Archive for November, 2006

How to Find Kids Affordable Health Insurance

Unless we are eligible for an excellent employer-sponsored group health insurance package, health insurance can sometimes be anything but affordable. When this is the case, many of us opt not to purchase health insurance for ourselves. We rationalize not purchasing health insurance by telling ourselves there are mouths to feed, bodies to clothe, and other bills to be paid.

Denying ourselves health insurance is not wise; however, denying our kids health insurance is even worse. Kids’ health needs even more attention than our health. For example, kids need immunizations to help them ward off infections and diseases and grow healthy and strong. Kids need special attention to help them learn to practice good dental care habits and nutritional ways of life. Plus, a bout of the flu, which usually means lots of rest and chicken soup for adults, could be much more serious for kids.

Do, how can we find affordable health insurance for our kids – especially if we can not seem to afford it for ourselves?

The best option is to contact our state’s department of insurance. Many states in America provide at least one kind of state-sponsored health care program for individuals who can’t otherwise find affordable health insurance. Even better news is that most states in America provide kid-specific state-sponsored health care programs for kids with parents who can’t otherwise find affordable health insurance for them.

Health care provided by state-sponsored affordable health insurance for kids includes all or any combination of the following: regular check-ups and hospital visits, immunizations, X-rays, lab work, prescription medications, and even dental care.

There may be days when obtaining affordable health insurance for yourself seems impossible, but finding kids affordable health insurance is always possible. Just pick up the phone and call your state’s department of insurance. Or, check their Web sites for more information. Find affordable health insurance for your kids; make sure they grow up safe, healthy, and happy.

For free quotes and a lot of information about insurance please visit the following
recommended sites.

ezquoteguide.com/health/ How to Find Kids Affordable Health Insurance
ezquoteguide.com/health-ohio.shtml Look Here to Find Affordable Insurance Plans in Ohio
myquoteguide.com/health-family.shtml Find Affordable California Health Insurance Online Here



Long Term Care Insurance and Average People Making Retirement Plans

Americans are living longer. However improved medical science cannot keep us from needing assistance with normal living activities and healthcare as we age. Assistance can range from a home health care worker who stops by for a few hours a day to needing our own bed in a 24 hour a day nursing home. Medicare is only intended to cover a few days of nursing care, and was never intended to be a long term solution. However, as we age, it becomes much more likely that we will need assistance for months, or even years.

Home health care costs can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars a month, depending upon the level of need. Of course, assisted living facilities and nursing homes will cost thousands of dollars a month. This cost is probably way over the amount that most people have to spend when they retire.

Of course we have a safety net, and that is Medicaid. But Medicaid usually means that an individual must deplete their own savings and assets before they qualify. This may also mean that they will leave a spouse with much less to live on than they had originally planned. And of course, a spend down of assets and savings, will probably eliminate the chance of leaving anything to heirs.

This is why more Americans are considering Long term care insurance, and some companies even offer it as a group benefit! Long term care insurance plans come with a variety of options for covering home health care, assisted living, and nursing homes. These plans may have waiting periods and deductible amounts, just like other types of insurance. Some plans even adjust their benefit for anticipated inflation!

The variety of long term care insurance plans that are available should help Americans find an affordable plan. Of course, these types of insurance plans do not accept very unhealthy people, and the premium rises as applicant’s age. So it may be a good idea to consider purchasing a plan at a younger age, when premiums are lower, and the applicant is still healthy!

Since the subject of long term care insurance is complex, and they are long term contracts, I would suggest shopping around. After you get an idea of the types of long term care insurance that appeal to you, and that seem to fit in your budget, then you may consult with an experienced insurance agent to get a balanced opinion.

Find



Auto Insurance Ratings - What Companies Are the Best?

You can get auto insurance ratings from a number of services. But do these ratings really tell you what you need to know? Here’s the inside scoop on how find the best rates with the best companies.

Auto Insurance Ratings

As a former insurance agent I’m often asked, “What’s the best insurance company?” My answer is usually, “Best in terms of what? Biggest? Best known? Most solvent? Best rates? Best service?”

There are three major services that provide auto insurance ratings - A.M. Best, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s. However, their ratings focus primarily on a company’s financial strength.

Nice to know if you’re an investor or an insurance agent trying to impress potential client. But what you really want to know is how good a company’s service is and how fast they pay their claims.

The best way to find out this information is not to check a company’s ratings, the best way is to ask the company’s customers.

But what if you don’t know anyone who’s dealt with a particular company?

There’s an easy way to get the inside scoop on insurance companies. It’s a little-known site where actual customers rate companies on such things as customer service, response to claims, and even website experience.

