Sunday, July 20, 2008

Travelers Insurance

Enhanced modes of transport have made extensive travel a common indulgence. However, there is a distinct need for the 21st century traveler to check out insurance coverage on every segment of travel to ensure real value for the money spent. Travel involves adventure and risk and hence the need for insurance. It is essential to have travel coverage in place, especially in the case of a frequent traveler. This way, you get to enjoy the trip to the maximum and within the security of insurance. If you are adventurous, a sport enthusiast, a globe trotter or a business person who travels extensively, there are a myriad of insurance offers to finance you and take care of everything from ticketing to accommodation. Travel insurance is designed to minimize the financial risks that a traveler faces due to last minute cancellations, medical emergency, delay or loss of baggage or the ultimate nightmare - loss of cash!


A traveler cannot rule out the possibility of a missed departure or loss of passport and the subsequent legal expenses. Such occurrences can really drain you of patience and the leisure time on hand. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. These emergencies cannot be ruled out and hence, need to be covered via travelers insurance. The insurance will largely depend on the category of traveler you fit into. You could be categorized under single trip or multi trip, short or long trip, one time or frequent or tourist or adventure sport enthusiast. Whatever the category, there is a traveler's insurance designed for you.

The insurance company covering you under the traveler's insurance supports every effort made to plan the trip or vacation and ensures that nothing untoward happens. In other words, the travel insurance is a designed 'back up' for the unexpected turn of events, if any do raise their ugly heads. The covers provided under the different insurance packages include ticket reimbursement and medical expenses. It is important to understand that the ticket expenses are reimbursed in event of the trip getting cancelled or interrupted due to ill health. This could also be the case in event of the sudden loss or serious condition of family member. The traveler's medical insurance plan takes care of all medical expenses, including hospitalization during travel.

There are other specialized package plans available for particular travelers, like the student's plan that covers the student for a semester or even a year of travel. There are insurance plans that cater specifically to students studying abroad. In these travelers insurances, the premium is calculated on the basis of the plan module and the additional expenses that are naturally applicable to an overseas student, which differ from one cover to another. The backpacker's travel plan is designed for individual and extensive travelers. Since most of such trips involve trekking and road travel, the overages offered too relate to associated expenses.

There is a traveler's insurance plan specially designed for senior citizens who travel around the world, post retirement. However, the premiums calculated are higher since the insured are senior citizens, who are more likely to fall ill and make claims. The businessmen who travel frequently can invest in a special plan put together for them, which offers them the choice of an annual plan or a multi trip plan insurance coverage. The insurance plans designed for travelers also cover toddlers who are exposed to the risk of getting some infection or disease in transit. In such an unfortunate event, if the family trip stands cancelled, the plan provides for eventualities.

There are traveler's insurance covers that also provide for various types of groups. These include club member tours, tours organized by the civic authorities or the church or some youth organization. The group is covered for both a tour within and outside the country and covers the young and older members of the group. The risk factor associated with extreme sports like bunjee jumping, jet-skiing, parascending, water rafting, windsurfing, yatch racing and scuba diving cannot be denied. Such travelers are covered by the travel insurance companies under separate packages at extra costs. They cover the hazardous activities and calculate the premium according to the risk and age factor. info from googleitt.com


About the Author

stop by and check out googles new sister site.. http://www.googleitt.com

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

4 Simple Tips for Choosing Texas Individual Health Insurance

If you're shopping for an individual health insurance plan in Texas, it's easy to become confused by all the different options and terminology.

HMO's, PPO's, indemnity, riders, inclusions and exclusions... it's enough to make your head spin. But, never fear - all you really need to know are a few simple tips to help you choose the best policy for you and your family:
1. Know the policy limits of coverage. When choosing Texas individual health insurance coverage, it's important to understand the differences between coverage limits. Most plans you find are what is known as "managed-care" plans. Managed care plans cover your health costs even if they exceed the amount you've paid into your policy, up to the policy limits in your plan.

So, it's important that you know what the policy limits are so you can be prepared in case of a catastrophic, life-threatening, or extended illness. This is a very personal decision, and should not be made lightly; by all means, make sure you get the coverage limits you are most comfortable with.

2. Know the difference between HMOs and PPOs. HMOs arrange for or provide health care services on a prepaid basis, and generally limit you to providers that are in the HMO's network. On the other hand, PPOs often provide more flexibility, both in the levels of coverage provided as well as by allowing you to see the physician of your choice. So, most folks, when given the choice, would prefer a PPO over an HMO, since the PPO offers the greatest flexibility in coverage and choice of health care providers.

3. Know the policy limitations on preexisting conditions. Many health coverage plans contain limitations on preexisting medical conditions. These exclusions are governed by federal law, and are generally limited to conditions you received care for or were recommended to receive care for in the six month period preceding your enrollment dates. So, be aware that any preexisting conditions that fall within those guidelines may be excluded from coverage under a new health care coverage plan.

4. Know what the deductibles are. The deductible is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company is required to pay your expenses. Generally, a higher deductible means a lower monthly premium, and vice versa. Make sure that, if you choose a higher deductible, that you have the means to pay it in case of a hospitalization or major surgery. Those lower monthly premiums could very well end up costing you dearly down the road; make sure you plan accordingly.

So, to recap... Know your limits of coverage, know the difference between HMOs and PPOs, know what the limitations are for preexisting conditions, and know what the deductibles are for the policy you are considering.

About the Author

Mike Massie is an independent insurance agent specializing in individual, family, and small business health coverage for Texans. He offers instant texas online health insurance quotes at his website, http://www.easytexashealthinsurance.com/ .

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Suicide and Life Insurance

It might not be discussed much during the negotiation of a life insurance policy, but suicide can lead to difficulty between an insurance company and the beneficiary of an insurance payout. In fact the subject of suicide is not mentioned in the conditions of most policies.

But the subject of suicide is constantly brought up in online insurance forums, because this grey area in life insurance is confusing.

Most policies are voided if the policy holder suicides within a fixed time of the policy being written. In most cases this timeframe is one or two years. An insurer would not expect anyone considering suicide to wait two years after taking out a life insurance policy.

There is very little information on the relationship between suicide and life insurance. One study that does open up this area of research is The Trouble with Suicide: Mental Health, Suicide and the Northern Ireland Conflict by Mike Tomlinson. In this study Tomlinson mentions the relationship between suicide and insurance and he states that people with insurance are less likely to commit suicide.

It was found that the suicide rate of the insured was only about a third of the overall rate in the population, probably because the insured earn more and because of insurance screening which results in the insured having better mental health than the population at large – Mike Tomlinson This study, although making assumptions about suicide and life insurance, does bring up the point that a screening process does reduce the risk to the insurer. Another point is brought up in this study about suicide records. Because life insurance can be voided if suicide is the reason for death, a number of suicide cases may not be recorded as such. About 4000 people commit suicide each year in the UK, and this figure does not include the 30 to 50 per cent that most experts agree go unreported. The statistics show that young males are in a higher risk group, but most people who commit suicide have some form of psychiatric illness. Life insurance companies can sometime request psychiatric evaluation of a new policy holder.

About the Author

Simon Harvey is a freelance writer who lives in UK. Rita has worked in the health industry for more than 15 years. Get more information regarding illness and life insurance void life insurance policies.


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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Why hire an Accident Lawyer?

Many years ago, Allstate Insurance hired a team of consultants to help in redesigning their claims handling process. Their conclusion: Get the lawyers out of the claims process. Their studies found that by doing this, they could settle claims for substantially less money.

Even in small cases under $15,000.00, those persons represented by lawyers received substantially more in settlement, even after paying their attorney, than people who were not represented by a lawyer.


In larger cases, the difference was even more striking as the studies found that lawyers are able to get their clients exponentially more money as the claims value increases. Still want to handle your claim yourself?

Hiring an attorney early in your case will ensure that your rights and interests are protected. An attorney will usually charge a fee that is a set percentage of your eventual settlement or judgment amount. If you retain the attorney sooner rather than later, the attorney will have more time to ensure that your case is developed to its maximum potential value. The result - MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.

If you have already determined that you should probably hire an attorney, these are the reasons you should hire that attorney NOW rather than weeks or months down the road:

1. An experienced attorney will be able to determine what evidence you will need to prove your case to the adjustor or at trial and how such evidence can be recorded and preserved in the meantime.

