Open the doors to the vast majority of celeb garages and you will be greeted by nothing other than the usual automotive suspects: Italian and German exotics, blinged-to-the-hilt Hummers, Cadillac Escalades and Bentleys, or Toyota's "I'm-saving-the-planet" Prius. More recently the Tesla Roadster (pictured) has also been added to the shopping list of any self-respecting superstar.

Fortunately, within the ranks of the A-list, you also find a bunch of free thinkers who either don't care what anybody thinks about their car, or has enough of a gearhead to pick something daring, unusual or downright cool.

Michael Schumacher – Fiat Croma

 

Sharon Stone – 1972 Ford LTD Convertible

 

Warren Buffet – Cadillac DTS

George Clooney – Tango 600

 

Elijah Wood – Mini Cooper

Patrick Dempsey - Jaguar XK120

Kate Moss - London cab

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Insurance Claim is the application that you file with the Insurance Company requesting a certain type of benefits or pay out. For instance if you end up in an car accident you would have to report the accident to the insurance company and then claim some money for the damages. Insurance claim is the first step in the settlement process, unless you claim the Insurance company is not going to pay any money. once you do claim the Insurance company is not going to pay you outright. They are first going to check the validity of the claim that you have made and then try to study the claim you have made and tally them to their valuation through special professionals called Insurance adjusters or claims specialists.

Insurance Adjustors are specialists in determining the repair costs for the damages. They could be working for the Insurance company or could be a third party investigator or could be an independent professional who is hired for this specific claim management. These folks are have a tough line to tread without falling on either side of the fence. They have to evaluate the damages correctly finding the most reasonable pay out. If they accept the claims outright or bloat the pay out by the influence of the policy holder they are going to be in trouble when the claim gets audited by another specialist. If they try to cut down the pay out more than the reasonable amount they are going to be ethically and some times legally challenged by the policy holder.

Before you make a claim with the insurance company you may have to have a few things in mind:

• Is this covered by the policy?
• Is your payments up to date and the policy active?
• Did you get paid by the other party in private settlement?
• Did this happen because of your negligence or carelessness?

The third point is worth noting. Sometimes during accidents or damage caused by someone else they may wish to settle this privately due to many reasons:

• Keep this issue completely private
• they are not covered by their insurance
• they don't want their ratings to go down
• They have defaulted on their premium payments

If they do settle privately you should not make any claims for the second time with your insurance company. Insurance companies can get back at you any time in the future through private investigators if they think a fraud has been committed. You are obliged to tell the the truth about the accident and let the company know about settlements and the difference could be settled by the company if they think it is part of the policy.

To summarize the Insurance claim is the process through which as a policy holder you request your Insurance company to pay the benefits. This could be done online, phone or through paperwork or just automatic through third parties like auto shops. Please bear in mind don't claim what you are not entitled to, don't keep quiet when you are entitled to claim a certain benefit. There are some helpful sections in this website which deliberates the rating risks after claims as well.

Flood insurance provides compensation for physical property damages due to flooding. To be a little precise it provides insurance for damage caused due to overflowing water bodies. in most countries there is the concept of flood hazard zones and in most developed countries there is a mandatory requirement to get Flood Insurance for property in the flood hazard zones. In USA the home owner insurance policies typically exclude flood coverage and require separate purchase of this policy. This is both good and bad as it reduces the cost for folks who are in zones which has a very low probability for flooding. One of the interesting myth floating around is rain coupled with high winds that seep into property or through open windows is considered for flood insurance program. It is not and irrespective of where you live it is just common sense to protect your property from rain water.

• Be prepared for the worst, as each hurricane is different.
• Investing in flood insurance saves you from the damage caused by hurricane related floods.
• Take an advice from your engineer on how to make your home more resistant to hurricane damage.
• Install storm doors. You will also need strong screws or nails that will be long enough to go through the wood around the window frame.
• Do not use electrical appliance during the storm.
• Have a landline phone service instead of cordless phone as hurricanes will put you out of power service.  
• Create a network of relatives, friends and neighbors to aid you in case of emergency.
• Keep an emergency kit which includes medicines, water, food, cash, important documents, first aid kit etc. Make arrangements for your pets.

