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Verizon announces new FiOS bundels for the New Year

2010-01-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

Interesting YouTube video that has a Verizon marketing executive talking about the new FiOS features for 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76gcu57Jig&feature=youtu.be&a

ConectUS will donate $50 to your favorite cause when you subscribe to Verizon FiOS through ConectUS.

Blackberry Storm Review

2008-12-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

I don't Need Life Insurance Right Now

2008-11-04T15:02:00.000-08:00

Most people do not really want life insurance, but most people really need it. My son is 33 and he was talking to a college buddy last week. This is a guy who is the same age and is married with one son. He makes an excellent living and can afford a lot of term insurance at a very low cost. He has been putting it off because he is so young he figures his odds of dying are very low. He's right, they are low.

Early week his 29 year old wife went to the doctor because she was feeling flu-like symptoms. I have not learned exactly what disease she contracted, but two days later she died. A terrible story for sure, but it proved that we never know when it is our time to leave this earth.

Many young people we encounter feel they are bullet proof and will use the price of life insurance premiums for other more necessary things. Most older people we encounter wish they had purchased more insurance when it was so inexpensive.

That is one reason why young parents are looking into insurance policies on their babies. Not only are they a great way to help save money for college, but they also enable that child to buy policies that cost so much less when they are adults.

The day to start looking for insurance is today. Tomorrow could be too late.

Beware these 5 insurance traps

2008-10-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

ConectUS can help you.

If you smoke like a chimney, you're going to pay more for life insurance. If you wreck your car, your auto premiums are going to soar. If you live on the edge of a wildfire-prone forest, you'll pay a lot more for homeowners insurance than someone in the suburbs.

All these situations make sense to us consumers. Greater risks, bigger premiums.

But insurers also care about other, seemingly obscure stuff: How you give birth, what you have in your backyard, what breed of dog you own, whether you max out your credit cards and how well your brain works.

If you don't know about these concerns, you may find yourself getting turned down for coverage or paying a lot more than you expect. A little knowledge can help you prepare and find a policy you can afford.

Here's what you need to know about:

Caesarian sections

If you're not covered by an employer plan and you're trying to buy an individual health insurance policy, you'll typically pay more for maternity benefits, which help cover the costs of carrying and bearing a child.

But maternity coverage may be more expensive, or not available at all, if you've had a child by Caesarian section.

C-sections typically cost insurers nearly $3,000 more than vaginal deliveries, and a woman who's had a Caesarian delivery in the past is more likely to have one in the future. Some insurers refuse to provide maternity benefits to such women, while others charge them more for coverage.

How much of an issue this is depends on where you live and on your individual circumstances.

For example, a woman in her early 40s may be deemed at low risk of having another child and offered a policy with a premium that's 25% to 50% higher than what she would have paid without having had a previous C-section, says Amir Mostafaie, a training manager for ConectUS who is a licensed agent in all 3 states.

"If she's in her 20s or 30s, there's generally a higher chance she'll get pregnant again," Mostafaie says. "She may be issued a policy with exclusions" so that maternity coverage isn't included.

Where you live can also have a profound effect on your options.

In "guaranteed issue" states -- New York, New Jersey and Washington -- insurers aren't allowed to cherry-pick their risks or charge more for things like previous C-sections, Mostafaie says. In other states, insurers have few restrictions on what they can do.

"If you're turned down, you might not have other options," Mostafaie says.

If you're in the market for individual health coverage and this issue affects you, consider working with an experienced insurance broker familiar with various insurers' policies. You don't want to risk being turned down for coverage, as that can be a red flag for other insurers, so it's best to find out in advance which companies may penalize you.

Trampolines

Kids love them, but many insurers don't. Some will charge a higher rate to cover the increased liability for injuries, while others won't cover you at all.

"Even with the proper safety measures in place, trampolines are considered a big risk and account for more injuries requiring emergency-room treatment than backyard swimming pools do," says Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group. "On average, trampoline accidents run about $300 million annually in medical, legal and insurance expenses."

One of my readers bought a trampoline, complete with surround frame and safety netting, as a birthday present for one of her children. She didn't think to mention it to her insurer. When she switched insurance companies a few months later, the new insurer sent out an agent to take pictures of the property.

"Someone from the company saw the trampoline in one of the pictures from the agent," she wrote. To keep the coverage, "we had to take down the trampoline and write that we would not put it up on the property as long as they insured it."

Some insurers will cover a trampoline as long as it's inside a locked fence, to prevent unsupervised children from playing. Others will issue a policy that excludes coverage for injuries from the trampoline.

"Trampolines are what's considered an attractive nuisance, something that invites trespassers," Worters says. "No matter what precautions are taken, there is the possibility that a court case will find the owner of the trampoline guilty of negligence, even if the homeowner posts signs or takes preventative measures."

If you're considering buying a trampoline, ask your insurer about its coverage policies first. But also consider the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatricians, which has long advised against trampolines.

"Despite all currently available measures to prevent injury, the potential for serious injury while using a trampoline remains," the academy says. "The need for supervision and trained personnel at all times makes home use extremely unwise."

