3 What kind of Disaster Insurance Do You Need?

Here are three common kinds of disaster insurance homeowners may want to consider:

Earthquake insurance

In most cases, basic homeowner insurance policies don't cover damage caused by earthquakes. Depending on the home and its location, homeowners can be on the hook for $300,000 or more to fix foundation and other major damages, says Scott Simmonds, an independent insurance consultant in Saco, Maine. "This is the single most catastrophic loss that people don't have insurance for," he says.

The cost of the policy varies, depending on how close a home is to a fault line and its construction. Wood-frame homes, for example, typically have lower premiums because they usually withstand earthquakes better than homes made of brick, says Loretta Worters, a vice president at the Insurance Information Institute. On average, a 2,000 square-foot wood frame house in Buffalo, N.Y., with a replacement value of $250,000 would cost $100 or less a year to insure, according to the III. (A 5.0-magnitude quake rattled plates in Northwestern New York last year; no one was injured.) In California, where earthquakes are common, premiums average $500 but can cost upwards of more than $3,000 a year.

Flood insurance

Flood insurance is not just for people living near the beach. Insurers generally define "floods" as any water that rises from the ground, which includes tidal waves, but also any destruction from rapid snow melts for those living near lakes, rivers or mountains. For those who qualify, flood policies can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars annually to nearly $3,000 for people who live in high-risk areas, says FEMA. Renters can also sign up to protect their belongings from flood damage, and premiums cost at least $50 a year. Most homeowners in flood zones will have to sign up for this policy while they're paying down the loan on their home. And homeowners who want coverage beyond $350,000 for the home and its contents will have to shop in the private market where premiums can surpass $3,000.

But in some cases, homeowners who need flood insurance can't qualify because the risks in an area are too high. This includes homes on or near marshes and some coasts that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifies as part of the Coastal Barrier Resources System.

Sewer backup coverage

To make matters complicated, some types of floods aren't covered by a basic home insurance policy or flood insurance policy. Sewer and drain riders typically cover damage from isolated floods, like when a basement drain backs up. Flood insurance, in contrast, doesn't kick in when just one home gets flooded: A number of homes or a larger area of land need to be affected. But plumbing mishaps like a frozen pipe bursting are often covered by homeowner's insurance, says Simmonds. On average, the policies which are helpful for homes with a basement or crawl space that's prone to flooding cost about $40 a year, according to the III. Even over 10 years that cost is significantly cheaper than at least roughly $25,000 that will be needed to remodel a basement after flood damage.

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Disaster Insurance : Do Wee Need it?

The earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan has prompted homeowners everywhere to double-check their coverage. But those who decide that more coverage will help them sleep better may find an unpleasant surprise: Premiums are expected to spike.

The costs of earthquake insurance and flood coverage were already climbing, even before the disaster in Japan (and that, analysts say, won't help pricing either). Earthquake insurance premiums jumped by as much as 58% in some regions, says Mike Chaney, commissioner of insurance for Mississippi. They now costs anywhere from $100 to $3,000 annually depending on where you live. Flood coverage costs an average of $570 a year, up 4% from 2009. And those costs are expecting to keep rising, says Drew Woodbury, an equity analyst covering insurance at Morningstar.

What's driving the uptick? Insurance premiums move up after more claims are filed, and over the past few years U.S. homeowners have filed thousands of claims related to the series of hurricanes in the South and Midwest, says Chaney. Another jump in claims is expected next year if more devastating hurricanes and other natural disasters occur. On top of that, a proposal in Congress could also boost annual premiums by as much as 20% as part of a plan to overhaul the federal government's flood insurance program, itself underwater by $18 billion.

These higher premiums come just as natural disasters are happening more frequently, says David Neal, director at Oklahoma State University's Center for the Study of Disasters and Extreme Events. There is now a 50% chance that at least one major hurricane will hit the East Coast this year, up from 31% historically, according to a study from Colorado State University. Earthquakes are also becoming more common: On average, 15 magnitude-7 earthquakes occur worldwide each year, says Dr. Harley Benz, a seismologist at the U.S. Geological Survey. But in 2010, that number spiked to 21, and already this year there have been seven, according to the USGS.

Not every homeowner needs the extra coverage. But while basic homeowners' insurance usually protects again fire and lighting, it often doesn't cover floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Consumers instead need to purchase additional policies. One thing to consider, say experts: Do you stand to lose more paying premiums every year or saving that money to possibly pay for repairs should a disaster occur? Over 10 years, flood insurance premiums could cost up to $27,340, for a high-risk home with $250,000 in coverage to rebuild the house and $100,000 to cover the contents, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which runs the National Flood Insurance Program. The typical cost to repair a basement after a flood of six inches is about $25,000, not including the cost of replacing furniture, appliances or belongings, according to FEMA.

