Life Insurance - Pros and Cons of Whole Life & Term Life Coverage

“Do I need life insurance?” “Is whole life insurance a good investment?” “Is term life insurance risky?” Questions like these are posted in online communities on a daily basis. The answers vary widely, with the term life and whole life camps polarized. The tone of the debate is surprisingly strident. After all, the topic is insurance—not a something expected to inspire strong opinions, let alone strong language. But words like “rip-off,” “scam,” and “waste of money” fly back and forth, sometimes accompanied by rows of exclamation marks or worse. What is behind the brouhaha? And which camp—if either—is right?

The two sides do not even agree about whether a person needs life insurance. Whole lifers say, yes. You do not want the death of a family member to disrupt your family’s finances or jeopardize its future. It is hard enough to adjust to the loss of a loved one. Adding financial difficulties exacerbates the problem. With the skyrocketing costs of funerals, even children and seniors should have at least a small life insurance policy.

Not so fast, say the term lifers. The only reason to have life insurance is to replace the lost income of a family member who dies, and then only when the spouse or family is dependent on that income. If you are single with no dependents and no debts that might be transferred to your family in the event you die, then you do not need life insurance. If you are married and your spouse works, you probably do not need life insurance, either, assuming your spouse makes enough to support himself or herself.

The time for life insurance, term lifers say, is when the policyholder’s income is vital to the financial security of the family. If, for example, you have purchased a home together and your spouse could not pay the mortgage and other bills by himself or herself, then life insurance is in order. If you have children, you will want to have enough life insurance to allow your family to maintain its lifestyle after you are gone. This includes not only meeting day-to-day expenses, but also being able to follow through with plans for higher education. Insurance professionals recommend buying a policy with a face value 5-10 times the breadwinner’s annual salary to help family meet expenses for a period of years.

Whole lifers see problems with the term-life scenario. The view it as overly optimistic, even naïve. Many things can happen during the 20- to 30-year period covered by term life insurance that could extend the need for coverage beyond the policy’s end date. For example, children may be born mentally retarded, with severe autism, or with another serious condition that could prevent them from becoming independent when they reach adulthood. Children also can develop a disease or suffer an accident that disables them. A spouse, too, can become disabled. In these situations, the family will remain dependent on the breadwinner’s income long after the term life policy expires.

Term life insurance advocates point out that in such cases, the breadwinner can renew the term life policy, or take out a new one. Now it’s the whole lifers’ turn to say, “Not so fast.” By the time the second term life policy is needed, the breadwinner will likely be in his or her fifties or even sixties. Due to the age of the insured, the cost of a second term life policy will be much higher than the cost of the first was. With the added years come added risks of certain diseases. If the breadwinner is obese, has developed high blood pressure, a heart condition, diabetes, or another disease, the cost of the term life policy will skyrocket. If the individual has developed cancer or AIDS, he or she may not be insurable at all. In such situations, the cost savings realized on the first term life policy could be wiped out by the high cost of a second term life policy.

By contrast, the premiums of a whole life policy are set for life and do not go up with age or medical condition. A whole life policy cannot be canceled due to medical conditions, either. The policy remains in force until death, as long as the premiums are paid.

“Until death” is another advantage of whole life, its advocates maintain. Whole life gets its name from the fact that it insures the policyholder life until death. As a result, whole life insurance is guaranteed to pay a death benefit—the amount the policy pays upon the death of the insured. The death benefit can be increased—at certain points at no additional cost—as the policyholder ages. A small policy designed to cover the funeral costs of a child can be increased to provide adequate coverage during an adult’s peak earning years. Whatever the death benefit or “face value” of the whole life policy, the insurance company guarantees to pay it. As a result, the policyholder or his or her beneficiaries always receive some, all, or more than the premiums paid into the policy.

This is not the case with a term life policy, whole lifers point out. The term life insurance policyholder can pay premiums for 30 years, but if he or she outlives the policy—even by a day—then all of the premium money is gone. The only thing the policyholder will have received is 30 years worth of peace of mind.

Whole life insurance, by contrast, accumulates a value that the policyholder can access during his or her lifetime. This value is known as the cash value or the surrender value. The whole life policy holder can use the cash value as collateral for a loan, or even borrow some of it during his or her lifetime. The policyholder must pay this amount back. If he or she dies before it is paid back, then the unpaid amount is deducted from the death benefit. If the policyholder decides to cancel the policy, the insurance company will pay him or her the cash value, which is then known as the surrender value. Whole life, its proponents maintain, is not only insurance against death. It is an investment for life.

This is where the debate turns nasty. Term lifers often ridicule the investment features of whole life. Because whole life always pays a death benefit, it costs 5-10 times more than term life does. Term lifers argue that a person is much better off getting a term policy for the same face value that they would get a whole life policy, then saving and investing the difference in premiums. Almost any investment will return more than a whole life policy will, term lifer proponents maintain. Over 20 or 30 years, the difference can be vast. Buy insurance to insure, the term lifers say, and use the savings to invest.