'Bad' dogs

As I wrote in "Your dog's bite could bankrupt you," insurers are increasingly concerned about the rising costs of dog-bite claims. (Dog bites now make up one-third of all homeowner liability claims, and the average cost was $24,511 in 2007, up 28% in five years.) Some insurers have blacklisted certain breeds, such as pit bulls. Others will cover any dog until it bites, and then you could lose your coverage, pay more for it or be forced to sign a waiver that excludes any further damage done by the animal.

Insurers don't necessarily make these policies clear upfront. If you're shopping for homeowners coverage, make it clear you own a dog and what breed it is so you don't wind up getting canceled later. Before adding any dog to your household, call your insurer. Consider getting a different breed, or a different insurer, if the two are incompatible.

Bad credit

In most states, insurers that provide homeowners and auto policies are allowed to consider your credit history when deciding whether to issue or renew a policy, as well as how much to charge. (California and Massachusetts, which both ban the use of so-called insurance scoring, are among the exceptions.)

Why should credit matter to insurers? Several studies, including an influential one by the Texas Department of Insurance, show a strong link between consumers' credit scores and their propensity to file insurance claims. The worse their scores, in other words, the more likely they are to cost their insurers money.

Unfortunately, credit scores don't differentiate between folks who refuse to pay their bills and those who simply can't because of job loss, medical problems or a subprime mortgage they can't handle.

That's why some consumer advocates have pushed insurance regulators to suspend or restrict insurers' ability to use credit information, especially as the economy deteriorates. So far, the advocates haven't had much success.

If you've had credit problems, you should shop around for insurance, as not all insurers use credit information. You also should do what you can to improve your credit, such as paying bills on time and not using more than 30% of your available credit limits.

Mental-health problems

If you've ever taken antidepressants, seen a therapist or been treated for an addiction, you may pay more for life insurance. If your problems are serious or ongoing, you may have to search hard to find a policy at all.

Bipolar disorder, ongoing treatment for substance abuse or a history of suicide attempts can make you tough to insure, says Byron Udell, president and CEO of Accuquote, an online insurance broker.

Other problems may be less of an obstacle, particularly as time passes. If you were treated 10 or 20 years ago for substance abuse and have remained clean, for example, you may not get an insurer's best rates, but you won't be turned down just because of your history.

And some "situational" problems may not cause your rates to rise at all, Udell says. If you were treated for depression after divorce or the death of a spouse, for instance, and are fully recovered, "most companies would view this as a nonissue."

You might be tempted to conceal your troubles and hope your insurer doesn't find out. That's playing with fire. If your insurer discovers your history by, say, talking to your doctors or reviewing your prescription history, it could decide you committed fraud and either cancel your policy (if you're still alive) or refuse to pay out its proceeds (if it conducts the investigation after your death).

"Anything you lie about, if it's material enough to affect their underwriting, that's grounds for fraud," Udell says. "If you lie, you may think you have coverage, but maybe you don't have it. It's better to tell the truth."

Here's another area where having an experienced insurance agent can be an enormous help. The agent should know which insurers are most receptive to applicants with mental-health issues and will be able to advocate for you.

Liz Pulliam Weston's latest book, "Easy Money: How to Simplify Your Finances and Get What You Want Out of Life," is now available. Columns by Weston, the Web's most-read personal-finance writer and winner of the 2007 Clarion Award for online journalism, appear every Monday and Thursday, exclusively on MSN Money.

Pet Safety Travel Tips

2008-10-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Pet's can now be insured for free! Call 805-480-4888 for more information

Pet Safety Travel Tips

For many people, pets aren't just companions; they're important members of the family. So, it's not surprising that more and more people choose to travel with their pets. To ensure your pet has a safe and happy car ride, here are a few important travel tips from pet expert Andrea Arden.

Before You Hit The Road

Look for services that cater to pet owners.
Pet-friendly hotels make it easier than ever to bring pets with you on the road. Many offer amenities such as pet sitting, dog walking and even pet-pampering spa treatments. Do research ahead of time to find the perfect hotel that fits your needs. Be sure to ask about their policies — for instance, many hotels require your pet to be on a leash at all times and never be left unattended in the room.

Also, check with your car insurance company to see if your pets are covered. With Progressive's Pet Injury coverage, your dog and cats are covered — at no extra charge — if they're hurt in a car accident and your Progressive policy has Collision coverage.

Get your pets used to the car and make them feel comfortable.
Often, the only time pets ride in the car is when they're visiting the vet or groomer — so they may not always associate a car ride with positive feelings and may even be afraid to ride in the car. Teach them instead that car rides can be fun by taking them for short road trips to a dog park, a friend's house for a play date, or just to a new place to take a long walk.

If your pet's anxiety persists, consider over-the-counter products that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

If you plan to keep your pet in a travel crate while riding in the car, it's important that you familiarize your pet with its crate by having it rest inside the crate around the house — the more familiar pets are with their surroundings, the more comfortable and secure they'll be once inside the car.

Some pets tend to get car sick. Try not to feed them for a few of hours before the trip.

