Monday, December 29, 2008
Statistics Show That for Millions of Americans
Today, many small businesses operate without liability insurance – with the exception of the workers’ compensation insurance, which is required by law. In many cases, business owners simply want to cut down on operating costs, but in today’s climate in which worker compensation claims have skyrocketed, operating without any liability coverage is a highly volatile practice.With just one claim, what took years to build can be wiped out. Without liability insurance, the business can take a major hit from the litigation process and the owner’s personal assets can become vulnerable. Consider that in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 335,000 cases of employees injured on the job due to contact with objects and equipment.Workers’ compensation, which is required by law in all 50 states, protects employers from liability for an accident involving an employee. This coverage will pay medical expenses and lost wages on injured employees. In cases of disability, it will provide a lump sum or annuities. It is increasingly important employers review their general liability insurance policies to ensure the coverage protects the business against claims made for bodily injury or property damage. Coverage should include medical expenses, defending the lawsuit, settlements and in appeal procedures, bonds or judgments.Premiums on General andcan be costly, and often the cost alone dissuades businesses from purchasing it. The cost, however, of operating without liability insurance can prove to be much more extreme. The out-of-pocket costs of filing a claim alone can escalate quickly and the number of damages that can occur such as fire or theft could nudge a business towards severe debt. If a worker is harmed on the job, the employer will face medical and legal fees. Workman’s comp insurance, which is required at varying levels by state, will provide a safeguard to the company.Cost of no insuranceIn September 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report detailing employee compensation. On average employers paid $28.03 per employee per hour. Of these costs, approximately $2.35 (8.4 percent) of total compensation went towards life, health and disability insurance – a nominal expenditure when compared to the cost of disputing or paying on a claim.Lawsuit expenses alone can vary radically depending on several variables such as the type of claim and whether it was filed by a customer or an employee. Employers can count on spending a significant amount to defend the case. Typically costs and procedures include:* A summons and complaint filed against the company, which results in several meetings and attorney fees, including consultation, transcript and research costs, all billed at an hourly rate.* The claim will then progress to the deposition phase, which entails a settlement conference and a trial date. In addition to the billable hours and other various fees, the attorney will also bill for the deposition paperwork.* During the trial, the attorney charges hourly and there’s no telling how long the trial could last. It could go from several days to several weeks. In addition to the hourly fees, the defendant is also being billed for various legal fees.* Legal fees can include transcript fees, witness fees, court reporter fees, consultation and deposition fees, research fees and mailing fees.In the event the employee wins the case, the defendant – the employer – will brunt the burden of not only paying the settlement, but also any medical, attorney and other expenses the prosecuting party has incurred. For those organizations operating without insurance, this can put them at risk of going into major debt or bankruptcy.In one 2004 workers’ compensation case in California, a wood products company was ordered not only to pay its employees medical expenses, but also entitled the employee to, “…medical treatment as is reasonably required to “relieve” from the effects of his industrial injury, even if such treatment will not “cure” that injury…” In effect, the company will be paying for medical treatments indefinitely. The company did, however, have insurance coverage and did not have to foot the bill.In a separate case, in 2006, an employee who suffered industrial injuries to the neck in the form of fibromyalgia was awarded payment of medical costs, in excess of $14,000, disability reaching nearly $100,000, plus life pension, which paid just over $45 per week.Protecting assetsInsurance protects businesses against more than just worker-related claims. It can also cover disasters such as fires, natural disasters and theft.According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, compensation awards to victims are now being determined for the recent Metrolink train crash in Chatsworth, Calif. and it’s expected the awards could easily exceed the $200-million cap Congress implemented on railroad liability in any one accident. If the cap is removed, Metrolink will be in an extremely vulnerable position.While most businesses will never experience a disaster of this magnitude, insurance coverage beyond workers’ comp insurance may be necessary in ensuring the organization’s assets are protected. A workers’ compensation insurance quote should outline what coverage will include. From there the business owner can determine whether additional liability insurance is needed. Typically, liability insurance coverage includes:* Legal costs – general liability insurance will cover litigation costs such as attorney and witness fees, as well as settlement payments.* Medical costs – insurance will cover medical costs for individuals who may have been injured on company property, this includes employees as well as customers.* Property damage – insurance will cover fire, theft or other incidents that damage the assets of the business. It insures the company from physical damage to the property as well as the customer’s property.* Business interruption – insurance will cover the business in cases of major disasters, such as a fire, that render the business inoperable. If the business is unable to operate, the insurance would reimburse the company for its losses and the profits that would have been made during that time.Business operators should shop recognized, established insurance providers to find the best coverage for their needs and the best price for their budget. All companies can provide general liability and workers’ compensation insurance quotes to help businesses budget for the expense.References:www.bls.gov/ecthttp://www.dir.ca.gov/wcab/wcab_panel.htmhttp://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/weeklystats.htm“Metrolink collision; Liability cap could be tested,” Los Angeles
