The internet has made shopping for insurance easier. Instead of driving around town to meet with an agent, you can compare rates, benefits, and apply online. Some insurance companies even let you apply right from their website.
Does it still make sense to have an agent help you choose a plan? You bet.
Agents are insurance experts. Itýs their job to help you shop plans from leading carriers so you can be confident youýve found the best rates and benefits for you.
4 Reasons To Work With An Insurance Agent
When you consider all the benefits, working with an agent just makes good sense.
Agents guide you through the process. Buying an insurance policy can be complicated. An agent walks you through each step of the process and helps you make sense of all the "insurance-talk".
Agents offer you choice. Your agent has a portfolio of plans to choose from, and will know which policy will protect you the best.
Agents troubleshoot mistakes. A mistake on your application can cause a company to raise your rates or even reject your application. Your agent will help you fill out your application correctly so you get the rates you deserve.
It's free. This is the best part about getting insurance through an agent. Agents collect payment from the companies they represent. So you get all the advice you want, absolutely free.
As professional agents, we're happy to help you find the best plan. You can compare popular plans on our website, too. Get started now with your free online quotes.
http://www.selectinsuranceteam.com/selectinsuranceblog.html
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Why You Should Buy Your Own Health Insurance Policy
For years, Americans expected their health insurance to be provided by their employers. Health coverage came standard with most jobs, and many people never worried about paying their doctor and hospital bills.
Those days are gone. Today, the rising cost of healthcare means that most companies can't afford to offer coverage. And now more and more people are looking at individual health insurance.
Individual Health Makes More Sense
Many people think that individual health coverage is more expensive that group health coverage. And many people think it's hard to find individual coverage that offers comprehensive health protection.
The reality is that individual health insurance offers several advantages over group health insurance. Sure, it'd be nice if your boss paid ever last dime of your health premium — but that's getting rarer and rarer. Employers keep shifting more costs onto their employee's shoulders. For many American workers, every few months means a bigger chunk of their paycheck going to pay for their “employer-sponsored” insurance policy. And many workers are finding that these insurance policies leave plenty to be desired.
The Advantages Of Having Your Own Health Policy
There are several advantages to owning your own health policy.
The right coverage for you. With group coverage, everyone gets stuffed into the same policy. You end up paying for benefits you'll never use… and your own unique healthcare needs often get overlooked. In an individual policy, you get health coverage that's tailored for you.
Coverage you can keep. Leave a job, and you leave behind your employer-sponsored coverage. But with an individual policy, you can go wherever your career path takes you — and your health insurance comes with you.
You are only responsible for yourself. In a group policy, the cost of healthcare is spread out among everyone. That means you end up paying for everyone else's health choices. With individual coverage, you only pay for your health.
For many people, individual health insurance makes more sense. And for less than you think, you can get a comprehensive health insurance plan designed to fit your needs.
Want to learn more? Get free quotes and compare plans online. In less than a minute, you can see for yourself which plans make the most sense for you.
Those days are gone. Today, the rising cost of healthcare means that most companies can't afford to offer coverage. And now more and more people are looking at individual health insurance.
Individual Health Makes More Sense
Many people think that individual health coverage is more expensive that group health coverage. And many people think it's hard to find individual coverage that offers comprehensive health protection.
The reality is that individual health insurance offers several advantages over group health insurance. Sure, it'd be nice if your boss paid ever last dime of your health premium — but that's getting rarer and rarer. Employers keep shifting more costs onto their employee's shoulders. For many American workers, every few months means a bigger chunk of their paycheck going to pay for their “employer-sponsored” insurance policy. And many workers are finding that these insurance policies leave plenty to be desired.
The Advantages Of Having Your Own Health Policy
There are several advantages to owning your own health policy.
The right coverage for you. With group coverage, everyone gets stuffed into the same policy. You end up paying for benefits you'll never use… and your own unique healthcare needs often get overlooked. In an individual policy, you get health coverage that's tailored for you.
Coverage you can keep. Leave a job, and you leave behind your employer-sponsored coverage. But with an individual policy, you can go wherever your career path takes you — and your health insurance comes with you.
You are only responsible for yourself. In a group policy, the cost of healthcare is spread out among everyone. That means you end up paying for everyone else's health choices. With individual coverage, you only pay for your health.
For many people, individual health insurance makes more sense. And for less than you think, you can get a comprehensive health insurance plan designed to fit your needs.
Want to learn more? Get free quotes and compare plans online. In less than a minute, you can see for yourself which plans make the most sense for you.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Are all insurance agents the same?
To get the best deal on insurance, many people consult an insurance agent or broker. But did you know that there are different kinds of insurance agents and brokers — and the one you choose can make a big difference in the type of service you get and the choices you’re offered? Here’s the difference:
Captive Agents and Brokers — Captive agents work with a specific insurance company, and as part of their business agreement with that company, they can offer only that company’s insurance products. They may also be required to sell other products from that company, such as annuities and investment plans.
Independent Agents and Brokers — Independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. Insurance rates vary from company to company. Independent agents can put together a customized insurance plan.
If you’re ready to contact an independent agent to talk about saving money on car insurance, here are a few things to consider:
•Has your life situation changed recently? Many factors determine auto insurance rates, not just vehicle year, make, model, body type and engine size. If you’ve recently moved, gotten married, had a birthday or experienced a similar life milestone, mention this to an independent agent or broker. You may be eligible to save money on your car insurance.
•Is your car getting older? You don’t always need the same level of physical damage coverage on older cars as on newer ones. If you drive an older car, an independent agent or broker can advise you on what level of coverage makes the most sense. Raising your deductible could save you money each year, too.
•Do you have another type of vehicle that also needs coverage? If you have a motorcycle, boat, RV or other “toy,” you might save money by having it covered by the same company that insures your car. Talk to an independent agent or broker about it.
Another plus to working with an independent agent or broker is their ability to offer guidance for all your insurance needs—auto, home, life, business and more. They can customize a package of policies just for you.
Did You Know?
Unlike captive agents, independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. visit selectinsuranceteam.com for more details
Captive Agents and Brokers — Captive agents work with a specific insurance company, and as part of their business agreement with that company, they can offer only that company’s insurance products. They may also be required to sell other products from that company, such as annuities and investment plans.
Independent Agents and Brokers — Independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. Insurance rates vary from company to company. Independent agents can put together a customized insurance plan.
If you’re ready to contact an independent agent to talk about saving money on car insurance, here are a few things to consider:
•Has your life situation changed recently? Many factors determine auto insurance rates, not just vehicle year, make, model, body type and engine size. If you’ve recently moved, gotten married, had a birthday or experienced a similar life milestone, mention this to an independent agent or broker. You may be eligible to save money on your car insurance.
•Is your car getting older? You don’t always need the same level of physical damage coverage on older cars as on newer ones. If you drive an older car, an independent agent or broker can advise you on what level of coverage makes the most sense. Raising your deductible could save you money each year, too.
•Do you have another type of vehicle that also needs coverage? If you have a motorcycle, boat, RV or other “toy,” you might save money by having it covered by the same company that insures your car. Talk to an independent agent or broker about it.
Another plus to working with an independent agent or broker is their ability to offer guidance for all your insurance needs—auto, home, life, business and more. They can customize a package of policies just for you.
Did You Know?
