Critical Illness Insurance Do you really need it or is it a waste of time

GREAT NEWS! There's now a one in five chance of you winning the lottery before you retire.

Getting excited? Think it's just a matter of time before you win? Think again, it's not going to happen - but it got you thinking!

Now think of the same odds but this time about bad news. There is a 1 in 5 chance for men and a 1 in 6 chance for women that a long-term critical illness will prevent them from working. Sorry - this time it's true.

Insurance cannot change those odds but it can alleviate the potential financial wreckage caused by being unable to work through long-term illness and still having a family and home to support.

Convention declares that every good family man should have life insurance. It's easily understood, it's accepted and your next door neighbour has it too. But what about it's close cousin critical illness insurance? You'll have to walk several streets to find someone who has it. Given the odds, why? After all it pays out a tax-free lump sum immediately an insured critical illness is diagnosed.

The usual reason given is its expense. Yes it is more expensive than life insurance but after all it's providing cover for a greater risk. You're much more likely to experience a critical illness than die before your normal retirement age. Indeed, the average age for a claim is 47. So clearly there is much more to the public's resistance.

Not understanding the risks or �head in the sand syndrome� are certainly major factors. After all a lzheimer's disease, bacterial meningitis, brain tumours and leukaemia plus the long list of other illnesses typically covered by critical illness insurance, are not matters we care to think of nor know much about.

Could there be another reason? Well there have been repeated newspaper articles about people who claim on their critical illness policy only to have it tued down on an apparent technicality � the inference being that the insurance company cannot be trusted. Indeed, Standard Life freely admits that it tus down around 20 % of critical illness claims.

The truth is that behind every story of rejection there's a harrowing story of illness, distress and sorrow - and potential copy for the joualist. But that in itself, is not evidence that the insurance company is guilty of devious behaviour.

Yes insurance companies do make mistakes, but more often than not the claim was invalid from the outset. There are two main causes. Firstly, the policyholder is claiming for an illness that is not one of the critical illnesses scheduled in the policy documentation. Regrettable, but it's a fact that if the illness is not listed it isn't insured and the policy won't pay out.

The moral is to closely compare the illnesses covered by competing insurance companies and buy the one with the most extensive coverage of illnesses. If you don't, sods law will prevail ��.

The second major reason for refusal is a failure to disclose all relevant matters on the original application form. For example, if the applicant fails to disclose in response to the insurance company's questions that his father a died of a heart attack aged 50 or that he is having medical tests for headaches, then the insurance company will wrongly assess the risks it is being invited to insure. Had the insurance company known this extra information they might have increased the premium, or asked the applicant to go for a medical examination, or waited for the outcome of tests, or even refused to provide cover. By failing to disclose, the applicant has effectively obtained cover on false pretences or at least on inaccurate information.

Thereby lies the second moral. Always provide the truth and the full truth on your application form. Anything remotely relevant to your medical condition must be disclosed.

All this points to the need for professional insurance advice. Critical Illness policies do vary and it can take an experienced eye to evaluate the best policy for your circumstances and pocket. This doesn't mean that you have to miss out on the discounted premiums available online - but do thoroughly talk it through with one of their telephone based advisers and do make sure you read the schedule of claimable illnesses when it arrives in the post. Then sit back knowing you've taken another important step to protect your family's finances. Lets all hope that you're one of the majority who are happy never to claim.

It's now time to concentrate on enjoying life.

Michael Challiner has 15 years experience in financial services marketing at senior level.

Michael now works as the editor of http://www.express-life-insurance.co.uk

Disability Benefits SSI Benefits for Children

Children who are disabled or blind qualify for Supplemental Security Income payments until they reach the age of 18. Here is what you need to know about qualifying your disabled child for SSI benefits.

Your child qualifies for SSI payments if they meet the disability requirements outlined by Social Security for adults, and your household income falls within the income and resource requirements. There are also citizenship requirements your child must meet; for the most part your child must be a US citizen to get SSI. There are special categories for certain non-citizens to receive SSI; if your child is not a US citizen you may be approved for benefits if your child were admitted to the United States as refugee.

