All about Insurance

auto insurance quote louisville ky

2009-06-23T11:08:00.003-07:00

Auto Insurance Quote Louisville KY

Call us for an auto insurance quote Louisville KY

Dick Watts Insurance
12200 Shelbyville Rd 112
Louisville, KY 40243
502-245-3625

Read More...

[Source: Homeowners Insurance Kentucky Quote, KY Homeowners Insurance quote, Home Insurance,]

Road Trip and Driving Songs

2009-06-23T11:08:00.001-07:00

With people pinching pennies and gas prices much better compared to last year, it looks like more people may be hitting the road for vacations this summer. And isn't it pretty much a requirement that a special mixed CD or iPod playlist be brought along for the drive? There are just some songs that demand we be behind the wheel, windows down, wind blowing, and cruisin'. Here's a great group of driving songs for your next road trip.

Income Tax Refund - Use it to Buy Term Life Insurance

2009-04-07T07:59:00.005-07:00

Tax Day is April 15, 2009. That's right--Tax Day is just a few days away! If you've yet to file your income taxes, you may be fussing over income tax deductions, trying to find a tax rate calculator or wondering how much state tax you'll get back. But there's one thing you probably aren't thinking about: term life insurance.

When you get your income tax refund in the mail, instead of using it on a new high-tech gadget, consider using your income tax refund for something worthwhile: securing your family's future.

Vacant Home Insurance

2009-04-07T07:59:00.003-07:00

Vacant Home Insurance-

"Not everybody loves insuring vacant homes. But Foremost does. Lots of homes don't qualify for standard insurance for many reasons. The Foremost Vacant Program offers specialized coverages developed for the unique insurance needs of a vacant home and its owner. Homes in the Vacant Program can be for sale, in the name of an estate, or under renovation. We'll accept vacant homes valued up to $1 million, and there is no restriction on the age of the home...." Vacant Home Insurance-

Call Dick Watts Insurance for a Foremost Insurance Vacant Home Insurance Quote
502-245-3625

Vacant Home Insurance, 3 month or 12 month policies- Vacant Homes in Kentucky

Policy Review

2009-04-07T07:59:00.001-07:00

Have you reviewed your life insurance policy recently? I recommend doing so annually for the following reasons:

Your needs may have changed since you purchased the policy. Maybe your income has increased and you need to supplement your current policy with another one to bring the benefit more in line with your new income.

Perhaps you have changed jobs or careers (not unlikely in the current economic environment) and you�ve lost your group coverage.

Your health may have improved since you purchased your policy. If you quit using tobacco, you might be eligible for non-tobacco rates. If you�ve lost weight or lowered your cholesterol or blood pressure (even with medications), you might be in an improved health class, resulting in lower premiums.

Your new age might make you eligible for less stringent underwriting guidelines. At older ages, insurance underwriters expect your blood pressure and cholesterol to be slightly higher (varies by carrier) and might bump you up to a better health class. Another very good example of this happened to me today when looking at quotes for a new policy for me. As I recently turned 60, one insurance company might now allow the best health class for me, something I have never had due to my father passing away from a heart attack prior to age 60.

If your insurance agent doesn�t contact you annually for a policy review, call him/her and tell them you want to review your current policy to see if it still meets your needs. If you need additional coverage, you can either look at adding a new policy to supplement your current one, or in some cases, replace it altogether.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Get Term Life Insurance Before You Get Pregnant

2009-03-24T13:14:00.003-07:00

If you're a woman thinking about starting a family, it may be wise to invest in term life insurance before you get pregnant.

Life insurance companies often offer the lowest rates to those with a clean bill of health. But up to 12% of women will experience minor or major depression during the first year after having a baby, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Marketing Real Estate on Facebook

2009-03-24T13:14:00.001-07:00

Marketing Real Estate on Facebook

"I think that maximizing your exposure on social networks like Facebook are
going to be increasingly important to small businesses - especially in
industries that are already so network-dependent like real estate.
Unfortunately, due to the fleeting nature of these sites, the trick is going
to
be to stay on top on where everyone is. The real danger is arriving
too
late and
finding your audience has already moved on....." From Future
of Real Estate Marketing

1. Encourage past clients to friend you on facebook.
2. Creating Groups on Facebook
How to productively take advantage of online communities

Homeowners Insurance Progressive Home Advantage

2009-03-19T10:04:00.003-07:00

Dick Watts Insurance now offers Progressive Home Advantage, Call us for a free homeowners insurance quote 502-245-3625

"Protect your house � and your possessions � with home insurance through
Progressive. For homeowners, insurance protection is an important aspect of
homeownership. Buying home insurance means buying protection for your home �
both inside and out.
Progressive Home Advantage, underwritten by Homesite
Insurance, offers home insurance, condo insurance and renters insurance to new
Dick Watts Insurance 502-245-3625

and existing Progressive customers.
If you already know what kind of home
insurance policy you need, get a home insurance quote today...." Learn More about
Homeowners Insurance
Renters Insurance
Condo Insurance

Good Time to Quit Smoking

2009-03-19T10:04:00.001-07:00

Mark Twain said, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times." You have tried to quit smoking many times in the past. Each time you make it a little longer, which is great. But how about trying again?

Oregon Home Insurance Rates Now Third Lowest in the Nation

2009-03-04T09:38:00.001-08:00

A new survey shows that home insurance rates in Oregon are the third cheapest in the nation.

The Oregon Insurance Division reports that the average cost of home insurance in Oregon is $502 per year, well below the national average of $804. That translates to $42 per month.

Obama's Choose Portuguese Water Dog as First Pet

2009-03-01T11:28:00.001-08:00

First Lady Michelle Obama told People Magazine that the family wants to find a rescue Portuguese Water dog. While she has not commented on what the name will be, this will be the breed they go with. Lucky for the Obama's, the Portuguese Water Dog is not likely to increase their homeowners insurance like a Doberman or Pit Bull would.

Health Care Costs to Top $8,000 Per Person

2009-02-25T07:52:00.001-08:00

Tonight, President Obama is expected to call for a health care reform in a joint session of Congress. In an AP story from yesterday, health care costs will top $8,000 per person this year, consuming an ever-bigger slice of a shrinking economic pie, according to a Department of Health and Human Services report due out today. The government statisticians estimated that health costs will reach $13,100 per person in 2018, accounting for $1 out of every $5 spent in the economy.

New Report: 14,000 Americans Lose Health Care Each Day

2009-02-20T12:39:00.003-08:00

According to a new report by the Center for American Progress, 14,000 Americans are losing health insurance each day during this economic downturn.

Kentucky Homeowners Insurance Quote

2009-02-20T12:39:00.001-08:00

Protect your house � and your possessions � with home insurance through Progressive. For homeowners, insurance protection is an important aspect of homeownership. Buying home insurance means buying protection for your home � both inside and out.

Progressive Home Advantage, underwritten by Homesite Insurance, offers home insurance, condo insurance and renters insurance to new and existing Progressive customers.

Dick Watts Insurance

12200 Shelbyville Rd 112

Louisville, KY 40243 502-245-3625

If you already know what kind of home insurance policy you need, get a home insurance quote today! Or, learn more about:

Kentucky Homeowners Insurance

Kentucky Insurance

Call Dick Watts Insurance for a Progressive Home Advantage Insurance quote in Kentucky, Kentucky Homeowners Insurance

The Octuplet Mom and the Monumental Cost of Motherhood

2009-02-18T08:44:00.001-08:00

Late last month, a California woman gave birth to a set of octuplets--six boys and two girls. Doctors at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Bellflower, California initially expected only seven children, and were surprised to find an eighth in the bunch--"Baby H."