Unlike captive agents, independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. visit selectinsuranceteam.com for more details
Get the Insurance Policy Discounts You Deserve
One in five drivers aren’t taking advantage of all the car insurance discounts available to them, according to a survey by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.
To make sure you’re getting the savings you deserve, ask your independent agent for a policy review. Some of the discounts you could be taking advantage of include:
•Multi-vehicle discounts. If you have another car, or a motorcycle, boat or RV that you tool around in on the weekends, you could save by insuring all of your vehicles with the same company.
•Pay up front. Some insurance companies will give you a break if you pay in full instead of monthly.
•Paperless savings. You could save big—and save a tree—if you choose paperless billing. In most states, Progressive offers discounts to customers who get electronic statements and sign their policy documents online.
•Loyal customer. Sticking with the same company can have benefits. Loyal Progressive customers can take advantage of discounts as well as perks like accident forgiveness.
•Student savings. If your teen is a good student, or away at school and not regularly driving your car, you could get a discount.
Talk to your independent agent for more information on discounts that might be available to you.
To make sure you’re getting the savings you deserve, ask your independent agent for a policy review. Some of the discounts you could be taking advantage of include:
•Multi-vehicle discounts. If you have another car, or a motorcycle, boat or RV that you tool around in on the weekends, you could save by insuring all of your vehicles with the same company.
•Pay up front. Some insurance companies will give you a break if you pay in full instead of monthly.
•Paperless savings. You could save big—and save a tree—if you choose paperless billing. In most states, Progressive offers discounts to customers who get electronic statements and sign their policy documents online.
•Loyal customer. Sticking with the same company can have benefits. Loyal Progressive customers can take advantage of discounts as well as perks like accident forgiveness.
•Student savings. If your teen is a good student, or away at school and not regularly driving your car, you could get a discount.
Talk to your independent agent for more information on discounts that might be available to you.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Secret Health Insurance tax deductions for your Small Business
For those who are self-employed or own a small business, there is a Federal tax deduction for your health insurance. There is also a refundable tax credit for those who are self-employed in Missouri. Contact your CPA for the details or call us at 1-855-GET-SELECT for more money-saving tips..
How Can I Find Affordable Health Insurance in Missouri?
So you need affordable health insurance in Missouri? Luckily for you, we have made a sophisticated tool to assist with your search. With it, you can compare different health insurance plans to find the best price and coverage for you. Simply CLICK HERE to receive your free comparison of affordable health insurance in Missouri or Call us for FREE at 1-855-GET-SELECT Ext 101. Yep, it’s that easy.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
An insurance broker can help you save cash!
We all like having to pay our monthly insurance fees, right? We simply can't wait until those payments start emptying our accounts like clockwork soon after payday, right? I am certain that you will agree that those are two of the silliest assertions you've heard in a long time!
Then why, if paying our premiums leaves such a terrible taste in our mouths, do we accept the very first policy we can get our hands on? Why don't we do a bit of homework until we discover the most cost effective insurance policies with the best cover? Won't paying our insurance policies month after month then be a bit less agonizing?
One of the best ways to discover insurance plans is by making use of an insurance broker.
Most "normal" people don't possess extensive knowledge of the insurance industry.
If the insurance company suggests that I take advantage of policy A, and that I must also select policy B, C, and D in addition to that (to receive the best coverage of course!) it's almost guaranteed that the average buyer will believe them and that I will most likely end up paying 5 times more than necessary.
An insurance broker in contrast, makes a living off insurance! Selling insurance policies is their "8 hours a day 5 days a week" job and that makes them experts in the field!
The good thing about having a broker is that they will not be charging you anything more - you might in fact end up saving cash! Yes, of course these brokers have to get paid for their products and services, but this is usually in a form of commission from the insurance companies. These commissions already form part of your month-to-month premium, regardless of whether you use a broker or not. Yes it's true! If client An opts for policy A from company A without using a broker, client A will be paying the same for this specific policy than client B would be when making use of a broker.
Another positive point about using the expert services of an insurance broker is that they do not work for a particular insurance provider (don't confuse an insurance broker with an insurance agent like a state farm, american family, farmers, shelter, or allstate). For this reason your broker will be able to provide you with numerous quotations and choices from various insurance agencies. They will also know which policies and companies to steer away from.
Having access to an insurance broker is almost like having your own insurance personal assistant. You can settle back and relax while they handle everything - from the first quote to the actual pay-out of a claim following an accident!
Then why, if paying our premiums leaves such a terrible taste in our mouths, do we accept the very first policy we can get our hands on? Why don't we do a bit of homework until we discover the most cost effective insurance policies with the best cover? Won't paying our insurance policies month after month then be a bit less agonizing?
One of the best ways to discover insurance plans is by making use of an insurance broker.
Most "normal" people don't possess extensive knowledge of the insurance industry.
If the insurance company suggests that I take advantage of policy A, and that I must also select policy B, C, and D in addition to that (to receive the best coverage of course!) it's almost guaranteed that the average buyer will believe them and that I will most likely end up paying 5 times more than necessary.
An insurance broker in contrast, makes a living off insurance! Selling insurance policies is their "8 hours a day 5 days a week" job and that makes them experts in the field!
The good thing about having a broker is that they will not be charging you anything more - you might in fact end up saving cash! Yes, of course these brokers have to get paid for their products and services, but this is usually in a form of commission from the insurance companies. These commissions already form part of your month-to-month premium, regardless of whether you use a broker or not. Yes it's true! If client An opts for policy A from company A without using a broker, client A will be paying the same for this specific policy than client B would be when making use of a broker.
Another positive point about using the expert services of an insurance broker is that they do not work for a particular insurance provider (don't confuse an insurance broker with an insurance agent like a state farm, american family, farmers, shelter, or allstate). For this reason your broker will be able to provide you with numerous quotations and choices from various insurance agencies. They will also know which policies and companies to steer away from.
Having access to an insurance broker is almost like having your own insurance personal assistant. You can settle back and relax while they handle everything - from the first quote to the actual pay-out of a claim following an accident!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
3 Health Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
Whether you're perusing your employer's open-season packet or weighing your options after getting a pink slip, you may be facing some critical decisions about health coverage. Avoid these three common pitfalls.
Focusing on premiums alone.
A higher-premium policy with low co-payments could be a better deal than a lower-premium policy. For example, if your doctor is out of network, how much will you pay for each visit? And how many of the medications you take are brand-name drugs? Many insurers are now charging coinsurance rather than fixed co-pays for generic, brand-name and specialty drugs. Your cost for a specialty drug could be as high as 38% of the cost of the medication. So if you take expensive medicines, you may end up paying hundreds of dollars more a year. Your best bet, if you can find it, may be a policy that still charges co-pays for out-of-network visits and prescription drugs.
Skimping on coverage limits.
One of the costliest mistakes you can make is to buy a policy with inadequate coverage. These policies may look attractive because they have low premiums and deductibles. But a maximum benefit of as little as $50,000 to $100,000 per accident or illness could leave you with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. Also beware of policies with long lists of exclusions and low dollar limits for each type of procedure.
A better way to lower your premiums is to buy a high-deductible policy with a coverage limit of at least $1 million ($3 million or $5 million would be even better). If you buy a policy with a deductible of at least $1,150 for single coverage or $2,300 for family coverage in 2009, you can also make tax-deductible contributions to a health savings account and use the money tax-free for medical expenses in any year.
Ignoring alternatives to COBRA.
