You simply must have auto insurance. You can’t risk the loss of having a major traffic accident while uninsured. Think of medical bills, besides it is illegal to drive a vehicle without auto insurance.

What car do you drive? Did you know that insurance for some cars is much more expensive, while other cars are far less expensive? Before you buy any car, check out car insurance and make sure you can live with the premiums.

Want To Cut Back?

Many states have minimum insurance requirements and most drivers have much more than the minimum. You can visit your state’s Motor Vehicles Department and check-out your state’s minimums. Your insurance company can also tell you what you can drop from your current coverage to have only minimum coverage. It’s far better to go minimum than none at all.

Have you made sure you get an alumni discount? While some companies allow monthly payments, you can save more by paying every six months or even more with a 12 month payment discount.

In the end, it all comes down to research. Shop for car insurance and don’t just call your old agent. Online quote services are great. However, you must provide accurate information. They will then send out requests for quotes to some of the major insurance companies. Local agents of these companies will then contact you with their quote, information, and answers to your questions. yes, make sure to ask as many questions as you like. Be frank and truthful and you will get a good policy at a good price.

If you do not have a security system in your home, get one installed. This is a major factor not only for better rates but for the safety of your family.

If you are going to build or buy a house, the building materials you used will be a major factor in your insurance rates because a house built with local natural risks in mind will get you cheaper rates. So, the right building materials used in constructing a house is very important. For example, a brick or concrete block house will be a stronger dwelling for high-wind dangers, such as tornados and hurricanes, while a wood-frame house will better withstand an earthquake. So, a brick and concrete house in Florida will receive lower rates, while a wood-frame house in California will receive lower rates.

An agent will look at your house. Before they do, it is important to make your house and grounds as safe as possible. Remove anything that could cause damage to the house or cause injury to people. This includes pruning trees and removing junk.

A properly landscaped house will also garner you lower rates, as landscaping will remove dangers, such a potholes and other threats. Also, a well kept house will reflect on your character. Responsible people live in well-maintained houses. So, if you are buying a house that needs work or a house with poor landscaping, make sure the insurance agent knows that you intend to fix it up and properly landscape the property.

Be aware that your area, wherever it is, will be prone to only a few threats. It makes little sense to insure for risks that are unlikely. For example, flood insurance should be a must for Florida, earthquake insurance is a must for California, etc. Whatever your climate and locale, make sure the policy you have covers the local common risks.

When looking for insurance, shop around and shop around some more… You should get at least 4 quotes from one or more online quote sites. The best sites will provide quotes from several major insurance companies. Of course, you need to provide accurate information about yourself. Local agents will then provide quotes and will answer all of your questions. Because local agents are used, you will have someone local that is able to provide accurate information about your area.

Ahead of time you should make sure you have the following:

• At least one working pen or pencil and a small note pad in the car.

• Have a card with relevant medical information for you and your family in your wallet.

Also, always have:

• Your car registration,

• Auto insurance card, and

• Disposable camera (you do have one, right?), in your glove compartment.

• Safety reflective triangles, cones or road flares, in the car trunk (As required by law in some provinces and states).

After an Accident:

Stay at the scene of the accident until police have come and gone.
1. Try to remain calm. Be polite, but do not admit fault or discuss the accident with other involved parties or their insurance agents. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time.

2. Call 911 for the police and an ambulance if there are any serious injuries.

3. Turn on the car’s hazard lights.

4. In a minor accident, and only if it is safe to do so, take some photos, and then move the car to the side of the road; In a major accident, do not move the car.

5. Place your triangles, cones or road flares on the roadway about a hundred feet ahead of the accident. If the accident occurred after a sharp bend in the road, such as in a mountainous area, place another road flare at the bend to alert other motorists of danger ahead.

6. Ask police for a written report be made and get the report’s identifying number, along with the badge number and names of police officers on the scene.

7. Get the names, addresses and driver’s license numbers of other involved parties. Also, write down information about the other vehicles (license plate numbers, states of issue, and the makes, models and colors of each car involved). Make immediate notes about the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved.

8. Also try to get the names, addresses, phone numbers and driver’s license numbers of any witnesses at the scene of the accident.

9. Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible. Be completely truthful, but limit your discussion of the accident to the police and to your own insurance agent- only. Later, do not discuss the accident to anyone other than the police, your own insurance agent, your own attorney, plus friends and family (if you must).

10. Do not sign any document unless it is for the police, your own insurance agent, or your own attorney.
You may print this out and keep for reference.

That’s where travel insurance comes in. Travel insurance provides the peace of mind of coverage from the common mishaps of life.

Common Coverage:

* Unexpected medical expenses (non-pre-existing conditions)
* Accident emergency hospital expenses
* Emergency evacuation/repatriation coverage
* Accidental death, injury or disablement benefits
* Cancellation insurance
* Delayed departure assistance
* Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money
* Emergency replacement of essential items for delayed luggage
* Legal assistance
* Help with stolen travel documents
* Personal liability insurance
* Rental car excess insurance

The above is typical but not every policy will have these benefits. Travel insurance policies differ widely. Make sure you understand the benefits your policy provides before you accept it.

