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
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Quit Smoking
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.
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
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
