Maternity Individual Health Insurance

If you do not have health insurance through your employer and you find out you are pregnant, you want to ensure you have adequate health insurance and that the policy covers maternity costs. Proper pre-natal care is crucial and health care costs should not stand in your way of seeing the doctor as soon as possible.

It's important to understand what type of plans you may be eligible for if you become pregnant. It's possible that you may find it more challenging to get approved for coverage because of your pre-existing condition, that is pregnancy. Government plans, such as Washington Basic or Medicaid, are more likely to offer adequate coverage, but there are usually income and disability requirements associated with these types of plans.

Shopping around for the best type of health insurance to cover your pregnancy is bound to pay off. If you are planning to become pregnant in the near future, get insured first. This will make the transition much easier and help ensure you get the proper pre-natal care for a smooth and healthy pregnancy. Going through a pregnancy without insurance is outrageously expensive and can leave you in mounds of debt, so research health insurance options for your needs.

Car Insurance Quotes Affected by Economy

Industry expert and the Insurance Information Institute's Senior Vice President, Steven Weisbert, gave a presentation last month which highlights the rise in car insurance quotes over the past three years. This disappointing information is detailed in the article "Report: Car Insurance Price Trends Are Out of Sync with Economy" by Ben Zitney found on OnlineAutoInsurance.com.

Weisbert believes the auto insurance market started struggling at the end of 2007 after four consecutive years of dropping car insurance rates. The national average costs on car insurance coverage has increased steadily for three years now which is directly affecting stuggling consumers in this down ecomony. The report shows an approximate increase of 12% from '07 to '10 and this is causing huge impacts on families.

The presentation "Mega-Trends Influencing the Future of Auto Insurance" by Weisbert was addressed back in October 2010 at the National Auto Insurance ExecuSummit in Connecticut. Not only did it go over many new trends in the industry, but it helped to explain some of the increases in car insurance rates over time. Now more than ever, consumers should be shopping around to compare car insurance rates since there can be large variations in prices from insurer to insurer.

Medicare 2011: Changes to Come

The United States government sponsors many health insurance programs such as Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan, but it's most popular program, Medicare, is up for some big changes in the coming months.

According to the article "Medicare Changes Set for 2011" by The Times-Standard outlines 4 of the major changes to come. They include:

1. New yearly open enrollment for Medicare Advantage
2. Updates for the Medicare Prescription Drug programs
3. Less being paid into the "donut hole"
4. Annual wellness visits

These are just a handful of the upcoming changes for 2011 according to The National Council on Aging. Beneficiaries are encouraged to review their Medicare packages to ensure they understand all changes being made that will affect them. Many will need Medicare supplement plans to have full coverage and you want to make sure you can continue to see the same doctor. The changes are intended to improve the program overall, but as the shift takes place some may be left confused so getting educated is very important.

Smartphones Are Causing Car Accidents

More and more drivers are purchasing smartphones to help run their lives and with this comes the temptation to use the phone while driving. It's no surprise that using your phone while driving is highly dangerous, but with so many drivers on the road trying to multitask, it's getting very scary.

The article "Use Smartphones Smartly Can Help Avoid Car Accidents" by Richard Burton on AutoQuoteNow's website says 72% of people using their phone while driving say work related items encourage them to check their phone while on the road. About 33% are tempted to use the phone while driving to check social sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Many others check personal business items such as bank statements, auto insurance bills and to-do lists while operating a vehicle.

In the last few years, fatalities from accidents caused by multitaskers has increased dramatically despite numerous laws put into place to stop texting while driving. Smartphones are an amazing invention and offer many benefits to our societies, but the temptation to use the phone while driving is one of the dangerous downfalls. Awareness is on the rise and more and more people are committing to leaving their phone alone while driving. Hopefully those numbers will increase rather than fatal accidents from those who text while driving.

South Carolina Health Cooperative

There have been many changes made to Carolina health insurance over the years, but more are coming. This includes a South Carolina health cooperative designed to help small businesses pay for health care for their employees. With health care costs making or breaking a small business, any help they can get will be valuable.

The South Carolina Health Cooperative (SCHC) combines many different types of companies together to create a pool that applies for health insurance. SCHC structures plans over the long term which protects smaller companies from unexpected rate increases. SCHC is the first approved cooperative in the state which happened this month.