Whole lifers respond that the return on a whole life policy is guaranteed at the outset, something than cannot be said for other investments. To earn greater rewards, the term life policyholder must take greater risks in the open market. Many investments will outperform whole life insurance, but not all will. Some investments lose money, as shareholders in World Com, Enron, Peregrine Systems, and many other companies can attest.

Even if the investment will pay out, it is not certain that the term life policyholder will actually make it. To do so, he or she must calculate the amount saved over whole life insurance; save that money every month, quarter, or year; research possible investments; and contribute to that investment regularly for 20 or 30 years. This makes sense for disciplined and savvy investors, but many others will find the endeavor daunting and time consuming. They may not start it, and if they do, they may not continue it. Whole life takes care of insurance, savings, and investment in one easy payment. Even if the returns on whole life are not great, saving something is better than saving nothing, and nothing is exactly how much many term life policyholders will end up saving.

Both whole life and term life have pros and cons. People who are financially savvy and disciplined will gain from the term life scenario. Those who need a convenient and simple mechanism for insurance and savings will benefit from whole life insurance. Deciding which is best for you requires an honest appraisal of your goals, your lifestyle, and your investing skills.

How to Get a Cheap Health Insurance Quote Online

Did you know that the best place to get cheap health insurance quotes is online? All you have to do is go to an insurance comparison website and you can get fast, accurate quotes from multiple insurance companies. It's quick, it's easy, and it's free.

What Kind of Health Insurance Quotes Can I find Online?

Insurance comparison websites offer the same kinds of health insurance plans you would get from any insurance agent. Depending on your needs and budget, you can select:

* Traditional insurance, a PPO plan, or an HMO plan* Long-term or short-term health insurance

* Comprehensive or basic coverage

* A plan with a company that specializes in a particular illness

* A stand-alone plan or a plan that supplements other existing insurance

You can also choose plans with varying deductible and co-payment amounts.

Advantages of Online Health Insurance Quotes

Going online for your health insurance quotes offers you several advantages:

* It saves you time. Instead of calling or running around and visiting multiple insurance companies to get health insurance quotes, you fill out one simple form on an insurance comparison website and the quotes come to you.

* It saves you money. Health insurance premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to another. When you shop online through an insurance comparison website, you can easily and quickly compare quotes from multiple companies and choose the one with the best price.

* It saves you worry. Insurance comparison websites have already checked out the insurance companies they offer, and they only work with A-rated companies. This means you know the company you select is financially stable and will be able to pay your claims.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get a cheap health insurance quote online from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

How to Buy Cheap Renters Insurance Online

Looking to buy cheap renters insurance online? Here's how to do it the easy way and get the best rate possible.

Where can I buy cheap renters insurance online?

The best place to find cheap renters insurance online is at an insurance comparison website. These sites let you compare renters insurance quotes from a number of different companies so you can choose the cheapest rate.

The best insurance comparison websites have an Articles section where you can get money saving tips. They also feature a chat service so you can get answers to your renters insurance questions from an insurance expert, and make sure you're getting the best rate possible. (See link below.)

How can I get the cheapest possible rate?

Here are seven tips that will help you get the cheapest renters insurance rate:

1. Consolidate Your Policies - By purchasing your renters insurance and your auto insurance through the same company you can save up to 15%.

2. Raise Your Deductible - Raising your deductible - the amount you pay toward a claim before your insurance company pays - can save you 15% to 40% on your insurance, depending on how high you raise it.

3. Install Safety and Security Devices - Insurance companies offer good-sized discounts for installing safety devices like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and for installing security devices like dead-bolt locks, window locks, and burglar alarms.

4. Quit Smoking - Because smoking accounts for more than 20,000 home fires every year, insurance companies will give you a discount on your renters insurance if you don't smoke.

5. Maintain a Good Credit Rating - Many insurers now base your renters insurance premiums on your credit rating, so maintaining a good credit rating can significantly lower you renters insurance premium.

6. Get a Senior Discount - If you're retired and 55 or older, most insurance companies will discount your renters insurance premium by up to 10%.

7. Ask About Other Discounts - Renters insurance companies give discounts for a number of reasons. Ask your insurer about the discounts they offer and get all the ones you're eligible for.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/renters-insurance.html or click on the following link to get cheap renters insurance quotes online from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section.

Life Insurance UK – Proven Ways to Gain the Most

The insurance industry in the UK is one thriving arena that is bustling with the activities of numerous insurance companies offering their unique services under varied categories of the arena. The life insurance segment is one of these categories, which is quite popular among a huge user base, owing to a string of benefits up for grabs. The insurance scenario in the UK is known for comprising some of the most wisely acclaimed life insurance companies in the world who offer their valued service for the seekers.

