Critical illness insurance may sometimes surprise us with some cases, in this case, antiselection. For example, people already suffering from a critical illness may have applied for a critical illness policy without making their insurers aware of the disease. But precautions can be taken against such cases. In fact the policy documents may contain a section named as the waiting period. The waiting period may vary according to the critical illness conditions and can be between two to six months. Critical illness insurance may cover the person only after the waiting period had passed.
Moreover, if the critical illness insurance provides an additional benefit, there may be a survival period alongside the waiting period. Should a critical illness take place, the patient may have to wait for the end of the survival period before a payment is made. The survival period may only last two weeks. One month can be the maximum waiting time.
Furthermore, the highest age of entry at which a person can buy critical illness cover may be 55, the age of maturity being 65. This may vary from one market to another and can also depend upon the decision of a company. Companies may tend to insure less people having reached the age of maturity. The statistics about their critical illness claims may not be as reliable and also claim rates may not remain fixed from year to year.
Knowing the rate at which a critical illness occurs may be a difficult task. Some countries may not have reliable and accurate statistical data sources which can be used to determine the severity of a critical illness, for example among men. Figures may help to study which critical illness conditions affect men mostly, for example heart attack. Other results may also demonstrate people of different age groups that suffer a specific critical illness. Therefore, assuming the rate of antiselection may also be inaccurate. So, the risks to have antiselection amongst all the critical illness policies may still prevail. Additionally, some problems may have to be solved regarding critical illness cover. Rapid improvement in the medical and diagnostic science may also influence the rate at which a critical illness occurs.
A critical illness such as cancer for example may be detected much earlier especially with improved cancer research tactics. This may therefore lead to a higher incidence rate of cancer. Another example could be the cover of coronary artery surgery. Effective medical techniques and instruments have made it possible for the critical illness to be diagnosed more often than before. As a matter of fact, figures that are being registered about the rates of incidence may become outdated. Hence critical illness may have a big risk of change and may continue to do so down the years. Looking at the rating risks, companies tend to restrict premium guarantees to five years. Single premium might also be offered for only a short lapse of time.
For a company to provide critical illness cover, it may put forward factors such as policy conditions, pricing, age limits, etc. Nowadays, many insurance companies may be bringing new design to their products to compete effectively in the insurance market. Low premiums and high benefits is what sometimes you may come across but everything and every condition may tend to vary from one company to another in the insurance market.
6 Things to Do When Preparing for a Home Appraisal
Getting ready to sell your home is emotionally and financially stressful. There’s just no other way to say it— selling and moving aren’t pleasant! If you’re getting ready to have your home appraised, here are some things to know beforehand.
What is Your Home Really Worth?
The point of a home appraisal is for buyers to get a real estate agent’s professional opinion on the true value of the property. These opinions are unbiased and take into consideration the housing market, buying trends, location, home condition, and more. Try not to take the appraisal personally, as many of these things are out of one’s control.
Tips to Get Ready for a Home Appraisal
Fortunately, there are a few things you can control before the appraisal. If you’re stressing over your home being undervalued, this is normal for sellers. To set clear expectations for you and potential buyers, what should you do before getting it appraised?
1. Gather Home Documents
Get all the important property-related documents ready. This includes insurance, warranties, lists of repairs or new appliances, house systems you’ve replaced in the home, and tax documents. Make sure to let your real estate agent know all the major upgrades you’ve made on the property, as that can increase the value.
2. Schedule the Appraisal Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to get your property appraised. You want to allow plenty of time to clear up any necessary repairs, financial details, or suggestions from your agent. Additionally, appraisers can be booked out, so make sure to schedule your session in advance.
3. Clean Up & Improve Your Curb Appeal
Buyers typically don’t want to buy a broken down home. Tidy up as best you can, and audit your home’s curb appeal: What exterior features stand out the most? How can you add to the overall attraction of the home and make it more welcoming, if possible?
4. Make Necessary Repairs
It might be essential to make repairs on the inside or outside of your home. If there are any leaks, broken wiring, outdated appliances, or faults in the foundation (like the roof or flooring), the price is likely going to be significantly lower.
5. Consider a Warranty
Buyers tend to feel more comfortable buying a home that comes with some kind of home warranty in place. If you already have a home warranty, it can add value to your property both with the agent and future buyers. Make sure to search for the to get a reliable home warranty coverage in place.
