Posts Tagged ‘Should’
Should You Take Your Car Insurance's Offer?
May 22nd, 2012
Should You Take Your Car Insurance's Offer?
By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. at FindLaw.com If you've been in an auto accident, then you've probably reported it to your car insurance company. Chances are they sent you to an auto body shop and then asked you about a million questions about the vehicle …
Read more on Reuters
Leaky, a tool for comparing car insurance costs, adds Esurance
If an alien civilization learned about us only through our television ads, they would assume we are a people who spend most of our time thinking about car insurance. Geico, Progressive, Allstate — it's hard to take a single spin around the dial …
Read more on San Francisco Chronicle (blog)
Electric Car Insurance, The Hidden Story
By Nicolas Zart on Tue, 05/22/2012 – 11:27 It's true, we are guilty as charged of only talking about the benefits of electric cars, EV in terms of performance and that “green” feeling. But who talks of EV car insurance? Have you ever wondered why …
Read more on Torque News
Related Posts:
Tags: 
What kind of health insurance should I get for my family?
May 8th, 2012
Question by Lund Saab: What kind of health insurance should I get for my family?
The health insurance i get from my job sucks, I’m paying $ 500 out of pocket per month. My wife and I are both young, barely go to the doctor if at all. The only reason I have insurance is for my 10-month old son’s vaccinations and such. There must be a better type of insurance for me to get, any recommendations?
Best answer:
Answer by Miss Hot To Trot
Normally if you are “eligible” for group health insurance (via an employer) you can’t purchase a direct payment plan from your local insurance company.
Depending on your financial situation, you ‘may’ be able to get coverage for the kids through a state sponsored program for the child’s vaccinations and other prevenative services.
Give your answer to this question below!
Related Posts:
Who should verify health insurance coverage and if procedures are approved?
May 6th, 2012
Question by Uhhhh…: Who should verify health insurance coverage and if procedures are approved?
In Illinois (and the entire US, possibly), who is responsible for verifying health insurance coverage (if doctor is in-network) and if any procedures done (echo, stress test, blood draws, etc) are covered? Should it be the patient or the doctor’s office?
Shouldn’t dealing with the professionals in the insurance company be done by professionals in the doctor’s office, instead of the patient who sometimes does not understand half of how the health system works?
Best answer:
Answer by PiggiePants
It’s your health, and your bank account that will be affected, so you should be the one checking the coverage and procedure approvals. You don’t have to understand how the entire health system works, you just should be capable of asking an insurance care representative, or your HR representative, whether procedures are covered, and how much.
What do you think? Answer below!
Related Posts:
How should I start going to the doctor – Received Health Insurance after 7 years with none?
April 27th, 2012
Question by swhaley293: How should I start going to the doctor – Received Health Insurance after 7 years with none?
An odd question, but stay with me: I haven’t had any health insurance for 7 years. Now, finally with a wonderful new job, my excellent health insurance benefits start tomorrow. There is so much that I need. When should I go to the doctor? I’m posititive they will find little things that I have had for a long time, but done nothing about – will they determine it to be a pre-exsisting condition? I mean, if I go the first day of my insurance, they will know that I had this medical condition before my insurance was in place – does that make a difference? I don’t know how it works. Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by claireag
First of all, if you’ve been pretty healthy for the past 7 yrs and haven’t had any nagging complaints, you probably don’t have anything wrong w/ you. Second — and I’m not sure about this — I think a preexisting condition would be one that has been detected or diagnosed prior to receiving your coverage. Third, you should start out by finding a doctor (either a general practitioner, internist or family physician) in your plan and making an appointment for a physical.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Related Posts:
Auto Insurance Coverage – How much coverage should I buy?
April 20th, 2012
Question by Puddins_Man: Auto Insurance Coverage – How much coverage should I buy?