Dream Vacation: La Dolce Vita on a Budget

2009-02-15T10:47:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned earlier, later this month I will be visiting my best friend Misty in Florence, Italy. Spending a week in this "cradle of the Renaissance" could mean forking over a lot of money, and in today's economy that isn't an option. Visiting Italy is a life's dream for me, so I have been figuring out ways to live la dolce vita without breaking the bank in the process.

Americans Skipping Necessary Prescriptions Due to Cost

2009-02-12T08:19:00.001-08:00

The American health care system has been called many things, but cheap isn't one of them.

A report just released by the Center for Studying Health System Change, a nonprofit group, found that one in seven Americans under 65 skipped a prescription medication in 2007 due to cost.

Dream Vacation: Why I Bought Travelers Insurance

2009-02-10T03:15:00.001-08:00

In a little less than 2 weeks, I will be fulfilling a life-long dream--I will be traveling to Italy. My good friend Misty is living in Florence for 3 months and she asked me to visit her--gee, I guess that'd be ok. I've never been out of the country, and I'm not looking forward to such a long plane trip (over 15 hours!), but I've always wanted to see the country my ancestors immigrated from all those years ago.

5 Ways to 'Green' Your Vehicle Without Spending a Dime

2009-02-06T03:20:00.001-08:00

In last month's 'Grassoline' series, we explored the alternative fuels and vehicles being researched, developed and debated in national headlines. But in this economy, drivers are looking to 'go green' without spending an arm and a leg.

Here are five ways to 'green' your vehicle and save money at the pump without spending a dime.

How Getting Divorced Affects Your Health Insurance

2009-02-04T04:08:00.001-08:00

Are you recently divorced and trying to get your finances in order? I covered how getting divorced affects your car insurance, life insurance and homeowners insurance. For this post, I'll cover how getting divorced affects your health insurance and what options are available to you.

InsWeb's Home Insurance Marketplace Recognized in the New York Times

2009-02-02T07:45:00.001-08:00

This week, InsWeb was recognized by the New York Times as a destination site for consumers searching for free home insurance quotes.

The article, "Home Insurance: What You Need to Know," appeared in the January 26, 2009 edition.

Zombies X-ing? Better Check Your Car Insurance Coverage!

2009-01-29T13:50:00.001-08:00

Yes folks you heard right--thar be Zombies afoot! At least that is what hackers in Austin, Texas, would like drivers to think. On Wednesday, hackers changed several roadside electronic signs to read "Zombies Ahead! Run for your lives!" Others read: "The end is near! Caution! Zombies ahead!" Hackers recommended that drivers "Run for cold climates!"--apparently zombies like warm weather.

The Dangers of Super Bowl Sunday

2009-01-28T10:11:00.001-08:00

Whether you're rooting for the Cardinals or the Steelers (or just watching for the commercials) millions of people will be going to Super Bowl parties this weekend. At these parties, a fair share of people will be relaxing while have a couple of beers and copious amounts of chips and salsa but unfortunately, other party goers will drink too much then hit the roadways.

Bad Economy = Busy Therapists

2009-01-27T07:26:00.001-08:00

The retail stores may be empty, but there's one place in America that's full: the therapist's office.

We've already explored how mental health deteriorates during a recession, but mental health experts are alarmed at the meteoric rise of "collateral damage" brought on by poor economic conditions.

Homeowners Insurance Needs after Getting Divorced

2009-01-25T09:56:00.001-08:00

In part three of the series of how getting divorced changes your insurance needs, this post will focus on how a divorce affects your homeowners insurance needs.

Getting Divorced and Car Insurance

2009-01-22T08:04:00.001-08:00

When you got married, you and your spouse probably consolidated your insurance policies. But now if you are going through a divorce, you are going to have to get your own insurance policies again. In my last post I talked about how getting divorced affected your life insurance needs; in this post, I will talk about how getting divorced affects your car insurance needs.

Coolest Presidential Cars

2009-01-20T09:38:00.001-08:00

During the primaries, we looked at cars the 2008 presidential candidates drive. But now that the dust has settled and Barack Obama is set for his presidential inauguration, it's time to take a look at some of the coolest cars ever to grace 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Internet Doctors - Not as Crazy as it Sounds

2009-01-19T04:38:00.003-08:00

We all know the process of trying to get in to see your doctor - calling to make an appointment, taking time off work to go there and the inevitable down time in the waiting room watching the fish swim around the fish tank. But the Internet is changing the way people can receive medical help.

Kentucky gets new E Health Network

2009-01-19T04:38:00.001-08:00

Kentucky gets new E health network ...

"The Kentucky Health Information Exchange system would allow doctors and
hospitals across Kentucky to electronically share patients� medical
records....." more from Business First

Weak Economy--No More Doctors?

2009-01-16T07:03:00.001-08:00

With the weakened economy, some people are turning away from expensive doctors and prescriptions and instead are turning to alternative medical therapies. The Associated Press reports that many people are forgoing regular doctor visits and are self-medicating. This attempt to save money could be very dangerous, since the safety of alternative medical practices is not proven.

'Grassoline' - A Guide to Alternative Fuels (Part II)

2009-01-15T09:09:00.001-08:00

In this three-part series, the InsWeb blog is taking a look at alternative fuels being researched, developed and debated in national headlines.

In part one, we explored natural gas and biodiesel. In this installment, we'll investigate ethanol, flex fuel vehicles, hydrogen, and fuel cell vehicles.

High Home Energy Costs: Sign of Tough Economy

2009-01-14T05:25:00.001-08:00

High home energy costs are just one more example of our fluctuating economy. Average home heating costs are higher than average this year: $971 for this winter season compared to $807 average for 2002-2007. Because of the increase in home energy costs, more and more people are turning to government assistance to heat their homes. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) had a record number of applicants and is expected to reach approximately 7.3 million households--800,000 more than the record set in 1985.

Life Insurance to fit your stage of life

2009-01-14T05:24:00.001-08:00

According to the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), life insurance should be considered at every stage of life � single, young family, established family and pre-retiree/retiree. Here is what they recommend for each stage of life:

Single people - the rule of thumb here is, if there are those who depend on you financially, such as aging parents you might help support, life insurance would certainly be appropriate protection for that financial assistance in the event of your death. Another good reason for life insurance would be if you had substantial debt you didn�t want to burden your family members with in the event of your death.

Young families � if you, as the breadwinner, were to die, would your assets be enough for your family to maintain the style of living they have become accustomed to? If the answer is no, life insurance proceeds should be enough to allow your family to continue the lifestyle you have provided them with. It can also help with longer term needs, such as college education for the children and retirement funds for the surviving spouse.

Established families � my clients often tell me they won�t need life insurance after the children are grown and out of the house and assets have grown to the point where they can be self-insured. While many find out that accumulating enough assets to be self-insured is a much larger task than they had expected, even with an accumulation large enough, they find the needs for life insurance shift from the purpose of income protection to that of asset protection. Most realize that it would be difficult for their heirs to liquidate the assets comfortably and, therefore choose to keep life insurance for that purpose.

Pre-retirees/retirees � at this stage, there are many reasons to have life insurance. If you are fortunate enough to have accumulated a large estate, life insurance can be used as a vehicle to ensure a smooth transition of assets to the next generation, without burdening them with estate taxes. If you don�t have a need for this type of protection, perhaps you can use life insurance to pay off your mortgage or bills or to cover final expenses.

At each stage, you should work with a financial professional who can help you select the right product to ensure the proper protection for your family.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

'Grassoline' - A Guide to Alternative Fuels (Part I)

2009-01-13T07:40:00.001-08:00

With fuel prices fluctuating, American engineers are scrambling to reduce the nation's dependence on crude oil. Many experts believe research and development of alternative fuels is the best way to achieve that goal.