My favorite part is the review section where customers pass on their experiences with various companies. It is, to say the least, a real eye opener.

Be careful when you read the reviews because some of them look like they were done by insurance company employees (”These guys are the greatest!”), and some were done by their competitors (”These guys suck!”). As in the Olympics, toss out the highest and the lowest ratings, or at least take them with a grain of salt, and go with the majority.

Comparison Shop First

If your looking for the cheapest insurance rate with an A-rated company there are websites where you can get multiple quotes from top-rated companies. My advice is to check out one of these sites first to get the best quote, then check out the company.

Visit LowerRateQuotes.com LowerRateQuotes.com or click on the following link to get the lowerratequotes.com/ best auto insurance rates with A-rated companies. You can get more car insurance tips by checking out their “Articles” section.

The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written extensively on auto insurance ratings.



What Is a Viatical Settlement?

A viatical settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy by the policy owner, before the policy matures. Such a sale provides the policy owner an immediate cash settlement. Generally, viatical settlements involve insured individuals with a life expectancy of less than 5 years. Life settlements, also called senior settlements, are similar to viatical settlements, but involve the sale of as life insurance policy when the owner has a shortened life expectancy, but the life expectancy is over 5 years.

In countries without state-subsidized healthcare and high healthcare costs such as the United States, this is a practical way to pay extremely high health care costs that severely ill people face. Often this is the only means of obtaining the funds necessary to pay for health care when afflicted with a fatal illness.

The Life Insurance Settlement Industry exists because it provides a unique financial service to policyholders in need. Simply put, viatical settlements allow policyholders to use their life insurance policy as a liquid financial asset. It is an invaluable service for those in need of financial assistance.

The amount of funds provided in a viatical settlement reflects the discounted future value of your life insurance proceeds. There are four important factors in the computation of a present value amount. These factors include the stated amount of the life insurance policy, the expected amount of time until collecting the life insurance proceeds as reflected in the insured’s life expectancy estimate, the annual cost of maintaining premium payments, and a yearly rate of return (discount rate).

To further explain these four factors, let’s assume you currently have a life insurance policy of $500,000, and that you have a type of inoperable cancer. Your life expectancy with this type of cancer is 3 years. A firm or investor will purchase your life insurance policy from you. The actual sale of your life insurance policy is a viatical settlement. However, you will not be able to sell your policy for the entire $500,000, as there are costs associated with the purchase that the investor will factor in.

The first factor is the policy amount. In our example, it is $500,000. That is the starting point for computation. The second factor is life expectancy. In this example, it is 3 years. The investor who purchases your life insurance policy will have to wait 3 years for the return of his money. Now, this 3 year period is simply a medical estimate. It may be less, it may be more. This is a risk that the investor assumes.

The third factor is the cost of the monthly or annual premium payments to keep the policy in force. The $500,000 policy is instantly worthless if allowed to expire. Whatever the monthly premium payment is will be factored into the present value.

Lastly is a rate of return for the investor. Obviously, the investor could earn interest on his money by simply putting his money in a savings account or certificate of deposit. To assume the risk, the investor will want a rate of return higher than other alternatives that carry less risk.

Once all of these factors are computed, the investor will determine a present value of the future payment of your life insurance policy, and offer to purchase it from you for this value. The present value will be different from one investor to another. Some may factor a higher margin of life expectancy, while others may want a higher rate of return. The best way to find the highest offer is the same way that you purchase a new car: shop around.

In the early days of viatical settlements, the industry was largely unregulated. There were some problems and abuses, but those have since vanished once government regulators became involved. Despite the previous bad experience of some investors, viatical settlements remain a valuable tool for the personal financial management of many ill people. A 2002 study showed that among hospice financial counselors who have had experience with viatical settlements, most report positive experiences.

Greg Roy is an investor, business owner, and consumer advocate. Find out more about viatical settlements by visiting his website at viatical-settlement-s.com viatical-settlement-s.com.



Cheap Health Insurance in Los Angeles, California

Even movie stars get sick and although they may not necessarily be too concerned with the cost of their health insurance premiums, most individuals who live in Los Angeles, California are. Having cheap health insurance gives a person not only peace of mind but it also keeps a little extra money in their wallet. There are little known ways to secure a cheaper insurance plan and they include:

• Opting not to have co-payment coverage for standard doctor visits. Many health insurance companies will offer their clients the option of paying less per visit at a doctor’s office in exchange for lower premiums. By taking that clause out of the policy an individual can expect to see their premiums plummet.
• Only taking out hospital coverage. If you are generally a really healthy person you may not need much more than hospital coverage. Consider how many times you’ve visited a doctor in the last few years before deciding on a policy like this.
• Ask about coverage with your employer. Many employers offer group health insurance coverage to their employees at a reduced rate. This can be a great benefit to take advantage of.