The co-op is available for small businesses with 2-50 employees and the application process has been started. The best thing about this type of pool is that the more people that sign up, the more negotiating power there is to get low rates from the health insurance companies.

Sinkholes Increase Florida Insurance Rates

According to the article "Sinkhole Claims Are Driving up Florida Insurance Rates, State Official Says" by Laura Green on TCPalm.com, property insurance companies in Florida are reporting a 200% increase in sinkhole claims between 2006 and 2010 with costs of over $1.4 billion.

The Florida DOI and Commissioner Kevin McCarty believe sinkhole claims are driving up insurance rates and a recent report confirms this. He is concerned because rates will never stop increasing if the problem isn't addressed. Only about 1% of the claims represent a catastrophic sinkhole, something that could swallow up a whole backyard or a SUV car.

The majority of the claims comes from Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, which are all known as the sinkhole belt. The report also shows a steady incrase in claims in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, which are areas not generally prone to sinkholes. Some of the claims may not be legitimate and not only is this type of fraud immoral, but they drive up the costs of insurance for everyone.

Health Care Reform Facts

With election season here, health care reform has been a hot topic across the nation. There is so much information flying around that it's hard to decipher the facts from fiction. There seems to be three main myths out there scaring consumers. Let's put some of the myths to rest.

Health care reform is not designed to raise taxes or cause job losses. The law actually includes the largest middle class tax cut for health care ever in the United States. Most Americans do not want to pay any more taxes than we already do and the administration recognizes this.

Some experts worry that the health care bill will force Americans to purchase health insurance policies they cannot afford. Between tax breaks and hardship waivers the plan hopes everyone can have affordable health insurance policies.

Another major myth out there is that Medicare is going to be cut dramatically and hurt beneficiaries. The plan does not include any Medicare cuts to beneficiaries, but rather it adds benefits such as free preventative health care and annual wellness visits.

Understanding reform is the first step in getting Americans on board so that the plan can actually work. Politics aside, health care reform will be in full effect by 2014 so everyone needs to work together to get the best possible results.

Compare Car Insurance

Relief is available for college students who are looking for auto insurance. College students are often hit hard with financial burdens such as books, tuition, living expenses and auto insurance. It's important for these students to know that they can find discounts that may save them a lot of money.

First and foremost it's crucial to compare car insurance quotes. Quotes can vary dramatically from one insurance company to another. Also, most auto insurance companies offer good student discounts which can range from 10% - 20% off the original quote price. It's important to ask your insurer about such programs in case they do not offer it voluntarily.

Even though college students are often placed in a higher risk category because of their age, they can still receive good driving discounts. If a college student has a clean record and no violations they will save money and these savings can increase over time. The type of car you drive can save you money on insurance as well and since many students are driving less expensive cars, quotes can be lower. During these tough times everyone is looking to save money, but especially college students who have many expenses them hitting them all at once. It's worth their time to learn where to save.

State Farm Supports Our Troops

If you have State Farm insurance or have recently obtained a State Farm insurance quote, you may be glad to know that State Farm continues to support our communities and specifically our American troops service our country.

State Farm is very proud to sponsor the Sea to Shining Sea ride which goes across America. This bike trek is completed by exceptional athletes, many that were wounded during active duty. The last journey was completed in the spring and was a great success.

In addition to funding, State Farm Insurance agents across the nation were there for all 63 days of the ride serving as community coordinators. They provided local information, helped with logistics, assisted in route planning, and showed rallying support for the courageous riders along the way. It's just one of many great causes that State Farm supports and many members are proud of their committment to service.

California DOI

The California DOI has announced that a settlement has been reached in a recent enforcement action according to the article "Two Insurers Settle California Insurance Code Violations" found on ClaimsJournal.com.

The action is against Civil Service Employees Insurance Company, and CSE Safeguard Insurance Company. This settlement marks the end of a market conduct exam which located many violations of the important Insurance Code and Regulations from back in 2005 and 2006. This code is enforced by the California DOI.

More specifically, Department reviewers studied the companies' claims handling practices in auto, homeowner, as well as commercial liability lines of insurance and found the violations. They randomly selected 596 claim files closed during the specified review timeframe and found 661 total claim handling violations all together.

Healthy Indiana Plan

The Healthy Indiana Plan available to Indiana residents seeking affordable health insurance continues to be an outstanding program for Indiana families. During these tumultuous times in our economy and health care system, it's encouraging to know that plans such as these are available for Americans.

