With no medical life insurance, clients are effectively paying extra for ease. Some individuals might feel that it is to their advantage to not take a medical exam - that based on their health history, they might be able to find a much better policy or a better rate should they only have to answer health questions, instead of get a blood test and medical screening. People who are typically in great health must look into getting life insurance coverage that needs a medical exam, as they can often get a better rate on premiums or more ample coverage.
There are some advantages to getting no medical life insurance. The application goes much faster without the medical examination yet simultaneously, the premiums paid by individuals who chose this kind of insurance policy tend to be higher as a result of the risk the insurance firm takes when providing coverage.
Buying no medical life insurance can be as simple as one, two, three. Following three easy steps is the speediest way for getting good life insurance on the internet. The first thing you should do is to search for quotes on the internet on a specialized website. As soon as you found the ideal policy with no medical policy you can purchase it on the internet. After the transaction has been finished, just print out the plan and you're set and covered.
When examining life insurance policies, you will notice that you will find different types of the plans. The one you decide on should be affordable. This way, there is peace of mind the necessary payments will be made on time. In order to obtain the best one, a lot of investigation has to be performed. It's also advisable to evaluate the different guidelines that are available, and this way, there's confidence that you will get one that will meet your requirements. You shouldn't merely go through the prices, but also at the services being offered. This way, you'll be guaranteed to have all your needs met. All this you can get online. When going through the information you come across, you will notice that there are several that are cheap plus some that are expensive. The one you chose will be determined by your monthly earnings. Since the information is located online, that you can do your search in your own convenient time period. The change in the market costs tremendously establishes the amount of the rates. Due to this, there are times when the rates are high and then there are other instances when they're low. There are some individuals who will hold back until when the rates are low and apply for life insurance.
You have to ensure that you get a no medical life insurance policy that can be afforded easily. There is confidence that your family is well protected. You must also remember that there are a few prices that continue to keep changing every month or year. By keeping track of the level of rate that is to be paid, you will have low chances of you not being able to make the necessary obligations on time.
Many companies are now supplying a No Medical Life Insurance. With an Instant Life Insurance, there's no need to arrange a consultation with a medical examiner, give a blood or urine sample, and have your blood pressure taken or set up any doctor visits to confirm your health status.
How Insurance Verification Services Helps Medical Practices
Health insurance verification is the process of confirming that a patient is covered under a health insurance plan. If insurance details and demographic details are not properly checked, it can disrupt the cash flow of your practice by delaying or affecting reimbursement. Therefore, it is best to assign this task to a professional service provider. Here's how insurance verification services help medical practices.
Gains from Competent Insurance Eligibility Verification Services
All healthcare practices look for proof of insurance when patients register for appointments. The process has to be completed prior to patient appointments. In addition to capturing and verifying demographic and insurance information, the staff in a healthcare practice has to perform an array of tasks such as medical billing, accounting, sending out of patient statements and prepare patient files Acquiring, checking and providing all patient insurance information requires great attention to detail, and is very difficult in a busy practice. Therefore more and more healthcare establishments are outsourcing health insurance verification to competent companies that offer comprehensive support services such as:
• Receipt of patient schedules from the hospital or clinic via FTP, fax or e-mail
• Verification of all necessary information such as the patient name, name of insured person, relationship to the patient, relevant phone numbers, date of birth, Social Security number, chief complaint, name of treating physician, date of service,, type of plan (HMO or POS), policy number and effective date, policy coverage, claim mailing address, and so on
• Contact the insurance company for each account to verify coverage and benefits eligibility electronically or via phone or fax
• Verification of primary and secondary insurance coverage and network
• Communication with patients for clarifications, if necessary
• Completion of the criteria sheets and authorization forms
One of the greatest advantages of outsourcing this task to an experienced company is that they have a specialized team on the job. With a clear understanding of your goals, the team works to resolve potential problems with coverage. By taking on the workload of insurance verification, they help you and administrative staff focus on core tasks. Other assured gains:
• Streamlined workflow
• Fewer claim denials
• Speedy billing cycle
• Saved time
• Quick insurance verifications and authorizations
• Improved staff productivity
• Simplified medical billing process
Companies that offer this service to help medical practices also offer efficient medical billing services. With the right service provider, you can save up to 30 to 40 per cent on your insurance verification operational costs.
