
pre-election days, but I'm glad that Obama and Hillary have
the moxy to do so. The states haven't been doing a great
job regulating, so maybe this will get their tails in gear.
One last thing: 81 year old Mary Rose Derks has gotten a
lot of press. She's been in a nursing home since 2002 and
her long term care has cost her $70,000 or so. Articles and
news shows site her case, claiming that Conseco has not
paid her claim. I'd like to know where her LTCi agent has
been all this time. Isn't he helping her, fighting for her?
It's easy to get alarmed. Yet we don't know what Mary's
policy's contract wording was, so we don't know if Conseco
is in the right or if Mary Rose Derks has a valid claim.
There could be legal wording in the policy itself that
allows Conseco to not accept her claim. Conseco might have
found that Mary didn't disclose all of her health
conditions when she applied, therefore, nullifying her
contract. Or not. Maybe Conseco is simply trying to save a
buck at the expense of a fragile, little old lady. We
don't know. We only hear the plaintive cries of her family
so eagerly repeated through the Media.
But I bet Conseco wishes they had spent less on advertising
and more toward paying their claims now!
And let's remember: Long Term Care Insurance companies pay
out Billions of dollars in claims. Most LTCi companies
should be applauded for helping Americans during times of
great stress and need.
We shall see what these inquiries reveal.
About the Author:
Long term care insurance activist, CB Cotton, writes for
http://www.PrepSmar
Assistance Center, where you get Free Long Term Care
Insurance advice, comparative rate quotes and personal
guidance, all while safely at home in your favorite pajamas
and bunny slippers.
A New Leasee's Primer on Renters Insurance
Taking the leap and finally renting your own apartment also entails being ready for any emergency that may arise. If your first home is going to be rented, you need to look into all the kinds of insurance that will protect your property. Sure most residential buildings come with their own insurance policy, but these policies are not likely to cover certain occurrences - and that's where renters insurance comes in.
Renters insurance basically covers two things: 1) damage done to your property, and 2) damage you may do to others' property. In the case of damage done to your property, you can protect the items on your insurance inventory against unforeseeable trouble, such as flooding, earthquakes, vandalism or theft. This is why it is important to keep a detailed inventory of the items you want covered by your insurance. Especially important items, such as antique heirlooms or expensive jewelry, should be declared first of all.
One important thing to know is if your insurance company intends to reimburse your losses at "replacement cost" or "actual cash value (ACV)." The latter means the amount you spent in actually buying the insured item. If for example you bought a particularly valuable ring at $200 several years ago, ACV means the insurance will only cover your loss up to around $200, the amount you paid for the ring at the time of buying, when in fact $200 would be far below the market value of the ring in this day and age. However, this may be beneficial to you if your insured item was bought fairly recently. On the other hand, replacement cost allows for a little more flexibility. Both these reimbursement terms are subject to deduction, depending on the amount of use your insured item has been put through, and some other considerations.
This type of renters security could also take the form of allowance. For example, in the event that a disaster destroys most of your apartment home, making it unlivable, it is important to have some form of financial fallback that will cover the cost of staying elsewhere, while the insurance from the damage done to your property is being settled. Ordinarily, building insurance will not cover the additional living expenses incurred when living away from the building per se. It would be good to find a third party insurance provider that could help shoulder a good deal of the cost.
A good renters insurance could work both ways, too. You may find it a formidable ally should a liability lawsuit be filed against you. This could happen in case you accidentally cause injury to others, or damage other people's property.
Insurenters.com provides you with information on renters insurance related issues, the pitfalls and the best tips. We are dedicated to help you find your renters insurance. http://www.insurenters.com/
Friday, June 22, 2007
Obama, Clinton Spotlight Long Term Care Insurance Industry
In April 2007, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton
requested that our Government Accountability Office examine
the long term care insurance industry's track-record for
claims, premium increases and those increases' relation to
LTCi policy lapses. Will they find dirt under the rug?
Well, I'll give you the answer!
If you look at the long term care insurance industry's
claims pay-outs, you'd be encouraged. Claim denials are
extremely low compared to other types of insurance - and
LTCi companies pay a LOT of claims" - $3.3 billion in 2006
alone. The largest claim as of Dec. 2006 was over
$875,000!!! (Can you imagine paying that out of your
pocket?) So, kudos for long term care insurance.
However, there are some LTCi companies that have given the
entire industry a bad name, as well as giving consumers
reason to pause. Companies that have sold inexpensive
policies with lots of bells and whistles have felt the need
to either sell off their long term care insurance business,
ask for rate increases on existing policy holders or even
deny or delay claims. "Low-balling" on what should have
been "expensive" policies was definitely poor planning by
those companies Some folks might even look at it as some
type of fraud.
Some of the same companies had slack underwriting and would
accept people who were higher risk, health-wise. This
business strategy was a disaster waiting to happen.
Another issue has been one of rate increases. Some
companies have increased rates on their policies,
especially policies with unlimited lifetime benefits.
Since a company has to put aside a million dollars for
every unlimited lifetime policy, and since the price of
long term care itself is inflating at over 6% per year,
most companies who charged reasonable rates for these
policies have had to ask for rate increases.
It seems that the LTCi players that are left on the field
are being very careful these days. Long term care
insurance now has enough "claimshistory" that actuaries can
figure out what companies truly need to charge for each
product. Most companies have tightened up their
underwriting and some are not selling unlimited lifetime
policies any longer. The ones that do charge hefty premiums.