How to Collect on Lost Life Insurance Policies
A relative has just died. He had a life insurance policy with you listed as the beneficiary. There's just one problem: the life insurance policy is missing. You have no idea which insurance company wrote it. If you find the missing life insurance policy in the future, are you still eligible to receive the death benefit? Hope they paid their insurance billsIf you're a beneficiary and you find the lost life insurance policy shortly after the insured dies (within six months to a year, for example), claiming the death benefit should be trouble-free. First, determine if the insured had term or permanent life insurance. If the insured held a term policy, you'll receive the death benefit if he died before the end of the policy term. If he died after the policy expiration date, you would get nothing. If the insured had a permanent life policy, you'll receive the money if the death occurred while the policy was "in force," meaning all premium payments were made up until the time of death. If the death was a while ago, you'll receive the benefit with interest from the date of death. If the life insurance policy lapsed — meaning the insured stopped making premium payments before he died — there's a chance you might get nothing. When a permanent life insurance policy lapses, most insurance companies switch its status from permanent insurance to one of two options: "Extended term" — The insurance company uses the cash value of the policy to buy a term life insurance policy for the same death benefit using the cash value of the policy. The death benefit will continue for the longest period the cash value will purchase. "Reduced paid up" — The insurance company will keep the policy in force permanently, but will reduce the death benefit. Gerry Brogla, an actuary for State Farm, says in the majority of the cases at his company, the permanent policy continues as extended term if it lapses. At State Farm, extended term is the default option for most permanent policies.If the policy lapses, and the extended-term period expires before the insured dies, the policy is worthless and the life insurance beneficiary will get nothing. If the insured dies before the extended-term period is up, the beneficiary will receive the death benefit. If the policy lapsed because the insured died (thus ending premium payments and causing the insurance to be placed in extended-term status), the beneficiary will still collect the full death benefit, regardless of when the extended term was up. The beneficiary always needs to supply the insurance company with a death certificate to verify the date of death.There is no time limit during which a life insurance beneficiary must step forward to collect the money, according to Jack Dolan, spokesman for the American Council of Life Insurers. "If a person shows up 30 years after [the insured's] death, the company still makes good on it," Dolan assures. What happens if no one ever reports the death?If the insured dies and the insurance company does not learn of the death, the policy lapses. Insurance companies will take steps to find out why a policyholder stopped making payments. When an insurance company stops getting payments, it sends letters to the insured informing him the policy may lapse as a result of unpaid premiums. If the letters go unanswered, the company might initiate a search to find the insured. If that comes up empty, the company will then lapse the policy.If a beneficiary to a policy never steps forward, it unfortunately means the insured paid money to a policy throughout his life and his beneficiaries never see a penny. This is why its a good idea to make sure beneficiaries are aware of any life insurance policies you have.If you're lucky, the state may have your moneyIn some cases when a beneficiary fails to claim a death benefit for several years, the money is transferred to the state where the insurance policy was purchased under the escheat laws.If a company knows an insured died and it cannot find the beneficiary, it must turn the full death benefit over to the state comptroller's department within three to five years of the insured's death. The money is transferred to the state where the insured bought the policy. The money is considered "unclaimed property" and gets lumped in with dormant bank accounts and uncollected rent deposits. The comptroller's department maintains a database that lists the names and addresses of lost life insurance beneficiaries. Many states will try to contact life insurance beneficiaries in an effort to pay the death benefits. In Texas, for example, the names and addresses of the beneficiaries are published annually in each county in the state. In New York, the Web site of the New York State Comptroller's Office of Unclaimed Funds has an online search to find any unclaimed death benefits owed to you. You can find out the procedures in your state by contacting the office of your state comptroller or treasurer.Keep in mind your chances of finding the policy with the state are slim. The insurance company has no obligation to hand the money over to the state if it's unaware the insured died. In most cases, it's the beneficiary who contacts the insurance company. Also, the insurer only transfers the money to the state three to five years after it cannot find the beneficiary but knows the insured died. If the state doesn't have the death benefit, it's likely the insurer is still