Make sure your pet has proper identification.
Just in case he or she gets lost while traveling, you want to be sure your pet is wearing up-to-date ID tags. The most important thing that needs to be listed on the tag is an emergency contact phone number, but it's also a good idea to mention if you'll offer a reward if someone returns your pet to you or if your pet needs any medication.

Prepare a doggie bag.
A pet travel pack is a great way to make sure you're prepared for anything — and is something that can remain stocked, so it's ready to go with you at a moment's notice. Make sure it contains cleanup supplies, a towel or bed to serve as a comfortable resting place, portable feeding/watering bowls, food and water, a pet first aid kit, and lots and lots of toys to keep pets busy and well behaved!

To Keep Tails Wagging in the Passenger Seat

Restrain your pets for safe car travel.
Free to paw their way around the car, unrestrained pets can be a distraction to drivers and can get injured if the car makes a sudden stop or is involved in an accident, even if it's just a fender bender. Secure your pet in a crate or with a harness to keep it safe.

Don't let your pets ride with their heads out of the window.
While most dogs love to hang their heads out of the car window and feel the wind in their fur, it's best not to indulge them. They can easily be injured by debris flying into their eyes.

Never leave your pets unsupervised in the car.
Just like people, dogs and cats are susceptible to heat stroke — even if it isn't that hot outside or the car windows are left open — and can even be stolen. Make sure you know where your pet is at all times.

About Andrea Arden
Andrea Arden has written five books, including "Dog Friendly Dog Training" (Wiley, 2007), "Train Your Dog the Lazy Way" (Macmillan, 1999) and "The Little Book of Dog Tricks" (IDG, 2002). She has also been the behavior columnist for Dog Fancy and The New York Dog magazines, as well as a contributing writer for the AKC Gazette and numerous other publications.

Andrea is the proud parent of four dogs, two cats and a horse.

Pet-friendly Travel Sites:

petfriendlytravel.com

travelpets.com

pettravel.com

petswelcome.com

Farmers Insurance Responds Immediately to Lakeview Terrace Fires

2008-10-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) agents and claims teams are moving into the Lakeview Terrace fire areas in Los Angeles to begin helping customers who may have been evacuated or have suffered damage to their homes.

"We ask that all of our customers and anyone in the path of these fires to evacuate and make sure they are out of the fire's path," Bill Matlock, Farmers State Executive Director asks. "Once you have moved out into a safe evacuation center or other location, please call the Farmers hotline at:

Call ConectUS Insurance Services for all your local Los Angeles and Ventura country insurance needs.

1-800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

Foremost Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 1-800-527-3907.

"We will reach our customers as quickly as possible to give them the help that they need, but ask everyone to please listen to fire officials and media to get to a safe area and then call Farmers," Matlock said.

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers(R) is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households.

SOURCE: Farmers Insurance Group

Farmers Insurance Group
Jerry Davies, 213-400-4459
jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com

What is insurance?

2008-10-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Insurance, in law and economics, is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for a premium, and can be thought of a guaranteed small loss to prevent a large, possibly devastating large loss. An insurer is a company selling the insurance. The insurance rate is a factor used to determine the amount, called the premium, to be charged for a certain amount of insurance coverage. Risk management, the practice of appraising and controlling risk, has evolved as a discrete field of study and practice.

Learn more about insurance here

Small Business Owners Unfamiliar with Risks Involved in Workers' Compensation Insurance from Self-Insured Groups

2008-10-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

Small business owners are not fully aware of the financial risks involved in obtaining workers' compensation insurance through self-insured groups, according to the results of the most recent Small Business Opinion Poll conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) of Princeton, N.J.

Of the 501 small business owners and managers surveyed nationwide, 85% reported they had not seen, read, or heard about the closure of several self-insured groups over the past year. Seven such trusts failed this year in New York, and litigation continues in the financial failures of self-insured groups in Tennessee, Kentucky and California.

Over one half (58%) of the small business survey respondents reported they are unaware that companies belonging to self-insured groups remain financially responsible--often for years--for the claims of all companies in their group, not just their own businesses.

Only a third (34%) of respondents realize they could be legally and financially responsible for the entire costs of workers' compensation claims owed by their self-insured group.

Yet more than a quarter (27%) of small businesspeople taking the survey agreed that saving money up front on workers' compensation insurance premiums outweighs the financial risks posed by membership in a self-insured group.

"Hard-working small business owners understandably keep an eye on the cost of their workers' compensation insurance. However, they also need to be fully aware of the risk they are taking when they elect a self-insured group over a strong private carrier. There can be a costly difference between the two. A small business belonging to a self-insured group may find itself on the hook for the financial obligations arising from other members' claims," explained Martin J. Welch, President and Chief Operating Officer for EMPLOYERS, the Reno, Nev.-based group of insurance companies which commissioned the survey. Welch added that, "Private, traditionally structured insurance carriers assume financial responsibility for policyholders' claims, and strategically position themselves and their policyholders to benefit from effective loss control, fraud prevention, and other critical customer services."

