February 2009
Monthly Archive
Insurance Market28 Feb 2009 07:16 am
Types of Life Insurance Explained
If you are considering purchasing life insurance, an overview of the available types should prove helpful. This article will briefly discuss the difference between whole and term life insurance, as well as some variations on whole life insurance.
The easiest way to understand the difference between whole life insurance and term life insurance is to look at what is meant by their names. When you purchase whole life insurance, you are covering your “whole” life - as long as you own the policy, it will pay a benefit when you die. What that benefit is depends on the value of the policy at the time of your death, but you own the policy even if you are no longer making payments on it. Whole life also accumulates a cash value on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, whole life can pay dividends throughout the life of the policy.
Term life insurance, on the other hand, is purchased for a certain term, or period. As long as you die within that period, term life insurance will pay an agreed upon amount to your beneficiaries. It will not pay if you cease to make payments or if you die after the term has expired. In addition, term life insurance has no cash value.
Two other aspects of whole versus term life insurance should be pointed out. The first aspect is that premiums for whole life insurance are higher to begin with, but remain steady over time. On the other hand, premiums for term life insurance are lower near the beginning of the policy, but increase over time. Another aspect is that you can borrow against the cash value of a whole life insurance policy. This is not possible with term life insurance, since it does not have a cash value. There are two variations of whole life insurance that need to be mentioned. The first is a more flexible form of whole life called universal life insurance. With universal life insurance, you can adjust (within certain limits) the premiums as well as the benefit amount over time to suit your financial situation. This is made possible by placing the premiums in a fund that accumulates based on the interest rate. As with normal whole life insurance, this type of policy has a cash value that can be borrowed against.
The second variation on whole life insurance is called variable life insurance. This type is similar to universal life insurance, except that the premiums in the fund are tied to the financial markets rather than to interest rates. While the potential for growth is greater with this type of insurance, the potential for loss is greater as well.
As you can see, there are some choices to be made when considering the purchase of a life insurance policy. Now would be a good time to use some of the other resources at this site to help you decide on the life insurance policy that is right for you and your family.
Mike Bell is the webmaster of http://www.InsuranceOptionsGuide.com, a resource for life and health insurance answers.
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Insurance Market28 Feb 2009 01:29 am
Inexpensive Auto Insurance, Reality or Just a Myth?
The first step to obtaining inexpensive auto insurance is learning the real value of your automobile. The insurance will insure for as much as they possibly can, so do not sit idly back and simply accept the valuation they provide. The information is out there, all you need to do is find it. Review your coverage amounts. Inexpensive auto insurance emerges bit by bit, as you are able to slowly chip away at the excess. If you have health insurance already, take a moment to determine if those benefits will allow you to lower the medical coverage on your policy. Let your insurance provider get to know you.
Tell them everything they never wanted to know. Married couples and parents often receive additional discounts as insurance companies view them as maintaining additional responsibilities. Keep your driving record clean. Your record is your biggest step towards achieving your goal of inexpensive auto insurance, so stay as safe as you possibly can. Stick with a used car. Though we’ve all been tempted by that new car smell and untested gas pedal, the newer the car, the higher the premium. It is simply a fact of life. Inexpensive auto insurance is highly allergic to new cars, and avoids them at all costs, regardless of your record. Increase your deductible.
Set your deductible amount into your savings account just in case something happens to your automobile, and leave it there. The money will be getting a return in interest for you, and the increased deductible will help lower the amount your insurance provider has to pay when you file a claim. Lowering this amount helps to lower your premium into the much friendlier realm of inexpensive auto insurance.
Armed with these tips and a steel determination, you are well on your way to capturing your very own inexpensive auto insurance. Have a great journey.
Mr. WT McWilliams is an insurance agent and regular contributor to Auto Insurance Advice.com a source for tips on how to save on auto insurance and reviews of insurance companies.
Insurance Market27 Feb 2009 03:20 am
Understanding Health Insurance
Health insurance is a necessity for everyone who wishes to maintain or improve their health. Whether you use your health insurance for regular checkups, chronic and debilitating illnesses, or unexpected emergencies, you will find that carrying an insurance policy can result in a significant cost savings for you and your family. Those who carry health insurance often have a difficult time understanding what is covered under their policy and where they can go to obtain the services that they require. Without this necessary information, it is likely that many health insurance holders do not receive the maximum benefit that their insurance provides.