A warranty gives buyers peace of mind because in the case that something goes wrong with the house after buying, they’ll be covered. They won’t have to invest a lot of money into sudden repairs.
6. Have Realistic Expectations
What is your neighborhood like? The location of your home affects its overall value. For example, if you live in an up-and-coming suburban area with plenty of new schools and restaurants, higher-income buyers are likely looking to move in. If your home is next to an airport or busy highway surrounded by run-down shops, the appraisal may be a bit lower than you expected.
Thinking of Selling in the Future? Improve the Value of Your Home Now
If you’re wanting to sell someday but not any time soon, you can take preventative action to ensure your home’s value remains high. Take care of your house systems and appliances with a complete home warranty. This way, if you need any repairs or major replacements, you’ll be covered and won’t need to pay out of pocket every time.
Contact Elite Home Warranty today to get the right home warranty for your home, whether selling, buying, or appraising.
Should You Get a Home Warranty for Your First Home?
Homeownership is no walk in the park, especially when you’re a first-time homebuyer. On top of a mortgage, maintenance bills, HSA, and homeowners insurance, do you really need to pay extra money for a home warranty?
If you’re wondering whether or not you should get a warranty on your new home, we’re here to help you decide for yourself.
What is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is when a homeowner pays a warranty company an annual or monthly fee to receive discounts or coverage on repairs if anything goes wrong. This is not the same as home insurance, where disasters like fires or crime are covered. Instead, a home warranty helps cover the cost of appliances, home systems, and expensive electronics.
Home warranties cover items like:
Washer and dryer
Refrigerator
Home entertainment center
Electrical system
Plumbing system
Water heater
HVAC system
Often, warranty companies provide full-house or partial-home coverage, which can get expensive if a new homeowner isn’t in a place financially to pay seemingly unnecessary costs.
Who Needs a Warranty on Their Home?
Anyone who wants an added layer of long-term financial protection can use a home warranty. Think of it this way: if your new home— which you invested a major down payment into— suddenly experiences electrical damages, it could end up costing you thousands of dollars out of pocket.
With a home warranty, you pay a smaller fee to ensure the warranty company helps you cover the repairs. Also, when you need to find a reputable electrical company to come fix your house, warranty companies usually have a list of trusted providers in your area.
Unless you feel comfortable eating the cost of potential repairs or appliance replacements in a house you buy, a home warranty is a smart option.
What Type of Home Warranty is Best?
Different home warranty companies offer different types of coverage. Some only offer complete home warranties to homeowners. Others offer warranties to homebuyers who are concerned about potential equipment or system issues upon purchasing the home.
You should find a home warranty that meets your needs and covers the items you most want to protect.
What to Know Before Buying a Home Warranty
Here are a few tips if you’re trying to find a home warranty that’s right for you:
Always ask what the warranty covers, and how the company goes about repairing or replacing items.
Read the terms and conditions carefully, as some companies include hidden fees that surprised homeowners later on.
If your home is equipped with all new appliances, you might be able to find a warranty that only covers home systems.
Learn about any limitations or pay-out agreements in your plan.
Warranty costs may vary depending on the location, size, and age of the home.
If you’re overwhelmed with expensive warranty plans or confusing contract agreements, don’t worry. There are warranty companies that cater to new home buyers like you.
Are Home Warranties Worth It?
Getting the coverage your home needs is always worth it if you can’t afford to pay for large repairs. Accidents happen, home items get old, and home maintenance is necessary for any homeowner.
Getting a warranty that suits your needs is your best option. For this reason, Elite Home Warranty offers appliance, system, and even custom warranties to give you the coverage that gives you peace of mind. To get a free quote for your home today, reach out to the Elite team.
Niche insurance specialist E&L? have recently made changes to their golf insurance scheme to ensure they offer the lowest premiums possible for golfers aged 5 years old and upwards.
After speaking to golfers at the recent NEC Golf show which the company attended they have reviewed their premiums to ensure they are offering the lowest possible rates in the market. This is backed up by a lowest price guarantee.
