SUV Auto Insurance Question
Reader’s Question:
Is it harder to insure SUV’s?
Kyle
New York, NY
Thanks for asking, Kyle.
If you have one, then this might come as bad news to you. SUVs are magnets for high insurance rates! That’s an added burden to having a higher ticket price at dealership and costing a mint to fill up. SUVs cost 10-20% more to insure as compared to regular cars.
Want to know the reason why? It’s really because more often, SUVs can cause more damage to other vehicles during accidents. Such will cause the payout rates for the insurance companies which will definitely increase liability premiums.
Regardless if you are a safe and careful driver, SUVs will have fared much better than their counterparts in most accidents. SUVs feel safer, though it doesn’t really follow that it is safer. About 12% of vehicles on US roads are SUVs because of this. Even if, SUVs can also pose some inherent dangers which include hazards such as greater potential to flip during high-speed turns, collisions, or when avoiding accidents. The center of gravity for SUVs is less balanced which makes them top-heavy since they sit higher off the ground. Roll over accidents are very costly in terms of vehicle repairs and personal medical expense which make them charge higher for SUV auto insurance premiums.
Aside from that, car thieves mostly covet for SUVs which can be very costly for replacement claims! In other words, SUVs are high-risk vehicles for auto insurance companies which will lead them to charge car insurance premiums higher than the other car types.
Short Term Health Insurance Nevada
Reader’s Question:
I got dropped from my parents’ health insurance coverage in Nevada. I am expecting to get my own health insurance coverage this year. Is there something I can do to get protected while waiting for my health insurance plan?
Karen
Las Vegas, NV
There is absolutely something for you, Karen.
You might want to have a temporary insurance policy or otherwise called short-term health insurance policy in Nevada. This is an insurance policy which offers protection from medical expenses through short lapses in health insurance coverage. This can cover up to 12 months or less. It is really impossible to find one that covers up to 36 months. A short-term health insurance policy is ideal for healthy people who are going through some kind of transition like college students who just graduated and waiting for health insurance benefits from their first job. For one to be qualified, it needs to be established that you are ‘healthy’, meaning that your insurer makes sure that you are not likely to claim as much for the duration of the short-term policy, that is within up to 12 months or less, depending on the term.
Short term health insurance policies can be cheaper than the regular health insurance policy as the coverage term is only temporary. This can also be good options for those who are in between jobs, or those who need medical protection while the health insurance plan applied is not yet granted. You never run out of choices for popular insurers who offer short term health insurance polices. You can start shopping online too for some free quotes!
Missouri MO Cheap Health Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I cannot afford a traditional coverage in Missouri. Would there be any other options for me to be able to get cheap protection for my health?
Cindy
Columbia, MO
In fact, you can always try to get a limited benefit plan in Missouri. This is also for those who have trouble buying health insurance coverage due to a pre-existing medical condition or medical history. A limited benefit plan is always less expensive than conventional insurance and can provide corresponding benefits. For example, it may cover you for cold-and-flu care but will not cover all of your costs for other serious medical services like operations.
I have to let you know though that limited benefit plans are not offered in all states. You can check out if this is available where you are and try to check out circumstances when this can be made available to you.
This type of plan can be very controversial too because they are not required to offer all the benefits that each state requires the traditional insurers to offer. Also, limited plans obviously pay for a limited number of services. Others think that limited benefit plans offer consumers very little value since they can’t cover costs for major illnesses.
This comes either as discount cards or mini-meds. With discount cards, the holder simply pays a monthly fee and receives the card that can give discounts on medical services from providers within the network of the insurer. There is no need to file a claim as the bill is paid at the time of service. Mini meds are mini-policies which will pay you a fixed amount for every service you receive, regardless of the cost of the service. With mini-meds, you are able to choose your doctor and hospital.
So there! I hope you find your options!
Health Insurance New Jersey NJ
Reader’s Question:
I have a high-deductible health insurance policy that qualifies me to set up a health saving account. At the same time, I want to save money in a tax-free account for my future health care expenses. Is there anything that I can do? I live in New Jersey.
Lisa
Camden, NJ
There’s always something for you, Lisa.
If you’re one of those who have already spent a lot on health care expenses, then you deserve a tax break more than anyone else! Certainly you can always find ways to reduce your health care costs. Since you have a high-deductible health insurance plan in New Jersey, then it’s about time that you should now open a Health Savings Account. This is among the tax-preferred health accounts which you can establish and contribute. Your employer or family member may also contribute to this health account. Maximum contributions may be up to $2,850 for those in a single-person health insurance plan or $5,650 for a family plan, depending on the insurer (this can change each year though). The good thing about this account is that the account balance carries over from one year to the next. You may also take it with you if you decide to leave your job since you really own the account.
You may spend this on qualified medical expenses as defined except for insurance premiums. For COBRA coverage, this can be spent on premiums. Aside from medical expenses, you can always withdraw the funds to pay for non-medical expenses but there will be penalties unless you are disabled or over 65.
Health Insurance Help
Reader’s Question:
I have an employer-based health insurance. What’s my protection before federal ERISA law?
Jim
Billings, MT
It’s good that you asked, Jim.
Our federal law always has protection for employees with job-based health insurance. You can have additional protection from the federal ERISA law like an impartial process for reviewing appeals, specific deadlines in returning decisions on claims and appeals, required speed in processing your claim if the doctor declares its urgency, and 180 days at least for you to file an appeal.
