How to Protect Your Savings & Assets When Traveling

We have been looking at it “all” wrong. Travel Insurance is about protecting our vacation as well as our personal investments. Sure its just another way for 'them' to get our money, however, lets look at what can happen when we don't protect our investments. Important Information for Worldwide Travelers;

Travel Insurance is the last thing many of us think about before a vacation. You feel relief once the trip is paid for. Then you have to start saving the “spending money.” By the time, you decide where to go, when to go, where to stay, which flight or cruise to take, you just don’t remember “travel insurance” and this could be a huge mistake for all of us.

We invest in a trip to far away places, we carefully purchase new clothes, sun glasses, new luggage, new underwear, and other accessories only to leave ourselves wide open for disaster and lost of money if any of the following events were to occur: Tour company operator decides that she needs a tummy tuck, at your expense, or the tour company disappears, or the Airline goes bankrupt or on strike, or the hurricane of the century, named after your ex-wife, makes a left turn and heads straight for your travel destination, or a part of California falls into the ocean due to an earthquake and this action upsets the rest of the oceans in the world, civil unrest in the Middle East when they find out Hilary might be President, extreme flight delays, illness during the vacation because you drank the water, and the BIG one, terrorist attack, not to mention if you loose your passport, or worst, the ocean rises up and claims the beach front where you are staying.

All jokes aside, you can purchase travel insurance for protection against trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connections, airline ticket coverage, medical expense, emergency medical transportation, baggage, baggage delay, accidental death and have 24 hour travel assistance service available to you from any where in the world.

The "Real" Reasons to purchase Travel Insurance

OK, enough of the negative. I'm sure you get the point. However, there is a more important reason to purchase Travel Insurance; It protects your assets back home if something were to happen during your trip.

Example: What about senior citizens who have waited their entire life to travel only to find out that Medicare will NOT cover anyone outside the United States! Can you image spending a sizable amount of your retirement income to pay medical bills in a foreign country? There are Major Medical Polices for travelers (including seniors) who are going abroad for at least 6 months and require more permanent insurance. These plans provide comprehensive medical protection including emergency medical treatment, wellness care and optional prescription drug coverage.

Example: People who had travel insurance had an entirely different experience when Emily (Hurricane) hit the Mexican Yucatan in July of 2005. First, everyone called and went to the airport trying to catch a flight out. At some point, there were no more flights out, there were only buses moving thousands of tourist inland away from the storm. Those with Travel Insurance were not concern with "cost" (I am sure it was enough just to worry about your life) realizing that they would be reimbursed through their Policy. Those withoutInsurance needed to be concerned with the cost of accommodations and food until Emily got a better attitude. For sure, many of the tourist without travel insurance had to spend a portion of their upcoming monthly budget before making it back home safely. (I wonder what happen to those who had reached their limit on the credit cards)

Another example of the “real” reasons to purchase Travel Insurance, you are skiing in the Alps, you are dogging the moguls (or they are dogging you) and you slip in the turn. No real problem, but you have to be airlifted to the nearest hospital to have x-rays taken. The cost of the airlift? Who pays? You do, if you don’t have the proper (travel) medical insurance or accident insurance. (Will paying for a helicopter ride to a hospital upset your monthly budget back home?)

And what about the classic example? You leave your money pouch with your credit cards and your Travelers Checks in the cab on the way back to your hotel. It happens all the time. No insurance, No reimbursement.

Important Information:

Please note, this isEXTREMELY IMPORTANT: With the majority of the Travel Insurance companies, youMUST apply for the default,terrorism insurance and pre-existing insurance WITHIN 10 days of the initial booking of your trip. Bottom line, you can't wait until your destination is on the US State Department's Travel Warning List to purchase Insurance.

The less you have to worry about on vacations, the safer you will be. When traveling outside of the US, a good deal of your attention must be given to reviewing your surroundings. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Enough of the examples. If you protect yourself and your investment, you probably won’t need the Insurance Its’ almost like the Insurance Companies put an invisible “umbrella of protection” around us, just so they won’t have to pay or is that our prayers keeping us safe?

source: http://www.travel360degrees.com/travel_insurance_001.htm

Health Care Insurance For Self Employed

If you do decide to brave it and be your own boss, there are many places where you can cut corners. Letting yourself or your family go without health insurance isn't one of them. Here are some common options that can make health insurance affordable if you're a self-employed entrepreneur or crafter.

Coverage under a Spouse's Plan

By far the most common option is to cover the family for health insurance through a spouse's employer. As long as one member of the couple is working for a company that has a group health insurance plan, it's usually the cheapest option for insuring the entire family.

COBRA

COBRA is an option for the beginning of your self-employment. For the first several months after you leave your job, your employer is required by law to give you the option of retaining membership in their health insurance plan. You will have to cover the entire monthly premium paid by your company rather than the amount that you're used to paying as an employee when your employer was covering part of the cost. The true cost of that insurance can come as a shock to you - a family health insurance through a group can easily cost close to $1000 a month. It's still more affordable than most plans that you can purchase as an individual. It's also only temporary, so you should be looking for other health insurance options while you're still covered.