If you've turned on a news broadcast in the past year or so, you've probably heard terms such as "fuel cell vehicle," "ethanol" or "natural gas" being discussed--and for good reason. In 2007, there were 1.8 million alternative fuel vehicles sold in the United States. But what the heck do these terms mean?

This three-part guide will help you make sense of the alternative fuels and vehicles being researched, developed and debated in national headlines.

Why You Should Purchase Life Insurance

2009-01-10T13:16:00.001-08:00

Most people buy life insurance because they care deeply about another person or people and they want to make sure the loved ones left behind are taken care of financially. When you die, there will be an emotional loss felt by loved ones. An economic loss on top of the emotional loss is an unbearable combination and one that families should not have to experience.

When you purchase life insurance, you are preventing the financial loss others would occur upon your death. I�m not claiming that the following story is the reason I have chosen life insurance sales as an occupation, but it is a perfect anecdote for this topic.

When I was thirteen years old, my father passed away from a sudden heart attack. He was survived by myself, my two brothers (ages 8 and 16) and my mother. Naturally, the emotional loss was devastating to us as a family. The emotional loss was compounded by the financial loss caused by an inadequate life insurance policy. My father, who loved us dearly, only had a policy that barely paid the funeral expenses.

My mother, who had been a stay-at-home mom for sixteen years, now had to somehow support three young sons. To say life was difficult would be a gross understatement. If my father had purchased a sufficient amount of life insurance, the emotional loss would have been the same but we would have been able to properly mourn the loss of a loved one without having to deal with the prospect of financial ruin.

I hope this story inspires you to purchase an adequate amount of life insurance to protect your family from potential financial loss.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Keep Your New Year's Resolutions All Year Long

2009-01-10T13:15:00.001-08:00

Like most Americans, you're probably struggling to keep your New Year's resolutions. But this year, there's a can't-miss solution to help you keep that resolution all year long: make it worth your while!

If you've quit smoking or drinking and have made an effort to lose weight, you could stand to save a small fortune on term life insurance.

Term Conversion

2009-01-08T07:16:00.001-08:00

If you have shopped for or own a term life insurance policy, you might have heard the term Conversion Policy. Simply put, most term policies have a provision whereby, during the term of the policy, you can convert from a term policy to a permanent policy (universal or whole life).

Understanding the Benefits

Permanent life insurance policies offer premiums that remain the same throughout your lifetime (as opposed to term insurance, which increases at the end of each term).

A permanent life insurance policy may also build cash value, which may be withdrawn or borrowed against during your lifetime.

By converting a term policy to a permanent policy, you can lock in your health class for the rest of your life while you are healthy.

The conversion policy will be underwritten at your age at the time of conversion, so the earlier you convert, the less expensive the premiums will be.

While I don�t believe conversion is an option for all term policy owners, it is definitely something many should be reviewing with their life insurance advisor from time to time.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Tennessee Car Insurance - 1 in 5 Drivers Don't Have It

2009-01-08T07:15:00.001-08:00

If you're driving in the Volunteer State, keep a watchful eye: one in five drivers in Tennessee is without car insurance.

Indiana: Many Hoosiers Dropping Car Insurance to Save Money

2009-01-07T01:43:00.001-08:00

With the economic crisis hitting us all, everyone is looking for ways to save. However, a growing number of people in Indiana are cutting back, or even canceling, their car insurance in hopes of saving a buck. What many people fail to realize is just how bad of a financial strategy this is.

New Year�s Resolutions

2009-01-01T10:28:00.001-08:00

These are my resolutions for 2009. I have left some of the information blank so you can fill in your own information, if you are so-inspired.

1. Quit (Fill in the blank). Hopefully it�s not the same as last year�s.

2. Help at least one person every day

3. Lose (fill in the blank) pounds. Hopefully the number is smaller than last year�s.

4. Spend more quality time with my family.

5. Review my life and disability insurance policies to make sure my family is well-protected.

6. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

7. Watch less television.

8. Save more for retirement.

9. Only pass on GOOD news to others.

10. Praise others� work when deserved.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

New 2009 California Driving Laws

2008-12-31T15:31:00.001-08:00

The InsWeb blog has already explored some of the new laws for 2009, but here are some new California driving laws that will affect drivers in 2009.

Term Life Insurance - 2008 Year in Review

2008-12-30T03:44:00.001-08:00

Before you know it, 2008 will be over. Think of all that happened this year: the housing and financial crises hit Americans hard, the Los Angeles Lakers/Boston Celtics basketball rivalry was renewed, and Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States.

Now think of all the changes that occurred in your life this year. Maybe you got married, divorced, welcomed a newborn baby to the world, or retired. If so, have you updated your life insurance policy?

As we turn our calendars to 2009, take a few moments to review your term life insurance needs.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-26T12:31:00.001-08:00

Wishing everyone a

Merry Christmas from

lifeinsure.com

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

What Is A Rider?

2008-12-25T08:45:00.001-08:00

In insurance a rider is a supplemental agreement attached to and made part of a policy, usually to expand the coverage of the policy. Typically these riders require additional premium to be paid

These are the most common riders that can be attached to a life insurance policy:

Accelerated Death Benefit Rider

This rider allows the insured person to use (a percentage of) the death benefit if he or she is diagnosed with a terminal illness that carries a prognosis of death within a year. If benefits are paid in this manner, the death benefit will be reduced by the amount of accelerated death benefit paid. Some insurance companies charge no extra premium for this rider.

Please note that receipt of benefits received in this manner can have a negative impact on any potential Medicaid or Social Security benefits.

Accidental Death Rider

This rider pays out an additional amount of death benefit due to an accident which was the direct cause of death. Normally, the additional benefit paid out upon death due to an accident is equivalent to the face amount of the original policy, which doubles the benefit. This is often called double indemnity when the additional benefit equals the face of the policy.

Child Rider

This rider provides a death benefit for children up to a specified age. Coverage can include multiple children with a maximum benefit for each (up to $20,000). Once the child attains the maximum age of the rider, the term plan can typically be converted to a permanent policy (usually up to five times the original face amount).

Waiver of Premium Rider

With this rider, the future premiums are waived if the insured becomes permantly disabled for a specified period of time (typically six months). While disabled, the insured is exempt from making premium payments. The definition of �totally disabled� can vary from one insurance company to another

Conclusion

Riders allow you to modify your life insurance policy according to your needs. When purchasing a new policy, discuss these options with your advisor to see if they fit your needs. Adding riders can significantly add to the cost of your policy, so it becomes an economic choice as well.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Gas Prices Fall to 5-Year Low in Time for the Holidays

2008-12-23T03:18:00.001-08:00

According to a survey by industry analyst Trilby Lundberg, the average price of gas fell 9 cents in the past 2 weeks, bringing the price to its lowest point in 5 years.

New Study - Bright, Colorful Cars Involved in Fewer Accidents Than Dark Cars

2008-12-20T01:44:00.001-08:00

Owning a red car won't affect your car insurance rate, but it might help prevent automobile accidents, according to a new study.

Life Insurance for Santa Claus

2008-12-19T03:08:00.001-08:00

As I was stuck in traffic on a Los Angeles freeway yesterday, I saw a deflated blow-up Santa lying on the side of the road and, being the insurance person I am, I started thinking about what would happen if the real Santa Claus died? Would any toys get delivered on Christmas Eve? Would millions of cookies and glasses of milk go untouched? Would the collective wail of hundreds of millions of children on Christmas morning ruin any possibility of a peaceful day?

The way to prevent this from happening would be to secure life insurance on Santa�s life. In a rushed conversation with Ms. Claus (she was quite busy when I called), she informed me that she did, in fact, have a life insurance policy on Santa. I asked her if the proceeds from the policy would allow Santa�s business to continue should he pass away. She told me that the amount of insurance Santa had was barely enough to allow her and the elves to continue the mortgage payments on the North Pole home, let alone the retreat in Palm Springs.

