Sunday, June 5, 2011

Ski Insurance – Don’t Be Caught Out In The Cold!

In the modern world in which we reside there are a number of different types of insurance that we require to lead our lives safely and without financial worry or concern. Many insurance policies are actually a legal requirement whereas many others are simply for our own piece of mind. ski insurance (http://www.daredirect.com) comes under the latter but it is extremely important.
Skiing has become an extremely popular type of holiday over the last decade or so. If you have been skiing before you will know what the risks are. Taking a normal travel insurance policy will not give you the protection that you require. You will need to invest in an extreme sports insurance policy (http://www.daredirect.com/content/36/-extreme-sports-insurance.aspx).
When you are tracking down your extreme sports insurance there are many points that you need to consider. Unlike many other purchases in life this is one that you are not simply looking for the cheapest, in fact you should really avoid the cheapest policies. A fully comprehensive ski insurance policy is what you need.
Insurance is there to ensure that you are covered for any eventuality that may occur. Obviously, injury is the most likely occurrence, so you need a ski insurance policy that covers you for this. Any ski related accident needs to be covered no matter how strange it may seem.
The policy should pay for any hospital or transportation bills that you incur as a result of your injury. Quite often in foreign countries these bills can be rather steep and if you do not have a good quality ski insurance policy you will be left to pay these bills with your own money.
If you are in an accident you may not be able to fly back on your original flight as it is not safe for you to fly. A good ski insurance policy will cover the costs of any extra flights that you have to pay for as a result of this. This is very important as the flights at short notice can often be rather expensive.
Staying longer than you anticipated on your holiday will mean that extra accommodation will need to be purchased. Good quality ski insurance should pay for any additional hotel costs too. You will generally find that a nightly limit will be set by your insurer.
As with any type of accident it is not always just you that is hurt. If you crash into another individual on the slopes your insurance policy needs to pay for all of their hospital bills too. This is usually referred to as third party liability cover. This is an extremely important part of your insurance and one that you must ensure you have in place. Each part of your personal policy should be checked thoroughly before you commit. Generally, each section of the policy will have a limit, make sure you check the limit and ensure it is high enough. If you do not feel the level of cover is high enough then you should continue to search.
DareDirect can not only provide individuals with ski insurance, but also includes cover for sports travel insurance (http://www.daredirect.com/content/22/sports-travel-insurance.aspx) as well.

Health Insurance Tips – Learn How to Shop for the Best Price!

When you’re looking at insurance quotes, you have a lot of different things to think about. You have to take the time to figure out what type of health insurance you need, how much you can spend, and what you expect to get for the money. Once you’ve done that, you will be able to get and compare quotes. How do you compare quotes, though? Here are some tips to help you in the process:
-See which companies offer what type of insurance or coverage and what the limits are. Always look at coverage first. You can even get quotes for different levels of coverage if you really want something specific or if you want to see your full range of options. You need to be certain that you’re getting enough coverage above all else.
-Check out restrictions, exclusions, and other guidelines that come with the policy. These ‘strings’ are important to understand because you don’t want to buy a policy that specifically bans the treatment of something that you need done. By understanding all the strings, you will be able to choose a better policy in the end.
-How much you can afford to pay plays a big part in this decision. You have to look at the difference between paying more for a deductible and less for premiums, and vice versa. Look at the deductibles. If you can get one policy for $200 a month and another with almost double the coverage for $250, it’s better to spend the extra money. Check out the price, but not by itself. Look at what you are getting for the money. However, if you are getting adequate coverage for a lower price, you can choose that policy.
When you are shopping for ski insurance or health insurance, the quote comparison is a critical part of the process. You need to make sure that you take the time to check out a few different companies and apply for 3-5 insurance quotes at least. That way, you can get a better idea of what is available to you and what options are best. As long as you are willing and able to explore your options, it’s easy to get the health insurance that you need. Remember that everyone has different ideas about insurance and all that matters is that you get a policy that fits your needs. With these tips, you can compare quotes easily and find the ideal health insurance policy in no time.
Sean L Johnson is a journalist for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that connects consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants or special needs. As simple as two step process you can shop all Top Rated Major Medical Insurance Companies (http://tinyurl.com/3dlwzut)