The adult disability requirements that your child must meet are simply that your child has a disability that is expected to last for twelve months or longer and prevents them from doing substantial work. Social Security defines �substantial work� as anything eaing over $860 pre-tax, per month.

There are also income and resource requirements for the parents of the disabled child. Income requirements vary by State; however, if the parents have more than $2,000 in the bank the child will not be eligible to receive SSI benefits. To apply for SSI benefits for your child you will have to schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security office; before you schedule an appointment you should visit the website Social Security Laid Bare to lea more about Supplemental Security Income benefits for your child.

Jack Burton specializes in helping people understand Social Security programs for Retirement, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Disability Benefits. The website Social Security Laid Bare presents information on all of Social Security�s programs in an easy to read format, without technical jargon. For more information visit Social Security Laid Bare: http://www.socialsecuritylaidbare.com

Endowment Shortfall Are You Missing Out On Compensation

Millions of pounds of compensation have been paid out by insurance companies. Are you entitled to a share? Could a claim now help to get your mortgage repayments back on track for the future? But you must act quickly - insurance companies are only allowing claims for a limited time.

If you took out an endowment insurance policy with an interest only mortgage after April 1988, it is highly likely you were one of the millions of victims of Endowment Misselling.

It is possible that you have received a letter from your endowment company waing you that your endowment investment is not on track to pay off your mortgage and advising you to find alteative means to pay off your mortgage. This is called a "Red Letter" and from the date this is sent you only have three years to claim compensation.

If you were told the policy would certainly pay off your mortgage or were promised an extra lump sum at the end of the mortgage or have had to make extra contributions to keep it on track, then it's likely that you could successfully claim.

Endowment policies should have been sold to customers willing to accept the risks involved with them. If you are normally a careful or cautious investor then a less riskier repayment mortgage would possibly have been better for you. There always was a risk that your endowment would not cover the mortgage, but had you known about that risk at the time would you have still taken out a policy?

If the answer is "no", then you should not have bee sold the policy - you are a victim of misselling. Instead of an interest only mortgage, you should have been offered a standard repayment mortgage.

Finding out whether a claim is worthwhile progressing is quite painless - just contact a suitable solicitor. Many have tools on their websites that will quickly allow you to determine whether a claim might succeed and this, as well as talking to the solicitor is normally free.

If you might have a claim the solicitor will help you through the paperwork and deal with the insurance company for you. They will also check your compensation and make sure that the offer is correct.

If you want to know whether you can claim, look at www.endowment-claim.org.uk. It only takes a minute to find out the answer or you can just leave your contact details and someone will call you back.

Keith Lunt runs several financial sites including http://www.endowment-claim.org.uk. You are welcome to reprint this article as long as all links are included and work.

Group Term Life Insurance Three Questions To Get You Started

What is group term life insurance?

Group term life insurance is usually the kind of life insurance your employer offers. However, group term life insurance doesn�t have to be obtained from your employer; some people choose to by this kind of life insurance themselves if they are members of groups such as trade associations, unions, and associations for college alumni that offer term life insurance policies at group rates.

Why is a group term life insurance policy better than an individual policy?

We won�t say that it�s better, but it does have certain perks that an individual policy doesn�t have. For example, most group term life insurance policies don�t require medical standards, i.e., you won�t have to meet certain health criteria in order to be eligible for the group term life insurance policy.

If there a lot of people under the policy, or several people who are younger than you, there may be averaging and subsidizing that would make for lower death benefits rates.

Also, paying for your group term life insurance policy is easier than paying for any other kind of life insurance policy. Why? If you purchase through your employer, the costs will be taken out of your paycheck. If you purchase from a group with which you are affiliated, you can probably schedule credit card payments.

What other advantages does a group term life insurance policy offer?

If you ever leave the job or group that offers your group term life insurance policy, your state may allow you to transfer your group term life insurance policy into a whole life insurance policy. This means you won�t lose your life insurance, and you can stay with the same insurance company that provided the group term life insurance policy. Even better news � you won�t have to undergo a medical exam! This is an advantage for those who are getting on in years, and may have less than great health.