For the good of mankind, I knew I had to come up with a solution. I couldn�t imagine a Christmas without Santa Claus. If I didn�t do anything, how would I be able to face my grandchildren in the future, knowing that I had a solution and didn�t do anything about it? With the prospect of losing the respect of my grandchildren looming heavily, I sprung to action.

I put my proposal together and went to visit with the CEO of Claus Enterprises, who, lo and behold, happened to be Ms. Claus. After I thawed out (I do live in Southern California), I sat down with Ms. Claus and explained key-person insurance to her. In insurance-speak, a key person is an individual who possesses a unique ability essential to the continued success of a business or firm. The death of this key individual could severely handicap the company. If Claus Enterprises had a policy on Santa�s life and he should pass away, the company would be able to hire and train a replacement for Santa (or several) to insure that �business as usual� continued. This could potentially include new custom made suits, reindeer retraining, etc.

Once Ms. Claus signed the policy, I turned to her and said, �Now about that life insurance policy that would barely cover your mortgage�� I walked out of her office with two signed applications and shouted to the elves on the assembly line, �Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night (I always wanted to do that)!”

Wishing you and your families a Happy Holiday season.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Public Health Insurance Would Be Too Good and We'd Like It Too Much

2008-12-18T02:06:00.003-08:00

A common thread is emerging in the right wing response to healthcare reform. Its opponents aren't claiming that public healthcare will be bad. Rather, they are terrified that the new system will be so good that no citizen would buy expensive private insurance--or vote for politicians who wanted to take public insurance away.

The Obama team is sending clear signals that healthcare reform is a core economic issue, and the health insurance industry is becoming increasingly anxious by the future administration's determination to bring healthcare costs under control. Some Americans are seeing their healthcare premiums rising at four times the rate of inflation, if they have insurance at all. Healthcare reform is a pocketbook issue for all of us, according to the Obama team.

In tough economic times it might be tempting to postpone healthcare reforms, but Obama is adamant that delay would be a false economy.

In the American Prospect, Joanne Kenen and Sarah Axeen support claims about the high cost of doing nothing:

A recent report by the New America Foundation's health-policy program estimates that the cost of doing nothing about health care, including poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured, is well above $200 billion a year and rising. That's enough to cover the uninsured and still have some left over for other public-health needs.

If healthcare costs continue to rise at their current rates, it will cost $24,000/yr to insure a family of four by 2016, an 84% increase from today. At these rates, half of American households would have to spend at least 45% percent of their income to be insured.

In the Nation, Willa Thompson describes how a bicycle crash made her appreciate the connection between healthcare and politics. Thompson was 21 years old when she suffered major injuries after a collision with a truck. Luckily, she was covered by her parents' medical insurance until she turned 22. She later realized that if she had been just a few months older when the accident happened, she wouldn't have been able to pay for her medical care.

We all agree that something needs to be done. Let's briefly review the options that have been proposed so far. Obama wants to provide healthcare for all by requiring private insurance companies to cover everyone and creating a public health insurance plan to compete with private insurers. The second part of his plan is the public option that Republican opponents are so scared of.

Click here for your free California health care quote now!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

Chrysler Takes Drastic Measure

2008-12-18T02:06:00.001-08:00

Chrysler announced today that they will be closing all 30 of their manufacturing plants for a month. The move is meant to match their production numbers to slowing consumer demand in hopes to save money.

Future Cars

2008-12-17T01:35:00.001-08:00

What will the future hold for automobiles? Will they ever break the bond of gravity so we can fly around like the Jetsons? Or will they stay grounded? Maybe they will be so sophisticated they drive themselves and we get chauffeured around? Until that day comes, automakers are using technology to help drivers avoid accidents.

Cell Phones Distract Drivers More Than Passengers

2008-12-16T02:44:00.001-08:00

A study released earlier this month by University of Utah psychologists has shown that drivers are much more distracted by talking on a cell phone than by talking with passengers. Frank Drews, David Strayer and Monisha Pasupathi found that when drivers talk on a cell phone, even hands-free cell phones, they drift out of their lanes and miss exits more frequently than drivers talking with a passenger.

I can�t find my Husband�s Policy

2008-12-13T11:37:00.001-08:00

We often receive calls from distraught spouses attempting to find out information about their recently deceased spouse�s life insurance policy. Quite often, in searching for information, they find us on the Internet and call us, hoping that we are the insurance company they are looking for (we�re usually not, as we are an insurance brokerage).

When it�s time to collect the proceeds from a life insurance policy, most people are not in a state of mind conducive to this kind of exploration. Being prepared before the event can save your family from compounding their grief with aggravation and frustration. Here is some great advice on how to organize your life insurance information to prevent this from occurring (from the Insurance Information Institute�s website - www.iii.org):

For each individual life insurance policy on your life, you should record the following information:

The full name of the life insurance company that issued the policy
The city and state of the home office of the company that issued the policy
The name and U.S. headquarters of the group, if the issuing company belongs to a group of companies
The policy number
The date the policy was issued
The amount of the death benefit
The name and address of the agent/broker who sold you the policy
The type of policy (e.g., term, whole life, etc.)
The location of the original life insurance policy

You might have life insurance automatically from your employer. Your employer also might offer you the chance to buy additional life insurance under a group policy. And you might be eligible to buy life insurance under a group policy from your union or trade association or other group you belong to (such as a college alumni association or an automobile club). For each of these life insurance benefits, you should record the following information:

The name of the employer or group that sponsors the insurance
The office or person to contact when it�s time to file a claim
The certificate number (comparable to the policy number under an individual policy)
The date the insurance was started
The amount of the death benefit

You�ve protected your family financially by purchasing a life insurance policy. You can also protect them from the pain and suffering from having to try to find out the answers to these questions in the event of your death.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Can a Recession Be Good for You?

2008-12-13T11:36:00.001-08:00

These days, the headlines are all the same: unemployment rates are up, consumer confidence is down, and the global economy is on the verge of total meltdown.

CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and the rest of the 24-hour news networks agree: Armageddon is near. But are things really that bad?

In truth, a recession can actually be good for you--in more ways than one.

New Laws for 2009

2008-12-12T01:58:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it? 2009 is just around the corner! With the New Year comes a new set of state and federal laws--and what you don't know could cost you.

Losing your Home

2008-12-11T04:46:00.001-08:00

While driving to work this morning, I was listening to an interview with a debt relief specialist on the radio. The specialist was taking calls from the listening audience and, naturally, most of the callers had horror stories about losing their homes, mostly due to the current mortgage crisis.

Many of the callers had purchased homes with no down payments and sub-prime mortgages and many had recent rate adjustments that put their payments out of reach. The callers that got my attention were several who were losing their homes due to the death of a working spouse. With one income in the family, it was now impossible to keep up with mortgage payments. When purchasing the homes, these couples calculated that both incomes would be needed in order to continue making the mortgage payments.

While saving people from the ticking time-bomb of sub-prime mortgages is the subject of many blogs, the solution to avoiding losing a home due to the death of a spouse can be stated in one sentence � if you purchase life insurance to at least pay off the mortgage in the case of an income-earners death, you can ensure that your family won�t lose their house.

With the cost of term life insurance at its lowest in history, it�s inexpensive enough to protect your family from compounding the loss of your life with the loss of their home. If you can�t afford the life insurance on top of your mortgage payment, your mortgage payments are too high.