Maryland Homeowners Insurance – Common Household Responsibilities


The excitement of purchasing a first home comes along with many responsibilities. With all of the obligations associated with preparing the home for comfort, an important aspect is protecting the investment. Not only does the building need to be well maintained but the property itself should be insured against unforeseen circumstances.
For every household, there are some specific responsibilities that must not be neglected. One such requirement is the obtainment of Maryland homeowners insurance. Regardless of the type of dwelling, a robust policy will protect the homeowner and the company that provides the mortgage from unanticipated occurrences. As all locations present unique circumstances, so does the state of Maryland.
Living on the coastline of the United States allows residents to experience the fresh air of the ocean on a daily basis. It also requires the understanding that the water and ocean air present special threats. Damages that can occur from flooding or tropical weather systems like hurricanes can cause tremendous harm in a short period of time. Look for quality Maryland homeowners insurance that will include provisions to safeguard against these natural phenomena. These types of policies will help to reimburse for losses that occur as a result of inclement weather situations.
Maryland also offers higher elevation areas near the Appalachian Mountains. People that reside in this area of the state have concerns regarding severe winter storms that may cause significant harm. Policies for Maryland homeowners insurance need to account for the unique circumstances of this region. Finding an agency that understands the specific concerns for the residents in the area is important. This will ensure that the right level of protection is obtained against the threats that occur. While there are many businesses devoted to helping first time home buyers meet their home insurance needs, few are customer focused. This is imperative to the best level of protection.
A Locally owned and independently operated firm will be committed to helping the new homeowner navigate the complicated world of insurance. Agents should be readily available to answer questions and help resolve conflicting information. The company should understand that purchasing Maryland homeowners insurance is an important step in protecting personal investments. A thorough review of the types of plans available from a variety of insurance providers will help to find all-inclusive policies at an affordable cost. If the owner needs to make adjustments, contacting the agency will result in fast service. With the responsibility of an insured home completed, the joy of a new dwelling can be experienced.
Rod Buskirk is an independent insurance agent for Maryland Homeowners Insurance (http://www.chaneybuskirk.com). Rod is licensed to do business in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. To get an instant online insurance quote, visit http://www.chaneybuskirk.com (http://www.chaneybuskirk.com) today!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

About Boat Insurance


One of the oldest characters of insurance is boat insurance. Back to 1800 Lloyd’s of London is the first provider of boat insurance. Merchant Marine ships in the company of bad weather and risks playing ask.
Boat insurance is easy for people who love the sea. Protect their property against bad weather, accidents and other losses.
As with the other characters from the insurance, the insurance will ship in the class and the owners must decide what is most important.
When you move the boat as you are sure that the travel insurance with you. Some companies restrict where you take in such circumstances, your boat, or if you can take the boat itself. You will be relevant to ensure your coverage allows you to take your boat, where and when you receive it.
You can choose to help in the street, I know it sounds unusual for a boat insurance, but what if you get on your trailer, covered or you are stuck in the water and the engine will not start. Call it water or on the roadside, it is so important.
Some people decide to only rider to their homeowners policy for their boats as they have for jewelry or weapons, but would be much more calm by a major financial disaster such as fire or theft to give if their own political boat.
Boat insurance is such insurance additional properties, giving you many options. Most people agree that the choice of replacement is the best insurance. This technique includes a 100%. Select replacement insurance for your furniture, because this is not your boat? Not all companies that use them, so you may have to ask. If your ship is badly damaged and to replace or repair costs exceed the value of your boat, then insurance can replace you.
Cost is always a consideration and will look better price, but not always best to go with the lowest price. You need to study the policy and ensure that it fits all your needs. That could spend a lot of money in the long run, but it will be valuable for the security and peace of mind to be. Be sure to find a balance between financial security and price.
In the United States, many of the same company, auto and car insurance also offers boat insurance. For cruise ships and working vessels from vandalism, theft or accident, major companies such as Allstate, Progressive and Geico offer boat insurance and boat insurance offers choice and you do not need to ask.
You never know when accidents can happen, you definitely will not to give to you, so if you wait for your boat, shopping pleasure or work, is also shopping for your boat insurance, preferably in the safe side.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

