INSURANCE TIPS

You Need To Know About HomeInsurance

2010-09-01T20:01:00.001-07:00

You Need To Know About HomeInsurance

Truly, there is nothing like staying at home for a real comfort. So, in order to attain this feeling all you need to do is to insure your home by having insurance.

Through this, you will have the chance to save your money and time as well in a sense that it will absolutely aid you to claim damages due to certain accidents or circumstances such as vandalism, theft, flood, earthquake, fire, and hurricane to the home. If you are thinking that insuring a home is a very hard process, well you are absolutely having a wrong thought. Since the entire transaction is done online, all you have to do is to find a very reliable and trustworthy insurance
company that has the right policy to assist you in defeating any loss at the time of need.

Get a Home Insurance and Save Your Future

Just imagine this scenario: Your million dollar house and all the things and equipment on it just got burned without any insurance. Isn’t that a tragic event? Of course you and your entire family will just end up as poor homeless creatures. Do you think you will have the chance to rebuild your home again in just a wink of an eye without having any insurance at all?
Getting a home insurance online is just one click away! So, a second of click will save you from hundred days of sorrow because of a lost home. Protect your home now and purchase your very own home insurance online before it’s too late. By doing this, you will be able to save your family’s future from any unfortunate and unexpected event.

Effective Ways to Find Inexpensive Home Insurance Online

We cannot deny the fact that purchasing home insurance online is undeniably an expensive one because of the great benefit it will give you but, you will still have the chance to find those insurance companies which offer home insurance deals at a low cost. The following are some of the ways on how you will be able to insure your home by just spending some of your money:

Since the insurance you are making is an online insurance, it can only be done via internet. Before anything else, the very first thing you must do is to conduct an extensive research regarding the certain company you wish to handle the insurance matters of your home.
In looking for an insurance company, the biggest thing you must consider is its insurance package. This can only be done by a thorough comparison of the home insurance deals by examining different websites.
Here, all you need to do is to input the needed data with regards to your very own insurance and you will instantly be connected to the excellent companies. One of the most remarkable features of comparing websites is that their chat-box is managed and operated by an adept representative who will certainly provide you counseling and guidance with regards to a variety of issues concerning the home insurance. If you are not that familiar with online chatting, you may also make use of the phone and use the toll-fee telephone assistance.
Aside from those, you will also be required to fill out information sheets and submit them. You will be asked concerning the entire area that your house covers, the date when it was built, aspects concerning its construction, the distance of your house location from any fire station, and the cover you desire for your house as well. After you finish answering the questions the next thing you should do is to make a decision on what to select from the list that you get as a form of an answer.
Remember to be wise in the decision-making process. Sometimes, the cheapest choice does not give the best results.
There are insurance companies that provide exciting discounts based on the following criteria: if you are a senior citizen, if you have various policies from a similar company, if you are not a smoker, and if you have a security system installed in your house.

Considering the Policy - What does it Cover?

The policy of the home insurance online is considered the center of all that is why it is important to know what it covers. There are insurance policies that provide the so-called liability insurance for the protection of your residence and your properties as well. This kind of insurance aids primarily in covering the litigation’s cost and the medical expenses for an individual who gets hurt while he/she is in the vicinity of your property. The policies concerning your standard home insurance only covers your home and its other structures. So, it is very discernible that the more loss kinds a certain policy covers, the superior worth it represents.

What is the Offered Quantity of Coverage?

The quantity of coverage a certain policy provides is also important because this function as an essential way of identifying whether extra coverage needs to be bought just to recompense you in such a way that permits you for the replacement of your own home and property in the moment of a loss.

How about the Premiums?

One of the most interesting benefits of a home insurance online is that it offers premiums. They are known as the definite quantity of insurance coverage. Remember that the lower the premium, the better the insurance! But, this will only happen if the policies are providing the same kind of coverage for the similar kinds of loses and with the similar maximum coverage of the limits.
See, there are lots of benefits you can get by simply having a home insurance online. So, what are you waiting for? Save your hard earned money, and save your future now!

2010-09-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

Saving money

Buying life insurance online can save cash as it cuts out the ‘middle man’. At moneysupermarket.com we will compare more than 100 insurance products to find the policy that best suits your needs. Here are some important elements to look out for:

‘Written in Trust’ – If your policy is written in trust then in the event of a claim this means that the money goes directly to the person you nominate. It also avoids your estate paying inheritance tax which could mean a 40% tax saving.
Joint life insurance – This is normally written on a first death basis, meaning the policy pays out on the death of the first policyholder. It will save money but bear in mind that it will leave the second policyholder to potentially try and get a new life insurance policy at an affordable premium in old age. Overall it will work out to be more expensive in those circumstances.
Critical illness – A life insurance policy with critical illness cover will work out much cheaper than two separate policies. Also remember to differentiate between critical illness and terminal illness cover. Most policies will automatically include terminal illness cover but the critical illness policy will pay out the lump sum for a range of illnesses with no life expectancy criteria.

Life Insurance Guide

2010-09-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

Moneysupermarket.com has compiled an exclusive guide to life insurance. In part six we examine the applicants who may be considered a greater risk and who might be subject to exclusions or higher premiums.

Taking a risk

Life insurance is based on probability. Though unforeseen circumstances can cut life short, generally people will fulfill an average life expectancy and it is on this theory that life insurance companies can invest earnings and collect interest. However, for certain groups that probability is reduced and as such they are considered to be of a greater risk for life insurance companies. This could lead to higher premiums and, in some cases, even exclusions. Some of these greater risk groups include:

High-risk occupations – For example people who work at great heights, the oil and gas industry (especially offshore), the Armed Forces, pilots, fishermen.
Dangerous sports/hobbies – People who take part in such pastimes can be considered a greater life insurance risk. These could include aviation, climbing and mountaineering, motor sports, parachuting, bungee-jumping and even skiing, snowboarding or horse riding.
Poor medical history – People with an existing medical condition are considered a greater risk. Examples could include family history, weight issues, bowel conditions, cancer, high blood pressure, etc.
Smokers – Smokers are considered a greater risk than non-smokers due to proven links between smoking and some cancers (such as lung and throat cancer) and other serious and terminal diseases. Premiums for both life insurance and critical illness cover increase substantially as a result.
Over 60s – Any ten-year life insurance policy that takes you past the age of 70 would require advice from a regulated advisor with full FPC qualifications.

Bear in mind definitions of high risk occupations, dangerous sports/hobbies and poor medical history can vary from insurer to insurer.
Consequently, it is important to consider as many life insurance quotes as possible to find the best deal for you. It is also vital to disclose any information which may affect your risk rating because any omitted information can threaten any claim you make in the future.
More tips on how to save money on your life insurance follow in part seven

2010-09-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

Moneysupermarket.com has compiled an exclusive guide to life insurance. In part four we examined the cover and additional benefits available. In part five we examine ‘whole of life’ insurance and the different types of premiums available.

‘Whole of life’ insurance

This guarantees the payout of a lump sum when the policyholder dies, at whatever time that may be as long as payments are maintained. The premiums and sum insured are guaranteed not to increase for the first ten years. However, they are more expensive as a claim is assured. These come in various forms:

Non-profit whole life policies – A level premium payable throughout life. It pays a fixed cash sum at the time of death.
With profit whole life policies – Same as non-profit policies but the amount paid on death is the sum assured plus whatever profits have been allocated.
Low cost whole life policies – These have a guaranteed level of cover that the amount payable on death is greater than the basic sum plus bonuses or the guaranteed death sum assured.

Life insurance premiums

Life insurance policyholders pay premiums into a fund from which all claims are paid out. There are two types of premium available – the guaranteed and reviewable policies:

Guaranteed Premiums – The life insurance company guarantees to never increase your policy premium.
Reviewable Premiums – You agree that the company can review your policy at set intervals.

Initially the reviewable premiums will work out cheaper. However, over time these premiums are likely to be increased and therefore the overall cost will surpass that of the guaranteed premium. So generally, guaranteed premiums will work out as a better buy in the long run, but if you are on a tight budget the reviewable premium presents a better short-term option.
More tips on how to save money on your life insurance follow in part six.

2010-09-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

Endowment life insurance
These are the equivalent of saving schemes with life insurance attached. They are often carried with mortgages and will pay out any returns at the end of the policy term or a lump sum when the policyholder dies.

Family income benefit

This means that the payment on your death will be given to your family in regular payments rather than as a lump sum. The term is chosen at the outset of the policy.

Additional benefits

When searching for life insurance cover you can also find additional benefits at an extra cost, including critical illness cover (this is a common additional benefit) and waiver of premiums.