2. An attorney will help coordinate all available medical insurance coverage to make sure that you get prompt and thorough medical care.

3. An attorney can help you get medical care when you do not have any health or med-pay insurance.

4. An attorney will help you document all of your losses to make sure that you can recover for as much of your damages as possible.

5. An attorney will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.

HOW MUCH WILL A LAWYER CHARGE?

Most accident attorneys will work on your case on a "contingency" basis. This means that you will not have to pay your attorney for any work on the case until, and unless, that attorney secures a settlement or judgment on your behalf. If your attorney does not recover any money on your behalf, you do not pay your attorney for his time. Please note that most attorneys will require you to pay for necessary expenses they incurred in preparing your case regardless of whether or not your case is successful.

Any attorney that you consider hiring is required to advise you of alternate types of fee arrangements (such as an hourly fee or flat fee) and give you the option of selecting one of these alternate types. However, these types require you to pay for your attorney's time and work up front, regardless of whether or not they recover any money on your behalf. Consequently, most accident cases are handled on a contingent basis.

Important Tip: You will be paying your attorney the same amount whether he works on the case two months or two years. Why not give that attorney as much time as possible to make sure that your case value is maximized?

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK WHEN HIRING A LAWYER? By asking the following questions when first meeting with a lawyer, you will quickly gain an understanding of the ability of that lawyer to adequately protect your interests:

1. How many years experience do you have in representing accident victims? A qualified attorney will have several years experience in representing accident victims. Make sure that your case will not simply be passed on to other, less-experienced attorneys.

2. Will I work with you directly or mainly with paralegals and legal assistants? Frequent involvement directly with your attorney will help ensure that your case is prepared as thoroughly as possible.

3. How do you keep yourself informed of the latest developments in this area of the law? Skilled accident lawyers spend many days each year at seminars learning new developments in this area of law.

4. What professional groups are you a member of? There are several professional organizations that allow attorneys to learn from other lawyers and stay better informed of recent changes in the law. Look for membership in a State Bar Association and state trial lawyers association.

5. Do you also represent insurance companies? Many qualified accident lawyers also function as "Insurance Defense" lawyers and represent at-fault drivers or their insurance companies from time to time. This may mean that your prospective attorney may have a "conflict of interest" and be legally precluded from representing you in a case that involves an insurance company with which that attorney has an ongoing business relationship.

6. Will I have to pay for your services even if you do not recover a settlement or judgment for me? If you retain your attorney on a contingent basis, you will not, in most states, be responsible for paying your attorney's fees if they are not successful in securing a settlement or judgment on your behalf.

7. Am I liable for any costs associated with investigating and preparing my case? Under many states laws, if your attorney intends to hold you responsible for the costs necessary to investigate and prepare your case, they must advise you in writing of this fact before signing you up as a client.

8. How much will associated costs be for my case? A typical auto accident case will require expenses for such costs as copies of the accident report, copies of your medical records as well as any fees charges by expert witnesses that may be necessary to present your case. These costs can vary greatly from case to case but even a simple case can cost several hundred dollars to prepare.

9. Are there any difficult issues in my case? An experienced attorney should be able to quickly identify any problem issues and be willing to discuss these issues with you.

10. How many other cases will you handle at any given time? The more cases an attorney has, the less time and personal attention those cases will likely receive.

Caution: Many of the accident lawyers that you see advertising on television or in multi-page phone book ads handle HUNDREDS of cases at any given time. While this type of practice may be financially rewarding for the attorney, it prevents the attorney from working personally on their clients' cases and can compromise their ability to effectively represent their interests.

You may also want to research any attorney with your State Bar Association. These resources will allow you to discover whether your prospective attorney has ever faced any disciplinary actions or had complaints filed against them by previous clients.

Caution: Not all attorneys focus on representing accident victims. Unlike some states, Colorado does not grant special designations to those attorneys who limit their practices to this area of law.

About the Author

For more information please visit: website: http://www.DenversAccidentLawyer.com blog: http://www.DenverAccidentInformation.com

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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Medical Solutions: The Tummy Tuck

Removing fat from localized areas of the body has become a growing trend in weight loss surgery. Furthermore, helping to streamline one's appearance and tightening loose skin is an oft heard goal from those seeking the care and expertise of a plastic surgeon.

If seeking a tummy tuck, there are a few surgical procedures performed by trained and experienced plastic surgeons that involve tightening and flattening the skin of the abdominal area. The procedure is often requested by women who are looking to slim up their waist line, flatten their waists, and to tighten skin that has loosened over time for various reasons.

Skin can loosen after child birth, due to weight gain and then loss, and just from gravity's pull. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help to prevent weight gain which is one reason that skin begins to sag. A tummy tuck primarily involves tightening and flattening. For those who wish to lose abdominal fat prior to the procedure, the procedure can be done in conjunction with liposuction. With the two procedures combined, patients can remove excess fatty deposits and then have skin tightened and slim down their appearance.

There are benefits and risks with all surgical procedures of course and it is important to find an experienced and trusted plastic surgeon who can discuss the treatment with you and who can answer questions associated with the procedure. There are a number of procedures which help patients to lose weight and if liposuction is not a viable options, surgeons can recommend other weight loss procedures that can help to minimize body fat. It is always best to research natural ways to lose weight, meaning a healthy diet and exercise. Implementing healthy lifestyle practices is best to do anyway since no surgical procedure can offer a permanent freedom from weight issues. A tummy tuck is not only associated with weight loss, but can be caused by a number of issues. Finding out what technique your plastic surgeon uses is a great idea to make sure that it best suits your goals. Also, having realistic expectations is a great idea because surgery is usually a last resort when the patient has found that other methods have not delivered the desired results. Furthermore, the #1 best way to maintain a positive self image is to maintain a healthy life, both physically and psychologically. So keeping that in mind can enhance your decision to undergo a tummy tuck or not.

Since a tummy tuck can involve benefits and risks, all scenarios ought to be thoroughly discussed. Patients benefit from understanding the entire procedure, including how long it will take and what their recovery time will be. Satisfaction certainly goes up when patients know what to expect and have a clear understanding of what the procedure can reasonably do for them. It is thus best to get a handle on the procedure and what your goals are and how you plan to make sure that you maintain the investment. Since cosmetic procedures such as this are not covered by health insurance providers, it is a good idea to implement a sturdy commitment to greater health to maintain the look that the surgery provides. This is all part of the process and part of a satisfactory experience.

About the Author

More information on a tummy tuck, stomach stapling and a cosmetic surgeon in your area is just a click away.

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Friday, June 13, 2008

The Real Reason for the Health Insurance Mess

Why does health insurance cost so much in America? Obviously there are a variety of factors contributing to the ever escalating cost of insuring the average American. The first and foremost is the nature of the system. Health insurance companies, like all business entities, consider the bottom line first. Corporations are, above all, responsible to earn profits for their stockholders. If they can increase profits by raising prices, then they are obligated to do so. This is the nature of our system of capitalism.

While most Americans enjoy and appreciate our capitalist system, many believe that some things do not belong in that game. The most advanced countries have eliminated health-care from their list of entrepreneurial avenues. And whether or not you concur, or disagree, there is no doubt that profit is a contributing factor to the rising cost of health care.

The lack of uniformity is another contributor. Every state has its own set of rules. Every state has its own licensing regulations. In addition rates vary by the area in which you live and the geographic areas in which you wish to be covered.

The absence of preventative medical treatment is also a factor. Consider how many serious ailments might have been averted had they been discovered in the earliest phases. An increased availability of less expensive diagnostic and preventative treatments, could greatly reduce health care costs in America.

The continuously rising costs of health care in itself has led to the increase of health insurance premiums. New treatments, new discoveries, new tools and new regulations have all caused our basic health care ticket to rise dramatically, forcing insurers to increase rates accordingly.

Fraud, litigation, a degrading environment, improper diet, lifestyle choices, and stress are all factors leading to an increase in health care conditions and the rising costs.

We seem to be in an endless circle. The more effective and expensive a treatment, the more people will default on their payments, forcing an increase in the costs for those who are able to pay. As the costs of treatment increases, so does the cost to the insurer and thus the insurance premium. As insurance premiums increase, fewer people are able to afford coverage, resulting in more people defaulting on their medical payments, again leading to further increases in treatment and coverage, and so on and so on and so on.

