Monday 16 April 2012

What to Consider When Analyzing Online Insurance Quotes


Being internet savvy really does go along way these days in saving money and that counts for online insurance quotes as well as numerous other things.
Be aware of your states requirement - This is very important in that you and your family will be covered fully if anything were to happen. This will also protect other drivers as well if you sustain a motor vehicle accident involving another vehicle. Depending on your state, you need to check what is required by law for that state. Most of the reputable brand name insurance companies (Progressive, Geico ) will provide you with the knowledge if you ask the right questions. I have had Progressive for 7 years now, and I rely on them to choose my values, limits and minimums. I know and trust their decisions but I have grown with them and learned to ask the right questions. The better educated you are on a topic, the more you can achieve.
Be Prepared with the appropriate docs - Before you even sit down at your computer or telephone. To get an online car insurance quote, you will need to have your typical demographic information (name, address,etc), driver's license numbers, social security numbers, VIN numbers for each vehicle you need to insure, and history of any traffic violations with dates. You will also need this information for all other drivers in your household. Having this information ready to input will help keep you organized and speed up the Online Insurance Quotes process.
Make sure the insurance company is reputable - This is fairly easy to do as there are numerous opportunities to get several insurance quotes from several different carriers at one time. This free service is provided by many sites at online. Do your homework before hand and pick out three insurance carriers that you would be interested in having. You can use those 3 companies as a basis for comparing your quotes. Don't forget about your BBB (Better Business Bureau) for all your research needs. Relying on family and friends for their referrals and recommendations can be a very effective task when shopping for car insurance. You will find that obtaining online insurance quotes is one of the easiest things you will do on the internet.
Try not to take the first quote you get - If you are not strapped for time and don't need to activate a policy right away, try not to jump on the first quote you get. Quite simply, that exact same policy with the same carrier can be cheaper (or more expensive) in two weeks or a month, etc. Also, be sure to get several online insurance quotes to compare.
Discounts Provided - Most reputable insurance carriers provide varying discounts, be sure to compare and contrast those discounts from carrier to carrier.
For example; discounts traditionally offered for:
1. Paying your premium in full
2. Multiple vehicles on one policy
3. Safe driving record
4. Teenager drivers good grades
5. Military service
6. Professional organization participant
7. Going paperless with regard to your insurance docs.
There is no reason you should be paying top dollar for your car insurance or need to visit an insurance agent to activate a policy. When completing online insurance quotes, you have all the power and control over everything to do with your policy. Also, keep this is mind; you can haggle with your online insurance carrier about prices these days and they will work with you to keep you satisfied.
The key to your success with online insurance quotes is "doing your homework first".
I have a lot of experience in Insurance industry and recommend that people shop around for insurance quotes. I also believe that people should learn as much as possible about some car insurance.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6445295

How To Get An Online Insurance Quote


As the pace of daily life gets more and more hectic, people have less and less time to go out getting insurance quotes and things like this. This means that the insurance companies have to find new ways of allowing people to get their insurance quotes and this has led to the online insurance quote.
There is only one way to get an online insurance quote. You have to go online to the relevant insurance company's website and fill in the form that you will find there.
There are a number of different kinds of insurance though and you will need different kinds of information available to get those different insurance quotes. Let us look at life insurance as an example.
You will need to decide when you want to start the policy. This will allow the insurance company to accurately project the information that you give them.
You also need to have a number of personal details ready. This would involve things like your gender, whether you smoke or not and where you live as well as you income bracket.
You will also have to decide how much cover you want to take out. You might be offered some selections of readymade policies or you might be able to stipulate your own amount. It all depends on the online insurance quote form the website has on it.
You will also have to answer a range of health related questions. This will have to do with things like cancer and family history of cancer, heart disease and a wide range of other conditions that are potentially hereditary and can be life threatening. This is used to work out your risk levels as a potential investment for the insurance company. You must be sure to answer all of these questions as honestly as you are able.
You will also most likely be questioned on things like your alcohol intake and drug use. These all have an effect on your policy premiums and things like this.
It does not matter what questions you are presented with, you have to be sure that you answer them as accurately as you are able to. To lie on an insurance application is tantamount to fraud and this is one of the offenses that will lead to your policy being voided. Not something that you want, especially if you have already started paying premiums and are found out.
Getting things like life insurance is an very important part of being a responsible adult and no person should be without a life insurance or funeral insurance policy. The same goes for things like car insurance and home insurance. You have to protect the things that are precious to you so that if the worst happens you are able to get going with your life once again. Do not leave things like insurance, especially life or funeral insurance, until it is too late. Rather take a few moments and fill in an online insurance quote form and get the process started now.
For more information on a online insurance quote go to http://www.instantlife.co.za