Protecting your loved ones from losing their home is as simple as purchasing a term life insurance policy. If you don�t have life insurance, the Internet has made the process simple. Visit www.ifeinsure.com to learn about life insurance and purchase a policy today.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

10 Holiday Fire Safety Tips

2008-12-11T04:45:00.001-08:00

Lighting the Yule log is one thing, but having the Christmas tree go up in flames isn't anyone's idea of a festive Holiday. But unfortunately, Christmas trees and other holiday decorations contribute to over 300 home fires and 14 deaths a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Here are 10 tips to make sure the only fires this holiday are in your fireplace for roasting chestnuts.

How Not to Save on Insurance

2008-12-10T00:54:00.001-08:00

Since we are officially in a recession, everyone is thinking of ways to save money. The holidays aren't helping matters any either. Gina has been writing blogs about ways to save money around the house as well as buying everyday necessities. The purpose of this blog is to inform consumers how to save money on insurance. Now I will offer a tip on how NOT to save on your insurance: lower your coverage!

Ohh Dear, I Hit a Deer

2008-12-09T03:11:00.001-08:00

What if instead of Grandma getting run over by a reindeer, it was Grandma who took down the deer? Accidents involving animals, mostly deer, spike in November but are a threat all year round. 223 people were killed in 2007 in accidents caused by animals according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Unfortunately, I know first hand what it is like to hit a deer while driving.

Insurable Interest

2008-12-06T06:40:00.003-08:00

I frequently receive calls from people interested in taking out a life insurance policy on a friend, parent or distant relative. The first question I typically ask is, �what is your insurable interest,� as this is a question the insurance companies will always want an answer to. This can be a confusing term to some, so I am going to briefly discuss it here.

According to the Insurance Dictionary, Life & Health Edition, Insurable Interest is the interest arising when one person has a reasonable expectation of benefiting from the continuance of another person�s life or of suffering a loss at his or her death.

In life insurance, a person generally is considered to have an unlimited insurable interest in himself or herself. However, a person must have an insurable interest in another person at the time of application in order to insure the other�s life. Where no insurable interest exists, policies obtained by one person on the life of another are not enforceable by law since they are considered contrary to the public policy.

Who has an insurable interest? A spouse would certainly qualify, as would dependent children. A business partner would have an insurable interest, as would a business owner taking out a policy on a key employee. The test is would you suffer a financial loss if the insured person were to die? If the answer is yes, then there is most probably an insurable interest.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Are You a Safe Driver?

2008-12-06T06:40:00.001-08:00

How safe of a driver are you? Do you see every red light as an opportunity to show off your drag racing skills? Or do you drive at exactly the speed limit and use your turn signal and hand signals when you go to make a turn? Do you drink your morning coffee while reading the newspaper and talking on the phone and use your knees to steer? A good indicator of how well you drive is obviously how many accidents or tickets you have on your driving record. But that isn't much fun.

Why is single-payer health reform not viable?

2008-12-02T12:24:00.001-08:00

When it comes to health care reform in America, there is a relatively simple solution that will cover everyone's basic health care, control costs and save businesses, most people and the country a lot of money.

It's called a single-payer health plan, where the government collects taxes to finance national health insurance. The government, which is the "single payer," covers all citizens and pays the bills when they visit private (or public) doctors, hospitals and other facilities for medical care.

All would have basic coverage, regardless of whether they have a job, or where they work. Nobody gets billed for basic care. No-body goes broke because of medical bills.

Yet this option has been declared "off the table" by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who's among those leading the charge for health care reform in America.

Top Democrats who will be deciding policy in America in 2009, including Baucus and President-elect Barack Obama, say single-payer is "not politically feasible," because the public won't strongly support it.

What they really mean is that when it comes to health care reform, they don't want a political fight with some of the nation's most powerful financial interests, which have the resources and the motivation to turn public opinion against meaningful reforms.

These interests include the health insurance industry, pharmaceutical drug companies, some hospitals, highly paid medical specialists, medical suppliers and others who now profit handsomely from our current system - and who could no longer command those profits under a single-payer system or an alternative form of a national health plan.

Californians, click here for your free health insurance quote now!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

10 Things You Should Know About Buying Long-Term Care Insurance

2008-12-02T12:23:00.001-08:00

Looking to purchase long-term care insurance? If so, you might be trying to figure out what your best option is, how much it is going to cost you and any limitations that are associated with long-term care insurance. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers these tips you should consider when buying long-term care insurance.

Can the web save the 6% Commission? Real Estate

2008-11-30T10:10:00.001-08:00

Can the Web Save the 6% Commission? from Future of Real Estate
"The publication polled a sample of 3753 readers who sold or tried to sell a home, 4029 readers who bought a home and 7368 readers who did both. The results are illuminating to anyone in the industry; especially some of its findings which will surely be controversial.

Let�s look a bit deeper at the numbers.

First, the good news. Only 1% of sellers tried to use an online web site (craigslist, forsalebyowner.com etc.) to sell their home. 80% chose to go with an agent. It suggests that any fears that online players may someday distermediate the Realtors seem overblown. Sellers want to work with a real estate professional."
from Future of Real Estate

How your Life Insurance Premiums are Determined

2008-11-30T10:09:00.003-08:00

Life insurance premiums are a direct reflection of the risk to the insurance company of you passing away during the life of the insurance policy. How does the company determine that risk?

The process typically begins with an application and medical exam. The application contains a myriad of questions about your health, tobacco use, lifestyle and family health history. The medical examiner will typically take blood and urine samples, blood pressure readings and height and weight measurements. They will usually ask additional health questions. The application and medical exam results are forwarded to the insurance company, where it will be assigned to an underwriter.

The underwriter will review your application and exam results. They will typically gather additional information from your physician, the Motor Vehicle Bureau, the Medical Insurance Board (for more information, visit www.mib.com), and, possibly, a consumer credit reporting agency.

The underwriter will then evaluate this data against the data in the company�s rating manual and assign you a Health Class (Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Non-Tobacco, Standard Tobacco, etc.). Each company adheres to a very standard process that allows for few, if any, arbitraries.

Your premiums will then be determined based on your age and health class. This may or may not be the same quote you received from your agent when you first applied.

Some websites, like www.lifeinsure.com use a health class analyzer to �predict� the health class each insurance company would place an applicant in. It requires such information as the applicant�s sex, tobacco use, height and weight, as well as estimated cholesterol and blood pressure history. By using a health class analyzer, the only reasons the final quote would differ from the original quote would be if medical records reveal medical situations or if the applicant miscalculated height and weight, blood pressure or cholesterol readings.

Being as forthcoming as possible on the quote engine, one stands a better chance of receiving the same premium upon approval as when applying.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

1.3 million Cal kids lack health insurance

2008-11-30T10:09:00.001-08:00

The nation has 8.6 million children who lack public or private health insurance and 1.3 million of them are in California, Families USA, a Washington-based advocate for expanded health access, says in a report based on new census data.

California, the nation's most populous state, is just behind Texas in the numbered of medically uninsured children, Families USA says, and at 12.5 percent has the nation's 12th highest rate. Texas is No. 1 at 20.5 percent.

Families USA, confirming previous reports, says that 88.2 percent of uninsured children come from families with at least one working adult. Families without earned income usually qualify for one of the public medical plans such as Medi-Cal. It's been estimated that more than 6 million of the state's 38 million residents lack health insurance.

Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried and failed to gain legislative approval of a plan to cover virtually all of California's uninsured residents. The full Families USA report is available here.

Click here for your free California health insurance quote today!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

How your Life Insurance Premiums are Determined

2008-11-26T22:54:00.003-08:00

Life insurance premiums are a direct reflection of the risk to the insurance company of you passing away during the life of the insurance policy. How does the company determine that risk?

The underwriter will then evaluate this data against the data in the companys rating manual and assign you a Health Class (Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Non-Tobacco, Standard Tobacco, etc.). Each company adheres to a very standard process that allows for few, if any, arbitraries.