While it's easy to exclusively blame the insurance carriers, it would be wrong, for they're just playing their part in the game. They're no worse than the officers of any successful corporation. No worse than the oil companies. It's the nature of the business, not the individual, that has them profiting from suffering. The agents, the general agents, the carriers, the re-insurers are all just doing their part, keeping the ball rolling. If the ball seems to be flat, don't blame those keeping it in play, repair the hole, or get a new ball.

About the Author

Jeff Wild is an independent health insurance agent and a representative of some of the highest rated insurers in the United States. His Web Site, Simple Health Coverage was created to educate, inform and connect you, the consumers with the best carriers, policies agents and choices in your geographic area.

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Being prepared is not so difficult, here are some tips

Considering health plans at a young age isn't easy especially when you're healthy but that does not mean you will not require protection at some point; which makes preparing for this by arranging a critical illness insurance policy all the more important. Providing financial peace of mind for your family by taking out protection for a mere few dollars each week, does not seem as important to most of us as having that luxury cup of coffee every day during lunch.

Insurance providers, acting on the statistical information they receive from research institutes now offer this type of protection to every one of their customers.


These studies make for somber reading when you consider around one in five men will contract one of these conditions before they reach retirement age. For women, this figure is slightly lower with only one in six being affected by before retirement.

Of course, most people do not actually feel they require critical illness insurance and would explain why they are so reluctant to start a plan. This type of policy is designed to protect those around you who you love but the primary reason why people organize critical illness cover is to ensure mortgage repayments do not lapse.

Whilst over the last few years the amount of insurance policies arranged online has increased dramatically, not every type of policy was available but coverage for critical illness has now been added. Unfortunately, being a relatively new facility, there are new problems that occur as more companies start offering services over the Internet for the first time. This is because many insurance providers who offer this type of coverage wish to have the applicant take a medical examination by an independent physician to ensure there is nothing untoward right from the start. If you have to make a claim on your critical illness insurance policy, the last thing you want is insensitivity or apparent non co-operation from your insurer.

One group of high risk people are those that smoke, in fact they usually ask each applicant if they have smoked within the previous year and if the answer is 'yes', they will be rated higher. Insurance companies place smoking at the top of their list but other areas of your life can affect how much you pay for your premium like your age, physical health, activities you may participate in and the type of work you do.

Whilst critical illness insurance will not cure a person, the financial help it provides to a person who has a terminal illness cannot be dismissed. No person can guarantee that they will always be there for their family but insurance plans are one way to ease the burden if you are diagnosed with a critical medical condition.


About the Author


Francisco Segura owns and operates http://www.alcoholismadvise.com/alcoholism-disease.html Alcoholism Disease

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Saturday, June 7, 2008

Before You Hire, Should You Lease?

Before you hire that accountant or marketing manager, should you lease them instead? Increasingly, businesses are choosing from consultant-style agencies rather than hiring full-time workers. It can be a wise choice for small businesses in particular. Here's how to decide if Employee Leasing is right for you:



First, you must determine the hours of work you will actually need that employee. Too many companies, in the pride of being a company, do not realize that their employees are under challenged and would be more productive with a shortened schedule. Quite often, the employees feign busywork, aware of the expectation to appear busy. But many positions simply do not require much time. The only reason they are full-time positions is tradition has made them so. Ignore that expectation, and ask yourself, do I really need this position to be full-time?

If the answer is yes, look again. Imagine yourself in the position for which you are hiring. Would you be busy every day, for 8 hours? Or would your work come in seasonal loads, at times high, other times a mere trickle. Also ask what your emotional motive may be in hiring another person. Sometimes small business owners are lonely, and just want more people around. Could this be the case? If so, is there another way you can satisfy that social need?

Perhaps part of you balks at the idea of leasing an employee. You want to provide your employees with full-time, steady work and health insurance--the whole bit. If this is you, consider that employee leasing may be doing the employee a favor. They are getting experience at your company, without danger of losing their job. It is better to lease an employee than to hire them full-time and lay them off six months later when you realize you don't need them much, or can't afford them. Employee Leasing can be win-win for all parties.

A fear of some employers is releasing private company information. They feel concerned that the leased employee will leave with sensitive business information. However, you can easily control the information to which each employee has access. Just make the sensitive information off-limits, with computer passwords.

The benefits of employee leasing can be great. You are leasing professionals, not college kids from a temp agency. Professional leasing agencies do the background screening for you, the reference checks, and the interviews. So you save a lot of time at the beginning. Also, job training is minimal: The leased employee is already a professional in her field.

Which jobs are best for employee leasing? Accountants are a favorite. Financial management is quite similar from job to job, and easily interchangeable. But really, employee leasing can extend to positions that you may have never imagined. A short-term marketing manager could give your company's image a boost, or help prepare for a special event. Another idea is leasing a personal assistant for a busy period. A theater with a season of September-June may be best off leasing the majority of employees, rescaling to a minimal staff during summer months. You know your business best: What periods call for additional help? Can you do without that help at other times?

For cutting costs, in addition to employee leasing, consider how technology might help. Certified Payroll systems are becoming a popular opportunity to increase efficiency. Think creatively. You have many options for making your company more efficient.

About the Author

About the Author:Amy Brevard is a Freelance Writer working with Innuity. For more information about Certified Payroll or Employee Leasing visit HCS.

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Monday, June 2, 2008

Why Travel Insurance is a Must

Travel insurance is necessary for your vacation packages and without it all your travel dreams cannot come true. Travel insurance is essential for a traveler as it covers your medical and financial expenses and losses incurred on your domestic or international travel. It’s usually arranged at the time of booking the trip and covers the exact duration of the trip.


Many travel agents offer insurance, as part of their travel packages but it will be worth for you if you arrange it on your own through an online source. You can search for a good insurance policy and choose between single and multi trip insurances. If you plan to travel once in a year, then travel insurance of single trip policy will be suitable. But if you have plans to travel frequently then you can consider taking multi trip insurance policy. Continuous insurance can be bought from travel agents, travel suppliers like tour operators, cruise lines and companies offering travel insurance.

A multi trip insurance policy is commonly referred as annual insurance travel policy and can save big money in the long run. While arranging for insurance policies for travel, be clear with what the insurance coverage is provided along with the inclusions and exclusions. Always remember to look at other things also if you look for a compromise between your travel insurance coverage and the premium to be paid. Never assume that a policy with cheap premium will not offer good insurance coverage. This may work in reverse also. A policy taken at a higher price need not cover all aspects of insurance coverage required by you.

As a traveler you face lot of problems and risks while traveling like loss of property and money, trip cancellation, natural calamities, accidents, occasionally death and terrorist attacks. You cannot prevent these risks or stop your travel plan but you can reduce the risk involved by taking travel insurance policies.

The concept of travel insurance is very simple. You pay a travel insurance premium to the company and they in turn covers for your loss of valuables, accidents and unforeseen things.

The premium you pay for travel insurance covers risks faced on travel like:


There are lots of possibilities for trip cancellation due to unavoidable circumstances and last minute cancellation will fetch you very less amount as refund. Your travel insurance covers such losses and provides the cancellation cost but the reason for cancellation must be part of the agreement you have signed with the company.

If you lose your baggage then the insurance company pays for the baggage cost but again based on the rules of your insurance contract. A travel insurance policy sometimes covers your medical expenses if incurred while traveling. But if you have got health insurance separately then you don’t have to spend again for health insurance during travel.

Generally travel insurance covers other things like accidental death, medical evacuation etc. An important golden rule of all insurance policies is to go through the agreement carefully because most of the time you apply for insurance policies during emergencies. Travel insurance is offered with various options for different types of travelers like student, business, adventure, international and leisure travelers. Travel insurance is also offered for participating in sports involving high risk and traveling to certain countries which have a high risk.

About the Author

Lesley Lyon is an expert in tourism related topics. He contributes articles to http://www.mytoursguide.com, http://www.bestdealsononline.com and http://www.holidayassistance.com

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Does Your Dog need Dog Insurance?

Dogs are great pets, always pleased to see their owners with this showing by the wag of their tails; they do not complain and are a way to de-stress form everyday life. Many owners find walking their dog one of the most relaxing things they can do and will enjoy the exercise as much as their companion will. Whatever the weather, your dog would follow you without even a whine but never as for anything other than you love in return.



