Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | December 24, 2010

A Christmas Carol and Financial Crises

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was published in 1843. It is the book that is given credit for renewing interest in celebrating Christmas in England during the 19th century.

The theme of the novella focuses on the problems facing the new industrial era. Growing population. Discrepancies in incomes and education between haves and have-not. Set on Christmas Eve, Scrooge turns away family, friends, and the community until his turn around.

What is interesting in the book is there is a passing topical reference to the United States and its financial condition at the time:

“‘three days after sight of this First of Exchange pay to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge or his order,’ and so forth, would have become a mere United States’ security if there were no days to count by.”

The passage is discussing the fact that Scrooge cannot tell what time of day it is and is concerned an entire day has passed. Scrooge’s notes and investments seem to be time-valued and without an ability to tell time would have no value – equal to a “mere United States’ security.”

The passage was written while the United States was still recovering from the financial panic of 1837. The panic started in New York and by April, over one hundred firms including eight stock brokers, several commission houses and insurers, twenty-eight real estate speculators, had failed.

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Carol, Christmas Carol
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Posted by Victoria Milson | December 23, 2010

First Time International Travelers Trust International Medical Insurance

Getting ready to travel abroad for the first time can be overwhelming. Getting your documentation in order, learning about your travel destination, reading up on travel advisories, and arranging for accommodations is more than enough to keep you busy. But during your preparations, make sure you do not forget to purchase international medical insurance.

Whether you are traveling abroad on a personal vacation or for business purposes, there are a variety of health risks you may encounter. Being fatigued from your flight and then being exposed to a new environment can often lead to illness, as can factors like poor water conditions, altitude changes, and new cuisine. And injuries can happen when you least expect them to, including car accidents and falls.

The insurance policy that protects you in your home country will likely be of no help in these situations. Why is that? Because most group health insurance policies apply only to the countries in which they are issued. So while your health insurance policy may offer you excellent affordable care at home, you will need a supplemental policy while traveling abroad.

An international medical insurance policy will provide the coverage you need at an affordable rate. Most policies are accepted around the world, and a variety of coverage is included, such as doctor’s visits, hospitalization, emergency room care, and prescriptions to name a few. Read more…

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First Time, Time
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Posted by Mikayla Stevenson | December 23, 2010

Liability Only Coverage

I need to know How can I collect damages from a fire that occurred …
The ONLY chance you have is getting coverage under their LIABILITY policies – and you’re not likely to collect there, either. You’re not going to get any response, until you file a lawsuit – they will likely defend, and most likely win. …  read more…

Are All Car Insurance Companies Equal? Here Is What To Look For …
It is only after all the terms and conditions are clear to you that you should sign on the dotted line and pay the premium. Normally all car insurance companies have the same insurance policies. The premium to be paid and the percentage … A car insurance policy may provide property, liability and coverage depending on the type of policy. The property coverage covers losses for damage of the car or the theft of the car. Liability coverage pays for any legal liabilities …  read more…

If the auto repair shop burns down with your car in it, how will …
Legal liability, or Direct liability – that means, if they have LEGAL liability coverage, it’s only covering for damage that they can legally be held liable for. In case of a fire, an employee must have negligently CAUSED that fire. …

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Coverage
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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | December 20, 2010

Fire and Keeping it Delightful

The holiday season in much of the United States brings up images of a Currier and Ives scene: the winter snowy landscape, sleighs, and the fireplace. “But the fire is so delightful,” as the song goes.

Households and businesses often make use of alternative or supplemental heating sources in the winter. Sometimes this is out of necessity and sometimes nostalgia. But these alternative heat sources are a predominant factor in fire loss and keeping safety in mind while using these heat sources is important as the Insurance Information Institute reminds us.

“Space heaters, wood stoves and other supplemental heating sources are the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, trailing only cooking equipment.” The Institute states that portable heating devices accounted for “two of every three home heating related fires and two of every three related deaths.” Such units are used in small businesses, shops, and other businesses as well as homes. Fireplaces are equally as dangerous, “fireplaces and chimneys were involved in 43 percent of these fires (2008 statistics) and 11 percent of the deaths.”

Many steps can be taken to reduce the risk:

  • Children should NEVER have access to a supplemental heat source. For your business, this means signage and instruction to employees that a zero-tolerance policy is in force: No kids by the fire. No kids by the stove.
  • Maintenance and cleaning.

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Fire, Fire Keeping
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Posted by Victoria Milson | December 18, 2010

Trust Missionary Insurance During Your Charitable Journeys

The call of service seems to be leading more people to help not only in their community, but in international areas as well. Greater global awareness has inspired missionary trips all around the world, and while it is admirable to focus your attention on those in need, be careful when planning a trip to keep your own best interests in mind by purchasing missionary insurance.