Critical illness cover is payable on the conclusive diagnosis of a critical illness. Some of the conditions covered in most benefits include (use these as a guide only):

Alzheimer`s Disease	Angioplasty
Aorta Graft surgery	Benign Brain Tumour
Blindness	Cancer
Coma	Coronary Artery By-Pass
Deafness	Heart Attack
Heart Valve Replacement	HIV/AIDS (under certain circumstances)
Kidney Failure	Loss Of Limbs
Loss of Speech	Major Organ Transplant
Motor Neurone Disease	Multiple Sclerosis
Paralysis/Paraplegia	Parkinson`s Disease
Stroke	Third Degree Burns
Permanent Total Disability	<!---spacer---->

Waiver of premium is often available at an extra cost - it will pay your premiums if you are unable to work for health reasons. Details on life insurance premiums are provided in part five

2010-09-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

About Pension Term Assurance

Following the announcement in the Pre Budget Report on December 6th Pension Term Assurance (PTA) is currently no longer available to new customers.
What does this mean for you?
I already have a PTA policy in force?
Your policy will be unaffected and you will continue to benefit from the tax relief
I applied before December 6th but my application is not yet in force?
As long as the insurance provider had receipt of your application by midnight on December 13th you will be unaffected by the pre budget announcement and benefit from the tax relief. Your policy will need to be in force by April 5th 2007.
Please note; if you need to make any changes to your policy, for example amend the sum assured or extend the term, you may not be eligible for the tax relief. In this instance you will need to contact the insurance provider.
I applied after December 6th?
You will not be eligible for the benefits and your insurance provider will contact you directly.
If you have any further questions contact your insurance provider directly.
For details on other types of cover please read on to part four.

2010-09-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

Death has always been a difficult concept to accept but we all know the importance of making sure our loved ones are secure when we have gone. That’s why we’ve compiled an exclusive guide to life insurance. In part two we examine the different types of cover available.

Different types of life cover

Life insurance (also known as ‘life assurance’ or ‘term assurance’) is a policy that pays out a lump sum in the event of the policyholder’s death, with the purpose of protecting loved ones and dependents against financial hardship.
Life insurance is usually available on a single or joint life basis with benefits including paying out on the diagnosis of a terminal illness. If the policyholder is alive when the policy expires no payment is made and, should the policyholder stops paying premiums at any stage, the policy has no value.
There are several types of life insurance:

Level term insurance - designed to pay out a sum of money if the policyholder should die during the policy’s term. The sum assured is guaranteed and remains unchanged throughout the term.
Decreasing term life insurance i.e. mortgage protection cover – where the sum decreases during the policy. It is regularly used to protect capital and interest repayments on a mortgage.
Renewable term insurance – On the expiry date there is an option to continue without a health review.
Convertible term insurance – Level term insurance with the option to revert to whole life or endowment insurance.
Increasing term insurance – Due to inflation the value of money declines each year. Consequently, this form of insurance combats that with an escalating sum assured.
Index linked term insurance – Some insurers provide the option for the premium to be increased each year in relation to the Retail Price Index.

2010-09-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Life Insurance Guide

The concept of life insurance (also known as ‘life assurance’ or ‘term assurance’) is often difficult to comprehend. Nobody wants to think about death, but the reality is that our loved ones will need support after we have passed on. That’s why moneysupermarket.com has produced an exclusive guide to help you make an educated choice on the type of cover you need.

Why do I need life insurance?

Coming to terms with the loss of a loved one is never an easy thing to do and adding financial burden to the grief can make coping increasingly difficult. It can help to support your family after you die, or even a business partner.
Among the reasons to take out life insurance could include:

Mortgage repayments – do you wish to arrange for your mortgage to be paid off?
Replacing the primary earner’s salary – ensuring the family does not fall on hard times after your death.
Replacing childcare – the death of the primary childcare provider could lead to the need for childcare expenses.
Education expenses – cover for school/university fees after the death of the primary earner.

Whether it’s about leaving your debts behind or ensuring your family can maintain the standard of living to which they were accustomed, it’s clear there are plenty of reasons to look for the best life insurance policy for your personal circumstances. Getting the best quote is an important part of finding the right policy.
For details on the different types of cover read on to part two.

Gap Insurance

2010-09-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Gap Insurance

Buying a car is a big investment, but cars depreciate in value very quickly. If your car is written off or stolen, your average car insurance will pay out against the value of your car at the time of the accident or theft, NOT the price you originally paid for it.

This could leave you with a sizable cash shortfall to find - that's where car value protector gap insurance can help.

It covers the gap between your insurance payout and the value of the car at the time you bought the policy.

While moneysupermarket.com doesn't currently offer a comparison of gap insurance policies, we've teamed up with helpucover.co.uk, a leading gap insurance provider. Just click here to get a quote now.

Why buy Gap Insurance

If you are thinking about buying a new car but feel that this is not the right time to do so due to falling car prices in the current financial climate, then gap Insurance can help. The current market has seen an increase in the amount of customers taking out the product as it takes away the anxiety of losing value on your car through depreciation.

Benefits of Gap Insurance

No need to make up the difference with any extra hard earned cash.
Getting you back into a car similar to the one you bought.
Cover available for vehicles up to 7 years old.
A quick and easy application process.

Car Insurance For Women

2010-09-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Car Insurance For Women

Until a decade or so ago, the issue of cheap car insurance for women drivers was not high on most insurers' agenda.
Today, women can enjoy some excellent motor insurance deals. But as with all these things, it makes sense to shop around. Find out how to get the best rates below.
Women may still face discrimination in certain areas of their lives, but one area where this definitely does not appear to be happening is over the cost of their car insurance.
Premiums for women drivers tend to be lower than they are for men, especially up to the age of about 45. Thereafter they level off.
The reasons why female car insurance is cheaper than men's are simple: premiums are based on a wide range of statistics which show they are much safer drivers than men.

Government figures show that over 92% of convictions for driving offences in the UK are for men.
Men are responsible for 98% of all convictions for dangerous driving.
Women drivers tend to drive more slowly, carefully and shorter distances than men.
Although women tend to have as many accidents as men, they are less likely to be serious. Therefore their overall claims experience is better than those of their male counterparts.

Cheaper Car Insurance For Female Drivers

So how can women get the best car insurance deals? Much of the advice available in our main car insurance guide applies equally to women drivers. Here are a few extra tips to help you keep car insurance premiums as cheap as possible:

Consider a car that has a small engine or is in a low insurance group.
If you have only just passed your test, consider taking out your own cover rather than piggybacking on your parents: you can build up a no-claims bonus that much quicker - in the second year your costs could fall by up to 30%.
Avoid modifications, such as alloy wheels, extra spoilers or racing exhausts.
Look out for additional security features, such as locks and immobilisers as these will help minimise your premiums.
If you only tend to drive occasionally, look for policies that offer discounts for lower mileages. It's also worth getting quotes from insurers that specialise in covering female drivers.
If you are an older driver, try to avoid putting your children on your policy.

2010-09-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Short Term Car Insurance

Most car insurance polices offer cover for 12 months, but what if you only require cover for a shorter period of time? This is where short term car insurance, also known as temporary car insurance, can be useful.
While moneysupermarket.com doesn't currently offer a comparison of short term policies we still want to make our customers aware of all the car insurance options available. So, just what is short term car insurance and how does it work?

How does short term car insurance work?

Adding someone to your existing car insurance policy, such as a visiting friend or relative, can be risky because they could wipe out your no-claims bonus. However, by setting up a short term policy, whether it is monthly car insurance or daily car insurance, they can legally drive your vehicle without putting your discount at risk.
In addition, you may need to drive someone else's vehicle. By setting up short term car insurance you can cover yourself even if you only need protection for one day.
So with short term car insurance there is less risk to the standard policyholder, instant cover is available and setting up a policy is often quicker than adding a named driver.
(please note, we are currently unable to offer short term car insurance).

Why would you need short term car insurance?

Short term car insurance is ideal for a number of people including:

Those hiring a car or borrowing a friend's vehicle.
Temporary additional drivers, which could include overseas visitors.
Those lending a car to a friend or relative.
Drivers who have just bought a new car and need cover as soon as they drive away from the dealership, but who haven't yet had chance to sort out an annual policy.

What to look for in a short term car insurance policy.

Most short term car insurance policies are available for a period of one to 28 days. You should pay close attention to the period you are securing the car insurance for and you should enquire as to whether you can take out a new policy at the end of the term if you require it.
Temporary car insurance is available to anyone with a UK driving licence, although there may be a minimum age limit. Some temporary car insurance companies will also cover people with European or other driving licences, but don't assume that is the case - always check.
As with any standard car insurance policy you should pay less for premiums if you have a good driving record although the type of vehicle will also have an impact on the cost, with high performance cars costing more to cover than those with a small engine. For cheap short term car insurance shop around online as a number of specialist providers are available.

2010-09-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Imported Car Insurance

Importing a car can be a smart money saving idea - on the continent and further afield pre-tax prices tend to be much lower than here in the UK. In particular, Japanese imports are popular, such as the Toyota Estima, the Mitsubishi Pajero and the Eunos Roadster, because they are cheaper than official UK imports and often have better specification levels.

However, finding cheap imported car insurance, including Japanese imported car insurance, can be a difficult task as the vehicles are not necessarily built to European standard.

How does being imported affect insuring a vehicle?

Insurance for an imported car can be more expensive as insurers do not necessarily know what they are taking on. Parts may be rarer, repairs could be more difficult and the vehicles may not be well-suited to UK roads. As a result some insurers will refuse to offer cover altogether.
The chance of finding cheap imported car insurance depends largely on the type of vehicle you're looking to cover. Broadly there are two types of vehicle imports:

Grey imports: These are vehicles not built to European standard and not EU approved. As a result you will need to shop around for car import insurance and it may be worth obtaining quotes before you buy. The insurer will usually require very detailed information about the vehicle.
Parallel imports: These vehicles are right-hand drive and are bought outside the UK. They are generally imported from Europe, are built to EU type approval and are compatible with UK specifications. Consequently, import car insurance for these vehicles should be easier to find.