Considering all these facets of a pet it is our duty to ensure that we try and show our pet some of the care and concern that they feel for us and dog insurance can be one of the best ways to show that we care. These policies provided by various pet insurance companies cover a wide range of services starting from accidents, serious illnesses and even routine health care for the pets. Dog insurance plans enable owners of dogs to look after their pets with the knowledge that if anything untoward happens to them they will not have to be concerned about medical fees.

While the huge advancements in pet health have lead to procedures being carried out now that just weren't available a few short years ago, they come at a price which health plans can help offset. It is even now possible for certain pets to have transplants and even the likes of hip replacements which not so long ago were not even thought about. Dogs too are prone to certain specific diseases like enlargement of heart, epilepsy, hip dysplasia which can be even be genetic.

Some of these conditions start after a certain age, often when the dog has become a valued and loved member of the family. So by providing a comprehensive dog insurance policy for your dog you can offset any financial worries that medical treatment may cause and still give your pet the best health care. Even on a regular basis a dog requires close attention to his health in terms of the best foods, nutrients and hygiene; regular check ups can include expensive vaccinations, maintenance procedures such as ear and teeth cleaning, de-worming, getting rid of unwanted mites and ticks and even minor infections.

The purpose of the insurance policy for your dog is to ensure all these regular checks are taken care of without the need for any financial concern meaning you can continue to enjoy their company for a very long time. If such care is taken it will ensure a happy and loving association between the dog and his owner. If you are not sure where to start in your search for a good plan then ask some of your neighbors who have dogs and see if they can advise you on a dog insurance plan that will cover everything discussed here.

About the Author

Brandon is a caring and loving dog owner who currently runs a site dedicated to dogs and house pets at www.thepetcarecenter.com. click here to get the information you need to determine if you dog needs insurance today.

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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Self Employed Health Insurance

A dilemma on cost effective self employed health insurance solutions, has put the American health insurance consumers who are self employed at odds with health insurance coverage over the last few health years. Demand for affordable Self employed health insurance policies is constantly on the rise and health insurance consumers are wondering what to do about health and self employed health insurance rising at such a high self employed rate. Health insurance in general has been rising and health insurance consumers with health need to know about health insurance.


Self employed health insurance can be frustrating for health insurance consumers mainly because of health and self employed health insurance price. With this health insurance article we'll outline some self employed health insurance facts you can do to lower your health insurance costs. First, look at the self employed health insurance deductible. With health insurance the higher the self employed health insurance deductible, the more the health insurance consumer will save. Instead of a $600 self employed health insurance deductible check on a $1100 health insurance deductible. Next, self employed health insurance co pays with health. Instead of a $12 health insurance co pay try a $15 self employed health insurance co pay.

Next with health, check the self employed health insurance company out carefully. Health insurance companies should be checked out when getting a self employed health insurance plan. Ask the health insurance company questions and grill them on health and self employed health insurance customer service issues to ensure your health employees are getting a good health insurance plan.

We've solved the self employed health insurance industry problem by providing cheap health insurance plans for your self employed business. Free Health insurance quotes can be delivered via email by the click of a mouse. Shopping health insurance has never been easier for health insurance consumers than right here. If you are still not happy, please read this article Self Employed Health Insurance - What does that mean?

For more info visit Self-employed health insurance Quote and Affordable Health Insurance Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ariful_Anam


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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Health Insurance - You Can Find The Best Insurance At The Cheapest Cost

It is hard to watch the television or read a newspaper today and not know that our country is having a health care crisis. Many people feel that they can not afford insurance and then there are those that feel they are healthy enough to not need Health Insurance. Let's get one thing strait that everyone needs health insurance because if you are young and healthy it is protection against a future accident or health issue that can cause you financial devastation. For all the others that feel that they can not afford it there are many options for you.


Learn how to find: Discount Health Insurance

Most states offer Medicaid that is available for low income families and you would be surprised to see how many families can qualify for this. You will need to fill out forms and get documentation to verify your income but all this worth is worth it to get the coverage you need. This is also a great way to get insurance for your children if they are not already covered.

Get some Advice about: Types of Insurance

Relatively cheap insurance can be found on the internet. There are a great variety of health insurance plans and if you do an extended search you will be able to find the health insurance that you need and it will be affordable. The cost vary greatly so do your homework to make sure that the companies have been in business for a respectable amount of time and that they are licensed to do business in your state. Get many quotes and check the benefits that best suit you and your pocket book.

Another option to find inexpensive health insurance is to check with local agencies and local insurance carriers. It is best to deal with individuals who deal with many companies so they can offer you many plans to choose from that have many benefits and a variety of prices. Remember that if you can not get the exact coverage that you want it is always better to have some coverage rather than none.

When is comes to finding inexpensive Health coverage make sure that you exhaust all of your options. It is important to be creative and look at everything that is available to you. All of your searching efforts will pay off in the end and you will find an affordable insurance policy.

About the Author

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Discount Insurance. http://finddiscountinsurance.com

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Life Insurance For Over 50's | Right Decisions Should Be Taken At Right Times

The word insurance in itself is very great, and then just imagine if one buys, the life insurance policies, then what would be the benefits of them. Yes, of course there are many benefits in buying or investing in any of the life insurance policies. They play a major role in our lives. Not only our present but also our future gets so very well secured. We need not have to worry once we have invested in any of the life insurance policies. There are many types of policies which we can benefit with, like the term insurance policy, the universal policy, the health policy, the whole term policy and so on. If you are interested to buy any of these policies then take the advice of the insurance policies experts and they will help you out.


Generally all the insurance policies are too good, but according to my personal experiences, I would suggest that the universal insurance policy is the best. This policy takes care of everything. Its format is such that it covers up the whole term and the financial declarations very easily. As we all are aware that fate strikes suddenly to us in any phase of life, either in good terms or in bad terms. At good times we all enjoy very much, but what about the bad times? Many of us are not even mentally or financially prepared to face the bad times. So in this case this universal insurance policy takes care of us and the financial crisis which we may have to go through at this time. On top of that this insurance policy also helps us to change our premiums payments according to our own benefits, e.g. like if for any reasons we are not able to pay the fixed amount of payment through the premium which we had fixed during the time of the investment previously, then this policy helps us out to change the amount of premiums which have to be paid according to our benefits for a few period of time and then it can be changed again. We can also stop paying the amount through the premiums for a certain period of time.

We cannot risk the lives of our dear ones so easily. All we have to do is to compromise a bit in our present expenses and save the future of our loved ones. In the earlier years all this was not possible and our great grand parents had no such experiences and well as the benefits, so they never invested for us in any such type of policies. But we are very lucky that we can very much benefit from all these types of policies and can get the future of our loved ones secured. If you have already invested in any of the life insurance policies, then it is too good and you need not worry. In fact you can suggest your friends and relatives also to invest in any of these life insurance policies and rest in peace. And if you have not invested anywhere in any of these policies, then my dear friends after reading this article, I hope you will take some wise decision to secure the future of yourself as well as your family.

About the Author

Angela has a lot of experience in life insurance for over 50"s and in the other areas of life insurance. Please visit: http://www.choicesinc.ca/life-insurance-for-over-50s/

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All about Getting Plastic Surgery Abroad

The United States is well-known for its state-of-the-art medical care, including plastic (or cosmetic) surgery. This being the case, why are so many people choosing to obtain their plastic surgery abroad?

The answer, typically, comes down to the "almighty dollar." Plastic surgery abroad is often much less expensive than if it were to be performed at a medical facility within the United States.

Since, in the US, "money talks," the insurance companies and the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) either will not cover elective plastic surgery at all, or else will charge the patient an extraordinarily large deductable fee.


Of course there are exceptions to this problem. In many cases, a patient need not seek plastic surgery abroad at a less expensive cost if the reason for the surgery is medically necessary rather than elective.

For example, a child born with a cleft palate or a seriously injured burn patient will require extensive plastic, or reconstructive, surgery in order to achieve a more "normal" appearance and emotional healing. Insurance companies and HMOs will cover the cost of these surgeries since they are considered medically necessary.

Conversely, procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, face lifts, rhinoplasty and other surgeries that are performed for the sole purpose of enhancing one's appearance are rarely, if ever, covered by HMOs and insurance companies.

Thus, an increasing number of Americans are seeking plastic surgery abroad. Even if the patient must personally pay for the procedure, it is much less costly than it would be in the United States.

This is most often because of the low cost of living in other countries, meaning that wages for top-quality physicians and registered nurses are lower. Having plastic surgery abroad passes these savings along to you. Procedures in the United States are more expensive because our cost of living so is very high.