Next week, I’ll be switching to another auto insurance. My previous limits with another company were:
-minimum MD state 20/40/15 for Bodily Injury, Uninsured Motorist, and property damage
-PIP $ 2500
-250/500 for Comprehensive/Collision, had road service, towing, and rental.
I don’t have many assets. I’m a renter and I live from paycheck to paycheck. I have no accidents, no tickets, and no violations for the last 8 years. I’m a cautious driver. I drive a 2003 Honda Civic.
The new insurance company is offering me $ 759/year for the limits 100/300/100 Bodily Injury Liability and matching for Uninsured Motorist + Property Damage, 250/500 for Comp/Coll, road service, towing, and rentals, PIP 2500.
I’ve seen different answers that say 100/300/100 would be better for those who own a house and have a better income.
What do you think is a recommended coverage going?
Best answer:
Answer by bundysmom
This is a personal choice, just know you have to live with your choices. Ultimately though, you want to purchase the most amount of coverage you can afford and that hopefully will protect whatever assets you own, assets you have now and possibly future ones.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Incoming search terms:
Related Posts:
Catastrophic Disasters: Why should I prepare?
April 7th, 2012
Catastrophic Disasters: Why should I prepare?
When it comes to disaster recovery, having adequate insurance is always your best bet as Federal and State assistance in the form of grants and loans is limited and is only for areas not covered by insurance. Government assistance is not designed to …
Read more on Edmonds Beacon
Disaster response highlights low uptake of flood insurance
The low uptake of flood coverage came into focus following the spate of severe weather that impacted the county during the first half of March. An F3 tornado struck Lincoln County on the evening of March 2, 2012, with flooding and destruction impacting …
Read more on The Lincoln Journal
Silverthorne company in disaster shelter business
The welding and fabricating outfit is diving headlong into the disaster shelter business. What started as a desire to diversify its customer base in a down economy has morphed into its own entity, Security Disaster Shelters.
Read more on Coshocton Tribune
Related Posts:
Why Parents Should Consider Personal Liability Insurance and Renters Insurance as Students Return to College, According to Next Generation Insurance Group
March 31st, 2012
Boston, Mass. (PRWEB) August 12, 2011
Its insurance season for students returning to college. Renters insurance policies a popular purchase by parents for their college students protect personal property against fire, certain natural disasters, theft and vandalism. Next Generation Insurance Group (NGI), a specialty insurance company serving the unique life-stage risks of college students and young adults, offers one of the most comprehensive renters insurance policies for this demographic. A critical differentiator in NGIs renters insurance policy for college students is the inclusion of personal liability insurance, providing protection in case of bodily injuries to another person or damages to anothers property if an incident occurs within the students rented residence or elsewhere.
Social events, study groups, overnight guests, friends of roommates, campus activities, parties and more are commonplace at college and all present opportunities for accidents. Personal liability protection takes some risk out of the college social scene for the renter if he or she causes unintentional damage to their dorm or off-campus apartment.
Personal liability is a critical consideration when choosing a responsible renters insurance policy, said Bill Suneson, president, Next Generation Insurance Group. If someone is unintentionally hurt while on the renters property, the renter could be held responsible for related medical expenses. Weve seen simple campus accidents leaving the stove on and causing a fire in the dorm, or someone unintentionally hurt while in another students apartment that resulted in damages that would have been covered by insurance.
Next Generation Insurance Group offers renters insurance with personal liability protection directly through:
CollegeRentersInsurance.com, recommended by College Parents of America, the nations largest membership organization serving the needs of college parents, is dedicated to providing comprehensive renters insurance for the collegiate market.
GradGuard.com is the collegiate industrys first comprehensive, integrated insurance and lifestyle benefits solution.
NGIs renters insurance protects the stuff that goes with college living electronics, computers/tablets, clothes, furniture and other personal items; policies also include replacement cost coverage to easily replace critical items that have been lost or stolen. Personal property coverage is available up to $ 50,000 and personal liability coverage is available up to $ 300,000.