One of the biggest advantages of a life insurance UK is ensuring the financial security of your family members through a periodical premiums that finally mature to enshroud your loved ones in a blanket of safety. Most of the life insurance policies come equipped with additional perks like healthcare cover, critical illness cover and even cash backs. Moreover, your insurance policy also aids you in getting a loan for the education of your children, mortgages and other purposes. If that's not all, even your demise doesn't stop you from ensuring the safety of your family, as the matured amount is inherited by your loved ones.

However, getting hold of an ideal life insurance UK policy would require you to follow some simple steps without putting the wrong step forward. Retrieve several insurance quotes from various companies and filter out the most profitable for the purpose. You need to furnish necessary personal details about yourself, taking care that the information is completely authentic and can be vouched for. Your health details, in particular need to be precise.

Once you have completed these steps, you can be rest assured that your Life Insurance UK policy is bound to bring a whole lot of goodies your way. The Internet is usually the best place to survey through all the insurance companies existing in the country.

How to Get Low Cost Indiana Health Insurance

You may think that low cost Indiana health insurance is a thing of the past, but it's not. Here's how to get low cost Indiana health insurance with a government program or with a private insurance company.

Indian Health Insurance Options

You have four options for low cost health insurance in Indiana. They are:

Low Income Health Insurance

The state of Indiana offers health insurance to individuals and families who cannot afford private health insurance. These state sponsored programs include:

* Medicaid, which is available to children, teenagers, pregnant women, and low income families.

* Hoosier Healthwise, which is available to children, pregnant women, and low-income families.

* Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program available to people 65 or older, and for people who are disabled.

For more information on these programs, visit the Indiana Department of Insurance websites at: in.gov/idoi

High Risk Health Insurance

* Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP), which is available to people with pre-existing health conditions making them ineligible for private health insurance.

For more information on this program, visit the Indiana Department of Insurance website at: in.gov/idoi

Private Health Insurance

There are two basic types of private health insurance plans available in Indiana. They are:

* Indemnity plans, also called fee-for-service plans, which are the most expensive plans. These plans provide health care in exchange for a premium and a deductible (usually $500 to $2,000). With these plans you may use the doctor and hospital of your choice.

* Managed Health Care Plans (HMOs, PPOs, POSs), which are the least expensive plans. These plans provide health care in exchange for a premium and a co-payment (usually $5 to $10 per doctor visit). With these plans you must use a doctor or hospital within a network of health care professionals, or pay an additional fee to use a non-network doctor or hospital.

Where to Get Low Cost Indiana Health Insurance

Health insurance premiums can vary dramatically form one insurance company to the next, so the first thing you need to do to get low cost health insurance is to compare rates from different companies. The easiest way to do that is to go to an insurance comparison website.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get low cost Indiana health insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

Dental Insurance - Important Facts You Need To Know

Having dental unsurance doesn't guarantee that you will be allowed to have the procedures you want and need done. Many dental patients have found some insurance carriers to be difficult to work with, denying claims and causing stress for both the patient and dentist. Here are a few facts about dental insurance everyone needs to be aware of:

FACT #1:
Your dentist can't make them pay. Your dental insurance (and the procedures it covers) is determined by a contract made between your employer and your insurance company. When questions arise, your best course of action is to call your human resources department or insurance carrier yourself.

FACT #2:
Dental insurance isn't a pay-all, but rather an aid. With most policies now capping at $1,000 a year per patient, dental insurance isn't meant to cover all of your costs like health insurance, but to ease the burden of dental care a bit.

FACT #3:
Even if you have 100% coverage, your dentist may not get 100% of his fee, leaving you in some cases, to pay the difference. Most insurance companies survey the area in which your dentist is in practice, calculates an average fee for all service providers in that area including discount dental clinics, take 80% of that fee and consider that the appropriate fee, paying only that amount.

FACT #4:
If you and your spouse have policies through your own employer (but with the same carrier), the insurance company is not required to use the second policy to pay for uncovered costs, as is the case if you have coverage from two different carriers. Sad but true, insurance companies can accept payment from two different employers for coverage, but still only give the employee and his/her family members the $1,000 spending limit according to many state's laws. I, however, you and your spouse have different carriers; you can use both insurances to cover most, if not all, of your dental fees.

FACT #5:
Many routine dental services are NOT covered by insurance companies.

FACT #6:
Your insurance carrier is not responsible for paying for dental work that has not been preauthorized - even if it's an emergency! Be sure that your dentist's office files for any preauthorization are necessary before agreeing to any procedure.

With so much misunderstanding regarding dental insurance coverage out there, it is very important for every patient to carefully discuss their policy and its requirements with their dentist's business manager before agreeing to any expensive procedures to insure that they won't be left paying for the entire bill.

Where To Go For An Instant Car Insurance Quote

An instant car insurance quote is really the prime thing that you should be looking for when it comes to finding the best auto insurance policy possible, because these quotes are going to be what you will be using in order to make the best decision in terms of which particular policy to go with.