looking for the beneficiary or doesn't know the policyholder has died.Unclaimed death benefits are rarely transferred to the state. Dave Potter, a spokesman for Hartford Life, says less than 1 percent of his company's death benefits go unclaimed.Del Chance, a life insurance claims manager at State Farm, says, "Turning over life policy benefits to an individual state after the death of an insured is extremely rare. State Farm utilizes their own search techniques as well as outside vendors to locate lost beneficiaries in the event of the death of one of our insureds. By and large these procedures have always located the beneficiary.Tips for making sure your life insurance beneficiaries get your death benefit:1. Give your beneficiaries your policy information. It can be a difficult and awkward conversation, but an important one.2. Keep all your financial records (especially your life insurance policies) in one place. Don't force your beneficiaries to search your house from top to bottom after you die.Tips for looking for lost life insurance policies:1. Go through canceled checks or contact your relative's bank for copies of old checks. Look for checks made out to insurance companies.2. Ask those who may have known about your relative's finances. Speak with the relative's lawyer, banker or accountant. Also contact the relative's insurance agent.3. Contact your relative's past employers. They might know of possible group life insurance. The insured might have also purchased supplemental life insurance through work.4. Check the mail for a year. Premium bills and policy-status notices are usually sent annually.5. Look at income tax returns for the past two years. Check for interest income from policies or expenses paid to life insurance companies.6. Contact the Medical Information Bureau. If your relative bought life insurance fairly recently, there might be a trail of the companies to which he applied. The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) maintains a database that might show if insurers requested your relative's medical information within the past seven years. Record searches can be requested through the MIB's Policy Locator Service and cost $75. The MIB says that nearly 30 percent
Buying Life Insurance After Being Diagnosed With Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates doctors will diagnose over 1.4 million new cases of cancer in the U.S. in 2007, with more than 559,650 cancer-related deaths. If you are among the majority of cancer patients and survive for at least five years following your diagnosis, you may face another fight: buying life insurance.Buying life insurance for cancer patients is challenging, but not necessarily impossible. Your chances for securing a policy depend greatly on the type, stage and grade of the cancer, and even on the treatment plan. There is a relationship between the rate you'll receive and the curability of your cancer. Certain types of skin cancer, for example, are considered very low risk by life insurance companies and a skin cancer history may not even impact premiums.Applicants with common and treatable forms of breast and prostate cancer may be able to get a "standard" rating under ideal circumstances. But patients with a history of leukemia or colon cancer may fall into a "substandard" or "high substandard" rating at best, or receive declines. Anyone with cancer that has metastasized likely won't be able to obtain a policy.Dr. Charles Levy, senior vice president and chief medical director of AIG American General Domestic Life Insurance Cos., says, "We're better and better able to differentiate the risks of individual cancers." Life insurers like AIG American General have sophisticated tables to determine premiums, where they can factor in cancer types and treatments. The end result is better premiums because applicants aren't lumped together as an "average."Most insurers will not offer a policy to someone who is still undergoing treatment for cancer. Depending on your type of cancer, the life insurer may also want to add a surcharge, also called a temporary flat extra. For example, AIG American General sometimes charges temporary flat extras for two to five years, depending on the applicant's cancer and treatment. The good news is that although these extra premiums can be expensive, they will automatically disappear after a set period of time.Cancer insurance risk specialists While a dedicated life insurance agent will search cancer insurance companies to find insurers that will sell you a life insurance policy, in some cases you may be better off seeking out a broker who specializes in finding life insurance for people who have a history of cancer.These brokers will know the specific questions underwriters will want answered when considering your application. Many brokers have developed relationships with several insurers, so they know which companies offer the best-priced life insurance policies for cancer survivors. Some brokers have experts who specialize in gathering your medical records and organizing them.By directing your application to life insurers that will view your application most favorably, these brokers will help you find the most accurate price quotes and the lowest premiums for life insurance. Always check the financial strength of the insurer before you buy any policy and be sure that the agent or broker you choose is licensed in your state.Life insurance strategies for cancer survivors If you are a healthy cancer survivor, life insurance is even more feasible. There are things you can do to ensure you're getting the best premium offers possible for your situation.1. Gather all possible medical records before you apply, from the first pathology report to medical records to treatment records. That ensures medical underwriters have the most complete picture of you, your health, and your cancer history. Having all those records before you apply for cancer insurance will reduce delays in your application process, because your life insurer is going to request them and will wait for them. The information you provide can garner you better premiums in the end: The less life insurer underwriters knows about you, the more likely they are to have to assume you are the highest risk and offer you high premiums accordingly. According to Levy, "If it's fuzzy, we're more likely to err on the side of conservatism." 