• You need to contact your agent who sold you the policy either by phone or in person to let them know you have sustained a loss.
• You need to submit your proof of ownership and damage documentation of what you lost and its worth.
• The best way to document your claims is to make an inventory of everything you own.
• You can hire an attorney and file a complaint with your state insurance department if you are not happy with the claim amount settled.
• If you’re still not satisfied you can own your public insurance adjustor as they will try and reach quick settlements. You need to pay them a percentage of your claim as they are regulated by the states.

Homeowners insurance protects your house and belongings against damage or loss from things like fire, flood, theft, vandalism,  hail and lightning. It also covers liability for injuries suffered by others on your property.
How much homeowners insurance do I need? You need enough insurance to cover the following:

• The structure of your home.
• Your personal possessions.
• The cost of additional living expenses if your home is damaged and you have to live elsewhere during repairs.
• Your liability to others.

     You need enough insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding your home at current construction costs. Don't include the cost of the land. And don't base your rebuilding costs on the price you paid for your home. The cost of rebuilding could be more or less than the price you paid or could sell it for today.
Some banks require you to buy homeowners insurance to cover the amount of your mortgage. If the limit of your insurance policy is based on your mortgage, make sure it's enough to cover the cost of rebuilding. (If your mortgage is paid off, don't cancel your homeowners policy. Homeowners insurance protects your investment in your home.)
     For a quick estimate of the amount of insurance you need, multiply the total square footage of your home by local building costs per square foot. To find out construction costs in your community, call your local real estate agent, builders association or insurance agent.
Factors that will determine the cost of rebuilding your home:

• Local construction costs
• The square footage of the structure
• The type of exterior wall construction -- frame, masonry (brick or stone) or veneer
• The style of the house (ranch, colonial)
• The number of bathrooms and other rooms
• The type of roof and materials used
• Other structures on the premises such as garages, sheds
• Fireplaces, exterior trim and other special features like arched windows
• Whether the house, or parts of it like the kitchen, were custom built
• Improvement to your home – adding a second bathroom, enlarging the kitchen or other additions that have added value to your home

Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters such as damage due to fire, lightning, hail, explosions and theft. They do not cover floods, earthquakes or damage caused by lack of routine maintenance.
Replacement cost policies
     Most policies cover replacement cost for damage to the structure. A replacement cost policy pays for the repair or replacement of damaged property with materials of similar kind and quality within policy limits. There is no deduction for depreciation -- the decrease in value due to age, wear and tear, and other factors.
Building codes
     Building codes are updated periodically and may have changed significantly since your home was built. If your home is badly damaged, you may be required to rebuild your home to meet new building codes. Generally, homeowners insurance policies (even a guaranteed replacement cost policy) won't pay for the extra expense of rebuilding to code. Many insurance companies offer an Ordinance or Law endorsement that pays a specified amount toward these costs. (An endorsement is a form attached to an insurance policy that changes what the policy covers.)


Your personal possessions

     Most homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for your personal possessions for approximately 50% to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure or “dwelling” of your home. The limits of the policy typically appear on the Declarations Page under Section I, Coverage A. Dwelling.
To determine if this is enough coverage, you need to conduct a home inventory. This is a detailed list of everything you own and information related to the cost to replace these items if they were stolen or destroyed by a disaster such as a fire. If you think you need more coverage, contact your agent or insurance company representative and ask for higher limits for your personal possessions.   Policy limits coverage for jewelry, antiques, etc.
Additional living expenses after a disaster
     This is a very important feature of a standard homeowners insurance policy. This pays the additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can't live in it due to a fire, severe storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt.