The plan primarily serves the very poor and low income population, and is a great option for families with children who do not have insurance through their employer nor can they afford standard individual health insurance plans. Those types of plans are getting more and more expensive and with mandates going into place soon with the new health care reform bill, many Indiana residents are scrambling to get proper coverage. That's why this type of plan is invaluable.

Other states such as Washington, have similar programs to help their residents. Washington Basic offers a variety of benefits to qualifying residents. Plans across the nation are quickly coming together to support struggling Americans. Unfortunately, with unemployment so high and employers dropping plans quickly, government is having a hard time keeping up with all the need out there currently.

Cheapest Car Insurance

The article "Insurance Rates: Top 5 States to Insure a Car for Less" by Laurent Belsie on CSMonitor.com, compares the top 5 states where the lowest percentage of the median income goes to pay for car insurnace. If you live in one of these states it's still very important to compare car insurance, but knowing you will probably get a good deal is comforting to know.

Number five on the list is Utah, where the median driver spends about 3.5% of their income on car insurance. Their car insurance quotes may be lower because Utah has twice as much space and many less drivers than a state such as Virgina. Next on the list is New Hampshire, then Hawaii, Minnesota, and the cheapest on the list is Massachusetts.

Massachusetts may be surprising since it's often known as being an expensive state. But because of the high income overall in the state, residents only spend about 2% of their income on car insurance. This is the lowest in the country overall, and this is even considering the bustling city of Boston and their higher rates.

Ohio DOI

The Ohio DOI continues to offer valuable support to Ohio residents with questions on insurance. They provide information on auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance, homeowners insurance and even more. They even have an online toolkit that is worth checking out.

Ohio senior citizens can turn to the DOI for assistance at any time. The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program is a completely free benefit for Ohio citizens which provides accurate information on insurance programs and Medicare. There are free seminars to attend and representatives to talk to.

With all the misinformation out there on insurance in general it's very beneficial to have a team of professionals looking out for the consumer. As health care reform approaches there will be even more confusion with insurance so knowing you have someone to turn to with accurate information is very reassuring.

Carolina Health Insurance

There are many affordable health insurance options in the Carolinas. There is a good variety of plans to choose from such as HMO plans, PPO insurance, health savings accounts, HDHP, family health insurance, as well as individual health insurance. Carolina Health Insurance has come a long way.

In North Carolina, Medicaid pays approximately 20% of the population. This is a great way to help the less fortunate have proper health insurance coverage. North Carolina Health Choice for Children is a unique option for families do not qualify for Medicaid because they make too much money but still can't afford the pricey cost of health insurance for a full family. This program offers free or discounted health insurance options for the children of these families.

South Carolina has similar health insurance options, but there are some differences from North Carolina. Hands on Health South Carolina is a valuable resource offered by the government to help residents lead healthier lifestyles. Partners for Health Insurance (PHC), provides South Carolina residents Medicare coverage to dependents who are 18 years or younger coming from families of low income.

Both states have great options for their residents which is excellent news in this economy and with the challenges residents face getting coverage as well as having access to health information.

State Farm Car Insurance Quotes

If you are shopping around for State Farm car insurance quotes, it's helpful to understand what goes into determining the price they give you. Factors vary slightly from company to company but most car insurance companies consider the same factors when determining individual rates.

One factor is the type of coverage you purchase. The more comprehensive, usually the more expensive. What type of car you drive is also an important factor as well as where you drive. If you drive a lot your quote may be higher and along the same line, if you drive small amounts you will probably get a lower quote on your car insurance.

Age, gender and marital status are all considered when calculating a rate. Studies show these factors affect the riskiness of drivers. Driving record is obviously very important and more recently credit rating is used in the equation. Studies have shown that credit history is a strong predictor of future car insurance losses. For more information on what goes into a car insurance quote visit State Farm's website and get a State Farm car insurance quote to see if they may save you money.

Washington Basic

According to the press release found on BasicHealth.com, over 100,000 people are on a waiting list for the state of Washington's Basic Health program. This is causing low-income Washington residents to find affordable health insurance to cover their needs.

To address this urgent matter Washington state is offering the Washington Health Program which is a non-subsidized version of the Basic Health program. Both Washington Health Program and Basic Health are administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority. Washington Basic is looking out for their residents.