Of course, homeowners can also avoid these expenses by moving to less disaster-prone areas. Individuals can research the country's earthquake and flood zones for safer places to live. Also, before moving, check with a lender; most will tell borrowers they're moving into a high-risk flood zone and make sure they sign up for flood insurance.

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How To Cut Medical Bills By 50%

Daily deal sites are increasingly offering medical, dental and other care for cheap. But are cut-rate procedures a good idea?

Daily deal sites, home of the half-off, limited-time-only, pre-paid coupon craze, are no longer content to sell low-cost dinners and dye jobs. Now on the discount table: laser eye surgery, dental checkups, and other medical services.

In the first quarter of 2011, there were more than 2,500 medical, health and dental offers published on daily deal sites in the U.S. -- an eight-fold jump over the 300 offered during the same period a year ago, according to Dan Hess, CEO and co-founder of Local Offer Network, a daily deal aggregator. That's a startling increase, even compared to the rapid growth of the sites themselves, which had a five-fold increase total deal volume over the first quarter. And, says Jack Vonder Heide, president of Technology Briefing Centers, "We're seeing more of them coming onto the market every week."

Considering the never-ending medical-care sticker shock consumers face, the deals have an obvious appeal: They're extremely cheap. In one recent offer, Groupon sold four porcelain veneers, plus a full dental check-up for $2,400 -- a 52% savings off the normal $5,000 cost of the procedures. Living Social and a Washington DC-based optician recently offered an eye exam, plus $225 toward a pair of prescription eyeglasses, for $58, a saving of 81%. More than 5,400 people purchased the offer. In New York, Melissa Morgan, a communications coordinator, recently bought a dental cleaning, examination and X-ray on Groupon for $50, saving 82%. "I don't have dental insurance so it seems like a really good deal," she said.

But medical organizations say this is the wrong way to sell medical services. Consumers may pay too much attention to the low prices and not enough to the quality of care or the provider's track record, says Greg Sterling, a San-Francisco-based Internet analyst with Opus Research. And the "limited-time only" nature of daily deal sites doesn't encourage measured, thoughtful decision making, adds Malcolm Z. Roth, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "You shouldn't be doing procedures on a whim," he says.

Unlike a half-off dinner coupon, where the biggest risk is a wasted meal, the consequences of poorly-performed procedures are more severe, says Carolyn Jacob, an Illinois-based board-certified dermatologist. Any time anyone has an invasive procedure involving needles, there's a risk of infection, she says. Laser and other skin treatments designed to zap blemishes or hair can burn a patient's skin; Botox and other chemical lifts can cause lumps or droops, Jacob adds.

There's also the risk of an up-sell: the half-off dental checkup that leads to the full-price teeth whitening. For some merchants, this is an integral part of the strategy. Because of the steep discounts they offer and the percentage taken by the deal sites, many merchants lose money on the initial offer, so they're betting on customers returning for other procedures, or adding on to the ones they buy.

Of course, practitioners say they have their clients' best interests at heart, and besides: it's a free country. "Unless there's a risk or a health hazard customers have a right to plump their lips if they want and decrease the movement in their forehead," says Jack Berdy, owner and medical director of SmoothMed, a New York-based dermatology clinic and spa. He has used around five daily deal sites to promote Botox treatments, laser rejuvenation and other minor medical procedures. Customers often come out of curiosity, inspired by a bargain. But, he adds, "we're not telling people they need it. In fact we go out of our way to tell them that they don't."

For their part, the daily deal sites say they choose their partners carefully. Maire Griffin, director of communications for Living Social, says the services they offer are minimally invasive and mostly outpatient. "We do everything in our power to connect our members with reputable merchants with the highest ethical standards," she says. Groupon spokeswoman Julie Mossler says every merchant goes through "at least eight rounds" of checking before they are placed on the site. Whitney Crisp, director of business development and sales for Sharing Spree, also says the site only uses qualified doctors.

And the sites say they'll continue to do so. Sharing Spree's Crisp says it is open to offering new medical services as long as they're safe, there's a demand and the surgeons are qualified. "We're open to anything and feeling out the medical industry deals," she says. But that doesn't mean a discount nose-job is in the offing any time soon. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has set an official policy to put the kibosh on selling daily deal vouchers for more invasive cosmetic procedures. "It's a no-no," says spokesman Roth.