All these factors are helping to strengthen and revivify
the LTCi industry and to promote trust within consumers.
Let's hope that this trust is warranted and that these
improved policies will not suffer from rate increases in
the future!
There's no doubt in my mind that any investigation into the
LTCi industry will turn up some companies that had less
than desirable claims pay-out and rate increase records in
the past. Even so, I think that an investigation will find
that the LTCi industry as a whole is one of the best in the
insurance arena for paying claims. As far as raising
premium rates goes, since LTCi companies cannot increase
rates unless approved by a state's Dept of Insurance,
perhaps states' DOI should not grant as many rate increases?
... Just a thought!
About the Author:
Long term care insurance activist, CB Cotton, and his wife,
Kimberly, write for http://www.PrepSmar
Baby Boomers Decision Assistance Center, where you get Free
Long Term Care Insurance advice, comparative rate quotes
and personal guidance, all while safely at home in your
favorite pajamas and bunny slippers.
Term Life Insurance For Newlyweds
These days getting married brings about the joining of couples
of many different circumstances. Of course there is the
ever-traditional young couple fresh out of college who might
have no other financial obligations other than student loans,
rent and their vehicles. There are usually no children involved
and life is just full of possibilities and opportunities that
will be built together. Assets as well as bills will be
accumulated as a couple.
On the other hand, there are now many couples who are
remarrying for the second or third time and this is where
things get more complicated. As newlyweds who are marrying for
the second or third time are usually older, there is not only a
blending of many collected assets and bills but more than likely
a blending of children from both the husband and wife. There may
even be dependents such as elderly parents who are being taken
care of by either spouse.
In either scenario, starting a new life with someone not only
brings on many emotional and personal changes but also a whole
new spectrum of financial responsibilities. These new
obligations, especially when children are involved, beckon for
financial security if the unspeakable should happen – the loss
of either spouse.
While no one likes to think about familial loss, especially
when your new life together has just begun, it is important to
plan ahead. Term life insurance is the most cost efficient way
to plan for unpredictable loss. For young couples just starting
out, term life is an inexpensive way to gain financial
protection. Even if insurance seems unnecessary for a young
couple where both partners are both working and there are no
real financial obligations, it is actually the best time to buy
since term life insurance is cheapest for the youth.
For those couples blending finances and children, purchasing a
term life insurance plan is a "quick fix" until the whole new
family situation can be assessed more thoroughly. As your true
needs reveal themselves, you can change your plan accordingly.
It is therefore important to make sure the policy you buy is
convertible. If you already have existing life insurance, make
sure you change the names of beneficiaries accordingly.
Some Tips for Newlyweds
For couples planning on having children it would be ideal to
buy a term life policy that will keep your family covered until
the children graduate from college. For the longest protection
it would be advisable to purchase a 20 or 30-year level term
policy. Level term policies stay unchanged from the original
purchase price. The longer the coverage, the more costly the
premiums, however, level term is still the most inexpensive
coverage you can purchase. This is the best way for young
couples or new families to get started.
The rule of thumb for purchasing coverage is usually 10 times
your annual net income. However, the face value will obviously
vary depending on your age and number of dependents you have
now inherited or plan to have down the line. Only you can
decide what your family would need.
While it seems tempting to rush off and buy the least expensive
policy, especially as a short term alternative until your
settled family's true needs are revealed, it is important to
make sure you go with a carrier that is "A" rated. Your best
bet is to find a reputable broker who can advise you properly,
especially if buying a level term policy. You want to make sure
you buy a policy that is convertible, renewable and comes with a
guaranteed period.
Certainly buying term life insurance may not seem a very
romantic thing to think about as a newlywed, but in reality,
coverage that protects you and your spouse against life's
unforeseen events is an important part of planning your life
together. Assessing and addressing your insurance needs early
on will help get your marriage off on the right financial
footing.
About The Author: Sharon Taylor is a professional writer and
contributor for http://www.equote.
premier Internet resource for term life insurance,
no-obligation quotes, and other helpful resource information.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
How To Spot Low Cost Health Insurance
A lot of companies claim to offer low cost health insurance,
but few deliver. Although finding the best and walking away
from the rest will require some homework and research, it can
be done.
Shopping for the best low cost health insurance will require a
computer with an Internet connection or a telephone book and a
poised and ready dialing finger. Along with these things, a
notepad, pen and calculator are very good ideas to have on
hand.
Before calling or applying online for different forms of health
insurance, it's a good idea to set up some criteria for the
insurance policy desired. This will enable the comparison of
apples to apples to try and find the best overall coverage for
the most reasonable rate.
The things to consider include:
* Policy type. This means health maintenance organization, HMO,
preferred provider organization, or PPO, or catastrophic
coverage, which generally just covers major hospitalization
issues.
* Deductible. How much money are you willing to pay out each
year before the coverage really kicks in? This can range from
as little as nothing up to $5,000 or more.
* Premium. How much can you afford or do you want to pay out
each month for premiums?
* Co-pay. Do you desire a plan that will offer a co-pay
structure for regular doctor's visits? Do you want that co-pay
structure to kick in before the deductible has even been met?
* Maximum exposure. Beyond premiums and co-pays, is there a
limit you're willing to pay up to on an annual basis before the
insurance kicks in at 100 percent? Not all policies offer this
stopgap figures, but anyone with a fear of a big emergency
might benefit from this feature.