If you lose your job, you may sign up for coverage under COBRA, the federal law that lets you keep health insurance under your former employer's plan for up to 18 months. The economic-stimulus plan provides a 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums for up to nine months for people who are laid off between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. But after the subsidy ends, you'll pay full freight. The average employer policy costs $4,700 a year for individuals and $12,600 for families, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
If you have health issues, COBRA may still be your best option. But if you're healthy, you may find a better deal on your own. Get price quotes at www.selectinsuranceteam.com or click here to check out Assurant's Affordable Health access Plans
For more important insurance information, follow us on Twitter (Selectbrokers)
Steve Ludwig
1-855-GET-SELECT (438-7353) Ext 1
Focusing on premiums alone.
A higher-premium policy with low co-payments could be a better deal than a lower-premium policy. For example, if your doctor is out of network, how much will you pay for each visit? And how many of the medications you take are brand-name drugs? Many insurers are now charging coinsurance rather than fixed co-pays for generic, brand-name and specialty drugs. Your cost for a specialty drug could be as high as 38% of the cost of the medication. So if you take expensive medicines, you may end up paying hundreds of dollars more a year. Your best bet, if you can find it, may be a policy that still charges co-pays for out-of-network visits and prescription drugs.
Skimping on coverage limits.
One of the costliest mistakes you can make is to buy a policy with inadequate coverage. These policies may look attractive because they have low premiums and deductibles. But a maximum benefit of as little as $50,000 to $100,000 per accident or illness could leave you with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. Also beware of policies with long lists of exclusions and low dollar limits for each type of procedure.
A better way to lower your premiums is to buy a high-deductible policy with a coverage limit of at least $1 million ($3 million or $5 million would be even better). If you buy a policy with a deductible of at least $1,150 for single coverage or $2,300 for family coverage in 2009, you can also make tax-deductible contributions to a health savings account and use the money tax-free for medical expenses in any year.
Ignoring alternatives to COBRA.
If you lose your job, you may sign up for coverage under COBRA, the federal law that lets you keep health insurance under your former employer's plan for up to 18 months. The economic-stimulus plan provides a 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums for up to nine months for people who are laid off between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. But after the subsidy ends, you'll pay full freight. The average employer policy costs $4,700 a year for individuals and $12,600 for families, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
If you have health issues, COBRA may still be your best option. But if you're healthy, you may find a better deal on your own. Get price quotes at www.selectinsuranceteam.com or click here to check out Assurant's Affordable Health access Plans
For more important insurance information, follow us on Twitter (Selectbrokers)
Steve Ludwig
1-855-GET-SELECT (438-7353) Ext 1
Thursday, July 7, 2011
OnStar® offers one year of free service to qualifying Safeco policyholders
Safeco,one of the companies that Select Insurance Group represents, pursues partnerships with best-in-class companies to offer you benefits that promote safe driving. OnStar, a company that aims at improving vehicle safety, is offering a free year of service to qualifying Safeco policyholders.
OnStar currently offers their advanced connection technology, including features such as in-vehicle security, hands-free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, crash response, and remote diagnostics systems, on more than 40 General Motors (GM) car models. Safeco policyholders who own an OnStar®-enabled car, and who don’t currently use the service, are eligible for this promotion.
*Please note: Safeco will not provide policyholder’s private information to OnStar
OnStar currently offers their advanced connection technology, including features such as in-vehicle security, hands-free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, crash response, and remote diagnostics systems, on more than 40 General Motors (GM) car models. Safeco policyholders who own an OnStar®-enabled car, and who don’t currently use the service, are eligible for this promotion.
*Please note: Safeco will not provide policyholder’s private information to OnStar
Laid off? COBRA Insurance comes with quite the bite!
What Is COBRA?
COBRA insurance may be an option for health care coverage if you have been laid off.
If your former employer has 20 or more employees, the company is required by a 1986 federal law to offer you the option to pay for an extension of your health insurance coverage for at least 18 months. This law is known as COBRA, which stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.At the time you are laid off, your employer must inform you in writing about your rights under COBRA. You then have 60 days from the date of the notice or the date your health insurance ended to enroll, or sign up for coverage under COBRA. If your company went out of business or went bankrupt, COBRA will not be available.
How Much Does COBRA Cost?
When you sign up for COBRA, you will continue to have similar health insurance and the same health plan benefits that you had while employed. However, you must pay the health insurance premium that you paid before you were laid off plus the amount your former employer was paying for you. The employer may also add a 2% administrative fee.
Depending on your individual circumstances, COBRA can be very expensive. If you are getting coverage for yourself, you may have to pay up to $400 per month; family coverage may be more than $1000 per month!!! These amounts will vary depending on the benefits provided by your employer's health plan.
What If I Can't Afford the Monthly COBRA Premium?
$1,000 every month is a lot of money and probably more than you expected to pay, especially if you also lost your income and are collecting unemployment insurance. For some workers, the COBRA payments can amount to more than 60% to 70% of their monthly unemployment check. Many laid-off workers who are eligible to continue their health insurance coverage through COBRA cannot afford to do so.
What Ir I can't afford the Monthly COBRA Premium?
If you cannot afford COBRA, Select Insurance Group offers Individual health insurance options that will provide the health coverage benefits at an affordable Price.
Select Insurance Group is located in multiple states and we specialize in working with families and individuals in-between-jobs. We offer a wide SELECTion of companies we work with to get you that desirable price you are looking for. Why spend hours shopping from company to company when you can hire us at no additional cost to shop all the competition and answer all your insurance questions.
Quotes are free. CLICK HERE to shop online or call us at 1-855-GET-SELECT
Steve Ludwig
Select Insurance Group
President/CEO
636-410-6219 Ext 1
www.selectinsuranceteam.com
COBRA insurance may be an option for health care coverage if you have been laid off.
If your former employer has 20 or more employees, the company is required by a 1986 federal law to offer you the option to pay for an extension of your health insurance coverage for at least 18 months. This law is known as COBRA, which stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.At the time you are laid off, your employer must inform you in writing about your rights under COBRA. You then have 60 days from the date of the notice or the date your health insurance ended to enroll, or sign up for coverage under COBRA. If your company went out of business or went bankrupt, COBRA will not be available.
How Much Does COBRA Cost?
When you sign up for COBRA, you will continue to have similar health insurance and the same health plan benefits that you had while employed. However, you must pay the health insurance premium that you paid before you were laid off plus the amount your former employer was paying for you. The employer may also add a 2% administrative fee.
Depending on your individual circumstances, COBRA can be very expensive. If you are getting coverage for yourself, you may have to pay up to $400 per month; family coverage may be more than $1000 per month!!! These amounts will vary depending on the benefits provided by your employer's health plan.
What If I Can't Afford the Monthly COBRA Premium?
$1,000 every month is a lot of money and probably more than you expected to pay, especially if you also lost your income and are collecting unemployment insurance. For some workers, the COBRA payments can amount to more than 60% to 70% of their monthly unemployment check. Many laid-off workers who are eligible to continue their health insurance coverage through COBRA cannot afford to do so.
What Ir I can't afford the Monthly COBRA Premium?
If you cannot afford COBRA, Select Insurance Group offers Individual health insurance options that will provide the health coverage benefits at an affordable Price.
