Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What Does "APS" Stand for in Life Insurance?
During the underwriting process, many life insurance applications contain information or details about the applicant’s medical history that raise additional concerns.
While the medical questionnaire portion of life insurance applications contains comprehensive and thorough questions, there is no way to cover every possible medical malady. Applications submitted by consumers whose answers to medical questions indicate prior treatment for, or current diagnoses of, ailments relevant to life expectancy must undergo further analysis.
Requesting an Attending Physician Statement, or APS, is the most common and efficient way for underwriters to obtain factual data pertaining to an applicant’s health history.
While the medical questionnaire portion of life insurance applications contains comprehensive and thorough questions, there is no way to cover every possible medical malady. Applications submitted by consumers whose answers to medical questions indicate prior treatment for, or current diagnoses of, ailments relevant to life expectancy must undergo further analysis.
Requesting an Attending Physician Statement, or APS, is the most common and efficient way for underwriters to obtain factual data pertaining to an applicant’s health history.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Health Insurance Plan Comparisons
If you’re not familiar with the health insurance industry, choosing a medical plan presents a potentially significant challenge. Multiple types of health insurance plans exist, each with different features and benefits.
Your specific needs and budget should determine the policy you buy and understanding the differences between the plan types will make the task of picking the right one much easier and less confusing.
Your specific needs and budget should determine the policy you buy and understanding the differences between the plan types will make the task of picking the right one much easier and less confusing.
Monday, December 06, 2010
The Basics of Annuities
Annuities offer potentially substantial retirement investment opportunities. Countless annuity products are available from dozens of insurance companies, and each product offers its own set of attractive features and benefits.
However, depending on whether or not the annuity resides within a qualified plan, there may be limits on the amount of money you are able to contribute.
However, depending on whether or not the annuity resides within a qualified plan, there may be limits on the amount of money you are able to contribute.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
How to Get Group Health Insurance for Your Small Businesses
The best thing to do is enlist the services of an independent health insurance broker
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| Source: StockMonkeys.com |
Implementing a group health insurance plan for your small business requires submitting an abundance of proof that your company and its employees are legitimate. For smaller family-owned businesses with no other employees, obtaining medical insurance is even more challenging, usually due to a lack of formal employment and payroll records.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Can My Boyfriend Be a Beneficiary to My Life Insurance?
Choosing the beneficiary for your life insurance policy requires careful thought and consideration. Your personal situation and goals for the money will dictate the most appropriate recipient of your policy's proceeds.
Selecting and, if necessary, changing life insurance beneficiaries is a simple task that can be completed quickly and without difficulty.
Selecting and, if necessary, changing life insurance beneficiaries is a simple task that can be completed quickly and without difficulty.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Employer's Guide to Life Insurance
Employers often offer life insurance to workers as part of a larger employee benefits package. Group life insurance provides relevant and necessary financial protection at an affordable price, combined with a convenient purchasing procedure.
By understanding the basics of how group life insurance works, employers can more easily decide whether or not to add this benefit to an existing package.
By understanding the basics of how group life insurance works, employers can more easily decide whether or not to add this benefit to an existing package.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 04, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday, August 06, 2010
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Monday, August 02, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Definition of a Wholesale Insurance Broker
Retail insurance agents meet countless clients and prospective clients regularly. Even independently licensed agents are often unable to extend their resources beyond a small handful of preferred insurance carriers, often remaining unaware of unique or specialized products.
That's where wholesale insurance brokers come in. Since they do not deal directly with the general public, but rather with the retail agents, they have time to research more carriers and learn new niche products, which they can present to retail agents to help meet their clients' needs.
That's where wholesale insurance brokers come in. Since they do not deal directly with the general public, but rather with the retail agents, they have time to research more carriers and learn new niche products, which they can present to retail agents to help meet their clients' needs.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
State Laws Regarding Suicide Exclusion on Life Insurance in Montana
The state of Montana, like every other state, regulates the insurance industry as it applies to business conducted within its borders. Life insurance products and policy contracts offered for sale within the state, or to residents of the state, must meet specific guidelines and adhere to established regulations.
With respect to death by suicide and the payment of life insurance claims in such a situation, the state of Montana adopted legislation shared by the majority of the country’s other states. Montana Code sections 33-20-121 and 33-20-105 describe, very specifically, how policy provisions may, and may not, be written and implemented.
With respect to death by suicide and the payment of life insurance claims in such a situation, the state of Montana adopted legislation shared by the majority of the country’s other states. Montana Code sections 33-20-121 and 33-20-105 describe, very specifically, how policy provisions may, and may not, be written and implemented.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
New Jersey Life Insurance Contestability Rules
Make sure you know exactly how and when a life insurance company can deny benefits!