We all need health insurance to receive financial assistance for the maintenance and restoration of our health but we don’t all receive all of the assistance that we are eligible to receive. Most of us are aware that our health insurance will cover at least a percentage of certain treatments such as office visits, hospital stays and surgeries and prescription drugs that fall under their list of covered drugs but many of us don’t know what is offered beyond these basic services. Not all health insurance plans cover the same treatments so the only way to fully understand what is covered in your plan is to read your policy carefully. Some examples of inclusions that are not well known include speech classes, hearing aids, gym memberships and a variety of other features. The only way to know for sure if these items are covered is to review your policy carefully or contact your health insurance provider. You may find a variety of services or treatments that are covered under your plan that could amount to a significant financial savings.
Knowing what is covered under your health insurance plan is very important but it is equally important to understand what is not covered under your insurance plan. You should review your plan carefully to ensure that the services that you choose will be covered by your health insurance plan. Sometimes treatments that are deemed medically necessary by your doctor will not be covered by your health insurance plan. In this case it may be necessary to bear the burden of this expense in order to maintain or restore your health. If your claim is denied because your provider does not consider the treatment necessary, then you have the right to file an appeal. You should carefully review the provider’s policy to ensure that you fully understand the appeal process before filing your appeal. Your claim may still be denied even if you follow proper procedure but the possibility that you will lose your appeal as a result of improper filing is greatly reduced. You should review your insurance plan carefully before undergoing preventative treatment to determine whether or not the treatment will be covered. In an emergency you may not have the opportunity to review your policy before authorizing treatment but you will have the opportunity to appeal if the treatment is not covered.
Knowing which doctors you can visit can also be confusing. Some health insurance policies allow you to visit any doctor you choose while others limit you to the participating doctors in their plan. Also, whether or not you can see a specialist is often difficult to determine. Usually, the receptionist at the doctor’s office will be able to tell you whether or not they accept your health insurance policy before you schedule your appointment. You can also call your customer service representative to inquire as to whether a specific doctor will be covered.
Health insurance can literally be a life saver but understanding your policy can be a nightmare. In most cases carefully reading your policy to determine the covered treatments as well as the exclusions and limitations may help you understand your policy better. If after reading through your policy you still have general or specific questions you should contact the customer service representative for your policy. They will be able to provide you with answers that will enhance your understanding of your policy. Knowing what is covered and what is not covered are the most common misunderstandings involving health insurance. It is also important understand your provider’s appeal process in case you ever incur claims that are denied. In all cases your health may necessitate treatment that is not covered and you will have to make the difficult decision of whether or not to authorize the treatment.
Anthony Shelton is the editor and writer for http://www.ww-health-insurance.com
Some Useful Info to Repair Bad Credit
Negative credit can be detrimental to your financial status, in that it gives you an adverse influence; it can also, at times, be trouble for you if you purchase on credit or get a loan. A bad credit rating also results in a high fee being charged, thus increasing the overall debt.
In such cases, people mostly resort to credit repair services, and usually end up paying high charges to settle bad credit. There are other ways to fix bad credit; and they happen to be easy as well as free.
To begin with, find out the exact cause of your bad credit. It is not possible to repair bad credit until you’re completely aware of the reason you got into it. A few likely causes for this problem could be a delayed repayment of a loan; maybe some unexpected events such as medical bills, job difficulties, etc.
Once you’ve found out the base cause to your problem, work your way towards the centre and focus on a fix that’s practical and effective. Get an idea of your current financial status by going through your recent credit reports. Make sure you keep track of current credits and financial dealings. Use the current reports from your creditors or yearly credit reports to assess your financial position.
To actually fix your bad credit and get your financial position back in a sound standing, you need to start controlling your expenses and workout your lifestyle. Don’t delay paying your expenses. If you can, pay them as soon as they arrive. This will avoid delayed payment charges, if in case an sudden problem comes up and hinders you from paying your bills on time. Level down your credit card routine as much as you can. To some, this might feel laughable, but if you look back, you’ll realize that the ancient people lived a better life than we do currently, and they did not utilize credit cards. Uniformity in bill payments is the vital point here. Slowly pay up all your credit bills and you’ll eventually repair your financial status.