When a good, basic idea of what is desired has been determined,
it's time to start looking for the best prices. It might not be
possible to find exactly the same coverage down to the last
detail in each location reviewed, but it should be possible to
stack them up closely enough for comparison.
Jot down the coverage offered, the monthly premium rate, the
out-of-pocket limits and the deductible amounts paid from each
location before making a final determination. It's also not a
bad idea to:
* Examine co-pay plans very closely. The $30 a doctor's visit
co-pay might sound like it offers great savings, but if it's
$200 a month more than another option look closer. It is
possible the doctor you want to use offers a contract rate for
a different insurance company. If that rate happens to be $40 a
visit, that extra $200 might just not be worth the price of
admission.
* Look at the total bottom line. Consider a worse case
scenario. How much would you spend in premiums, the deductible
amounts and other expenses with each plan if the worse
happened.
* Available doctors. If doctors you like or want to use are not
available, the "best" low cost health insurance might not be the
best.
Finding the best low cost health insurance can be done, but it
will take some homework. Try to compare apples to apples where
possible and look at the options very closely. What seems like
the best savings, might turn out to be the worst.
About The Author: For more information on health insurance, try
visiting http://www.healthin
specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice
and resources to include information on low cost health
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Bumps, scrapes and prangs - when is the right time to make a claim on your car insurance?
legal requirement for any driver in the UK. At the very
least every driver is expected to have third party
insurance that covers injuries to others (including
passengers) and damage to other people's property. A claim
situation would only arise as a claim against you by a
third party.
While this is the minimum amount of cover the law expects
of you, it doesn't cover very much – for example, if your
car is in an accident and gets written off, you would lose
the value of your car.
The next step up is third party, fire and theft –
essentially the same as third party but with additional
cover if your vehicle is set on fire or stolen. Again, this
doesn't provide the kind of cover that would protect the
money you have invested in your car and any possessions you
are carrying.
Most people opt for a fully comprehensive cover – this
covers third party, fire and theft as well as damage to
your car (whether its caused by you or someone else) and
the damage, loss or theft of any possessions carried in
your car.
The first step to consider when making any kind of claim on
your car insurance is what's covered? Not only does the
type of policy dictate the nature of your claim but also
the specific details of the policy.
For example, does your insurance include replacement locks?
Can you claim for personal possessions and if so what items
are covered and to what value?
It's worth noting that many people these days have home
contents insurance which covers items carried in your car –
check the difference in policy to see which insurance
policy is more cost effective to claim with.
There are two primary factors to consider when making a
claim – your excess charge and your no-claims bonus.
- Excess
The excess charge is how much you are willing to pay in the
event of an accident. Your insurance provider may set a
compulsory excess charge or the excess charge may be
voluntary – whichever the case, the golden rule is the more
excess you are willing to pay the lower your premium.
The excess charge can be a major deciding factor in whether
to make a claim or not.
For example, if you agree to paying an excess of £200 that
means that if you have an accident that costs £400 to
repair your vehicle, you pay £200 and the insurance company
pays £200. If your claim is less than £200 then the
insurance company will not pay anything.
So, as long as the claim is more than the excess you should
make a claim, right?
Not necessarily – that brings us on to our next major
factor:
- No claims bonus
To some people the thought of losing their no-claims bonus
is the stuff of nightmares. It's no surprise – some no
claims bonus policies can save you 65% on your premium if
you have five years or more of no claims.
The particular details of your no-claims bonus vary from
policy to policy – with some there is no quarter: if you
make a claim, you lose your bonus. With others there is a
system of "three strikes and you're out" whereby you are
allowed to make two claims within a certain time period but
a third would result in your losing your bonus.
There are also protected no claims bonus policies where you
can pay an extra premium to protect your no claims bonus so
even if you have to make a claim you save money.
Far from being straightforward, making a claim can become a
careful balancing act of costs. To make the right decision
you need to weigh up, not just the cost of the claim but
the effect that claim will have on your premium.
About the Author:
Visit ASDA Finance at
http://www.asdafina
insurance quote including car insurance, home insurance and
life insurance.
Monday, June 18, 2007
How to Get an Instant Home Insurance Quote
Getting a home insurance estimate does not have to be a lengthy and drawn out process. There is simply no need to wait around by the phone hour after hour and day after day in hopes that someone from a home insurance company will return your call with an answer to your questions about a possible quote. No, thanks to technology and the internet, you now no longer have to wait for days just to get a decent residence assurance quote. Instead, you can find a website that will guarantee you an instant home insurance quote so that you can go about your business and actually enjoy yourself.
Now, just because there are some websites on the internet that promise to give you an instant home insurance quote does not mean that all of the websites out there which are selling home insurance will give you the same speedy response. Unfortunately there are still quite a few providers that like to stick with their old methods; and if you want a fast residence assurance quote, you should avoid those companies altogether.
In order to insure that you get your residence assurance quote as fast as possible, you need to do a little bit of preparatory work. First, be sure to get all of your papers in order that correspond to questions that a home insurance company may ask you. Be ready to give them rough estimates of how much your home and your valuables are worth. Know the age of your home and what your property situation looks like. The less you know about your home, the more time it will take for you to get a fast home insurance quote. Once you have all of the necessary data compiled, log on to a site that will provide you with your instant residence assurance quote and enter in the data that they ask for. In minutes, your quote will either be displayed on the screen or you will have a fresh new email in your mailbox.
