Insurance Articles

Whether you have a full-time nanny or hire an occasional babysitter for a night out on the town, it’s important to obtain the right type of insurance coverage for all your childcare needs. Use the following checklist when speaking with an agent about proper coverage options:
Full-Time or Part-Time: One of the most important factors in [...]

[Read more →]

Many Americans have medical issues that insurance companies define as pre-existing conditions.
A pre-existing condition is a health problem that existed before the individual applied for a health insurance policy.
These health issues are taken into consideration by the insurance company regardless of whether the applicant sought treatment.
Minor conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol [...]

[Read more →]

There are many disadvantages to buying insurance direct rather than through an agent.
Following are some of the pitfalls that can be associated with doing it by yourself:

1. Lack of Expert Advice
Unless you are an industry expert, chances are you may not fully understand the complex and confusing language used to describe various programs and [...]

[Read more →]

A health savings account (HSA) is not health insurance but rather a savings account that is used in conjunction with a high-deductible health insurance policy. An HSA can help save money on out-of-pocket medical costs and provide funds for an insured who has a limited health insurance policy or one that excludes pre-existing medical conditions.
HSAs [...]

[Read more →]

Great rates are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to auto insurance. Unfortunately, what you don’t know can cost you plenty when it comes time to renew or file a claim.
Following are some tips to ensure that you obtain the coverage that will keep your family safe and sound:
1. Out of Sight, [...]

[Read more →]

Summer is the time of year when millions of Americans hit the waves for some fun in the sun.
Unfortunately, there is more than one way to get soaked if you aren’t up to date on the latest in watercraft insurance.
Following are some tips to help you get great rates on insurance for your boat or [...]

[Read more →]

Insuring art and antiques is often quite different than the process involved for most household belongings, but certainly no less important. Use these quick tips to obtain the right coverage for the best possible price when speaking with your insurance agent:
1. Obtain an Up-to-Date Appraisal: Antiques and artwork appraisals should be done by a qualified [...]

[Read more →]

It’s also a time to get the recreational vehicle (RV) out of the driveway and onto the open highway.
Whether you’re heading out on a multistate tour in a full-size RV or on a weekend retreat with a tiny pop-up camper, learn how to stay safe and have fun at the same time by following some [...]

[Read more →]

With employers cutting back on labor and benefits, supplemental health insurance has taken on new importance to individuals.
Supplemental health insurance policies are generally less expensive than regular health insurance plans. Although the lower cost is directly attributable to the lower benefit amounts, these benefits can make a big difference.
For example, in addition to medical and [...]

[Read more →]

In uncertain economic times it might seem odd to turn to life insurance as a financial security blanket.
But there are some very good reasons you might want to take a second gander at this often-overlooked fiscal planning tool.
Life insurance can, in fact, provide you with the security you seek.
The following are some things to think [...]

[Read more →]

When designing a long-term care insurance policy, there are a number of important factors that will determine how - and when - the benefits are paid out.
One factor is the length of coverage and how many months or years the plan will pay before benefit dollars run out.
Another factor is the policy’s elimination period, or [...]

[Read more →]

Retirees who have modest savings and are worried about running out of cash might be good candidates for a fixed-rate annuity.
Annuities
An annuity is purchased with one or several payments and has a payout plan that starts immediately or at some point in the future.
Fixed-Rate
If the annuity has a fixed rather than a variable rate, you’ll [...]

[Read more →]

One of the biggest risks of your financial plan might be outliving your assets - and inflation is a big part of that. If you’re entering retirement and are worried about inflation, you might want to consider little-known products called immediate-payout and inflation-protected (or inflation-indexed) annuities.
Immediate-Payout Annuity
An immediate-payout annuity is simply an annuity that is [...]

[Read more →]

Determining the right deductible when purchasing auto insurance can be difficult. It’s tempting to reduce your rate by increasing the deductible to the maximum possible, but taking on more risk than you are able to assume can place your entire financial future at risk.
Ask yourself the following questions to determine the right level of coverage [...]

[Read more →]

Does your umbrella insurance policy cover the gaps that you need covered?
If you’ve taken the time to inquire about the purchase of an umbrella insurance policy, chances are you already understand the need for an excess liability policy. In today’s litigious society, the odds of being sued steadily increase in proportion to the personal and [...]

[Read more →]

The concept of health insurance co-payments can be confusing to many people. The following will help you understand the issue:
Co-pay: A co-payment is a flat fee or portion of a medical bill that becomes the financial responsibility of a patient when seeking medical services. For example, a patient may have to pay $25 for each [...]

[Read more →]

The decision to purchase life insurance is one of the most important steps the average person can take to protect the financial future his or her family or future family.
Unfortunately, research indicates that the majority of people underestimate their true life insurance needs.
With a bit of planning and preparation, though, it’s possible to avoid these [...]

[Read more →]

Every year, millions of Americans learn the hard way that they do not have adequate health insurance coverage. Sadly, it’s often a situation of too little information too late.
More than 20,000 Americans die each year because they cannot afford basic medical care, medications or surgery. Surprisingly, it’s not just the uninsured who are at risk. [...]

[Read more →]

With the market declines of 2008 and 2009, many investors are now asking themselves whether or not they should think about rolling the money they have in mutual funds and individual retirement accounts into variable annuities.
Annuities, particularly variable annuities, can play an important role in retirement planning.
But buying a variable annuity to protect your retirement [...]

[Read more →]

Some new variable annuities are available to replace those that insurers found too generous to customers during the financial crisis.
However, only you can decide if one is right for you.
A variable annuity is a contract with an insurance company.
Simply put, you give the insurance company a sum of money now, and the funds are invested [...]

[Read more →]