? What is Insurance

Insurance enables those who suffer a loss, or accident, to be compensated for the effects of their misfortune. The payments come from a fund of money contributed to by all the holders of individual insurance policies. In other words, individual risks are pooled and shared, with each policyholder making a contribution to the common fund.
How does Insurance Operate?
The contribution paid by a policyholder is known as the premium. The premiums are paid to the insurers who in turn accumulate the money into a fund from which claims are paid. Insurers are professional risk takers. They know the probability of different types of risk. Then they can calculate the premiums needed to create a fund large enough to cover any likely loss payments. Clearly only a proportion of the policyholders will require compensation from the fund at any one time.
For example, in car insurance a young person with a high-powered car, or a driver with a long history of accidents, will pay a higher premium than a mature and experienced driver with a modest saloon and a claim free record.
Insurance Types
There are 2 kinds of insurance, life insurance and general insurance. When you buy a life insurance policy you enter a long-term commitment where you agree to pay a fixed premium for a set number of years.
General insurance pays out IF something happens: a car has an accident, a house is burgled, a holiday is cancelled, someone is careless and damages another person’s property. Most life insurance policies pay out WHEN an event happens, when someone dies or when someone survives beyond a certain date.
What is Insurable Interest?
Insurable interest is a fundamental insurance principle. It means that the person wishing to take out the insurance must be legally entitled to insure the article, or event, or life. The happening of the event insured against must cause the policyholder financial loss. For example; Mr Smith would not be able to insure Mr Brown’s house because its destruction would not cause Mr Smith financial loss.
General Insurance PrinciplesOther
general insurance principles apply to the loss. A loss is an event which gives rise to a claim under a policy. Insurance can provide compensation only for the actual value of the property. It cannot cover the loss of sentimental value. A loss may involve financial aspects, the loss/damage or destruction of property, be caused by death or injury or liability (se below).
There must be a large number of similar risks so that the likelihood of a claim can be spread among other policyholders. It must be possible to calculate the chance of the loss so that a premium can be set which matches the risk. Loss is the monetary value paid in order to compensate an individual for the damage caused by an incident. The loss suffered by an individual can result from damage to property, injury or death
Liability of a person is the legal responsibility to compensate others for a loss. The person whose action or lack of action is the cause of a loss being suffered is legally responsible for the consequences of the incident.
Losses must not be deliberate and not inevitable. Clearly you could not buy fire insurance for a house that was already burning. Also, there are some risks, which have financial implications so vast that they can be dealt with only by the state. These risks (mainly those arising from war or nuclear / radioactive material) are not normally insurable. Insurance takes the risk away from peoples’ lives and businesses. It brings peace of mind to the policyholder. In return for paying the premiums the policyholder knows that if the unexpected occurs and a loss is suffered, financial compensation will be available from the fund of premiums.
An Insurance Contract
A Contract is an agreement between two parties. The 2 parties to an insurance contract are the insurance company (referred to as the First Party) and the policyholder / client (referred to as the Second Party).
An insurance contract, called the Policy, becomes valid once the two parties agree on:
WHAT is to be insured, (the car and the driver)
WHAT it will cost, (the premium to be paid), and
WHAT the period of insurance will be, that is, when does it commence, and what is the expiry date.
(Monthly or Annual Policy)
Motor InsuranceMost
people know something about motor insurance. This is because any vehicle driven on public roads must have a certain level of insurance. The Road Traffic Act ensures that drivers must meet liabilities they incur should they injure other people or cause damage in an accident. The other person, not the insurer or the insured, is known as the Third Party. The third party may be a pedestrian, a passenger in the car driven by the insured person, or the driver or passenger in another vehicle.
The injured Third Party claims compensation from the driver of the offending car and the driver relies on his insurers to pay the claim.
Indemnity Insurance
The insurance Dial Direct offer is known as indemnity insurance. This means that we undertake to restore the insured to the financial position he/she was in before the loss occurred. The car insurance policy comes into existence where the client agrees to pay a premium in return for indemnity insurance. The premium is determined by the RISK, which the client represents to the insurer, RISK in turn is determined by:
The likelihood that a loss will occur, based on the characteristics of the drivers, the car and the risk address.