Select Insurance Group is located in multiple states and we specialize in working with families and individuals in-between-jobs. We offer a wide SELECTion of companies we work with to get you that desirable price you are looking for. Why spend hours shopping from company to company when you can hire us at no additional cost to shop all the competition and answer all your insurance questions.
Quotes are free. CLICK HERE to shop online or call us at 1-855-GET-SELECT
Steve Ludwig
Select Insurance Group
President/CEO
636-410-6219 Ext 1
www.selectinsuranceteam.com
Online Health Insurance | Online health insurance quotes | Online Medical Insurance
Online health insurance for individuals, family and self employed health insurance shoppers is what we do. Simply begin a online health insurance search by clicking here, after clicking you will be requested to place some basic profile information, which is all secure and never sold and needed to gain you an accurate quote. The online health insurance quote page will take you through 3 steps that takes less then 3 minutes to complete. Different from other online health insurance quoting sites, ours will provide both online health insurance and offline individual health insurance quotes, many high quality plans are not available online but are still great plans and policies with cheap health insurance rates that should not be skipped over. Our health insurance brokers will send you 1 email with these quotes in them and a way for you to view more information about the individual health insurance plan they are recommending. Our online health insurance system costs the consumer nothing, and is completely free to use as often as you would like. Please make your request with confidence in knowing we are a brick and mortar health insurance brokerage with over a decade of expertise working on your behalf and with the one goal of making sure your online health insurance quotes from us are the cheapest health insurance quotes you find. If you think our online system is right for you, search online health insurance.
Cheap Health Insurance | Cheaper health insurance | Cheapest Health Insurance
The term cheap health insurance seems to have become the holy grail to many individual health insurance shoppers, both as a desired outcome and as something difficult to obtain. People can spend hours on the phone and online trying to find that elusive cheap health insurance quote. They will spend considerable time trying to both get online health insurance quotes and even more to understand information about possible plans and the carriers: attempting to figure out what is covered, what the benefits are and what the restrictions are or exclusions of the plan. Occasionally a individual or family will find that perfect policy but often they just end up tired and frustrated or end up buying a cheap health insurance policy that has the price they want but not the benefits that they need if a major medical insurance event were to happen. Although a cheap health insurance plan is hard to find, when considering benefits needed, it is still possible to find affordable health insurance. Contact our individual health insurance brokers at 1-855-GET-SELECT, they will help you find cheaper health insurance without your needing to search the four corners of the earth for that elusive cheapest health insurance that may not meet the real healthcare need you and your family or employees may have.
Purchasing individual health insurance with a registered licensed health insurance broker is your best bet at being able to buy quality cheaper health insurance and still get the major medical insurance benefits you would expect in your policy. Our health insurance brokers will not just provide you with the cheap insurance quote, but they will actually take the time to go over the individual health insurance information with you and help you understand what you can add and take away from you plan to get that rates down to a cheaper health insurance price. Click HERE to compare online health insurance rates
Purchasing individual health insurance with a registered licensed health insurance broker is your best bet at being able to buy quality cheaper health insurance and still get the major medical insurance benefits you would expect in your policy. Our health insurance brokers will not just provide you with the cheap insurance quote, but they will actually take the time to go over the individual health insurance information with you and help you understand what you can add and take away from you plan to get that rates down to a cheaper health insurance price. Click HERE to compare online health insurance rates
Family Health Insurance Quotes - Family health insurance
A Family health insurance quote is the same as an individual health insurance quote. When people think of looking for insurance not only for themselves but for their entire family, they may not think of individual health insurance. But not only is individual health insurance for the individual, it can be for the family health insurance needs as well. Most individual health insurance carriers (family health insurance) have a plans for families. These family plans have advantages over placing each member of the family on a separate individual policy, by placing everyone on one plan together a significant discount in price is provided.. In some cases the maximum out of pocket is lower, or the deductible only has to be met by two members of the family or just one. There is also the advantage of a single bill and one policy. Often an insurance broker is both knowledgeable experienced with individual health insurance companies and policies. Our insurance brokers deal with not only family health insurance quotes, but individuals and can help you and your family find effective and economical family health insurance. Click HERE for a FREE quote!
Affordable Health Insurance | Affordable Health Insurance Quotes | Affordable Medical Insurance
We understand that the rising cost of individual health insurance is costing consumers a large amount of their family budget. Due to this our professional health insurance brokers go the extra mile and search through a wide array of affordable health insurance quotes in order to bring you the very best options in your area. We pride ourselves on lowering your individual health insurance bill and increasing your coverage most of the cases we handle. In the end we goal is to gain you an affordable health insurance quote that provides the needed coverages to make sure your family is secure if anything should ever happen. We do not sell discount or limited plans that can cost people huge when filing a medical claim.
We set ourselves apart from other online health insurance portals by also looking for offline affordable health insurance quotes for you as well, and by providing preferred individual health insurance rates. Our clients claim they find better more affordable health insurance quotes this way then any other. We also will help explain the differences in medical plans for you and consult you to determine what benefits are important to you and which ones are not. By doing this we can identify parts of a medical policy that are not important and eliminate that portion of coverage and bring your rates down even more, the end results is the affordable health insurance we keep talking about. Our online health insurance brokers are ready to go to work for you and at no cost to you, simply click here to get started
We set ourselves apart from other online health insurance portals by also looking for offline affordable health insurance quotes for you as well, and by providing preferred individual health insurance rates. Our clients claim they find better more affordable health insurance quotes this way then any other. We also will help explain the differences in medical plans for you and consult you to determine what benefits are important to you and which ones are not. By doing this we can identify parts of a medical policy that are not important and eliminate that portion of coverage and bring your rates down even more, the end results is the affordable health insurance we keep talking about. Our online health insurance brokers are ready to go to work for you and at no cost to you, simply click here to get started
Affordable Self Employed Health Insurance | Self employed health insurance quotes
Self Employed health insurance shoppers are small business owners whom are often in need of individual health insurance specially designed to cover you 24 hours so that you are covered while working as a self employed person of independent contractor. When you are self employed you can't rely on your company to supply your health insurance care needs, you are the company. As such you need to find affordable self employed health insurance. This is by no means difficult if you know what to look for and watch out for, there are many companies who supply self employed health insurance plans for the individual small business owner. The trick is to find a reputable company who can supply a policy which fits your needs but is still affordable. When you submit your quote request with our system it is immediately reviewed by a live licensed health insurance broker who specializes in assisting the self employed in finding coverage. Our health insurance brokers have assisted in thousands of policies and have specialized in helping the self employed community find quality cheap health insurance for over a decade. Once you submit you quote to us, we will review all the plans available in your area and only send you the plans that best meet your needs as a small business owner and have the most competative rates in your area. This is all done within a few minutes of when you submit your request for a online health insurance quote. To begin simply click here.
Self Employed Health Insurance TIP: Many people think by going direct to a carrier they can get cheaper health insurance, but in reality health insurance brokers can help you access preferred health insurance rates as well as plans from many companies at once and as a independent party they are always wanting to gain you access to the cheapest health insurance quotes available.
Self Employed Health Insurance TIP: Many people think by going direct to a carrier they can get cheaper health insurance, but in reality health insurance brokers can help you access preferred health insurance rates as well as plans from many companies at once and as a independent party they are always wanting to gain you access to the cheapest health insurance quotes available.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
How does having a pool affect my home insurance rates?
Having a pool can affect your home insurance rates in a significant way. Your homeowners insurance is all about providing coverage against financial loss from listed perils including liability, as well as things such as fire, theft, storm damage and more.
