A new report by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) says most Americans do not appreciate the threat of cybercrime and are not buying insurance against it, despite its low cost. Americans have embraced the Internet of Things, with three out of five surveyed reporting connected technology in their homes and one-quarter in their vehicles in...
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Quick Guide to Renters Insurance
In a sense, renters insurance is homeowners insurance — without the building. If you rent a house, flat or apartment, you are not typically responsible for insuring the building. But most other features of homeowners insurance do apply to your situation as a renter. Like homeowners insurance, renters insurance includes three key types of financial...
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Not Your Granddad’s Life Insurance Policy
With variable life insurance, the cash value portion of your policy is invested directly in securities in the insurer’s portfolio.[/caption]Traditional permanent life insurance policies provide death benefits and a savings feature. Other types of life insurance also do that, and more. When you buy permanent life, you are buying two types of financial protection. The...
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Car Insurance Policy Basics
People buy auto insurance for two important reasons: to protect their car and to protect their finances. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require automobile owners to meet certain financial responsibility requirements. These requirements help ensure that funds will be available to reimburse victims of auto accidents if another driver damages their car...
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Do You Need Workers Compensation for Household Contractors?
Every day, an estimated 2.5 million individuals—mostly women—work in others’ homes, cleaning, cooking and caring for children and the elderly. Although many people treat them as independent contractors, the IRS and workers’ compensation laws may consider these domestic workers “household employees.” If they are injured while working for you, you may be liable for lost-time...
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Tax-Advantage Your Health Plan with an HSA
Still reeling from your April 15 tax bill? Now you can tax-advantage your health plan. A high-deductible health plan linked to a health savings account (HSA) can give you tax advantages not available with other health plans. What Is an HSA? Qualified individuals can set up a health savings account (HSA) to pay or reimburse...
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End-of-Life Planning
Nobody likes to think of their eventual demise and end-of-life planning, but having the proper arrangements and finances in place can be a final act of love for your family. The need to plan and pay for a funeral can come up suddenly, while settling an estate can take many months. Ensuring you have the...
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Understanding the Health Insurance Claims Process
When you’re sick, injured or coping with a family member’s serious health condition, dealing with an insurance company is probably the last thing you want to do. Understanding the health insurance claims process — what your policy covers and how it pays claims *mdash; can help you avoid unpleasant surprises. Is the individual covered? A...
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Ten Tips to Make You a Better Healthcare Consumer
You have more control over your healthcare costs than you might think. The following pointers will help you become a better consumer, save money and possibly improve your health. Use a network provider whenever possible. To control their increasing provider costs, some insurers have been reducing their network provider lists. When your health plan...
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Umbrella Policies: Rainy Day Protection
Bad things happen: that’s why people buy auto and homeowners insurance policies. But America’s love affair with lawsuits means your coverage could fall short. That’s where umbrella policies come in. They provide a convenient and surprisingly affordable extra layer of protection for your key assets. What happens if you are sued for causing an auto...
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