Missionary trips are now being organized by church groups and by student organizations at colleges and high schools, and are also being taken alone by people who simply want to share their own good fortune with the world. They may include disaster recovery assistance, building new schools, churches, and infrastructure, or going to a new country to teach children.

While these are fulfilling activities, they can also be quite dangerous. Missions often take place in developing countries which may have unsafe water, environmental hazards, dangerous weather, or physical threats from local groups.

Missionary insurance was designed with those facts in mind. It assures policyholders that if something does happen, they will have access to high quality healthcare at affordable prices. Coverage is typically quite inexpensive and this type of care is generally not offered by standard insurance policies such as those offered by your employer, so it is always a good idea to purchase a plan before departing on a mission.

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Missionary, Missionary Insurance
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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | December 14, 2010

Useful Information On Buying Auto Insurance

Many American states now require licensed drivers to possess auto insurance as part of being legally able to drive a vehicle. Even at that, some individuals may be confused as to what kind of coverage to buy and how their personal information influences the amount of their policies and their premium rates. Armed with this knowledge, people can make an informed decision prior to investing in an insurance policy.

When scrutinizing various types of coverage, a driver may take into consideration his or her vehicle. He or she might evaluate how much the car is driven, whether it is for recreation or for everyday driving such as to work or to school.

People who drive their vehicles to work or school everyday might decide to buy a full coverage policy. In the event of an accident, the policy owner will be assured that he or she, as well as the other driver if the circumstances deem it necessary, will be covered in expenses related to towing, car repair, and even car rental.

If the individual only rarely drives a car, the auto is of an older model, or that vehicle is used for recreation purposes, he or she might consider only buying a liability policy. Liability coverage generally has a lower monthly premium rate than that of a full coverage policy.

If the individual is at fault for an accident and has liability insurance, he or she will not be held responsible for the other driver’s expenses related to the accident. E

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Auto Insurance, insurance
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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | December 14, 2010

Federal Judge Finds Part of Health Care Reform Unconstitutional

Three federal judges have upheld health care reform.

But, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, has found it unconstitutional.

What will be the immediate effect on health insurance reform? Nothing.

Virginia, through its Attorney General, challenged Section 1501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This section requires individuals to obtain a minimum level of health insurance or face a penalty. Now, I would just like to point out that nearly every state in the nation requires employers to do that with workers’ compensation and drivers to do the same with automobile liability insurance – but, I digress. In any case, Virginia took particular offense to having its citizens required to obtain a minimum level of health insurance.

Although, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles states Virginia’s law requires, “you must certify that the vehicle is covered by the minimum insurance requirements or pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee.” Which to me seems to be the same sort of government requirement. And Virginia 65.2-801 requires employers to purchase workers compensation insurance. These seem to be pretty compelling mandates requiring the purchase of insurance. But, apparently the Virginia Attorney General sees it differently.

In Commonwealth of Virginia v. Sebelius, 10-CV-00188, U.S.

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Tags:
Care Reform, Health Care, Health Care Reform, Reform
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Posted by Victoria Milson | December 12, 2010

Inclimate Weather Around the World Makes International Insurance a Smart Buy

This time of year, you can always count on 2 things: decreasing temperatures and increased travel. People around the world travel from city-to-city and country-to-country to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, and with the inclimate winter, that means increased risk for injury. That is why it is always a good idea to travel with international medical insurance.

The potential for injury is always present during any sort of travel. But the risk seems intensified this time of year, with the volume of travelers and the often difficult travel conditions. Auto accidents seem more common when snow, ice, sleet, and freezing snow present challenges for drivers, especially those driving in unfamiliar areas. And falls are quite common thanks to slick sidewalks and streets as well.

If you have not taken the time to think about what you would do should an injury occur, you may not only find yourself injured but also hurting financially. If your injury occurs in another country, then the health insurance plan you use in your home country will likely not be accepted. So the surgery for your broken leg or even the fee for the few hours you spent in the hospital having your sprained ankle examined will need to be paid in full by you.

If you are used to just paying coinsurance payments, you may not be aware of how much healthcare costs without having insurance to soften the blow. Depending on the services rendered, you could be facing a bill ranging anywhere from hundreds of dollars to several thousand. International medical insurance is accepted across many countries, and it absorbs the bulk of your medical expenses, leaving you to pay only a small fraction. It is therefore a smart buy anytime of year, but especially during the holiday travel season when injuries may be more likely.

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World, World Makes
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