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A blog for insurance that is dedicated to publishing the work of our guests, not the views of the webmaster. So if your into insurance enough to blog about it why not submit your content.
A blog for insurance that is dedicated to publishing the work of our guests, not the views of the webmaster. So if your into insurance enough to blog about it why not submit your content.
on March 25th, 2011
Buying homeowner’s insurance can be a complicated and confusing process, and it’s easy to just sign a few papers and never have to think about it again. But that’s the problem. When you really need your homeowner’s insurance to come through for you, it’s often to late to amend your policy or get better coverage. So it pays to know about potential problems and pitfalls ahead of time. If you’re buying a new home, or if you’re thinking about switching your insurance, here are a few things to keep in mind.
1) Replace the value of your home and possessions
Many policies will give you “fair market value” for your home and property in the event of a tragedy. That means they’ll give you what those items would go for on the open market—used. But when you need to replace all your belongings, you don’t want used stuff, you want to be able to purchase the same items you had before. So make sure you look into replacement value insurance that will help you buy new items, and not just give you half the cash value of your old possessions.
2) Understand the procedure
How is your claim paid? Do they give you a check up front, or do you have to go buy new items and then get reimbursed? This could be an important factor if you’ve been through a tragedy and lost large amounts of money.
3) Make a list
An insurance company is more likely to pay out for item you lost if you have an inventory of your home. Make a list, take pictures, or shoot a video of your home and keep it in a safe place so you can use it as proof when you file a claim.
4) Get a floater
For special items, like collectibles, jewelry, antiques, and more, make sure you get a floater on your insurance policy that will cover the full-value replacement of those precious items, something your regular policy might not cover.
5) Update your agent
Whenever a life-changing event occurs in your life, notify your agent. If your children move out or you’ve remodeled, make sure your agent knows so they can update your policy and possibly save you some money.
6) Get flood and earthquake insurance
Most home insurance policies don’t cover large natural disasters like a flood or an earthquake. These are policies that you need to buy separately or have added to your current plan.
About the author: Diane Johnson graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in political science. When she’s not traveling she enjoys writing articles about online classes, reading books, and shopping.
on March 24th, 2011
When you book a vacation, travel agents will typically ask if you would like travel insurance. This can be a hard decision to make. It’s not free, and people often wonder if they really need it. The fact is that travel insurance is like any other insurance: It gives you peace of mind, but you hope that you never have to use it. Here are some things you should know that can help you decide whether or not it’s worth it for you.
1) Insuring that nothing will go wrong
Travel insurance is there so that if something happens that turns your vacation into a nightmare, you can be reimbursed for the expenses. A good insurance will cover a range of expenses or problems that can come up; leaving you feeling like your money spent on the trip was not wasted. At minimum, your travel insurance should cover the following:
• Reimbursement for unexpected trip expenses
• Coverage for medical expenses, including ambulance calls or taxis to the hospital
• Lost baggage
• Emergency dental care
• Transporting your vehicle home if some emergency prevents you from driving it home yourself
2) Protect Yourself against Freak Accidents
Just because you’re taking the flight to go on vacation does not mean you will be exempt from tragedies. In the worse case scenario, travel insurance will serve as an additional layer of life insurance for the loved ones left behind. However, it can also serve as additional disability insurance if you are left permanently disabled as a result of the accident.
3) Plans Change, but not all Plan Changes are Covered
Plans change, vacations have to be cancelled, and the money is not always refundable. Without travel insurance, the money is not usually refundable. Most insurance programs offer a limited refund for specific, and narrowly defined, reasons. Some higher coverage programs will allow you to cancel your insurance for any reason. If you are seeking travel insurance because you are concerned about having to change your plans, be sure to read all the fine print.
4) Check out the Seller
Anything can be researched, and travel insurance companies are no exception. Whether you are buying through the Internet or your travel agent, check out the company. Visit the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) for rankings of insurers that have solid reputations. You can also find information on insurers through sites such as SquareMouth and InsureMyTrip.com.
5) Insure Your Great Deal
Fantastic deals on a vacation are fabulous, until you open the paper two weeks after you buy and see an even better deal! With some insurance policies, if the package goes on sale for less, you can get a refund for the difference.
6) Receipts, Evidence, Pictures
Documentation is everything! Even with travel insurance, scammers are working their magic. Plus, the company is ultimately in the business to make money. Don’t give them any excuse to deny a claim. If someone falls ill, go the doctor and have the illness confirmed. If the problem was a local situation, such as a transit strike, that caused problems, pick up some daily newspapers that can be used as proof of the situation. Keep any receipts for the expenses you will want reimbursed. Take pictures if the situation warrants.
The cost of your travel insurance will depend largely on what you are having covered. If you are visiting another country and are concerned about someone in your party getting sick, travel insurance may be the best investment you ever make. Frequent flyers who are fearful of accidents can enjoy the peace of mind travel insurance will give them. However, people seeking insurance because their boss may not give them the time off might find themselves being denied coverage. Make a list of exactly why you want the insurance, and then read the fine print to be sure you will be covered.
Heather Johnson is a writer for Honeymoon Destinations, the leading online honeymoon planning resource. Learn all about the best honeymoon destinations today!
on March 18th, 2011
It’s estimated that over half of the citizens of the U.S. need some sort of vision assistance, either glasses or contact lenses, and that almost all of those over the age of 80 have had or will require cataract surgery. With those numbers it’s easy to understand why vision insurance has become so important, and why insurance for such care has become ever more necessary. Surprisingly, many employers still don’t offer such care as part of their health insurance packages, so many people have to search out their own plans.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for vision care packages.
Two types of packages
Vision care packages come in two kinds, Vision Care Benefits, and Vision Discount Plans
Evaluating Vision Benefits
Determining which plan is best for you will depend on a number of factors, some related to finances and income, some to your specific vision care needs. You will want to find the least expensive plan that also covers all your anticipated needs. It’s best to look through your vision care history, as well as that of your family, over the previous two years to determine what level of care you’ll need. If you have children, or if you are over fifty, you can assume that you’ll need more coverage than others. Also make sure that the plan you choose has a simple and easily accessed support systems for questions regarding benefits, costs, and grievances.
What’s covered?
Most vision care programs cover all basic costs, including examinations, eyeglasses, frames and, in some cases, contact lenses. Programs may also cover some forms of eye surgery, such as LASIK. Additional products that may be covered include special scratch resistant and anti-glare lens coatings and specialized lenses such as progressive bifocals and trifocals, photosensitive lenses, and polarized lenses.
Important questions to ask
Sara Roberts is a content contributor for Just Eyewear, an <a href=”http://www.justeyewear.com“>eyeglasses</a> and <a href=”http://www.justeyewear.com/sunglasses“>prescription sunglasses</a> retailer.