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How To Choose The Right Health Insurance

Did you know, deciding to purchase health insurance is critical?, the choice of plan is most appropriate. With so many options available in the market, they are forced to merge. Find out what the policy includes before deciding to buy. Make sure you are aware of all terms and conditions. You will find that the price is not the only criterion with respect to health insurance.

In general, any health insurance to cover hospitalization and associated costs of diagnosis, counseling, testing, etc., assuming that all are equal, and to choose the cheapest plan may not be in place for health insurance benefits. Coverage, terms, costs and spending limits may vary for each company. While it is important to consider the fees and controls the convenience factor, go is what features should, ideally, to decide the final selection.

The coverage limits, deadlines, costs and expenses may vary for each company.
The first step in this direction is to determine the amount of coverage you need. Weigh your needs, see what you can save for emergencies. Determine the set of what must be covered by the plan. Once you have these things in place, you should compare the best options available. Comparison of different plans available on the market learn about what companies offer different, and so help you identify your needs.

What to look and compare?
There are certain points while confirming the purchase of insurance. Check these points when searching and comparison.
- See how old the policy covers
Most health insurance companies in India to cover until you reach a certain age. After that age, the coverage ceases. Also, it is a maximum age of entry for a health insurance plan. No insurance company accepts your proposal if you have crossed the maximum age of entry. Covered up to age may vary. Some companies even offer a lifetime protection.
- Consider the policy sub-limits
Health insurance covers hospital costs, expert fees, diagnostic tests, medications, room rental, ambulance costs, etc., but each part can be a part of a counterclaim. These limits may be sub fixed amounts or a percentage of the total sum insured. It 'important to consider the sub-limit in the light of the place of your own and that hospitals use.
- Find out what is not covered
There are certain medical conditions, treatments and consulting firms are not covered by the policy. They can be permanently excluded or they may be associated with stress. Like childbirth and pregnancy-related treatments may not be covered at all, but conditions such as cataract surgery or a hernia may not be covered only during the first year of insurance. Identify and compare the various policies to find one that suits your needs the most.
- Check waiting times
All insurance shall enter into force when at least 30 days waiting period. Until then, just an accident-related illnesses are. For some companies, the waiting time can be even greater. In addition, the initial waiting, there are some diseases that are not covered by the first or first two years of a policy. You may have to wait up to four years of any pre-existing disease include, depending on the insurance company. Check out what the wait time for a variety of situations.
- Look for information on hospitals in network
Hospitals Network, which offer cashless facility is an important feature of a health insurance plan. Prove to be very useful when it comes to emergency situations. Although generally you get a list of hospitals in the network when you buy a policy, you can request a list of companies before, or even check online on their website. Make sure that some of the hospitals close to stay inside the insurance company.

Check for loading costs
Most insurance companies offer no claims bonus at renewal if there is no requirement in the previous year. This is a monetary benefit you get. But what if you made a claim? Insurance companies include freight costs. Make sure your health insurance provider has a clear and defined load, or you may end up paying huge premiums.
How to compare?
When you start looking you need to get an impartial and objective picture of the different health insurance policies available on the market. You can switch between different companies and websites to find information about their products, or call their representatives and consultants to explain things, this would be tedious and time-consuming and certainly not enough objective. Even if you have any information, it is difficult to compare.

There is an easier way of what has emerged these days and is becoming popular as well. This is going to places like the insurance policy comparison http://easypolicy.com, Policy Tiger, Bima Deals etc. and compare. Most chances are that you will receive a general comparison, but through benefits and bonuses. Some of these sites also offer online support services and the ability to buy secure online.

Finally, read the details of the selected products. Boring but very important because it will determine how you will benefit from an insurance in case of emergency.

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Lifestyle Insurance Calculator

A expression lifestyle insurance calculator is what you require if you’re within the lookout for any life assurance policy. It’ll assist you determine the best kind of insurance that can match your desires. Before choosing an insurance coverage policy for yourself, it is necessary which you locate out what insurance coverage type you’d need to have, how much you’re able to spend to pay for it, and how much insurance you’d truly need to have.

You are able to decide the reply to the very last query by using the approach that agents use. It is referred to as the rule of thumb. In accordance to this technique, your life assurance should be in between 7 and ten times your yearly revenue.

Allow us have an example: when you earn $100,000 yearly, it is best to have an insurance coverage protection that’s in between $700,000 and $1,000,000. This amount will need to adequately cover all your family’s needs.