The premium you pay the insurer is based on how much of a risk you and your home present. Those with a swimming pool have a greatly increased risk of a potentially costly liability claim. Therefore you should expect to pay higher home insurance rates than those with no pool.
Read on to learn all of the details about homeowners insurance and swimming pools and then to find the very best home insurance rates just enter your zip above to start finding the best insurance!
What’s The Big Deal About Pools?
Having a swimming pool means that you have added yet one more way a person can get hurt or injured to your home. According to the Center for Disease Control, 3200 people drown yearly. Over 300 children under the age of 5 die from drowning in home spas and pools yearly. Over 50% of childhood drownings take place in a pool at the child’s home. 33% take place in a pool owned by a relative, friend or neighbor. Even those rescued from pools often die later in hospital. Amongst those who survive, 1 in 5 suffers serious, permanent brain damage. Medical costs from near-drownings can be very high, because often they are lifelong.
Apart from the obvious drowning risk, having a pool is considered to be an attractive nuisance. What that means is that even if you are not in your pool or watching your pool, others who know that you have a pool may come and use it for their own pleasure. It could result in a serious accident occurring at your pool by people you have not authorized to use it. Despite the fact that they are unwanted guests, you can still be held liable for their injuries on your property, especially in light of having an attractive nuisance.
What You Can Do To Reduce The Effect Of A Pool On Your Insurance
Having a pool means that your homeowner’s insurance will cost more because of the increased risk of personal injury. In addition, most insurers will suggest that you carry higher than typical liability coverage. The claims involved with pool injuries and death tend to be very costly, necessitating the extra coverage.
If you have a swimming pool, you should know that there are things you can do to minimize the impact of it on your homeowners insurance premium. You should make sure it is not visible from the front of your home. Install safety features such as a fence or locked gate around it. Things like slides and diving boards increase your liability risk and should be avoided also. You should also implement rules concerning the safe use of your pool to minimize the risk of injury.
Covering the Pool Itself
The physical swimming pool is covered under your homeowners insurance as an “other structure.” Therefore typically it will be covered up to 10% of the value of your home coverage for losses that incur through one of the covered perils. Therefore if your home is covered for $200,000, your pool will have $20,000 coverage. However, if you live in a cold climate, make sure you properly winterize your pool, because damage from freezing and thawing is not covered by your homeowners insurance.
To best protect yourself, all pool owners should carry higher levels of personal liability on their homeowners insurance than the $100,000 liability limit that is standard for many policies. If you have significant assets you are at even greater risk for liability and should raise your coverage accordingly in order to provide good financial protection. You may also want to consider taking out an umbrella liability policy in addition to your homeowners policy for added protection.
When you are in the market for a good homeowners insurance policy to protect your home, its contents, your pool and yourself from potential losses from liability, be sure to shop around. Different insurance companies have differing policies concerning pools. Some will require you to put certain safety features in place. Others will require raised liability limits. You may also find a big difference in premiums because of your pool. Therefore it pays to shop around for the best coverage and the best price.
Compare Pool Insurance Quotes
To quickly and easily get the quotes you need, click here. All you have to do is enter your zip code and answer questions about your home and your insurance needs, and your information will be submitted to a variety of insurers offering coverage in your area. In no time, you will have all the quotes you need to compare and choose from. Get started now with our online quote finder for quick, easy home insurance shopping.
The premium you pay the insurer is based on how much of a risk you and your home present. Those with a swimming pool have a greatly increased risk of a potentially costly liability claim. Therefore you should expect to pay higher home insurance rates than those with no pool.
Read on to learn all of the details about homeowners insurance and swimming pools and then to find the very best home insurance rates just enter your zip above to start finding the best insurance!
What’s The Big Deal About Pools?
Having a swimming pool means that you have added yet one more way a person can get hurt or injured to your home. According to the Center for Disease Control, 3200 people drown yearly. Over 300 children under the age of 5 die from drowning in home spas and pools yearly. Over 50% of childhood drownings take place in a pool at the child’s home. 33% take place in a pool owned by a relative, friend or neighbor. Even those rescued from pools often die later in hospital. Amongst those who survive, 1 in 5 suffers serious, permanent brain damage. Medical costs from near-drownings can be very high, because often they are lifelong.
Apart from the obvious drowning risk, having a pool is considered to be an attractive nuisance. What that means is that even if you are not in your pool or watching your pool, others who know that you have a pool may come and use it for their own pleasure. It could result in a serious accident occurring at your pool by people you have not authorized to use it. Despite the fact that they are unwanted guests, you can still be held liable for their injuries on your property, especially in light of having an attractive nuisance.
What You Can Do To Reduce The Effect Of A Pool On Your Insurance
Having a pool means that your homeowner’s insurance will cost more because of the increased risk of personal injury. In addition, most insurers will suggest that you carry higher than typical liability coverage. The claims involved with pool injuries and death tend to be very costly, necessitating the extra coverage.
If you have a swimming pool, you should know that there are things you can do to minimize the impact of it on your homeowners insurance premium. You should make sure it is not visible from the front of your home. Install safety features such as a fence or locked gate around it. Things like slides and diving boards increase your liability risk and should be avoided also. You should also implement rules concerning the safe use of your pool to minimize the risk of injury.
Covering the Pool Itself
The physical swimming pool is covered under your homeowners insurance as an “other structure.” Therefore typically it will be covered up to 10% of the value of your home coverage for losses that incur through one of the covered perils. Therefore if your home is covered for $200,000, your pool will have $20,000 coverage. However, if you live in a cold climate, make sure you properly winterize your pool, because damage from freezing and thawing is not covered by your homeowners insurance.
To best protect yourself, all pool owners should carry higher levels of personal liability on their homeowners insurance than the $100,000 liability limit that is standard for many policies. If you have significant assets you are at even greater risk for liability and should raise your coverage accordingly in order to provide good financial protection. You may also want to consider taking out an umbrella liability policy in addition to your homeowners policy for added protection.
When you are in the market for a good homeowners insurance policy to protect your home, its contents, your pool and yourself from potential losses from liability, be sure to shop around. Different insurance companies have differing policies concerning pools. Some will require you to put certain safety features in place. Others will require raised liability limits. You may also find a big difference in premiums because of your pool. Therefore it pays to shop around for the best coverage and the best price.
Compare Pool Insurance Quotes
To quickly and easily get the quotes you need, click here. All you have to do is enter your zip code and answer questions about your home and your insurance needs, and your information will be submitted to a variety of insurers offering coverage in your area. In no time, you will have all the quotes you need to compare and choose from. Get started now with our online quote finder for quick, easy home insurance shopping.
Floods - Don't Rely on Disaster Assistance!
Floods? That's what disaster assistance is for, right?
Wrong - Disaster assistance is only available when the President declares a disaster. Federal disaster assistance is USUALLY A LOAN that you must PAY BACK WITH INTEREST. For a $50,000 loan at 4% interest, your monthly payment would be around $240 a month ($2,880 per year) for 30 years, in addition to your mortgage loan that you still owe on the damaged property. Plus you would need to buy and maintain flood insurance for the life of the loan.
Flood Insurance is affordable! The average premium for flood insurance coverage is less than $570 a year (even less outside of high risk zones). Plus, when you submit a flood insurance claim, you are compensated for all covered losses whether or not a disaster has been declared - and you do not have to pay it back.