Gains from Competent Insurance Eligibility Verification Services
All healthcare practices look for proof of insurance when patients register for appointments. The process has to be completed prior to patient appointments. In addition to capturing and verifying demographic and insurance information, the staff in a healthcare practice has to perform an array of tasks such as medical billing, accounting, sending out of patient statements and prepare patient files Acquiring, checking and providing all patient insurance information requires great attention to detail, and is very difficult in a busy practice. Therefore more and more healthcare establishments are outsourcing health insurance verification to competent companies that offer comprehensive support services such as:
• Receipt of patient schedules from the hospital or clinic via FTP, fax or e-mail
• Verification of all necessary information such as the patient name, name of insured person, relationship to the patient, relevant phone numbers, date of birth, Social Security number, chief complaint, name of treating physician, date of service,, type of plan (HMO or POS), policy number and effective date, policy coverage, claim mailing address, and so on
• Contact the insurance company for each account to verify coverage and benefits eligibility electronically or via phone or fax
• Verification of primary and secondary insurance coverage and network
• Communication with patients for clarifications, if necessary
• Completion of the criteria sheets and authorization forms
One of the greatest advantages of outsourcing this task to an experienced company is that they have a specialized team on the job. With a clear understanding of your goals, the team works to resolve potential problems with coverage. By taking on the workload of insurance verification, they help you and administrative staff focus on core tasks. Other assured gains:
• Streamlined workflow
• Fewer claim denials
• Speedy billing cycle
• Saved time
• Quick insurance verifications and authorizations
• Improved staff productivity
• Simplified medical billing process
Companies that offer this service to help medical practices also offer efficient medical billing services. With the right service provider, you can save up to 30 to 40 per cent on your insurance verification operational costs.
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Struggling UK Economy Will Deny Lifestyle Protection Insurance To People In Northern Cities
The leading UK financial commentators agree that there will be more jobs lost in 2012, the question is how many and where in Britain will be hit hardest. It is generally accepted that those areas where there is a disproportionate reliance on the public sector for jobs are likely to suffer more than most. Local authorities are frequently the largest employer in cities outside of the Southeast of England. However it is not just the local council employees who will be affected.
Since the late 1980's, in the industrially hollowed out towns and cities, such as Burnley and Birmingham, local authorities and government agencies became the engine of the economy in the regions. They had central government funds for urban regeneration and regional development grants all focused on building local services, enterprise zones and infrastructure. This spending did indeed attract some flagship companies, especially successful overseas brands seeking to operate in 1990's booming Britain.
However, most jobs created by this new investment were predominantly service based industries and primarily dependent upon the local economy. Car component manufacturing and machine tool building cannot truly be replaced by Japanese car dealers and double glazing manufactures. These new industries don't export or sell to customers far beyond their own locality.
In the case of the major northern conurbations, the jobs and spending power of people employed in the public sector are critical to the local economy. In contrast, those areas where the workforce is predominantly in the private sector, though they took a sharp hit in 2008, are now fairly stable. Most firms that did survive are much stronger, but marking time waiting to see how the UK economy survives before they expand or take on staff.
Consequently, for areas of the country where there is a concentration of these quietly successful businesses, the reduction in head count and spend by the public sector is only having a marginal effect on what is being spent in the local shops and on services. This is particularly noticeable in London and the Southeast.
In contrast, where there is high dependency on the public sector for employment, the public spending cuts are being felt hardest of all and consequently local service industries will suffer a far larger fall off in customer spending. We are seeing the re-emergence of a two-speed Britain, the Southeast is recovering, or at worse marking time, whereas other regions are still contracting with the major conurbations suffering most of all.
A warning must therefore go out to anyone who works in the private sector outside of the Southeast. Even though they may feel their job is safe at present. The deep austerity driven cuts have yet to be fully implemented or truly felt by their local economy. Job cut backs and redundancies will inevitably grip retail and service industries in the wake of a fall off in demand. For the wage earners dependent upon this type of job, especially those with young families, it is essential to consider their options should their employer become one of many who will have to make cut backs to survive.
