When Lightning Strikes

Lightning kills more people in the U.S. each year than any other natural disaster other than floods. A Carnegie-Mellon study found that lightning affected 33 percent of US businesses at some point. So what can you do to protect your people and property from lightning?

The National Weather Service says Continue reading “When Lightning Strikes”

The Auto Insurance Coverage You Need and Why

Like cars, auto insurance policies have different parts with different functions. In this article, we’ll discuss the three types of coverage that most states require owners of registered vehicles to carry—bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured motorists coverage.

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Republicans’ Alternative to Obamacare

Six years after the Democrat-supported Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, Republicans submitted their recommendations for changing the law.

 

Democrats wrote the law, commonly known as Obamacare, to expand health insurance and benefits to individuals and reduce health care costs. The law mandated that all Americans have health insurance and that large employers provide coverage. It imposed regulations on insurance companies, expanded Medicaid and opened Marketplaces where individuals could buy coverage, often at a subsidized cost.

Since its implementation, more Americans reportedly have health insurance, but critics say that health insurance costs rose, coverage choices are fewer, and employers and healthcare providers have more rules and regulations to follow.

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives formed the House Republican Task Force on Health Care Reform. Their 37-page proposal, which they released in June, is not a law, but a template for a future law. Continue reading “Republicans’ Alternative to Obamacare”

Should You Buy Rental Car Coverage?

Travel Insurance

If your vacation plans require a rental car, knowing what your existing insurance policies cover could save you money.

 

The next time you rent a car and the agent asks whether you want the optional coverages, should you say yes or no? Buying them will add substantially to your car rental costs—if you buy all the additional coverages offered, you’ll add at least $18 to the rental charges per day. Are these coverages worth it? Read on for more information.

CDW or LDW

The collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) cost the most of any of the optional coverages, about $10-$25 a day. Although the CDW and LDW are not insurance, they will waive your financial responsibility if a car you rent is damaged or stolen.

When you sign a rental car agreement, you agree to become responsible for any damage to the car. Continue reading “Should You Buy Rental Car Coverage?”

Obesity and Life Insurance: Extra Pounds May Cost You More

Almost a third of Americans are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity not only affects quality of life, but it also increases your risk of experiencing heart disease and diabetes, along with some types of cancers, and ultimately, early death.

Continue reading “Obesity and Life Insurance: Extra Pounds May Cost You More”

How to Locate a Missing Life Insurance Policy

Maybe you’ve been named executor of the estate of your very wealthy but very disorganized uncle. Or maybe your relative’s valuable papers have been destroyed or lost in a fire, flood or move. In either case, you know a life insurance policy exists somewhere but you can’t find it. What can you do?

Continue reading “How to Locate a Missing Life Insurance Policy”

10 Homeowner’s Insurance Problems; and How to Solve Them

The worst time to find out that you have no insurance, or inadequate insurance, is after a loss. If any of the following situations apply to you, a standard insurance program might not be enough. Continue reading “10 Homeowner’s Insurance Problems; and How to Solve Them”

Social Media and Your Liability Risks

Should you worry about the content of your teen’s tweets or your spouse’s Pinterest posts? All it takes is for one tweet to veer away from commentary to defamation, or one image to invade another’s privacy, and you could face a lawsuit.

Continue reading “Social Media and Your Liability Risks”

Auto Insurance: How to Know What You Are Buying

Personal risk management includes knowing your policies and what they cover. The following article will help you understand the various parts of your personal auto policy (PAP) and what to look for.

When you buy auto insurance, you enter into a legal contract with your insurer. Continue reading “Auto Insurance: How to Know What You Are Buying”