Visit our website if you're looking to find the best term life insurance company, get a home owner insurance quote, or find the cheapest car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry

Compare Your Auto Insurance Quote Between Multiple Carriers In Your State

Compare your free auto insurance quote between multiple carriers in your state. An easy way to obtain these cheap auto insurance quotes is by going to a broker-style website and requesting a quote. I got an auto insurance quote really fast and secure. Follow this link to a site for a free auto insurance quote. Or click here for an auto insurance quote today. Click here to get a free auto insurance quote. *Complete each field below to receive a free auto insurance quote. We are your best source for auto insurance quote comparison. Quick and easy way to get you auto insurance quote FREE. After you receive your auto insurance quote, get a free no-obligation quote for homeowners or renters insurance. click to apply for an affordable auto insurance quote today! Get an auto insurance quote and save today. Fill out a request and get an auto insurance, health Insurance, or life insurance quote today. Requesting a higher deductible will help you get a cheap auto insurance quote.

We will also tell you what differences exist between one auto insurance company and another. You agree to pay the premium and the auto insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your auto insurance policy. It is a contract between you and the auto insurance company. Go to the NYS Insurance Department web site to read more information about auto insurance and see a list of insurance company codes. Lea what AIG affiliated auto insurance company is in your state. Responsiveness & AvailabilityIt's critical that your auto insurance company responds when you really need assistance.

Auto insurance deductiblesOn my way to a company authorized seminar, a deer hit my car, causing considerable damage. SR-22A form which must be filed by the insurance company stating that auto liability insurance is in effect for a particular individual. Each auto insurance company weighs the factors differently to come up with a cost so it's critical to compare auto insurance companies. Tell your old company in writing that you are canceling your auto policy and have obtained new insurance. You might think that your auto insurance rate would be pretty much the same no matter which company you choose. You should check to see if the damage is covered by your auto insurance company. But while we're all pretty much stuck with auto insurance, you needn't be stuck with a lame auto insurance company.

Visit Answer Financial for car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, vehicle insurance, boat insurance, renters insurance and more. Get car insurance rate comparisons, and buy your auto insurance policy instantly. Car Search - used cars, new cars, car insurance, used cars, new cars, new trucks, automotive classifieds new car prices and new car reviews. If you drive a car, you probably already have auto insurance, but may not be paying for it yourself. Collision insurance covers damages to your car from an automobile accident, regardless of who is at fault. If you lease a car, you still need auto insurance. If you already own a car and are paying auto insurance for it, then some things might be covered by your own insurance policy. If you already own a car and are paying auto insurance, then check with your policy to see what is transferrable.

The purpose of the articles in this section is to prepare drivers with the right auto insurance policy before it is too late. Public policy In many countries it is compulsory to purchase auto insurance before driving on public roads. Today, auto insurance is the most widely purchased of all property-casualty insurance, yet few drivers are familiar with the details of their particular policy. For changes to your AIG auto insurance policy or to ask customer service a question, call 1-800-241-1188. By taking one of these courses, you may be eligible for discounts on your auto insurance policy. After you have bought an auto insurance policy, you can service your policy online or through a customer service representative. The College's auto insurance policy may not respond to cover unauthorized drivers. A major reason why drivers overpay on their auto insurance policy is because they are not educated and don't look for auto insurance advice.

Whatever your need - travel plans, automobile purchasing, obtaining insurance or financial help, AAA is at your service! Thanks very much e have had USAA auto insurance in the past (for ~4 years) and were quite pleased with their service and prices. Insweb is the largest auto insurance quoting service on the Inteet. Unitrin Direct is dedicated to simplifying auto insurance with the right balance of competitive rates, proven stability, friendly and reliable service, and innovative processes. Amica's low prices and award-winning service give you a better deal for auto insurance. Today, we're still providing America's educators with quality auto insurance and professional, personal service.

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Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Wirat Muenpan is The Webmaster Of The Compare Your Auto Insurance Quote Between Multiple Carriers In Your State - Quickly and Easily! www.insurance-life-quote.com/

Health and Medical Insurance Comparing Managed Care Health Plans

Health insurance plans have been forced to take action to contain costs of quality health care delivery as health care costs have skyrocketed. Health insurance premiums, deductibles and co-pays have steadily increased, and health insurance companies have implemented certain strategies for reducing health care costs. "Managed care" describes a group of stratgies aimed at reducing the costs of health care for health insurance companies.