2. Make sure you have complied with your doctor's treatment plans. For example, says Levy, if your doctor asked to see you back in one year and you haven't been back in four years, get to your doctor for your check-up before you apply for life insurance. Your life insurer is not going to offer you a policy without before seeing the results of that check-up. Similarly, if you've had breast cancer and you're due for a mammogram in December and you apply for cancer insurance in October, your life insurer will likely wait for the results of your next mammogram.3. Get prices from several companies. Policy costs can vary a great deal among companies. 4. See if you can get group life insurance through a professional, fraternal, membership, or political organization to which you belong. 5. Consider a "graded" policy (one with limited benefits) if you cannot get full death benefits. In the first few years of a graded policy, the company pays only the premiums and part of the face value if the insured person dies of a condition, such as cancer, that existed before the policy took effect. If the insured person dies after the specified grading-in period, the company will pay the full face amount of the policy. If your cancer has been successfully treated, and you are otherwise in good health, you can likely obtain a cancer life insurance policy. If you can show that you are healthy and your treatments have gone well, several insurers may compete for your business.
American Life Insurance-one of the Most Trusted Company
Life Insurance the most trusted company which has a reputation of about 87 years. This company is one of the globally recognized life insurance companies and it has a number of branches all over the world which has a vast customer line following. American Life Insurance gives various tax benefits to all its insurance policy holders and it also takes care of all your life insurance related policies like retirement insurance policy, wealth management policy, medical insurance, health insurance etc.
Life insurance basic terms as you know is an important factor in every person's life and when it comes to life insurance age is not the main criteria when it comes to get your life insured. American Life Insurance also known as AIG insurance company and majority of Americans has insured themselves with this life insurance company. The market value of this company is high and you can find the companies ratings in the financial books due to their vast financial transactions with other financial institutes.
There are two major life insurance policies that this AIG Insurance Company deals with i.e. the Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance. In case of Term Life Insurance the policy taken is for a short period of time and Whole Life Insurance is where you get yourself insured for your whole life.
AIG insurance company is one such life insurance company that charters to the needs of the common person. One of the benefits of getting insured in this life insurance company is that you reap a rich harvest of life insurance benefits on all your life insurance policies which no other life insurance company provides you as this company provides you with the benefits when you are still alive.
This life insurance company in order to increase its relationship with their vast flowing customer's have started life insurance online services which has made it easy and convenient for them to get themselves and their family members insured staying within the very comforts of their own house. AIG Insurance is one of the most sought of companies and it is a tough competitor to other life insurance companies.
Life insurance basic terms as you know is an important factor in every person's life and when it comes to life insurance age is not the main criteria when it comes to get your life insured. American Life Insurance also known as AIG insurance company and majority of Americans has insured themselves with this life insurance company. The market value of this company is high and you can find the companies ratings in the financial books due to their vast financial transactions with other financial institutes.
There are two major life insurance policies that this AIG Insurance Company deals with i.e. the Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance. In case of Term Life Insurance the policy taken is for a short period of time and Whole Life Insurance is where you get yourself insured for your whole life.
AIG insurance company is one such life insurance company that charters to the needs of the common person. One of the benefits of getting insured in this life insurance company is that you reap a rich harvest of life insurance benefits on all your life insurance policies which no other life insurance company provides you as this company provides you with the benefits when you are still alive.
This life insurance company in order to increase its relationship with their vast flowing customer's have started life insurance online services which has made it easy and convenient for them to get themselves and their family members insured staying within the very comforts of their own house. AIG Insurance is one of the most sought of companies and it is a tough competitor to other life insurance companies.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Hunt For A Missing Life Insurance Policy
Uh-oh! You're the beneficiary of a relative who just died, but their policy is nowhere to be found! What do you do? Well, don't panic, because if you find it in the near future, you may still be able to claim the death benefit. Here's what to do if a life insurance policy is missing:
Look through canceled checks or go to the relative's bank and request copies of any old checks. When reviewing the checks, see if there are any made out to life insurance companies.