Francis Martin, General Manager of E&L? Insurance, said: ?With the warmer months approaching their will be an increasing number of golfers hitting the fairways. With a High Court ruling resulting in golfers being potentially liable for shots that cause injury it is imperative that golfers have some cover in place in case of accident. With cover from just 6p a day or plan allows the golfer to enjoy his round of golf without worrying about the consequences.?
If you would like additional information on the scheme, or wish to take out a policy, please call E&L? on 08449 809 520 or visit
If you have a pet you may want to consider carrying a pet insurance policy for them. This type of insurance is gaining in popularity as it can help defer some of the expenses that you can occur when owing a pet. Pet insurance works very similarly to a human's insurance policy and here is what you can expect from an insurance policy for your pet.
First thing you should consider is when you should enroll your pet. The younger your pet is when you buy its policy the better your premium is going to be. This is because you should have several years when your pet will only need regular check ups and routine shots. As your pet ages the premiums will raise according to the health of the animal.
When you choose a pet policy here is what you should expect. The insurance company will contact your veterinarian and get a copy of your pet's medical history. They are looking for any pre-existing condition and to see if you keep up with your pet's regular exams and shots. Once they have that information they will give you a quote and you can either except it or try another insurance company.
Almost every insurance company has an age limit on how old your animal can be for your enrollment age. The average age for dogs is eight years old, or five years old depending on the breed. Most larger breed dogs such as great Danes or German shepherds fall into the five year old category. Cats, on average, are accepted up until 10 years of age.
Once you pet is accepted you will be given notice of any exclusions on the policy. These exclusions are given for symptoms that are currently being treated. This means that nothing for that condition will be covered now or in the future. An example of this may be if your cat is showing signs of arthritis it may be excluded on your policy. Each year your insurance company will obtain your animal's health records and adjust your premiums according to the health of your pet. So as you pet ages you should expect your policy rates to rise.
There are several types of coverage that you should expect the insurance policy to cover. The first of which is your veterinarian visits, a good policy will cover both routine visits and emergency visits. There are policies that cover reasonable boarding fees if you are ever hospitalized and need your pet to be placed in boarding. Many policies also offer a lost pet coverage which means they will pay for a reward and advertising if your pet is lost or stolen.
Some policies will also give you the option of having vacation plan coverage. This coverage will pay for vacation plans that have to be cancelled due to pet illness. Read your policy carefully so you understand the requirements for coverage. Many pet insurance policies will also give you a discounted rate if you have more than one pet on the plan.
Did you know you can save up to 15% on your auto and renters insurance by buying both policies from the same insurance company? This is called the auto/home discount. Keep reading to learn more ways you can reduce your insurance bill.
Get Other Discounts
The auto/home discount is not the only discount that can save you money. Insurance companies offer other discounts that you can take advantage of for both your auto and renters policies:
Auto discounts include: * Good Student Discount for getting good grades
Safe Driver Discount for maintaining a safe driving record
Discounts for safety features such as automatic seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes
Discounts if you've taken a defensive-driving course
Discounts for anti-theft devices such as an car alarms
Rental discounts Include:
Non-smoker discount if no one in your home smokes
Senior's discount if you're a senior citizen
Discount for safety features such as smoke detectors, deadbolts, and window locks
Discounts for fire-resistive materials in the construction of your rental home
Raise Your Deductible
Both auto and rental insurance comes with a deductible. This is the amount you are responsible for paying on any claim before the insurance company starts to pay. You should set your deductible as high as you can afford, because the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
Shop Around
The best way to save on your auto and rental insurance is to shop around for the best price. Don?t just get one quote and assume that quotes from other insurance companies will be the same. In fact, quotes can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to another.
The Internet lets you easily get quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies. All you do is go to an insurance comparison website and complete a simple questionnaire. You'll then receive quotes ready for you to review and compare.
The best insurance comparison websites even let you talk with insurance experts, so you can ask questions about your auto and rental insurance and get advice on how to get the lowest rate (see link below).
Life insurance should be considered essential if you have a family and commitments, especially if you are the main provider. If you are the main provider and you should die then your family would not only have to cope with their grief, but also have to struggle to meet financial commitments with the loss of income. While life insurance is an added outgoing it can be worthwhile and if you go to a broker they will be able to find you the cheapest life insurance policy suitable for your needs.