Although it may sound as though receiving a home insurance quote online through an instant quote provider is far too good to be true, in fact it really is quite an easy process. Even if you have little or no experience with using the internet for such purposes, getting an instant quote for your home insurance really does not take more than a few short minutes, just be sure that you take the time to read all of the fine print.
Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://home-insurance.wares-are.us Please visit for information on all things concerned with http://home-insurance.wares-are.us/Articles/Instant_Home_Insurance_Quote.php
Cheap Auto Insurance - 10 Crucial Tips For Traveling Teens And Petrified Parents
few crucial tips in mind. You have to do your homework to
ensure that you understand the fine print - especially if you
have a teenager on the verge of discovering the joys and
freedom of driving. You don't want to discover too late that
your cheap auto insurance policy doesn't provide coverage for a
young driver...
It is an unfortunate fact that teenagers cause a spike in claim
rates. Research has shown their accident rate to be up to ten
times as high as that of older, more experienced drivers. This
high risk group has a direct effect on quotes. The premium can
almost double in some instances. Fortunately there are ways to
soften the blow as far as your cheap auto insurance package is
concerned.
1. Type Of Vehicle: While choosing a low risk vehicle for your
teen may have you out of the running as far as the popularity
contest is concerned, it will affect your insurance quote
significantly. Companies frown on an expensive, fast sports
car with a teenager behind the wheel. Don't dangle temptation
in front of your teen. Choose that older, heavier car and you
will qualify for a much lower premium, as well as a measure of
peace of mind. Get a list of the no-go wheels from your
insurer.
2. Driving History: Try to get your teen to understand that
their driving history is just as important as their credit
history. Avoiding a black mark in any shape or form is vital.
Don't claim for small mishaps. Tickets for speeding are a
no-no.
Passing a course at a reputable driving school will also enable
your carrier to see the teen as less of a risk. Why not join
your child in a Defensive Driver Program, in order to qualify
for a cheap auto insurance discount? This will equip both of
you to cut the risk of rear-end crashes, while teaching you and
your teen to use emergency brake procedures correctly, to use
safe following distances, and to drive safely in foul weather.
Expecting your teen carry his or her share of the coverage is a
great way to create a careful driver and teach responsibility.
3. Avoid Distractions: Teach your teen to concentrate on
driving and driving alone when in the car. No distractions are
allowed. No cell phone calls. No fooling around with
passengers. In fact, putting restrictions on carrying
passengers during the first year or so of driving is probably
sensible and can help to get you cheap auto insurance. In some
states teens are now barred from carrying more than one
passenger. It has been proven that having three or more
passengers makes the driver up to three times as likely to be
involved in an accident. The new laws also prohibit driving
during the dangerous late night and early morning period. This
already seems to have a beneficial effect on premiums.
4. Seat Belt Safety: Seat belt use is without question one of
the most vital aspects of driving. Your teen must know that his
wheels will be confiscated if he ever drives without wearing a
seat belt. This also applies to passengers. By signing a seat
belt wearing undertaking, you may increase your chances of
landing cheap auto insurance.
5. You Are The Role Model: Remember that you are your teen's
role model when it comes to driving. If you don't stick to the
rules, you can't expect your kids to do so. Your example over
the years will play an important role in the way they approach
their own driving later on.
6. Change Driver Status: Your teen may qualify to be an
occasional driver, which will draw a lower premium. At first it
will also be less expensive to have teens covered under your
personal protection plan. They can change to their own plan
later on, once they have established some sort of record.
7. Liability Coverage: Never, ever try to save on liability
coverage when taking out cheap auto insurance. This is
absolutely vital. If at all possible get a comprehensive
umbrella policy. This will give you a huge cushion in case of a
serious accident. It is astonishing how costs can add up if such
an unfortunate incident occurs.
8. Get Good Grades: A number of companies allow generous
discounts of up to 25% for good grades! Make a B average or
higher a provision for allowing your teen on the road.
9. Company Car: If you have your own business, your teen may be
able to use the company car without you
being slapped with a higher premium. Investigate this
possibility.
10. Carry-Over From Your Teen: An important fact that is often
overlooked is that your teen's carelessness or risky behavior
may bump you into the high risk category with sky-high
premiums! Your kid has to understand that his or her driving
record is serious business, likely to affect the whole family.
If not handled with responsibility, it may void your chances of
ever getting cheap auto insurance.
About The Author: http://www.FindaChe
you can also read the article: 10 Crucial Cheap Auto Insurance
Tips, and other free articles by Rika Susan of
http://FindaCheapCa
article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are
left intact.
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
Term Life Insurance With Accidental Death And Dismemberment Rider
Adding an accidental death and dismemberment rider to a term
life policy is an ideal way for those who need extra protection
to get combined and comprehensive coverage.
Accidental death and dismemberment riders are also known as "A
D & D Riders" as well as "Multiple Indemnities.
indemnities mean that an insurance company will pay a multiple
of the policy's face value. This is the amount that the policy
would pay to the beneficiary in the event of the death of the
insured person.
One common example of indemnities is double indemnities. This
pays an equal amount to the face value of the policy so if the
insured person dies in an accident, the beneficiary receives
the policy face value and the A D & D Rider face value, which
is twice as much as the original amount.