Ask your relative's lawyer, insurance agent or accountant and see what information they can give you on your relative's finances.
Call their old employers and see if they bought into the company's group life insurance.
Call the Medical Information Bureau (MIB)—an organization that maintains a database showing if insurers requested your relative's medical information. If your relative applied for a life insurance policy within the past seven years, the MIB will more than likely have some kind of paper trail to help you find it. In addition, the MIB offers a Policy Locator Service that will search over the last 12 years to locate applications, for a fee.
Naming a beneficiaryIf you are making someone your beneficiary, here are a couple of things you will want to do:
Be sure to provide your beneficiary with your life insurance policy details, such as policy number, insurance agent's name, company phone number and email address.
Keep your records together. To make it easier on your beneficiary, be sure to keep all of your records (financial and medical) together in one place. This will help alleviate any panic or stress if your beneficiary needs to find something after you have passed.
Different kinds of policies
Term policy—If your relative had a term life insurance policy, and they died during the term and paid their premiums, the named beneficiary will receive their death benefits. If they died outside of the term or failed to pay their premiums, you won't receive anything.
Permanent policy—If the policy was in force at the time of death, the named beneficiary will receive the death benefits. If the relative died a while ago, the beneficiary is entitled to the death benefits plus the interest accrued from the date of death.
Lapsed policy—If your relative had a permanent life insurance policy and they stopped making payments and the policy lapsed, the insurance company could switch its status to one of the non-forfeiture options selected at purchase or specified in the policy. These options include extended term, reduced paid-up, cash surrender value, and loan value. In most cases, laws specify that there are certain amounts that must be returned to a policyholder or beneficiary even if premiums were not fully paid.
Lapsed Policy Non-forfeiture Options
Extended term uses any built up cash value to buy a term life insurance policy in the amount of the current policy. If the insured dies before the term ends, the beneficiary collects the benefit. Otherwise, the beneficiary gets nothing.
Reduced paid-up means that the life insurance company uses the cash value of the policy to buy as much insurance as possible. This reduces the death benefits, but keeps the policy in force.
Cash surrender value refers to the amount of cash value a policy has. This amount is returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy is canceled.
Loan value is the amount of the policy's cash value available as a loan. This amount will be returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy will be cancelled.
If the policy lapses due to the death of the insured, the beneficiary will collect the full death benefit. Also, there is no time limit on when the beneficiary can collect the death benefit. The only requirement is that the death certificate is presented to the life insurance company to verify the insured's death. If the beneficiary never comes forward, then no one receives the money.
Unreported deathIf the policyholder dies and the insurance company isn't informed, the policy will lapse. In this case, the life insurance company will send letters informing the insured that payment was not received and their policy may lapse if this continues. If there is still no response, the insurance company may initiate a search, but if no answer is found, the policy will automatically lapse due to delinquency of payment.
Unclaimed death benefits: are they gone forever?If a beneficiary doesn't collect death benefits, and the life insurance company can't find the beneficiary after a few years, the money is transferred back to the state where the life insurance policy was originally purchased. The full amount must be turned over to the state comptroller department within three to five years of the insured death. There, it is put into a bank account and considered "unclaimed property."
A database with the names and addresses of lost beneficiaries is located at the state comptroller's office, and many times, they try to find the beneficiaries to distribute the death benefits to. Depending on your state, you may be able to go online, look in the paper for any unclaimed death benefits, or call the state comptroller or treasurer for information.
It should be noted that if the life insurance company doesn't know the insured has died, they are not required to turn the money over to the state. If the state doesn't have a death benefits law in place, then the money will remain at the insurance company and they can continue to search for the beneficiary. Also, it is very rare for money to be turned over to the state, because most insurance companies have their own search techniques to find beneficiaries.
Insurance.com is a national online auto insurance agency, not a life insurance agency. We do not have information about specific life insurance policies, nor can we personally assist in locating a policy. If you choose to consult a service that will search for a policy for you, be sure they are reputable before you provide personal information or payment. If you have any questions or comments about this article, , but do not send personal information, such as your address, policy number, or social security number.