How can you get cheap insurance for an imported vehicle?

If you want to find the most competitive insurance for an imported car, it's crucial to obtain as many quotes as you can. Use a comparison website and consider specialist insurers. There are several providers that specialise in import car insurance but don't assume they are always the cheapest - you should always shop around.
Some insurers will cover left-hand drive cars for the same premium as right-hand drive vehicles as long as there are no additional changes. If your import is modified it will be difficult to insure so limit the changes you make.
Security is also a key factor in determining the premiums for imported car insurance. Consider fitting a Thatcham security device to your car as this could earn you a sizeable discount.

2010-09-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

Other Ways Of Cutting Your Car Insurance Bill

Aside from the various car insurance options that you can choose to accept or decline - and which will therefore increase or reduce the price of your motor cover - there are other steps you can take that will impact on the cost of your policy.

Here are some of them:

Mileage - Many insurers' policies are based partly on an estimate of the mileage you travel each year. When they send you a renewal quote, it is based on the estimated mileage you originally gave them.

So, for example, if you change jobs and have a shorter commute you should inform your insurer of a new estimated mileage as this could save you cash.

Learner drivers - Insurers always like to have additional proof that you are a competent driver. Extra lessons with the Pass Plus scheme can cut motor insurance premiums by as much as 35%.

Motorists who pass an `advanced driver` course can also see their premiums reduced. Think seriously about it: one single course fee could cut your future car insurance bills for years to come.

Marriage - Married men attract lower premiums than single men. This is not necessarily an invitation to marry simply in order to reduce your car insurance costs.

But it is worth noting that there are a number of other financial advantages to being married, not least of which is no inheritance tax and similar benefits.

Car security - A car alarm, immobiliser or tracker makes it less likely that your car will be stolen and therefore should reduce your premium. If you do fit such security devices, make sure that they are approved by your insurer. It is worth calling your insurer to see which ones will cut your car insurance quote the most.

Don`t speed or commit other traffic offences - The higher the number of speeding and other offences, the more expensive your car insurance is likely to be.

Modifications - New wheels, seats, colour changes and adding a spoiler are all changes that could add significantly to your premium. To pay as little as possible, keep modifications to a minimum.

Avoid monthly premiums - Most insurers charge a fee for this service. The fee ranges from 13% up to 29% APR. You can avoid this by taking out a credit card with an introductory interest-free offer. We do recommend however that you read our guide to credit cards before you consider making an application.

Consider who to put as the main insured driver - If you have one car in your family, drive it equally and you have more penalty points than your spouse, putting him/her down as the main driver with you as a named driver on the policy could also cut your bill.

Car Insurance Guide

2010-09-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Car Insurance Guide

Our guide to car insurance contains all you need to know about finding the right type of motor insurance policy, how to lower the cost of your premium and what to do in the event of a claim.

How to get the best car insurance deal

Car insurance is almost certainly the financial product most commonly held by consumers in the UK, with the possible exception of a bank or savings account. This is hardly surprising: if you drive a vehicle, insurance is compulsory.
In theory, this ought to make everyone a car insurance expert, able to get the best deal on their motor cover.
Yet too many of us tend to stick with the same insurer for too long and end up paying hundreds of pounds more a year than we need to. We only change policies when premiums become very noticeably too dear.
Conversely, we pat ourselves on the back because we have found ultra-cheap car insurance - only to discover that when we make a claim, certain items were never covered under the terms of that policy.
Shopping around is the starting point for anyone who wants the best car insurance deal. Our car insurance comparison tool allows you to search for and compare quotes from more than 60 top insurers and brokers in the UK.
But knowing how motor insurance works can help you get an even better deal - not just on price but in terms of the service you may need from your insurer. This guide is designed to help you achieve that.
It tries to answer some of the most typical concerns of motorists: everything from explaining how your quote is set and tips on how to cut the cost of your cover, to the various steps involved in making a claim.
We also offer a jargon-buster - explaining some of the more typical terms used when taking out car insurance.
Of course, no guide can ever attempt to answer every query. If you have any further questions, feel free to visit the car insurance forums or motoring fourms, where one of our experts - or even other forum members - will do their best to help.

2010-09-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right Car Insurance

Even though we have come out of the economic crisis we were facing last year, we haven’t fully come out of it. So we should be careful in choosing the right and Cheap Car Insurance. Many of us don’t know how much we are paying for a Car Insurance.
Now-a-days a lot of companies are mushrooming who offer a cheap Car Insurance. But we need to analyze before we take one.

First strictly budget yourself on how much you are going to pay for an Automobile Insurance. After this start looking for the companies which offer the best and cheap Car Insurance.
You can use the internet at home or work place and find out easily what are the best options available. This can save you quiet an ample amount of money as you don’t need to roam about or go from place to place in search of an insurance company which will offer you the best policy.
You can get free quotations from the websites of each company and you can compare them. While doing such a comparison you should keep in mind your necessities also like your budget and the time period of the policy.
Think twice before rushing towards a company. Read through the details and their policies. Because each Insurance company have their own set of rules and regulations.
Some people may get confused with so many details about each company and the policies before them. It may take a long time also to decide the best fit. In order to get rid of such confusion, you can go for sites that can give you a comparison between two different policies of the same company or two different policies of two different companies.
And one more thing you should keep in mind is that, that you shouldn’t go to firms which give you advice on the Cheap Car Insurance as your main objective is to save money and not spend it. These consulting firms charge an amount from you for doing this.
Also don’t ask your friends or relatives as they may not guide you properly according to your need.

When you are doing this you are sure to get the best Car Insurance for a cheaper price. Don’t browse through only the cheaper offers but also note that whether it is valuable for the money. After doing the comparison you can meet the insurer and show the comparison and ask for a better pricing or if you like the offer from the company of your expectation you can approach the company where they will do the needful.
Tags: Car Insurance, Choosing the right Car Insurance, right Car Insurance

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at 8:22 am and is filed under Car Insurance, Insurance Policy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Cheap Car Insurance Policy

2010-09-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Cheap Car Insurance Policy

February 3rd, 2010
Cars that can get you cheap insurance policy
There are hundreds and maybe thousands of car makes and models running down the streets, every person looking to purchase a new car is thinking of the price he is going to pay and whether this car is economic or not. Only a few look at what they are going to pay for the insurance policy for such car and those who are really smart. Cheap car insurance can save you a lot every year because some insurance companies may charge you a lot of unnecessary fees that pile up your insurance policy so; you need to make sure that you are getting the best offer before you proceed with the company.
There are other factors that contribute in getting the cheap car insurance policy you want and one of the most important factors is the car itself. The type and the model of the car you are driving affects a lot your insurance premium so, you need to make sure that you are choosing the right car type and model in order to get the cheapest car insurance policy.
A small car is more prone for getting damaged on a collision and that entice the insurance company to charge you more on the insurance premium that covers collisions. This means that when you are choosing a small car, you should keep in your mind that you might end up paying a lot more for the insurance policy. Kia Rio and Suzuki Esteem are among this category so; make sure that you can get a cheap car insurance policy before you proceed with the purchase of such cars.
There are some cars that are popular among thieves, in other words, there are some models that have higher affinity to be stolen than others. There is a yearly list issued by Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) about which cars are prone to be stolen. The list changes every year because new models appear and other models become older and thieves lose their interest in them. On the other hand, there are some models that are considered permanent candidates on these lists like some Toyota Models as Toyota Pickup, corolla and Camry. Also the Nissan Sentra falls under the same category. These cars may cost you higher insurance premiums and hold you back from getting the cheap car insurance policy that you may get through purchasing other models. On the other hand, Volvo and Mercury grand Marquise are among the least stolen cars and these cars can get you a cheap premium very easily.
Luxurious cars that cost a lot to be fixed from damages will also cost you a lot for insurance. Insurance companies think about these cars as high risk cars, this means that when you are on the road, even if you are a good driver, a small accident with a car of this type will cost the insurance company a lot in order to fix it. Cadillac Escalade is a very good example for these cars because it is one of the most luxurious cars on the road but, the good news is that it is a large car so, it performs better when it comes to protecting the passengers inside and that makes it better from another aspect.
To make the long story short, the car is a very important key factor in finding the cheap car insurance offers and there is no car is the best from all aspects but there are cars that are more eligible for better insurance policies because they are safe and not rare so, they are not prone to be stolen and they are safe for the passengers riding inside.
The motor capacity is another factor that affects the insurance policy because with the increase in the motor capacity and the horse power, the drive is more prone to go quickly and more speed means more liability to accidents. Driving a hybrid car will get you much cheaper car insurance policy and will also get you a huge reduction on your taxes so, if you are looking for a city commuter then a hybrid may be a very good choice for you.
So, let us put a quick criteria for the cheap car insurance policy
- First you need to choose your car carefully
- You also need to get more than one quote from different car insurance companies on order to find your best quote
When it comes to choosing the best car for you, it is very important to check several things before you get your new car:
- Check the list of the HLDI list in order to find which cars are the best to get and which cars are more prone to be stolen
- Check the statistics and know which cars cost more for fixing and maintenance
- Check which cars are safer, this could be done easily through checking the results of safety tests done on the car. A car with 5 starts on the safety test is the best you can get
Finally, it is very important to take your time before you get your car and before you get your insurance premium too. Getting a cheap car insurance policy is not an impossible dream but, you need to keep an eye for the details in order to get the best policy for you.