Additional Occurrences Covered by an A D & D Rider
Depending on the rider coverage you choose to add to your term
life insurance policy, A D & D Riders may also cover loss of
sight or the loss of one or more limbs. Of course, you would
have to double check the provisions of your policy as each
carrier stipulates specific designated time frames when payment
can be received from the date that your accident occurred. For
example, imagine an insured person was in a work accident where
a crate fell on the insured person's legs, damaging the limbs
enough so that their legs needed to be amputated a few weeks
after the accident occurred. Usually the coverage period would
depend on the state in which that the policy is drawn, however,
a 90 day waiting period after the limbs are amputated is common
for this type of rider.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that A D & D Riders
do NOT cover death by any form of illegal or crime related
activities. This type of rider also does not cover death by
suicide or death by a malfunction of the body. An example of
"malfunction of the body" would be someone that suffered a
stroke or heart attack while driving. If the heart attack or
stroke occurred before the accident and the accident was the
result of that bodily malfunction, death as a result of the
accident would not be covered. Accidental death means that an
unforeseen circumstance caused death that is unrelated to the
body. The death had to have been unexpected. This is where the
term life insurance policy becomes important. While the insured
would not benefit from the rider, they would most certainly
benefit from the term life insurance policy.
Aside from accidental death, A D & D riders also cover
dismemberment. In the case of the accidental loss of one arm or
one leg only one half of the death benefit would be paid to the
insured. In the event that the insured person suffered the loss
of two or more limbs (combination of arms and legs), then that
would result in the entire face value (death benefit) being
paid to the insured. In this event, the A D & D Rider would be
terminated or waived because the entire face value of the death
benefit/term life insurance policy would have already been paid
out. Most A D & D Riders also include the sudden loss of
vision. The same principles apply. If one eye is lost only one
half of the benefit is paid out. If both eyes are lost then the
insured will receive the whole face value of the death benefit.
A D & D Riders are important to consider adding to term life
insurance policies especially if you use your body to earn your
livelihood. Make sure to get a term life insurance with rider
quote from a few different carriers to ensure the best rate.
About The Author: Sharon Taylor writes informative articles for
http://www.equote.
resource for term life insurance, no-obligation quotes, and
other helpful resource information.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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How A Debt Consolidation Loan Online Can Help When Insurance Won't Cover Your Medical Bills
even the best medical insurance does not always cover
everything. Sometimes this can be a problem. When medical bills
become large due to surgeries or continued illness, the portion
that you are to pay can become more than what you can afford
quickly. A debt consolidation loan online can become very handy
in this case.
When my son was born, he had to be in the neo-natal unit for
eight days due to water in his airways and a heart murmur.
While in there, he developed and was treated for jaundice. He
was given several tests during his stay also. My wife and I
were very lucky for two reasons. Our little guy came out just
fine and is a healthy thirteen month old now, and we have great
insurance. Our insurance covered the entirety of his stay.
However, they did send the statement to me detailing the cost
of his stay. I'm sharing this story not because I want to point
out my luck but to bring home the fact that even 20% of his
$25,000 hospital bill would be a pretty sizable bill to have to
pay all at once. Hospitals will be willing to work with you to
an extent, but they are not creditors and will not allow you to
stretch your payments over a long period of time, but a debt
consolidation loan online will.
A debt consolidation loan online can take an overall debt of
say $5000 and instead of asking you to pay it in its entirety
in a few months, you can do it in a few years. This will allow
the payment to be workable for you and your budget. Within
reason, a loan term can be lengthened or shortened to make the
payment work within what you can spend each month. In this way,
you will not be searching to find $1000 extra over the next five
months, you will make reasonable monthly payments until the debt
is paid off.
A few benefits to the debt consolidation loan online are that
they can happen relatively quickly, you can combine other debts
with them, they have lower interest rates than credit cards, and
they are done in complete privacy. After researching banks, once
you've decided which bank has the right interest rate and terms
for your loan, you usually can simply go online and apply for
said loan. After some communication with a loan officer, your
loan will be approved and you'll be ready to pay the debts off.
This should take a matter of days, not weeks. When setting up
the loan you will be able to add any credit card debt you
currently have. Since the interest rate of a debt consolidation
loan online is less than that of a credit card, your overall
debt payments will decrease as opposed to what you were paying
before which will save you money. Finally, no one other than
you, your spouse, and anyone else you choose will have to know
what you're doing with your finances and why. It's none of
their business and with this loan, it stays that way.
A debt consolidation loan online can take a very trying time in
your life and relieve at least some of the stress that you're
feeling. It will help you maintain control of your finances
through this time. You will have peace of mind at least in the
financial aspect of your life.
About The Author: Discover the power of a debt consolidation
loan online to effectively get your finances under control.
Visit http://www.your-
more about how you can turn your finances around.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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Choices For Self Employed Health Insurance
proposition. Worry seems to crop up at every turn. From
finances to ensuring enough work to actually stay busy,
concerns people didn't even think could become concerns will!
There's at least a little comfort to be had on the self
employed health insurance front; options are available.
Finding the best possible self employed health insurance will
very likely depend on personal circumstance, however, and even
the state in which one resides. For example, some states
require insurance companies allow the inclusion of the self
employed in group health plans under special circumstances;
others do not.
The basic things to look at for self employed health insurance,
include:
* Necessity. The self employed will generally find if another
option is available, such as a spouse's group coverage, it will
be the best overall choice. The coverage premiums tend to be
less and the overall protection better in a lot of cases.