There are two basic types of managed care plans; health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, and preferred provider organizations, or PPOs. So which health plan is best? How do you choose what type of health insurance best suits the health care needs of you and your family?

Both HMOs and PPOs contain costs by contracting with health providers for reduced rate on health care services for its' members, often as much as 60%. One important difference between HMOs and PPOs is that PPOs often will cover the costs of care when the provider is out of their network, but usually at a reduced rate. On the other hand, most HMOs offer no coverage for health care services for out-of-network providers.

Both HMO and PPOs also control health care costs by use of a gateway, or primary care provider (PCP). Health insurance plan members are assigned (or select) a primary care practitioner (physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner). usually a family practitioner or inteal medicine doctor for adult members or a pediatrician or family care practitioner for childe. The primary care provider is responsible for coordianting health delivery for plan members. Care by specialist physicians require referral from the primary care provider. This cost containment strategy is intended to avoid duplication of services (for example, the cardiologist ordering tests that have already been done by the PCP, or a sprained ankle being referred to an orthopedic) and avoid unnecessary specialist referrals, tests and/or procedures.

HMO and PPO plans also contain costs by requiring prior approval, prior authorization, or pre-certification for many elective hospital admissions, surgeries, costly tests and imaging procedures, durable medical equipment and prescription drugs. When such services are required, the provider must submit a request to the health insurance plan review department, along with medical records that justify the service. The request is reviewed by the health insurance company to determine whether the services are justified as "medically necessary" according to the health plan policy and guidelines. Review is usually performed by licensed nurses, and, if the reviewer agrees that the service is necessary, approval is given and the service will be covered by the health insurance plan.

As health care costs continue to rise, many indemnity health insurance plans, or "fee for service" plans are being forced to adopt some managed care strategies in order to provide quality health care and keep health insurance premiums affordable. And as long as health care costs continue to rise, the distinctions among PPO, HMO, FFS and other health insurance plans will become blurred. Rest assured, however, that managed health care is here to stay.

Kay Lowe holds a Master's degree in health care and has 30+ years experience in the health care field. She is also webmaster for Health-Infosource.com, a website dedicated to disseminating health information.

Health Insurance Options for Entrepreneurs

One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is health insurance coverage. It is also the single most costly expense for self-employed entrepreneurs. So what can you do to reduce ever increasing costs of health care coverage? Here are a few tips.

1. If a medical bill seems excessive, try negotiating

Your doctor or the office manager who handles billing will probably be flexible, provided you make a valid case. When one woman in Texas was charged $900 for surgery and �consultation,� she explained that she had visited the hospital just once, for surgery; her bill was promptly cut by $370.

2. Contact a medical bill �auditor�

Several services have a medical bill �auditing� system that evaluates your medical bills to determine if errors occurred in the billing process. Considering that 97 percent of hospital medical bills contain errors, it�s no wonder why out-of-pocket medical expenses are on the rise for consumers. Because the typical hospital bill is extremely complicated, often containing several hundred line-item charges, there is ample opportunity for computer mistakes and accidental human error. Do a Google search for medical bill auditors to find companies offering this service.

3. You may get a tax break on your medical bills

Keep all your medical bills together and add them up at tax time. If they exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, you may deduct the excess. Please note that these items also may be included in the total: the cost of eye glasses, contact lenses, physical therapy, x-rays, hearing aids, psychiatric care, insurance and transportation to the hospital or doctor�s office (at 30 cents a mile). There are phase-outs in some cases based on adjusted gross income. Check with your professional tax adviser.

4. Deduct 100% of your healthcare costs from your taxes

The IRS allows all self-employed to deduct 100% of health care costs from their taxes by using Section 105 of the Inteal Revenue Code. To receive this deduction, you must do the following:

a) Hire your spouse as an employee of your business.

b) Have your spouse receive health insurance in his or her name, and include the family on the policy.

c) Pay your spouse a salary that will cover the costs of the insurance.

d) Talk to your tax professional about planning for Section 105 on your taxes.

