Insurance World

As cold-hearted as it may sound, marriage is often a way to ensure that a person has health insurance. By marrying an individual who has health insurance through his or her employer, the new spouse can typically be covered by that health insurance, as well. Even though it’s usually considered insurance fraud, which makes it illegal, many people enter into marriage just to have health insurance. Many people also attempt to hang on to, or work through, a failing marriage for the sole purpose of hanging onto the health insurance they receive from their spouse’s employer.

You don’t have to hang onto a failing marriage, nor do you have to get married, just to ensure you’ll have health insurance. You can purchase an individual health insurance policy of your own. Sure, individual health insurance policy rates are usually more expensive than the group insurance policy rates paid by employees who buy into their employer’s health insurance package, but wouldn’t you rather pay a little more for your own health insurance policy than hang onto a marriage in which you’re unhappy, just to have a health insurance policy you don’t have to pay for? And, on that note, aren’t you paying for the health insurance anyway, by compromising your happiness and staying in a failing marriage just for your spouse’s health insurance policy?

We all know health insurance is important, but marrying for health insurance, or staying in an unhappy marriage for health insurance, isn’t the answer. You can shop around for an individual health insurance policy that is going to meet both your health and your financial needs. It may take time, but there are many health insurance companies out there that offer individual health insurance policies. Look into several health insurance companies, talk to several health insurance agents, and you will find one that will work for you. You don’t have to rely on marriage for adequate health insurance.

Most homeowners think, or hope, that they have enough coverage on their homes to take care of just about any sort of contingency. However, waiting until a disaster strikes – like Hurricane Katrina – could find yourself uncovered for an event that you thought was covered. Are you really protected? Read on and we’ll take a look at what is typically covered under the average insurance plan. If in doubt, pull out the policy and call your insurance representative today to make certain that your policy meets your needs.

Tree Damage: If a tree falls on your house, you are covered. However, what if your neighbor’s tree falls on your house? Worse, what if their coverage is inadequate or nonexistent? Rest assured, you are covered…through your own policy that is.

Water Damage: Your home is damaged from wind and from rain. Are you covered? Good question! If the water came into your home via damage to the roof then you are likely okay. If the water came in due to a rising creek or storm surge then you are out of luck unless you purchased a separate flood insurance policy from the federal government. Think Katrina: many homeowners are grabbling with insurance providers as they learn that they weren’t covered at all.

Volcanic Activity: Surprisingly, if a volcano erupts and takes your home away with it, you should be covered.

Nuclear War: If you home is vaporized during a nuclear incident you are not covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

Earthquake Insurance: Better hope that you have separate earthquake insurance in the event you live someplace where the ground is prone to seismic movement. Your regular policy will not cover you so take out a separate earthquake insurance policy to make certain that you are well covered.

Even if you have the right kind of coverages do you have enough coverage for everything that you own? Will your current insurance plans provide enough coverage for a home fire or will deductibles limit your ability to rebuild? In addition, should you opt for an umbrella policy in the event that you need something beyond homeowners and auto insurance coverage? One lawsuit could empty out your bank account with one whack of a judge’s gavel as the courts rule against you.

Regardless of where you think you stand an occasional “check up” with your insurance provider should reveal whether your coverage is sufficient. Assume nothing; to do so could mean that your coverage is inadequate for every sort of contingency.