* Number of employees. If you're going into business on your
own, with no employees, it might be difficult to get into a
group policy. When this option is present, however, it tends to
offer the greatest coverage for the least amount of money. The
number of employees in the business can open the door for group
coverage. Also, if you are going it alone, check closely to see
if your state offers any group health coverage loopholes for
the self employed. This could save you a bundle.
* Type of coverage desired. This will greatly impact the
options and prices being offered. Decide if you want an HMO,
PPO or simply catastrophic hospitalization coverage. The first
two options are the ones most people tend to go with, but the
last has some benefits in a pinch.
* Money available to spend on premiums. This, unfortunately,
will be a big determining factor for many - especially the
newly self employed in most cases. Policies can range from a
little over $100 in some cases to well into $1,000 or more.
Once decisions have been made, it's time to shop around. The
best way to do this is to stake out a decent block of time and
do some major comparison shopping. Plan on receiving a lot of
telephone calls and placing them, even if the Internet is used.
To make the determination on the best possible plan for self
employed health insurance, it's important to look at the
overall picture. Consider such things as deductibles, monthly
premiums, overall coverage, out-of-pocket expenses and even
drug coverage. The best options will generally rise to the top
pretty quickly.
Going into business can be a fantastic step for freedom and
financial security. It can, however, bring a lot of worry with
it. Shopping for the best self employed health insurance tends
to be one of the very big concerns that come along with this
proposition. Take the time to fully research the options to
find the best possible coverage for the most economical rate.
Doing so can pay off down the road.
About The Author: For more information on health insurance, try
visiting http://www.healthin
specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice
and resources to include information on self employed health
insurance.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
6 Tips For Sorting Out Health Insurance Companies
whole lot of insurance companies out there that offer coverage.
Sorting out health insurance companies to find the best
possible coverage for the most reasonable rates can be the real
trick in locating a good policy. It can, however, be done.
Those looking for coverage for themselves, their families or
even their employees will need to take the task very seriously.
It will take some time, but the investment of a few hours or
even a few days can result in a policy that does what it's
supposed to when it's needed. Slacking on the job can result in
some major problems down the road.
Examining health insurance companies to find the best will
require looking at:
* Policy options. This, of course, is a given. The types of
policies offered, what they cover and what they don't can very
often separate the best from the worst quite quickly. Whether
it's individual coverage or family coverage required, most
people want to get the best bang for their buck.
* Pricing. To go along with that bang for the buck, the money
out of pocket is a very big factor in choosing an insurance
company. Things to look at here include such issues as
premiums, deductibles and total out of pocket expenses that
could be associated with a medical incident arising.
* Drug coverage. This might not always be a concern, but if
illness strikes or maintenance medications are needed, it can
become one fast. Many major medical insurance companies offer
some form of drug coverage to go along with their plans.
* Doctor preference. It is a very good idea, if possible, to
check with current doctors to get their input about potential
insurance companies. The best priced plan might not seem like
that if a favorite doctor isn't covered. Doctors can also
generally offer some great insight about who pays their bills
on time and who doesn't.
* Hospital coverage. It is very important to find out if
different health insurance companies cover the hospitals and
other medical facilities in the geographic area where the
coverage is needed. If they don't, their plans are likely not
worth looking at. Some of the lesser known companies might not
have medical participants in all areas.
* Overall reputation. If at all possible, this is also worth
checking into. Even if doctors and hospitals are covered, if a
lot of clients have had problems with the companies in the
past, they might be worth steering clear of. It will be
virtually impossible to find an insurance company that every
customer gives high marks, but those who have numerous and
repeat complaints should raise a red flag.
There are some very good health insurance companies and others
that might not be the best for personal needs. The only way to
find out which is the best choice and which might not be is to
fully check them out. This means checking into pricing,
policies, doctor preference and more.
About The Author: For more information on health insurance, try
visiting http://www.healthin
specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice
and resources to include information on health insurance
companies.
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance, also known as "cash-value" insurance is a basic and consistent type of permanent life insurance which remains in effect your entire life at a level premium. This life insurance is a good choice got you if you do not expect your life insurance needs to diminish over time. A portion of your premium goes into a reserve fund called 'cash value' that builds up over the years your policy is in affect. Your reserve fund is tax-deferred and you can borrow against it, until you withdraw it.
The premiums must generally remain constant over the life of the policy and must be paid periodically according to the amount indicated in the policy. You may also have the option of a single premium ----- paying all of the premiums at once with a single lump sum. Your cash values will grow to equal the amount of the death benefit when you turn to age 100.
Although, whole life insurance is very expensive, and if you're on a limited budget, you may not be able to afford all the insurance coverage you actually need. But the plus point is that the death benefit is guaranteed as long as premiums are met. Also death benefit will never decrease if you don't borrow against it.
Whole life insurance policy's returns will fluctuate with the markets and will usually follow returns available from other investments like equity mutual funds. However, if you decide to quit your policy, your cash value can be paid in cash or paid-up insurance.
Whole life insurance is most suitable for you, if you want to:
• use it as a tax and estate planning vehicle,
• accumulate cash value for a child's education or retirement,
• pay final expenses,
• provide money for a favorite charity,
• fund a business buy/sell agreement,
• provide key person protection.