Look through canceled checks or go to the relative's bank and request copies of any old checks. When reviewing the checks, see if there are any made out to life insurance companies.
Ask your relative's lawyer, insurance agent or accountant and see what information they can give you on your relative's finances.
Call their old employers and see if they bought into the company's group life insurance.
Call the Medical Information Bureau (MIB)—an organization that maintains a database showing if insurers requested your relative's medical information. If your relative applied for a life insurance policy within the past seven years, the MIB will more than likely have some kind of paper trail to help you find it. In addition, the MIB offers a Policy Locator Service that will search over the last 12 years to locate applications, for a fee.
Naming a beneficiaryIf you are making someone your beneficiary, here are a couple of things you will want to do:
Be sure to provide your beneficiary with your life insurance policy details, such as policy number, insurance agent's name, company phone number and email address.
Keep your records together. To make it easier on your beneficiary, be sure to keep all of your records (financial and medical) together in one place. This will help alleviate any panic or stress if your beneficiary needs to find something after you have passed.
Different kinds of policies
Term policy—If your relative had a term life insurance policy, and they died during the term and paid their premiums, the named beneficiary will receive their death benefits. If they died outside of the term or failed to pay their premiums, you won't receive anything.
Permanent policy—If the policy was in force at the time of death, the named beneficiary will receive the death benefits. If the relative died a while ago, the beneficiary is entitled to the death benefits plus the interest accrued from the date of death.
Lapsed policy—If your relative had a permanent life insurance policy and they stopped making payments and the policy lapsed, the insurance company could switch its status to one of the non-forfeiture options selected at purchase or specified in the policy. These options include extended term, reduced paid-up, cash surrender value, and loan value. In most cases, laws specify that there are certain amounts that must be returned to a policyholder or beneficiary even if premiums were not fully paid.
Lapsed Policy Non-forfeiture Options
Extended term uses any built up cash value to buy a term life insurance policy in the amount of the current policy. If the insured dies before the term ends, the beneficiary collects the benefit. Otherwise, the beneficiary gets nothing.
Reduced paid-up means that the life insurance company uses the cash value of the policy to buy as much insurance as possible. This reduces the death benefits, but keeps the policy in force.
Cash surrender value refers to the amount of cash value a policy has. This amount is returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy is canceled.
Loan value is the amount of the policy's cash value available as a loan. This amount will be returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy will be cancelled.
If the policy lapses due to the death of the insured, the beneficiary will collect the full death benefit. Also, there is no time limit on when the beneficiary can collect the death benefit. The only requirement is that the death certificate is presented to the life insurance company to verify the insured's death. If the beneficiary never comes forward, then no one receives the money.
Unreported deathIf the policyholder dies and the insurance company isn't informed, the policy will lapse. In this case, the life insurance company will send letters informing the insured that payment was not received and their policy may lapse if this continues. If there is still no response, the insurance company may initiate a search, but if no answer is found, the policy will automatically lapse due to delinquency of payment.
Unclaimed death benefits: are they gone forever?If a beneficiary doesn't collect death benefits, and the life insurance company can't find the beneficiary after a few years, the money is transferred back to the state where the life insurance policy was originally purchased. The full amount must be turned over to the state comptroller department within three to five years of the insured death. There, it is put into a bank account and considered "unclaimed property."
A database with the names and addresses of lost beneficiaries is located at the state comptroller's office, and many times, they try to find the beneficiaries to distribute the death benefits to. Depending on your state, you may be able to go online, look in the paper for any unclaimed death benefits, or call the state comptroller or treasurer for information.
It should be noted that if the life insurance company doesn't know the insured has died, they are not required to turn the money over to the state. If the state doesn't have a death benefits law in place, then the money will remain at the insurance company and they can continue to search for the beneficiary. Also, it is very rare for money to be turned over to the state, because most insurance companies have their own search techniques to find beneficiaries.
Insurance.com is a national online auto insurance agency, not a life insurance agency. We do not have information about specific life insurance policies, nor can we personally assist in locating a policy. If you choose to consult a service that will search for a policy for you, be sure they are reputable before you provide personal information or payment. If you have any questions or comments about this article, , but do not send personal information, such as your address, policy number, or social security number.
My House Burned Down. Will My Homeowners Insurance Pay off the Mortgage?