What about standards of care? If you decide to obtain your plastic surgery abroad, the price of the procedure will be less, but will the quality of your surgery and post-surgical care be as great as in the United States?

Whatever medical facility you choose, look for a surgical staff whose credentials state "Board Certified F.R.C.S." (Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons) if the surgeon was trained in the UK, Australia or New Zealand.

When you have plastic surgery abroad at a qualified medical facility, you can be assured that you will receive the finest standard of care globally available, both in your surgical procedure and your post-surgical care.

About the Author

Beautiful You Holidays is one of the first and unique world renowned medical organizations in Malaysia, specializing in Cosmetic Surgery Abroad. For more Information on Plastic Surgery Abroad Check out http://www.BeautifulYouHolidays.com/

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Full Scope Of Social Security Benefits

You work during your work life. You contribute. Your employer contributes. You retire. You draw the benefits. That is a key part of Social Security, but it is only a part. The rest of the protections in their own way are every bit as valuable and as necessary as retirement benefits.

For example, there is a disability benefit. If a young worker is on their way to work today and is disabled in an accident on a freeway and cannot work again, that worker under the social contract we have under Social Security has the ability not to become a pauper, not to have their family and children become paupers, but to be able to sustain themselves because they are part of this National, social contract in the insurance system where we have anticipated that that will happen to some number of people.

And we do not want those people's lives to be destroyed when a disabling accident happens, whether they are on their way to work, at work, or what have you.

In addition to that, we have, if we think of an even worse case, an instance where someone is a younger worker loses their life. We have a survivor's benefit so that again, you have a situation where the family is able to derive some support and some financial strength, but it comes off this National insurance contract that we have one with the other.

We hope this will not happen to us, but if it does or to the person next door or across town, then, we are tied into this arrangement where we provide this kind of insurance one to the other.

And it is a very important benefit. In every single day, there are younger workers in our society, workers up and down the scale to which these events happen, and families.

And the Social Security system kicks in. It is there when they need it. And thank God for it.

Finally, there is also health care protection in the Medicare Part A portion of Medicare. And so it is not just a matter of a retirement benefit per se in the sense of an income that comes in at retirement age, but it also is the very important and very valuable, very financially important support that comes through Part A of Medicare.

Any serious discussion of Social Security cannot be squeezed down to an artificially small definition of what it is, as important as that may be, namely, retirement benefits, but we have to understand this broader scope of the protections because that is really what ties the generations together.

This is really a cross-generational program. This is not just a matter of the younger workers providing a flow of income into the fund for retired workers, whether in their family or outside.

It is actually a cross-generational set of insurance protections so that younger workers have available to them at exactly the time they need it the most of a form of social insurance that they would not have any other way.

About the Author

Sammy Beanard has researched and written about social security and other issues.

To see more of his writing, visit his articles about social security index searches and license plate search sites.

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Friday, May 16, 2008

Whole Life Insurance Advice - How to Get the Best Rate

Whole life insurance is a great tool to both protect your family and grow your money. Here's whole life insurance advice that explains what whole life insurance is and how to get the best rate.

What is Whole Life Insurance?


Whole life insurance has two components: insurance to protect your family and an investment option that builds up equity known as the cash value. When you buy this type of insurance, part of your premium pays for the actual insurance and the rest is invested.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Whole Life Insurance

The main disadvantage of whole life insurance is that it costs more than other types of life insurance. However, it also offers many advantages:

* The premium does not increase as you get older.

* The coverage does not expire as long as you continue paying the premium.

* Your cash value continues to grow as long as you hold the policy.

* You can cancel or surrender your policy at any time and still receive the equity you've built up. You can also borrow against the cash value.

* Your cash value is tax-deferred until you withdraw it.

Finding the Best Rate

Because whole life insurance can be expensive, you need to comparison shop in order to make sure you're getting the best rate possible. The easiest way to comparison shop is to go to an insurance comparison website. On these websites you fill out a simple online questionnaire with information such as ...

* How much insurance you want to buy

* What your age is

* What your occupation is

* How your health is

Once you submit the application, you'll receive quotes from several A-rated insurance companies. Then all you have to do is review the quotes and choose the one that's best for you.

If you have questions, or need advice on how to lower your premium, the best insurance comparison websites have a chat feature so you can talk online with insurance professionals (see link below).

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/life-insurance.html or click on the following link to get whole life insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.


About the Author

The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles with whole life insurance advice.

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Visitors Medical Insurance

Foreign travel can be both exciting and challenging. Travel planning calls for a lot of thought and time. Often healthcare needs of travelers are overlooked. This oversight can turn an otherwise great trip into something out of a nightmare. These are some important steps you must take before you undertake any travel:

1. See your primary care physician and discuss your needs during your foreign travel. Ensure everybody is current with immunizations. Many Asian and African nations demand proof or certificate of vaccination. These requirements can be obtained from your travel agent.

2. Study your current health insurance plan to determine if it offers adequate coverage overseas. If it is not clear check with your insurance company about what is covered and excluded during overseas travel.

3. If your current health plan doesn't offer coverage for medical expenses and medical evacuation it is prudent to consider foreign visitor insurance. If your travels are short term then you can consider a visitor medical insurance policy. If you are out on a long trip spanning several years then you can consider a more comprehensive international health insurance plan offering regular pregnancy and preventive healthcare benefits.

The premium for the plan is influenced by your age, the type of benefits and the length of coverage. It is best to speak to an experienced visitors insurance professional. Ask the right questions and ensure you protect your most important asset - health.

About the Author

Author Chiranth Nataraj is a qualified and well experienced health insurance professional. He often writes about visitors medical insurance and visitors health insurance.

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International Health Insurance

Traveling or moving to a foreign country is exciting and can be challenging. In both situations it is important to arrange for health insurance for your family. Your current health insurance will not cover you when you are abroad. If you are traveling for a short period, you will need coverage for any sudden sickness or injury. Most travel medical plans offer coverage in such situations. The plans can sometimes include coverage for bringing you back home for treatment.

Some plans can also cover sudden re occurrences of pre existing conditions. Review the brochures of the plans to understand exclusions. Travel medical plans are not designed to offer preventive care and extensive coverage for pre existing conditions and maternity. The plans expire once you come back to your home country or offer limited optional home country coverage. These plans are an inexpensive way to get comprehensive coverage. You can get immediate coverage.

If you are planning on living abroad for a long period of time you may consider the Global health plans. They are designed for international travelers, teachers, missionaries and other professionals who live abroad. They are a comprehensive solution for people who need coverage around the world including their home country. These plans offer preventive care, coverage for pre existing conditions and maternity. Some benefits may have a waiting period. The plans can be renewed for the duration of your stay. Some plans have networks of providers around the world along with assistance services to help you choose a provider. Applicants must fill out a health questionnaire. Plans have guidelines and requirements that must be met before they are issued.

The plan cost or premium will depend on: Your age, maximum coverage requested, deductible, type of coverage/benefits. Select a plan with the benefits you need. Whether you choose a short term Travel Medical Insurance plan or a long term Global Health plan understand the plan coverage, benefits and exclusions. Discuss your requirements with our licensed professional agents to find a solution that works for you.

About the Author


Suchi works in the Global Health Insurance industry. She often writes about International Health Insurance and provides online advice on International Travel Health Insurance.

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Quit Smoking

There are many reasons why you might want to consider quitting smoking, but foremost among them are probably concerns about your health - by now, most people are well aware of the risks of smoking. It's not just about your own health though - you should also consider the health of people around you (including family members and other loved ones), who, even if they are non-smokers, are forced to breathe in your smoke just because they share the same living space as you (this is known as "passive smoking").


In these times of economic uncertainty, another good reason for quitting that probably springs to mind is the sheer cost of smoking - your habit may be costing you a small fortune - your money is literally going up in smoke. When thinking about the financial reasons for giving up smoking, it's not just that the cost of cigarettes that you should consider - smoking may well result in paying higher health insurance premiums, and these days, it's also possible that your employer may view smoking in a negative light, and that could well have a negative effect on your career.

Other reasons to give up smoking include the fact the fact that it can makes home, your clothes and you smell of stale smoke, it can stain your fingers and teeth, and in today's world, more and more people are seeing smoking as an anti-social habit.