People often suggest that you talk to your creditors. If you pull the right strings and bargain wisely, you could end up with discounts, instead of overcharges. Be confident and conservative. While negotiating with your creditors is not a surefire way of repairing bad credit, it surely can be effective.
Prevention is the best method. Instead of having to face bad credit, why not hold it off in the first place? Pay your bills on time, do not put off credit payments, and cut down on your credit card usage. However, if you do fall into a bad credit position, then abide by the tips above. Bad credit can at times hurt your social profile and prevent access to loans on convenient terms, mortgages, etc.
Insurance Market26 Feb 2009 02:51 am
What Should I Do About Billing Problems When Using HSA Money?
If you run into a billing problem or misunderstanding with a hospital or doctor’s office for which you’re planning to use money from your Health Savings Account (HSA), you could be in trouble.
This article will help you understand how hospital and doctor visits are different when paying with a Health Savings Account. Not better or worse, just different.
If you have an HSA, you must have health insurance. It’s a requirement. However, if you are using money from your HSA, it means that you haven’t hit the deductible of your policy yet.
In this particular situation, life is a bit different when it comes to resolving billing disputes with hospitals.
Insurance companies have a comprehensive system for dealing with billing disputes when they have covered a hospital stay or doctor visit. But when they haven’t covered it because you are still within your deductible, that comprehensive dispute resolution system doesn’t necessarily apply.
Here are some points to keep in mind when you are dealing with a hospital in a billing dispute, and you have paid with HSA money. I learned these important points when I was talking to an expert in this field named Dr. Vincent Riccardi, who is the owner of American Medical Consumer (www.medconsumer.com), a company dedicated to helping people resolve billing disputes with hospitals and doctors.
Here’s what Dr. Riccardi has to say:
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First, discuss the issue with your physician. Sometimes the problem stems from an incorrectly applied billing code and the doctor can easily change it to please the hospital and resolve the problem on the spot.
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Negotiate in person. Especially if you just don’t have the money to pay a bill, it makes the best sense to negotiate face-to-face with the person at the hospital who has the authority to reverse or reduce the charges. Hospitals would often rather be paid part of a bill than risk losing the entire bill. Be honest and forthright and you may have a good chance in negotiating a reduced fee from the hospital. This includes the situations where it was a misunderstanding on your part. It’s at least worth a try.
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Don’t bother going to the State Medical Board. In most cases, they are not able to help you. This is the case with most government agencies. Even the Departments of Insurance cannot help, because this isn’t an insurance problem, it is technically a fee-for-service situation.
- Recourse to a lawyer is usually not fruitful unless there is a big amount involved. For amounts less than $5,000 (which is what most HSA-style deductibles are), a lawyer probably won’t be able to help you.
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Remember that the only things that count in negotiations like this are the things that have been written down. If a doctor mentioned something to you but didn’t write it down, it probably won’t help you. Get things in writing all the way through the process.
I think of HSAs as a way to “be your own insurance company” for the small stuff (under your deductible). That is its power. But it also means that when it comes to disputes, you also have to “be your own insurance company” and take charge of the negotiations with the hospital, just like an insurance company would. Your willingness and ability to negotiate will influence your ability to get unfair charges reversed or, at least, lessened. But it’s a “do it yourself” situation, so be aware of that when you sign up for an HSA.
Daryl Kulak is the author of the book “Health Insurance Off the Grid - A Wonderful Way to Use Alternative Medicine and Save Money on Insurance Using the New Health Savings Account (HSA).”
The book provides a nine-step plan to get your self-employed or small business health insurance costs under control using a unique approach you won’t find anywhere else. The book is available for sale as an e-Book or paperback at the Website http://www.healthoffthegrid.com
Insurance Market24 Feb 2009 09:47 pm
How Much Can My Auto Rate Increase After One Accident?
Accidents almost always make your insurance rates increase. Whether or not the accident was your fault, your insurance company may have to pay for your involvement in it. Most ‘at fault’ accidents result in an increase in premium, because the accident will get rated against all of your coverages. When supply decreases and demand increases, costs get more expensive.