Car Hire Insurance from Questor Insurance

2010-09-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Car Hire Insurance from Questor Insurance

This insurance policy insures the excess on a car rental agreement for which you as the hirer are responsible. Questor's Car Hire Insurance will provide you with wider cover and a saving of up to 60% over that charged by the car rental companies.

This insurance will save you money! What you need to know: -

Will save you up to 60% compared to the cost of buying the same cover from the car rental companies, even more if you buy the annual insurance policy
Best price / cover on the Internet
Insures the excess on a car rental agreement
Includes damage to tyres, any glass and the under body of the vehicle
Our policy includes many other benefits including Personal Accident, Baggage, Lost Keys, Curtailment, Locked Out and Drop Off Charges
The standard policy can be extended to include rentals starting near your home and we offer a dual lead driver option allowing two named drivers to rent separately
Annual policy includes unlimited car rental agreements in the year
Daily policy covers a single rental agreement
Clients aged 21 to 84 covered
Get a discount off your next purchase equivalent to 5% of your premium spend (excluding the tax element)
Is underwritten by leading travel insurance specialist White Horse Insurance Ireland Limited

Buying Car hire Insurance from Questor Insurance

By buying your car hire insurance from Questor you will save £££'s compared to the cost of buying the cover when you pick up your car. You may also be surprised to find that the cover supplied by the car rental company does not include damage to the glass on the vehicle such as windscreens, tyres or the underbody of the vehicle.

Car Insurance

2010-09-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

Car Insurance

What occupations pay less for their car insurance?
Those who read such title will say what is the relation between what I do for living and my car insurance policy but, the truth is that there is a direct relation between cheap car insurance and personal occupation. There are numerous criteria for acquiring cheap car insurance and your occupation is one of the most important criteria that affect your premium.
Car insurance company is not a charity aiming to help those who are having hard times with their cars but, they are service companies that are offering a service against a profit. Their profit actually comes from those who pay the insurance and do not make accidents so, they tend to attract such people to sign insurance premiums with the company in order to make a higher profit. They tend to offer cheap car insurance policies for these people in order to keep them signed up with them for the longest possible period.
Car insurance company identifies a “safe driver” according to the following criteria: –
- Drives at a relatively low speed
- not in a great hurry
- not having a stressful occupation
- drives low mileage with his own car
- Uses the public transportation network or the company bus drives him to and from work.
When the driver is not in a stressful job then he will be less likely to use his cell phone while driving and even if he is using it, he would concentrate very much in the call and forget about driving. Being on the cell phone for a lot of time while driving makes the driver more prone to make an accident and that is completely against the “safe driver” definition of the insurance companies.
Let us browse through some occupations to give you an example for the less stressful jobs that may get cheap car insurance premiums. Scientists, lab technicians, writers, librarians and those who work in similar jobs are the most prominent examples for those who get the best deals on their car insurance. This is because they always work in a relaxed work environment with no much stress. These people always ride the public transportation and use their cars only occasionally and this also means less mileage covered by their cars. All of these reasons makes them the best drivers who are rarely involved in accidents.
On the other hand, there are other occupations that incur higher insurance premiums. This is because the insurance companies do not consider them “safe drivers” and this is also because of their occupations and what they do for living.
Marketing managers and marketing executives are on top of the list because they are always stressed with their marketing targets and they are also always on the phone while driving. They also drive for very long hours and cover very long distances with their own cars. Any other job that involves high stress levels like sales, marketing, on – call doctors and other similar jobs can keep the person over the phone for long times and insurance companies think that this is the first step you take towards an accident so, they always put you in the high risk square. Of course, no one in the company will tell you that you are having such high premium because of your occupation but, it goes without saying that if you are working in a less stressed job then you will be able to get cheap car insurance easier than those working in stressful jobs.
If you are one of those who work in the less stressful jobs then it would be a good idea to go through your insurance policy once more and talk to your agent to see if there is any chance to make it less or to get better rates on your next insurance premium or not. Most of the insurance companies apply these criteria on all applicants. After all, any business is looking for success opportunities and safe driver would be a very good investment for insurance company.
If you are one of those who fall in square two then you may want to check my next post to see how you can lower your insurance premium and enjoy nice cheap car insurance without quitting your job of course.
Check the fool proof method to lower your car insurance premium

Dental Insurance for Persons Under Age 65 Years with Private Health Insurance: United States, 2008

2010-09-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

Dental Insurance for Persons Under Age 65 Years with Private Health Insurance: United States, 2008

Key findings

Data from the National Health Interview Survey, 2008
Among approximately 172 million persons under age 65 years with private health insurance:

The majority of persons (73%) had some type of dental coverage. However, approximately 45 million persons had no dental coverage.
About 8 out of 10 persons with employment-based private health insurance had dental coverage compared with about 3 out of 10 persons with directly purchased insurance.
Non-Hispanic black persons were more likely to have dental insurance than non-Hispanic white persons, non-Hispanic Asian persons, or Hispanic persons.
As income level increased, the percentage having dental insurance increased.

A primary indicator of access to dental care in the United States is dental insurance. Previous studies have shown that persons with private dental insurance have more dental visits in the previous year than persons without private dental insurance (1). There are federal and state assistance programs for dental care but they are limited. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requires states to provide limited dental coverage for enrolled children up to age 19 (2). The Medicaid program requires states to provide limited dental services for most Medicaid-eligible individuals under the age of 21, but there is no assistance to provide dental services to individuals aged 21 and over (3). This report analyzes dental insurance status for persons under age 65 years who have private health insurance because of the limited or nonexistent public coverage for dental care.

Among approximately 172 million persons under age 65 years with private health insurance, the majority of persons (73%) had some type of dental coverage. However, approximately 45 million persons had no dental coverage.

Among persons under age 65 years with private health insurance who had some type of dental insurance, about one out of two persons had dental coverage through a single-service dental plan, either alone or in addition to dental coverage through their comprehensive health insurance plan (Figure 1).

About 8 out of 10 persons under age 65 years with employment-based private health insurance had dental coverage compared with about 3 out of 10 persons with directly purchased insurance.

Among persons under age 65 years, persons with employment-based private health insurance were about two to three times as likely as persons with directly purchased insurance to have dental coverage through all types of plans, including a single-service dental plan only, a comprehensive plan only, or both single-service and comprehensive plans combined (Figure 2).

Among persons under age 65 years with private health insurance, non-Hispanic black persons were more likely to have dental insurance than non-Hispanic white persons, non-Hispanic Asian persons, or Hispanic persons.

Among persons under age 65 years with private health insurance, non-Hispanic white persons were more likely than persons of other race/ethnicity groups to have dental insurance through a single-service dental plan only (Figure 3).
Non-Hispanic black persons were more likely than persons of other race/ethnicity groups to have dental insurance through a comprehensive health insurance plan only.

Among persons under age 65 years with private health insurance, as income level increased, the percentage having dental insurance increased.

Among persons under age 65 years with private health insurance, poor persons at less than 100% of poverty level were more likely than higher income persons at 400% or more of poverty level to have dental coverage through a comprehensive plan only (Figure 4).
As income increased, the percentage having dental insurance through a single-service dental plan, either alone or in addition to a comprehensive plan, increased.

Adults with at least some college education were more likely to have dental insurance than those with less education among those aged 25-64 years with private health insurance.

Among adults aged 25-64 years with private health insurance, as education level increased, there was an increase in the percentage of adults with dental insurance through a single-service dental plan only (Figure 5).
College graduates were less likely than adults with less education to have dental insurance through a comprehensive plan only.

Summary

About three out of four persons under age 65 years with private health insurance had some type of dental coverage. Among persons with dental insurance, more than one-half had a single-service dental plan only, or in addition to dental coverage through their comprehensive health insurance plan. Non-Hispanic white persons were more likely to have dental insurance through a single- service dental plan only than non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic Asian, or Hispanic persons. Poor persons (less than 100% of poverty level) were more likely than higher income persons (400% or more of poverty level) to have dental coverage through a comprehensive plan only.
Approximately 45 million persons under age 65 years with private health insurance did not have dental coverage in 2008. About 7 out of 10 persons who directly purchased their own private health insurance plan had no dental coverage compared with about 2 out of 10 persons with employment-based insurance. About 40% of persons with less than a high school education had no dental insurance of any kind.

Definitions

Comprehensive plan: A health insurance plan or policy that covers a variety of medical services. These plans are designed to cover general medical expenses such as blood work or visits to a doctor’s office and health catastrophes such as heart attacks and cancer.
Comprehensive plan with dental coverage: A private health insurance plan that also has dental coverage based on a positive response to the following question: “Does [Plan name] pay for any of the costs for dental care?”
Directly purchased coverage: Private insurance that was originally obtained through direct purchase or through other means not related to employment.
Employment-based coverage: Private insurance that was originally obtained through a present or former employer, a union, or a professional association.
Poverty status or percentage of poverty level: Is based on family income, family size, and the number of children in the family, and, for families with two or fewer adults, on the age of the adults in the family. The poverty level is based on definitions originally developed by the Social Security Administration. These include a set of income thresholds that vary by family size and composition. Families or individuals with income below their appropriate thresholds are classified as below the poverty level. These thresholds are updated annually by the U.S. Census Bureau to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (4). Estimates by poverty status are based on both reported and imputed family income. Family income information was completely missing for 9.4% of persons, and family income information was only reported in broad categories for an additional 22.0% of persons in 2008. Therefore, family income was imputed for 31.4% of persons in 2008 using the National Health Interview Survey imputed income files (5).
Private insurance: Is indicated when respondents report they were covered by private health insurance through an employer, union, or individual purchase. Private health insurance includes managed care such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs). It does not include military health plans.
Single-service dental plan: A private insurance plan that only pays for dental care.