Washington governor Chris Gregoire knows that health care reform is coming their way and he believes it will provide millions of Americans to quality health care. Unfortunately, he recognizes that many Washington residents cannot wait until the implementation of reform in 2014. They need coverage immediately and that is why they are taking steps to make it more readily available.

Compare Car Insurance Rates

According to the article "10 Tips To Drive Down Rising Car Insurance Costs" by Victoria Bischoff on the CityWire website, car insurance costs are up but there are ways to help keep costs down for drivers.

The first tip discussed is shopping around to compare car insurance rates. It seems obvious, but many consumers do not take the time to shop around. With many website available to get multiple quotes all at once, it's painless to go this route. If drivers are more comfortable getting a State Farm insurance quote from an agent, then getting another quote from a different company agent, you still will save. It's worth the effort.

There are other tips discussed, but one important one is to downsize your car. This will have an impact on your car insurance premium immediately. Safe, and affordable cars are the cheapest to insure since replacing and repairing them is cheaper. By doing your research and figuring out which car will suit your needs the best, you can save a lot of money. It's recommended in this article to also avoid modifying your car since this can increase rates. Alloy wheels and racing stripes could have the insurance company viewing the driver as higher risk which would in turn increase rates.

Auto Insurance Information

According to the press release "Vehicle Monitoring Systems Raise Serious Privacy Concerns" found on MarketWatch.com, a lawsuit filed by Progressive Insurance, accuses the Massachusetts based Liberty Mutual Group, Inc, of infringing on Progressive's patent which was received in 2000 for a car monitoring system that obtains data such as location, mileage and speed from a customer's automobile.

This type of system has caused a lot of buzz over the past few years while some believe it's intrusive and causes privacy concerns. Tracking devices can infringe on consumer privacy and possibly raise the cost of insurance according to Chris Gay who is the founder and president of MileMeter.

MileMeter is the first and only company in the US which offers pay-per-mile auto insurance. Customers pay for insured miles in advance, and rates are based on age, location and car type. This way of doing insurance not only saves the customer money, but MileMeter's program encourages less frequent driving since the less they drive the more money they save. This helps keep down pollution as well as traffic congestion. It's possible more and more companies will turn to this way of offering auto insurance coverage.

State Farm Car Insurance Quote

State Farm Car Insurance is currently number one in America. They have been providing quality coverage to Americans since 1922. They prioritize their customer's needs which they believe keeps them a leader in giving and following through on a State Farm car insurance quote.

Many reputable groups such as the Illinois DOI and various other departments of insurance groups recognize State Farm as a leader in providing car insurance and many other types of insurance. Their car insurance specifically is designed to help financially cover potential car accidents, loss, and injuries. It helps to protect consumers and give them the peace of mind to know they are covered.

Not only does car insurance protect you as the driver, but it also protects fellow drivers on the road, pedestrians, passengers, and property. It's also there to assist you in case you are sued for an auto related situation. Most states require by law that you carry insurance, so it really shouldn't be a choice. With that said, there are many reasons to carry coverage regardless of what the law dictates. Getting a State Farm Car Insurance Quote can show you car insurance can be affordable.

Florida DOI

The Florida DOI (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation) announced recently that the Office has ordered 16 workers' compensation insurance companies to give back over $9.4 million in excess profits to their policy holders. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty made the official announcement.

The Florida Office performed an evaluation of submitted data that had earned premium and losses. They determined that 16 various insurance companies had excessive profits which is defined by the statute for the '05, '06, and '07 years.

The companies include American Interstate Insurance Co, Florists' Insurance Group, Hanover Insurance Group, Guard Insurance Group, Harco National Insurance Co, Indiana Lumberman's Mutual Insurance Co, Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies, MAG Mutual Insurance Co, Memic Indemity, One Beacon Insurance Group, Safety National Group, St. Paul Travelers Group, State Auto Mutual Group, Transguard Insurance Company of America, Ullico Casualty Co, and the Westfield Companies.

The Insurance companies have 60 days from the date of the request to return the premiums to their customers.

Mandatory Auto Insurance

Wisconsin has recently become one of the last states to make auto insurance mandatory. According to the article "Mandatory Auto Insurance Hits Wisconsin" by Hilary Dickinson found on beloitdailynews.com, Wisconsin drivers now face a $500 fine if they are caught driving without the proper auto insurance coverage. They are the 49th state to implement this type of law.