The shocking truth is that, on average, most people are out of work for seven or more months following redundancy (source 2011 specialist provider market research). During this time they are largely on their own financially with UK state benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance at less than £70 per week. People who are thrown out of work, but have savings that could pay their bills for six to twelve months, will survive. For anyone who does not have savings there is an alternative to running up huge debts and risking their home.
Low cost Lifestyle Protection Insurance, also known as short-term Income Protection Insurance, will typically pay anyone who is unable to work due to accident sickness or unemployment, up to £1,500 per month for a year. This payment is tax-free and does not affect entitlement to state benefits. If an individual aged 30 bought a policy that paid them out £1,000 per month, their premium would be less than £30 per month.
Quotes as low as this are only available from on-line specialists providers. The same cover can be bought from banks and independent financial advisers, although they charge considerably more for a personal service. This is however a very simple insurance product and well worth looking into on-line and not leaving it until bad news is received.
A critical point any potential buyer must understand; Lifestyle Protection Insurance and short-term Income Protection will only be offered to someone in steady work. This is because the insurance underwriters only cover people with an average risk of redundancy. For example, say a company has made an announcement that it is cutting back its staff or even merging with another. A Lifestyle Protection Insurance underwriter would view an application from someone who works at this company, little different from a Household Insurance underwriter being asked to cover a building already on fire! Therefore, anyone in a job at this time, who thinks this insurance might be for them, should look at buying this sooner rather than later.
For people living in the regions and especially those in the cities in the North, large sections of the working population could soon be prevented from buying Lifestyle Protection Insurance and short-term Income Protection Insurance. It is important people in these areas appreciate that they probably only have a limited window to buy this cover before insurers turn them away in increasing numbers.
Dennis Haggerty FCII M IDM Marketing Manager iprotectinsurance.co.uk is an Income Protection Insurance expert, specialising in helping people to protect their financial wellbeing at times of economic stress. Dennis particularly advocates low cost on-line; Lifestyle Protection Insurance, Income Protection Insurance and Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance. He offers consumers an inside track to finding a good deal and how to check the products they are considering are suitable for their needs.
Since the late 1980's, in the industrially hollowed out towns and cities, such as Burnley and Birmingham, local authorities and government agencies became the engine of the economy in the regions. They had central government funds for urban regeneration and regional development grants all focused on building local services, enterprise zones and infrastructure. This spending did indeed attract some flagship companies, especially successful overseas brands seeking to operate in 1990's booming Britain.
However, most jobs created by this new investment were predominantly service based industries and primarily dependent upon the local economy. Car component manufacturing and machine tool building cannot truly be replaced by Japanese car dealers and double glazing manufactures. These new industries don't export or sell to customers far beyond their own locality.
In the case of the major northern conurbations, the jobs and spending power of people employed in the public sector are critical to the local economy. In contrast, those areas where the workforce is predominantly in the private sector, though they took a sharp hit in 2008, are now fairly stable. Most firms that did survive are much stronger, but marking time waiting to see how the UK economy survives before they expand or take on staff.
Consequently, for areas of the country where there is a concentration of these quietly successful businesses, the reduction in head count and spend by the public sector is only having a marginal effect on what is being spent in the local shops and on services. This is particularly noticeable in London and the Southeast.
In contrast, where there is high dependency on the public sector for employment, the public spending cuts are being felt hardest of all and consequently local service industries will suffer a far larger fall off in customer spending. We are seeing the re-emergence of a two-speed Britain, the Southeast is recovering, or at worse marking time, whereas other regions are still contracting with the major conurbations suffering most of all.
A warning must therefore go out to anyone who works in the private sector outside of the Southeast. Even though they may feel their job is safe at present. The deep austerity driven cuts have yet to be fully implemented or truly felt by their local economy. Job cut backs and redundancies will inevitably grip retail and service industries in the wake of a fall off in demand. For the wage earners dependent upon this type of job, especially those with young families, it is essential to consider their options should their employer become one of many who will have to make cut backs to survive.