Any company wishing to conduct business and sell insurance in New Jersey must first file an application with the DOBI, and any agent wishing to represent an insurer must fulfill educational requirements and complete a state-approved examination. In order for a carrier’s products to gain approval for sale, certain features and characteristics of the contract must conform to New Jersey legislation.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Understanding Health Insurance Deductible Maximum and Out-of-Pocket Co-Pays
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| Source: TaxCredits.net |
Many of today's health insurance products contain provisions and characteristics that were not seen on earlier policy versions.
Trying to decipher the definitions of the contract language, and memorize the features and limitations of your policy, can be daunting at best.
Understanding the basics of health insurance policy cost-containment provisions is essential to purchasing the right product to suit your needs and financial capabilities.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Explain Health Insurance Deductibles
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Deductibles split the cost of medical treatment
between consumers and insurance companies.
Source: Expensive Medicine by MAXFX via Fotolia
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Medical insurance programs containing deductibles might appear attractive at first glance, but they present potentially significant dangers to the uninformed consumer.
Understanding how health insurance deductibles work will reduce the likelihood of confusion or “sticker shock” when invoices for medical services arrive in the mail.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Explanation of a Health Insurance Deductible
Deductibles act as a cost-sharing mechanism between the insurance company and the customer, with the intention of saving money for everyone involved.
Policies containing deductibles present some advantages and disadvantages that must be carefully considered before those policies are purchased.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Health Insurance Fraud and Preexisting Conditions
Lying about preexisting conditions is a form of health insurance fraud
In addition to these financial burdens placed on both insurance carriers and their customers, these crimes pose safety risks to both the legitimately insured patient and the fraudulent one.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Fixed Indexed Annuity Performance
Indexed annuities, also commonly called fixed indexed annuities or equity indexed annuities, are a unique type of retirement investment vehicle.
By linking the annuity account’s performance to a common stock market index, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500, but not actually investing any of the owner’s money into the stock market, the annuity company can offer clients the ability to participate in most of the market’s gains while still protecting their money from any declines.
The concept has gotten more popular in the late 2000s and early 2010s as the nation’s economy becomes more volatile, and countless investors have taken advantage of indexed annuity guarantees.
By linking the annuity account’s performance to a common stock market index, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500, but not actually investing any of the owner’s money into the stock market, the annuity company can offer clients the ability to participate in most of the market’s gains while still protecting their money from any declines.
The concept has gotten more popular in the late 2000s and early 2010s as the nation’s economy becomes more volatile, and countless investors have taken advantage of indexed annuity guarantees.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Life Insurance Underwriting Standards
Every life insurance company has its own underwriting standards
There is often a delay of several weeks, and sometimes months, between the time an insurance company receives a life insurance application and the time they it finally decides acceptance, coverage terms and price.
During those weeks or months, the carrier is “underwriting” the proposed policy, or evaluating every aspect of the applicant to analyze risk. Every life insurance company has its own internal underwriting standards, and while some carriers have specialized underwriting for certain risks or ailments, a consensus has evolved over the years, resulting in generalized standards for a large portion of the industry.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
What Is Life Insurance Underwriting?
A life insurance policy is a legal contract between you and an insurance company. If you die while coverage is still in force, the insurance company is obligated to pay your beneficiaries a predefined sum of money based on the provisions of your agreement.
It is not surprising that carriers will go to great lengths to evaluate you before committing to providing you with coverage. The process that insurance companies take to determine the level of financial risk you pose is generically referred to as “underwriting.”
Many factors are considered and evaluated during the underwriting process, which varies from one company to the next, as well as with different policy types and coverage amounts.
It is not surprising that carriers will go to great lengths to evaluate you before committing to providing you with coverage. The process that insurance companies take to determine the level of financial risk you pose is generically referred to as “underwriting.”
Many factors are considered and evaluated during the underwriting process, which varies from one company to the next, as well as with different policy types and coverage amounts.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Monday, May 03, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
What is equity indexed universal life insurance?
Equity index universal life insurance, or EIUL, is a form of permanent universal life insurance that ties the performance of the policy’s cash value account to a stock market index.
EIUL policies are permanent life insurance products that provide death benefits that never expire. Coverage will remain in force for as long as you continue making necessary premium payments.
EIUL policies, like all permanent life insurance products, accumulate cash value. A small portion of every premium payment made is set aside in a separate tax-advantaged account within the policy.