A Health Insurance Cooperative with Other Self-employed and Small Business Owners

There are national and local organizations of self-employed workers who have banded together to combine their buying power and get affordable health insurance premiums through group policies. You can find more information about groups in your area through the National Association for the Self Employed (www.nase.org) or the American Association of Home-Based Businesses (www.aahbb.org).

Group Health Insurance for the Self-Employed

In many states like Maine, health insurance companies offer affordable group policies for groups of one. You may have to shop around to find a company that does, but there are benefits other than being a cheaper policy. The most important of these is that they MUST cover everyone in the group, regardless of health conditions. This is important for someone who may have been turned down for an individual health insurance policy because of health.

No matter what, it is vital that you insure yourself and your family against the possibility of illness or accident. There are cheap alternatives to individual health insurance plans for the self-employed.

To view our recommended sources for health insurance, or to read more articles about health insurance, visit:Recommended Health Insurance Companies Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner ofeZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics.

source: http://articles.directorym.com/Health_Care_Insurance_for_the_Self_Employed-a1157256.html

Benefits Of Group Health Insurance

Group health insurance offers lots of advantages to both the employer and the employees. As far as an employer is concerned, the group health insurance scheme will provide enough medical treatment quickly for the staff of his company and thereby ensures speedy recovery from diseases and keeping disruption owing to illness in the office to some extend. The employee can also provide more focus on his/her job as there is no need to worry thinking about the time they want to wait for the treatment on the NHS, or suffering undue pain, or for a diagnosis.

Group health insurance plan offers several valuable benefits for an employee. The main advantage of becoming a member of the group health insurance scheme is that the insured doesn’t have to pay large premiums for taking a private health insurance plan. The employee can work without being worried of their health as he/she will surely get quality medical help immediately if needed.

There are several health insurance companies offering group health insurance schemes. Most of the health insurance companies, as part of their Group Health Insurance Plan, provide the insured (the employees of the company) to take a ‘health check’ once in every year at any private hospital with which the company has tie-up. The health checks will cover a complete check up, which include height, levels of fitness, weight, blood tests, blood pressure. The health checks are done so as to check whether the insured employee is in a good health or to find out a so far undiagnosed condition. What ever be the purpose, the health check is considered to be beneficial for the employee and the employer.

For those individuals who are not a member of the group health insurance scheme has to pay about $150 upwards to perform a complete health check. Hence this is considered as an added advantage for those who are in the group health insurance scheme. Group health insurance also helps to boost the morale of the staffs as they will know that their employer is providing special care about his employees.

Group health insurance schemes will differ from one insurance provider to another. The insurance coverage will also change according to the schemes you select. But there are certain factors which all the group health insurance schemes will cover for:

- In-patient and day-patient treatment

- Out patient treatments such as physiotherapy

- Free Help lines such as a GP Helpline and Stress Counseling Helpline.

- Specialist consultations after getting a referral from the employee’s GP

Group health insurance policy differs from one insurance company to another. It is always advisable to compare different insurance companies before selecting a group insurance policy. Select the one which suits your company.

source: http://articles.directorym.com/Benefits_Of_Group_Health_Insurance-a979201.html

Information About Health Insurance

Health insurance benefits are many. Health insurance is termed also as accident insurance, sickness insurance and medical insurance. Health insurance is purchased generally, with no assurance of renewability and if renewable no guarantee that premium rates will not increase.

Before getting the health insurance a person who wants to insure, may ask to fill a comprehensive medical history. In that they came to know about whether the person suffered from any disease or he/she has some bad habits such like that. Regarding that the person can claim for insurance with some restrictions.

In our scheduled commitments it’s very essential to maintain our healthcare in the day-to-day life. You can save money for health insurance by joining in an association that allows members to get together in a local chamber of commerce for the insurance. The money we spent for health insurance will be affordable like our day to day expenses.

Health insurance costs rising in all the time. Many people feel that they cannot afford for health insurance. Some feel they don’t need it, because they are healthy and fit. But it’s wrong. If you think that you need health insurance, there are lots of ways to get affordable health insurance for yourself and to your family. It is a protection against the health problems that could happen in the future. It’s a precaution. We have to go by the proverb ‘Prevention Is Better Than Cure’.

Health insurance can be classified into two classes- indemnity plans and managed care plans. The basic difference between the two is that while in indemnity plan the insured has the right to approach any doctor and get indemnified of all or a part of the medical expenses; in managed care plans, the insurance company will restrict the insured’s choice of doctors and hospitals. The insurance company has entered into an arrangement with select doctors and hospitals for the health care needs.

Each health insurance company has its own set of policies and procedures. If you have a large claim, you will want to review the rules especially carefully. Many claims are denied over a simple technicality. Knowing the process is likely to help you make sure your claim does not get denied.