Your premiums will then be determined based on your age and health class. This may or may not be the same quote you received from your agent when you first applied.

Some websites, like www.lifeinsure.com use a health class analyzer to predict the health class each insurance company would place an applicant in. It requires such information as the applicants sex, tobacco use, height and weight, as well as estimated cholesterol and blood pressure history. By using a health class analyzer, the only reasons the final quote would differ from the original quote would be if medical records reveal medical situations or if the applicant miscalculated height and weight, blood pressure or cholesterol readings.

Being as forthcoming as possible on the quote engine, one stands a better chance of receiving the same premium upon approval as when applying.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

1.3 million Cal kids lack health insurance

2008-11-26T22:54:00.001-08:00

Click here for your free California health insurance quote today!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

A Recipe for Disaster

2008-11-25T22:18:00.001-08:00

During an economic downturn, many families look for ways to reduce or cut expenses. Perhaps your daily latte is the first victim of your budget cutting. Maybe youll start carpooling more and renting videos instead of going out to the local movie theater. Or perhaps, according to a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette you might be like 27 percent of families that would or have canceled their life insurance policies.

While most would survive without the daily lattes and watching movies at home doesnt have quite the excitement of seeing the latest blockbuster on the big screen, canceling a life insurance policy could prove to be a recipe for disaster, according to the LIFE Foundation. “Without life insurance to replace the income a family depends on, they are going to be worse off than before,” said Marvin Feldman, chief executive officer of the Life Foundation in Arlington, Va., a nonprofit insurance education organization.

Before you cancel your life insurance policy, you have to ask yourself the difficult question, if times are difficult now, what would it be like for my family if I were to pass away and leave them without the financial protection of a life insurance policy?

Rather than eliminating life insurance from your budget, perhaps you can look at ways to reduce the premiums you pay. Term life insurance premiums are at an all-time low. When was the last time you researched rates? Maybe you can reduce premiums by purchasing a new policy and replacing your old, more-expensive policy. A review of your current needs might also reveal that you are over-insured and should purchase a policy with a lower benefit or shorter term period.

Include life insurance in your revised budget and you will be keeping a very important safety net in place for your family. And if you save money by finding a lower-cost policy, celebrate and have that latte.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

What We're Thankful For This Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-25T22:17:00.001-08:00

With plenty of great food, family members and football games to distract us on Thanksgiving Day, many of us lose sight of what the holiday is about: giving thanks for what we have.

California farmers, ranchers struggle over health care costs

2008-11-23T22:05:00.005-08:00

Californias farmers and ranchers are struggling with health care bills that, in some instances, threaten the viability of their family businesses, according to a report Wednesday by the Access Project and funded by the California Endowment.

The report finds that while almost all farm and ranch operators have health insurance, one in five says that California insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket health care costs are causing financial difficulties for themselves and their families.

These families report spending 37 percent of their income on health care coverage and medical costs.

A better term for health insurance that leaves nearly one in five purchasers in financial jeopardy might be called product failure, says Carol Pryor, a report author and policy director for the Access Project.

The survey also found that more than three in 10 farmers and ranchers (31 percent) are spending at least 10 percent of their annual income on health insurance premiums, prescriptions and other out-of-pocket medical costs. Spending this much on health care is a commonly used indicator of financially burdensome health care costs, the reports authors say.

Farm and ranch operators are especially hard hit because they are often forced to buy insurance on the individual, non-group market, where insurance generally costs more and covers less, says the report.

The study shows that on average, those farmers and ranchers purchasing insurance in the non-group market spent almost twice as much on health care as those who got their health care coverage through off-farm or off-ranch employment. The median amount spent by farmers and ranchers who got insurance on the non-group market was $8,500 a year (including premiums and out-of-pocket costs), compared to $4,630 spent by people who got insurance through employment off the farm or ranch.

Three in 10 of the studys respondents purchased health coverage directly on the open market. Nationally, only 8 percent of Americans obtain their health insurance this way.

Right now farmers are faced with increasing costs for everything fuel, feed, fertilizer. Adding exorbitant health care costs on top of these expenses is simply not sustainable and threatens the viability of family farm operations, says Lynn McBride, director of the California Farmers Union.

One-fourth of those surveyed (26 percent) report having to draw on other financial resources to cover the costs of care. Of these respondents, 70 percent dipped into family savings and nearly one in three (29 percent) incurred credit card debt or increased existing debt. Others took out a loan, borrowed against their farm, withdrew money from a retirement account or turned to friends and family for help.

Click here for your free California health insurance quote now!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

Protecting Your Motorcycle Against Theft

2008-11-23T22:05:00.003-08:00

Today, Americans are buying motorcycles at near record levels. Over 1.1 million motorcycles were purchased in 2006 alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth

2008-11-23T22:05:00.001-08:00

If you are untruthful or omit material information on your life insurance application, you are at risk of reducing the benefit of your policy to the cost of the paper it was printed on. If you omit or alter health-related or lifestyle-related information (dangerous hobbies, speeding tickets, etc.) on your application, you run the risk of nullifying your policy.

As an example, lets say you quit smoking two years ago, but you decide to stretch the truth a bit and state on your application that you quit five years ago (in order to pay a lower premium). If the insurance company finds out prior to issuing your policy, they can decline to offer you a policy. Not only would you not have a policy, but the declination would be a permanent part of your history on MIB (Medical Insurance Board. (For more information on the MIB, visit www.mib.com).

This could definitely affect any future purchase of life or health insurance.

The worst case scenario would occur if the insurance company did issue a policy based on this erroneous information and you passed away during the first two years of the policy. Most policies contain a non-contestability clause which gives the insurance company a specific time period (typically two years) in which to contest information on the application.

If any information is found to be fraudulent, the insurance company has the right to cancel the policy. If, in this situation, a claim had been filed within that time period, the insurance company could easily contest paying that claim if it found any of the information to be fraudulent.

We always recommend to our clients to be forthcoming with the information they enter on the application.

If certain information results in a higher premium, thats certainly better than paying a lesser premium and having the protection you purchased for your family be worthless when needed.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Get Your Home Ready for Winter

2008-11-17T22:44:00.001-08:00

There is one tree in my yard that always turns colors before the others. The flaming red leaves of that tree signal that Autumn has arrived, and that Winter isn't far behind. The Fall is the perfect time to get your home and yard ready for all the rain, snow, sleet, and ice swirling right around the corner.

Men Have More Life Insurance than Women

2008-11-14T22:50:00.001-08:00

If a stay-at-home mother earned a paycheck for all her services, her annual income would be $116,805 (national median), according to Salary.com.

Whether working in or out of the home, a life insurance policy for the wife should be a major consideration in any familys financial plans. However, according to recent studies by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., the man of the house has more life insurance than the female, which could be a huge mistake.

According to an article recently published in the Nashville Business Journal, only 36 percent of women are protected with group life insurance at work and 40 percent have their own individual policies (source - LIMRA, a think tank for financial and insurance service companies).

The article goes on to state that women who do have life insurance on average have much less coverage than men, the organization found.

However, if the matriarch of the family dies, her family could be thrown into financial chaos.
“I think underinsuring the female, whether she is a working or stay-at-home mom makes no more sense than underinsuring the male,” said Beth Wood, assistant vice president of business and women’s markets at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. “There are just too many uninsured couples putting their families at risk.”

For example, if a working woman dies or becomes disabled and cannot work or take care of the family, her husband may have to cut back his hours to stay at home or hire someone to care for the children, which could make financial matters worse.

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

PETA's Health Insurance Suggestion

2008-11-14T22:49:00.003-08:00

I have several issues with the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). I whole heartily agree that animal abuse, whether a pet or livestock, is sickening; but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop eating meat. There latest idea was to approach Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont to lobby for higher health insurance premiums for people who eat meat.