Among the possible financial dangers associated with self-insurance are: failure of the largest company in the group, successive years with serious injuries, and the responsibility for paying out claims for up to five years--even if a small business leaves a group. Self-insured group members also assume "joint and several liability," sharing liability among members on a pro-rata basis. For example, in a worst case scenario, a small business which pays 8% of the contributions to the trust set up to pay injured workers would, if the trust develops a deficit, be liable for 8% of all injured workers payments for the life of their claims.

Failures among self-insured groups in at least four states over the past decade remain in the news as litigation involving underfunded groups in New York, California, Tennessee and Kentucky continues to work its way through regulatory channels and state court systems.

In New York, the default earlier this year of seven self-insured trusts with an estimated $363 million in unfunded liabilities forced the state's Workers' Compensation Board to begin assessing self-insured group members for payments to continue protecting injured workers. Among those faced with the burden of covering self-insured groups' shortfalls are members of the Healthcare Industry Trust of New York, Public Entity Trust of New York, Trade Industry Workers Compensation Trust for Manufacturers, and others. Before the collapse, members of these self-insured groups had been receiving 20% discounts over rates charged by traditional carriers, and 20-30% dividends--basically premium refunds. The assessments are the subject of continuing litigation in New York state courts. In order to protect against additional self-insurance group shortfalls, the state currently has in effect a moratorium on the establishment of new self-insured groups.

California's insurance market saw more than two dozen workers' compensation companies fail as the market tightened in 2002, but has witnessed recent regrowth in the number of self-insured groups. In the past three years, the number of California's self-insured groups has jumped from five to 29, each now overseen by the state's Department of Industrial Relations.

The self-insured group serving the Tennessee Restaurant Association earlier this year was forced to cover a $4.8 million shortfall in a workers' compensation fund that the state alleged was mismanaged. More than 560 restaurateurs across Tennessee were ordered by a judge in January to pay money to bolster the self-insurance group's trust fund. Regulators alleged that the entity formed to run the trust received excessive administrative fees and dipped into reserves without authorization.

In Kentucky, members of the failed self-insured group AIK Comp were ordered to pay a $90.7 million assessment ordered by the Franklin Circuit Court. State regulators were forced to take over the failed AIK Comp group in 2004 when a net worth deficit resulted from group officials undercharging members for premiums to cover claims. The court gave members 60 days to pay 80 percent of their $90.7 million assessment to cover the group's net work deficit and pay injured workers for their claims. Member businesses unable to pay were charged monthly interest and also were liable for the cost of collection efforts, including attorneys' fees.

The ORC survey, commissioned by EMPLOYERS, America's small business insurance specialist, sampled 501 owners or managers of small businesses with 1-99 employees. Data was collected through telephone interviews during the period August 14-22, 2008, and results have a +/- 4.8% margin of error. The sample is stratified across business size and industry grouping. More than half of survey results were drawn from businesses with 19 or fewer employees in manufacturing/construction, transportation/ communication, wholesale/retail, financial services, or personal/professional services businesses.

Copyright (C) 2008 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. EMPLOYERS and America's small business insurance specialist. are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. Workers' compensation insurance and services are offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada and Employers Compensation Insurance Company. Coverage is not available in all jurisdictions.

SOURCE: EMPLOYERS(R)

EMPLOYERS(R), Reno
Trish White, Director, Corporate Communications
775-327-2636
twhite@employers.com
www.employers.com

Fed loans to banks, brokers, AIG totals $410 bln

2008-10-02T16:05:00.001-07:00

Commercial banks, investment banks and American International Group borrowed a record $410 billion from the Federal Reserve as of Wednesday, the Fed reported Thursday. AIG borrowed $61.2 billion, the investment banks and broker-dealers borrowed $146.6 billion, and commercial banks borrowed $49.5 billion, the Fed said. In addition, banks have tapped $152.1 billion to buy asset-backed commercial paper from money market mutual funds.

Farmers Insurance Warns: During Economic Upheaval Don't Just Monitor Your Investments

2008-10-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

source : www.farmers.com

With economic uncertainly and unprecedented economic upheaval in the country's financial markets, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) warns now is the time to be vigilant and monitor your credit along with your investments.

"There is unprecedented uncertainty concerning institutions that have your personal information from home mortgage payments to credit cards and that is a red flag warning for everyone to monitor their credit reports regularly," explains Jeff Dailey, Farmers President of Personal Lines.

"Everyone is watching their investments, but we all must guard against troubled institutions abandoning identity information that could lead to a lot of unnecessary hardship for individuals already reeling from the economic downturn. Mortgage brokers that have/had your data that are no longer in business; or they are sharing it with institutions that bought them, means it is a good time to order your end of the year credit report."

Dailey offers the following ABCs of protecting your identity.

Always be alert.

Check your credit report at least yearly and look for any suspicious items.
Monitor your yearly Social Security Earnings Statement.
Look over all financial statements and bills at least every month.

Be careful.

Do not give out personal information over the phone or internet to someone that calls you.
Do not carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet.
Be sure to use and update virus and firewall protection on your computers.

Contact immediately.