Liability to others
 
This part of your policy covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by pets. It pays for both the cost of defending you in court and for any damages a court rules you must pay.   Generally, most homeowners insurance policies provide a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability insurance, but higher amounts are available. Increasingly, it is recommended that homeowners consider purchasing at least $300,000 to $500,000 worth of coverage of liability protection.
Umbrella or Excess Liability
     You should buy enough liability insurance to protect your assets. If you own property and or have investments and savings that are worth more than the liability limits in your policy, you may consider purchasing an excess liability or umbrella policy.

Umbrella or excess liability policies provide extra coverage. They start to pay after you have used up the liability insurance in your underlying home (or auto) policy. An umbrella policy is not part of your homeowners policy. You have to purchase it separately. In addition to providing a higher dollar amount, they offer broader coverage. You are covered for libel, slander, and invasion of privacy. These things are not covered under standard homeowners or auto policies.

The cost of an umbrella policy depends on how much underlying insurance you have and the kind of risk you represent. The greater the underlying liability coverage, the cheaper the policy. This is because you would be the less likely to need the additional insurance. Most companies will require a minimum of $300,000 on your home and your car, if you own one.

There are different types of life insurance policies available. Shop around and compare policies to ensure that you receive the best deal possible. This sounds obvious, however, there are dozens of different types of life cover plans available and it is important that you select the right one for your circumstances.


Life Insurance is insurance that provides protection against the economic loss caused by the death of the person insured. There are several types of Life Insurance, each having different characteristics. Some of the key types of Life Insurance are: Term Life, Whole Life, Burial Insurance, Survivorship Life, Universal Life, and Variable Life Insurance. Outlined below is a useful description of each type:


Term Life Insurance


Term Life Insurance is the lowest cost and simplest product available. Term insurance is a life insurance contract that provides protection for a limited number of years. The death benefit is only payable if death occurs during the agreed-upon term. There are various types of Term Insurance Life Policies:


Level Term Life Insurance


Means that your premiums are set at a level at the beginning of the contract and do not move up or down. The sum assured will remain the same throughout the term.
Increasing term insurance


This is a fixed term policy where the sum assured will increase, either by a set percentage or by the Retail price index (RPI) throughout the policy term. Your premiums remain level throughout the term if the sum assured rises by a set percentage, or will rise according to the RPI if the sum assured does the same.


Renewable term insurance


This is policy lasting for a smaller period, usually five years, which can be renewed, although the sum assured cannot be increased, whilst the premiums will increase with age. Renewable increasable term insurance is the same as above but provides for an increasing sum assured.


Convertible term insurance


Provides the option to convert parts of the sum assured to whole of life, endowment or further term assurance without further medical evidence.


Decreasing term insurance


Is where the sum assured decreases over time; hence, the premiums are set lower. This is commonly used to cover a mortgage.


Whole Life Insurance


Life insurance that remains in force during the insured's entire lifetime, provided premiums are paid as specified in the policy. Whole life insurance also builds a savings element (called the cash value) as a result of the level premium approach to funding the death benefit.
Burial Insurance
Burial Insurance, or Final Expense Life Insurance, is essentially a whole life product with small face values. The application process is simple and does not have the associated medical requirements of other policy types. This type of life insurance is also referred to as a simplified issue or guaranteed issue policy.


Survivorship Life Insurance


A type of whole life insurance which insures two people and pays benefits only after the second person dies. It is generally designed to provide funds to pay estate taxes.


Universal Life Insurance


An unbundled whole life insurance product in which the mortality, investment, and expense factors used to calculate premium rates and cash values are expressed separately in the policy. In a universal life insurance policy, any applicable expense charges are deducted from the premium and the remainder of the premium is then credited to the policy's cash value. Each month the insurer deducts the mortality costs from the cash value and credits the remainder of the cash value with interest.


Variable Life Insurance


A form of whole life insurance under which the death benefit and the cash value of the policy fluctuate according to the investment performance of a separate account fund. Most variable life insurance policies guarantee that the death benefit will not fall below a specified minimum. A minimum cash value is seldom guaranteed.

