Many people are seeking the better interest rates that annuities can offer in today’s low interest rate environment.  Clients have asked if they can get an even better rate than my regular insurance companies offer.  In the past, I have only looked at “A” rated insurance companies.  Today, clients are looking at “B” rated companies, because they may offer a higher interest rate.  So, yes you can get a better return on your money with an annuity and you can have your independent agent shop the many insurance companies until you find the rate and the guarantee that is right for you.

The good news is that we don’t just have to sit there like a deer in headlights.  More and more people are realizing that Consumer Directed Health Care is the solution that is already the law of the land.  Folks can get the tax benefits that traditional group health insurance has long enjoyed.  They can have insurance that they own that is not tied to their jobs;  and once a policy is issued the rates will not go up because they submit claims, even big claims or develop health issues.  All the major carriers like Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health Care offer these plans, so sit down with an independent agent and find the company and the plan that is right for you.  Then other people can worry about the uncertain future, while you know that your family is protected with a plan that is a keeper.

In 2002 there were 12 milli0n Americans covered under family insurance policies.

In 2008 there were 24 million people covered under family insurance policies.

In 2012 we will probably have 50 million people covered under family insurance policies.

If you have not gotten a quote recently on an individual health insurance policy you may be pleasantly surprised.  But don’t just get a quote from one carrier, talk to an independent agent who represents at least the top companies, namely Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health Care.

OK, one question at a time.  People buy hybrid cars to save on gasoline.  If they go faster than about 30 mph, they are burning gas, under and they are using the electric feature of their car.  It can be annoying if you are between second and third gears as you follow them.

Comprehensive and Collision premiums are based on vehicle symbols.  The symbol assigned to a vehicle is based on several factors, such as the age, the value, the safety features ,the cost to repair and so on.  A newer vehicle is usually but not always more expensive to insure than an older one, since model year and value of the vehicle are only one of many factors that go into assigning the symbol.  Sometimes one Insurance Company will rate a vehicle with a lower symbol than another Insurance Company because they had a better loss experience, so it pays to have your Insurance Agent shop several companies for you.

Yes, you need to understand what you bought.  Instead of asking if you got term, whole life or universal life, I will make it real simple:  when do your payments increase ?

If you don’t know the answer to this question, you have a ticking time bomb and  you don’t even know when it will blow your financial plans to smithereens.  The first question that you need to answer before you buy life insurance is how long will you need the insurance ?  If you need it for 30 years and you now have a great price that will start taking off in ten years, until the price goes to the moon, you have a big problem.  It is so easy to get life quotes on the internet.  You can get quotes from dozens of top companies on our site, but what you need is to talk to a Licensed Agent.  Once you and the agent determine your real needs, there are many Companies that will give you a great price to get your business.  The key is getting the right product for your needs.  Like the auto mechanic used to say, ” Pay me now or pay me later.”  There is no shame in not understanding everything that is in your policy, the shame is, if you don’t have an expert explain exactly what you have, so that you understand it.

You wonder whether it is convenient for you or for the insurance company who can just take what they want out of your paycheck.  Very rarely will you come out ahead by going with the big insurance company who made a deal with your big employer.  As you are finding out small payments can equal a lot of money, if you are making them frequently.  You should give your old agent a call or call an independent agent, who can shop dozens of companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal available to you.  Your payroll deducted insurance company has no incentive to check to see if you’re getting a good deal.  A good agent will check with other companies on renewal, if your current company has taken a big rate increase.  The only down side may be coming up with a down payment, but your savings can be huge and you can often avoid the big down payment by setting up an EFT (electronic funds transfer) out of your checking account.  This will give you the convenience of payroll deduction and you will have only one lower payment a month.

Many of our clients get a quote from our online web rater that shows the top three quotes from the dozens of insurance companies that Insurance World represents in Florida.  When they actually come into our office, we make sure all the questions are answered completely and often get them discounts that they qualify for or even better get them qualified for companies that their prior answers did not allow them to be rated for, resulting often in savings of hundreds of dollars from the online quote.

Bottom line, insurance can be complicated.  So instead of trying to do brain surgery on yourself or get a junior insurance agent degree online, you can save a lot of money by calling and having a licensed agent run your quote or coming into the office and talking to an agent in person.  That way, you will know before you buy and you won’t have any nasty surprises.

The figures have just come out for 2010.  The average monthly individual health insurance premium in the U.S. was $215.00. compared with the average group health insurance premium of $420.00 or almost $1,200.00 for a family.  So, yes, the savings are big for an individual and potentially gigantic for a family.  By the way, the Florida average individual monthly health insurance premium for 2010 was $178.00.  Of course, each situation is different, but it may pay you big to send a census of your employees to a Licensed Independent Health Insurance Advisor and see how much you can SAVE.

Perhaps, the even better news is that those individuals and companies who are going without Major Medical Coverage because they don’t think that they can afford it, will now stop assuming and get an actual quote that may be surprisingly affordable.

Many age 65 or better folks will be caught unaware, because in year’s past they had until the end of the year.  Snow birds may not even be here in their State Income Tax free Florida homes before their time runs out.  The choices are still great:  Ten Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, zero premium Medicare Advantage Plans and stand alone Prescription Drug Plans, but now is the time to sit down with an agent and get the information you need to choose the plan that is best for you for 2012.  Then you can relax and enjoy the holidays with your family.

You can read it on our site.  There is a link under the health insurance tab.  Let me know if you’d like a plan quoted for your company through any of the major companies like United Health Care, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield or Humana.

Many people like the Health Savings Accounts best, not only because they are tax deductible, but because they can go to their accupuncturist or other alternative health care professional without getting approval from an insurance company.