Of course, whether to give up smoking or continue is in the end your decision, but you should think about all these issues carefully. If you do decide to give up, as you already know, it may not be easy - it's not uncommon for smokers to go through several failed attempts at quitting before finally becoming an ex-smoker. If you do decide to quit smoking, I would strongly suggest you discuss your plans with your doctor, who will no doubt be able to give you helpful advice and help you increase your chances of success.

About the Author

By S. Tanna. First published at Guide to Quit Smoking at http://www.guide2quitsmoking.com/

Note: The author is NOT a doctor or medical professional, and this article is NOT intended as medical advice. I strongly recommend that you consult your doctor if you n

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Warning About Life Insurance Lies

Millions of people have put their life insurance at risk because they lied about their health status. They face the possibility of having their life insurance and critical illness policies cancelled.

People cover up being a smoker or a healthy drinker, and people regularly give false information on their weight or health problems.


A study by Norwich Union of 2,500 customers found as many as one in 14 provided false information relating to their health or lifestyle. Other research showed a higher 15% of people who are not truthful when applying for insurance cover.

Currently insurers reject as many as 20% of claims due to misinformation, but this doesn’t deter people, where as many as 52% of men and 43% of women say they routinely lie about the state of their health in everyday life. Those who lie on insurance policies risk personal and financial disaster if they are found out.

Life insurance is a simple form of protection, which pays out a lump sum on the police holders’ death. These policies can be ‘for life’ or for a fixed term eg.25 years.

Over the past few years, life insurance premiums have fallen sharply as life expectancy has risen and competition amongst insurers has grown. But anyone outside the 'norm' - such as those who are overweight and those who smoke - will increasingly pay more for cover. According to financial website find.co.uk, a 20-year level term policy with a sum assured of £100,000 would cost about £13.50 a month for a 35-yearold male smoker. A non-smoker of the same age would pay about £8 a month - a saving of £64 a year or nearly £1,300 over 20 years.

There are other more simple ways to get better value of your life insurance premiums and save money without being fraudulent.

Insurers calculate your life insurance premium by using information about your health, age, occupation and lifestyle. Most people are unwilling to do measures such as losing weight or giving up smoking to get cheaper life insurance. To be eligible for discount you have to have quit smoking for at least one year to be classed as a non-smoker, but can wipe many pounds off your monthly premiums.

Recently a new life insurance policy was launched offering lower premiums to vegetarians. Animal Friends Insurance offered a 6% discount on its life insurance for non-meat eaters, because medical evidence suggested they were less likely to suffer from major illnesses than those who ate meat.

Norwich Union is now considering challenging the rest of its two million UK customers to come clean about their health status. People who have found to have been dishonest could see sharp increases in their premiums or even have the policies cancelled. Insurance fraud is covered under the Fraud Act 2006, which defines fraud as being committed when a person makes a ‘false representation.’ Using a fraudulent health insurance policy could result in up to ten years imprisonment, a fine, or both.

So its better to be honest on your life insurance, make steps to get discounts and seriously shop around for the cheapest policy.

About the Author

Drew is an author of several articles pertaining to Life Insurance. He is known for his expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.

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Money Saving Ways to Remove Stress from Buying Insurance

ealth insurance. Life insurance. Car insurance. Of the three, health insurance creates the highest anxiety, simply because health care costs continue to rise at the fastest rate in U.S. history. But you can take the stress out of buying insurance with these eight money-saving tips.


1. Do your homework. It's important to create a balance between all three, necessary insurance coverages. The greatest majority of Americans cannot afford adequate insurance coverage, period. But creating a plan that includes saving for insurance coverage is less stressful than giving up.

2. Comparison shop. You can buy a stronger insurance policy or get insurance you don't already have by cutting down the cost of your current insurance. Comparison shop. Go to unbiased resources such as the magazine Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org), because they have no conflict of interest when they offer ratings due to their not accepting marketing dollars. Make it a habit to revisit your coverage once a year.

3. Think "group coverage." If you are self-employed or working for an organization that does not provide insurance, consult professional organizations in your field to learn if "group" self-insurance is available that can offer lower rates than individual-only policies.

4. Investigate a provider's ability to deliver what he promises you before you sign the bottom line. A.M. Best provides free access to its Insurer Ratings Directory at its Web site at www.ambest.com. Contacting the Attorney General's office for your home state will provide more information for you. Do a "google.com" search, too, for the latest news and reports on the reputation of insurance companies.

5. Don't make mistakes on your insurance application. If you make a mistake or leave out any information (especially on many of today's health policies that will void your policy over the smallest mistakes or omissions), you risk being declared ineligible. When you need your insurance is when some insurers will go over your policy word by word searching for any mistakes. So don't make mistakes.

6. Always pay for your insurance coverage with a check, not cash. You need a paper trail to prove you have coverage and have made your payments in a timely fashion. Keep your records in a safe place.

7. Do your homework before saying yes to supplemental insurance. Don't pay for supplemental insurance you don't need. Also ask yourself: Is this policy really just a company that provides discounts that you can negotiate yourself or find by comparison shopping?

8. If you are over the age of 50. If you are 50 or older, or approaching that age, consider joining the American Association of Retired Persons (www.aarp.org). The richest corporations have powerful lobbyists to win tax breaks and cost savings from Congress every year. The AARP combines its large membership voice to equal the lobbying clout of many top corporate interests.

In our world today, purchasing insurance for your medical needs, your life span and your car can create high levels of stress. We hope our tips help to lower your stress level.

About the Author

Ruth Klein is an award-winning business owner, best-selling author and marketing and time management consultant whose clients range from solo entrepreneurs to the Fortune 500. Sign up to receive Ruth's 7 Part Mini-Course on Branding and Productivity. http://tinyurl.com/25tqo5

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Discount Dental Plans - An Affordable Alternative To Dental Insurance

America is in the midst of a healthcare crisis. Close to 48 million Americans do not have any health insurance and many are underinsured. Even more Americans lack good dental care. Statistics show that as many as 7 out of 10 Americans do not have an affordable dental plan. This is a serious situation because dental and gum disease can effect your general health. There is evidence that the bacteria from diseased gums and teeth may cause inflammation in the body which can eventually lead to heart and coronary artery disease. Preventive dental care can avoid these serious complications. In addition, a pleasant and healthy smile can help you feel confident and secure when you meet people, and can even help you perform better at a job interview.

While most families realize the importance of good dental care, the cost of dental treatment has become prohibitively expensive in the past few years as has the cost of dental insurance. If you work for a large company, you may be able to obtain a traditional dental insurance policy. This will help with some expenses; however, most dental insurance plans have limits on how much an individual can spend on dental treatment per year. Typical annual dental plan yearly maximums are as low as $1,000 per patient. Treatment to save just one tooth with a root canal and a porcelain crown to protect the devitalized tooth will easily top this limit. What if a family member needs more extensive work than this?

Another problem that patients have with dental insurance is that there will usually be a waiting period of up to one year for pre-existing dental conditions to be covered. If you have a serious dental problem, waiting a year before treatment can be initiated will only lead to a worsening of the condition meaning more costly treatment will be required in the future. Most dental insurance policies also have a missing tooth clause. This means that if a bridge or partial denture is needed for a tooth that was missing prior to treatment; the patient is not covered and must pay out of pocket.

Most traditional dental insurance plans offer very limited or no coverage for orthodontic treatment (braces) even though good tooth alignment can prevent more serious dental problems later on. In addition, cosmetic dentistry and dental implants are rarely covered. Another problem with dental insurance is the long claim forms that must be submitted. This is a hassle for both the patient and dental office alike.

Clearly for many families, a dental discount plan offers an affordable alternative to costly dental insurance. These dental discount plans are readily available to individuals, the self employed, as well as businesses. For patients with ongoing conditions or who need extensive restorative work, a dental discount plan is clearly the better choice because they will save much more with the discount program. Savings with a good dental discount plan typically range from 25% for specialist treatment (periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, etc.) to 80% for exams. Most major dental procedures such as fillings, root canals, crowns and bridges, dentures, and orthodontic treatment offer savings from 50% to 60% and even more when done by a general dentist--literally cutting a family's dental bill by more than half. In addition, patients will enjoy instant savings, no limits on visits or services, no age limits, no waiting period, and no paperwork. As an added benefit, many discount dental plans also offer value added services such as a prescription card, and savings on chiropractic and vision care.