Where to get an Instant Car Insurance Quote

There are actually quite a few different companies that offer you an instant auto insurance quote, one in particular being 1st Quote. They are a car insurance company that has over thirty years of experience, and as a long established nationwide tele-broker, they truly pride themselves on their ability to be able to quote for any insurance risk.

They strive to provide all of their customers, those who are already policy holders as well as those who are simply calling to get an instant auto insurance quote. They have in place for your benefit many various different longstanding schemes across the insurance market in general and with the aid of superior technology they are confident of being able to meet all of your motor insurance requirements, and all at the right price.

Another company that offers you an instant car insurance quote is Kanetix. They are one of the most well-established and well-known companies in the world when it comes to auto insurance policies, and all have to do to get your instant quote is log onto their site, and complete their quick and easy form that will allow you to compare multiple online care insurance quotes in a matter of minutes.

As well you will be able to get additional quotes delivered to you instantly via email for even more choices. You will get instant insurance estimates from many of the top insurance companies across the world, and you can compare and contrast each auto insurance company in order to find the one that offers you the best coverage at the most affordable rates.

Shopping for auto insurance is really all about finding the right coverage at just the right coverage, and you can only do this by taking your time, putting in the effort, and getting quotes to use to compare. At Kanetix they want to help you along every step of the way, and their online quote comparison service offers you access to instant online auto insurance quotes where you can compare various car insurance coverages.

Holiday Insurance - A Price You Cannot Afford To Save

Accidents may happen and other things may occur to endanger your life or your health. So why be exposed to those risks and do nothing about it? Of course, it does not mean you have to stop traveling altogether. But always take precautions.

There is nothing wrong with being overly cautious. And also, it would be for the best if you avail of holiday insurance. But what exactly is this insurance and why buy it?

What Holiday Insurance All About

Holiday insurance is also called vacation insurance. It will serve as a great backup plan for you if ever something untoward happens to you during your vacation travels.

If ever you fall sick or got involved in an accident and you need to be hospitalized and have to pay for large medical bills, the insurance will get those medical bills covered.

Not all travels to all countries are covered by holiday travel insurance though. So you have to do some inquiries first about the coverage of the insurance you are buying. Also when choosing the right one for you, make sure to do a lot of research and inquiries so that you would make the right choice.

Why Buy Holiday Insurance Then?

Vacation travel insurance may seem not important to many of you, but you might want to revise that opinion. Of course, nobody wants to be involved in an accident and as a good traveler, you should exercise caution.

But in cases when accidents do happen, it is best to have something there to cover for you financially.

Yes, you have to pay upfront for vacation medical insurance and you may think that the monthly payment obligation is unnecessary.

And think about it for a while. If you got into an accident or whatever situation that needs you to be hospitalized and the medical bills are so high, you may not have that money with you right there and then.

The payments or the holiday medical insurance however are not that big and it could truly benefit you when the time comes.

Another reason why you should get insurance for your vacation travels is that you can actually find lots of cheap holiday insurance deals out there. It's a very competetive market!

To find the cheap vacation insurance for you, be inquisitive and make sure you understand the information you are gathering. Paying an affordable price (perhaps on a monthly plan even), for your insurance so that an expensive medical bill can be covered during your travels is definitely to your advantage, right?

If you have a routine that enables you to travel to different places every year, then it would be best for you to buy an annual holiday insurance. All you have to do is find the right provider.

Luckily, the internet is one of the best places where you could start your search for your annual vacation insurance.

Get some quotes and decide properly what you holiday insurance you need and then jet off on your vacation with a warm, confident feeling that will help you enjoy your vacation to the full.

Your Dental Health Insurance Plans - What You Need To Know

Taking care of your teeth will, of course, involve some expenses such as dentist fees, paying for dental care products, and so on and so forth. However, you should take note that once your teeth get damaged, you are bound to spend even higher amounts.

So preventing things from decay and other problems is still the best way to go. Along with prevention, you must also have a back up plan in case your dental health does fail. And that is finding some good options for a good dental plan.

Dental Insurance - The Advantages

Paying for a dental plan does have plenty of advantages. The most obvious is that when your dental health fails, you will have the assurance that there is something that would cover your expenses for rectifying your dental issues.

Dental cover exists so that when preventative measures for the care of your teeth does not work or is too late, you will still have a funding solution. Also, decay is not the only teeth problem and accidents may happen that could bring about broken teeth.

With any dental plan, you will not be burdened down by repair or replacement costs.

Another advantage is that there are actually plenty of affordable dental cover schemes out there. Paying inexpensively, even though monthly, for the insurance still beats paying excessively for when the time comes that your dental health suffers.

Also, when needed, you may not have enough cash, at that time, to take care of your dental fees. Finding a good health insurance broker is the key here. As with any other insurance plans, these folks play an important role in the whole process.

To choose properly, you must be inquisitive and clearly understand the terms offered. Start by going through the offered quotes and try to determine which ones are fit for your needs.

Types of Dental Insurance

Speaking of which are fit for you needs, you should also know what plans are available out there.

