Shopping for health insurance

This section provides information about how to get the most out of your health insurance coverage. It can also help you decide if the coverage you have is right for you.

Tips: checking out a plan
Make sure the coverage you buy fits your needs, and that you receive the best price for the coverage. You should compare benefits and rates. Look at two or three different plans to compare them against your needs as well as to one another.

• Benefits: Make sure you understand the plan’s benefits. Look at what the contract will not cover, not just what it will cover.
• Limitations and exclusions: Find out if there are special requirements to obtain benefits. For example: Do you need prior authorization for some services? How do you obtain that authorization? Are there waiting periods before coverage goes into effect?
• Claims: Before you buy, make sure you understand how to file a claim, where to send it, and how you will receive payment.
• Costs: Premiums for health insurance vary. When reviewing several companies, look carefully at the benefits they offer.

Tips: checking out an agent
Many people buy health insurance from agents or companies. Agents may represent only one or a number of companies. Companies can sell their policies by mail, the Internet or over the phone.

Agents earn a commission on your business and should do more than just sell you a policy. They should also answer your questions.
If you need additional information, contact your agent or the company. You are the customer, and they should respond to you.
Never deal with an unlicensed agent. Ask to see his or her license. You can check on an agent’s.
Never buy an insurance policy you do not understand. Ask to see the benefits explained in writing in simple terms. Keep that piece of paper with the policy after you buy it.
If you need a translator to talk to your agent or company, arrange for an adult translator to accompany you.
Never give any insurance representative money or a check without getting a receipt.
Never give out your bank account or Social Security information over the phone.

Tips: checking out an insurance company
Before you buy health coverage, find out about the company selling the plan. Here are key factors to consider:

Customer service. Find out how the company services its members. Does the company have a toll-free customer service number? Do they answer it without a long wait?

Financial stability. Financial stability helps ensure that a company can pay its claims. In addition, Washington state law establishes requirements that each company must follow. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) continually monitors insurers to make sure they are financially stable. Independent organizations also rate the financial stability of insurance companies. Check your public library’s reference desk for published ratings.

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Buying insurance on the internet

The accessibility and ease of the Internet has revolutionized the shopping world. Everything from pet food to furniture is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the comfort of your home. This includes insurance. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself when buying insurance on the Internet.

Research, research, research
Research is by far your best protection. Fortunately, the Internet is also a great research agent. Determine which insurance coverage best fits your needs, then shop around for companies, agents, cost and coverage.

Double-check the company and agent
In order to sell insurance in our state, the company and the agent must be licensed. To confirm the credibility of a company or agent, check with our agency for the following facts:

• Is the company licensed in Washington?
• Is the company licensed to sell the line of insurance you are interested in purchasing?
• Is the agent licensed in Washington and a legitimate representative of the company?
• Does the company have a good record of handling policy complaints?

Purchasing on the internet
Once you’ve checked your facts and found the company, agent and policy that suit your needs, you’re ready to purchase. At this point, security is the name of the game. Take some extra precautions to protect your personal information:

• Update your browser. The newer browsers are equipped with more current security measures. (One way to check if you are on a secure site is by checking the address. A secure site address may begin with https:// instead of the usual http://. Or, the site may have a small key or closed lock icon located somewhere in the bottom left or right corner of the screen. )
• If you cannot confirm the security of the browser, contact the company or agent and submit your paperwork via fax or mail.
• Take extra precautions when paying with a credit card. Some credit cards may be equipped with antitheft protections. Review your credit card agreement for antitheft provisions.

The proof is in the paperwork
As you complete your research and purchase, it’s important to keep detailed records. Get all rate quotes and key information in writing for your file. Also, once you decide to purchase online, keep a copy of all paperwork you complete and sign, as well as any correspondence, special offers and payment receipts.
You should receive a copy — not a photocopy — of your new policy within 30 to 60 days of purchase. If you do not receive a copy, contact the insurance company immediately.

Insurance "Red Flags"
Here are some quick "red flags" to warn you against possible insurance fraud:

• Don’t submit to high-pressure tactics. If you are being overwhelmed with offers from a particular group or agent that make you uncomfortable, trust your instincts and steer clear.
• Do your research. Scam artists may try to convince you to change coverage quickly without giving you the opportunity to do adequate research.
• Seek advice. If a particular policy requires a large deposit in an account, ask a third party — such as a reputable local insurance agent, accountant or financial advisor — for advice.
• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

See also Appraisement Clause...

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How insurance companies determine auto rates

If an insurance company wants to change its rates, it must submit its request to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. The filing must include enough statistical, financial, and other information to show the change is necessary. If the company can show the requested change is justified and we determine the proposed rates are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory, then according to state law, we must approve them.