The shocking truth is that, on average, most people are out of work for seven or more months following redundancy (source 2011 specialist provider market research). During this time they are largely on their own financially with UK state benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance at less than £70 per week. People who are thrown out of work, but have savings that could pay their bills for six to twelve months, will survive. For anyone who does not have savings there is an alternative to running up huge debts and risking their home.
Low cost Lifestyle Protection Insurance, also known as short-term Income Protection Insurance, will typically pay anyone who is unable to work due to accident sickness or unemployment, up to £1,500 per month for a year. This payment is tax-free and does not affect entitlement to state benefits. If an individual aged 30 bought a policy that paid them out £1,000 per month, their premium would be less than £30 per month.
Quotes as low as this are only available from on-line specialists providers. The same cover can be bought from banks and independent financial advisers, although they charge considerably more for a personal service. This is however a very simple insurance product and well worth looking into on-line and not leaving it until bad news is received.
A critical point any potential buyer must understand; Lifestyle Protection Insurance and short-term Income Protection will only be offered to someone in steady work. This is because the insurance underwriters only cover people with an average risk of redundancy. For example, say a company has made an announcement that it is cutting back its staff or even merging with another. A Lifestyle Protection Insurance underwriter would view an application from someone who works at this company, little different from a Household Insurance underwriter being asked to cover a building already on fire! Therefore, anyone in a job at this time, who thinks this insurance might be for them, should look at buying this sooner rather than later.
For people living in the regions and especially those in the cities in the North, large sections of the working population could soon be prevented from buying Lifestyle Protection Insurance and short-term Income Protection Insurance. It is important people in these areas appreciate that they probably only have a limited window to buy this cover before insurers turn them away in increasing numbers.
Dennis Haggerty FCII M IDM Marketing Manager iprotectinsurance.co.uk is an Income Protection Insurance expert, specialising in helping people to protect their financial wellbeing at times of economic stress. Dennis particularly advocates low cost on-line; Lifestyle Protection Insurance, Income Protection Insurance and Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance. He offers consumers an inside track to finding a good deal and how to check the products they are considering are suitable for their needs.
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A Taxi Fleet Insurance Guide For Taxi Companies
Taxi companies normally hire highly skilled drivers to ferry passengers from one point to another. They operate for many hours every single day of the year to ensure that the public has access to taxi services when needed. Running a taxi business that has numerous cabs and many cab drivers 365 days each year requires a great deal of management and co-ordination. One of the most important aspects of managing a taxi company is finding the best taxi fleet insurance for your business. Ideally, the cover should be cheap but with a wide coverage.
Most insurance policies for taxi companies cover both large and small taxi companies. These policies also cover home operators and contract work. Apart from existing drivers, these policies will also cover new drivers.
Taxi fleet insurance does not have to be expensive. There are many ways of reducing premiums. For instance, you can get lower rates if you build up a descent track record. A clean record will qualify your company for No Claims Bonus savings over time, as you build history and a clean record. This may translate into savings of between 20 to 60 percent.
The experience of your drivers will also qualify you for some discounts. Experienced drivers are less likely to cause accidents, so insurers will lower premiums based on the experience of your drivers. However, drivers need to carry taxi badges issued by the local authority. This badge shows the number of years that a cab driver has been working in the city.
Restricted driving can also lower the amount of money you will pay for taxi fleet insurance policies for your company. Most companies will offer lower rates to business owners who reduce and restrict the amount of drivers per policy.
You can also lower costs by considering voluntary access. While this may lower your premiums significantly, you may have problems when you make a claim.
The following are some attributes of a good taxi fleet insurance policy:
Unlimited windscreen cover
From one year onwards a protected no-claims bonus
Complete accident management and free 50,000 pounds legal expenses cover
Free roadside assistance 24 hours a day
Free coverage for spouse when using the vehicle for social purposes only, however, the council will have to approve this
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, there are many others that can be added to your taxi fleet insurance by a reputable insurance provider or broker. These benefits will protect you and give you peace of mind as you continue with your work.
Most insurance policies for taxi companies cover both large and small taxi companies. These policies also cover home operators and contract work. Apart from existing drivers, these policies will also cover new drivers.