Life Insurance Online Quotes. This concept is greatly dependent within the notion that your beneficiaries will invest the daily life insurance coverage policy’s death benefit and receives a fairly adequate amount of return price to the first investment. If this can be so, they, your beneficiaries, would acquire the earnings from this investment as substitute to your revenue.

Because of that, there should be greater and a lot more effective method of figuring out the best kind of insurance coverage for you personally. That’s what a expression lifestyle insurance coverage calculator can do.

You’d need to answer at least five questions so that a exact figure could be generated. In less than two minutes, it’ll provide you with the lifestyle insurance coverage quantity that’s just match for you and your family members.

The next will be the main qualities of the phrase life insurance coverage calculator: it’s easy to use, you’ll be able to get an reply from it fast, it is custom-made for your private necessities, and it delivers accurate figures that are just correct for your financial state.

Child Life Insurance. In short, utilizing a daily life assurance calculator is the quickest and simplest approach that you’ll be able to use to decide what type of insurance coverage protection you must get so that you’ll be able to provide full safety in your loved ones. It tends to make sure that you purchase a daily life insurance coverage that will cover all your family’s desires once the time for you personally to go has arrive. All the money that you simply earned by means of your hardwork and perseverance when you were still alive will definitely be place to excellent use.

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Diet Insurance Buyer's Guide

Getting Buying for Health Diet insurance can leave lots of people baffled. Knowing which insurance business to decide on or which insurance plan is the very best could seem daunting impossible. But once you understand the basics of Wellness Diet insurance coverage, picking out the right Well being Diet insurance coverage plan is simple easy.

This article will supply a few of the most basic and helpful tools and explanations for Wellness Diet insurance coverage customers. 1st, it can be critical to discover about helps to understand the unique forms of Well being Diet insurance options and their advantages and disadvantages. Programs differ within the quantity you pay out-of-pocket, which doctors you can go to, and the way the your insurance coverage charges are paid. In addition to just helping you opt for the most effective and cost-effective plan, we’ll educate you about a different way it is possible to conserve on Wellness Diet insurance coverage: a Wellness Diet Financial savings Account. Moreover, it’s important to find out about dental insurance coverage too. A lot of Health Diet insurance strategies don’t include dental insurance coverage below their benefits, so we’ll go more than the way to store for and obtain separate dental protection. Then it is significant to understand about methods you’ll be able to preserve on Wellness Diet insurance. You’ll find a number of methods you can save which includes Well being Diet Savings Accounts and Discount Cards. LastlyAnd lastly, do not neglect to evaluate programs before you make your decisionwe’ll explain why it’s so essential to put your new knowledge to excellent use by evaluating 

Well being Diet insurance strategies.
Sorts of Health Diet Insurance coverage Options
 

Health Diet Upkeep Organization (HMO) PlansTypically, HMOs have low and even no deductible as well as the co-payments will probably be relatively comparatively lower too. You pay out a regular monthly premium that provides you access to coverage for doctor appointments, hospital stays, emergency treatment, assessments, x-rays and therapy. You will need to choose a main treatment medical doctor (PCP) inside your insurance provider’s network of physicians, and so as to see a specialist you should obtain a referral from your PCP. Underneath an HMO strategy, only visits to physicians and hospitals with all the insurance company’s network of suppliers are covered; you will have to spend for visits in the event you go to an out-of-network medical doctors or hospitals your insurance won’t cover the costs.
 

Chosen Supplier Organization (PPO)Plans Underneath a PPO plan, you will make use of the insurance company’s network of physicians and hospitals for just about any solutions or materials you require. These Wellness Diettreatment companies are already contracted from the insurance coverage organization to present companies at a discounted rate. Usually, you will be able to pick physicians and experts within this network without having possessing to decide on a primary treatment medical doctor or get a referral. Just before the insurance company will start spending for your healthcare expenses you may often have to spend an annual deductible. Also, you might have a co-payment for some companies or be required to cover a percentage from the complete professional medical bill.
 

Level of Services (POS) OptionsA POS strategy is really a mixture of the features offered by HMO and PPO programs. You’re needed to choose a primary treatment medical doctor, whose services aren’t often subject to some deductible, but your PCP can refer you to out-of-network experts whose services is going to be partially coated by your insurance company. Furthermore, POS ideas normally provide coverage for preventive Well being Diettreatment, which consists of common checkups. Your PCP will probably be ready to give you referrals for any specialists. If these experts are out-of-network you’ll must pay out out-of-pocket after which use for reimbursement in the insurance coverage organization. Having a POS plan you may advantage from some of the cost savings of an HMO and will have higher flexibility in deciding upon Health Diet treatment providers, similar to PPO.