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6648585

Shopping For Online Insurance Quotes


No matter what we do in life, insurance is typically necessary, and one of the most important insurance policies that we hold is auto insurance. The thing about auto insurance is that you can easily shop and compare for the best insurance policy on the market without leaving your home or office. The reason for this is that Online Insurance Quotes are a tool which is available to all consumers.
As the insurance buyer, when shopping online, you can expect a better rate on insurance. However, the consumer is faced with many different search tools that provide many different results. The reason for this is that the different rating engines ask different questions that produce divergent quotes.
The answer to this is to take the time and conduct an in-depth research before picking a quote. The popularity of the site is important when obtaining online insurance quotes. The site should provide online insurance quotes from a variety of noted insurance providers. If the insurance site claims to provide the best insurance quotes in the industry, then these quotes will come from a number of providers. When you do not shop and compare multiple quotes, you are not getting the best or perfect deal because you are only comparing a few.
Also, it is important to remember that no two sites may be the same. For instance, some sites may provide results almost instantly, while others may take a bit more time. You should find a site that does provide it all- multiple insurance quotes from top insurance providers and fast service. It should include the essential information about the policy with its premiums. It is important to realize, quotes from companies that are not reputable, may omit important information.
When you wish to shop for auto insurance or any type of insurance coverage for that matter, it is always a good idea to compare insurance quotes. The key ingredient is not to be in a rush and shop the right sites for comparison insurance quotes.
Online insurance quotes are the ideal means to obtain information on insurance policies. You will want to survey each website prior to providing your information to their quote engine. The insurance policies that the online site offers are no different from purchasing policies from a land insurance provider. The sites offer a wide range of policies such as health, life, auto, travel, dental, vision and so on.
Lastly, before the purchase of an insurance policy through an online quote, it is always a good idea to contact their customer service department and ask a question, no matter how simple. This is simply because you likely will need support in the future when filing claims, and this call will give you an idea as to how well you are handled and how quick their response is.
Purchasing insurance has become one of the most convenient purchases among purchases. Insurance quotes allow you to shop and compare, and the online insurance sites are making it possible for the insurance buyer to save a tremendous amount.
Your Online Insurance Agent provides Online Insurance Quotes for all members of the U.S.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6625242

Sunday 15 April 2012

Medicare High Deductible F Should Be The First Choice For Medicare Supplements


People choose medicare supplement plans for a variety of reasons. Some people choose them based on the name of the company offering them, advice from family or neighbors, and advertising on TV. Others may go with advice from a local senior center or simply go with a Plan F because it offers the most coverage. Whatever the reasons may be, they are usually not enrolling in the most financially sound option.
High Deductible plan F should be the choice for any person over the age of 65 taking a Medicare Supplement Plan. ( I say over 65 because it is not usually available to those on Medicare under the age of 65) High deductible F is not as easy to understand as the more popular options such as Plan F,C,D or even plan N. However, if people did take the time to understand the plan, they would see that it is by far the best option from a mathematical standpoint.
Plan F High Deductible works in the following manner: It will cover the Medicare co insurance and cost share once a person spends $2,070 in any given year. In general, this means that when a person goes to the doctor, Medicare will pay 80% of allowable charges and the patient will pay the 20% left over. It works the same way with other services such as testing and physical therapy. If they go to the hospital, they will pay the hospital deductible and then Medicare will pick up the rest. If these expenses add up to $2,070 in any given year, the high deductible F plan will pick up the remaining charges just like a normal Plan F does from the start.
The reason that high F makes so much sense is the math. In many states, high F costs $33.06 a month. The lowest cost standard Plan F is $214.50 a month. Plan F covers all medical costs (Medicare allowable) so there is no out of pocket expense, but the premium totals up to $2,574.00 a year. Even if someone uses little or no services for the year, they will still pay this amount. High F has a total cost of $396.72 annual premium ($33.06 x 12 months) and a max out of pocket of $2,070 for a total of $2,466.70. The worst case scenario leaves the person with High F saving $107.00 for the year.
The reality is that few people experience the worst case scenario. Very few will actually hit the $2,070 deductible for the year. Some estimates show that only 5% of people accumulate over $2,000 of utilization. There are a number of sources that estimate how much the average senior actually accrues in part A and B co-insurance and deductibles for the year but the average seems to show it is about $900 a year. Given this estimate, the average senior would save about $1,207.00 a year on plan F high deductible. If they have a very healthy year, they will save even more. If they have a catastrophically bad year, they will only save $107 but there is no risk involved. At the end of the day, they will save money period.
Due to a general lack of understanding, High F will never be as popular as plan F but it should be the overwhelming choice for anyone in a supplement. The math behind it is undeniable.
Edward Crowe is the owner of Crowe & Associates. He spends most of his time advising brokers on strategies that will help them provide more value to current and prospective clients. For additional information visit http://www.croweandassociates.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6935173

What Does a Medicare Supplement Cover?