Taxi fleet insurance does not have to be expensive. There are many ways of reducing premiums. For instance, you can get lower rates if you build up a descent track record. A clean record will qualify your company for No Claims Bonus savings over time, as you build history and a clean record. This may translate into savings of between 20 to 60 percent.
The experience of your drivers will also qualify you for some discounts. Experienced drivers are less likely to cause accidents, so insurers will lower premiums based on the experience of your drivers. However, drivers need to carry taxi badges issued by the local authority. This badge shows the number of years that a cab driver has been working in the city.
Restricted driving can also lower the amount of money you will pay for taxi fleet insurance policies for your company. Most companies will offer lower rates to business owners who reduce and restrict the amount of drivers per policy.
You can also lower costs by considering voluntary access. While this may lower your premiums significantly, you may have problems when you make a claim.
The following are some attributes of a good taxi fleet insurance policy:
Unlimited windscreen cover
From one year onwards a protected no-claims bonus
Complete accident management and free 50,000 pounds legal expenses cover
Free roadside assistance 24 hours a day
Free coverage for spouse when using the vehicle for social purposes only, however, the council will have to approve this
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, there are many others that can be added to your taxi fleet insurance by a reputable insurance provider or broker. These benefits will protect you and give you peace of mind as you continue with your work.
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Travel Insurance to Secure Your Holiday
Are you packing your bags for a trip abroad? Make sure that you have a good Travel Insurance Policy in your kit before you leave. It is essential to ensure that nothing unpleasant happens to you on your trip. While a holiday abroad is a good experience for all it can be made unpleasant by any unforeseen happening and it is best to be insured against any such risk. Even a small happening like a stolen baggage or a major event like a civil emergency can land you in trouble. While a good Travel insurance plan covers you against all possible risks abroad it gives you a peace that there is a financial backing for you in case anything goes wrong.
Another major reason to have a travel insurance policy is that even if we have a health insurance policy, we will not get cover for our health if we are abroad. It is then that only a travel insurance policy can save you from a disaster.
One should always look at the coverage that a travel policy has to offer. Needless to say, wider the coverage, better the policy. Medical coverage should be the widest as it is one of the most important risks you would want to be covered while in an alien land. Medical expenses can be really high in a foreign country and disrupt your entire holiday budget. Hence always go for a policy that ensures you the widest coverage.
Some features one should look for while choosing a good policy:
• Medical insurance while you are abroad
• Personal Accident Insurance in case of death while abroad
• Repatriation of mortal remains in case the insured dies on the trip insured
• Coverage of hospitalization expenses in case of a medical emergency
• Coverage on Loss of baggage that has been checked in
• Coverage on loss of passport
• Payment of a distress allowance in case there is an excessive delay in flight, say more than 12 hours
• Payment of a hijack distress allowance in case the flight has been hijacked
• Online medical guidance in foreign country
• Arrangement of appointments with local doctors
• Arrangement of emergency hospitalization
• Direct settlement of bills in the hospital abroad
• Arrangements of conveyance in case of an emergency medical evacuation
Any policy that offers the above mentioned coverage can easily be taken to be good and reliable.
It should however be noted that most travel insurance policies exclude the following from the coverage:
• Pregnancy related costs
• Expenses arising due to self-injury or suicide attempts
• Treatments in psychiatric disorders
• Pre-existing diseases
• Expenses arising out of events happening due to influence of intoxicating drugs
It is best to avoid the above mentioned situations and rest assured of a complete coverage.
Another major reason to have a travel insurance policy is that even if we have a health insurance policy, we will not get cover for our health if we are abroad. It is then that only a travel insurance policy can save you from a disaster.
One should always look at the coverage that a travel policy has to offer. Needless to say, wider the coverage, better the policy. Medical coverage should be the widest as it is one of the most important risks you would want to be covered while in an alien land. Medical expenses can be really high in a foreign country and disrupt your entire holiday budget. Hence always go for a policy that ensures you the widest coverage.