Here is a useful guide to life insurance. Simply put, a life insurance policy provides a lump sum payment upon death of the policy holder.

In exchange for regular premiums, a life insurance company will insure your life so that when you die, the policy should pay out to protect your dependants from the extra pain of financial hardship.
This is particularly important when buying a house, or when you or your family takes on a large, long-term financial commitment. In the event of death, for example, the payment from a life insurance policy can be used to pay off a mortgage.

Policies can be arranged on either a single or joint life basis. Depending on the type of policy you choose, your insurer will pay either a lump sum or a regular income which you could use towards meeting any outstanding debts and trying to ensure your family is able to maintain its standard of living.

How much they receive depends upon the 'guaranteed sum assured', the amount for which your life is insured.
Many people first come across life insurance when they take out a mortgage, as lenders often insist on it to make sure the loan is repaid if you should die still owing them money.

However in some circumstances, only having enough life insurance to repay the mortgage is insufficient to fully protect dependants. If you have a partner who would suffer financially if you were to die or if you have young children who depend on you, then life insurance is very important.

Life insurance can be used in many ways, not just to protect a young family or repay a mortgage. It can be used to pay Inheritance Tax or protect business against the loss of a key individual.

You can increase or decrease your cover at any time, add another life onto the policy and add other elements to the plan such as critical illness cover, income protection or mortgage protection.

If your circumstances change you can increase your cover to make sure your family is protected.
Life insurance creates an estate for your heirs. After your debts and expenses are paid, there may not be much left over for your family but life insurance can automatically provide assets for them after your death.
There are several kinds of policies that may be available to you, if you are healthy enough.

Smoking is detrimental to health and is a leading cause of life threatening illnesses. As a result smokers pay higher premiums than non-smokers as the risk of them dying early is greater. I f you smoke and do not declare the fact, you run the risk of invalidating your policy if you have to make a claim.

It is a known fact that women tend to live longer than men. A female who insures herself using a 'level-term' policy is likely to have lower premiums than a male. This is based on the fact that females live longer and are less likely to claim during the period insured.

Age is a factor in the successful application for a life policy. Most insurers have an age bracket of seventy-five for the provision of insurance. If you are over the age of seventy-five it is unlikely you will be able to find cover.
Finally, the older you are the greater the risk to the insurance provider so the higher your premium will be.

Most people have their first contact with an insurance company through an insurance sales agent. These workers help individuals, families, and businesses select insurance policies that provide the best protection for their lives, health, and property. Insurance sales agents who work exclusively for one insurance company are referred to as captive agents. Independent insurance agents, or brokers, represent several companies and place insurance policies for their clients with the company that offers the best rate and coverage. In either case, agents prepare reports, maintain records, seek out new clients, and, in the event of a loss, help policyholders settle their insurance claims. Increasingly, some are also offering their clients financial analysis or advice on ways the clients can minimize risk.

Insurance sales agents, commonly referred to as “producers” in the insurance industry, sell one or more types of insurance, such as property and casualty, life, health, disability, and long-term care. Property and casualty insurance agents sell policies that protect individuals and businesses from financial loss resulting from automobile accidents, fire, theft, storms, and other events that can damage property. For businesses, property and casualty insurance can also cover injured workers’ compensation, product liability claims, or medical malpractice claims.

Life insurance agents specialize in selling policies that pay beneficiaries when a policyholder dies. Depending on the policyholder’s circumstances, a cash-value policy can be designed to provide retirement income, funds for the education of children, or other benefits. Life insurance agents also sell annuities that promise a retirement income. Health insurance agents sell health insurance policies that cover the costs of medical care and loss of income due to illness or injury. They also may sell dental insurance and short- and long-term-disability insurance policies.
An increasing number of insurance sales agents are offering comprehensive financial planning services to their clients, such as retirement planning, estate planning, or assistance in setting up pension plans for businesses. As a result, many insurance agents are involved in “cross-selling” or “total account development.” Besides offering insurance, these agents may become licensed to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and other securities. This practice is most common with life insurance agents who already sell annuities; however, property and casualty agents also sell financial products.