A Medicare Supplement, also referred to as a Medigap Policy, is basically an insurance plan that is secondary to original Medicare. You must be enrolled in Parts A and B in order to be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Original Medicare has four parts. Part A is hospital insurance with a deductible of $1156.00 for 2012. Part B is medical insurance with a deductible of $140.00 for 2012. Part C is known as a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans replace your original Medicare insurance. They include hospital insurance, medical insurance, and some plans include prescription drug coverage. Part D is prescription drug coverage. If your Part C plan does not include prescription drug coverage, you can enroll in Part D.
If you choose to keep original Medicare (Parts A and B), most of your expenses will be covered by also having a Medicare Supplement Plan in place. Currently, the Medicare Supplements to choose from are labeled as Plans A, B, C, D, F, F (high-deductible), G, K, L, M, and N. All plans require paying a premium and some require paying additional deductibles before any coverage is provided.
Depending on the plan, each benefit below is either fully or partially covered:
  • Medicare Part A Co-insurance and hospital costs up of an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up
  • Medicare Part B Co-insurance or Co-payment
  • Blood (first 3 pints)
  • Part A Hospice Care Co-insurance or Co-payment
  • Skilled Nursing Facility Care Co-insurance
  • Medicare Part A Deductible
  • Medicare Part B Deductible
  • Medicare Part B Excess Charges
  • Foreign Travel Emergency (up to plan limits)
Detailed plan coverage for each benefit is provided in the official Medicare publication, 2012 Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare.
All Medicare Supplement Plans must follow federal and state laws and must be identified as Medicare Supplement Insurance. Insurance companies can only sell standardized policies. In other words, they must all provide the same basic benefits but some plans offer additional benefits so you can choose the one that fits your needs. Usually the only difference between the policies is price so it pays to compare apples to apples through different insurance companies when shopping for a particular plan.
Current Medicare Supplement Plans do not cover your prescription drugs. To receive this coverage, you must enroll in Part D by contacting Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or through the Medicare website during an open enrollment period.
Plans E, H, I, and J have been discontinued. If you currently have one of these plans, you can keep it but if you change plans, you will no longer be able to get one of these plans.
The author is a licensed life and health insurance agent for the state of Illinois. She is an independent agent that is contracted with several companies to get the best products with the lowest premiums. She focuses on providing necessary coverage for seniors. Her specialties are medicare supplement insurance and final expense policies. Visit http://www.illinoisinsuranceproducts.com if you are a resident of Illinois.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6891191

Why Offer Supplemental Benefits?


Small business or large corporation a common struggle is surviving an economy riddled with inflation, downsizing, low consumer confidence and high unemployment. Healthcare Service costs are skyrocketing while government mandates increase the care requirements of Health Insurers. Economic Science tells us that There Is No Free Lunch!
As the health sector services continue to experience rising costs so too, do the Insurance Plans that pay for them.
Employers looking to maintain traditional benefits that they have used to help attract and keep employees are facing the laws of diminishing returns with these rising premiums. Raising Deductibles and increasing Co-Pays, Fixed Employer Contributions, Dual Option Plans, HSA and HRA are some of the choices now being used to help reign in spending costs.
With most of these planning strategies the end result is increased expenses, both in paying for the insurance and provider services (hospital, surgeries, Dr. visits, medications etc.) that fall on the employee.
Enter the world of Supplemental Benefits. The first company to offer these plans was Colonial Life and Accident Insurance, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Colonial became the first company to provide benefits through worksite marketing.
Supplemental plans like those offered by Colonial Life have introduced new life into the Healthcare Market. These plans were not affected by Healthcare Reform Legislation. They offer a first dollar benefit payable to the insured and, because of rising out-of-pocket costs they become Insurance for what Health Insurance does not pay. Insurance for Insurance?
An Employee can choose from a menu of choices in plan selection. Among them are Accident, Disability and Cancer plans. These three choices tend to be the most popular but there are others such as Level Term Life, Long Term Care and Critical Illness to name just a few.
Plans are usually offered to the employee on a voluntary basis. Generally, they are presented at Group rates but issued individually, allowing the employee to keep the coverage if they terminate or retire. Costs of the plans are fixed, inexpensive and generally qualify for inclusion in Section 125 plans allowing for additional savings.
Disability should be the plan for most people to consider first. As people find it difficult making ends meet while working full time, the inability to work at all due to an injury or sickness can be financially devastating. Disability payments may be "Tax Free" to the payee as long as the premiums are not included in a tax leveraged, 125 plan or are employer paid. Look for waiver of premium, partial disability, payments for disability even if you are not actively employed and on the job coverage additional to workers compensation as essential components to the plan.
Accident plans could be said to be the best value of the coverages due to their low cost and potential benefit ratios. On or off the job and 24/7 coverage is essential. Spouse and family coverage is typically offered for a low extra cost.
Cancer plans work because one in two males and one in just less than three women in the U.S. will have a type of cancer in their lifetimes. 70% of cancer costs are incidental and not covered by medical insurance. Costs such as loss of work, travel to treatment and lodging for family members, childcare for a recovering parent, or home health care. Of course, medical plan deductibles and co-pays may also be covered.
While any of these plans are selected on a pick and choose, all or some or nothing basis, they are all capable of paying multi thousands of dollars to help offset medical bills and living costs. These low cost options should not be overlooked in a strategy to maintain a high quality Healthcare Benefits program.
Terryl G. Roemer has served Cities, Counties, Private Business and several thousand Individuals in Idaho, Nevada and Oregon for the past 30 years. Terrys business has been sustained during this time without advertising, relying on Word of Mouth Testimonials and a high commitment to Claims Service. As a counselor to his clients he assists in helping them buy the best insurance for their needs. He is currently a member of the national group "The Benefit Guys", specializing in Group and Individual Health products, Medicare, Long Term Care, Life Insurance and Supplemental benefits. Claims assistance and advice are integral components to his service. admin@theroemergroupbenefits.com.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6982644