An individual type of dental scheme is naturally for each individual. This is fit for you if you have only yourself to worry about.

But if you have a family, then it is best to take the dental health of your whole family into consideration as well. If so then the option for you is a good quality and inexpensive family dental insurance.

The terms offered of course would vary depending on several factors such as the brokers and insurance costs.

But no matter the variety, you should opt for as complete a cover as you can afford. Make sure all the possibilities you can think of are covered.

Then you could start browsing the internet for dental cover quotes for individuals and for families as well. There are a lot of online brokers to be found. But of course, as mentioned, you should gather information first so as to make the right choice.

So whether it is personal dental insurance or a family one, make sure it counts when needed.

Holiday Insurance - A Very Valuable Expense Indeed

Can't make it to the hotel and the car rental company charges a penalty on you credit card for missing your reservation.

Don't want this to happen to you? Then it's easy - treat holiday insurance as a priority, not a saving to be made. You may have to postpone your holiday, but you can get your money back. For the size of the investment most of us put into our holiday plans, having insurance just in case of an unanticipated change of plans simply makes sense.

What Type of Insurance Is Available?

You can purchase holiday insurance for many different situations. There are policies for single trips, or annual coverage, skiing and backpacking holiday insurance or policies for those more than 74 years of age. Many policies will provide you with 24 hour emergency assistance.

The coverage provided by these policies differs sometimes, but for the most part they cover your holiday in case of cancellation by you in case of emergency, or if your airline cancels on you. Some cover your expenses in the case of a natural disaster that spoils your trip, or terrorist situations.

There are companies who will cover your lost holiday for any reason at all, though this will cost more, of course. Others have specific situations that they will cover, whilst others are not.

Before you purchase holiday insurance, make certain that you know exactly what you want and then what is covered. Don't just take anyone's word for it, read the paperwork and make sure you are getting all you were promised before making a payment.

The Same - Then Again Not!

Holiday insurance policies are all similar and the difference's really matter. Inquire about trip cancellation, trip interruption coverage; find out if they include baggage insurance in case you luggage is lost.

It is possible to just purchase portions of coverage but it may be worth your while to inquire about comprehensive coverage.

For your own benefit, ensure that your holiday insurance is purchased from the time you exchange money for any part of your holiday. Also, though it sounds like a no-brainer, ask them if your particular airline or tour group is covered.

Sometimes holiday insurance carriers won't cover particular organizations for a variety of reasons, so when you stop into visit the insurer or talk to them by phone, make sure you list all organizations you will be booking with for holiday.

Trip interruption, meaning you started your trip but for some reason could not finish it will leave the holiday insurance provider responsible for the unused portion of your trip.

Flight insurance is also available with your holiday insurance plan but is probably not necessary. This coverage is a life insurance policy in case of an airline crash, based on the likelihood of this, a pretty unlikely event!

Different Needs For Different Destinations

If you are travelling outside of Europe you should also ask if you have medical coverage. If travelling to the United States make sure you have the most adequate medical coverage, because medical care is outrageously expensive there and folks who missed covering themselves have been known to have had to sell their home to pay for the costs incurred.

You have been warned on this one!

For about 5% of the total cost of your holiday, you can prepare for pretty much any contingency that may come up and spoil things.

For all the work we put in to earn our holidays insurance is a nice back up plan to have and a necessary evil in anyone's holiday expenses.

Insurance Safety Net For You

Calamity can strike anyone at any time. That is why individuals as well as corporations rely on insurance policies. This is where the loss is transferred to a third party who bears the brunt. There are two parties involved in this agreement, the insurer and the insurance company where the policy has been taken.

Death, accident , disability, theft, fires, vehicular accident, are just some of the situations when an insurance policy can help. An insurance policy could be for any of these purposes -- health, life, medical, vehicle or general insurance. The duration is decided upon while signing the agreement.

But insurance is a commercial product too. As a result purchasing insurance requires as much smartness as purchasing any other consumer product. The policy needs to satisfy all the customer's needs and serve the purpose when the time comes. Some of the points that one needs to keep in mind are as follows:

1. What is being offered - You must analyze the various insurance companies that are available, go through their policies and choose the one that offers the products and services that match your needs, in terms of duration, risk coverage and time taken to reimburse payment.

2. Financial strength of the policy issuer - The company you choose must have a sound credit standing in the market and should have the ability to cover all the clauses mentioned in the policy on time. If not you will end up spending out of your pocket.

3. The cost - Premium is an amount that the insurer pays to the insurance company at regular intervals during the year till the policy matures. Depending on the policy taken, the premium payable will vary. So compare the options available based on age, term of the policy, the type of policy and the value of the same. If different companies are offering different features, then solely comparing premium amounts might be misleading. Pay attention to details to protect yourself from misleading policies.