Common Limitations:

Standard travel insurance is for travel to non-high-risk countries. If you travel to a high-risk country, a separate policy will be required.

Accidents from certain risky sports (skiing, scuba diving) are not covered by many travel policies. If you intend to participate in a dangerous sport, check to make sure your policy will cover you.

Acts of terrorism and natural disasters are often excluded.

Pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy related costs, and injury due to alcohol or drug use are rarely covered by any travel insurance policy.

Enjoy Your Trip:

Relax and have a good time. Be aware that travel insurance companies typically provide helpful services, often 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Of course, one of the most effective improvements is to install and use a home security system to your home. This can be monitored by an alarm company and provide you and your family with a high level of protection and security.

Report your new installation to your insurance agent and you are very likely to receive a discount on your home insurance premium. However, alarm monitoring will cost you a monthly fee. Some homeowners do install alarm systems and then monitor the system themselves; however this is not as effective.

In addition, make sure all of your smoke detectors are working. At least one smoke detector should be installed on every floor of your home, although it is much better to have a smoke detector outside every bedroom. Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) label to insure they meet minimum standards. Change batteries once a year.

Make a fire escape plan and make sure every member of your family knows the plan and what they should do in the event of a fire. It makes little sense to have a fire alarm system if you cannot escape a burning structure quickly. Fire can engulf a house in 60 seconds! So, take the time now to have an escape plan for every room in your home and make sure everyone knows what to do and how to do it quickly.

Make sure every window and window screen in your home can be opened easily by every member of your household quickly and safely. If your windows are old and hard to open, hire a repair person to make repairs. Hundreds of people die every year in the United States because they could not open their bedroom window.

Do you have a second floor to your home? If you do, your bedrooms are likely on the second floor, where escape may become a problem in the event of fire. That is why there are fire escape ladders. This is usually a light chain ladder that can be quickly removed from a closet, placed outside the window while gabbing the windowsill. Your family members can then descend the ladder to safety.

Plan and hold a family fire drill. Have a meeting area outside the home.

In case of fire, never phone 911 from inside the home. Fire can engulf a house in 60 seconds! Everyone should get out of the house as quickly as possible, and then phone 911 from a safe location outside the home.

If you want to read more about fire safety, go to Home Safety Council: Home Fire Safety Tips, and Fire Prevention In The Home/a>.

That means there are no estate taxes or probate taxes due. In fact, the Trust document does not even go to probate court as the court has no authority over a Trust document.

When a Trust is created, you can transfer all of your property, including your real estate, bank accounts, securities, investments, and other assets “in Trust” to a person or persons named as Beneficiaries. You will no longer own the property and assets you place into a Trust. Nevertheless, you will continue to have access to all of these assets while you are alive. Normally, provisions are made in the Trust to pay out all income to you during your lifetime. Of course, you may also name additional people in your instructions in the Trust so they can also have access to the assets.

Upon your death, after payment of all of your expenses, ownership and title to all remaining assets named in the Trust transfers to the Beneficiaries.

A Trust is not a Will. A Trust will supersede a Will, however a Will will cover property not in the Trust. A Will is a legal document that directs how your property and assets are to be distributed after your death. Even if you have a Trust you should also have a Will to insure that everything not covered in a Trust will be distributed according to your desire and intention. In this manner, a Will becomes a “catch-all” for everything not covered by a Trust, including new investments, court judgments and other newly acquired property and assets not yet named in your Trust document.

All property in a Will automatically goes into probate. A probate court will determine what taxation is payable for the property in a Will. However, a probate court cannot and will not rule on or tax items in a Trust.

It is important that the Trust be created correctly according to the laws of your state or province to include the property the Trust is to control. This property and assets must be specifically named in the Trust. Locating a knowledgeable attorney familiar with Trusts is very important.

If you are affected by the incredible decline in the American economy and the rapidly raising cost of our disappointing health care system, perhaps it may be time to review your health insurance policy and eliminate any coverage that you do not presently need.

If you try to read your policy you will probably find it impossible to understand. However, most insurance companies will be glad to help you understand the coverage you have, and will help you determine which types of coverage may be less important.

Medical limits are one area to review. Many people have excessively high limits. If you have high limits, you can cut back to a reasonable amount and still have coverage in the event of a medical emergency. This will save you some money.

Another area to review is your deductible or co-payment amount. By raising this you will pay more in the event of a claim, although you will save some money on the premium payments. This may not be an option if have your health insurance through your company or place of employment.

If you are self-insured, you may want to completely re-evaluate your coverage. If you have no medical problems, you are free to shop around.

Get quotes and details of policy coverage from at least four other companies. Even if you presently have health insurance there is nothing wrong in searching around to see what you can find. You could find a better policy at a cheaper price, and that is always a pleasant surprise.

With the new Obama government in Washington, we all look forward to the stabilization of the American economy and an enormous improvement to a disgraceful US health care system.