Any creditors that you suspect fraud may have occurred.
The credit bureaus to report any fraud and place a fraud alert.
Law enforcement to document the fraud.

"Since Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the world today, Farmers insurance has developed comprehensive identity theft coverage. Farmers Identity Shield helps you restore your identity after an identity fraud. Those who have experienced its devastating effects know how hard it is to fix and how much time it takes," Dailey added.

Dailey explained that Identity Shield includes a 24/7 advocate to guide and assist victims. An expert also is on call to answer any questions policyholders may have about children or adult identity theft. "There is much more, including assistance in replacing lost, stolen or damaged identification documents and prevention tips," Dailey said.

For more information on identity theft and how to prevent it, contact your local Farmers agent

Ledger's lawyer launches suit over $10m insurance payout

2008-09-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

A former lawyer for Heath Ledger has launched a suit against the late actor's insurance company for allegedly refusing to pay out the $10m (£5.5m) in benefits due to Ledger's two-year-old daughter. John S LaViolette maintains that ReliaStar insurance company, with whom the 28-year-old Dark Knight star took out a life insurance policy in 2007, claim the policy is null and void because his death in January this year was suspicious and possibly a suicide, even though officials have ruled that he died from an accidental overdose of painkillers and other medicines. LaViolette claims that he is also listed as a beneficiary in Ledger's policy and is suing to get the money for Matilda Rose, Ledger's daughter from his marriage to Michelle Williams. ReliaStar has stated that it is entitled to investigate because Ledger died within two years of taking out the policy and called the lawsuit "premature" as no decision had been made on the claim. A hearing is scheduled for December 1.

Need helping looking over your insurance policy? Are you with the right life insurance company? Contact Ryan Perrenoud today for a quick evaluation.

Genworth may spin off mortgage insurance unit

2008-09-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

from MarketWatch - http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/genworth-says-may-spin-off

SAN FRANCISCO -- Genworth Financial said Tuesday it may spin off its mortgage insurance business as the insurer tries to reduce its exposure to the housing crisis.

Genworth shares surged 72% to close at $8.61 on Tuesday. The stock lost roughly half its value on Monday after the $700 billion government bailout plan failed in the House of Representatives, spooking investors. Genworth has lost two-thirds of its market value so far this year.

Genworth sells life insurance, long-term care coverage and offers retirement and wealth-management services, while also running an international unit. But investors have generally overlooked those businesses this year and worried about the company's mortgage insurance operations instead.

Genworth's U.S. mortgage insurance business may be worth more than $2 billion, UBS analyst Andrew Kligerman estimated in a note to investors. He has a buy recommendation on Genworth shares.

At ConectUS Insurance we strongly believe in this Insurance Company as a viable option to consider when seeking life insurance. Solid and stable. Genworth also highlighted more than $800 million in cash and cash equivalents at the holding company and almost $4 billion in cash and cash equivalents in its operating companies.

Got Insurance? The Next President of the United States...

2008-09-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Article by Newsweek, http://www.newsweek.com/id/161203

Barack Obama and John McCain have put forth radical—and radically different—proposals to change the way Americans do, or don't, get health insurance. Is it really possible to make sure everyone's covered? Are the candidates even trying for that? And what lessons can we learn from Massachusetts, which has embarked on its own experiment with universal health care? NEWSWEEK's Mary Carmichael spoke with Katherine Swartz, a professor of health policy and economics at Harvard who studies insurance and recently published an in-depth analysis of the McCain plan:

CARMICHAEL: McCain wants to take away the tax break workers get on health insurance at their jobs, and instead give people who buy their own insurance $2,500 in tax credits. Families would get $5,000. What do you make of this idea?

SWARTZ: The positive part is that it would reduce favoritism in the tax system. If you're unemployed, or if you're with a small employer who doesn't provide health insurance, you don't get any special treatment [taxwise] on insurance now. The bad part is that the tax credit could make it harder for low-income people to get insured. In the current system, a lot of low-income people with jobs are getting insurance they could never afford on their own. The credit is supposed to help.But you have to purchase health insurance to get the tax credit, and low-income people still may not be able to do that. For a family, insurance premiums in the nongroup markets are typically above $700 a month, and that's with a deductible of at least $5,000. We're talking $8,400 a year in premium payments, but the tax credit is only for $5,000. You still have to pay $3,400, plus the deductible, before the insurance covers medical expenses. Also, the type of coverage on the individual market typically does not cover as many services as group policies. If you buy your own policy, when you get sick, you are going to pay more out of pocket.

Can you explain McCain's plan to help out people with previously existing conditions by expanding "high-risk pools"?
We've had state-sponsored high-risk pools for several decades, but they cover fewer than 200,000 people. They were set up so insurance companies could essentially cede people who they predicted would have very high health-care costs. At one point McCain said he would subsidize high-risk pools with between $7 billion and $10 billion a year. That would cover maybe 3 million people, which is not much of a dent in the 47 million people without insurance now.