We all know your spouse is active in your business. Now, you can equally recognize their contribution he or she makes � and get Uncle Sam to give you a tax break.

5. Help for families with kids -- CHIP

All states have established new programs that help lower income families with children to pay for health insurance for their kids. Financed partly by the federal govement, the Children�s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) operate either as an expansion of the state�s Medicaid program or a subsidy for basic private health insurance. Eligible families may be able to access coverage for their children at greatly reduced premiums which will vary depending upon family income. Contact your state Department of Health or Insurance for more information.

6. Shop around

Hospital costs vary widely, especially between urban and rural facilities. If your doctor has admitting privileges at more than one hospital, find out if you can be admitted to the one that�s less expensive. Keep in mind that hospitals operated by non-profit foundations are usually less expensive than investor-owned, for profit hospitals. To find out how much your local hospitals charge, ask your doctor. Many states have Health Services Cost Review Commissions, which compile such data.

7. Check for free clinics in your community

You and your entire family can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of the many free screenings, immunizations, and other health clinics offered by your local community or a town near you. Numerous community hospitals and social services can provide blood pressure checks, shots for your children, free contraceptives and/or advice, and other preventative health care at little to no cost.

8. Get a second opinion out of town

Believe it or not, your chance of undergoing an expensive surgery or preventative procedure may depend solely on where you happen to live. Statistics show that the frequency in which certain medical procedures are performed varies widely from location to location. For example, residents of New Haven, Conn., are twice as likely to undergo a coronary bypass operation as residents of Boston, Mass. What�s the reason for this discrepancy? One Dartmouth Medical School expert, John E. Wennberg, M.D., M.H.P., explains that certain operations are simply more fashionable in some parts of the United States than others. So, if you plan to get a second opinion prior to surgery, consider going to a specialist in another city. In addition, try to find out what the surgery rates for your procedure are in different cities. HealthAllies.com also offers this service online at www.healthallies.com. To get the names of second-opinion doctors in your region, call the U.S. govement�s toll-free second-opinion hotline at 1-800-638-6833.

9. Don�t pay double for a second opinion

As you make arrangements for a second opinion, ask your doctor to send copies of your medical records, x-rays, and lab tests to the second-opinion doctor. These tests don�t need duplication; your second doctor will have the information he or she needs � and you don�t pay double.

10. Emotional stability

Your mental health is equally important as your physical health. Do you have blue days once in awhile, or struggle with gray winters? St. John�s Wort, an over-the-counter herbal supplement, has been proven to increase positive moods. Before rushing to your family physician for medication to make you feel better, try supplements with a combination of expressing your feelings with friends and a healthy lifestyle. Mood stabilizers are some of the most costly medications on the market today. However, you should be aware of the signs of stress or even depression. Give yourself a simple screening test:

Do you have feelings of sadness and/or irritability?

Has there been a loss of interest in pleasure activities you once enjoyed?

Have there been changes in your weight or appetite?

Have you noticed changes in your sleeping patte? Are you feeling guilty?

Do you have the inability to concentrate, remember things or make decisions?

Are you fatigued or have a loss of energy?

Do you experience restlessness or decreased activity noticed by others?

Do you have feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness?

Do you have thoughts of suicide or death?

If you answer �yes� to any of these questions, consider consulting your family physician. If they recommend mental health treatment, it is more cost-effective to have your family physician prescribe mood stabilizers instead of seeing a psychiatrist. However, follow your doctor�s instructions on counseling and referrals to mental health professionals.

11. Order your prescription drugs by phone, web or mail

There are many discount prescription drug benefits available for a modest cost. Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed offers a free prescription card through PCS. This program saves its members up to 40 percent at over 55,000 pharmacies nationwide. On average, CA members save $9.39 per prescription order. You can enroll free on their Web site at www.selfemployedcountry.org.

12. Ask your doctor to prescribe generic drugs

Medicine marketed under its scientific name is usually 50 percent cheaper and just as effective as brand-name versions. In addition, look for generic drugs in the medicine you purchase over the counter. For example, 100 generic aspirin may cost $1.79; the same ingredients packaged under a well-known brand name can cost more than $5 for 100 tablets. Consider, also, just how important the new easy-to-swallow products are to your comfort. The lesser price of some medicines may be comparably easier to swallow when thinking about your budget.