The probable cost involved if a loss should happen.
Cover
The law says that drivers must have insurance against third party injury or damage claims whilst being driven on a road, (a road means a highway and any other road to which the public has access). The law also states that the insurer must give to the insured a Certificate of Motor Insurance. Most motor policies provide additional cover other than a simple certificate of insurance. At Dial Direct there are 3 levels of motor insurance policy on offer, each providing indemnity against certain specified perils.A peril is an event, which can cause a loss, e.g. accidents, theft, fire, malicious damage, storm. An Insurance Company clearly indicates the perils covered by its policies and those perils, which are specifically excluded.
Third PartyThird Party Cover, sometimes referred to as Third Party Liability Insurance, is insurance cover that you have against liability to another person.
As well as covering the insured to drive on public roads, this policy provides cover when the car is being driven on private property. It covers against third party claims and provides protection against other legal liabilities.
For example, passenger indemnity, covering the possibility that a passenger in a car may cause an accident perhaps by opening the door and knocking a cyclist over. It also provides cover for certain legal costs and emergency treatment expenses, for example, when an ambulance has been called to the scene of an accident.
Third Party Fire and TheftIn addition to the protection provided by third party insurance, this type of policy covers loss or damage to the insured’s own vehicle as a result of fire, theft or attempted theft. It offers the client limited own damage cover, that is protection for loss or damage suffered by a person to his own property or person.
ComprehensiveComprehensive policies offer the widest form of own damage cover available, although it cannot protect against every conceivable risk. In addition to the covers described above, comprehensive cover protects in other valuable ways. The most important of these is accidental damage cover. This means the policyholder can have their damaged vehicle repaired or replaced after it has been accidentally damaged, for example, when the client reverses the car into his garden wall accidentally.
The additional cover that is provided includes personal accident insurance, a small amount of medical expenses cover and cover for the loss of, or damage to, the personal effects in the car.
Underwriting
UNDERWRITING is the process whereby information is collected in order to establish the RISK. Once we know the risk the client represents the decision is made as to whether we ACCEPT or DECLINE that risk. If we decline the risk the process stops. If we accept the risk then we calculate the PREMIUM the client must pay to cover the risk.
We ask the questions on behalf of the panel members and the system checks the answers against the “Underwriting Criteria” to make the decisions mentioned above.
The assessment of risk (and hence the premium) for motor insurers is based around 3 main factors:
- The Risk Address - The Car- The Driver/s
It is the inalienable right of an insurance company to reject any risk, which it may find unacceptable.
There are 2 stages to the Dial Direct underwriting process:
The Quote PhaseDuring the Quote Phase the system will determine the premium and the acceptability of the risk. After collecting the underwriting information the client is provided with a quote. A quote is the offer from the insurer to the prospective client of cover, for a premium. The client may decline the offer.
The Underwriting PhaseDuring the Underwriting or Sale Phase, the system will determine the acceptability of the risk but the premium does not usually change. Underwriting occurs during the quote and sale of the policy, at any time an amendment is made, and, at the settlement of any claim on the policy.
Non-Disclosure
The insurance industry relies entirely on the information provided by the client to decide if the client presents an acceptable risk and to determine the correct premium that should be charged. If a client provides false or incomplete information about the risk, the actual risk may be different from the one that was agreed upon. In such a case the policy would be affected and at worst may leave the client uninsured. Information deliberately withheld in response to a direct question is referred to as a non-disclosure.
Claims
In the event of a loss the client will have the option to claim. A claim is the demand for compensation under the terms of an insurance policy, following an incident in which a loss occurred. An insurance company may decide to pay a claim, or, not to pay a claim.If a client has a level of cover that provides cover for the risk causing the loss, and has paid the premium, etc, the claim will be paid (or settled).
In the event of non-payment or a specifically excluded risk, the insurance company denies responsibility for indemnifying the client. This is usually referred to as a repudiation, where the claim has been repudiated.
Any payment of a claim, except for liability claims paid to a Third Party, will be subject to an excess. The excess is the uninsured portion of a loss, or the contribution the client is expected to pay towards the cost of settling the claim.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Flowers and Gardnering