Students who live and attend school in the Los Angeles area are often eligible for coverage through their educational institution. This is a great resource for kids who are no longer covered by their parent’s plan or for those who haven’t had any coverage in some time. The premiums are typically due at the same time as the school fees are. If a student does still qualify for coverage on another plan through an employer or their parents, they likely will be required to withdraw in writing from the plan. Otherwise this is really one of the best ways for young people to find cheap health insurance in Los Angeles, California.

My recommended sites here:

ezquoteguide.com Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Los Angeles, California
easymedinsurance.com Instant Health Insurance Quotes Online



California Health Insurance Online Quote - Immediate Online Quotes

Looking for immediate California health insurance quotes? At the end of this article, there will be links to take you where you can get them. All you have to do is answer a few basic questions and you’ll get instant quotes for health insurance plans in California.

California Health Insurance Plans

There are a number of insurance companies offering health insurance in California. Here is a quick list of companies you can get online quotes from: Aetna, Assurant, Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Celtic, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, and PacifiCare.

Each company has a selection of different health plans for different situations. Basic health plans that cover catastrophic events and basic doctor visits are available for less money than you might expect. You can take a basic plan and add specific coverage’s to get just what you need at the lowest possible price.

One of the best deals going in health insurance today is the (HDHP) High Deductible Health Plan. Be sure to look at what these new plans have to offer before you buy a plan. Monthly premiums can be very low when compared to other insurance plans.

California Health Insurance Quotes

One of the best ways to learn more about California health insurance is to go to an insurance quote website and request free quotes. Immediately after you complete their short form, you’ll get several High Deductible, HSA, HMO, PPO, and POS quotes while still online. After you have your quotes, you can compare plans and visit their websites for more detailed information.

Just click on the following link to get



What Does A Car Insurance Policy Covers?

Liability to bodily injuries
Liability to property damages
Collision Insurance
Comprehensive Insurance
Medical Expenses Insurance
Coverage for uninsured motorists

It is important for you to understand what all these do for you when you get a car insurance policy.
Each of these details covers different areas. Normally they are lumped together in a car insurance policy.
But you can always separate them. If you do look for a car insurance policy, it is good to make sure you get
it in any combination you want, but make sure to get it from the same company; to avoid any complications later,
when and where as claims are involved.

In general car insurance falls in two categories. Namely, property coverage for damages to your car, and liability
coverage to others’ vehicles and properties involved. They type and level of liability car insurance you have to be
insured is subjected to regulations imposed by the area authority you are in. Requirements varies from areas you

are in,
but it always wise to insure more that the minimum required, so as to protect you sufficiently.

To get the best deal on the car insurance you will need you should get familiar with all the options available in the

coverage.
Determine your local authority’s requirements, and then specifies what is needed for you. Decide on the type of

deductibles you
need and the premiums you are willing to pay. Check with the car insurance company or the agent you approached for

discounts you may
have or entitled due to your good driving record (sometime termed as “no claim bonused”). Go about asking for quotes

from differennt
car insurance companies and talk to as many agents as possible.

Gann is an independent writer and marketer online.
Ther are more ways to save money on car insurance.
If you found this article useful you can learn a lot more about car insurance
tips and resources by visiting at-car-insurance.com

Gann is an independent writer and marketer online.
Ther are more ways to save money on car insurance.
If you found this article useful you can learn a lot more about car insurance
tips and resources by visiting at-car-insurance.com at-car-insurance.com



Want To Save Money? You Need GAP Insurance

You probably think that because you have taken comprehensive auto insurance coverage on your new automobile that you are well protected, even if your car is stolen and not recovered, or totalled in an accident. The sad fact is that you are not.

More people are buying brand new vehicles than ever before. This is despite the fact that it is now common knowledge that your shiny new automobile will depreciate in value by at least 20% as soon as you drive your new vehicle away from the dealership. If you put a down-payment of less than 20% on the vehicle, then you have just acquired yourself an asset that is worth less than the outstanding loan on the vehicle.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning of your trouble. As your automobile starts to depreciate even further with use, the front-end loaded interest and charges on your auto loan has the effect of widening the gulf between the market value of your automobile, and the finance charges outstanding on the vehicle, even further.

Let’s have a look at some figures to illustrate this point even further. Imagine you have just bought a new automobile for $25,000 with a 10% down-payment of $2,500. As soon as you drive away from the dealership, the market value of your new vehicle will drop to around $20,000, but your auto loan will have an outstanding balance of at least $22,500, leaving you in deficit by $2,500 on Day 1. Even more worrying is the fact that the market value of your auto will continue to fall as you use it at a greater rate than the outstanding balance owed on your auto loan.