Some features one should look for while choosing a good policy:
• Medical insurance while you are abroad
• Personal Accident Insurance in case of death while abroad
• Repatriation of mortal remains in case the insured dies on the trip insured
• Coverage of hospitalization expenses in case of a medical emergency
• Coverage on Loss of baggage that has been checked in
• Coverage on loss of passport
• Payment of a distress allowance in case there is an excessive delay in flight, say more than 12 hours
• Payment of a hijack distress allowance in case the flight has been hijacked
• Online medical guidance in foreign country
• Arrangement of appointments with local doctors
• Arrangement of emergency hospitalization
• Direct settlement of bills in the hospital abroad
• Arrangements of conveyance in case of an emergency medical evacuation
Any policy that offers the above mentioned coverage can easily be taken to be good and reliable.
It should however be noted that most travel insurance policies exclude the following from the coverage:
• Pregnancy related costs
• Expenses arising due to self-injury or suicide attempts
• Treatments in psychiatric disorders
• Pre-existing diseases
• Expenses arising out of events happening due to influence of intoxicating drugs
It is best to avoid the above mentioned situations and rest assured of a complete coverage.
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Buying Travel Insurance? Then Read This Article
Travel insurance is not normally top of the priority list when planning holidays but it should be. Tour companies know that, and that's why they normally insist travellers have insurance. Travel insurance typically covers cancellation and curtailment, personal liability, personal possessions, injury & illness and emergency assistance.
The most significant insured risk is the medical one. If you have a serious medical emergency whilst abroad, valid travel insurance could literally be the difference between life & death, and will cover the assistance costs - an air ambulance back to the UK from the East Coast of the USA could set you back £50,000 otherwise. Without travel insurance and faced with an emergency, your only option would be to contact the nearest UK consulate or embassy who will no doubt help as best they can, but will not pay for assistance.
Like most things in life you tend to get what you pay for with travel insurance, and the low cost options sometimes have limitations. Apart from the specifics of the cover, the variables that determine the price are the number of days and geography covered, the number of people on the policy and their age.
Some basics to consider when buying a policy....
Travel insurance is sold as an annual policy or single trip. If you are going abroad more than once a year then an annual policy may work out cheaper. If you insure a single trip, take the policy out as soon as you have committed to the cost so that you have cancellation cover immediately.
Typically three options are offered for geographic cover: Europe, Worldwide excluding USA & Canada, and Worldwide including USA & Canada, the latter, with widest coverage, being the most expensive. Remember though, the further away from home you are, the more expensive emergency costs are likely to be, so the more important it is to have travel insurance.
Individual, couples and family policies are normally offered as standard. Couples and family policies will normally be cheaper on a per head basis. Family policies typically cover two adults and their children, but they do not normally provide cover for minors travelling on their own.
The cost of travel insurance increases with age. Standard travel insurance policies would typically have an age cap of between 70 & 80, but it would be unusual for the older traveller not to be able to get insurance if they shop around. There are a number of insurers who offer travel insurance for the older travellers at a price that reflects the increased risk. That said, travel insurance for the older traveller with significant pre-existing medical conditions can get very expensive.
Always consider the policy exclusions. Cover for skiing is normally an extra. Standard annual policies typically provide a limited number of days cover in a year - if you need more, there are specialist policies that provide this. Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions are not normally covered, neither are alcohol or drug related medical costs.
And when you travel.....
Take a copy of your policy certificate with you and the travel insurer telephone numbers. The insurer may have three different numbers for customer services, claims and 24 hour assistance. If your travelling in Europe take your EHIC card.
In the event of a medical emergency, contact the 24 hour assistance number who will advise on a course of action. If you act unilaterally and without insurer authorisation, the assistance costs incurred may not be insured. In cases of theft, always report it to the local police and get a crime reference number or equivalent and call the insurer claims number as soon as possible. As a general rule, inform the insurer as soon as possible in the event of any potential claim to confirm cover and give the insurer the opportunity to mitigate the costs of the claim.
Direct2insure.co.uk offers great value holiday insurance without compromising levels of cover. Selling exclusively online we keep costs to a minimum and monitor the market to ensure we offer you a competitive rate.
Set up and run by experienced insurance professionals, you can get a quote and purchase a policy online in seconds. You can also save a quote and purchase a policy later.