How rates are determined
Insurance companies can rate all licensed drivers in the household — including your spouse and other members in your household, whether or not they are related by blood. This includes roommates. Insurance companies calculate auto insurance rates by starting with a dollar amount (base rate). Your base rate is adjusted according to certain factors such as your age, sex, marital status, driving pattern, claims history, geographical area, credit history and the make, model and year of your vehicle.

Your age: Statistics show that drivers under age 25 are involved in more accidents than adults between age 25 and 65. Companies generally consider them a higher risk. Families with younger drivers in the household may pay more for their insurance. Statistics also show that senior citizens present a higher-than-average risk to insurance companies.

Your sex: Insurance companies can discriminate on the basis of sex if that discrimination is based on statistical evidence, proving one sex is a higher risk. For example, young men — especially those under age 25 — are involved in more accidents and typically pay higher insurance rates.

Marital status: Statistically, married couples have fewer accidents than singles and generally pay lower rates.

Your vehicle: Generally, the more expensive your vehicle, the more you will pay for insurance. Also, because sports cars and high-performance cars are involved in more accidents, cost more to repair, and are stolen more often, they cost more to insure.

Your location: Statistical data for the area where you live may change your rates. For example, a higher or lower than average crime rate may increase or decrease the base rate for comprehensive coverage, while a higher or lower than average number of accidents in your area may increase or decrease the base rate for liability and collision coverages.

Driving patterns: The number of miles you drive per year can increase your rate.

Your driving record and your claims history: Insurance companies may charge you more if you’ve been involved in an accident or have been convicted of one or more traffic violations. Also, the more claims you file, the more likely your rates will increase.

Credit History: Washington state has one of the toughest laws restricting how insurance companies use credit history. But your insurer still may use information in your credit history to determine your insurance score. Your insurance score may raise or lower your premium.

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Reducing your rates of homeowner insurance

Every insurance company that provides homeowner coverage uses its own package of "special" discounts to market its products to particular types of customers. The following list contains suggestions on how to reduce your rates. Be sure to ask your agent about:

• Non-smoker discount – Some insurers offer a discount when all family members are nonsmokers.
• Long-time customers – Some insurers offer discounts to long-time customers with no claims history.
• Multiple policies – If you have your home, auto, liability, and other policies with the same company, it may offer a discount.
• Protection devices – If you have smoke detectors, burglar alarms, or automatic sprinkler systems, the company may offer a discount.

In addition to the discounts listed above, you may want to think about choosing a higher deductible to reduce your rates. If you have a lien holder, they may require a minimum deductible amount.

Prepare ahead to ease the claims process
Insurance is something you hope you never have to use, but if you should ever need to file a claim after experiencing a loss, the following suggestions can make the process easier:

• Written inventory – Create and regularly update a written inventory of your home’s contents.
• Video/photographic record – Videotape or photograph the contents of your home, and the exterior from different viewpoints and angles.
• Identify – Engrave or mark larger possessions to show ownership.
• Appraisals – Have someone appraise your jewelry, antiques, stamps, coins, and other valuable collectibles.
• Document security – Keep your insurance policy, home inventory, appraisals, photos and video records in a secure secondary location (such as your office or a safety deposit box). Update your records and documentation annually.

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How to obtain the best value of travel insurance

If you are an occasional traveller you will probably ensure your the agent travel. But if you travels more than twice a year, it is much more profitable to have an insurance to last all the round year, than buying one each time you travel. Think ahead, plan ahead. Annual travel insurance easily pays for itself with just a couple of trips. But not all insurances are worth the same and as always cheapest is not necessarily the best. More on this later.

The annual travel insurance is not forced but it gives you peace of the case spirit the disease and the loss or the damage with the property and much of other events. Where is the best purchase of place the annual travel insurance?

1. Your bank is probably the first place you'll try. Banks have in recent times become highly competitive and in order to retain your business, may offer better rates. For example my bank has upgraded my checking account to a premium account and for that I pay $20 per month.

As a result I get several privileges including free, worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance. But here is the best part ... I get all this free travel insurance not just for myself but also for any member of my family traveling with me including my parents and siblings.

I said free because I am already getting other benefits which are worth a lot more than $20 per month if I were to buy them individually. I also save a lot of time as I never have to look around for insurance. So don't ignore your bank.

2. Credit card companies also offer similar insurances, with some added advantages. In case of theft or loss of your credit card, they will supply you with an emergency one, often within a few hours.