Before buying the whole life insurance, you need to think carefully about choosing your level of coverage. Too often people make the mistake of insufficiently covering or even worse, financially overextending themselves. This would be a tragic error with whole life insurance policy because defaulting on premium payments can mean policy cancellation and the loss of your entire investment. So be careful and make sure you:
• pick a life insurance policy that has a guaranteed cash value starting at the very first year,
• choose the one with the highest cash value in the very first year,
• consider "participating" insurance policies which can pay dividends, increasing your policy's value by boosting both the total cash value and the death benefits,
• beware of any insurance policy that levies "surrender charges" when you cancel.
• if you ever need to stop paying premiums, your policy lets you use the accumulated cash value of the life insurance policy to pay the premiums, thus keeping your coverage current.
Discover How Easy Life Insurance Shopping Can Be:
http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com/netquote.php
About the Author:
Hans Hasselfors is the founder of http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com. Visit our article directory for varied articles about life insurance.
Use the Internet to Get a Quick Home Owner Insurance Quote
When it comes to researching, there is probably no better tool out there than the Internet. Yes, the Internet: that thing you use every day to check your email and write to your friends and family actually has a variety of uses that can save you countless hours of time. For starters, the Internet is an excellent place to research for a home owner insurance quote that can help you save a lot of money on your home insurance rates. Even if you already have a home insurance policy, it does not hurt to take an hour or so and see if you can get a better deal.
There are a variety of different ways for you to use the Internet to research for home insurance, you just have to know where to find them. One of the first places you should check out is a website that is designed for people to review all of the different insurance companies in their area. Websites of this type are perfect for people who have no idea what they are looking for other than that they want a nice, low rate on their home owner insurance quote. Usually you will be required to input some information about where you live and how large your house is, and in a few hours you will receive an email or a call informing you about all kinds of rates.
Alternatively, if you are not comfortable using an all encompassing rate quote website for home insurance, you can always visit the website of each of the home insurance companies individually. But you don't know of any home insurance companies? You can always use a site like the one described above to get a comprehensive list of many of the home insurance providers that serve your area. These sites are quick, fast and easy to use and in just a few short minutes you will be well on your way to finding all of the home insurance rates you can imagine. Even better, if you do not see on that suits your fancy, you do not have to accept them, just move on to another service until you get the rate that you want.
All in all, the most important point that you should take away from here is that it is always much easier to use the Internet to find a home owner insurance quote than it is to open the yellow pages.
Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://home-insurance.wares-are.us Please visit for information on all things concerned with http://home-insurance.wares-are.us/Articles/Home_Owner_Insurance_Quote.php
Various Dental Insurance Plans
Shaving nicks and toothaches hurt more than they should. While a nick will vanish in a couple of days, toothache will take your pocket for a spin before it goes away. Believe me, dental care is prohibitively expensive, but still a part of necessary health care and very important.
Here comes dental insurance. Not much in the past it was considered a big company perk, dental insurance has today established itself as a must-have benefit. Even most small companies offer dental insurance today to recruit and retain workers. Dental coverage costs less than 10% of total medical coverage so its affordable and preventive procedures, like cleanings, ensure the overall health of employees, which means a decrease in sick time and increase in productivity.
Various dental insurance plans with numerous variations are available today. You should take proper care and time to consider all options.
Most expensive plans:
Direct reimbursement plans
These plans are the most expensive of the lot. They operate by paying for employee dental coverage from a pool of money set aside by the company for this purpose.
The simplicity of this plan makes it the most effective, the reimbursement is made by a simple formula doing away with the complexity of co-payments, deductibles etc. Even though ADA strongly recommends this plan, this kind of direct dental care may not be affordable by smaller companies.
Least expensive plans:
Managed care plans
Similar to a medical HMO, managed care dental plans need to pay for the treatment through regular co-payments and choose forma pool of dentists to get treated. These plans do various cost-control measures and can more affordable for small businesses.
The co-payment amount varies according to procedure. Preventive procedures are usually performed without co-payment, however advanced procedures will bear higher co-payments.
The choice lies with the company and their financial managers, however great care is recommended in choosing the plan.
About the Author:
Hans Hasselfors is the founder of http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com. Visit our article directory for varied articles about dental insurance.
Paying Too Much for Home Insurance?
Home insurance is a type of insurance policy in which the home along with its contents and other possessions of the homeowner is insured against theft or accidents that may occur in that particular home.
Basically, the term home insurance includes he insurance structure for two different criteria's. The insurance for the home and then the insurance for the contents of the house, that cover the household objects and as well as the other valuables. However, all insurance policies are not created alike, which makes it harder for the homeowners to decide which insurance policy will be better and cheaper for him. Usually the premium paid and the level of protection offered by the insurance policy differs from policy to policy along with the premium and price.
Homeowners should take special care and should make complete research before concluding and deciding on which insurance policy to be undertaken by them.
There are steps available which would make the premium that the homeowner will have to pay, much less than what he would have had to pay , otherwise.
Insurance policies are usually undertaken by homeowners to make sure that they don't ever run into financial losses and have to bear the grunt of it. Homeowners should try to seek a home policy which carries a low premium with it. The homeowners can come to take the benefit of it, only when they lower the risk associated with it.
Thus the homeowners should try to lower the risk associated with their home, in order to lower the risk for their insurance policy. Homeowners should make sure that they meet the security requirements of the insurance companies. They should fit locks and deadlocks at all the doors and windows, organize neighborhood watch patrol, and make sure that they fix theft alarms by recognized fitters. If the homeowners take these few steps to secure their home, then they can get the premium reduced to their liking and benefits.