How many people would be insured under McCain ' s proposals, compared to today?
My colleagues and I have predicted that around 21 million people in the first year would lose access to health insurance because their employers would stop offering it. About 21 million higher-income people would take the tax credits and buy their own insurance. So it would be a wash in the first year. We worry that within five years, more employers would stop offering insurance, and we'd end up with more people uninsured than there are now.

Now let ' s look at Obama ' s plan. What exactly is an insurance exchange?
The one he's proposing looks a lot like the Health Connector we have in Massachusetts. It acts as a clearinghouse where people can buy insurance policies that are essentially given the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval by the state. In the Obama plan, there's a minimum set of benefits every plan has to offer, and if your income is below some threshold yet to be specified, you would get a subsidy. Small businesses could also use this exchange to provide health insurance. This has worked very well in Massachusetts.

And his national health plan?
It's basically one more choice offered in the exchange. It sets a floor for what kinds of services the other plans would have to offer. Here's where we have to start thinking about the total cost. If the national plan is quite generous in terms of services covered, the proposal's cost will be more than the campaign is estimating. In Massachusetts, costs have already gotten out of control.Costs are higher than expected, but that's partly because the original projections underestimated the number of uninsured people who were eligible for subsidies. It's also partly because health-care costs are rising—and that's the case everywhere.

Obama would also require insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Wouldn ' t insurers raise premiums?
Yes, premiums may be higher. I think people need to consider the alternative—if patients are closed off from coverage, they still go to the ER, and we all pay for that.

Does the Obama plan actually provide universal coverage?
No. It requires that children be covered, but there's no mandate for other individuals. Some adults would continue to be uninsured—roughly 6 percent of the nonelderly, compared with 17 percent now, so many more people would have insurance than do now.

Obama ' s plan is very ambitious. How on earth can we pay for it?Given the federal deficit, that's a problem for both plans. McCain's plan is not cheap either. I think it will be hard for either candidate to do much in the next few years.

Long Term Care Insurance Decline Story

2008-09-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

I had a client this past spring apply for long term care insurance with one of our carriers after reviewing the top five. After going through the underwriting process his wife was approved preferred but he was rated 25% higher because of his diabetes and high A1C levels. He was not happy but I really encourage him to take the offer because the company we used is one of just a handful that will insurance insulin dependent diabetics. He said no and decided to use another carrier a couple months later. Unfortunately because of new test results to the negative he was declined by the second company. He then wanted to go back and take the offer of the first company, but of course the original company is skeptical now of his change in health. This case happens all the time because as people age they become less healthy usually and once a person crosses to the uninsurable line all long term care insurance option are off the table. Long term care insurance might be a right fit for you so if you think so, it might not be wise to wait.

My personal auto insurance covers both my personal and business use of my car

2008-09-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

False. If you occasionally use your own car for business purposes such as transporting clients, going to and from meetings or hauling business equipment, then you will more than likely need to extend your personal car insurance to cover your business use as well.

If you have your employees use their car while they work for you, you will want to also obtain a separate non-owned car insurance policy.

Myth #1: Hey, You're Paying the Premiums... Insurance Should be Bought and Used for Every Accident and Disaster.

2008-09-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

Insurance is designed to protect one from catastrophic disasters. An insurance rule of thumb: If you can pay for the loss or damage without a financial hardship then pay it, otherwise expect your insurance premium to eventually show an increase. Also, buying every type of insurance just isn't necessary. Sometimes the risk is worth taking rather than paying a premium. Learn more at Don't Buy Insurance You Don't Need

Motorcycle Insurance

2008-09-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

I started riding motorcycles when I turned 50, about 7 years ago. I was sitting on the couch one Autumn Sunday afternoon. I was half asleep while watching a pretty boring football game. I heard a loud rumble in my driveway and looked out to see my buddy, Steve, parking a new, bright red Harley Fat Boy. He told me that he used to sit on the couch and watch weekend football and now he rides the motorcycle. Wow, Steve's afternoon visit changed my life!

I started reading everything I could get my hands on about motorcycles. I learned that each type of bike has a culture that goes with it. Sport bikes, choppers, touring bikes each have a distinct group of enthusiasts. Well, I started fantasizing about long trips throughout the Western United States with my wife on the back of the bike. She agreed she would like to ride and to go ahead and look into a bike.

I was not very interested in taking off by myself, I wanted to ride with friends and family. So, I narrowed my motorcycle search down to Harley Davidson and then down to an Ultra Classic. This bike has all of the comforts I wanted on the road, Radio, CD player, CB and and intercom to talk to the wife. I got a bright red one and my friends began calling it the red couch.

My only previous biking experience had been years earlier with a small off road bike. The new Harley weighed over 800 pounds and had all kinds of power. I figured I better take a motorcycle safety course before I tried to get my California Motorcycle Endorsement on my driver's license. This turned out to be a very good investment of time and money. It was a 20 hour course over 3 days at the local high school. I learned a lot about things I would have never considered. The course ended with each of the students getting the official DMV endorsement and a certificate that would be needed for a safety course discount on my motorcycle insurance.