five Things You Must Know BEFORE You Choose Your Health Insurance

5 Things You Must Know BEFORE You Choose Your Health Insurance!



Making a wise decision on which Health Insurance Policy to buy may seem like a confusing task, but if you consider just these five most important items you and your agent will both find that you are a Savvy Buyer! These items are your KEYS to picking a policy that's right for you:



1. The Insurance Company's Rating



Ask your agent for the Company's A.M. Best rating. If the company is highly rated at this national rating registry, then the company will have literature showing their rating with an explanation of what it means. Choose only companies that have an A or A+ rating.



2. The Insurance Company's Record of Complaints at your State Board of Insurance



Every large company will have some complaints. Avoid companies that have a high number of unresolved complaints. Ask your agent for the phone number for your State Board of Insurance. If he will not give it to you, this is a warning signal! You can also look up the number in any directory of your state's agencies. No matter what your agent says, CALL your State Board of Insurance and ask them for the record on any company you are considering.



3. The Limits Shown On Your Health Insurance Quote



Check your quote to see if you are comfortable with the benefit levels. You can usually change several levels to fit your needs and budget. For example, a higher deductible will cost less each month. Also, many plans give you a choice to split your medical bills with the Insurance Company either 50/50 or 80/20 (with them paying 80%). Then they will have an amount (your stop loss) where they will take over at paying 100% of your covered bills for the remainder of the year. These deductibles and other levels start over every year in most plans. Some plans, though, have a "per cause" deductible. Such a deductible means that you will be responsible for bills up to that deductible for each accident or illness. Make sure you are aware of this distinction, so you can choose a plan that's right for YOU!



4. The Limits Revealed Within The Policy



Ask your agent for a sample policy, and then check two sections: The Benefits and The Limitations and Exclusions. Many of your benefits are actually limited in the Benefits section. For example, diagnostic testing or outpatient treatment may be severely limited. These days, you could have a serious disease such as cancer, and never go into the hospital for it. You could rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills for the diagnostic and follow-up lab tests and MRIs, and then have surgery, chemo, or radiation therapy all on an outpatient basis.



Other items that may be limited are your hospital room rate and intensive care. Your hospital room rate should be at least average semi-private and your intensive care benefit should NOT be tied to your room rate, but should, instead, be covered as whatever is an average ICU rate for the area of the hospital, also. Some policies limit the ICU benefit to 3 times the regular room rate, when ICU can cost you 10 or 20 times the room rate each day. A short hospital stay with a limit like this in your policy can cost you literally thousands of dollars. A long hospital stay with a limit like this in your policy could drive you into bankruptcy. Even if your policy says it takes over at 100% after $5,000 of covered medical bills, the important term here is "covered" medical bills. If the policy only pays three times the room rate for ICU, then the rest of the ICU bill is considered an "uncovered" charge!



Look out for these types of limits!



Also, be sure to check the Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation if you already have any medical conditions, and ask your agent if the Company will be excluding your conditions permanently on your policy.



5. Pay the Insurance Company, Not the Agent, & Follow Up!



And lastly, make your check payable to the Insurance Company, and then follow up to make sure it was received. When you get your policy, check the Schedule of Benefits to verify you got the coverage you ordered, and then check to see if any special Amendments were added to your policy to exclude any of your conditions. If an Amendment exists, these conditions will always be excluded from this policy, even after the Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation expires.



Following these five tips will help you choose a health insurance policy which will protect you from catastrophic medical bills. You may think, "Isn't that what any health insurance policy is for?" Yes, that is the reason for buying any health insurance policy, but, unfortunately, many policies fall short of actually providing this protection! Be sure to take the time to choose wisely when it comes to your health insurance!