If you did not carry enough insurance at the time of your accident you may now be required to carry more insurance. Carrying more insurance equals higher premiums. Some companies may not want to offer you insurance coverage at all after you report an accident.
As I stated earlier, when you are involved in an accident your insurance company may have to pay for your claim - even if the accident was not your fault. These types of coverage - Personal Injury Protection, Medical Protection, Uninsured Motorist, and Collision - will cover you and the people in your vehicle when the accident is not your fault.
If you are ‘at fault’ for the accident, theses types of coverage - Personal Injury Protection, Property Damage Liability, Bodily Injury Liability, Medical Payments, Collision, and Other than collision - will help cover you, the people in your vehicle, your vehicle, the other party, and the other’s party’s property.
Now, if you are ‘at fault’ for the accident, there are various reasons why your rates will increase. The first is having your current insurance coverage premium’s reflect the charge for this accident. Insurance companies usually charge ‘points’ to your policy at its renewal. Depending on the insurance company, these points will be charged to your policies for three, five, or even seven years.
The next more expensive rate will be if your state requires that you carry an SR-22. You will need to carry this form and its necessary coverages if you did not have enough insurance at the time of the accident. Getting an SR-22 will cause you more money and even more aggravation by spending time getting this offense taken care of.
You will need to carry this form and its required coverages for three years - whether or NOT you own a vehicle. There are some insurance companies who do not write SR-22 policies. To make sure you are carrying enough insurance to avoid this form and its required coverages, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Another way an accident can increase your rates is due to the basic macroeconomic terms, which I am sure everyone has heard of, supply and demand. When the supply is high and the demand is low as a result the price is low. Conversely, when the supply is low and the demand is high the result is the rates are higher.
This principle also applies to car insurance. When you are ‘at-fault’ in an accident, there are some companies who will not insure you. You have just cut the supply of insurance companies and increased your demand. As a result, your rate is higher. Like stated previously, some insurance companies will not write SR-22 policies. This further lowers the supply of insurance companies and further increases your demand. And, as a result, you will have a higher insurance rate. And when you add the insurance ‘points,’ you can see how expensive an accident can be.
Take preventative measures to avoid accidents. Avoid distractions, be aware of your surroundings, and do not drive in adverse weather conditions, if you have a choice. As you can see, an accident can have an impact on your rates, especially if you are at fault for it.
Visit http://www.carinsurance.com for a Car Insurance Quote in your State
John Machmiller is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.
CarInsurance.com’s online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.
Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don’t have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online… anytime!
Insurance Market24 Feb 2009 08:47 pm
Driving An Expensive Or High-Performance Car? Make Sure Your Car Has Adequate Insurance
When buying insurance, most people ask for “full coverage” without knowing what they’re asking for. What’s the problem? There is no such thing as “full coverage”. While understanding your coverage is important for everyone, it is vitally important if you’re driving a Mercedes, BMW, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Viper, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, or Aston Martin.
If you’re driving an expensive, exotic or high-performance car, you will want to make sure that after an accident you receive OEM parts, OEM paint, the ability to repair your vehicle at the auto body shop of your choice, and the amount of money needed for the repair.
Repairing an expensive car with non-OEM parts and/or improper workmanship will result in substantial diminished value. With expensive cars, even a proper repair will result in diminished value. What is diminished value? It is the lowered market value of a vehicle subsequent to repair. For instance, a Porsche or Ferrari will be worth less after an accident, even after it has been properly repaired. For research on diminished value, see http://www.hurt911.org/accident/car-accident-car-value.html
You do not want to get into an argument with your insurance company as to whether or not your vehicle can be repaired or should be totaled. Often, insurance companies will want to repair your car, when you think it should be totaled. If the insurance company agrees to total your car, most insurance policies only provide “actual cash value” insurance coverage which would only give you with a payment based on the current replacement cost of your vehicle, less depreciation (the decrease in the value of your car due to use, deterioration and the passage of time).
In the event that an exotic or high-priced car is totaled, the best replacement coverage is “agreed value” or “stated value”. The only insurance companies I have found to offer agreed value insurance are Chubb and MetLife.