However before making the security arrangements and using the security equipments, the homeowners should enquire whether the insurance companies would comply with the steps that the homeowners have taken to secure their home.
Homeowners should also try to lookout for different home insurers for the home and as well as for the contents of the home. Because, sometimes although the insurers charge low for the building insurance, but they charge a high price for the contents of the home. Thus it would be beneficial for the homeowners to look and search for different insurance policies, because their aim should be to avail the cheapest home insurance.
Furthermore, he homeowners should themselves lookout for cheap insurance policies instead of depending on the money lenders to provide them a scheme. They should themselves directly go and have a talk with the insurers or rather search in the web, which is very cost effective and as well as pretty fast.
Moreover, homeowners can save up to 50% on quality home insurance, by visiting:
http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com/netquote.php
About the Author:
Hans Hasselfors is the founder of http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com. Visit our article directory for varied articles about home insurance.
Buying the best available Auto Insurance
Auto insurance refers to the insurance that is common for insuring all types of vehicles against all kinds of uncertainties that may cause bodily damage to the vehicle. The sole reason behind insuring the vehicles is that it gives protection against the losses incurred due to accidents. Auto insurance is available for consumers who want to buy such insurance, to protect the life span of their vehicles and also for recovering the amount of the damage that the vehicle survives. People usually buy these insurances for all kind of automobiles like cars, trucks and other kind of vehicles, to avoid any risk. Different kinds of coverages have been started by the insurance companies, to suit the interests and the needs of the insured.
Before buying auto insurance, it is very important that the person goes for a thorough analysis of the proposals offered by different companies for such insurances. Different companies offer different quotes for the insurance of the vehicle, the consumer must look out for the best one, which suits his needs and which proves to be very economical. Many companies also give different discount schemes to attract more and more consumers. The consumer can save a good deal, while purchasing auto insurance by comparing the quotes of different companies and choosing the cheapest one which satisfies all his needs.
Quotes from different companies can be compared on the internet, for buying the best available auto insurance, it provides a wider platform to the consumer, where he can easily access and compare quotes from several companies and choose one among them. The main thing about choosing a quote is that the quote need not necessarily be cheap but the company must be an established one on which the customer zeros on.
The consumer should not only compare the quotes of different companies but also companies, their reputation and their way of service. While comparing, the consumer is more acquainted with the different kind of coverages that are available and choose among them according to the needs.
The major hullabaloo about insuring automobiles is the increasing reckless accidents that are tolling high on the records. These can only be reduced once the certainty of the accidents is reduced. The companies quote their prices for insuring depends of various factors like the age of person to whom the vehicle belongs, the location where the car is bought and supposed to be used in the area and also many other factors. The details regarding the car like its parking place, whether it has a garage because that reduces the risk of being stolen or damaged. Also the mileage of the car is a deciding factor of the quoting the price of insurance.
Discover How Easy Auto Insurance Shopping Can Be:
http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com/netquote.php
About the Author:
Hans Hasselfors is the founder of http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com. Visit our article directory for varied articles about auto insurance.
Why Take Travel Insurance ?
Travel insurance isn't just about having cover for your
digital camera or luggage in case they go missing - it's
also, and more importantly, about covering yourself in case
you need emergency medical assistance overseas. As well as
covering you for the possibility of theft or loss of goods,
many types of travel insurance will cover your medical
bills.
And travelling without the correct insurance this summer
could leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket if you
become ill or have an accident overseas.
Recent figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
estimate that half of people going on a short break are
uninsured compared to 13% of those on longer duration
trips. However, accidents can happen in the shortest space
of time, and it is much better to be safe than sorry.
Without the correct cover you could be looking at some
serious medical bills should something happen to you when
on holiday.
To give you an idea of typical medical costs we've included
some examples for you:
. Gastro-enteritis treatment in the Mediterranean is liable
to set you back around: £400 - £600
. Two days in a general hospital ward in the Mediterranean
would incur costs of: £600
. Broken leg in the USA, in total including all hospital
bills and other expenses will cost: £10,000
. A scheduled flight in business class with a nurse escort
from the west coast of the USA will set you back in the
region of: £9,000 - £12,000
. An air ambulance back to the UK from the Balearics will
cost you between: £10,000 - £12,000
. Costs for catching bronchitis requiring seven days'
in-patient treatment in the Far East will be around £15,000
. Catching bronchitis and requiring seven days' in-patient
treatment in the USA, will cost even more, at: £20,000
Even if travelling within the EU with a European Health
Insurance card [which replaced the old E111 form] you may
find that you have to pay a large percentage of the cost of
treatments which you may have expected to be free. Remember
also that the EHIC only provides this limited cover in EU
countries, and not ht whole of Europe. The EHIC is a
complement to your travel insurance policy, not a
substitute.
So no matter what length your holiday this summer, remember
to take out travel insurance. It's far better to have it
there just in case than take a potentially expensive gamble.
----------------------------------------------------
AA Travel Insurance offers great deal on travel insurance
at http://www.aa-travelinsurance.com . The AA supply all
types of travel insurance including single trip insurance,
annual trip insurance, skiing and wintersports insurance.
Use our travel insurance calculator to work out the most
suitable deal for you.