Technology has greatly affected the insurance agency, making it much more efficient and giving the agent the ability to take on more clients. Agents’ computers are now linked directly to the insurance carriers via the Internet, making the tasks of obtaining price quotes and processing applications and service requests faster and easier. Computers also allow agents to be better informed about new products that the insurance carriers may be offering.

The growth of the Internet in the insurance industry is gradually altering the relationship between agent and client. In the past, agents devoted much of their time to marketing and selling products to new clients, a practice that is now changing. Increasingly, clients are obtaining insurance quotes from a company’s Web site and then contacting the company directly to purchase policies. This interaction gives the client a more active role in selecting a policy at the best price, while reducing the amount of time agents spend actively seeking new clients. Because insurance sales agents also obtain many new accounts through referrals, it is important that they maintain regular contact with their clients to ensure that the clients’ financial needs are being met. Developing a satisfied clientele that will recommend an agent’s services to other potential customers is a key to success in this field.

Increasing competition in the insurance industry has spurred carriers and agents to find new ways to keep their clients satisfied. One solution is to increase the use of call centers, which usually are accessible to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Insurance carriers and sales agents also are hiring customer service representatives to handle routine tasks such as answering questions, making changes in policies, processing claims, and selling more products to clients. The opportunity to cross-sell new products to clients will help agents’ businesses grow. The use of call centers also allows agents to concentrate their efforts on seeking out new clients and maintaining relationships with old ones.

In the United States most companies offer their employees dental insurance, but yet many do not. They slip through the holes of the system – the in-betweeners – that have to pay, but struggle to pay the out-of-pocket expenses.
The in-betweeners have two choices, go without any insurance, go to the dentist and take the full attack on their pocketbook, or don’t go to a dentist at all and just wait till the ax to fall. And it will – there is a 50-50 chance that a toothache will hit you, or if you’re married – your family.


HOW IMPORTANT IS DENTAL HEALTH


There is more to Dental Health than a winning smile or avoiding that terrible toothache – it is important to your overall health. Let me give you one example.
Joe Smith has just learned that he has diabetes – how can diabetes affect his teeth. If you do not maintain dental health you can be at risk for:
· tooth decay
· gum disease
· salivary gland dysfunction
· fungal diseases
· infections and delayed healing
These problems can be kept in check with preventive oral health care, 6 month or yearly cleanings.
It is easy to forget our teeth, gums and mouth, but they are definitely part of our physical health and well being. And with the help of a good dental health plan – you can prevent bone disease, gum disease and infections.


DISCOUNT DENTAL PLANS


A discount dental plan can help you save money and keep your dental health in check. Dental Plans have 30 National Plans that you can choose from—that will fit your budget and needs, and which is also offered within your state or area. For example:


GE Wellness Plan is offered in my area: The costs for the plans are:


$139.95 for single
$189.95 for family (Plus 3 additional months for free – promo)


Here are just some of the procedures – costs and your savings – (but not all)


Procedure Cost/Your Costs/Savings
Routine 6 Month Check-Up $35/$0/$35
In Depth Check-Up $58/$0/$58
Full Mouth X-Rays $101/$40/$61
Bitewings - Four Films $44/$0/$44
Single Tooth Extraction $114/$66/$48
Root Canal – Anterior $500/$336/$164
Root Canal – Bicuspid $595/$403/$192
Root Canal – Molar $740/$491/$249
White Filling $110/$67/$43


If you are single or a family, you have recouped your expenses in the first 6-month visit.

Dental insurance is not included in so many of the benefit packages we receive at work. Yet all of us have dental needs, if only for an annual cleaning. Dental expenses can definitely add up. A crown here, a filling there and the next thing you know, you’ve spent a thousand dollars. Most company plans for dental don’t cover a whole lot, anyway.