Chubb’s web site states: “You and Chubb can agree on a value and lock it in for a full year. That’s the exact amount you’ll receive if your car is stolen or totaled in a covered loss. Never mind the “book” value. We even waive the deductible. No haggling, no depreciation, no deductible, no problem.”
MetLife’s web site states: Equivalent New Automobile Replacement for Total Loss is offered for vehicles within the first year of purchase or the first 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.
What’s the difference between Chubb’s “Agreed Value Option” and MetLife’s “Equivalent New Automobile Replacement” coverage? For high-value cars, Chubb is definitely the better choice. Chubb offers its agreed value coverage every year and readjusts the agreed value upon policy renewal. From what I have seen, the adjusted agreed value even years and over 100,000 miles later is substantially higher than actual value. Additionally, on a different topic, Chubb also offers up to $1 million of underinsured coverage, which is also vitally important. Make sure you ask your Chubb agent for the maximum underinsured coverage.
For average value new cars, MetLife is a good choice. MetLife does not offer its Equivalent New Automobile Replacement coverage after the first year or first 15,000 miles. For drivers of most new cars, this is still a good value because it is not uncommon for someone to total their new car soon after purchasing it. Usually, just driving a car out of the showroom can result in as much as $10,000 depreciation.
Philip L. Franckel, Esq. founded HURT911® Accident Lawyer Directory, publishes articles on Lawyer Advertising and does lawyer advertising for injury attorneys.
DOF - Photographic Jargon Explained
So much of the writing and discussion about photography is concerned with this acronym. To the technician it stands for “depth of field” for the artist it is “depth of feeling”.
“A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety. ” ~Ansel Adams
Depth of field basically means that part of the picture that is in sharp focus. When a photograph is approached with this criterion in mind, the totality of image is ignored. The photograph is rendered mute either by the photographer when this is their primary concern or the viewer who can only see the obvious. It is akin to trying to look at an impressionist painting through the eyes of a super realist.
To make a great photograph, the photographer must be part of the photograph. They must have an opinion about, an attitude towards what they are trying to capture and they must allow this to shine through their work. If the photographer isn’t part of the action, the photograph will be sterile, it will be reportage not art. This is fine for the nightly news or to illustrate the stories with your ham and eggs. But when hung upon your wall will it engage when the event is forgotten?
When depth of feeling is an integral part of the image, it becomes a chatter box. With each viewing it opens up a little more. It ceases to be wall paper and becomes an important member of the family, the wise relative, the raconteur who knows the best values come through entertainment. Almost through osmosis it will impart its secrets to those with an open mind.
“Every time someone tells me how sharp my photos are, I assume that it isn’t a very interesting photograph. If it were, they would have more to say.” ~Author Unknown
Henry Bateman is an artist/photographer. His work can be seen at http://www.pissedpoet.com and this article with pictures at http://www.pissedpoet.com/dof.html
Insurance Market14 Feb 2009 08:53 am
Basic Coverage of Homeowner Insurance Policies
The insurance policy is a package that includes more than 1 type of insurance in a policy. There are 4 types of coverage contained in the home insurance policy.
Included are:
Dwelling and Personal Property
Personal Liability
Medical Payments
Additional Living Expenses
In this article, Dwelling and Personal Property Damage will be explained:
Property damage coverage will help pay for any damage to your dwelling or personal property. Other parts of your home, such as a detached garage, a shed, or any other building on your property are usually covered for about 10% of the amount of coverage on your home.
Personal property coverage pays for your personal property, which includes your furniture, clothing, and other personal property.
The amount of that insurance coverage is about 50% of the policy limit on your home. This type of coverage is also limited by the type of loss specifically listed in your policy.
The coverage usually only pays the current cash value of the item damaged or destroyed, unless you actually purchased replacement cost coverage.
Your home insurance policy also includes off-premises coverage. What this means is that the policy covers your personal belongings against theft even when they are not in your dwelling.
Your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of replacing your suitcase and whatever its content is if it were lost or stolen when you were away on vacation, but only for replacing them with the personal property of the same kind and quality.
Copyright 2005 Fern Kuhn, RN
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