Not only does the law state you must have auto insurance, but you must also carry proof of such auto insurance coverage. Drivers will need to carry their policy card with them, either in the car or in their wallet. If a driver happens to be pulled over and cannot show proof of insurance then they may face a ticket and a fine.

Experts are debating if the fines are going to be enough incentive to get more people to carry auto insurance. Car insurance rates are currently high and even by shopping around and seeking to compare car insurance, some people simply cannot afford the extra cost during these tough times. Since the law went into effect there has not been a significant increase in Wisconsin drivers purchasing car insurance. Experts state that the type of person who would abide this type of law already carry auto insurance because it's the financially responsible thing to do.

Compare Car Insurance

Most auto insurance companies use driving record information determining your auto insurance rates. According to the recent article "Are You Driving Distracted, and is Your Auto Insurance Suffering" found on lexch.com, even non-fatal car accidents are detrimental to have on your driving record. Driving safely will end up saving you a lot of money over time, and makes it well worth your time to compare car insurance rates.

According to Distraction.gov, the official US Government site for distracted driving, there are three types of driving distractions which are visual, manual and cognitive. In 2008, distracted drivers caused around 5870 deadly auto accidents. This is a scary statistic which should motivate everyone to stop driving distractions such as talking on the phone, texting while driving, or eating. Having a conversation with a passenger or fiddling with music stations can cause accidents as well.

Before you compare car insurance quotes, be sure to know where your driving record stands. Tickets, accidents and mos DUI's do fall off your record over time, but it's important to understand that the safer you drive, the less likely you are to be in a crash and pay higher auto insurance premiums. Not to mention you can save lives if you are a very safe driver. There are many reasons to drive safely, and no good reason to risk lives and have any unnecessary distractions while driving.

State Farm Car Insurance Quotes

State Farm car insurance quotes are competitive and prices are reasonable. Not only are prices good, but customer service has always been known to be top notch. Members are not only receiving a great business experience but they are supporting a company that dedicates many resources to giving back to the community.

The NBA recently partnered with State Farm Insurance for the launch of the first-ever NBA Cares Charity Challenge. This charity event is sponsored by State Farm and NBA stars compete through the league's Facebook page to help raise money for their choice of a charity. Fans were able to review videos with NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, and Dwayne Wade working with a charitable organization.

Throughout the week fans were able to vote for one of the 4 players on the NBA Facebook page. Whoever had the most votes won $10,000 for their selected charity. The other charities received $5,000. Pau Gasol ended up winning for his charity, UNICEF. The results were announced on the NBA Facebook page on May 10, 2010.

If you want a great deal on car insurance, and want to support a company that cares get a State Farm Insurance quote.

Compare Car Insurance: Which Cars Are Cheapest to Insure

There is a new report found on MSN’s Money Central web page which lists the most and least expensive cars to insure for 2010. This information is helpful to have as you compare car insurance to use for comparison. Having an idea of where cars rank in insurance costs can prove very beneficial.

First on their list for the most expensive car to insure in the CAR category is the Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 2-door coupe with 6 cylinders which has an average premium of $2943.78. The next car on the list is the Mercedes S65 AMG 4-door sedan with 12 cylinders at $2863.03. The 3rd most expensive auto is the Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD 4-door sedan with 8 cylinders with an average rate of $2837.39.

The cheapest car to insure is the Dodge Caliber SXT 4-door hatchback with 4 cylinders with an average rate of $1192.85. Next on the list is the Dodge Caliber 4-door hatchback with 4 cylinders at $1196.21 and the 3rd least expensive auto is the Volkswagen Golf GLS 4-door hatchback with 4 cylinders at $1196.39 based on this report.

Keep this information handy as you shop around for car insurance. An educated consumer saves more money, so it's definitely worth your time to keep up on reports such as this.

Compare Car Insurance: JD Power Auto Insurance Rankings

When you decide it's time to compare car insurance quotes it's useful to have has many tools at your fingertips as possible. JD Power recently released their 2009 National Auto Insurance Study which ranks various auto insurance companies in a variety of categories.

The categories include overall satisfaction, contacting the insurer, policy offerings, billing and payment, and pricing. Amica Mutual auto insurance received the overall JD Power Award for ranking the best overall in the categories.