4. Reputation and License - One major factor that you must note is whether the company has a good reputation in the market. You can gather this information by talking to friends or colleagues who have policies with the company. Naturally the insurance company should not be a sham. It should have all the regulatory approvals to operate as an insurance company. Without a clean policy, you might as well have no policy.

Where to Get Cheap Michigan Health Insurance Quotes

Health insurance premiums in Michigan are rising every year. So where can you go to find cheap Michigan health insurance quotes? Read on ...

Health Insurance Needs in Michigan

About 1.2 million Michigan residents don’t have health insurance and this number is going up each year. The uninsured include people who are unemployed, self-employed, and employees of businesses that don’t provide health insurance.

Some state programs are available to help the uninsured. For example, MIChild is a health insurance program for uninsured children of Michigan’s working families. Seniors and disabled individuals can also receive health coverage through Medicare.

For more information on government sponsored health insurance programs, visit Michigan's Department of Community Health website.

Affordable Private Health Insurance

If you need health insurance and don’t qualify for any government programs, your alternative is too look for an affordable private health insurance plan. Many types of private health insurance are available:

* Short term or long term health insurance

* Basic or comprehensive coverage

* Traditional insurance, HMOs, and PPOsYou will need to decide what type of insurance is right for you and what your budget will allow. Other questions you need to consider include:

* How much can I afford to pay for co-payments and deductibles? The higher you set these items, the lower your premiums will be, but you need to make sure you can pay them if necessary.

* Do I have a particular doctor or hospital I prefer? You’ll want to make sure they accept the insurance you choose.

Where to Get Cheap Michigan Health Insurance Quotes

The best place to look for an affordable health insurance policy is on the Internet. Go to an insurance comparison website, which makes it fast and easy for you to get and compare quotes from different insurance companies. On the website you'll fill out a simple form with information about yourself and your insurance needs in order to get health insurance rate quotes.

On the best insurance comparison websites you can even talk with insurance professionals to get answers to all your health insurance questions, and get help choosing the plan that's best for you (see link below).

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get Michigan health insurance rate quotes and see how much you can save. You can also get more insurance tips in their Articles section.

Can You Get Health Insurance with a Medical History In the UK?

If you are looking for a new credit card, your credit history plays a role in whether or not you are accepted and what interest rate you pay. Health insurance is no different, though the history that is considered when you apply is the one that your doctor keeps.

Health insurance companies are protecting a risk and, like any insurance company, they try to keep the risks they insure as low as possible. So, the better your medical history is, the less likely they are to have to pay out a claim on your policy and the lower your premium will be.

Your medical history may also determine what type of private medical insurance you will be eligible to get. If you have diabetes, asthma or another chronic, incurable condition, for instance, most private insurers will exclude coverage for anything related to treatment. Some, taking into account the number of other conditions and illnesses for which those are a risk factor, will refuse to insure you at all. In general, that means that if you know you are ill, or that you will require medical treatment in the next six months because of a medical diagnosis, you may have trouble finding private health insurance to cover your needs.

There are many private health insurers who do not require a medical history, or only require a very basic one. In general, their policies will exclude coverage for any condition for which you have been treated in the past five years, or another specified period of time. If you remain free of symptoms and require no treatment for that condition for the specified period of time after you become insured, that condition may become eligible for cover again.

If your prospective insurer does ask for a medical history, you should always be truthful and declare everything you are aware of at the time. Any errors, omissions or outright lies in your application could negate your policy entirely. It is better to have coverage for unrelated illnesses and conditions than to have no coverage at all.

So, should you bother with private medical insurance if you have a pre-existing chronic condition? Most experts would say yes. The NHS is designed to provide care and treatment for chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes. Your private medical insurance would still provide cover for you for illnesses, injuries and conditions that do not arise from your pre-existing chronic condition. In addition, if you have been treated for an illness in the past five years ulcers, for instance and have remained symptom free for five years, most policies will cover treatment for that condition if it recurs.

Interestingly, a number of UK private medical insurance providers do offer chronic conditions cover for UK expatriates. Most continental insurers do not exclude chronic conditions in their policies, and UK companies doing business overseas are beginning to follow suit. If you are seeking medical insurance for a period of time abroad, shop around to find one that will cover all of your needs during your time away.

Where to Get Cheap Oregon Car Insurance Quotes Online

Car insurance is required by law in most states, including Oregon. Here's how much car insurance you need to drive in Oregon, and where to find cheap Oregon car insurance quotes online.

What Car Insurance is Required in Oregon?

Oregon law requires the following minimum amounts of insurance for all vehicles:

* $25,000 per person for bodily injury and property damage

* $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to others* $10,000 per accident for property damage

* $15,000 per person for personal injury protection to covermedical expenses for up to one year after an accident

* $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance?

If you're caught driving without these minimum amounts of car insurance, you may be subject to severe penalties:

* You could be fined

* You may have your driving privileges suspended for up to one year

You may also need to file proof of compliance with Oregon’s insurance and future financial responsibility law for up to three years.