My company doesn’t cover dental. There isn’t even an optional package for that, so I’m on my own. I’ve been searching the web for dental insurance. Do you know there are nearly 10 million web sites about it? I’m just overwhelmed. I’ve also found a few that are not exactly insurance, but some kind of alternative dental plan. They seem to cover everything, with no deductibles, no claim form and no limit on pre-existing conditions. 

I’ve been looking at the alternatives, but I’m also checking with known insurance companies. I have friends who are self-employed and many of them have plans they like. Seems like there are a lot of places offering dental insurance to the self-employed. Maybe those will help me, too.
I think the best thing to do is to research carefully before paying for coverage. Talking to my friends and getting recommendations is helping, too. Some of them have had less than optimal experiences with their providers. I know every company has trouble sometimes, but if I can save myself some trouble by avoiding a company my friend had trouble with, I will. There are still plenty of other places to choose from.

Most likely I’ll make my decision when I hear good reports on a company from more than one person. That’s what it will take to convince me I’m making the right choice. I think it’s worth taking my time about it. Don’t you?

If you're planning an overseas trip, you need travel health insurance. Every year, nearly 1 million Americans require emergency medical treatment while overseas. Traditional health insurance plans limit the expenses and amounts that they will pay outside the country, and necessary care may be delayed while arrangements for payment are made.
Imagine being on vacation in Europe and breaking your leg, only to find that your regular health insurance doesn't cover anything but the most basic of treatment for your injury. A good travel health insurance plan can cover all your expenses and make the best of a bad situation.

Your first step should be to check with your regular health insurance company to see what coverage they offer for overseas travel. Very few offer anything but the most limited of emergency medical expenses.
You can find many companies that provide travel health insurance policies online, and in many cases can actually apply via an online application. You might also check with your travel agent, or with the online web site where you booked your vacation to see what options for travel health insurance they offer.

Travel health insurance plans offer far more than medical benefits. Most will also cover many expenses associated with your illness. If your condition necessitates your immediate return home, for instance, your health insurance plan may pay for whatever is medically necessary for you to make the trip safely, including equipment, first class travel, or a nurse.

If you do have to be returned home, your health insurance plan may pay for a family member or other person of your choice to travel from home to travel back home with you. They may pay for your minor children to be returned safely home if you become ill and can't travel with them, including hiring a caretaker to see to their safety, and, if a medical emergency or other catastrophe at home requires your immediate return, your health insurance plan may cover the cost of your return home.

The cost of travel health insurance depends on the length of time that you need coverage and the age of the person being insured. Generally, a healthy adult under 30 can get medical coverage overseas for as little as $1.25 a day for up to $50,000 in expenses. Increasing that benefit maximum to $1,000,000 will cost you only $54 a month. You can check online at travel web sites and health insurance web sites to find your best deal.
When you consider what a medical emergency overseas could cost you, $54 a month is a small price to pay to be sure that your health needs will be covered while you're on vacation.

If you're self employed, you may think of health insurance as a luxury. When you're barely making ends meet, paying several hundred dollars a month for something you may not need isn't a priority. Or maybe you can't find a health insurance company to insure you because of a pre-existing condition. If you have no health insurance, you're banking on the hope that you won't get sick. But if you do, your business suffers.

If you can't get individual health insurance, or if the premiums are out of reach for an individual policy, there are a number of ways to get cheap and discount health insurance and health care.

Look Into State Subsidized Programs

Many states offer discount premiums for low income families and self employed business owners. Others have set up 'risk pools' that make your health care costs cheaper by spreading the risk throughout a 'pool' of people much like employers do with group plans.

Check with your state Health and Human Services office to see what health insurance discounts may be available to you based on your income. In most states, the income eligibility standards are quite high, especially in states that offer assistance for premiums with private health plans. You can get a substantial discount on family plans by joining a state health insurance plan.

Join a Discount Health Care Plan

Many organizations have worked out special discount rates with health insurance companies for their members. You may find discounts on health care and health insurance through your Chamber of Commerce, Small Businessmen’s Association, even AAA auto clubs or fraternal organizations.