There is a standard 30-day waiting period for new policies unless purchased during a home closing. There are also restrictions for selling or changing policies while a named storm is in the Gulf of Mexico.
For more information, call your Select Insurance Group Agent at: 855-GET-SELECT or visit www.selectinsuranceteam.com
Wrong - Disaster assistance is only available when the President declares a disaster. Federal disaster assistance is USUALLY A LOAN that you must PAY BACK WITH INTEREST. For a $50,000 loan at 4% interest, your monthly payment would be around $240 a month ($2,880 per year) for 30 years, in addition to your mortgage loan that you still owe on the damaged property. Plus you would need to buy and maintain flood insurance for the life of the loan.
Flood Insurance is affordable! The average premium for flood insurance coverage is less than $570 a year (even less outside of high risk zones). Plus, when you submit a flood insurance claim, you are compensated for all covered losses whether or not a disaster has been declared - and you do not have to pay it back.
There is a standard 30-day waiting period for new policies unless purchased during a home closing. There are also restrictions for selling or changing policies while a named storm is in the Gulf of Mexico.
For more information, call your Select Insurance Group Agent at: 855-GET-SELECT or visit www.selectinsuranceteam.com
Are You Properly Insured with Your Home Based Business?
People who work out of their homes face the unique risk of losing both their home AND their source of income. Despite this fact, many home-based business owners do not purchase separate insurance for their businesses. Home owner’s policies vary, but many will provide a minimal amount of coverage for home-based business property. Liability on a homeowner’s policy may provide coverage for employment such as a baby sitter, but NOT for employees of your home-based business.
There are options for gaining affordable insurance for your home-based business. Some home owner’s policies offer a home-based-business endorsement for very small businesses (a few thousand a year in income). For larger businesses, especially if you have employees, a stand-alone Home Business Policy is more appropriate.
If you gross over $250,000, or employ more than three workers, you may have problems. Also, you can’t usually bundle coverage with a home owner’s policy if you have a co-owner who isn’t a relative, or who doesn’t live in the home. In such cases, consider a more comprehensive business owners policy, known as a “BOP.”
There are options for gaining affordable insurance for your home-based business. Some home owner’s policies offer a home-based-business endorsement for very small businesses (a few thousand a year in income). For larger businesses, especially if you have employees, a stand-alone Home Business Policy is more appropriate.
If you gross over $250,000, or employ more than three workers, you may have problems. Also, you can’t usually bundle coverage with a home owner’s policy if you have a co-owner who isn’t a relative, or who doesn’t live in the home. In such cases, consider a more comprehensive business owners policy, known as a “BOP.”
Why Is It So Difficult to Insure a Vacant Home?
Why Is It So Difficult to Insure a Vacant Home?
Vacant homes can be attractive to burglars and vagrants, who can access empty property more easily than occupied homes and cause damage.
And if you're not living in the property full-time, it's probably not getting the same proper care or attention as an owner-occupied property. The vacant property could sustain lots of damage if, for example, a pipe bursts or a branch falls on the roof. It's the responsibility of the homeowner to address problems right away and prevent further damage.
Insurance is about leverage. You pay a small consideration (the premium) for a large sum of money in return (the benefit). Check with me on how vacant properties are treated to make sure you're covered for both physical damage and liability. There is a big difference and experience really counts in this category.
call me for your free vacant home insurance consultation at 1-855-GET-SELECT (438-7353)
Vacant homes can be attractive to burglars and vagrants, who can access empty property more easily than occupied homes and cause damage.
And if you're not living in the property full-time, it's probably not getting the same proper care or attention as an owner-occupied property. The vacant property could sustain lots of damage if, for example, a pipe bursts or a branch falls on the roof. It's the responsibility of the homeowner to address problems right away and prevent further damage.
Insurance is about leverage. You pay a small consideration (the premium) for a large sum of money in return (the benefit). Check with me on how vacant properties are treated to make sure you're covered for both physical damage and liability. There is a big difference and experience really counts in this category.
call me for your free vacant home insurance consultation at 1-855-GET-SELECT (438-7353)
summer toys: Insuring your pool, trampoline, or boat
Winters are long and cold where I live in the St. Charles, MO. When summer finally arrives, all you want to do is take advantage of the warmer weather-whether it's riding a jet ski at the lake or taking a dip in the pool at home.
These "toys" are what summer's all about, but there's always that chance of someone getting hurt using them-which puts a real damper on the fun. Because of that risk, it's smart to have insurance coverage to protect you.
If your summertime fun involves a recreational vehicle (RV), an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a personal watercraft (PWC) like a jet ski or a wave runner, a boat, a golf cart, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a trampoline, a pool, or even a swing set, you should consider the possibility of an accident and how to protect yourself before it happens.
What Kind of Insurance Coverage Do You Need for Your Summer Toys?
Review the types of insurance available to you for your particular toy. You will need to consider physical damage coverage for your property as well as liability insurance. Most insurance policies also include coverage for property damage to others and coverage that will reimburse you or a guest for hospital or doctor bills.
Property Damage: If you're thinking about getting property damage coverage, estimate the value of your property and how much you would lose. If you have an RV or a boat, you're probably looking at a pretty sizable loss without insurance. We usually recommend choosing the highest liability limit the underlying policy has to offer and then adding an umbrella policy to your portfolio.
Liability Insurance: If you or a guest is injured while using one of your summer toys, medical bills can add up quickly. A guest could even sue you if he or she is injured on your property. If you're worried about legal action or high medical bills not covered by your homeowner's policy, you should talk to your insurance provider about adding extra liability coverage to your homeowner's insurance plan, or take a look at an umbrella policy.
Umbrella Coverage: If you have an umbrella liability policy, don't forget to include your summer toys on this extended liability coverage. Confirm that your umbrella carrier will allow any of these toys to be included. Some carriers may not allow personal watercraft to be included.
Trampolines
Kids love trampolines, but they carry significant risks. Check with your carrier to make sure your homeowner's insurance policy covers a trampoline. Some carriers prefer not to absorb that exposure, and some may cancel or decline to renew your policy if they find out you have one on your property.
Pools
Physical damage to an underground pool is probably not covered on your homeowner's policy if "earth movement" is specifically excluded. An aboveground pool may be protected by "other structures" coverage in the policy. Medical expenses and liability coverage on the homeowner's policy will provide some coverage if a guest is injured.
Boats
Your homeowner's policy can include a boat up to a certain length. Check with your carrier on its size limitation. However, I usually recommend insuring your boat on a separate policy altogether. That way, if there's a claim, it doesn't count against your homeowner's policy.
Just like sunscreen protects your skin from sunburn, insurance will help protect your finances in the event of a lawsuit. Claims are considered a blemish on your record. The more claims you have, the higher a risk you are considered to be. You'll have to pay higher premiums, and you may even have trouble getting coverage.
And just as important as being properly insured is exercising all safety precautions when operating your summer toys, to keep them fun and safe.
Discuss with your agent what kind of summer toys you have and how you will be using them to determine how much insurance you need to protect your assets, your lifestyle, your health, and your well-being.
Steve Ludwig is a licensed insurance agent at Select Insurance Group with a broad spectrum of expertise in accident, health, property and casualty insurance as well as specializing in working with the individual.
Follow steve on Twitter.