Data source and methods

Data from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used for this analysis. NHIS is conducted continuously throughout the year by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). NHIS collects information about the health and health care of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population. Interviews are conducted in respondents’ homes, but follow-ups to complete interviews may be conducted over the telephone. Questions about health insurance coverage are asked of family respondents in the family component of the survey. In 2008, information was collected on a total of 65,495 persons under age 65 years on the family core component. For further information about NHIS, including the questionnaire, visit the NCHS website.
NHIS is designed to yield a nationally representative sample, and this analysis uses weights to produce national esti-mates. Data weighting procedures are described in more detail at the NHIS Methods website. (6) Point estimates and estimates of corresponding variances for this analysis were calculated using SUDAAN software (7) to account for the complex sample design of the NHIS. The Taylor series linearization method was chosen for variance estimation. All estimates shown in this report meet the NCHS standard of reliability (relative standard error less than or equal to 30%). Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Terms such as “higher than” and “less than” indicate statistically significant differences. Terms such as “similar” and “no difference” indicate that the statistics being compared were not significantly different. Lack of comment regarding the difference between any two statistics does not necessarily suggest that the difference was tested and found to be not significant.

About the authors

Barbara Bloom and Robin A. Cohen are with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics.

References

Bloom B, Gift HC, Jack SS. Dental services and oral health: United States, 1989. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(183). 1992.
Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. CHIP dental coverage, overview. Downloaded January 27, 2010.
Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. Medicaid dental coverage, overview. Downloaded January 27, 2010.
DeNavas-Walt C, Proctor BD, Smith J. U.S. Census Bureau. Current population reports, P60-235, Income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States, 2007 [PDF - 2.9 MB]. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. 2008.
Schenker N, Raghunathan TE, Chiu P, Makuc DM, Zhang G, Cohen AJ. Multiple imputation of family income and personal earnings in the National Health Interview Survey: Methods and examples [PDF - 813 KB].
Botman SL, Moore TF, Moriarity CL, Parsons VL. Design and estimation for the National Health Interview Survey, 1995-2004. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(130). 2000.
Research Triangle Institute. SUDAAN (Release 9.1). Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute. 2004.

Suggested citation

Bloom B, Cohen RA. Dental insurance for persons under age 65 years with private health insurance: United States, 2008. NCHS data brief, no 40. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010.

Health Insurance

2010-09-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance

Getting and keeping health insurance coverage through job and life changes can be challenging for people with IC. Having a chronic disease makes you a high risk for an insurance company, so when you don't have insurance through an employer, coverage can be difficult to qualify for or to afford. But going without health insurance carries a very high financial risk. All of the choices you might be able to make are hard ones, but you do have options. Below we lay those options out for you to help you decide what to do and point you to resources for more help and information.

Most Americans who have health insurance have benefits through an employer, and most who lose coverage do so because of employment changes: getting laid off or fired, not being able to work enough hours to continue to qualify for your employer's benefits, or similar changes for the spouse who carried the coverage.

Hang onto your employer's coverage as long as possible -- Read more about COBRA
Switch to your spouse's insurance (if possible)
Get another job with health insurance benefits for part-time, contract, or temporary work if you can't work full time
See if you qualify for Medicare or a Social Security disability determination
Buy into a group plan
Buy an individual health insurance policy
Buy insurance through your state's high-risk pool or during the "open enrollment" period

Hang Onto Your Employer's Coverage: COBRA Continuation

The health benefit provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) are what make it possible for you to keep your employer's health benefits temporarily if you lose your coverage because of certain specific events. (This applies to employers who have 20 or more employees on at least 50 percent of their business days.) For you and your plan, those events are generally a reduction in your hours or voluntary or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct. For your coverage under a spouse's plan, those events include termination and reduction in hours as well as your spouse becoming qualified for Medicare, death, or divorce or legal separation. You have 60 days from the time that your employer notifies your plan of the event (which usually occurs right away) to choose continuing coverage.

Usually, with COBRA continuation, your employer won't be contributing part of your premium, so you'll be paying much more for health insurance than you did as an employee. In fact, the employer may charge you 102 percent of the premium that they have to pay on your behalf. That amount may be a financial shock, but the insurance is still group insurance. And what you pay for group insurance will be lower than comparable coverage under an individual plan. In fact, it may be lower than even a bare-bones individual policy. In addition, you often won't qualify for policies with many insurers because you have a chronic condition—IC.

The continuation in coverage COBRA requires can extend to a maximum of 18 months, unless there is another "qualifying event." For example, if you elect continuation because you reduce your hours below what your employer requires for coverage and then you get laid off, the layoff is a second qualifying event. One other qualifying event is a very important one for IC patients, and that is a Social Security Administration (SSA) determination of disability (SSDI). With an extension of COBRA coverage, you may feel another financial shock because, with this kind of continuation, health plans can charge you 150 percent of the premium amount that they pay. Nevertheless, that may still be less expensive than individual coverage.

Switch to Your Spouse's Insurance

Health insurance is so difficult to afford when it's not employer based that the situation has become TV sitcom fodder. Desperate Housewives' Susan Meyer remarried her ex-husband just to get the health insurance. If you lose your health insurance benefits, find out if your spouse has a family plan option and how to sign up.

Get Another Job with Health Insurance Benefits

But a step not quite so desperate as marrying for the health insurance is finding another full-time job with benefits that you can do despite your IC, if you are well enough that you don't meet SSA disability requirements (SSDI). If you can't work full time, an option is to work part time for an employer that offers health benefits to part time, contract, or temporary employees.

Some of the well-known national employers that provide healthcare and other benefits to their part-time employees are Starbucks, IKEA, Costco, and The Container Store. One way you can find employers that offer these benefits is to check "best companies to work for" lists that are national or local and then see if companies on those lists in your area offer healthcare benefits for nonstandard workers. Fortune's annual list is probably the best known. Other organizations and publications also have lists, such as Working Mother, the AARP, Forbes, the Great Place to Work Institute, and CAREERS & the disABLED magazine.

See if You Qualify for Medicare or Social Security Disability

IC can be debilitating enough to keep you from being able to work and can qualify you for an SSA determination of disability. Thanks to ICA advocacy, SSA made an official policy interpretation ruling for IC in November 2002. That is official SSA recognition that IC may qualify you for disability, and that ruling's guidance is binding on SSA adjudicators in processing IC disability claims. Contact the ICA to obtain helpful information about applying for an SSA disability determination. If you get the disability determination, you automatically qualify for Medicare, but the coverage doesn't start until two years after your determination is made.

That's why, if you are leaving work because your IC keeps you from being able to be on the job or put in the hours, you need to apply for SSA disability right away! If you do, you can extend COBRA coverage for an additional 11 months beyond the 18-month maximum, but you must meet two requirements. First, you must get a ruling from SSA that you became disabled within 60 days of your COBRA continuation. That's not likely a problem if you have to leave work because of your IC. Second, you must notify your plan of that SSA disability determination within 60 days of getting it and before the 18 months of COBRA continuation are over. In total, COBRA may then extend for 29 months-and that leaves you very little wiggle room to get your SSA determination and COBRA continuation in order to prevent a gap before you get Medicare coverage. So, the message is don't delay!

Buy Into a Group Plan

If you are a contractor, that is, a freelance worker, you may be able to purchase a group plan on your own in some states. In others, you must have employees to do so. However, you may be able to purchase a group plan through an association that you join, such as a local small-business association or professional association. For association-type plans, you don't necessarily have to be employed, but you do have to meet the association's criteria for membership to qualify for the plan. Be sure to ask, however, whether the insurance is a group plan so that Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules for group plans will apply. Some associations offer health insurance plans through the organization, but the plan available to you may be an individual one.

An advantage of being in a group plan is not just the generally lower cost. Plans such as these can help you avoid restrictions for pre-existing conditions, such as IC. That's thanks to HIPAA. For example, if you have had "creditable" health insurance for 12 straight months and no lapse in coverage of 63 days or more, the group plan you join must cover your care for your pre-existing condition right away. "Creditable" includes other group or government employee health plans, Medicare or Medicaid, and state high-risk pools. (See "Buy Into a State High-Risk Pool" below.) HIPAA's rules apply to every employer group health plan with at least two participants who are current employees, including plans for companies that are self insured. Some states apply the rule to "groups" of one, a boon for the self employed.

Buy an Individual Plan

It can be extremely difficult to buy an individual insurance plan when you have a chronic disease, and if you can find one that will accept you, the premiums will likely be very high. That's because individual plans don't have to play by HIPAA rules, so they can deny you coverage because of your chronic disease, exclude coverage of your IC as a pre-existing condition, or ask you to pay an extremely high premium.