About Next Generation Insurance Group, LLC (NGI)
Founded by veteran affinity and collegiate marketers, Next Generation Insurance Group builds specialized insurance products, resources and expertise, and offers a diverse selection of services available through multiple delivery channels. NGI delivers innovation to the insurance industry, allowing consumers to mitigate the risks in their lives, fulfilling the needs of underserved consumer groups, especially first-time insurance buyers young adults, students, graduates and their families. An authority in life-stage marketing and emerging trends and markets, NGI is changing the way people buy insurance. In partnership with affiliate channels, NGI ensures those in need are informed about right fit insurance products at the right time for their situations and corresponding life-stage risks, creating easy, relevant access to insurance when buyers are thinking about it and most need it.
NGI is a national insurance operator, combining its privately owned online channels with embedded partner channels. In partnership with Sallie Mae, it created Sallie Mae Insurance Services to offer specialized programs on-campus and for college students and young adults. NGIs properties include: GradGuard, a direct-to-consumer product for college students and their families; CollegeRentersInsurance.com, offering personal property and liability protection for college students; and StudentHealthPlan.com, an alternative to school-sponsored health insurance for full- and part-time and non-traditional students. NGI has been awarded a provisional patent for its Education Life-Stage Insurance Programs. More information is available at http://www.nextgenins.com. Follow the company on Twitter @nextgenins for life-stage risk news, information and product updates.
# # #
Related Posts:
What type of health insurance should I get?
March 21st, 2012
Question by Writer: What type of health insurance should I get?
I am a male and a non smoker, but I have had Epilepsy since I was in high school. I need a health insurance for my health. However, I do not know much which type of the health insurance Health group, Community Health Plan or KPS health plan is good for me in Washington State in the US. Now I don’t have a job and I am independent. Would someone give me hand?
Best answer:
Answer by KrudKutter
Don’t depend on laypeople from Yahoo for this kind of advice – in Washington State you should be able to locate patient advocacy groups who can help you through the minefield. Your goal should be to avert financial catastrophe in case of major illness/accident. The common mistake is trying to cover the small expenses that could be easily covered out-of-pocket, at the expense of your catastrophic coverage. One common dirty trick of the insurance industry is putting lifetime or even per-occurrence caps on your coverage. For example- some chronic ailments might require $ 100,000 a year in treatment for years. You may have a high enough yearly cap to cover it … but then later find out your coverage expires after only a couple of years, leaving you totally stuck (because no other company will pick up the pre-existing condition). So consult with somebody who really knows the situation in your state – best of luck to you.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Related Posts:
John McCain Arizona Contraception Bill Should Be Vetoed
March 20th, 2012
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview on Sunday that he opposes a controversial bill moving through the Arizona legislature that would let employers restrict health insurance coverage of contraception to only those cases when a woman can prove a need for it because of a medical reason, such as endometriosis or an ovarian cyst. The GOP-sponsored bill, which would put some women in the uncomfortable position of having to explain to their boss why they use birth control, already passed in the state House of Representatives and was endorsed by a Senate committee last week. McCain said, however, it has little chance of becoming law.
Related Posts:
Should health insurance pay for ‘orphan drugs’?
March 15th, 2012
Troy Anderson
As a growing number of “orphan drugs” are used to treat people with rare diseases, the authors of a new report wonder whether health insurance companies should continue to cover the costs of these expensive medications – some costing up to $ 300,000 a year for one patient.
The authors of the report, released by The Hastings Center, question whether this money could provide greater overall health benefits if spread out among many patients. The Hastings Center is a nonprofit bioethics and public policy institute.
“Tomorrow’s medical care will feature a growing number of expensive therapies that offer benefits only to small populations,” wrote the authors, Emily Largent, a doctoral candidate in health policy at Harvard University, and Steven Pearson, president of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The decisions by health insurance companies to cover orphan drugs – medications for rare conditions that usually are chronic and life-threatening – reflect the “rule of rescue,” the value that society places on saving lives in immediate danger at any expense.