These "toys" are what summer's all about, but there's always that chance of someone getting hurt using them-which puts a real damper on the fun. Because of that risk, it's smart to have insurance coverage to protect you.
If your summertime fun involves a recreational vehicle (RV), an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a personal watercraft (PWC) like a jet ski or a wave runner, a boat, a golf cart, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a trampoline, a pool, or even a swing set, you should consider the possibility of an accident and how to protect yourself before it happens.
What Kind of Insurance Coverage Do You Need for Your Summer Toys?
Review the types of insurance available to you for your particular toy. You will need to consider physical damage coverage for your property as well as liability insurance. Most insurance policies also include coverage for property damage to others and coverage that will reimburse you or a guest for hospital or doctor bills.
Property Damage: If you're thinking about getting property damage coverage, estimate the value of your property and how much you would lose. If you have an RV or a boat, you're probably looking at a pretty sizable loss without insurance. We usually recommend choosing the highest liability limit the underlying policy has to offer and then adding an umbrella policy to your portfolio.
Liability Insurance: If you or a guest is injured while using one of your summer toys, medical bills can add up quickly. A guest could even sue you if he or she is injured on your property. If you're worried about legal action or high medical bills not covered by your homeowner's policy, you should talk to your insurance provider about adding extra liability coverage to your homeowner's insurance plan, or take a look at an umbrella policy.
Umbrella Coverage: If you have an umbrella liability policy, don't forget to include your summer toys on this extended liability coverage. Confirm that your umbrella carrier will allow any of these toys to be included. Some carriers may not allow personal watercraft to be included.
Trampolines
Kids love trampolines, but they carry significant risks. Check with your carrier to make sure your homeowner's insurance policy covers a trampoline. Some carriers prefer not to absorb that exposure, and some may cancel or decline to renew your policy if they find out you have one on your property.
Pools
Physical damage to an underground pool is probably not covered on your homeowner's policy if "earth movement" is specifically excluded. An aboveground pool may be protected by "other structures" coverage in the policy. Medical expenses and liability coverage on the homeowner's policy will provide some coverage if a guest is injured.
Boats
Your homeowner's policy can include a boat up to a certain length. Check with your carrier on its size limitation. However, I usually recommend insuring your boat on a separate policy altogether. That way, if there's a claim, it doesn't count against your homeowner's policy.
Just like sunscreen protects your skin from sunburn, insurance will help protect your finances in the event of a lawsuit. Claims are considered a blemish on your record. The more claims you have, the higher a risk you are considered to be. You'll have to pay higher premiums, and you may even have trouble getting coverage.
And just as important as being properly insured is exercising all safety precautions when operating your summer toys, to keep them fun and safe.
Discuss with your agent what kind of summer toys you have and how you will be using them to determine how much insurance you need to protect your assets, your lifestyle, your health, and your well-being.
Steve Ludwig is a licensed insurance agent at Select Insurance Group with a broad spectrum of expertise in accident, health, property and casualty insurance as well as specializing in working with the individual.
Follow steve on Twitter.
affordable health insurance top 10 ways to save
Top 10 Ways to Save on Health Insurance
There is a great assortment of health insurance plans available in this country. Cost, however, should not be the only reason to commit to any particular plan. By looking for plans that match the necessities of your family, you will be able to adequately protect your loved ones while saving big on money. Below, you will find ten great suggestions for cutting costs on your health insurance plan.
1. Health insurance premiums are all very different, so it is important to make comparisons between many health insurance quotes. Look over the benefits of several different plans and their monthly premiums. It is important that the plan offer sufficient catastrophic coverage and a lifetime maximum benefit of at least two million dollars.
2. We suggest raising your deductible. A high deductible almost guarantees a low monthly premium; however, you will be held accountable for paying your medical bills on your own dollar until the deductible is reached. Plans are available that can remove the deductible for expenses such as office visits, preventative care, prescriptions, and accidental injuries.
3. Consider the cost of co-insurance. This is the fee that your insurance provider pays after meeting your deductible. Companies tend to pay 80% of medical bills after the deductible of usually five to ten thousan dollars, and the insurance company usually covers bills over the annual maximum in full. Some companies will offer 50% co-insurance plans, which can lower monthly premiums; however, for someone who makes regular doctor visits, these plans can cost more money over time.
4. Ensure that the insurance policy meets your medical service provider needs. Insurance plans usually have a list of providers, which offer services for your insurance plan at a reduced cost. By going outside the list of preferred providers, you risk the insurance company only paying a portion of your medical fees.
5. Get a separate policy for each family member. Particularly for children under 18 and older family members, individualized plans can mean saving extra dollars on a health insurance policy.
6. Take the health insurance offered by your workplace. Employers typically pay a portion of or the entirety of an employee's premium; however, they tend to not offer the same services for dependents. If your dependents do not make frequent doctor visits, it may be helpful to consider separate plans based on their needs.
7. Consider COBRA Alternatives. Former employees can participate in COBRA plans, as they offer an extension of an employer-sponsored plan. Individual plans can often help healthy COBRA participants save money. However, those who need repeated medical attention should not consider alternatives, as they can be denied coverage as a result of medical health history.
8. Reduce the risk of being denied coverage. The majority of states offer health insurance plans for people unable to get health insurance from regular providers because of serious medical conditions that require consistent care. High-risk plans are often expensive, which is why it is important to qualify for the plans offered under traditional insurance carriers. Make sure your insurance company knows when a condition has been remedied and no longer needs additional care or medicine.
9. Get a high deductible plan that works with a health savings account. Through a Health Savings Account you can place money into a separate account that will earn interest and be immune to taxes. This account can be used to pay regular medical fees. These accounts work with high deductible plans, which means you will not pay as many premiums. The savings earned by these accounts reduce the potential of not being able to pay for unanticipated medical bills.
10. Learn about government assisted health programs. These plans are typically available to those living below the poverty level; however, there are states that provide assistance programs for those living above the poverty level too. Government assistance comes through subsidies that partially pay premiums for regular health insurance providers.
There is a great assortment of health insurance plans available in this country. Cost, however, should not be the only reason to commit to any particular plan. By looking for plans that match the necessities of your family, you will be able to adequately protect your loved ones while saving big on money. Below, you will find ten great suggestions for cutting costs on your health insurance plan.
1. Health insurance premiums are all very different, so it is important to make comparisons between many health insurance quotes. Look over the benefits of several different plans and their monthly premiums. It is important that the plan offer sufficient catastrophic coverage and a lifetime maximum benefit of at least two million dollars.
2. We suggest raising your deductible. A high deductible almost guarantees a low monthly premium; however, you will be held accountable for paying your medical bills on your own dollar until the deductible is reached. Plans are available that can remove the deductible for expenses such as office visits, preventative care, prescriptions, and accidental injuries.
3. Consider the cost of co-insurance. This is the fee that your insurance provider pays after meeting your deductible. Companies tend to pay 80% of medical bills after the deductible of usually five to ten thousan dollars, and the insurance company usually covers bills over the annual maximum in full. Some companies will offer 50% co-insurance plans, which can lower monthly premiums; however, for someone who makes regular doctor visits, these plans can cost more money over time.
4. Ensure that the insurance policy meets your medical service provider needs. Insurance plans usually have a list of providers, which offer services for your insurance plan at a reduced cost. By going outside the list of preferred providers, you risk the insurance company only paying a portion of your medical fees.