Another option is a discount medical club. For a monthly fee - usually about $30, you're eligible for discounts of up to 25% off regular costs for office visits, medical supplies and prescriptions as long as you use participating member vendors. Check online to find a discount medical club that has members near you.

Itemize Your Taxes

As of 2003, if you itemize your taxes, you can deduct 100% of your health insurance cost for the year from your taxes. There are limits and restrictions, so consult your accountant, or check the Internal Revenue Service web site online at www.irs.gov.

Shop Around for the Cheapest Rates

You can insure yourself through an individual fee-for-service health insurance plan for less than $100 a month if you shop around online for the best rates. In many cases, you can get online quotes for as many as 10 different health insurance companies and choose the one that suits you best. You can even apply online and be covered within 24 hours.

Unexpected medical costs can destroy your business. Some creative financing and unusual options for dealing with them can prevent that from happening.

Shopping for health insurance can be very discouraging when you become aware of the costs. If you are in search of affordable health insurance, an online quote may be very helpful to you. Purchasing insurance online or simply getting an online quote from one or more health insurance carriers can save you a lot of money on the health insurance you so desperately need.

Hospital and doctor bills can be too costly for most people too afford without a health insurance plan. Uninsured or under insured medical bills can spell disaster. A health insurance plan is imperative to your health and your financial security. Online health insurance quotes are available now and you may find more affordable rates than you expected. You can find the cheapest rates possible for your health insurance needs when you receive a fast, easy quote online.

Health insurance can provide security for you and your family in the event of sudden illness or unexpected medical emergencies. The continually rising costs associated with medical care are staggering. Do not be caught in the position of needing medical attention for yourself or a family member with no health insurance coverage. An online quote can provide you with information about the choices in coverage at the cheapest rates. Medical expenses that arise suddenly could mean financial ruin if you do not have adequate health insurance coverage. Doctor bills, hospital expenses, and even prescription medications can very quickly add up to large amounts of money out of your pocket.

Online health insurance quotes are quick, easy, and could save you hundreds of dollars each year in health insurance costs. You can find excellent health insurance plans and the cheapest rates possible in just minutes when you get an online quote. If you think affordable health insurance is out of your reach, keep in mind health insurance providers are ready to give you an online quote now and will offer you the cheapest rates available. Don't risk your financial security. Your health is the most important issue in your life. Get an online quote now and obtain the health insurance you need at the cheapest rates possible.

 Medical Insurance - Health Insurance Coverage & Plans Explained

If you're trying to decide between health insurance plans, you'll find that there are several different kinds from which to choose. It's important that you weigh all your options carefully. Your health insurance, even with an employer contribution to the cost, is very likely to be your largest regular monthly expense other than your rent or mortgage. The plan you choose needs to be more than affordable. It will affect your family's choices in doctors and health care as long as you are a member of that health insurance plan.

Health insurance is like any other kind of insurance. You pay a monthly amount, called a premium, to an insurance company in return for 'benefits', to be paid out as needed. Depending on the kind of plan that you choose, those benefits might include regular doctor's office visits, checkups, emergency room services and hospitalizations, and treatment by specialists. Some health insurance plans also offer benefits that are called 'wellness benefits.' like discounts on health club memberships, stop-smoking classes, and nutritional consultations.

The main types of health insurance plans are:

HMO - Health Maintenance Organizations

HMO benefits are geared toward keeping you healthy. They aim for affordable health care costs by reducing the cost of annual physicals, well-child visits and other routine care by requiring you to pay a 'co-pay' - a small portion of the actual bill - for every visit to your doctor, and the health insurance company pays the rest. Most require that you choose a primary care physician, who takes the place of an old fashioned General Practitioner - the family doctor who knew your medical history and prescribed visits to specialists if needed. HMOs are generally more affordable than traditional health insurance, but they’ll still cost you several hundred dollars a month.

All your medical care under an HMO will be arranged through your primary care physician. If you need to consult with a specialist, you simply call your primary care physician and request a referral.