Each company receives a score based on the legend with 4 different rankings. The rankings include 'among the best', 'better than most', 'about average', and 'the rest'. The JD Power Consumer Center Ratings may not have all the information and data used to determine JD Power and Associates Award. Visit the JD Power website for more detailed information on various auto insurance companies and their rankings.

California DOI: Auto Insurance Changes Coming

The California DOI may need to update their records as a possible major change is coming to California auto insurance. California auto insurance agents are supporting Proposition 17 which is looking to extend a discount to millions of drivers who are currently forced to pay much more each year if they decide to switch auto insurance companies. This is according to the article on sfgate.com by Mike D'Arelli entitled "Insurance Changes Would Help 80% of Drivers".

Prop 17 wants to fix the current issue of rewarding those who keep continuous coverage, but not including those who have continuous coverage but switch insurance companies. By changing insurers, California drivers are no longer eligible for this discount, and supporters of Prop 17 see this as unfair.

With Prop 17 passing it will increase competition among auto insurance companies and provide drivers in California with more choices and more freedom to shop around for better rates. It looks to benefit about 80% of drivers who follow the law and keep continuous coverage.

There are also some other provisions in Prop 17 looking to protect consumers during tough, economic times. The proposition will also help to protect military men and women who have to halt auto insurance coverage because they are deployed. These changes, if implemented, will help keep the playing field fair and save many drivers a lot of money.

State Farm Insurance Quote: Asking Toyota to Pay Claims

According to the article "State Farm Asks Toyota to Repay Acceleration Claims" by Sharon Silke Carty on USAToday.com, State Farm Auto Insurance has asked Toyota to repay them for any accidents related to uncontrolled acceleration in Toyota recalled cars. They have already paid for these claims and want to be reimbursed.

Mark Bunim, an attorney with Case Closure, says that other auto insurance companies are expected to follow State Farm's lead and demand repayment of paid claims. This could end up costing Toyota between $20 million to $30 million. It may have also affected a State Farm Insurance quote received by individuals shopping around for auto insurance. State Farm intends to ensure Toyota is held accountable.

Toyota has recalled 7.7 million cars in two recalls related to sudden and uncontrolled acceleration, one causes by a floor mat getting stuck, and one caused by a sticking pedal. The US government has officially fined Toyota the maximum $16.4 million for going against the five day deadline of reporting the defective pedals. This situation just seems to be getting worse for Toyota as more issues are arising continuously.

Healthy Indiana Plan Affected By Health Care Reform

Many health insurance providers and special state programs will be affected by health care reform in some way. This includes two well known plans, Healthy Indiana Plan and Washington Basic. This does not need to be a cause for concern though. Health care reform is designed to help as many Americans as possible have affordable health insurance.

There are some important timelines that Americans should be aware of in regards to when health care reform will take place. Within one year the new bill will be offering a $250 rebate for Medicare prescription drug plans for those whose benefits have run out. 90 days after the bill goes into effect there will be immediate access to high risk pools for those previously declined for pre-existing conditions. After 6 months of enactment, insurance companies will not be allowed deny coverage for those who get sick and they cannot deny children with any pre-existing conditions. This is a huge change that many will benefit from.

By the year 2014 most employers will have to offer health insurance to their employees. People who do not carry health insurance will face certain penalties. And by 2018, a 40% tax will be placed on high end health insurance policies. It won't be until 2019 that health insurance is extended to the promised 32 million people.

Filing An Auto Insurance Claim

The Illinois DOI is a great resource for valuable information on insurance laws and regulations. They discuss auto insurance cancellation and non-renewal and improper claims practices laws. Filing a claim in Illinois can be a stressful time, but when the appropriate preparation, you can make it a smooth process.

The first step to take is to ensure you really need to file a claim. If the damage is small and you can afford to pay for repairs out of pocket, it doesn't make sense to risk increasing your auto insurance premiums. The next step is to document each detail involved in the accident to ensure you have all the information your insurance company may need.

You should be prepared to receive a call from the insurance company of any other drivers involved in the accident. Any time there is a dispute on claims information, they need more information from people who witnessed the event. Once your claim is accepted you may get a visit from an auto insurance adjuster to review the damage. They may direct you towards acceptable auto repair companies and car rental companies you can use while you wait for your car to get fixed. Being prepared for the ramifications of being in an accident can help make the situation smoother.

