One big problem healthcare in my family (married couple, 2 children) is that even when our insurance does pay, it only pays 80 percent, and we are stuck with a huge bill or bills especially after a hospital visit or stay from multiple facilities. I have so many health problems even though I am only 29 that we cannot pay every medical bill that we owe, it is impossible. We pay what we can, but still end up having some go on our credit. Now people with Medicaid, which I do think is wonderful for those who need it, end up not having any left over bills and us people who make 45,000 to 50,000 a year end up with huge bills we cannot ever pay due to our other obligations like house payment and car payments and things for our children, which are much more important than a left 500-600 dollar hospital bill plus multiple others, especially when we basically live paycheck to paycheck anyway. What can be done about this? (more…)
Archive for December, 2007
Why is it health insurance can’t pay 100 percent when 80 percent usually leaves most with a huge bill?
Sunday, December 30th, 2007Do you get your money back if you switch car insurance companies one month into a term?
Sunday, December 30th, 2007I am buying a new car and found cheaper rates than Geico with Allstate. Problem is, I am one month into a six month term for my old car. I have already paid for the six month term. Will Geico have to refund my money if I were to switch?
Contact Geico Customer service at 1-800-841-3000 24/7 and ask to quote your new vehicle, new vehicles are sometimes less expensive due to better safety equipment and other underwriting criteria.You also want to compare the policy coverages and benefits, what seems to be less expensive now can cost you in the longrun. if after that you still want to cancel Geico will refund any unused portion of your premium paid when you provide them with proof of insurance at Allstate, you have to purchase the Allstate policy first then Geico will reimburse you.
They will have to refund you the remainder of your money after deducting for the one month you used.Yes, cancel that policy and they will send you a check for the balance of your unused insurance….about 5 months worth. It would be worth a call to the agent to make sure that there are no penalties….but I know that I have canceled insurance before and received money back.
Yes, any unused insurance is refunded… not only will you receive a partial month, any DAY you haven’t used you will get back… it’s prorated based on days.
Most personal policies ( Auto and Home) do not charge a penalty for canceling early. They will only charge a pro-rata ( the actual time the coverage was in force) with no penalty.
DO YOU HAVE PIP? YOU’D BETTER
Sunday, December 30th, 2007Florida drivers trying to follow the changes in PIP – shorthand for personal injury protection in the event of a crash – might have experienced whiplash keeping track of the law’s demise and revival.
The state stopped mandating $10,000 in PIP coverage on Oct. 1. Days later, lawmakers approved legislation that makes PIP mandatory again, but not until Jan. 1.
Now that three-month suspension of the PIP requirement is about to end. Some drivers never lost PIP coverage and will see no change, but others will pay more for their insurance to get PIP back in their policies. (more…)
Free Home Insurance Quote
Wednesday, December 5th, 2007There are many companies online that offer free homes insurance quotes and I have listed some of the top ones below -
- Whenever you submit any kind of information online, make sure the url start with “https”. This option makes sure that the information is only being exchanged between your computer and Insurance Quote provider.
- Also, look for “business reliability” seal like BBB on the site and check to verify the status of the company.
The companies that we have listed here for “free home Insurance quote” are member of BBB and provide a secured means of communication.
Flood Insurance Tips
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007It’s not a pretty sight: A house filled with water, the carpet ruined, and possessions damaged.
You want to go in, but you know it might not be safe. That was the situation Monday at a home in Ballard.
“We can’t even salvage anything because if we go downstairs, we’ll get electrocuted,” said Shauna Eckhart. “And the lights are still on, so they didn’t pop a breaker. So we know there’s still electricity going there.”
It can be extremely dangerous to enter a flooded building, whether it’s a home, office or apartment. Especially if the utilities are still on.
“I would personally stay out of my basement if there’s flooding in it, until I had time to bring somebody in that knows what they’re doing, either an electrician or somebody else or til the water recedes,” said Chuck Clarke, with Seattle Public Utilities. “I just think being conservative at this point related to electric issues or gas issues or others is a prudent way to go.”
Here’s how to play it safe it your home is flooded:
- When re-entering the building, use flashlights instead of lanterns or candles, in case there’s a gas leak.
- If you know where your circuit breaker is, turn it off for the areas exposed to the flooding. If the electrical panel is threatened by flood waters, contact your power company.
- Call the gas company to turn the gas back on. Don’t try to do it yourself.
- Have a professional check your heating system and electrical system before using it.
A lot of people will need to deal with water-logged vehicles. If the water has reached the engine compartment, don’t start the vehicle. Instead, have it towed to a mechanic.
“Flood water is not only wet, it can be corrosive,” said AAA spokeswoman Janet Ray. “There is the moisture, the water certainly, but then dirt and gravel and other elements that are abrasive materials that could force their way into every seam and crevice in your automobile.
“So you want to make sure that you have a technician who will go through all of the systems.”
For many people, this flooding is going to financially devastating. Home owners insurance policies exclude flood damage so, unless you had flood insurance, you’re out of luck.
For car owners, insurance should cover the water damage if you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle.
How to drive when the roads are flooding:
“Drive slowly but steadily. Hold on to your steering wheel with both hands so incase you get into an area where water is flowing a little more quickly you can guide your vehicle,” Ray said. ”
Don’t step on the brake when you’re in the middle of the flood waters, just keep driving steadily. Once you’re through then test your brakes, because your brake lining could have gotten wet and you want to make sure you allow that lining dry out. So just lightly put a little pressure on the brake pedal and give it a little chance to dry out an then test it so you’ll know it works when you want it to.
IF YOUR HOUSE IS FLOODED
TO PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS
For More Information:
Washington State Department of Health: Weathering Storms