Remember, insurance companies are hoping that you will not need medical services. That is how they make their money. If you don't use your insurance, the insurance company just gets to keep it. You will notice that the bigger the claim, the more paperwork you will need to fill out and the more red tape you will need to wade through.

If you receive medical services that should be covered by your insurance, make sure that the doctor or hospital files the appropriate forms. Make sure that you file any forms that you need to in a timely manner. If you have any questions, call the insurance company directly and find out the answer. Make notes of whom you speak to and when.

Health insurance really saves your money. In case, if you met with an accident or you suffer from severe attack. That time you may not in the position to spend that much of amount. But if you applied for a health insurance, it may saves your money otherwise you can claim for the amount that you had spent. In some cases they may not take into account about insurance that time you may spend your money and later you can claim for the amount you spend by providing proper documents and you can reimburse the amount you spend on it, if it’s reasonable according to the instructions.

Insurances can be manage by both lower and higher level peoples. Every state has a Medicaid program but the requirements vary from state to state. All you have to do is to fill out the application and submit the documentation about your finances. This program covers the insurance needs of the entire family including dental care, eye care, doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions and more.

Another option for cheap health insurance is to look on the internet. There are lot of companies that offers different type of health insurance plans. It is possible to find out the perfect for your family. The costs vary from one to other, so it’s in your hand to verify about it and choose a better company among others. Any way health insurance safeguards your family from the expenses that you spend for your health.

source: http://articles.directorym.com/Information_About_Health_Insurance-a981381.html

Types of Insurance

Insurance companies offer a wide variety of accident health plans. Most feature flexible designs that allow you to choose coverage that meets your needs. Here are some of the most common types of benefits:

• Accidental Injuries Benefits: Coverage for injuries and losses resulting from an accident.
• Disability or Dismemberment Benefits: These benefits are paid for injuries resulting in a permanent disability, such as dismemberment, loss of hearing or eyesight, and paralyzing fractures.
• Hospital Care Benefits: Coverage to help pay hospital bills and related expenses associated with a covered accident. Costs may include hospital confinement, emergency room treatment, and ambulance or transfer charges.
• Accidental Death Benefits: These benefits will help your family (or beneficiary) carry on in the event of your death. In most cases, such benefits will only be paid if the death was accidental. Death from natural causes is typically not included in the coverage.

The coverage that comes with an accident health insurance policy varies widely. The best plans are those that can be customized to meet your individual needs.

Obtaining a Policy

Insurance companies offer different types of policies and prices vary widely. Before settling on a plan, it is important to shop around to get the best deal possible. Speak to your employer to find out if you receive discounts on supplemental policies purchased through your work benefits program. You may also want to speak with your regular insurance agent or broker. They may be able to offer you multi-policy discounts that will save you a great deal of money.

If you do not have any luck with those avenues, you may want to contact one of these companies. Each offers accident health policies:

• AIG
• Aflac
• Allstate
• CIGNA
• Colonial Life
• Conseco
• Hoovers
• Travel Guard

source: http://insurance.lovetoknow.com/Accident_Health_Insurance

Who Should Have Accident Health Insurance

Almost everyone is a good candidate for accident insurance. Policies typically offer individual or family coverage. For those who do not have and cannot afford regular health insurance, accident health insurance is a low-cost alternative. It also makes a wise supplement for those who already have health insurance. As mentioned earlier, health insurance may not cover all of the expenses incurred from an accident or injury.

Many employers also encourage their employees to purchase accident health insurance. Workman’s comp benefits may only pay so much. An accident health insurance policy will protect you further, ensuring that you have the financial resources you need to support yourself and your family.

This type of coverage may also be valuable if you have a high-risk job or if you participate in high-risk activities and sports, such as skiing, bungee jumping, or sky diving. Make sure your policy does not exclude particular activities you enjoy.

source: http://insurance.lovetoknow.com/Accident_Health_Insurance

Accident Health Insurance Basics

Accident health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that pays benefits for loss of income resulting from sickness, accidental injury, or accidental death. Most accident health insurance policies are riders on a basic health or life insurance policy, meaning they are added into a major policy, but this type of coverage can also be purchased singularly.

Purchasing an accident health insurance policy may be a wise investment. The coverage is typically inexpensive and can be very beneficial to you or your family should you be involved in an accident. The amount of benefits that you receive depends on the terms of your specific policy.

What It Covers

Simply put, accident health insurance covers accidents. Medical plans do not cover all, or even most of the expenses, that you may incur as a result of an accident. This is when supplemental insurance pays off. Most policies will cover additional expenses, such as:

• Loss of income due to time off work
• Uncovered medical expenses, deductibles, and/or co-pays
• Non-medical costs, such as transportation expenses, living expenses, and domestic assistance

Accident insurance may also cover ambulance bills, hospital stays, and other similar expenses. In some cases, benefits are paid for the loss of a limb or death. And, unlike most accident or disability insurances offered through employers, this kind of coverage protects you even if you are injured outside of the workplace.

source: http://insurance.lovetoknow.com/Accident_Health_Insurance