Grim Health Picture For California's Low-income Kids

2008-11-14T22:49:00.001-08:00

There are some positives - the number of overweight children in California declined slightly and preschool enrollment increased. Yet the overall health picture, especially for California's low-income kids, is grim according to a new research brief "Trends in the Health of Young Children in California" by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and sponsored by First 5 California.

The brief found that two-thirds of California children are without health insurance are from low-income families. Low-income children utilize community clinics for primary care at three times the rate of higher income children. And the proportion of children enrolled in private health insurance is shrinking - while the reliance on public programs is growing.

"The research suggests there has been a steady erosion of health care and health access for the most vulnerable children," said David Grant, lead author of the policy research brief and director of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). "As Californians, we have a lot of work to do to reverse the trend."

The research brief examined trends in health among Californian children from a wide range of ethnicities and economic backgrounds. It is based upon an analysis of data collected by CHIS, the nation's largest state health survey, in 2001, 2003 and 2005. Conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, CHIS surveys up to 50,000 Californians - including up to 10,000 children - every two years.

"There is no higher priority than the health and well-being of our children," said Kris Perry, executive director of First 5 California. "This research brief provides a valuable reminder of where our priorities must be, even at a time of scarce resources."

Researchers drew upon those interviews for "Trends in the Health of Young Children in California."

Among their findings:

Fewer overweight children: The prevalence of overweight children ages 0-5 dropped slightly in California from 14% in 2001 to 12% in 2005. There were steep drops in Riverside County (16.2% in 2003 to 12.4% in 2005) and San Bernardino County (16.2% in 2003 to 8.4% in 2005). Los Angeles County also dropped (14.3% in 2003 to 12.8% in 2005) as well as Alameda County (13.4% in 2003 to 8.9% in 2005) and San Diego County (12.9% in 2003 to 8.5% in 2005).

No improvement in health insurance coverage: The proportion of children ages 0-5 in California who lacked health insurance for all or part of the previous year - one in ten children - remained unchanged between 2001 and 2005.

Click here for your free California health insurance quote today!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

Safe and Spooky Halloween Home

2008-10-28T22:44:00.001-07:00

Witches on broomsticks, mummies and ghosts--not to mention Spiderman and Sleeping Beauty--will soon come knocking at our doors. Halloween is the second most popular holiday in the U.S., and can be great fun for young and old. If you are partaking of this night of frolic, here are some tips to make your home a safe place for all the neighborhood ghouls and boys (sorry, I just had to say it!).

Antilock Brakes Reduce Motorcycle Deaths By 38%

2008-10-26T23:11:00.003-07:00

Motorcycles equipped with antilock brakes are 38 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal auto accident, according to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The study also found that antilock brakes (commonly referred to as ABS) reduced motorcycle insurance losses by 21 percent.

ABC's Dr. Tim Johnson, 15 Years of Shilling for Universal Health Care

2008-10-26T23:11:00.001-07:00

ABC's liberal medical editor, Dr. Tim Johnson, appeared on Wednesday's "Good Morning America to boost Barack Obama's universal health care plan and critique the more market oriented proposals of John McCain. Co-host Robin Roberts began the segment by seriously asserting, "We're not endorsing one plan over the other. We're just showing the differences between the two."

But after she mentioned Obama's assertion during Tuesday's presidential debate that health care is a right, Johnson marveled, "But, I'm struck by the language of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Without good health, and that usually means without good health care, it's hard to have those other rights." Johnson, despite being a doctor, adopts the standard, liberal positions of most journalists and has a 15 year-plus history of advocating universal health care, including once asking if Republicans who opposed the policy were "immoral."

Regarding Senator McCain's idea to give people the opportunity to buy individual plans, even if they don't have an employer, Johnson criticized, "That's a difficult thing to do because there are so many different plans marketed." Accentuating the negative, he added, "So, you've got to do a lot of work on your own and read the fine print. It's a very difficult job for an individual."

Johnson found no such criticisms for Senator Obama's proposal. After describing the various health insurance plans the Democrat would offer, he approvingly observed, "But these plans will have been vetted by the government, just like they do for federal employees...But you know they've been vetted for basic care and coverage and that the cost is fair."

Click here for your free California health insurance quote now!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

As Gasoline Prices Soar, Fuel Thieves Run Rampant

2008-10-07T22:51:00.001-07:00

Recently, a thief confessed to stealing at least 20,000 gallons of gasoline in a series of thefts in the Pacfic Northwest. The value of that fuel? Close to $75,000.

As fuel prices remain high, incidents like this are becoming all too common throughout the U.S. and Canada.

AiG to sell units to raise funds

2008-10-05T21:49:00.005-07:00

AIG which was bailed out by the government is selling buinsess units to raise cash to pay back the government for its bailout of the massive insurance company.

See Associated Press story.

Apparently AIG’s insurance subsidiaries are all healthy and the difficulties stemmed from the parent company’s division which got involved in insuring mortgages. It looks like that possibly the life insurance subsidiaries will be sold off

Read More...

[Source: The Life Insurance Blog]

Do Men Really Drive Better Than Women?

2008-10-05T21:49:00.003-07:00

Who are better drivers - men or women? As with most Battle of the Sexes debates - each gender can make a legitimate case. Women may claim they're safer drivers and less prone to road rage, while men may argue they're more adept at driving at high speeds and avoiding obstacles on the road. The debate can continue ad nauseam. But insurance companies can use statistics to answer the question - who pays more for car insurance - men or women?

California Health Coverage Costs are a Bit Lower

2008-10-05T21:49:00.001-07:00

Cost increases for California health insurance premiums are lower this year, and although Californias are higher than some other states, they are also still lower than in previous years.

The Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust confirm what news wires also are reporting: nationally, the rise in cost of health care premiums is about 5 percent. This continues a trend from 2007, when a similar small cost increase was instituted.

However, according to Randy Jones of Hometown Insurance Services in Solvang, in California premiums are somewhat higher: Ours in California, the rate went up higher than that. Were getting a 10 percent rise, he said.

Although the national increases were reported at the end of September, Californias current insurance rates are more difficult to come by. Insurance industry and regulatory agency figures found on the Internet indicate the 10 percent rise is in the ballpark.

If increases arent as bad this year, they were pretty horrendous last year, Jones continued. One reason Californias premiums are not shooting up, he said: Were healthier.

Another reason that Californias health insurance premiums have stayed relatively low, according to Jones, is the result of a ballot measure from about 15 years ago. That measure was approved by voters, capping punitive damage amounts. So insurance companies dont have to approve every little thing for fear of being sued, Jones said. But the quality of California health care hasnt changed.

The Kaiser study showed that not only insurance premiums have shown a steady increase. Cost sharing for medical services has also increased in recent years. The percentage of employers sponsoring insurance and the percentage of workers covered by employer-sponsored insurance remained stable over the past year.

Click here for cheap California health insurance!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

Going Green Around the House

2008-10-01T22:26:00.001-07:00

With all the "green" talk about how hybrid cars are going to save the environment, I thought I would switch gears and focus on how to green your house. I am all for saving the environment and keep ice at the poles, but unless they start making affordable hybrid cars I will not be purchasing one. But what is more feasible to me is to maybe green up my home.

The Cost of Going Green: Are Hybrids Really Worth It?

2008-09-25T22:39:00.001-07:00

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past half decade, chances are you already know that hybrids are the hottest vehicles on the road. They promise to keep emissions low and wallets fat, and with some models boasting fuel efficiency well over 40 mpg, going green will save you a ton of money, right?

The answer is a resounding maybe. Followed closely by eventually. Topped off with a big fat well, it depends.