Here lies your major problem. If your automobile is stolen and not recovered, or totalled due to an accident or fire, you may get a nasty shock at the value placed on your vehicle by the auto insurance company. This is because the auto insurance company will use the market value of your vehicle in their assessment. They are not concerned about how much you may still owe on the vehicle. Now you already know that the market value will be much less than the amount you still owe the loan company.

This could leave you in a financial crisis, as you will be personally responsible for making up the shortfall. Imagine having to fork out for a loan on an automobile that you no longer have or can no longer use. This issue if not resolved could also adversely affect your credit history leading to even further financial problems in the future.

This is where Auto GAP insurance comes in. Previously known as Guaranteed Asset Protection, it protects your financial risk of a theft or total loss of your new automobile, and provides you with financial assistance to address the issue of the negative equity on your vehicle. (Negative equity exists when the value of an asset is worth less than the value of any outstanding finance on that asset.)

Should your automobile be stolen or suffer a total loss, GAP insurance acts as a stop loss, giving yo the extra payment on top of your auto insurance payout, so that you have sufficient funds to pay off any existing finance still outstanding on your vehicle.

The great news is that GAP insurance is relatively inexpensive. For the relatively small cost of GAP insurance, it can remove a major financial problem from your life. The huge difference between outstanding finance and the market value of automobiles is helping to raise the profile of GAP insurance to new heights.

If you are curious about



Cheap Car Insurance for Young Drivers – What To Look For

Most young drivers have the option of obtaining car insurance through their
parents’ car insurance policies. This is a great option as car insurance rates
for most all drivers are based on age, years of driving experience, and driving
records.

Yet, many young and new drivers need to search for car insurance elsewhere, as
not all young and new drivers can obtain car insurance through their parents’
car insurance policies. This can prove to be difficult as young and new drivers
do not have age or driving experience on their sides, meaning their car
insurance rates are usually higher than older, more experienced drivers.

Still, it is possible to find cheap car insurance for young divers. Below are
four factors to consider when looking for cheap car insurance for young drivers.

1. Age requirements. Find a plan that specifically offers cheap car
insurance for young drivers. For example, some car insurance providers target
young female drivers age 17-years-old and older and young male drivers age
19-years-old and older.
2. Discounts. Many car insurance companies will offer certain discounts
for young and new drivers. When comparing car insurance providers, ask about
such discounts.
3. Immediate coverage. You do not want to purchase a car insurance policy
that is not going to be in effect right away. Make sure to ask the car insurance
agent if the plan will begin immediately, or if there is a waiting period.
4. Flexible payment options. Not all drivers are going to be completely
financially stable; especially new and young drivers. Try to find a car
insurance provider that will sympathize with your needs and offer you a “grace
period” when it comes to payments.

With all the concerns young and new drivers already have (buying a car,
practicing driving, learning the rules of the road, driving responsibly, car
maintenance, etc.) finding cheap car insurance for young drivers does not have
to be one of them.

Visit our website to



What to Look for in a Full Coverage Car Insurance Quote in California

Although many people feel comfortable driving with the minimum amounts of car insurance required by law in California, that’s not the case with all drivers. For someone looking for a full coverage car insurance quote in California they need to first be aware of what type of policy will best suit their current needs. The answer will be dependent on both their past driving history as well as the vehicle they are driving now.

If you’ve had a challenging driving past that’s included several collisions that were your fault as well as speeding tickets you should expect to pay more for full coverage car insurance. You must be forthright when detailing your driving history as every insurance company in the state of California will access your driving record through a Motor Vehicle Report. If it shows you were less than candid on your application it may mean you won’t be offered coverage.

Individuals who drive a newer vehicle should have physical damage coverage. This comes in the form of collision and comprehensive coverage and offers complete protection should your vehicle be damaged. The coverage typically extends beyond just damage that is the result of a collision, but also vandalism, theft and even flooding.

Uninsured motorists are unfortunately a fact of life everywhere, including California. Although coverage against uninsured motorists is optional, it should be included when you are looking for a full coverage car insurance quote. Specify that you want this coverage so the agent you are dealing with will include it for you.

Many people add extras onto their vehicles including stereo systems or DVD players. If you have done this, ask about a rider that will cover the cost of having those replaced should they be stolen or damaged. This will likely raise the cost of your car insurance quote, but it’s best to be fully protected.

Recommended sites for low rate insurance

ezquoteguide.com/Car-Insurance-Online-California.shtml Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance Quotes in California
carinsurance4teens.com Discount Car Insurance Quotes for Young Drivers