About the Author

Helene Zemel, M.A., M.B.A., is a Senior Regional Sales Director for AmeriPlan USA. For more information visit: Health Plans Plus. For a discussion on healthcare issues and alternative medicine choices visit her blog at: Health Plans Plus Blog

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

How to Buy Health Insurance

‘Health is wealth,’ as they say. However, in today’s day and age, buying health insurance is as important as staying fit. Healthcare services are very expensive. Without health insurance you could find yourself struggling for years to pay off just a few days in the hospital. Here are some ideas for obtaining health insurance.


Step 1
Determine whether you need an individual policy for yourself or a policy for your whole family. Several associations and organizations offer health insurance for members. Check your affiliations to see if any group you belong to does so. This could save you a lot of money.

Step 2
Check if you already have insurance from your employer. Premium payments for this are automatically deducted from your monthly pay checks. Alternatively, you may have a job package which offers free insurance. If you are a student your university will provide you with coverage, requiring you to pay for it along with your tuition fees. But, if you are self-employed you will need to get health insurance on your own.

Step 3
Find out if you can legally obtain coverage trhough your previous employer during the period while you are unemployed. The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, popularly known as COBRA, allows for coverage during periods of unemployment.

Step 4
Go online and visit Web sites of companies that offer health insurance to individuals, such as Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) and UniCare. (See below.) Check the maximum health coverage limits. Choose a policy which insures you for at least $1 million as the top limit.

Step 5
Compare policies offered by different companies. There are Web sites that do this. See below.

Step 6
Look up "health insurance" in the Yellow Pages and contact insurance agents in your area specializing in health insurance.

Step 7
Discuss plans with friends, family and colleagues.

Step 8
Choose the best plan for you. The fee-for-service plan, although a common choice, can be expensive as the premium is high and sometimes you have to pay out of your own pocket if the expense exceeds a certain limit.

Step 9
Choose doctors and physicians carefully. You should choose a specialized physician relevant to your medical condition. You will need to do this if you are choosing Preferred Provider Plan (PPO) health insurance.

Step 10
Opting for a point-of-service plan, the other type of plan, leaves the decision to choose a specialist with the doctor whom you contacted first at the time of treatment. HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) require you to choose from doctors within their association.

Tips & Warnings


# If you want to lower your premium payments, choose HMOs over PPOs or POSs.
# Be honest and upfront about your medical history. Disclose all your relevant health details to your insurance company or agent. If you give inaccurate or incomplete information, the insurance company might refuse to pay your claims and could terminate your policy.

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Insurance Marketing Tips

Anything can be marketed effectively, and the basic principles of marketing remain the same, no matter what's being sold: You focus on what the benefit is to the person who's buying the product, you emphasize the points of differentiation between your product and the others in your market segment, and then close with the pitch.

We're going to make an example out of insurance marketing here to illustrate the point. The reason for insurance marketing is because everyone needs insurance, and the market is saturated with a lot of products competing. Writing insurance marketing tips for a saturated market is an example of how you, as an internet entrepreneur, can make money by being a liaison to local businesses in your area.

So, let's look at the big questions from up top �" what's the big benefit for taking insurance? It's buying a specific sort of peace of mind. It's providing coverage in case there's a disaster. Let's focus that into marketing insurance: "Wouldn't you like to know that your family will be taken care of, if something happens to you?" is one way to state the benefit. Another one is "It's cheaper to buy insurance for your car than to get into an accident without it. And while you may be a good driver, can you be certain of everyone else?" Both of these are fairly straightforward ways to insurance marketing and its benefits to the end customer.

Now, when I write insurance marketing tips, I'm constantly looking for the edge, the out �" the hook. What makes this product work for the reader and prospective buyer?

To answer that question, I start with doing some research on Google, and look for page ranks for specific permutations of insurance buying search terms, like "cheap health insurance" or "cheap life insurance" or "auto insurance Michigan" �" anything that will help narrow down the search fields. Then I look at what others are doing on those pages that pull up. It is extremely important to understand what your competitors are doing. It helps you keep track of market trends and makes sure you keep your edge.

Are they competing primarily on price, or are they competing on features? Insurance is a mature product category, so it's difficult to differentiate on new features. Difficult doesn't mean "impossible", though. There are combinations of features on policies that can form a competitive advantage; in the field, these tend to be short lived, because someone else will notice what you're selling and emulate it. Unlike technology where an advance can last for six to eighteen months before you get significant product penetration from competitors, writing a new policy package doesn't take much (indeed, they'll figure it out from your own marketing text…)

So the other differentiators are on price (which is the primary driver in insurance policies) and service (which is where insurance companies trying to maintain margins on policies try to set themselves up as upscale.

About the Author

David Ledoux is an author, speaker, trainer and mentor to entrepreneurs. His newest report The Small Business Death Sentence can be downloaded for free at http://bigmoneyfreetime.com

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Questions to Ask When Shopping for Health Insurance

Purchasing health insurance can be a frustrating task, but its well worth the time to search until you find the right policy for you and your family. A solid understanding of the coverage and how it applies will make the shopping process easier and can save you a lot of money.

Understanding health coverage begins with asking some questions. You should begin by asking your agent questions about who is covered under the proposed policy.

Who is entitled to benefits under my insurance policy? Will my children be covered if they move out of the house? What if they graduate from college? What if they get a full-time job? My spouse has health insurance coverage through his/her job. Will the group policy cover all the medical needs of my family?

There also are important financial issues you must understand before selecting health insurance. Determining the best possible benefits you can afford is one of the more difficult aspects of insurance shopping. Relevant questions to ask include:

How can I lower the cost of my premium? Will my premium come down if I do not have claims? Can I increase or lower my deductible or copay? If someone in my family gets sick will my premium be affected?

There may be circumstances when health insurance coverage covers you at a limited capacity or not at all. Ideally, you should know what coverage is offered before choosing a policy. Ask these questions:

Does my policy include a network of physicians from whom I must (or should) seek treatment?

If I seek treatment from a physician who is out of my network, how does this affect me and my insurance?

About the Author

To read much more about health insurance topics, including health insurance for self employed people, visit MedReliance.com.

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Health Insurance Providers Ease the Problems of Healthcare Services

f you live in the USA, you probably see lots of TV commercials or receive promotional letters from different health insurance providers. If you are like many other Americans, most of those medical policy messages fail to impress you or their glossy informational papers end up in your trash. But did you ever stop to think that you may be throwing away your quality of life or at the least, your ability to access good healthcare services?

Insurance policies are important even though their costs are fairly high. Nothing in life is certain. If you exercise regularly, eat and drink in moderation and take nutritional supplements, you are still at risk due to accidental injuries, viral or chronic diseases and other major hereditary or genetic illnesses. Owning more than one medical insurance policy from a variety of health insurance providers may be a godsend.

Healthcare services like preventive care (similar to the HMOs, healthcare maintenance organizations), long-term care, hospitalization coverage and major medical insurances along with a travel-related healthcare insurance provider's policy is the way to go - believe me, I'm not trying to make more sales for health insurance providers either. Emergencies happen and you really don't want to be caught short without some medical care insurance or limited coverage policies.

We want you to have the latest, best information on how to effectively bill, buy the policies and programs or block the denied claims or settlement payment refusal strategies of health insurance providers and medical insurance policy issuers.

If you are hunting for an individual, family, small business health insurance plan or if you plan on becoming a healthcare services provider who is looking for reasonable health insurance providers, we hope you diligently search for the most cost-effective resources, terms and policy programs you are able to find.

About the Author

Bill Thomas is editor of Healthcare Insurance Providers.Info - the site helps you buy policies or wisely handle the hassles of healthcare insurance providers & medical insurance policy issuers. If you use or provide healthcare services, our tools, articles & programs will help you succeed. http://www.healthcare-insurance-providers.info/

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Friday, May 9, 2008

Colon Cancer Prevention Guide

Colon cancer can kill you. I say it out right away to get this off the table. But I don't want to write about death. I'd rather write about prevention and what you can do TODAY to help reducing your risk of becoming sick with colon cancer. Of course, the best prevention is to detect colon cancer as soon as possible and then treat it accordingly before it starts spreading. Regular screenings for colon cancer, including detailed fecal occult blood tests, sigmoidoscopy and maybe even polyp removal, greatly reduce your risk of having a colorectal cancer. But these steps might not be an option for everyone.