Individual plans are not out of the question, however, if you look for one, it can be a wise move to use an insurance broker instead of applying yourself. Your IC, like any chronic illness, can be a reason for many companies to deny you coverage. And once you have been turned down for insurance by one company, other companies are very likely to turn you down, too. In fact, a question about whether you have been turned down for insurance is part of nearly every insurance application. An insurance broker can help you avoid that. He or she will usually know which companies will accept patients with a pre-existing condition if it is well managed. A broker may also know which companies give the best service, for example, those that don't hassle you on every claim or raise premiums frequently.

Numerous types of individual plans are available, but evaluate them carefully. Short-term coverage, which can be a lower-cost option, may be a possibility if you are between jobs. HMO and PPO plans are generally less expensive than traditional insurance, but for all of those, you may have to choose a high-deductible plan to make the premium affordable. More companies such as Sam's Club and Costco (in California) are jumping into the individual insurance market because so many people don't have coverage through employers or are between jobs, but those plans may also have the same limitations for pre-existing conditions and limitations on coverage.

Another option is a high-deductible plan with a health savings account, but you need to be sure you can front the deductible if you need care before you have enough in the account to pay it. Be aware that these types of plans are also subject to the same restrictions as other individual plans, such as for pre-existing conditions, and lifetime maximum payments may be lower than with other plans. Medical discount programs are also available, but beware. These are not traditional insurance and do not pay for any care. Instead, you pay somewhat reduced fees to certain providers who have agreed to take them. The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers that, although some plans provide legitimate discounts, many offer very little for your money, and some claim they provide big discounts from numerous providers for doctor visits, hospital stays, and drugs but then don't make good on the claims.

Be careful: Whether you purchase an individual or a group plan, be sure to check out the policy, the insurance company, and the broker very carefully. You need to go over any insurance policy with a fine-toothed comb for such hurdles as pre-existing condition restrictions, deductibles, copayment levels, and lifetime maximum payments, and you need to check that the broker is licensed and reputable. If you are able to get a group plan, keep in mind that even group plans are not automatically comprehensive enough to protect you financially. You need to examine a group plan as carefully as you would an individual plan.

For now, state rules govern health insurance policies and states license brokers, so you should check with your state health insurance department on their requirements. State insurance departments often have information to guide you on buying insurance and have consumer alerts about companies and brokers. They can tell you whether the broker you're considering is licensed in your state. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has listings of all state insurance departments as well as a web page you can use to see if any consumer complaints have been lodged against an insurance company. You can also check out potential brokers with the National Association of Health Underwriters, which requires its members to adhere to a standard of ethics. Also, the National Committee for Quality Assurance has quality ratings of insurance companies.

Buy Into a State High-Risk Pool

If you can't get into a good group plan and you don't qualify for most individual insurance because of illness, a state high-risk pool is an option to keep you covered. The majority of states have them, with their requirements and affordability varying widely. Generally, they are more affordable for someone with a chronic illness than policies on the individual market.

By law, the premiums do have caps. Those range from a low of 125 percent of the average comparable premium for your state up to 200 percent or more, although most states' average cap is 150 percent, according to the National Association of State Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans. In some states, premiums reach heights that exclude many from the pool. A few states offer subsidies to help low-income people with their premiums. Most of these insurances, too, have waiting periods for coverage, similar to private insurance, unless you have been in a group plan and HIPAA rules apply.

Many states that do not have high-risk pools have guaranteed issuance policies. Some require all individual insurers to accept enrollees or HIPAA eligible enrollees. Some require certain insurers, such as Blue Cross, or certain types of insurers, such as large insurers, nonprofits, or HMOs, to accept enrollees either at any time or during an "open enrollment" period. Those insurance companies can also charge higher premiums for sicker patients, depending on the state.

Some states, however, put caps on premium prices, some states prohibit price variation based on health status altogether, and some limit how much insurers can vary prices based on health status. But until the federal government or your state addresses these problems, be sure to consider your options carefully. You will need to weigh the risks of going without health insurance or with insurance that may not cover what you need against the potential costs. And when you do look for insurance, read the fine print! In other words, look very carefully at what the policy covers and whether it covers enough.

Health Insurance Options for College Students in a Post-Reform World

2010-09-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance Options for College Students in a Post-Reform World

18 August, 2010 | Category: Consumer Advice

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA—August 18, 2010 – eHealthInsurance (NASDAQ: EHTH), the leading online source of health insurance for individuals and families, today released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help new and returning college students and their parents better understand their health insurance options after the passage of health reform legislation. The company also released an updated version of its ‘Health Insurance 101’ student health insurance buyer’s guide to reflect new health reform laws and implications for college students and graduates.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

An estimated 19 million students will be enrolling in classes this fall¹,and as many as 12%² of these may be uninsured. With several provisions of health reform legislation coming into effect on September 23, 2010, college students and their parents may not fully understand their health insurance options this year. The following FAQs are designed to answer specific concerns and help this year’s students find the best health insurance solution for their personal needs and budget:

Question: Do I need to have health insurance when I go to school?

Answer: Most colleges and universities require students to have some kind of health insurance coverage. Contact your school for more information, but keep in mind that health insurance is about more than getting access to health care when you need it. It also helps limit your financial liability for expenses that may arise from an unforeseen accident or injury – expenses that could potentially bankrupt you or your parents and seriously damage your prospects for the future. Whether or not your school requires it, make sure you’re covered.

Question: What are the health insurance options students can choose from this year?

Answer: Most college students in 2010 will choose from among the following five types of health insurance coverage:

Parents’ health insurance plans. A provision of health reform law that becomes effective in 2010 allows adult children to keep their coverage under a parent’s health insurance policy until age 26, whether or not they are currently enrolled in college. The parent’s policy might be group coverage sponsored through an employer or an individual or family policy purchased by the parent. Some employer-based plans are accepting students now while others may wait until January 1, 2011 before allowing student to re-enroll.
Individually-purchased health insurance plans. Many students purchase coverage on their own in the form of an individual, non-group policy. There is a broad variety of individual coverage options to choose from nationwide. However, until 2014, in most states it is still possible to be declined for individual coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions.
School-sponsored health plans. Many colleges and universities offer their own health insurance plans to students. Some of these plans place strict limits on the range of benefits covered and may limit access to only those doctors and services available through an on-campus student health center. As regulations for health reform laws continue to be written, the future of school-sponsored plans is uncertain.
Individually-purchased student health plans. These plans may resemble school-sponsored plans by placing specific limits on certain benefits, but they typically offer more freedom in obtaining medical care away from campus. Student health plans may be especially valuable for those going to school in a different state. While the post-reform future of these products is also uncertain, new and innovative student health plans with richer benefits are being introduced to the market.
Government insurance options. These may include state or federal insurance programs such as Medicaid or high risk pools. In order to qualify for some of these products you must have a diagnosis for a pre-existing medical condition on file with your doctor. You may also need to have been previously uninsured for a minimum of six months.

Question: How did the passage of health reform change things for students this year?

Answer: Some of the most profound changes to the health insurance market won’t come into effect until 2014, but here are four ways that health reform has changed options for students looking for health insurance this year:

1) Health reform allows students (and non-students) to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. Before the passage of health reform, some students lost coverage under parents’ plans earlier.

2) Health reform strengthens protections for individually purchased coverage. After September 23, 2010, new individual health insurance policies will cover certain preventive care screenings (women’s health screenings, for example) with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Health reform also made it more difficult for the insurance company to cancel your individual coverage retroactively if you become ill.

3) New high risk pool coverage will be made available beginning in 2010 for persons who may not qualify for individual coverage due to a pre-existing medical condition.

4) It’s still not entirely clear, but school-sponsored health plans and other student health plans may be forced to expand their coverage as a result of health reform. Many of these plans currently limit coverage to a maximum dollar amount on a per-condition basis. Health reform may erase such dollar limits.

Question: Isn’t it best to stick with my parents’ health insurance plan?

Answer: Not necessarily. It may be convenient to stay on your parents’ plan, and the levels of coverage available through some employer-sponsored group plans can be excellent. However, if you are going to school in a different state than the one in which your parents’ live, you may find that your coverage levels are significantly lower when you’re away from home, and there may be no in-network doctors or hospitals available to you near your school.

Furthermore, while a parent’s employer may keep you on their group policy as a dependent, they may not contribute very much toward your monthly premiums. Your parents may have to pay significantly more to keep you on their plan than it may cost for you to purchase comparable individual coverage on your own. It’s a good idea to go over the dollars involved and the levels of coverage you’ll enjoy while at school to see if it may make more sense to move to an individual policy or student health plan, with or without assistance from your parents.

Question: My school offers coverage. Shouldn’t I just take what they’re offering?

Answer: Look over the benefit levels offered and what kind of coverage such a plan would provide if you had to seek medical attention while away from school or through a medical service provider other than the student health center. You should also be aware of any dollar limitations placed on your benefits. Many school-sponsored health plans limit your coverage on a per-condition basis. After considering your options, you may still decide that a school-sponsored plan is best for you. But don’t assume that it’s your only option.

Question: What should I do if I can’t re-enroll in my parent’s plan until January 2011?

Answer: The provision of health reform that allows adult children to stay on their parents’ plan comes into effect on September 23, 2010. However, due to open enrollment schedules, some employer-based plans may not allow you to re-enroll in a parent’s plan until January 2011. If you need a stop-gap to provide you with coverage until then, consider purchasing an individual health insurance plan, which can be paid month-to-month and cancelled at any time. Short-term health insurance plans offer another solution, but please note that short-term plans typically don’t cover preventive care, pre-existing medical conditions or prescription drugs.