Washington Basic Budget Update

It is still unclear as of December 2009 whether or not Washington Basic will make it through the year. Basic Health will continue to offer coverage to its enrollees at least until June 30, 2010. The Basic Health Plan has been targeted to be eliminated and it provides health care coverage to about 65,000 individuals which is about $160 million.

To stay within the approved budget Washington Basic Health no longer processes new applications to determine eligibility and has a waiting list. You can still submit applications to be put on the waiting list and there are some groups that can bypass the wait list. These include foster parents, personal care workers, health coverage tax credit, tribal sponsored accounts, Washington National Guard or Reserves, some maternity applicants, and former Basic Health members who stopped coverage because of Medicaid coverage and who have since lost that coverage. They have to notify Basic Health within 30 days.

Carolina Health Insurance also is affected by the economy and budget cuts are happening throughout the company. See how your health benefits may have been affected and if anything major has changed.

State Farm Car Insurance Quotes Higher for Teens

It's typically the case that State Farm car insurance quotes are higher for young adults ages 16-21. This is common for most auto insurance companies. The main reason for this is that car crashes are the #1 leading cause of death among teens in the US. They tend to get in more accidents and receive more tickets as they are learning to drive.

Schools across the United States have been in competition to create the superior safe driving campaigns with the goal of convincing fellow teens the dangers of engaging in risky behavior while driving. State Farm is sponsoring the program called Project Ignition and it's been coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council.

The finalists for this competition have recently been announced and they have each earned $5000 to cover travel expenses to the National Service Learning Conference in San Jose, California being held between March 24th and March 27th. The winner will receive a $10,000 grant for their school. This is an outstanding initiative that will hopefully encourage safer driving among teens.

Affordable Health Insurance Plans at www.healthinsurancesort.com

According to the recent press release found on PR Web entitled Healthinsurancesort.com Provides Record Number of Health Insurance Quotes in 2009, over 350,000 consumers received health insurance quotes from the online resource, www.healthinsurancesort.com.

There has been an increase in the need for individual health insurance as more and more people are unemployed and many companies are dropping their health insurance coverages. By comparing affordable health insurance plans online consumers can find a policy quickly that meets all their needs.

The press release points out that 46.3 million Americans are without health insurance. Many of these people might not realize how easy it can be to get covered. Hopefully, as awareness over health insurance issues has risen with all the debate in the news over health care reform that number of uninsured will improve dramatically.

Read more at http://www.prweb.com/releases/health/insurance/prweb3641524.htm

Health Insurance Rates Increasing for Many

As if health insurance rates weren't high enough, they are rising significantly in over four states according to the article "Individual Insurance Rates Soar in 4 States" by the Associated Press on msnbc.com.

In California, some policy holders will see an increase of 39% by March 1. In Maine some will see hikes up to 23%. And in Oregon some will see rates go up 15% after a 25% increase put in place last year. This is going to be devastating for many families. Individual health insurance is usually much more volatile than insured received through employers. It's also harder to find health insurance individually if one has a pre-existing condition.

There are many states trying to help those struggling with expensive health insurance. Plans like the Healthy Indiana Plan reach out to eligible families to offer quality health insurance at affordable prices. Hopefully the states experiencing high rate increases will offer similar programs to struggling family.

La CHIP Offers Low-Cost Health Insurance

La CHIP stands for Louisiana Children's Health Insurance and it's offering low-cost, and sometimes no-cost health insurance coverage for the children of Louisiana. They have been holding news conferences to raise awareness and encourage eligible children to get covered through La CHIP.

Children who are up to the age of 19 and live in Louisiana may qualify. The program covers well child visits, immunizations, doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medicines and more. For the families that do not qualify for La CHIP because their income is too high there is an alternative called La CHIP Affordable Plan. This plan has similar eligibility requirements but families are able to make more money and still qualify. They can make up to 250% of the federal poverty level.

How To Get Discounts On Auto Insurance Quotes

According to the article "Little-Known Auto Insurance Discounts" on www.savingadvice.com there are many auto insurance discounts available that consumers may not know about. It's important to be educated so that you are getting the best deal possible on your auto insurance rates.

One of the discounts is the student discount, where just being enrolled can earn you some savings. Then there is the "good student" discount where grades of A or B can earn you further discounts. Discounts are often given for being a federal employee, members of AAA, or military men and women. You can even get a discount if your VIN number is on the window of your car.