Even in Western European nations and Canada which has ‘free health care’, it’s free only for their citizens, who pay taxes for the privilege. As an American, although costs will be a lot cheaper than in the U.S. (and services often better than in the U.S.), it is still not cheap.

While planning your trip, find out and document exactly what your present U.S. health care plan covers outside the U.S. What level of service do they provide for hospital stays outside the U.S.? Some will cover foreign hospital stays, but only for certain types and levels of medical care, and only up to certain limits. For example, perhaps a ski or traffic injury may be covered but only for a basic hospital room, not semi private or private. Perhaps specialists are not covered without authorization from your insurance carrier. Pre-existing conditions or complications from a pre-existing condition may not be covered at all without prior authorization.

Also check your credit card benefit package, as some credit cards include travel emergency medical coverage– but only a few. Verify what coverage you have in writing before you travel. Even if you have coverage from your health care plan or credit card benefit package, it may be a refund benefit you have. Of course that is far better than nothing, however, you will have to pay up front. “Guarantee of payment for approved expenses” does not mean they will pay the hospital directly.

At time of writing (November 2008), although President-Elect Obama has said he will outlaw “pre-existing illnesses” as a restrictive measure in the American insurance industry, it is still not law. This is often a very sticky issue so be aware that you could be left with a very large bill, even if you thought you were covered.

Your health care provider will take a very narrow interpretation of your terms of service and any treatment that could have been complicated or altered by a pre-existing condition could be completely denied in its entirety, leaving you with a huge bill, even for an accident you assumed was covered.
It’s better to be specifically covered. That is why it is far more practical to get a travel health insurance policy. In the opinion of many travellers, it is essential if you are traveling out of the U.S.

When you get a travel policy, make sure you have enough coverage and a realistic time period. Make sure you understand what is not covered. Know whom you have contact in case medical care must be authorized. Inform your traveling companions of your coverage and where the policy is stored in your luggage. They may need to retrieve it.

A word of warning: It is very important that you complete the medical history portion of a travel insurance application completely in every detail. Do not attempt to hide or mislead your medical history or you could well be charged with fraud. This is a serious legal document that requires total accuracy. If you file a claim, they will investigate your medical history very thoroughly.

With travel insurance, you will leave worries behind and be able to completely enjoy your vacation. That is a good feeling. Have a wonderful trip.

The cost of LTC insurance does vary from insurance company to insurance company. However, some states require that every LTC policy in their state must be guaranteed renewable for life (as long as premiums are paid). While premiums may increase, some states require that any increase be based on the claims history of all state subscribers as a whole and not on the claims of any one person.

Many people with long term care are in nursing homes. There is also Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) as well as other assisted-living residences available to those in need of care. Nursing homes, CCRC’s and other forms of assisted-care residences charge a fixed daily fee that varies according to geographic location and other factors.

Medicare does provide assisted-living health care benefits on a short-term in-house basis if it is medically necessary and in a facility that is licensed to provide medical care.

Most of the long-term care insurance policies will also cover in-house medical care.

In-house health care paid with your own private funds is tax deductible on US tax returns.

It is a good idea to make plans for the possibility of long-term care while you are still young. I encourage you to do some research, get some quotes, and look for a good deal.

It is important to understand that CCRC contracts are a serious matter. Do not sign a CCRC agreement unless you are very sure you fully understand all the terms of the agreement. Make sure you understand the entrance and maintenance fees, and make sure there are no hidden charges. At times, CCRC agreements require you make arrangement for a separate short-term or long-term health insurance policy.

Investigate any long term care facility and the company that manages it. Check their reputation, credibility, and confirm their licensing. Check complaints that may have been filed against them at state government and other government regulatory agencies including any government consumer affairs agency where you live. The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission may be able to help you.

Understand that long term care is a serious matter and should be approached as such. However, with careful planning, your concerns can be addressed to your satisfaction.

Whole life is usually considered an insurance and investment because part of the premium accumulates what is called “cash value” in addition to the death benefits. The cash value builds over time. As such, it is like a savings plan. Because of this feature, whole life insurance costs considerably more than term life insurance. There are many options that can be added to a whole life policy, including a “cash out” option in which a policy can be cashed-in at a later date.

In its simplest form, term life is essentially straight life insurance without a cash accumulation feature. Therefore, term life is less expensive than a whole life policy even though the death benefit value is the same, depending on the dollar amount you select.

In many instances, term life is perfect for young couples starting a new family and for single parents that want to provide security for their child or children. Couples and single parents can find it difficult to fit the expense of a whole life insurance policy into their budget. Term life is an affordable means of providing a safety net for your family.

As an addition benefit to many policies, most term life policies are “convertible,” meaning that you have the option of converting your term life policy into a whole life policy without penalty. Many policies have many other options that can be added to meet your needs.

While a lot of young people prefer term life insurance because of its lower premiums compared to other life insurance policies, it is important to research before you buy. Ensure you understand what you are getting into. Remember that cheaper is not always better. You should take the time to research, get quotes, and compare policies and services before you make up your mind.