The most significant insured risk is the medical one. If you have a serious medical emergency whilst abroad, valid travel insurance could literally be the difference between life & death, and will cover the assistance costs - an air ambulance back to the UK from the East Coast of the USA could set you back £50,000 otherwise. Without travel insurance and faced with an emergency, your only option would be to contact the nearest UK consulate or embassy who will no doubt help as best they can, but will not pay for assistance.
Like most things in life you tend to get what you pay for with travel insurance, and the low cost options sometimes have limitations. Apart from the specifics of the cover, the variables that determine the price are the number of days and geography covered, the number of people on the policy and their age.
Some basics to consider when buying a policy....
Travel insurance is sold as an annual policy or single trip. If you are going abroad more than once a year then an annual policy may work out cheaper. If you insure a single trip, take the policy out as soon as you have committed to the cost so that you have cancellation cover immediately.
Typically three options are offered for geographic cover: Europe, Worldwide excluding USA & Canada, and Worldwide including USA & Canada, the latter, with widest coverage, being the most expensive. Remember though, the further away from home you are, the more expensive emergency costs are likely to be, so the more important it is to have travel insurance.
Individual, couples and family policies are normally offered as standard. Couples and family policies will normally be cheaper on a per head basis. Family policies typically cover two adults and their children, but they do not normally provide cover for minors travelling on their own.
The cost of travel insurance increases with age. Standard travel insurance policies would typically have an age cap of between 70 & 80, but it would be unusual for the older traveller not to be able to get insurance if they shop around. There are a number of insurers who offer travel insurance for the older travellers at a price that reflects the increased risk. That said, travel insurance for the older traveller with significant pre-existing medical conditions can get very expensive.
Always consider the policy exclusions. Cover for skiing is normally an extra. Standard annual policies typically provide a limited number of days cover in a year - if you need more, there are specialist policies that provide this. Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions are not normally covered, neither are alcohol or drug related medical costs.
And when you travel.....
Take a copy of your policy certificate with you and the travel insurer telephone numbers. The insurer may have three different numbers for customer services, claims and 24 hour assistance. If your travelling in Europe take your EHIC card.
In the event of a medical emergency, contact the 24 hour assistance number who will advise on a course of action. If you act unilaterally and without insurer authorisation, the assistance costs incurred may not be insured. In cases of theft, always report it to the local police and get a crime reference number or equivalent and call the insurer claims number as soon as possible. As a general rule, inform the insurer as soon as possible in the event of any potential claim to confirm cover and give the insurer the opportunity to mitigate the costs of the claim.
Direct2insure.co.uk offers great value holiday insurance without compromising levels of cover. Selling exclusively online we keep costs to a minimum and monitor the market to ensure we offer you a competitive rate.
Set up and run by experienced insurance professionals, you can get a quote and purchase a policy online in seconds. You can also save a quote and purchase a policy later.
Flood Insurance: Do You Really Need It?
Do you need flood insurance? You have to decide that based on where you live, whether you are in danger from floods and how the cost of insurance compares to the cost of your property.
Consider that flood damage often lasts after the actual flood has subsided. This may look like compromised structural support, permanently damaged furniture and mold growth.
Consider that if your home were destroyed by an ocean storm surge, an insurance company could deem the cause of destruction to be "flooding," leaving you uninsured and homeless.
Consider that rising temperatures may cause the ocean level to rise and erratic weather patterns to emerge. According to many climatologists, this may lead to storms of greater intensity around the world for years to come.
Only you can decide whether to purchase flood insurance. If you live in a flood prone area, you might want to request a quote online or by phone. An insurance quote is free, so you lose nothing by asking. You may be pleasantly surprised by the deals you find.
What Flood Damage Will Normal Insurance Policies Cover?
Your insurance policy may cover storm damage and fail to specify what type of storm damage, so you might be able to repair the damage from both water and wind in a single insurance payment. However, this is generally not the case, as insurance professionals will want to pay you as little as possible. More commonly, you won't be able to fix wind-related damage because it happened at the same time and in the same place as flood damage.