In case your appeal of a claim decision is not successful, you can resort to consulting your state’s insurance authority as your last shot at getting the treatment or service covered. External panel of experts may review your claim as the state allows this and the panel’s decision becomes the final word in your case.
You must learn all your protections from your state. There are some states which allow patients to sue their health insurers for malpractice is a claim or treatment is denied. Your state should have laws for handling such disputes.
There can be an exception such as when you are enrolled in a self-funded plan if your company pays employee’s medical bills and takes on the risks of insurance. It is in this case when the law is the only potential recourse for disputing claims beyond the internal appeals process, which cannot be a very good option. At this point, you might want to contact you human resources department to help you resolve your issue.
The best advice I can give is for you to know the structure of you plan so you can resolve issues fast and in the most economical way.
Health Insurance Policy Claim
Reader’s Question:
My appeal for claim was denied by my health insurer. Do you have any tips on how I can effectively file my claim?
Melanie
Henderson, NV
Very good question, Melanie.
This has happened to me too and it took me almost 6 months before my claim was approved. If I could turn back time, I should have done it better. From the accounts of my experience, I can give you very sensible tips which you might want to pick up from.
For one, you need to make very detailed records of every step that you do. When you make a phone call, make sure you write down the names of the people you talk to, the date of call, and everything that was said in the call. You can make a follow up letter summarizing the conversation. It is best if you keep copies of all records including every notice and piece of correspondence whether by letter or email.
You can challenge your insurer point by point by making them write to you all legal and medical justifications for your denied claim. In writing, the insurer needs to cite a specific point in the policy and if they can’t then their denial can be invalid. Check the medical background of the person who made the ‘denial decision’.
You should state in your appeal several key elements that can make it strong such as the list of treatment or service you need, the date the treatment was stopped or denial of coverage, plan’s reason for denying treatment, and your reason why the denial should be overturned. You should state these elements even if your insurer does not ask you for it.
Most importantly, you have to file your appeal on time and with a duplicate. Despite the fact that you are as convinced that your appeal is right, always be courteous to everyone. By being so, you might cut your agony a little shorter.
Health Insurance Policy Question
Reader’s Question:
I’d like to know if I have any specific federal and state protections when it comes to my health insurance policy?
David
Gilbert, AZ
Remember that whatever your health insurance policy is, you always have state and federal rights and protections. These safeguards are determined by your health insurance type and state. I cannot give you everything here but I can give you and overview. You can always check for some resources online.
Under the HIPAA law, your insurance company cannot drop you from coverage in case you develop an illness or medical condition as long as you pay your premiums. The state also can mandate that the elements of your plan, like the types of prescription drugs covered, should not be changed in the middle of a covered year. Now if you have an individual insurance which you purchased on your own, you are always protected by the state law. Many states have a patient’s bill of rights and you always have the privilege to check this yourself. For employer-provided health insurance coverage though, you are always covered by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act or ERISA. It is in this law where guidelines are set for the health insurance benefits plans of private employees. Among its mandates include that you should be informed about your health insurance plan’s provisions and information on how to file a claim, how to appeal a denied claim, and the special process for reviewing appeals.
These are just a few though, so you can check out other state provisions from your own.
Delaware DE Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
My son’s dad and I are divorced, and his father gave his old vehicle to our son. When my son starts driving and if he insures the vehicle, do I need to include him on my policy? We live in Delaware.
Jane
Wilmington, DE
Ultimately, you will need to speak to your insurance provider in Delaware. Generally, most insurance providers want to know who resides in your household. From there most insurance providers will want you to either list that individual as either ‘eligible’ to operate a vehicle or ‘excluded’ from driving. Anyone listed on your policy as ‘eligible’ to drive, will be covered by your insurance carrier to drive the car(s) on your policy. If that individual is specifically ‘excluded,’ your insurance carrier will not provide coverage to that individual if s/he drives your car(s) listed on your policy. If you ‘exclude’ your son from driving your car(s) on your insurance policy, your insurance provider may require you provide proof your son has his own policy in force.
Florida FL Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I bought a vehicle in my name, and I need a car insurance for it. My license has been revoked. Can I still insure my vehicle in someone else’s name? Or, can I insure it under my name? I live in Florida.
Remy
Cape Coral, FL
Even though your driver’s license is revoked, few insurance providers will permit you to insure your car in Florida.
I know some insurance companies that will allow it, but they will require you to provide them proof of it’s reinstatement within thirty days from your policy’s inception date. Or, they will terminate your insurance policy.
There are also insurance providers that will permit someone else to insure your car in their name, even if that person has no insurable interest in your car. Those insurers are limited and they do require the car owner to be added as a motorist on the policy. Under certain circumstances you can be added on the policy, but you would be excluded and not covered under the insurance policy terms. You will have to call for underwriter authorization.
Female Driver Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
Do female drivers have higher auto insurance rates than male drivers? If so, why?
Michelle
Jackson, MS
Rate factors and rating system differ from insurance provider to insurance provider. Car insurance premiums are calculated by using a lot of factors and gender generally is one of them.
Generally, a female driver between the ages of 18 and 25 will pay less than male driver. The reason for this is because generally speaking younger women have fewer accidents and traffic violations than males in the same age group. Statistics typically show that males are more aggressive motorist and therefore with some insurance carriers their risk factor is much higher so a male motorist’s auto insurance rates are higher than that of a female driver.
So gender would really affect your insurance rates, because statistically females motorists have less accidents than males. However if a female has a bad driving history and her male counterpart has a clean and good record then the female’s rates would normally be higher due to her record.