Saturday 14 April 2012

The Cost of Sailboat Insurance for Cruising


This was one hot topic for us over the last couple of weeks. What does it cost to have proper insurance for your sailboat? Since we are planning to do extended off-shore cruising, the perfect insurance for our boat should not only be a general liability insurance but we also wanted a full comprehensive yacht insurance that would cover any damage on our boat, no matter what would happen. Tough task.
From my experience with my previous 37 foot sailboat, which I sailed for one year in Florida I know that there are a lot of variables to look at when it comes to get insurance for your boat. Such as hurricane season, region and or country you are sailing, ocean passages, single handing, charter business and so forth.
One thing was very obvious from the very beginning: We wouldn't go for the cheapest boat insurance and neither did we like to sign some sort of online boat insurance with a broker or company that we wouldn't know. A lot of research showed that this isn't working out for most of the cruisers out there. Pretty cool to pay less if nothing happens, but if the worst comes to the worst you are most likely lost with one of the budget insurers.
Well, what does it actually cost to get the perfect insurance for your sailboat? The following quotes that I have received are tailor-made for our particular boat.
The first company I was looking at was the one the previous owner had her insured with. The cost for one year with general liability insurance and a full comprehensive coverage was EUR 1,500. Not bad I thought. The covered area was Northern Europe including the UK and down to France. They were asking the same amount for anything south of France including the Western Med and off-shore to Madeira, the Azores and Canary Islands. This was a large insurance company specialized in yacht insurance.
My internet search on topics like boat insurance, yacht insurance quotes, average cost of boat insurance or boat insurance companies returned a lot of search results and I spent the better half of a day on the phone to get even more quotes. I turned those down, who wouldn't give me a price indication over the phone straight away. I have spoken to boat insurance companies in the US, the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Prices for a combined package with general liability (+/- EUR 2 Mill coverage for the liability part) and full comprehensive coverage brought back offers in the region of EUR 1,200 up to EUR 1,900 for the European region.
Funny enough these so called specialized boat insurance companies were the most expensive ones with the most exceptions on the part of the comprehensive coverage.
Now comes the fun part. Over the last couple of weeks I was also trying to remember the name of the yacht insurance broker that I had for my boat back in Florida. I remember them as a small German-based company with global reach, which tailor their boat insurance offers to the specific needs of long-term cruisers.
Last week I finally remembered the name and called that lady straight away. Guess what? She remembered me. I found this very impressive as our last contact was like 6 years ago. Within an hour I had a comprehensive offer in my inbox, which covered everything I wanted for the price of EUR 960. A week later I signed the papers.
The best part is their reputation among the cruisers. Something happens in a remote place? No problem, you call them, drop them an email and they immediately take over with no worries left over for you. Those examples have been reported more than once by fellow cruisers all over the world.
I don't want to drop names here and I am not related to this company at all... but if you are interested in a contact, please let me know and I would be happy to give you more details.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6649888