But Largent and Pearson argue that the broad application of this rule will be increasingly difficult to support as pharmaceutical companies make drugs that are genetically targeted to relatively small groups of patients. For example, rather than a new blockbuster drug that treats millions of people with high blood pressure (hypertension), new targeted therapies will treat only a few thousand people who have a particular genetic makeup.
“Increasing numbers of expensive orphan drugs are expected to come to market,” Largent and Pearson wrote. “In addition, advances in pharmacogenetics will soon be able to separate many common diseases, such as hypertension, arthritis, cancer and diabetes, into numerous small and distinct subpopulations of patients with specific genetic profiles.”
Federal law governs orphan drugs
Since passage of the federal Orphan Drug Act of 1983, the number of orphan drugs has risen significantly. In the decade before passage of the law, only 10 new drugs for rare diseases were developed. Today, more than one-third of all newly approved medications are orphan drugs.
Federal law defines an orphan disease as one that affects fewer than 200,000 people. Currently, 6,000 to 7,000 rare diseases have been pinpointed as “orphan” disorders, and about five new rare diseases are described in medical literature each week. About 80 percent of rare diseases affect fewer than 6,000 patients in the United States.
Rare diseases affect an estimated 25 million to 30 million Americans. The most familiar include Huntington’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and cystic fibrosis. The drugs used to treat these conditions can be quite expensive. As a result, the insurance co-pays for orphan drugs tend to be a much higher percentage of medical costs than services provided by doctors and hospitals.
‘Ethics conversation’ needed
Peter Saltonstall, CEO of the nonprofit National Organization for Rare Disorders, says he agrees with Largent and Pearson that an “ethics conversation” should take place about whether health insurance companies should keep covering the costs of orphan drugs.
“I think the Hastings report raises a lot of issues,” Saltonstall says. “As a society, we have a lot of things we need to look at. How much are we willing to spend? If we can’t afford it, are we willing to let someone die? I don’t know what the answer is to that. But that’s a question society is going to have to deal with.”
Before society can answer that question, Saltonstall says, attention needs to be paid to bringing down the costs of orphan drugs and other prescription medications.
“There are a lot of issues we need to look at,” Saltonstall says. “Why does a drug cost so much to develop? The process to bring a major drug to market takes an average of 14 years and $ 1 billion. Should we be looking at the process? Are we just accepting these high costs because that’s the way it is?”
Matthew Bennett, senior vice president at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, an industry trade group, says rare-disease research and development can be costly and time-consuming — requiring an average investment of $ 1 billion for a new medicine and 10 to 15 years to bring it to market.
“Once they overcome research and regulatory challenges, companies must face market pressures that are common to all products, but perhaps escalated by smaller patient populations,” Bennett says. “Too often, medicines are viewed as a cost and not as a savings, even though medicines often reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, help avoid costly medical procedures and increase productivity through better prevention and management of disease.”
Congressmen seek faster drug approval
U.S. Reps. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., and Ed Towns, D-N.Y., have introduced the Unlocking Lifesaving Treatments for Rare Diseases Act (ULTRA). The bill is designed to speed up the approval of orphan drugs by opening the federal government’s fast-track approval path to medications that treat life-threatening, extremely rare genetic diseases.
“The use of accelerated approval has been limited by the FDA to HIV/AIDS, cancers and bioterrorism drugs,” Stearns says. “Accelerated approval should be used more often and especially for the rare disease drugs where many patients have limited options, if any. My legislation sends a message to the FDA that they need to re-examine how they use accelerated approval.”
Beyond reducing the costs of orphan drugs, Charles Shasky, head of pharmacoeconomic comparative effectiveness research at health insurance giant Aetna, says the ultimate question is more complicated than just whether the money spent on orphan drugs for small numbers of patients could be redirected to larger numbers of sick people.