In addition to travel insurance offers, there is another advantage in checking your credit card company's terms. If you book your travel using your credit card, pretty much all card companies give excellent cover against many of the things that can go wrong.

Some credit card companies also have specialist travel departments which not only give you travel discounts but also give you even better protection, i.e. better travel insurance and at a much lower cost. But note that all insurance offers exclude you making a claims, for the same item, to multiple sources even if you do have multiple insurance cover.

For example, let's say you have bought travel insurance separately and you have bought your travel ticket using your credit card. If your luggage is lost, you can almost certainly make a claim to either of the two sources but not to both at the same time.

The reason is that the insurance companies have suffered massive fraud in recent years. Allowing multiple claims simply encourages fraudsters to have multiple insurances and make multiple false claims.

For example, they can take an already damaged suitcase on a long journey knowing that it will fall apart. They can then claim damage and loss of property from multiple insurers.

3. Insurance companies are a popular and obvious source for annual travel insurance. If you drive a car or have home insurance get a quote from your insurance company. Remember, because you are already a customer, your car insurance often entitles you to a very good discount.

Here's a tip: if they don't give you a competitive insurance, tell them that you will be looking else where for a good package. Let them know you will be looking for a package that includes great home insurance, excellent travel insurance and also good car insurance.

Listen, fear of loss WILL make them bend over backwards for you and if they don't? Here's another tip: When you talk to any other source to get your competitive travel insurance, make sure you mention your other assets that you could be insuring with them, such as your car, home, home contents, etc.

This won't work with travel companies but works absolutely beautifully with most insurance companies. I have done it many times and saved myself thousands of dollars, yes thousands, over the last few years.

The insurance industry is massively competitive. For once, this works in favor of the "little guy" (you and me), so let's use it.

4. Certain types of home insurance may also give annual travel cover. Do look into pretty much any insurance cover you have. Some home insurance policies include some forms of travel cover including loss or damage to your property while away from home.

Tip: even if you live with your parents, ask them to check their policy for you. You will be amazed to see that even "your" property is covered while away from home.

Just one word of caution: do not assume what is covered or the level cover. If you are not sure just ask the insurer. If the cover they describe seems even better than what you expected based on the policy document, then do ask them to put their clarification in writing.

Why? When any major loss occurs, the insurer will send a local expert to assess the damage. These guys are called loss adjustors. Their job is to save money for the insurance company. And I tell you from bitter personal experience, they take no prisoners.

They will screw you down to the ground, if you don't get things in clear black and white writing. Just do it. It takes minutes to request clarification in writing but can save you thousands of dollars when you have one of these mean loss adjustors arguing with you over the policy.

5. You can also buy last minute travel insurance from travel agents and airlines at the airport. Expect to be taken advantage of, heavily! Needless to say, this is one of your most expensive options. Just avoid ending up with this option, see to your insurance long before you need to travel.

Now here's the thing. Travel insurance policies are not all identical. As well as considering price, you absolutely must read the terms and conditions carefully. For example, the upper age limit of some insurance companies may vary.

Some companies may limit the number of annual trips, whilst others may have no limit at all. Look, most travel insurance policies cover a range of events and claims. But as they say, the devil is in the detail.

The problem you will definitely face with some really cheap policies from unknown and possibly disreputable companies is what they put in the fine print. You know what I'm talking about? ... all those tiny little statements they put on the back of the form? Or if you are buying insurance online (and you should), notice all those pages of really small text they ask you to agree to?

Well, that's where they bury lots of little conditions and limitations. Most people don't read all the terms. Do yourself a huge favor and on this occasion, do read it all. If the insurance policy terms are full of "weasel words" or complex language, just move on and do not buy.

All insurance companies are quick to point out how many millions you can claim in "total", in case of a serious accident. But they all limit the amount per item within your claim. So claims for loss of cash will be capped and so will claims for electronic devices, clothes, etc.

This means that with the cheaper policies you will have a really low limit. For example, if you claim for a mobile phone and an MP3 player, you may find that the limit on personal electronics is not enough to even pay for "one" of those devices, let alone both. Don't wait for an unfortunate event to show you the flaws in a dirt cheap policy. That is the worst time to find out and it is a time when you need the most help.

What must all policies cover?

1. Loss or damage to property and cash

2. Flight delays or cancellation

3. Accidents

4. Sickness

5. Your expenses when an event ocurs

6. Your potential liability to other people

7. Legal services

In comparison to your total costs, annual travel insurance is only a very small item. If you are covered for any eventuality, you'll have less to worry about, which will translate to more relaxation and enjoyment.


Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-insurance-how-to-get-the-best-value-travel-insurance-200238.html

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