5. Get a separate policy for each family member. Particularly for children under 18 and older family members, individualized plans can mean saving extra dollars on a health insurance policy.
6. Take the health insurance offered by your workplace. Employers typically pay a portion of or the entirety of an employee's premium; however, they tend to not offer the same services for dependents. If your dependents do not make frequent doctor visits, it may be helpful to consider separate plans based on their needs.
7. Consider COBRA Alternatives. Former employees can participate in COBRA plans, as they offer an extension of an employer-sponsored plan. Individual plans can often help healthy COBRA participants save money. However, those who need repeated medical attention should not consider alternatives, as they can be denied coverage as a result of medical health history.
8. Reduce the risk of being denied coverage. The majority of states offer health insurance plans for people unable to get health insurance from regular providers because of serious medical conditions that require consistent care. High-risk plans are often expensive, which is why it is important to qualify for the plans offered under traditional insurance carriers. Make sure your insurance company knows when a condition has been remedied and no longer needs additional care or medicine.
9. Get a high deductible plan that works with a health savings account. Through a Health Savings Account you can place money into a separate account that will earn interest and be immune to taxes. This account can be used to pay regular medical fees. These accounts work with high deductible plans, which means you will not pay as many premiums. The savings earned by these accounts reduce the potential of not being able to pay for unanticipated medical bills.
10. Learn about government assisted health programs. These plans are typically available to those living below the poverty level; however, there are states that provide assistance programs for those living above the poverty level too. Government assistance comes through subsidies that partially pay premiums for regular health insurance providers.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Insurance Brokers vs Agents
What is the difference between using Insurance Brokers vs Agents?
Let's face it, shopping for insurance is generally a dreaded and time consuming task. Not exactly fun and although it only takes about 15 minutes to get a preliminary rate - that's only the rate from ONE company. How many agents do you want to call and how many blocks of 15-30 minutes do you want to take out of your life?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to call one agent and have them shop your auto, home, life, heath or other insurance policy around FOR you without it costing you a dime of money or time away from your family?
That's the difference between a Captive Insurance AGENT and a Multi-Carrier Insurance BROKER. A captive agent can only write for ONE carrier such as Allstate, Geico, State Farm, Nationwide or Liberty Mutual to name a few which means you have to call each and every one of those carriers if you want a rate from each and every one!
Now an Insurance Broker on the other hand writes for MULTIPLE Carriers saving you a whole bunch of time and that's not even mentioning money! When you work with an insurance broker, you give them your information ONE time, they in turn, enter it into their system just like a captive, one carrier agent does, but the difference is the broker will then receive rates from a multitude of carriers!
Do you want to hear the best part?
Brokers are paid the same way as captive agents... but instead of an agent who needs to make a "sale" with the one auto policy or one home policy or one life policy they have to offer, a brokers job is find you the BEST available policy for you to "buy" that's right for YOUR given situation on a budget that YOU can afford! The captive agent has to sell you on why THEIR limited product line is so great and why you 'need' to use THEM, where the insurance broker has a much easier job to find YOU a carrier that can offer YOU the quality coverage that YOU actually need with a premium that fits into YOUR budget.
You see a captive agent is about trying to fit you into THEIR product.
An insurance broker is about fitting the best product around YOU.
Which do you prefer... to be "sold" a policy because the agent only has the one to offer OR... "buy" the policy that is right for your needs? Now don't get me wrong here... I'm NOT saying the products that single carrier agents represent won't be anything less than perfect for your needs! What I am saying is what happens when that carrier's price goes up? What happens when you need a coverage that they do not offer like guaranteed replacement cost on your homeowners insurance? What about wanting to use the same agent for more than just your auto and home needs like life insurance? If you are working with a single company captive agent, you are stuck to only use that companies products which may or may not be the best fit for you. And in all honesty, how many people do you know who will tell you that you can get better down the street? When working with a broker, you are less restricted because they are able to offer many more carriers, many more products, many more types of insurance and of course, many more price points so an insurance brokers job is to seek out and find the best product for YOUR need, not try to "fit you into what a captive agent happens to have available".
Want to hear another great benefit of working with a broker?
When it comes time to shop your policies around in the future to be sure you are receiving the best value... all you have to do is call your broker and tell them to do so. If you're with a captive agent, there isn't anything to shop around because they only have one product to offer.
Captive agents are in a "you can take it or leave it" situation.
Insurance brokers are in a "let's see which product fits YOUR situation the best".
call us to get the most SELECTion for your insurance dollar.
1-855-GET-SELECT Ext 101
Let's face it, shopping for insurance is generally a dreaded and time consuming task. Not exactly fun and although it only takes about 15 minutes to get a preliminary rate - that's only the rate from ONE company. How many agents do you want to call and how many blocks of 15-30 minutes do you want to take out of your life?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to call one agent and have them shop your auto, home, life, heath or other insurance policy around FOR you without it costing you a dime of money or time away from your family?
That's the difference between a Captive Insurance AGENT and a Multi-Carrier Insurance BROKER. A captive agent can only write for ONE carrier such as Allstate, Geico, State Farm, Nationwide or Liberty Mutual to name a few which means you have to call each and every one of those carriers if you want a rate from each and every one!
Now an Insurance Broker on the other hand writes for MULTIPLE Carriers saving you a whole bunch of time and that's not even mentioning money! When you work with an insurance broker, you give them your information ONE time, they in turn, enter it into their system just like a captive, one carrier agent does, but the difference is the broker will then receive rates from a multitude of carriers!
Do you want to hear the best part?
Brokers are paid the same way as captive agents... but instead of an agent who needs to make a "sale" with the one auto policy or one home policy or one life policy they have to offer, a brokers job is find you the BEST available policy for you to "buy" that's right for YOUR given situation on a budget that YOU can afford! The captive agent has to sell you on why THEIR limited product line is so great and why you 'need' to use THEM, where the insurance broker has a much easier job to find YOU a carrier that can offer YOU the quality coverage that YOU actually need with a premium that fits into YOUR budget.
You see a captive agent is about trying to fit you into THEIR product.
An insurance broker is about fitting the best product around YOU.
Which do you prefer... to be "sold" a policy because the agent only has the one to offer OR... "buy" the policy that is right for your needs? Now don't get me wrong here... I'm NOT saying the products that single carrier agents represent won't be anything less than perfect for your needs! What I am saying is what happens when that carrier's price goes up? What happens when you need a coverage that they do not offer like guaranteed replacement cost on your homeowners insurance? What about wanting to use the same agent for more than just your auto and home needs like life insurance? If you are working with a single company captive agent, you are stuck to only use that companies products which may or may not be the best fit for you. And in all honesty, how many people do you know who will tell you that you can get better down the street? When working with a broker, you are less restricted because they are able to offer many more carriers, many more products, many more types of insurance and of course, many more price points so an insurance brokers job is to seek out and find the best product for YOUR need, not try to "fit you into what a captive agent happens to have available".
Want to hear another great benefit of working with a broker?
When it comes time to shop your policies around in the future to be sure you are receiving the best value... all you have to do is call your broker and tell them to do so. If you're with a captive agent, there isn't anything to shop around because they only have one product to offer.
Captive agents are in a "you can take it or leave it" situation.
Insurance brokers are in a "let's see which product fits YOUR situation the best".
call us to get the most SELECTion for your insurance dollar.
1-855-GET-SELECT Ext 101
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