Wedding Insurance

2008-09-23T22:01:00.001-07:00

To culminate the end of my getting married and how it affects your car insurance, renters/homeowners insurance and life insurance series, I thought I would inform everyone about wedding insurance. For my wedding, Jackie and I are lucky that we have some contingency plans already in place. So even though we are getting married outside, the winery we are getting married at can accommodate an inside wedding should it rain. However, even if our wedding site didn't have this contingency plan, I'm not sure I see the value in wedding insurance.

Health insurance options after job loss (The Post and Courier)

2008-09-21T21:28:00.003-07:00

I just lost my job. What are the best options for preserving some form of health insurance?

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

Airlines Get $500M Insurance Subsidy While Passengers Get Bumped (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)

2008-09-21T21:28:00.001-07:00

Congress to give airlines "war insurance," but passengers left on tarmac -- indefinitely

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

Insurance companies respond to Chertoff (Beaumont Enterprise)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.019-07:00

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's comment that Southeast Texas insurers needed to "step it up a little bit" in the wake of Hurricane Ike didn't go over well with insurance companies.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

How our home building insurance fails (Sydney Morning Herald)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.017-07:00

A Herald campaign: McFadden family among a growing list of victims of farcical home insurance.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

Blue Frog Solutions, Insurance Technologies Form Strategic Partnership Partnership will be a multi-phased initiative. ... (Finance Technology Network)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.015-07:00

Blue Frog Solutions (Pompano Beach, Fla.), provider of life and annuity order management and compliance solutions and Insurance Technologies (Colorado Springs, Co.), provider of point-of-sale illustration software to the insurance and financial services industries, have formed a strategic partnership.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

California Legislature Drops Some Health Cuts From Budget

2008-09-21T21:27:00.013-07:00

Early this morning, the California Legislature approved a budget proposal for fiscal year 2008-2009 that avoided some cuts to health care and other programs, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Democrats widely opposed the proposed cuts (Zapler, San Jose Mercury News, 9/16).

The proposal does not eliminate dental services for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries or impose new restrictions on Medi-Cal services for undocumented immigrants. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program (Halper/Rau, Los Angeles Times, 9/16).

Beyond those already introduced by Senate Democrats, the budget agreement does not include cuts to California health care, human services or education programs, according to information Ventura County officials received from the California State Association of Counties (Biasotti, Ventura County Star, 9/16).
Healthy Families, Medi-Cal

The budget retains a provision to increase monthly premiums for Healthy Families, California's version of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (Los Angeles Times, 9/16).

The proposal would restore most of the 10% cut in Medi-Cal payments to health care providers beginning in March 2009 (Lin, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 9/16). California's Medicaid reimbursement rates will remain the lowest in the U.S. even after the cuts are restored, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Click here for your free California health insurance quote now!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

Insurance industry's guaranty system highlighted (The Delaware Business Ledger)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.011-07:00

The turmoil surround ding the future of AIG brought to light the insurance industrys highly successful system of dealing with company failures. As the huge company struggled to raise capital, customers were taking a look at their policies.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

SWIFT Will Facilitate Platform for Electronic Data Transmission of Insurance Transactions (Insurance and Technology)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.009-07:00

SWIFT signs agreement with insurance industry players to establish a shared platform for electronic data transmission.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

The next big storm worries NC insurance industry (The Charlotte Observer)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.007-07:00

Without good fortune, a hurricane the size of Hurricane Ike might one day rake North Carolina's coast, causing billions of dollars in property losses like those incurred by Texas. Whether North Carolina's insurance market will be ready to pay the property claims will depend on differing storm scenarios and how much extra insurers and inland policyholders can withstand paying if there's not ...

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

Money Saving Tips Part 1: Saving at Home

2008-09-21T21:27:00.005-07:00

With the economy being what it is, I decided to find some ways to save a little cash while still trying to live life to the fullest. Turns out there are lots of things we can do even in our own homes to cut back but still do the things we enjoy the most.

Golfers covered by new GA insurance deal (iseekgolf.com)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.003-07:00

Golf Australia-affiliated golfers will now have on-course protection through a new insurance product partnership between Golf Australia and insurer Sportscover.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

SWIFT Will Facilitate Platform for Electronic Data Transmission of Insurance Transactions Global payments group signs ... (Finance Technology Network)

2008-09-21T21:27:00.001-07:00

At last week's SIBOS payments conference in Vienna, SWIFT , the La Hulpe, Belgium-based financial transactions consortium, announced it has signed an agreement with major insurance industry players that will facilitate administrative processes among insurers, brokers and reinsurers.

Read More...

[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for insurance]

California health insurance ambition narrows

2008-09-15T01:18:00.011-07:00

Seeking to salvage two years of efforts to completely remake California's health insurance system, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic legislators are nearing deals intended to rein in costly, meager medical insurance policies sold directly to individuals.

In the final weeks of the legislative session, they are negotiating measures that would limit insurer profits on California individual insurance plans, require plans to provide a minimum set of benefits and restrict insurers' ability to cancel policies retroactively.

The new focus reflects how far Schwarzenegger remains from his original healthcare goal: to orchestrate medical insurance for the 5 million Californians who lack it. Despite a year of strenuous campaigning for his vision, which garnered attention nationwide, the state Senate rejected that $14.9-billion plan in January.

Many of the concepts now under discussion were included in that proposal. Although most California insurers supported the governor's broader effort because it would have created millions of new customers, the industry is uniformly resisting the current push to circumscribe some of its most lucrative products.

Three million Californians buy health insurance on their own rather than through employers. Insurers keep health insurance premiums low -- and profits high, their critics say -- on some individual policies by limiting the services they cover. Such plans may exclude prescription drugs and maternity services, for example; others may cover only hospital visits.

Many of the policies have big deductibles and require patients to pay large portions of their expenses, costing them much more than coverage obtained at workplaces.

Click here for your free California health insurance quote today!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]

Insurance Cancellation Questions Could Spread Beyond California

2008-09-15T01:18:00.009-07:00

Todays Health Blog jargon of the day is rescission, the California insurance industrys practice of revoking individual insurance policies because of health-related mistakes or omissions on the application for coverage.

The companies say this is a key step for fighting fraud, but theyve come under criticism in California by those who accuse them of going over applications with a fine-tooth comb after members whove been enrolled for a while get sick or injured and start submitting claims.

Now it looks like the push-back against rescission may be spreading. Henry Waxman, a Democratic California Congressman, held a hearing on the subject yesterday and said his oversight committee plans to investigate the issue nationally.

I understand that California insurance companies need to protect themselves from fraud, Waxman said in his opening statement. But insurers are using technicalities or trumped-up misrepresentations to rescind policies after individuals get sick and accumulate hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

The health insurance industry supports third-party review, established by the states, for rescission decisions, Stephanie Kanwit, special counsel to the trade group Americas Health Insurance Plans, said at yesterdays hearing.

Kanwit said the practice is very rare. And, she said, collecting accurate information on applicants health history is essential for the insurance market to function. When individuals wait until they are ill before purchasing health insurance, costs are increased for other policyholders who pay into the system on a regular basis, she said.

Meanwhile, back in California, the industrys rescission problems are rolling on. The states Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield yesterday agreed to pay the state $13 million in fines and to offer new coverage to more than 2,200 Californians the companies dropped after they became ill, the Los Angeles Times reports. As part of the agreement the companies didnt admit wrongdoing.

And earlier this week, Los Angeles city attorney announced a lawsuit against Blue Shield over the rescission issue. The city attorney launched an investigation into the issue earlier this year, and has already filed lawsuits against a few other insurers.

Click here for your free California health insurance quote now!

Read More...

[Source: Health Insurance Blog]