“If you have a drug that can prolong the productive life of a multiple sclerosis patient, then how do you quantify that person’s contribution in terms of their personal productivity, wealth, income, family and paying into the tax rolls? Shasky asks. “Those are difficult questions to quantify. But it’s something that has to be considered. All parties have to agree to some metric to quantify that if you are going to get down and have a serious discussion about this.”
Linda Melone
Tying the knot at home can help you cut corners. In 2011, the average cost of a U.S. wedding was $ 25,631, according to TheWeddingReport.com. An at-home wedding can run far less. However, an at-home wedding could wind up costing far more in the long run if the proper insurance coverage isn’t in place.
Here are five scenarios where the right insurance could be just as important as the perfect wedding dress.
1. Your caterer’s soufflé sets fire to your kitchen.
Before hiring a wedding caterer, ask to see the company’s insurance policy, says Michael Davis Sr., president of the Michael L. Davis Insurance Agency in Ohio. The caterer’s insurance should cover property damage, negligence (a chafing dish overturns and sparks a fire) and injury (such as food poisoning).
“If they carry their own insurance, you would not have to file a claim against your homeowner’s insurance if damage occurs,” Davis says.
Kevin Alsup, vice president of insurance at Foundation Insurance Services in Florida, says that once you see the caterer’s policy, you should call the insurer to verify that the policy is active.
If the caterer damages your home and does not have its own insurance policy, you’ll have to file a claim with your home insurer. That could cause a jump in your rates, Alsup says.
2. A guest is injured after falling down your stairs.
A standard home insurance policy covers the medical costs of a guest who’s injured in your home, Davis says. Typically, the medical coverage ranges from $ 1,000 to $ 10,000.
If guest claims negligence on your part and sues you, the liability portion of your home insurance policy would cover your legal defense, Davis says.
Davis recommends adding personal umbrella coverage in case your legal defense exceeds the $ 300,000 to $ 500,000 in personal liability coverage on a standard home insurance policy. Coverage under an umbrella policy usually starts at $ 1 million.
3. The toilet overflows from continuous use by your guests, and your wood floors are damaged.
In general, a home insurance policy will cover water damage caused by a burst pipe if it’s related to an ice storm, for instance. However, if the damage occurred because you failed to properly maintain your home’s plumbing system, you may be on the hook for the repair bill, says Loretta Worters, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit Insurance Information Institute.
“For instance, if you experienced trouble with plumbing before the event and didn’t fix the issue, a backed-up toilet that causes extensive water damage could result in a claim denial,” Worters says.
4. Someone steals your wedding gifts.
Home insurance protects you in case a wedding guest swipes the crystal goblets given by your Aunt Sally or the mixer given by your cousin Jonathan and his wife. If you do file a claim for the stolen presents, you’ll first have to pay your deductible, which normally is $ 1,000, according to Davis.
5. A sudden snowstorm prevents guests from attending, leaving you on the hook for all the uneaten food.
In this situation, a standard home insurance policy won’t help you; the policy excludes one-time events like weddings. But a separate wedding insurance policy would.
Wedding insurance may be purchased for as little as $ 75, says Steven Lauro, who manages the Wedsafe wedding insurance program on behalf of Aon Affinity. Two types of wedding insurance policies are available.
Event cancellation insurance reimburses couples who are forced to cancel or postpone their ceremonies. It also covers financial losses for things like the wedding photographer going out of business or the wedding dress being ripped.
Event liability insurance safeguards couples if they face a lawsuit over the injury of a guest or over damage to a guest’s personal property, Lauro says.
In addition to a weather and stolen gifts, cancellation coverage under a wedding insurance policy protects you in case of postponement caused by illness, injury, a missing officiate (such as a minister or rabbi) or a no-show vendor.
The average wedding liability policy starts at $ 75 and averages less than $ 200, Lauro says. A wedding cancellation policy starts at $ 150. The deductible for this coverage hovers around $ 50, he says.