Preferred Provider Health Insurance Plans

PPH health insurance plans are very similar to HMOs. They also attempt to keep overall medical costs affordable by providing both preventive and catastrophic health care coverage. Unlike most HMO's, though, you can usually choose to visit any physician or other provider registered with the preferred provider network. You'll pay a co-payment, and your health insurance will cover the rest.

Catastrophic Health Insurance Plans

Catastrophic health insurance plans are also sometimes called 'fee for service' plans. They generally will pay out to any provider, but they strictly limit the kind of health care that they'll cover. In most cases, you're only covered for illness or injury. There's no coverage provided for regular checkups and other office visits. Catastrophic health insurance plans are often the most affordable option, since they only pay off if you become ill or are injured.

Your health insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. The policy lists a package of medical benefits such as tests, drugs and treatment services. The insurance company agrees to cover the cost of certain benefits listed in your policy. These are called "covered services."

Your health insurance policy also lists the kinds of services that are not covered by your insurance company. You have to pay for any uncovered medical care health insurance that you receive. Keep in mind that in case of health insurance a medical necessity is not the same as a medical benefit. A medical necessity is something that your doctor has decided is necessary. A medical benefit is something that your insurance plan has agreed to cover. In some cases, your doctor might decide that you need medical care that is not covered by your insurance policy.
Insurance companies determine what tests, drugs and services they will cover. These choices are based on their understanding of the kinds of medical care that most patients need. Your insurance company's choices may mean that the test, drug or service you need isn't covered by your policy.

Your doctor will try to be familiar with your insurance coverage so he or she can provide you with covered care. However, there are so many different insurance plans that it's not possible for your doctor to know the specific details of each plan. By understanding your insurance coverage, you can help your doctor recommend medical care that is covered in your plan.

Take the time to read your insurance policy. If you still have questions about your coverage, call your insurance company and ask a representative to explain it. Remember that your insurance company, not your doctor, makes decisions about what will be paid for and what will not.

A medical policy is an essential product to be considered in managing risk in lives. Anyone can be a victim of critical illness/dread disease and it can happen at the most unexpected time and the person can be in deep trouble, not knowing what to do and whether something can be done about it and if so, how much it will cost.
More and more people are seeking treatment and care from private hospitals and the rising medical expenses is of utmost concern to these patients and their families. It is a known fact that hospitalization and surgical costs have risen tremendously throughout the years. Medicare costs do not only involve medication but also a host of other related services/equipment such as surgery, diagnostic tests, physiotherapy, purchase or rental of medical equipment, ambulance services etc.
These can exhaust a person’s savings or retirement fund in no time at all, depending on how costly it is for that particular need. It is well beyond many people to obtain a large sum of money for surgery, hospitalization and medical attention, of which they might resort to “charity” that could be the most uncomfortable and undignified way. Therefore, it is of utmost concern for every one to realize the importance of medical insurance not only to assume their risk and to protect them against financial burden and even poverty, but to also preserve and maintain their current lifestyle.
A look at the family medical history may be good as some diseases may be inherited. Early action taken to apply for coverage will be recommended as the premiums will be lower and before his health deteriorates so as to render the applicant uninsurable.
If you are under employment, it is always advisable to check with your company whether your group insurance policy covers for critical illnesses, medical as well as hospital and surgical, and how comprehensive their coverage are, especially in cases where one has no other insurance policies.
Medical Insurance is one of the numerous insurance policies that cater for different type of risks and insurable interests. Should any unfortunate event occur, the financial benefits derived from the policy would definitely be more than adequately compensate the premiums paid. It is best to transfer the risk to an insurance company who has the capability to assume the risk. One can still retain a portion or whole of the risk if the probability of certain risk happening is remote. One has to assess the situation and not fall in the trap of "Penny wise, Pound foolish". By neglecting or saving on purchasing a medical insurance policy, one is left exposed to high probability of risks occurring resulting in a financial loss that can be substantial.