Speaking of insurance, I now needed to get the bike fully covered. I made the mistake many people make when shopping for vehicle or auto insurance. I shopped for the best policy I could find for just the new bike. I compared all of the companies and I ended up going with Progressive. I was not unhappy with Progressive and, in fact, they had great customer service. Their premium rate was among the best at the time I first signed up. It was not until a couple of years later that my wife asked me why my rate was going up so much. In fact it was going to double on the renewal! What was this about? I did not have any tickets or accidents. I was a more experienced rider and the bike had depreciated.

I decided it was time to shop again. I called a number of companies and eventually I spoke to a Farmer's Agent to get a quote on my almost three year old bike. He asked me if I had any other vehicles or property that I currently insured. I told him of course, but they are all covered and I had already searched for the best prices on each of them. I had my house with Auto Club, my two cars with Mercury Insurance and my motorcycle and boat with Progressive.

He was the first agent to ask my permission to compare all of the policies if we bundled them with Farmer's. I had nothing to lose and gave him the cover sheet on each of my policies. A few days later, Ryan Perrenoud, said he was going to fax me over a VIP comparison of my current coverage and premium costs and those same coverages and premiums with Farmer's Insurance. Long story short, he saved me over $1,800 a year on the combined policies. He even found me a special discount because I am a retired law enforcement officer. He explained to me that most people stay with a company because they are comfortable with their price and service. Also, most people buy insurance as needed for their car, house or toys. These needs usually occur at different times, so most people never take the opportunity to package them all together for one combined quote. Also, most people think that a policy has to expire before they can replace it with a better policy. California insurance law requires that any unused portion of a policy premium must be refunded to the insured withing 30 days from the time they notify the insurance company that they wish to cancel the policy. It is pretty much the opposite of what we are used to with our cellular service contracts with early termination clauses.

From this experience my suggestion is that when you are looking for insurance for ANY of your property, shop for coverage on ALL of your property. It is almost a sure bet that you will save a bunch of money on premiums. I can think of many things I would rather do with my $1,800 savings than write checks to insurance companies.

So, the bad news was that Progressive Insurance wanted to double my rates. The good news is that that event caused me to do the shopping most of us always put off to another time. I ended up with better coverage and lower overall premiums. Check it out!

The Affect of Drinking and Driving

2008-09-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

We all know alcohol can slow reaction time and make you loud, obnoxious, or affectionate. But here’s an example of the effects alcohol has on just one of your vital senses, your eyes:


Focus	Slows your eyes’ability to focus back and forth from objects near and far.
Muscle control	Relaxes the fine muscle control of your eyes, blurring vision.
Coordination	Impairs the eye’s ability to work together, causing double vision.
Distance Judgment	Reduces the ability to judge distance accurately.
Peripheral vision	Reduces the ability to perceive things from the side.
Night vision	Limits the eye’s ability to see in low light.
Colors	Impedes the ability to distinguish colors.

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE OR YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO GET SR-22 INSURANCE WHICH IS NOT CHEAP!

ConectUS can help you get on track with SR-22 insurance. Contact John G who is an SR-22 specialist today.

Used Car Insurance Made Easy

2008-09-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

When purchasing insurance for your car, there are a variety of factors to consider. The state minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage vary depending on the state in which you reside; for example, in the state of California, where I currently work as an insurance agent, the minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage is 25/50/25, which pertains to bodily injury liability limits. This translates out into $25,000 per person, $50,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. Keep in mind that these are the absolute minimum limits required by law. I would definitely recommend carrying more than that in bodily injury and liability/property damage coverage. If you cause a multiple-car pile-up, or even cause an accident where a few people are injured, chances are that you would cause more damage than you think. The extra premium you are paying for more coverage is well worth it (and this is coming from someone who is pretty conservative when it comes to spending money).

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

It is also important to consider what deductible amounts would work for your used car situation. It is important to keep in mind that the higher your deductibles are, the lower your premium amount for that year is. Also, there are two kinds of deductibles: comprehensive and collision. Comprehensive pertains to any damage caused to your vehicle by vandalism, acts of God, hit-and-run, and hitting an animal. Collision has to do with actually hitting another vehicle while on the road. Comprehensive claims do not affect your future insurance premiums, but collision claims do negatively affect you future premiums. So, I feel that you should have a lower comprehensive deductible, and a higher collision deductible. My personal auto policy has a comprehensive coverage of $100 and a collision of $1000. Also, glass is covered under the comprehensive deductible. Some insurance companies have a $0 deductible for glass coverage, so ask your agent about this.

Used Cars Worth Less than $2500

If your used or older car is not worth more than $2500, then cover it with liability only insurance. That way, you are not paying for a collision deductible if it would cost you more to pay out the deductible than the vehicle is actually worth. However, don’t forget about the bodily injury liability coverage, as this could cover you if you are ever at fault in an accident. If you injure someone, you cannot simply claim that you are broke and have no coverage—you will still have to pay for the injuries or property damage regardless.

2008-09-19T15:45:00.001-07:00

8 arrested for alleged $33-million SoCal fraud

Thursday (09-18) 16:56 PDT Los Angeles, CA (AP) --

Eighteen people in the Los Angeles area are accused of filing more than $33 million worth of phony Medicare bills.