If flooding causes your electrical power to short, you may be able to receive compensation for spoiled food and appliance damage. However, this only applies to hurricane-related electrical damage. If heavy rains or river overflow cause the electricity to go haywire, you will probably not be compensated.
Condo owners and apartment renters may be able to fix common areas if the landlord or condo co-op has a flood insurance policy on the building. However, unless each individual living unit has flood insurance, water damage will not be covered for your own living space.
Finally, if flooding renders your house uninhabitable, your standard policy may cover additional living expenses. These expenses include those beyond weathering displacement and finding temporary shelter. The amount of money provided for additional living expenses is typically 20% of your insurance policy.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
A flood is defined by the National Flood Insurance Program as a partial or complete inundation of normally dry land due to overflow of inland waters, rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source or mud flows. This type of insurance covers:
* Any structural damage due to flooding
* Damage to or resulting from electrical and plumbing systems after a flood
* Damage to appliances, heating and cooling equipment
* Wood paneling, cabinetry and furniture damage
* Carpet damage and repair
* Damage to personal items such as jewelry and electronics
* Unavoidable mildew or mold damage as a result of flooding
* Debris removal
* All damage to detached garages
What Doesn't Flood Insurance Cover?
Even a comprehensive insurance policy may not provide complete coverage for every financial loss due to flooding. These common requests are usually denied by insurance providers:
* Financial losses caused by loss of property use, e.g. a flooded home office
* Land property outside the insured building, e.g. trees, patios, septic systems, gardens, swimming pools, etc.
* Mold and mildew damage due to flood that could have been avoided by the property owner
Consider that flood damage often lasts after the actual flood has subsided. This may look like compromised structural support, permanently damaged furniture and mold growth.
Consider that if your home were destroyed by an ocean storm surge, an insurance company could deem the cause of destruction to be "flooding," leaving you uninsured and homeless.
Consider that rising temperatures may cause the ocean level to rise and erratic weather patterns to emerge. According to many climatologists, this may lead to storms of greater intensity around the world for years to come.
Only you can decide whether to purchase flood insurance. If you live in a flood prone area, you might want to request a quote online or by phone. An insurance quote is free, so you lose nothing by asking. You may be pleasantly surprised by the deals you find.
What Flood Damage Will Normal Insurance Policies Cover?
Your insurance policy may cover storm damage and fail to specify what type of storm damage, so you might be able to repair the damage from both water and wind in a single insurance payment. However, this is generally not the case, as insurance professionals will want to pay you as little as possible. More commonly, you won't be able to fix wind-related damage because it happened at the same time and in the same place as flood damage.
If flooding causes your electrical power to short, you may be able to receive compensation for spoiled food and appliance damage. However, this only applies to hurricane-related electrical damage. If heavy rains or river overflow cause the electricity to go haywire, you will probably not be compensated.
Condo owners and apartment renters may be able to fix common areas if the landlord or condo co-op has a flood insurance policy on the building. However, unless each individual living unit has flood insurance, water damage will not be covered for your own living space.
Finally, if flooding renders your house uninhabitable, your standard policy may cover additional living expenses. These expenses include those beyond weathering displacement and finding temporary shelter. The amount of money provided for additional living expenses is typically 20% of your insurance policy.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
A flood is defined by the National Flood Insurance Program as a partial or complete inundation of normally dry land due to overflow of inland waters, rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source or mud flows. This type of insurance covers:
* Any structural damage due to flooding
* Damage to or resulting from electrical and plumbing systems after a flood
* Damage to appliances, heating and cooling equipment
* Wood paneling, cabinetry and furniture damage
* Carpet damage and repair
* Damage to personal items such as jewelry and electronics
* Unavoidable mildew or mold damage as a result of flooding
* Debris removal
* All damage to detached garages
What Doesn't Flood Insurance Cover?
Even a comprehensive insurance policy may not provide complete coverage for every financial loss due to flooding. These common requests are usually denied by insurance providers:
* Financial losses caused by loss of property use, e.g. a flooded home office
* Land property outside the insured building, e.g. trees, patios, septic systems, gardens, swimming pools, etc.
* Mold and mildew damage due to flood that could have been avoided by the property owner
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