Question: What if I have a pre-existing medical condition or am too old to stay on a parent’s plan?

Answer: If you have a pre-existing medical condition that makes it difficult to obtain health insurance on your own in the individual market and you’re too old to stay on a parent’s plan, you may have a couple choices. First, consider the school-sponsored plans available through your college or university. You may be eligible to enroll in these plans regardless of your medical history. Look at the fine print, however, and make sure that you understand any limitations that would be placed on your coverage. For example, some school-sponsored plans may limit coverage per-condition to $50,000 or less. That may sound like a lot, but a few days in the hospital for a serious condition could quickly use up those funds.

You should also consider an individually-purchased student health plan (the kind not offered through a specific school). For example, there’s a student health plan called GradGuard^TM which allows for coverage up to $500,000 per-condition. No one is turned down for coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions, though GradGuard^TM has a pre-existing condition exclusion period of twelve months. If you can show that you have had other coverage in place for the past year, however, then the exclusion period may be waived. Students of any age can qualify for coverage with GradGuard^TM.

Finally, you may wish to consider government-sponsored options available in your area. The non-profit Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) can help you find out what your choices are and help you enroll if you qualify. You can contact FHCE through their website at www.coverageforall.org.

Updated ‘Health Insurance 101’ Buyer’s Guide

The updated ‘Health Insurance 101’ guide, originally released in May 2010, includes a helpful matrix of all major health insurance options for college students, comparing the pros and cons of school-sponsored plans, individual health insurance plans, student health insurance and coverage provided by parents. The guide can be accessed in the following ways:

By PDF here: www.ehealthinsurance.com/101guide
Through the eHealthInsurance resource page for students and grads: http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/student-health-insurance/resources/

Additional Resources:

Do your homework: Research individual and family health insurance policies at eHealthInsurance.com.
Talk to a licensed agent for personal help: If you have questions, call a licensed agent at 1-800-977-8860. eHealthInsurance has agents who are licensed in all 50 states, plus DC.
Don't let pre-existing conditions scare you: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, talk to an agent first to see if you might qualify with certain carriers, or to learn more about HIPAA plans. Then contact the Foundation for Health Coverage Education (www.coverageforall.org/) to review public options available in your area.
Get informed: Whether you are insured or uninsured, improve your understanding of medical costs using the helpful research and comparison tools at Healthcare Blue Book (www.healthcarebluebook.com/).

¹U.S. National Center for Education Statistics as cited in the Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 214

²eHealthInsurance’s 2010 College Student Survey (http://news.ehealthinsurance.com/pr/ehi/document/Combined_Topline_Results_eHealth_College_Graduates_and_Health_Reform_Survey.pdf)

About eHealth

eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) is the parent company of eHealthInsurance, the nation's leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses. Through the company's website, http://www.eHealthInsurance.com, consumers can get quotes from leading health insurance carriers, compare plans side by side, and apply for and purchase health insurance. eHealthInsurance offers thousands of health plans underwritten by more than 180 of the nation's leading health insurance companies. eHealthInsurance is licensed to sell health insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, making it the ideal model of a successful, high-functioning health insurance exchange. Through its eCommerce On-Demand solution (eOD), www.ehealth.com/eOD, eHealth is also a leading provider of on-demand e-commerce software services. eHealth's eOD platform provides a suite of hosted solutions that enable health plan providers and resellers to market and distribute products online. eHealth's eCommerce On-Demand solution is currently available to health plan providers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. eHealthInsurance and eHealth are registered trademarks of eHealthInsurance Services, Inc. eHealth, Inc. also provides powerful online and pharmacy-based tools to help seniors navigate Medicare health insurance options and choose the right plan through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PlanPrescriber (http://www.planprescriber.com). PlanPrescriber's decision support tools are licensed to and incorporated into the websites and pharmacy counters of a number of major pharmacy chains and retailers. These pharmacy partnerships also drive high quality Medicare traffic to www.planprescriber.com.

Health Insurance: Understanding Your Health Plan's Rules

2010-09-01T04:22:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance: Understanding Your Health Plan's Rules

If you have insurance through your employer, you probably are in a managed care plan. If you are in Medicare, you might be in a managed care plan too. You can't always tell from the name of the plan. It's the rules that count.

When you signed up for your insurance plan, you agreed to its rules. You were probably given a packet that describes the kind of coverage you have. To avoid misunderstandings about your coverage, you need to read the rules of your insurance plan. For most plans, the important rules fall into the following groups:

Doctors and hospitals

Managed care plans sign contracts with certain doctors and hospitals to care for their plan members. Your plan may refer to them as providers. This group of providers is often called the plan's network. Like you, they have agreed to follow the plan's rules. Your insurance company might not pay for you to go to a provider who is not in its network. If it does pay for you to use a provider outside your network, it may pay less than it would for a network provider. In either case, you are responsible for the part of the bill that the plan doesn't pay. Even if your doctor is part of the plan's network, he or she may prefer to send patients to a hospital that isn't in the network. If so, ask if your doctor can send you to a hospital in the network. If that isn't possible, you can ask the insurance company if it will approve the use of the out-of-network hospital. If no other arrangements can be made, you might have to see another doctor.

Rules for seeing specialists

Many managed care plans won't pay for you to see a specialist unless your primary care physician (usually your family doctor) thinks it is necessary. If you see a specialist without a referral, you might have to pay more for the care you receive.

Rules for getting expensive services

If your doctor decides that you need to go to the hospital, have surgery or have certain tests, your insurance company may refuse to pay for it unless it can preauthorize the treatment (approve it beforehand).

Medicines

Almost every managed care plan has a drug formulary. A formulary is a list of prescription medicines that your health plan has approved. If a drug isn't on the formulary, you'll probably have to pay more for it. Your insurance company can give you a list of drugs that are on the formulary. If necessary, show the list to your doctor when the doctor writes you a prescription.

For more information

Working with your managed care plan can be confusing, but remember: You can always call your insurance company for help.

Expatriate Health Insurance Pakistan

2010-09-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

Expatriate Health Insurance Pakistan

Pacific Prime is an expatriate insurance broker specialising in providing overseas medical insurance for Pakistan nationals living, working or holidaying abroad. If you are a non Pakistan national and moving to Pakistan we can also provide plans that meet your specific requirements.

The policies that we can provide are guaranteed renewable for life and globally portable, so even if you should relocate away from the country your plan will continue to cover you. With a number of extra benefits including maternity coverage, emergency evacuation and repatriation, dental treatment, out-patient consultations, alternative medicines, complimentary therapies, and specialist consultations, you can be assured that an international health insurance Pakistan plan will give you the coverage that you need. For more information about the products and services that we can offer, or to receive a free quote, please contact us today.
*
Professional Service you can trust

Pacific Prime Insurance will be with you for the duration of your policy. We offer additional customer services that include claims advice, emergency contact numbers and medical advice lines. We also maintain a comprehensive list of Pakistan hospitals/doctors. Most of our clients are expatriates so we maintain a list of Embassies in Pakistan.

As a leading broker of medical insurance in Pakistan we keep up on the latest insurance trends and Pakistan Insurance News.

We can offer expatriates in Pakistan dedicated international health insurance plans that will provide comprehensive coverage in the East and around the world. Plans that we can offer will usually have a number of benefits that a policyholder is able to tailor to suit their specific requirements. With coverage options including out-patient, dental, maternity, and emergency evacuation, you will be assured of receiving the highest levels of quality treatment anywhere in the world.
*
Pakistan Travel Tips

It can be difficult to adjust to a new country; it is for this reason that we have provided details on the various local laws and customs that foreign nationals are expected to follow. We have also provided some general travel information so that you know what to expect when you arrive in the country. Please be advised that the following information is liable to change without notice and that you should obtain up to date advice from a travel expert or your government before departing your home country.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan there is a high threat of terrorism against foreign nationals in Pakistan. Travelers should avoid large groups and gatherings, and take care not to get involved in any kind of social protest.

While resident in, or traveling through Pakistan, you should remain alert for any government announcements pertaining to civil unrest or terrorist acts and follow official directions accordingly.

There is a high incidence of crime in Pakistan, especially in the major cities of Islamabad and Karachi. The most common type of crimes against foreign nationals include cases of petty theft involving passports and wallets, armed car robbery, kidnappings, and murders. Foreign nationals should be aware of their potential risk as political statements while in the country.

Pakistan is a predominately Muslim country. As such many of the local laws and customs are based on the Muslim faith. Visitors and foreign nationals are expected to dress modestly and respect all Muslim customs and behaviors, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Pork products and Alcohol are not allowed to be imported to Pakistan unless previously approved by the Pakistani government. Homosexuality and Co-habitation by unmarried couples are illegal. These offences can be punished with long term prison terms.
All drugs are illegal in Pakistan. Even possessing small amounts of a narcotic substance can lead to severe penalties. It is important that you do not become involved with drugs during your stay in the country.

For males, if you or your father were born in Pakistan, even if you do not hold a Pakistani passport, or consider yourself to be a Pakistani national, you may be considered a "Pakistani" by the local authorities. This can mean that you are liable for military service and that the full range of local laws are applicable in your specific case. Please consult your government before traveling to Pakistan if this is the case in your situation.