Federal authorities say they arrested the suspects Thursday after the FBI searched six locations, including a clinic in South Los Angeles. Those arrested include clinic owners, medical professionals and owners of medical equipment companies.

Eight federal indictments allege they submitted bills to Medicare for unnecessary medical equipment, including motorized wheelchairs and hospital beds.

The charges include submitting false claims and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Some of those charged with multiple crimes could face dozens and even hundreds of years in prison if convicted.

Funniest Insurance Claim Explanation

2008-09-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

Possibly the funniest story in a long while, this is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the American Insurance Journal.

This is a true story.

Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award for sure.

Dear Sir: "I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details will be sufficient.

I was alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later, were found to be slightly more than 500 lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it.Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.

You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form, that I weigh
135 lbs.

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now descending at a rapid rate. This accounts for the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report form.

Slowed down slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers on my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of! mind an d was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience a great deal of pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel.

Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50lbs.

I refer you again to my weight.

As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body.

Here my luck seemed to change. Hitting the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel beginning its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.

I hope this answers your questions.

Best Insurance Agent in Southern California

2008-09-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

The best agent in Southern California is Ryan Perrenoud. I just moved to California from Texas and I never thought I could replace the customer service I was currently receiving. Ryan Perrenoud exceeded my expectations for an insurance agent! He actually cared about my financial situation and treated me like family. I highly recommend him for ALL your insurance needs. If you need to contact him click here !

Where to find the best Insurance rates

2008-09-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

With 1000's of insurance companies and millions of agents it can sometime be difficult to find the best and honest rates. There are many sites out there that will give you a projected auto, life, business, or heath quote within a few minutes. 99% of the time these automated results are not actually what you will pay. This is a tactic that makes you want to do business with that company.

This site here has a simple form that will then connect you with a live agent so you can get an honest and personal insurance quote.

ConectUS Insurance strives to make insurance personal again. Insurance is important, it is imperative that you know what you are getting yourself into.

You can also call their office to speak with a live agent by calling 800-211-0712

Senior Life Insurance Settlement

2008-09-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

We are working with a very interesting portion of the insurance industry. It is commonly referred to as Senior Life Insurance Settlement . Here is how it works:

1. Senior of 65 or older medically qualifies for $1M plus term life insurance policy

2. Company provides 100% financing of premium and insured has coverage for first 2 years

3. After 2 years insured sells policy at profit to company. This is usually 20% -60% of face value depending on the insured's health at that time. The worse the health the more it is worth to the insured.

4. Company continues to own the policy and pay the premiums hoping to profit when insured dies.

For many seniors this is an opportunity to create cash in their later years. Some people are uneasy with the fact that a company owns a policy on their life and it is in the interest of the company for the insured to die sooner rather than later.

A life insurance policy is an asset that can be sold - just like real estate or a car. A Life Settlement (sometimes called a Senior Life Insurance Settlement) is simply the sale of a life insurance policy by a senior citizen in return for a lump sum of cash. It's usually a "win-win" situation. The seller of the life insurance policy gets cash to use however they want from an unneeded or unwanted life insurance policy and with a "bonded" life settlement there is a predetermined rate of return for the buyer. It's a perfectly safe, high quality investment - often offering high returns.

Bonded Life Settlements are insurance policies that have been underwritten to the standards of a bonding company, who, for a bonding premium, is willing to provide a performance bond warranting that should the policy not mature by a specified date, the bonding company will buy-out the purchasers' interests in the policy at face value. The return on investment is typically lower on bonded policies because part of the purchase funds must be utilized to pay the performance bond premium... which is paid in a lump sum... up front... at closing.

I was with a 67 year old friend on the golf course last week. He told me that he surrendered a $500,000 life policy for the cash value of $130,000. He later discovered that he could have sold the policy for $200,000. so, he left $70,000 on the table because he was not aware of this product.

The message is to sit down with a qualified life agent and explore ALL the possibilities when buying or selling a policy.

AIG Disaster

2008-09-17T15:33:00.001-07:00

Can you believe that AIG(American International Group), one of the countries largest providers of auto, life, heath, and term life insurance is now 80% owned by the US Taxpayers? At ConectUS Insurance Services we were always impressed with the quality of the AIG insurance products. I hope the fact that the US Government is providing $80 Billion in bridge loans will not affect the the service of the AIG. Is this the end of the collapsed companies for awhile? Will the stock market continue to decline as other companies melt down? Was AIG insuring losses sustained by Countrywide?

Should we look to Genworth to provide our term life insurance products now?

The Consequences of Not Having Auto Insurance

2008-09-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

When you don't have the proper insurance or no automobile insurance at all you not only put yourself at great risk but you also put the life of people on everyone on the road at even a greater. We have been witness to several unfortunate cases that have literally bankrupted families because they did not get the proper insurance or they were misled by not having any at all.

The team at ConectUS has the insurance profession down. Since 1975 they have helped 1000's of individuals, families and business secure the needs they demand.

Insurance is manditory, contact the Insurance Professionals today