Permanent Coverage
EIUL policies are permanent life insurance products that provide death benefits that never expire. Coverage will remain in force for as long as you continue making necessary premium payments.
Cash Value Accumulation
EIUL policies, like all permanent life insurance products, accumulate cash value. A small portion of every premium payment made is set aside in a separate tax-advantaged account within the policy.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 09, 2010
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
About Compensation in Insurance Sales
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| Source: TaxCredits.net |
This fact is what makes a career as an insurance agent a risky endeavor, but also what makes it attractive to motivated entrepreneurial-minded people. No salary also means no cap on income, and insurance agents will realize exactly what their skills are worth.
By understanding how agent compensation works, you will have an easier time deciding whether or not a career in the insurance industry fits your needs and personality.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
How to Get a Health Insurance Quote for a Small Business
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| Source: ccPixs |
Monday, March 08, 2010
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Friday, March 05, 2010
Difference Between Guaranteed & Non-Guaranteed Term Insurance
The concept is simple: You agree to pay the insurance company a specified premium for a predetermined number of years, and the insurance carrier agrees to pay your beneficiaries a specified amount of money if you die during that period.
However, many life insurance contracts have "non-guaranteed" provisions that can be a potential cause for concern.
What Are the Benefits of an Independent Insurance Broker?
Insurance is sold by two types of agents: captive and independent. Although both types of agents can help you purchase acceptable insurance products, the independent insurance broker typically offers additional value not seen with captive agents.
Common Nullifications of Life Insurance Payouts
Your obligation is to regularly pay the policy's premium, and the insurance company’s obligation is to pay your beneficiary when you die.
However, the company can deny the payment of your death benefit under certain instances. Every life insurance contract describes a “contestability period” during which the insurance carrier may nullify or amend the amount of money paid to your family.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Monday, March 01, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Best Health Insurance for Individuals in Michigan
IMPORTANT NOTE: This article was originally written in early 2010. Some of the information provided here may be out of date.
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| Source: TaxCredits.net |
Individual health insurance policies are available from several major carriers, with benefits that you can customize to fit your needs and your available monthly budget.
By understanding the basics of how individual health insurance plans work, you will be able to make a more informed decision and purchase the best plan.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Five Star Hotels in Manhattan
If you’re looking for the best that money can buy, when you visit Manhattan you will most likely stay at one of the city’s exclusive five-star hotels. There are many upscale and impressive hotels spread throughout Manhattan, but only a small handful have earned a true five-star rating. These hotels have gone to great lengths to ensure that every possible amenity is provided to you, and from the moment you arrive you will be treated like nothing less than royalty.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
How to Run a Retirement Plan Business
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| Source: Piggy bank image by Svetlana Privezentseva via Fotolia.com |
Monday, February 08, 2010
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
How to Decrease Term Mortgage Life Insurance
One of the easiest types of life insurance to get is term mortgage life insurance. Almost every mortgage company offers, or makes available, some form of mortgage protection policy that will pay off the remaining balance of your primary mortgage in the event of your death.
You can obtain this coverage with relative ease, as there is typically little to no underwriting involved. After a number of years, when your outstanding mortgage balance has been decreased, many homeowners consider reducing the total life insurance benefit provided by the policy.
While the general rule of thumb is that there's no such thing as too much life insurance coverage, if you've decided that decreasing the amount of your mortgage insurance policy is necessary and appropriate for your situation, here's how to do it:
You can obtain this coverage with relative ease, as there is typically little to no underwriting involved. After a number of years, when your outstanding mortgage balance has been decreased, many homeowners consider reducing the total life insurance benefit provided by the policy.
While the general rule of thumb is that there's no such thing as too much life insurance coverage, if you've decided that decreasing the amount of your mortgage insurance policy is necessary and appropriate for your situation, here's how to do it:
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Saturday, January 09, 2010
How Do I Unenroll From a Simple IRA?
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| Source: StockMonkeys |
Money-Zine.com states that “they are very much like 401k plans for small businesses.” Compared to 401(k)s, Simple IRAs are easier to understand and administer, and appear identical to workers.
If your employer arranged a Simple IRA, but you no longer want your money in that account, you can move it elsewhere.
However, the receiving account into which you transfer funds, as well as the method of transfer, will determine if income taxes and penalties will be charged.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
Procedures for Insurance Credentialing
By obtaining different certifications and credentials, you can quickly and easily separate yourself from those agents and brokers who have not taken the time to prove their abilities, or who simply do not have your same level of education and industry knowledge.