Dental InsuranceIt truly is important to get a dental insurance plan together with your Health Diet insurance strategy. As a way to keep your teeth and gums Health Diet you will need regular visits to the dentist. With out dental insurance coverage, the price of dentist appointments are going to be significantly higher producing it tricky to keep up with the payments. Dental insurance coverage is comparable to Health Diet insurance in that every month you pay a premium, which entitles you to specific dental rewards. Positive aspects contain checkups, cleanings, x-rays, as well as other dental companies. There are ideas that may cover dental implants, oral surgery and orthodontia, but they’ll be additional high priced. Like Well being Diet insurance coverage, strategies are categorized into indemnity and managed-care strategies. For those who pick an indemnity strategy you will have a broader option of dental treatment companies to choose from. You won’t have to decide on 1 main dentist and usually, you won’t have to obtain referrals. So as for that insurance organization to cover your dental costs you may need to deliver them a declare before they reimburse you for coated solutions. As a result, you’ll have to pay additional out-of-pocket with the indemnity plan, but you will have far more flexibility in picking out which dentists you go to. However, managed-care plans will present you having a dental provider network and you’ll must visit dentists within this network so as to get coverage for these services. Having a dental care network, the insurance coverage business has organized pre-negotiated rates that you will obtain once you visit these dentists. With a managed-care plan, the dentists will submit the claim for you, lowering your out-of-pocket expenditures.
Save on Health Diet Insurance coverage
 

Wellness Diet Cost savings AccountHealth Diet Savings Accounts (HSA) are tax-free savings accounts developed to help consumers shell out for Well being Diettreatment solutions while restricting premium costs for undesirable benefits. The strategies have lower premiums and greater deductibles than other insurance coverage strategies mainly because they offer less benefits and need you to make use of the dollars inside your HSA to pay for certain qualified medical solutions. However, in case you don’t need to visit the doctor frequently and do not anticipate requiring typical health care attention, HSA programs really are a cost-effective strategy of insuring against the worst with out having to pay for protection you won’t use. So as to open an HSA, you will need to have an HSA-compatible Well being Diet insurance plan. You may only use the money within your HSA to pay for qualified health-related expenses. Usually, your HSA strategy will have a deductible that, when met, calls for your insurance coverage organization to shell out for any additional competent professional medical costs for the rest of the year.
 

Dental Insurance coverageWellness Diet insurance typically does not cover dental services, but so as to maintain your teeth and gums Health Diety, you need normal visits towards the dentist. Without having dental insurance coverage, normal dentist appointments can prohibitively expensive. Make certain your mouth is covered by shopping for each Well being Diet and dental insurance. Dental insurance coverage is comparable to Well being Diet insurance in that each month you spend a premium, which entitles you to particular dental benefits. Rewards include checkups, cleanings, x-rays, along with other dental solutions. There are actually plans that might cover dental implants, oral surgery treatment and orthodontia, but they will be more expensive. Like Health Diet insurance coverage, programs are categorized into indemnity and managed-care ideas. If you opt for an indemnity plan you will have a broader selection of dental treatment companies to choose from. You will not have to select one main dentist and normally, you will not have to obtain referrals for special companies. If you want for the insurance coverage enterprise to cover your dental expenses you may need to send them a declare for reimbursement. You will end up spending extra out-of-pocket with the indemnity plan, but you will have more flexibility in deciding upon which dentists you go to. By contrast, managed-care plans limit you towards the physicians and services inside a dental services network, and you may need to go to physicians within this network so as to get protection for their companies. Inside the dental care network, your insurance coverage company has organized pre-negotiated costs that you may receive whenever you visit dentists inside the network. Your dentist will submit your insurance coverage declare for you, holding your out-of-pocket expenses lower than with the indemnity plan.
 

Compare the IdeasComparing insurance coverage ideas is surely an crucial stage in buying Well being Diet insurance coverage. It’s going to conserve you income in the lengthy run for those who take some time to compare premium prices, out-of-pocket costs, plan advantages, the network of doctors out there with distinct ideas, and the quality of insurance suppliers. When you have a favorite physician, ensure your Well being Diet insurance covers visits to her or him. In case you don’t must see the doctor pretty often, don’t pay a higher premium for minimal office visit copayments. Well being Diet insurance coverage ideas are developed to address certain Health Diettreatment needs, and you’ll preserve funds and get the most successful coverage by comparing ideas to locate the Health Diet insurance plan that finest fits your budget and lifestyle.

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