Credit continues to be an important factor of most auto insurance quotes, as does where you live. Driving less and driving safe will earn you discounts and the longer you have a clean record the better. These are just a few examples of all the discounts available to drivers these days. See which ones you qualify for as you shop around for a State Farm insurance quote.

Veterans Innovation Program and Washington Basic

Washington Basic Health discusses a program called the Veterans Innovation Program (VIP) which was created back in 2006 on their website. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs runs the program and one of the benefits is priority enrollment in Washington Basic.

Priority enrollment means that eligible members can enroll without being required to wait for available spaces. When Washington Basic receives more applications than there are spots available applicants go on a waiting list. This waiting list can last months at times, so priority enrollment is a huge benefit.

You are eligible for the Veterans Innovation Program if you are a member of the Washington National Guard, Reserves, their spouses, and dependents who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Noble Eagle.

Healthy Indiana Plan and Medicare Still Available as Economy Slows

The article "Slow Economy Drives More Patients to Clinics" by Emily Monacelli on etruth.com says that more patients are avoiding their doctor and visiting community health centers instead. This is a direct result of the slowing economy and more uninsured Indiana residents.

Heart City Health Center in Elkart saw over 10,000 patients in 2009 which was up 45% from 2008 according to CEO Vernita Todd. Unfortunately, more patients does not translate to more revenue. Approximately 65% of the clinic's adult uninsured visitors receive a 90% discount based on their income level.

Many of these patients are unaware of the affordable options available to them and their families such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan. Many of these people are the working poor and they want to be covered, especially to protect their children but the money just isn't there. Having available health clinics is a blessing to communities, especially in tough times when unemployment is up and uninsured residents are on the rise.

Ohio DOI: BMV Email Debate

There has been a hot topic email going around on the Internet in regards to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and their plates expiration date. The article "Ohio BMV: Email Not True" found on whiotv.com summarizes the situation. Many Ohioans have received an email stating that the State of Ohio is trying to trick residents into paying more for the license plate renewal. The supposed month long grace period after the birthday was apparently going away and violators would be charged in an extra penalty to try and balance the budget. Many expected the Ohio DOI to be on top of this.

But state officials say this email isn't true. Since 1989 the expiration date for plates has been on the actual birthday, not the end of the birth month like many misinterpreted. A spokesperson for the BMV stated there has been an increase in penalties for not having a sticker updated on time, but this was made very public in the Transportation Bill. They definitely were not trying to be sneaky.

The email has been circulating servers and creating quite a stir among Ohio drivers. State officials are even considering putting something on their website to straighten out the misunderstanding caused by this email.

Colorado DOI Website Has Consumer Tips

The Colorado DOI has a website for their Department of Regulatory Agencies and on this site is a section dedicated to offering tips to consumers. The most recent tip segment is about keeping debt levels down and paying off holiday spending. What a great time of year to offer this type of advice as many consumers have spent more than they can afford.

Some of the highlights to the segment include paying off the highest interest rate credit card first to minimize the amount of finance charges you pay. They recommend cutting up all cards you do not regularly use and make it a priority to pay new balances in full each month. They suggest contacting creditors to negotiate lower interest rates which can often prove very worth while and will save you hundreds in interest fees if they agree. If possible, move balances from higher interest rate cards to lower interest rates cards and take advantage of low promotional rates when available.

The most important advice, which is also the most challenging for the average American, is to live within your means. If you cannot afford a particular item, save money until you can afford it and pay for it with cash. This is a habit that will prove to save you a lot of money in the long run. Good luck!

California DOI Warns Seniors

According to a press release from December 17th on the California DOI website, a $15,000 fine has been issued against Annuity Services Insurance Center for deceptive practices which targeted senior citizens. This leads the DOI to warn seniors about scam artists.

California Commissioner, Steve Poizner, offers tips to help protect senior citizens from annuity scams. Some tips include watching out for high pressure selling techniques, preying on "time fears", asking for appropriate credentials, and trusting your instincts. They encourage you to contact your state if you suspect you are being scammed. If you think an offer is too good to be true, then there is a good chance it may be a scam.

It's very important that state departments take the initiative to protect those who are easy targets. The Florida DOI gives similar warnings since they have a high number of retirees in the state of Florida. It's very frustrating that there are people out there with the main intention to mislead, confuse and deceive consumers.