How Can I Find Cheap Oregon Car Insurance Quote Online?

Insurance premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars from one insurance company to another. This means that in order to find the best price on your car insurance, you need to shop around and compare quotes. It is easy to shop around and compare quotes online if you go to an insurance comparison website.

On an insurance comparison website you simply type in your insurance information, including your:

* Name and address

* Vehicle year, make, model, and VIN number

* The limits and deductibles you want

* Safety features on your vehicle, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and an anti-theft system

After you submit your information you'll begin to receive quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies. On the best insurance comparison websites you can even talk online with insurance professionals and get answers to your car insurance questions, plus get advice on how to lower your car insurance rate even further (see link below).

Visit http://www.lowerratequotes.com/ or click on the following link to get Oregon car insurance quotes online from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more auto insurance tips in their Articles section.

Private Long Term Disability Insurance

Long term disability insurance can be vitally important to those people who want to protect themselves against the loss of future earnings. Disability insurance, in general, is used when a person is no longer able to work and to earn a living. The benefits received from disability insurance can help pay mortgage bills, living expenses, medical expenses, etc. In many ways, it can be the difference between maintaining a lifestyle and facing a lifetime of uncertainty.

There are two types of long term disability insurance. There are those policies that are considered "group" policies. These are usually bought through the workplace or through participation in certain organizations. The other type is "private". Private long term disability insurance is purchased by the individual and is usually more expensive than policies purchased through group policies.

There are also those group policies that allow participants to add more coverage to an individual policy as long as the person is willing to make the added payment himself. For those who have group coverage this can be a good way to get added protection at discounted prices.

In the area of private long term disability insurance the first thing to understand is that this type of insurance can be expensive. It is almost certainly going to be more expensive than life insurance. However, this type of protection is actually more valuable than life insurance in many ways. Its main value is that it allows you to maintain a close semblance of your lifestyle should you be forced out of work due to illness or injury.

There are some advantages to having private long term disability insurance as well.

The benefits that you receive if you become disabled will be tax-free, as long as you paid the insurance premiums with after-tax money. Another benefit to having private coverage is that the coverage is not bound to your job. In other words, if you change jobs your coverage does not end as would be the case with most group coverage policies.

If your occupation allows for exceptionally high earnings you may need to purchase a special type of private long term disability insurance that will lock in that level of earning should you become disabled. Most group policies use what is known as the "any-occupation" scheme which allows for the less expensive premiums, but also provides a lower amount of benefits. High earners need to take this into consideration when thinking of long term disability insurance.

There are some important things to look for in private disability insurance: You want a policy that is "non-cancellable". This guarantees that premiums will not be changed as long as you pay them on time and in full. You also want to look for a policy that is to age 65.

You want to avoid policies that are termed as "accident only". These polices will not pay if you become disabled through illness rather than injury, and some of the accident conditions can be hard to meet.

There are a number of riders that can be bought with most private long term disability insurance and you should go through those carefully as some of them can be very important. Most riders will cost a bit more to implement into the policy but they can be worthwhile should you ever need to use them.

10 Tips to Get the Best Motorhome Insurance

Buying and using a motorhome is one of life’s great pleasures – providing life on the open road and the opportunity to find great weather and spectacular locations.

But what happens when something goes wrong? With the right insurance policy, virtually any situation can be managed quickly, efficiently and hassle-free. But with the wrong insurance, you run the risk of encountering heartache which could drag on for days, weeks or even months.

One of the easiest ways to get the very best motorhome cover is to use a company that specialises in bespoke motorhome insurance – like Sureterm Direct, for example – who understand exactly what’s required to guarantee a trouble-free life when accidents happen.

Here’s a list of the key dos and don’ts when insuring your motor home.

5 ESSENTIAL Dos

DO consider exactly what your circumstances are likely to be over the coming year. How much will you be using your vehicle? Where will you be going, especially abroad? How many miles do you expect to do? All these factors can affect your policy.

DO make sure your policy covers personal effects that will be in the motorhome, and extras like awnings. Some large awnings, for example, can be expensive to replace. Specialist insurers pick up on these little things when you’re discussing your requirements.

DO ask if there are discounts available depending on the length of time you’ve owned your motorhome, or if you’re a member of a club or association. Many specialist motorhome insurersard experience with better premiums.

DO be clear about your No Claims Discounts (NCD). Many insurers will mirror the NCD you’ve accrued while driving your car.

DO make sure your policy provides adequate cover for legal expenses. In the USA, particularly, personal claims lawyers can be as vicious as the alligators in the Florida swamps, and you may need to fight fire with fire. If you’re policy means you can employ your own alligator – at no extra cost to you – it makes sense!

5 IMPORTANT DON’Ts

DON’T lie about your circumstances - be honest with your underwriter. If you cause a pile-up in Peru having claimed you were never going to leave Peterborough, be prepared for a nasty surprise!