We all know how expensive healthcare is and that the health care insurances will not pay for everything that can be done and if they actually do pay - you are probably facing a significant deductible. Let's be honest - not everyone has the financial strength to for those deductibles.

But there are many other things you can do to lower your risk include the following:

Quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes has been clearly identified as causing cancer and has been linked to colon cancer, too. Don't think smoking would just cause lung cancer.

Increase your exercise and workout habits. Fitness is not only providing you with more energy, but it also helps to reduce the risk of becoming sick.

Take an aspirin or baby aspirin every day. Because of potential side effects, this is not recommended for everyone. Talk to your primary care physician first.

Eat healthy. Eat a variety of fruits and veggies every day. One apple a day keeps the doctor away, right!?

Reduce your weight. Don't take that growing belly for granted. It's not good for you. Ask your doctor for assistance and find out what your desired weight should be.

Overall a healthy lifestyle is your best weapon against any illness - not just cancer. Still, there are no guarantees. A family history of colon cancer can throw all these efforts out the window, but on the other exactly these efforts may help you to beat the odds and to fight off the cancer development.

Important: People of age 50 and higher carry a much higher risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer. Even if you do not go to recurring annual exams with your doctor, age 50 should trigger you to schedule a colon cancer screening and to actually go there. Believe it or not, but some people schedule the screening and then are afraid to go because of the results. Don't let this fear stop you. Ignorance will not help to fight off the illness.

Conclusion. Colon Cancer prevention is a 2 step process. Step one are those things you can do yourself and do not require any medical assistance. The second step is regular screening and testing. This is where you depend on having a good doctor and a good health insurance, too. In general from age 35 and up you should go to annual physicals. If possible start even earlier.

About the Author

Colon Cancer can eventually be prevented. Read more about Colon Cleansing Programs at the Colon Cleanse Experts.

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Critical Illness Insurance Cover - Why It's A Must

When you are young fit and healthy, it is hard to plan for the day when that might not be the situation; health cover afforded by critical health insurance should not be underestimated. After all, you are providing for the financial needs of your family in the future if something untoward happens where you will no longer be around to help them in person.

Research has shown that planning for critical illness is a wise move as statistically the chance of this happening is actually high, so much so that insurance providers now offer this type of policy quite routinely.

These studies make for somber reading when you consider around one in five men will contract one of these conditions before they reach retirement age. This figure reduces, but only slightly, for women with around 15 percent having a severe health condition before retirement.

Of course, most people do not actually feel they require critical illness insurance and would explain why they are so reluctant to start a plan. Although this type of protection is taken out for many reasons, the majority of people use it to protect their mortgage repayments but these days, critical illness cover and life insurance can be linked directly with mortgage repayments.

Increasingly, the internet is being used to buy insurances online and this is now extending to illnesses that are long term or critical. In a rush to provide this type of health coverage, many details are not looked into fully and a number of problems have arisen from attempting to do this online. This is because many insurance providers who offer this type of coverage wish to have the applicant take a medical examination by an independent physician to ensure there is nothing untoward right from the start. If you have to make a claim on your critical illness insurance policy, the last thing you want is insensitivity or apparent non co-operation from your insurer.

Smokers are unfortunately treated as higher risk applicants; this includes anyone who has smoked within the previous year, and as a consequence they are placed in a high risk category. Whilst smoking is considered a serious risk to a person's health, there are other considerations that are taken into account; for instance the work or pastime may be dangerous, you may be in poor health generally or age may be against you.

However, the purpose of applying for critical illness insurance protection is to make sure that even if a terminal illness is diagnosed, surgery is required or even a period of unemployment, that benefits will be forthcoming to cover living expenses. If you have family responsibilities then there can be no debate about the benefits of having an insurance plan set up and in place should the worst happen.

About the Author

For everything you need to know about Critical Illness Insurance go to: http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.com

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

Universal Life Insurance | Different Kind Of Health Insurances

Few things are as important as health insurance. Many countries have what is called "single payer" healthcare. Health insurance for everyone comes out of taxes. If you get sick, you are automatically covered. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way in America. Without health insurance, a serious but treatable illness could be a death sentence. This is why it is important to always be insured.


I knew someone who was travelling overseas. She was young and in good health, and figured she didn't need health insurance - she had scarcely been sick a day in her life. She was in South America, when she started to feel nausea, and dizzy spells. At first she ignored them, but they soon grew worse. She returned to the United States and went to a doctor, and discovered that she had cancer. A doctor's visit, combined with a battery of tests can, by its self, cost hundreds of dollars. Treatment for cancer can run into the thousands, or even the tens or hundreds of thousands easily. She was unable to afford this kind of expense, and grew sick and eventually passed away. It was a tragic and avoidable death - if she had been insured, things might have turned out much differently.

There are several different kinds of health insurance. The most traditional kind is called a Fee-For-Service plan. It has the advantage of giving you a greater range of choices than any other health care plan - you can go to any doctor you want to. You pay a monthly premium, and also have a deductible, perhaps $250 or $500. This is the amount of medical expenses which you have to pay in any given year before your insurance takes effect. After that, it pays a majority of further medical expense while you pay a small portion, often around 20%.

Another type is called the HMO or Health Management Organization. An HMO has a staff of doctors, often in one or several central locations, which it requires all of its patients to go to. Although you don't have nearly the number of choices you do with a fee-for-service plan, your health costs will be much lower. There is a small fee charged for each visit to a doctor, but most other costs are covered by your insurance.

Most professionals are insured through their jobs. Their bosses are able to buy insurance at group rates, which saves money, and so they can offer their employees cheaper insurance than they could purchase on their own. Unfortunately, the way health insurance is set up can cause serious problems for an employee who develops a serious or chronic condition. If they wish to leave the company, they will not be able to find new insurance to cover them, because of their pre-existing condition. Other insurers will not want to cover them, because their condition means that their healthcare costs are likely to be higher than the amount of money which they pay for coverage. Therefore, they may because of their illness, be unable to leave their company, even if their job is unsatisfying. You can even look out for more information on internet for various types of Universal life insurance

About the Author

Donald is a professional who recommends universal life insurance you will find more, for more please visit: http://www.choicesinc.ca/universal-life-insurance/

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Life Insurance Toronto | Difference Between The Different Policies Available

If you are worried about your family's future then waste no time and check out what you can do for them while you are alive and also what you can do even if you are not with them. In today's uncertain world any thing can happen to you and you can find that your family is in deep financial trouble. You can take the advice of a local insurance agent who can guide you with the best of possible insurance policies which can take care of your family in future.

You can also lookout for the information on the internet also. There are many different policies available in the market to suit the needs of different individual with different kind of benefits too. All you have to do is to choose which one suits you the best of them all.

One should select a policy taking into considerations of all aspects in the life, that there can be sudden death to you by an accident or by any illness, or even if in a situation where a person has to spend his entire earnings onto the medical treatment due to a prolonged illness. This is when a person thanks a God that he had an insurance policy which took care of his all needs. One should always be prepared for any uncertainty that may happen at any given time.

Although the word life insurance may sound complicated, but once you do some kind of research then you will find it very easy. You can do some research by getting in touch with various companies providing life insurances or you can even log on to internet where there are many search engines which can provide you with lots of information about life insurance with just at the click of button.

I had a neighbor who met with an accident one day and he was hospitalized for more than three months. Three months? Just think with the kind of expenses that he had to go through. When he came out of the hospital, he found himself highly indebted with all the medical bills that had been incurred during the treatment. Believe me it took more than five years for him to repay all the money that he had taken as a loan from a bank to repay his medical bills. Had he taken a health insurance all his expenses would have been taken care of? This is when I realized that how important it is to make ourselves confident and financially secure with the help of these policies.

I would also like to give a suggestion to everyone that a term life insurance policy really helps you. The name and the working is very simple. All you have to do is to do some research and choose the right kind of policy which suits you the best and benefits you the most according to your requirement. You can get an option to choose from a fixed term insurance policy or a permanent policy. The basic difference between both the policies is that a term life insurance comes at a very affordable rate, where as permanent life policy is slightly costly, but you get an added advantage of getting additional financial support for you and your family for your entire life. In case if you have purchased a term life insurance policy and during the period insured any thing happens to you then the entire money is given to the person who is nominated by the insurer.

About the Author

Fred is a busy career man who recommends life insurance Toronto and if you want to find more information please visit:http://www.choicesinc.ca/life-insurance-toronto/

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