Foreign nationals and visitors to Pakistan are advised not to take pictures of military instillations, airports, or any "sensitive" infrastructure (including bridges, dams, or train stations). In the past visitors to Pakistan have been accused of spying for taking photographs of these types of places. If you wish to take a picture of a ¡§sensitive¡¨ area you should first obtain permission from an official. Try not to take photographs in Pakistan's outlying border areas.

Most foreign nationals require a Visa to enter Pakistan. Visa's are only issued on passports that have more than 6 months currency when entering the country. Journalist visas will usually have additional restrictions to a tourist visa, you should fully understand your travel limitations in these cases. It is important to note that Visa violations are treated as a serious criminal offence.

For more information about a quality international health insurance plan, to receive a free comprehensive quote, or to speak to one of our expert advisers, please click here.
For more information about traveling to Pakistan, the international health insurance plans that we can provide there, or to receive a free quote, please contact us today.

Pakistan Insurance Testimonials

My new job required me to travel extensively abroad away from Japan. So I purchased an International Medical Insurance plan from Pacific Prime and was very pleased with their professional and efficient service.
Kenzo Kotaro Yoshida, Japan

Secure the future with Postal life insurance policies

2010-08-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

Secure the future with Postal life insurance policies

More pics» Postal Life Insurance (PLI), a 125-year-old life insurance scheme run by the department of posts, is a good option for people eligible for it as it charges lower premiums and offers higher returns than comparable policies of life insurers.

The policy, started in 1884 for the employees of Posts & Telegraphs Department, has since been extended to cover all central and state government employees and those working in staterun companies, or about 70% of organised sector employees in the country. In 1995, the department launched Rural Postal Life Insurance to take the benefits to all villagers who account for 60% of India’s population.

It offers better returns than other comparable products. For example, Postal Life Insurance has announced a bonus of Rs 70 per Rs 1,000 sum assured on its endowment policy – where the insured gets the sum assured plus annual bonuses when the policy period is over – irrespective of maturity since 2003.

In contrast, average bonus announced by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), India’s largest life insurer, for endowment policies was in the range of Rs 30-48 in past five years.

Let’s take the example of a 30-year old government employee.

If he buys PLI’s endowment policy called Santosh for risk cover of Rs 1 lakh for a period of 20 years, he will be paying a premium of Rs 400 every month. For a similar policy offered by LIC, the Endowment Assurance Plan, the monthly premium is Rs 442.

At the time of maturity, after 20 years, he will receive a total of Rs 2,40,000 at the current bonus rate of Rs 70 per Rs 1,000 sum assured. His net earnings, if subtracted total premium paid during the policy, will be Rs 1,44,000.

In the case of LIC Endowment Assurance Policy, the proceeds could be Rs 2,04,000 (sum assured + accrued bonus + terminal bonus) at the current bonus rates.

The rate of reversionary bonus is Rs 42 per Rs 1,000 sum assured, while terminal bonus is Rs 200 per Rs 1,000 sum assured. Thus, the net earnings in the LIC scheme will be much lower at Rs 98,000.

The next obvious question is its tax treatment. Investment in PLI gets all tax benefits any life policy is entitled for. The returns are tax-free and premium payment is subject to tax exemption under 80c.

A policyholder can pay the premium at any post office across the country. Some selected government departments have the facility of recovering premium from salary. But it is better to take a premium passbook.

Postal Life Insurance, however, is not for investors who are looking for new-age products like unit-linked insurance policies (ULIPs) and pension plans. The postal department offers six plainvanilla plans: Suraksha (whole life assurance), Santosh (endowment assurance ), Suvidha (convertible whole life insurance), Sumangal (anticipated endowment assurance), Yugal Suraksha (joint endowment) and Children’s Policy.

These policies just offer death cover while LIC and other insurance companies offer accidental death benefit with extra premiums. So, if you are interested in a plain vanilla insurance and if you are eligible for it, then Postal Life Insurance is a great value proposition.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a target="_blank" href="http://netspiderads2.indiatimes.com/ads.dll/clickthrough?slotid=36896"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt="Advertisement" height="70" width="640" border="0" src="http://netspiderads2.indiatimes.com/ads.dll/photoserv?slotid=36896"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Insurance

2010-08-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Insurance

Articles may be insured at all post offices. Insurance covers all risks in course of transmission by post. The prepayment of all charges on insured articles namely postage, registration and insurance fee is compulsory. Postage stamps affixed to an insured article must be placed apart from one another so that they may not serve to conceal injuries to the cover of the letter or parcel.

What article can be insured ?	Limit up to which You can Insure
Registered letters, Value Payable Registered Letters, Registered Parcels Value-Payable Registered Parcels	Insured up to the value of Rs 600 at branch post offices, Insured up to the value of Rs 10,000 in other offices Insured value shall not exceed the real value of the contents of the article insured. The articles containing gold, coin or bullion government currency notes or bank notes or any combination of these shall be insured for the actual value of the contents.

Cases in which Insurance is compulsory

Coin, bullion, platinum precious stones jewellery government currency notes or bank notes and articles of gold or silver may be sent by post only in insured letters, insured parcels.
Insurance is also compulsory for at least the amount specified for recovery from the addressee in the case of all value payable articles on which the amount specified for recovery exceeds Rs 100. (other than value payable letters containing Railway receipt, bills invoices, documents etc of no intrinsic value and value payable packets containing printed papers, books etc sent under book packet rates

Packing Size and other conditions

Every letter tendered for insurance must be enclosed in a strong cover which must be securely fastened and sealed by means of identical seals in fine wax reproducing a private mark and affixed in sufficient number so that it cannot be opened without either breaking the seal or leaving obvious traces of violation.
No label of any kind should be affixed by the sender to such a cover but cut out labels the maximum size of which is 1-1/2-2x3” (3.8 cb x 7.6cb.) with frank impressions as postage stamps on the cover of an insured articles may be accepted.
An envelope with black or coloured border or a transparent panel must not be used.
The seals must be placed over each flap or seam of the cover and if the cover is tied round with string or tape a seal must be placed on the ends where they are tied.
As an additional precaution (if the contents admit of it) a thread should be passed through the cover and its contents and tied the knot being placed under the Central seal.
If a parcel contains gold or silver bullion or coins it must be packed in a strong case of wood or metal with an outer covering of cloth or stout paper
All the seals affixed to an insured article must be of the same kind of wax and must bear distinct impressions of the same private device. The device must not be that of a current coin or merely a serried of straight curved, or crossed lines.
NOTE:- It is recommended that registration envelopes (sold at all post offices) be used for insured letters

It should not be so small or so covered with writing or sealing wax on the address side, or otherwise made up in such a manner, as to render it impracticable to affix to the article the prescribed official labels of the Post Office.

Insurance Procedure

An article intended for insurance must be presented at the window of the post office.
Write clearly in words and figures, the insurance value without erasure or correction, on the top of the address side of the cover.
The name and address of the sender must also be written on the cover in the lower left-hand corner, or on a separate slip of paper, to be presented with the article should there be no room for his name and address on the cover.
A receipt will be given to the person who presents an article for insurance at the post office window during the hours prescribed for posting insured articles.
Any error or mistakes should be pointed out at once by the sender otherwise the Post Office will not be liable for any damages or compensation.
The sender of the insured article is entitled to obtain free of charge and acknowledgement of its delivery signed by the addressee or his authorized agent.
The sender may himself fill up the form of acknowledgement to be signed by the addressee and is recommended to do so.

Responsibility of the Post Office

Compensation will be payable one month after the date on which intimation of loss is given by the sender to the Post Office, except in cases in which the Head of the Circle may consider that the circumstances demand the withholding of payment pending enquiry.

In the event of the loss of the postal article, or any of its contents, or for any damage caused to it in course of transmission by post the compensation will be paid to the sender and the compensation in no case exceeds the value of the article or any of its contents lost or the amount of the damage caused.
In the case of loss, the sender furnishes full particulars of the contents of the postal article and their values.

No compensation will be payable

Where there has been mis-delivery arising out of incorrectness or incompleteness of the address written by the sender.
Where there has been fraud on the part of the sender of addressee,
Where the insured article has been delivered to the addressee, and he has signed and returned the receipt therefore,
Where the sender has not given intimation of the loss within three months from the date of posting,
Where the loss or damage was due to improper or insecure packing,
Where there is no visible damage to the cover or seals it being understood that the sender must so pack the letter or parcel that its contents cannot be touched without visible damage as aforesaid being caused,
Where the insured article contains Government currency notes, bank notes, gold coin or bullion or any combination of these, and has not been insured for the actual value of the contents,
In the case of the loss of halves of currency notes,
In the case of damage arising from the nature of the article insured or
Where the insured article contained anything the transmission of which by post is prohibited.

If after compensation has been paid for the loss of a postal article or any portion of its contents, the contents or any portion thereof are subsequently recovered, the recovered contents will be dealt with as follows namely

If the value of the recovered contents added to the amount of compensation paid is not in excess of the amount of loss, the recovered contents will be restored to the sender.
If the value of the recovered contents added to the amount of compensation paid is in excess of the amount of the loss, the Post Office will be entitled either to restore the recovered contents to the sender on his repaying the amount of such excess or to retain and dispose of so much of the recovered contents as may be held by the Head of the Circle to represent such excess and restore the rest of the recovered contents, if any, to the sender