Typically, he cheapest life insurance is what is called term life insurance. Term life insurance is taken out solely to pay out a lump sum of money should you die. This can be invaluable to your family and gives you the peace of mind that at least they wont be left struggling to make ends meet financially. It doesn?t however pay out cash unless you die, but it is the cheapest and easiest to understand of all insurance policies. An online broker will be able to get you the cheapest and most comprehensive cover for a policy of this type.
Of course when taking out any form of life insurance you will need to know how much insurance you need, generally the amount that you should cover yourself for is around 6 times that of your annual income, or it should be enough to pay off your mortgage, plus a bit more. You should also take into account inflation and the needs of any children and they are growing. For example, if they wish to go to college or university then extra could be put aside to allow for this. Once your broker knows the figure to work from then he can look around on your behalf and find the cheapest life insurance that is most suited to your particular needs.
While going with a broker for your policy will ensure you always get the best deal you should also be aware of what the policy covers you for and what the exclusions are within it, again a broker can give advice on this.
With the rise of rapid globalisation, we are seeing an increasing number of people being posted in developing countries to help the business expand and succeed. This is an excellent step for companies to take, but the health and wellbeing of your expat staff need to be accounted for.
Part of group medical health insurance is the expat medical evacuation plan. When living abroad, staff are at risk of catching viruses and illnesses that may require urgent medical attention - even evacuation from the country. That’s where the evacuation plan comes in.
Why is an Expat Medical Evacuation Plan Needed?
Many include a medical evacuation plan so that if your staff have a life-threatening or limb-threatening condition, they will be seen to urgently. This plan is especially useful in remote areas and developing countries where medical access is limited.
When your staff move to another country, it is to ensure that your business grows and operates the way you want it to. Being able to provide them with a medical evacuation plan ensures they have peace of mind and the knowledge that they will receive the best medical care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted how important these plans are. They may not be needed for many years, but when something like this hits it impacts everything. Being able to give your staff access to immediate treatment during a pandemic is invaluable.
What Does an Expat Medical Evacuation Plan Include?
Typically, an expat medical evacuation plan will include:
Organising the logistics of evacuation, alongside the medical teams on the ground
Communicating with our global network of medical teams
Dealing with any passport and visa issues
Making sure all bills are paid quickly
Translating any medical forms or claim forms into your chosen language
24/7 service to keep you updated and offer assistance
This tends to be what comes with every standard evacuation plan. However, there are extras that you can get that include:
Repatriation to your home country
The cost of having a loved one with you for support
Evacuation for cancer treatment and advanced diagnostic tests
Repatriation is an additional benefit that should be seriously considered. This is where your staff member is transported to their home country for treatment, or it can allow them to be transported over the border to another hospital. It’s something many employees would prefer.
The expat medical evacuation plan will also cover the costs of ambulance fees, including air ambulances, which can be as much as $220,000 without insurance. Additionally, the cost of treatment and care is also included so that your staff don’t need to worry about the bill.
Usually, there is an option to choose between domestic and international evacuation - the former of which is always included and the latter which can count as repatriation (an extra). Domestic evacuation is where you are transported to a hospital within the same country by road, sea, or air. This can include an air ambulance or a private plane, depending on location.
To Conclude
Your staff are the core of your company, and if they don’t feel safe and cared for they are likely to go somewhere that gives them the security they need. An expat medical evacuation plan means that they will always get the treatment they require, and considering the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans are more important than ever.
Once your children are grown, you may not see the need to carry life insurance any more. However, you might want to continue carrying life insurance for your adult children in order to provide them with the financial security they would otherwise not be able to afford.
While life insurance should be part of everyone?s life, young adults may not be able to find room their budget for it. You can help them out by paying the insurance premium on an affordable policy until they are able to pay for it themselves.
Protecting Your Adult Children
The process for buying life insurance for your adult children is much the same as buying life insurance for yourself. As the policyholder, you choose the amount of insurance you want to buy, you pay the premiums, and you decide who the beneficiaries will be. However, your adult children need to give their consent for you to take out the policy.
How much insurance do your adult children need? This will depend on how many dependents they have and whether or not they are in debt. Many experts suggest an amount that is eight times their annual income, which should provide for living expenses for 20 years.
Finding an Affordable Policy
The Internet is an excellent source for finding an affordable life insurance policy that will protect your adult children and their families. By going to an insurance comparison website on the Internet, you will be able to quickly and easily obtain insurance quotes from several A-rated insurance companies.