DON’T make assumptions. For example, many motorhome owners tow a small car behind to make it easy to pop to the local shops. But don’t assume your Ford Ka, Smart car or little Fiat will be covered simply because it’s attached to your Eldiss or Bessacar. Some policies automatically give you third-party cover for your cover, but in other cases you might need to take out full-comprehensive car insurance too. Always check.

DON’T always settle for a high Excess figure. The joy of using a specialist insurer is that they can often create motorhome cover with lower than expected Excess figures (the initial amount you have to contribute to any repairs to another vehicle before your insurer covers the rest).The usual Excess figure is between £100 and £500. But with a specialist company, even if your Excess is slightly higher than you’d expected, the policy you get is often way better, with many more features, than an ‘off the shelf’ product.

DON’T fall into the trap of thinking that the larger insurance companies will offer the best policies. As motorhome insurance is not their core business, they often overlook factors that could make a huge difference once you’re on the road.
Continental breakdown cover could be missed off, or you might be restricted on how much travel you can do in Europe within a calendar year.

DON’T make a claim for minor accidents. Small accidents to another person’s vehicle like a broken wing mirror are often best dealt with without involving your insurer. By paying for the repair yourself, you can protect your No Claims Discounts and ensure you continue to pay low premiums.

Kansas Homeowners Insurance - Where to Get the Best Rates

Kansas has had more than it's share of tornadoes and storms in recent years, which means if you don't have homeowners insurance in Kansas you're flirting with financial disaster. Here's how to get cheap Kansas homeowners insurance with a reputable company.

What does homeowners insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance covers the following:

* Your home - It protects your house and other freestanding structures on your property from fire, vandalism, hail, and storms.

* Personal property - It protects your personal property - clothing, jewelry, furniture, electronics, appliances, kitchen utensils, tools, sports equipment, etc.

* Additional living expenses - It pays for any additional living expenses you may incur when you're forced to leave your home due to fire, vandalism, or storms.

* Personal Liability - It protects you when you or a family member unintentionally injures someone or damages their property. It also pays your legal fees if they sue you.

How much homeowners insurance should I get?

For your home, you need enough coverage to rebuild it should it be destroyed. You can find out how much it would cost to rebuild your home from a local real estate agent or builder. For your personal property you need enough coverage to replace all your belongings. You can get that amount by adding up the value of everything your own.

For additional living expenses, most insurers will give you coverage equal to 20% of the amount of your home coverage. For personal liability coverage, most people opt for $100,000 worth of coverage, but you should purchase more if you have a lot of assets you need to protect.

What doesn't homeowners insurance cover?

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage to your home caused by flooding. If you live in a flood zone you can purchase flood insurance from the federal government. For more information about flood insurance visit FEMA's flood insurance web page at: floodsmart.gov.

Also, some homeowners insurance companies do not cover damage due to windstorms, and they may set limits on expensive items like jewelry and computers, so be sure to read your policy, or have your insurance agent explain it to you, to make sure you have the coverage you need.

Where can I get cheap rates on Kansas homeowners insurance?

The best place to get the best rates on Kansas homeowners insurance is at an insurance comparison website.Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/homeowners-insurance.html or click on the following link to get Kansas homeowners insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

Car Insurance Resource

Before buying Car Insurance one must always do a proper study about the Car Insurance Resource or in simple words the company. There are quite a few Insurance Companies but not all are same. One should always get the Car Insurance done from reliable sources, which can be afforded by all.

When looking for Car Insurance Resource people should keep in mind the Insurance quote and the prices. Usually people look for the lowest Insurance rates. To find out information about the same one can visit various companies or check online sites etc. One should compare the Insurance rates as by doing so one can come across the best deal in Car Insurance.

Applying for the Car Insurance from Safe Car Insurance Resource is not much complicated. One needs to fill an application form and in some places one can even fill the same online. From getting the Insurance quote to buying the policy is very important and if the resource is safe then one can be tension free.

People do Car insurance so that in future if their car gets damaged then they can get money for the same. Good Car Insurance Resource/company would first go through your documents, do a proper enquiry about the damage and then decide if to agree for the Auto Insurance Claim. So finding safe places id very important when buying the Car Insurance.

Car Insurance Types

There are many Insurance companies, which offer certain Car Insurance Types to people. Car Insurance is not same for all cars. It depends on the kind of vehicle, the year etc. Before going in for the Insurance one can check out the Insurance guides, or the various Insurance companies to get information about the Insurance prices, quotes etc.

Accidental and Third party Insurance are some of the important Car Insurance Types. In Accidental the people get coverage from losses due to accidents, natural calamities etc while in the other the third party involved in any kind of loss gets compensation. Insurance rates depend on the insurance company. Some Insurance companies offer discounted Car Insurance.

The Insurance costs are usually lower in rural areas and higher in major cities where there is more traffic and congestion. If you want to be tension free from your car damages then buy both the Car Insurance Types. Before applying for the Insurance one should have a proper talk with the Insurance agent as he can clarify all your problems.