13. Get enrolled in a group plan

For self employed people including those involved in small businesses, individual health insurance can be extremely costly � sometimes as much as 30 percent of your take home pay. By joining associations like National Association for the Self Employed (www.nase.org), you have the opportunity to enroll in a group insurance plan with unique built-in cost controls.

14. Choose a higher deductible

Often for the healthy family, the number of visits to the doctor totals less than $250 a year, a normally low deductible rate. This low deduction rate, however, can end up costing you more in the form of higher premiums. If your family has enjoyed good health for a number of years, you may want to switch to a higher deductible of $500 or $1000. You�ll notice greatly reduced premiums.

15. Pay premiums annually

You avoid the service fee and may also receive a discount from your insurance carrier. Check with your insurance agent about how much money you can save if you pay your premium one time during the year.

16. Make sure there�s a ceiling for out-of-pocket expenses for catastrophic illnesses

About half of individual policyholders lack this important provision, according to insurance experts, who recommend a major medical policy with a stop-loss clause limiting policyholder payout to $2,000 or $3,000.

17. Get educated about your health

Invest in your health by becoming information-rich. Read publications about health care. Pay special attention to free wellness publications like Inside Mayo Clinic at www.mayo.edu/healthinfo/public.html or have on hand a book on medical self-care, like The AAFP Family Health and Medical Guide and The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. A wealth of information is also available on the Inteet.

18. Take advantage of free health advice

For free information booklets from the U.S. govement about nearly every health care topic you can imagine, simply write to the Consumer Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The govement offers several dozen booklets on topics ranging from nutrition, medical problems, mental health, to drugs, exercise and weight control. To receive a catalog explaining these booklets, write to:

Consumer Information Center
PO Box 100
Pueblo, CO 81009
www.pueblo.gsa.gov (you can download booklets from this site)

Once again the U.S. Govement comes through by providing a number of toll free health care information phone services. Topics are numerous, including hearing aids, cancer information, Alzheimer�s disease, drugs and pregnancy issues. For information on the health topics and phone numbers, call the National Health Information Center at 1-800-336-4797.

19. Brush up on first-aid skills and become CPR certified.

Proper treatment of various accidents may reduce the number of visits to the doctor, and can save lives in an emergency. It�s important to always keep an updated medical kit in your home or office.

Here are the basics for your first-aid kit:

bandage supplies, including a roll of 3 inch wide gauze, individually packaged 4 inch sterile gauze pads, a roll of 1 inch bandage tape, butterfly bandage tape, and scissors elastic bandages cotton swabs sterile dressings or towels pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) anti-inflammatory medicine (ibuprofen) ipecac syrup (for use on advice of medical professional to induce vomiting) tweezers hydrogen peroxide skin creams, including hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion and antibiotic creams an antihistamine (diphenhydramine for allergic reactions) flashlight eye patch arm sling tongue depressors (to be used as a finger splint) ice pack re-hydration fluids (such as Pedialyte or Infalyte)

20. Take a lifestyle approach to wellness � every day

Take charge of your health by making simple changes in your lifestyle. By following these seven basic rules of good health, you�ll improve your chances of living a long, healthy, active life.

Get eight hours of sleep per night.

Eat breakfast every moing.

Cut down on snacks between meals.

Keep within 10 pounds of your recommended weight range. If you�re unsure what your weight range should be check with your doctor.

Exercise aerobically for at least 30 minutes three times per week.

Don�t smoke.

Don�t drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day.

Take recommended dosages of vitamins and supplements.

Copyright 2004, Monikah Ogando, Ogando Associates, Inc.

Monikah Ogando is a highly skilled facilitator and charismatic speaker. She continues to inspire her audience through her expertise in Business Development, leadership effectiveness, individual accountability and the values that guide excellence.

She practices what she speaks: an entrepreneur, Monikah leads her own two companies, consulting firm Ogando Associates and Exodus House Publishers and is a Team Member of Solo-E.com.