Insurance Articles

You’ve probably heard a lot about inflation lately and how you can potentially combat it.
But what’s fact and what’s fiction?
Many economists will tell you not to worry about inflation. That’s because the consumer price index (CPI), which is a widely used gauge of consumer spending, increased 3.6% year over year in May 2011.
While that’s not [...]

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If you think you don’t need life insurance anymore because your last child has moved out of the house, think again.
Your circumstances may have changed, but there’s a good chance your future needs may require you to maintain your life insurance policy.
Many individuals consider life insurance a way to provide for their children in the [...]

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A lot of baby boomers still haven’t given much thought to the purchase of a long-term-care insurance policy.
However, the cost of a long-term-care need could be the biggest threat to their retirement portfolios.
As of last year, the average cost of a private room in a nursing home for just one year was more than $75,000 [...]

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It is estimated that roughly 16 million Americans will purchase temporary health insurance coverage this year. That number includes:
… Those who have been laid off or are between jobs and have found that the cost of Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) insurance is too much
… Recent college graduates who are seeking work but have [...]

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Summer electrical storms are no laughing matter, as lightning causes millions of dollars in damage. Following are some simple steps to reduce your risk and limit damage:
Lightning Rods: Proper grounding and distribution can dramatically reduce damage during an electrical event. Lightning rods have been routinely installed on commercial properties, but it’s just as easy to [...]

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Life expectancies are at an all-time high, but two-thirds of Americans underestimate how long they’ll live - which is presenting a challenge for retirement planning.
The average life expectancy is 78 years for the first time in American history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and for some it may be even higher.
A [...]

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Inflation is rising, making some investors reconsider the value of fixed annuities. But fixed annuities can still play an important role in retirement planning.
A fixed annuity is a type of annuity that provides you with a specific sum of money at a fixed rate of return for a fixed period of time. You give a [...]

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Starting a small business of your very own isn’t easy, but it is rewarding.
Studies show that small-business ownership is one of the leading methods of building long-term wealth.
Unfortunately, it’s also one of the leading causes of litigation, as owning a small business may increase personal and professional liabilities.
Proper insurance coverage, therefore, is a necessity.
Insurance protects [...]

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More than 25% of businesses that close due to a natural disaster never reopen, according to research conducted by the Insurance Information Institute. Small-business owners are especially vulnerable. That’s why disaster recovery planning for small-business owners is more important than ever. Following are some tips to ensure that you’re prepared:
Review Your Insurance Options: Loss of [...]

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Everybody wants to reduce auto insurance costs.
Understanding what matters most to underwriters might be the best place to start.
Following are some things to consider:
Statistical Safety Record:
Without a doubt, the most important item is safety, but that includes criteria that may not be obvious.
For example, new drivers tend to have safe records because they haven’t [...]

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Keeping track of your belongings isn’t always as simple as it may seem, especially when it comes to providing proof of purchase and value for insurance purposes.
In the event of a claim, it’s important to have an up-to-date inventory readily available. Perhaps the most common method is to write down a list of all items [...]

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If you think you don’t need life insurance, you may want to reconsider the whole concept.
Life insurance proceeds can help your family members if you die before they do.
Following are some of the items that life insurance proceeds can cover:
Medical and Funeral Expenses:
Chances are you’ll incur significant medical expenses prior to your death, as a [...]

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While early retirement - planned or unplanned - can mean no more commute or mandatory overtime, it could also mean no more group insurance coverage through an employer.
And anyone who is age 60 or over but not yet age 65 and eligible for Medicare could be left in a quandary without health insurance benefits.
The good [...]

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With so many employers cutting back on insurance benefits for employees, it is becoming more prevalent for individuals to go without coverage.
But the odds of incurring a disability due to illness or injury are still high. In fact, at age 32 the chances of becoming disabled are four times more likely than death. And, with [...]

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Once upon a time, general liability insurance was reserved for a select few business owners in high-risk industries. Today, all that has changed.
Lawsuits are a common threat for large- and small-business owners alike. As the cost of defending a claim continues to increase faster than the rate of inflation, even the most cautious business owners [...]

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Small-business owners are accustomed to doing annual employee reviews, audits and reviews of existing inventory.
Unfortunately, many forget the most important annual review of all - to look at your insurance needs.
There are several reasons your business might need to increase or decrease insurance coverage.
Following are some of those reasons:
Property and Casualty Coverage: Have you purchased [...]

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Extended life expectancies and volatile markets have led many retirees to annuities - and many of them are using a strategy called “laddering” to take advantage of potentially rising interest rates.
An annuity is essentially a contract with a life insurance company.
You pay the life insurance company and it, in turn, guarantees you a stream of [...]

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Many investors approaching retirement don’t think they need annuities, but the lifetime income they offer can add security to portfolios that consist primarily of stock and bond funds. This is particularly important when markets are volatile.
An annuity is essentially a contract with a life insurance company. You pay the life insurance company, either in a [...]

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Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) helps protect small business owners from claims that arise from employees in relation to how the owners conduct their business.
For example, employees might file a claim for discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment or wrongful discharge. With the average settlement for this type of claim now approaching $180,000 to $250,000, it [...]

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Film insurance used to be a rarity reserved only for big-budget Hollywood films.
Today, all that has changed as film and media go mainstream.
Small business owners, museum archives and even rare family events are just a few of the important types of documentation to be found on film.
Protecting against the loss of a major investment or [...]

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