Of course, you will need to complete a form with information about the insured, such as their medical history, jobs, and habits. You will probably want to work with your adult child to complete the form so it will be accurate.
On the best insurance comparison websites, you can also get answers to your life insurance questions by talking with insurance professionals by phone, or through their online chat service (see link below).
Many years ago, there was an early version of James Bond called Bulldog Drummond. Like Bond, he was a Brit and he had true grit when fighting an international criminal and his moll. The movies were less successful but the books are truly memorable. One of the best is ?The Female of the Species?, the title being the unfinished version of ?. . .is more deadly than the male? ? a line from a poem by another Brit called Rudyard Kipling. When Drummond finally kills his arch enemy, the battle is resumed by his moll and she proves a deadly opponent. Indeed, throughout literature, the women who step on to the dark side always prove to be more complete villains than their male equivalents. It?s as if our horror of women doing bad stuff makes anyone good at it seem doubly frightening. Curiously, women drivers have always inspired a mixture of fear and derision. Men seem convinced women drivers are either uselessly timid or homicidal maniacs with little left between. Yet insurance companies who get to see all the traffic accident statistics across the US have a rather different opinion. The reality is women drivers are safer than men. They are involved in fewer accidents and, when an accident does occur, there are fewer people seriously injured and the vehicles are not as badly damaged. When it comes to setting premiums, you reward the people who drive more slowly and follow the rules of the road, and penalize the drivers who drive at reckless speeds and crash into anything that gets in the way.
There are several theories about differences between the sexes. Some say men have better spacial awareness. This allows them better control over moving objects at speed. Some say women do what they are told and so apply the speed limit and the laws on safety. Whatever the reason, three times more men than women are killed on the roads every year. Men aged under 25 are the most likely to die. They are the ones most likely to buy high-powered vehicles and want to show off. They are also likely to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs late at night when it is most dangerous. It?s a sad picture but insurance companies deal with the world as they find it. Premiums are high where the risk of claims is high. That means young male drivers pay the highest premiums of anyone on the road. Their only strategy is to prove they are the exception to the rule. They should buy low-powered family saloons and drive as little as possible. There must be no tickets for speeding or any other moving violation. There must be no claims. The men who prove they are as safe as the women earn the same lower premiums. As for the women, they will always get cheap car insurance premiums. The biggest savings comes from the insurance companies offering special women-only policies. It is worth shopping around to find the really cheap car insurance policies in the age range of 30 to 45. Assuming low mileage at conventional times of the day, the lowest rates will be offered to this group. Then as age increases, the premiums will edge slowly up again, reaching a maximum after the age of 75.
Private medical insurance is a very useful policy to take out, yet the range of policies available means that you should ensure the terms and conditions meet your specific requirements
The origin of private medical insurance goes back a long way ? before the NHS was formed. In pre-NHS days, people contributed to ?friendly societies?, which provided financial assistance to people in times of need. Some private medical insurance providers, such as BUPA, remain non-profit-distributing bodies, though there are also many commercial insurance companies providing private medical insurance these days. One of the best-known names in private medical insurance cover is AXA PPP healthcare ( ) ? which was actually conceived in 1938 to provide a health insurance scheme for middle income earners in London.
The principal aim of private medical insurance is designed to cover treatment of ?acute illness? ? defined by Which? As ?conditions which can be cured or substantially alleviated by treatment.? Treatment of chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis, may not be covered by private medical; so critical illness insurance might be more suitable. Critical insurance cover will be based on your individual requirements ? so shop around for the right policy and always be completely open with your insurance provider, or you may invalidate a claim at a later date.
Other treatments generally excluded from private medical insurance include cosmetic surgery, treatment for alcohol or drug abuse and infertility treatment. The majority of standard policies exclude private consultations of a GP, routine check-ups and dental work ? unless it is undertaken in a hospital. However, always check your private medical insurance policy ? as some will be more comprehensive than others.
Private medical insurance can be an effective way of ensuring swift access to medical care for your family. Just remember that insurance policies reflect your exact circumstances ? so don?t assume that one size fits all.
For additional information on private medical insurance and critical illness insurance:
?Be your own financial advisor?, Which? Consumer Guides, author Jonquil Lowe