July 11, 2006
If fire destroys your house, a burning question might be whether your insurance would pay off the mortgage. Chances are the answer would be yes. However, there's a lot more to it than that.
With that in mind, a hypothetical was brought up by American Insurance Association assistant general counsel Eric Goldberg. "Let's say you bought the house 20 years ago for $200,000 and at the time of purchase you obtained a homeowners insurance policy with $190,000 in limits, which is less than the property's total value because you don't buy coverage for the value of the land," Goldberg began. That house has appreciated in value considerably since the date of purchase, he said. Building costs, materials and other costs have gone up.
"Let's say you haven't increased my policy limits since the day you bought the house," Goldberg added. "If that's the case, you probably don't have sufficient coverage." What should a homeowner do to avoid facing such an unpleasant situation? "It would behoove you to meet with my insurance provider once a year to ensure you have adequate coverage," answered Goldberg.
"You don't want insurance surprises at a critical time such as in the event your house burns down," Goldberg emphasized.
Goldberg talked about how homeowners insurance for the structure itself is sold in one of two ways: replacement cost coverage and extended replacement cost coverage. At replacement cost, if you have $200,000 in coverage, you'll get the actual replacement cost up to that amount if your house burns down. "Extended replacement cost protection costs a bit more, but under that type of policy, the insurer provides you a cushion - typically 20 or 25% over coverage limits - to cover factors such as rising building costs and increasing costs of building materials."
A final point from Goldberg: "It is the policyholder's responsibility to find out what the replacement costs are."
"You are still going to have that same mortgage, but your homeowners insurance will pay to rebuild your home, and so you will be made whole," says Carolyn Gorman, vice president at the Insurance Information Institute's branch office in Washington, D.C.
Gorman's organization, the Insurance Information Institute, says you need enough insurance to cover the following:
The structure of your home.
Your personal possessions.
The cost of additional living expenses if your home is damaged and you have to live elsewhere during repairs.
Your liability to others.
Chubb spokesman Mark Schussel says your homeowners insurance policy should have adequate coverage to cover your outstanding mortgage. However, that may not be enough for you to rebuild. "What's more important is for you to purchase an extended replacement cost policy that regardless of your stated policy limits will provide you with enough insurance proceeds to replace the home in its entirety," explains Schussel.
Schussel's bottom-line point on the subject? "Most banks won't approve your loan application unless you have adequate insurance to pay off the mortgage," he said.
Says Safeco Insurance spokesman Paul Hollie: "If your house burns down due to a covered loss, homeowners insurance typically will pay to clear your property of damage and debris, rebuild your home, and replace the belongings you lost in the fire. In addition, if you can't live in your home, your homeowners insurance will pay additional living expenses as detailed in your policy. This covers the cost of
If fire destroys your house, a burning question might be whether your insurance would pay off the mortgage. Chances are the answer would be yes. However, there's a lot more to it than that.
With that in mind, a hypothetical was brought up by American Insurance Association assistant general counsel Eric Goldberg. "Let's say you bought the house 20 years ago for $200,000 and at the time of purchase you obtained a homeowners insurance policy with $190,000 in limits, which is less than the property's total value because you don't buy coverage for the value of the land," Goldberg began. That house has appreciated in value considerably since the date of purchase, he said. Building costs, materials and other costs have gone up.
"Let's say you haven't increased my policy limits since the day you bought the house," Goldberg added. "If that's the case, you probably don't have sufficient coverage." What should a homeowner do to avoid facing such an unpleasant situation? "It would behoove you to meet with my insurance provider once a year to ensure you have adequate coverage," answered Goldberg.
"You don't want insurance surprises at a critical time such as in the event your house burns down," Goldberg emphasized.
Goldberg talked about how homeowners insurance for the structure itself is sold in one of two ways: replacement cost coverage and extended replacement cost coverage. At replacement cost, if you have $200,000 in coverage, you'll get the actual replacement cost up to that amount if your house burns down. "Extended replacement cost protection costs a bit more, but under that type of policy, the insurer provides you a cushion - typically 20 or 25% over coverage limits - to cover factors such as rising building costs and increasing costs of building materials."
A final point from Goldberg: "It is the policyholder's responsibility to find out what the replacement costs are."
"You are still going to have that same mortgage, but your homeowners insurance will pay to rebuild your home, and so you will be made whole," says Carolyn Gorman, vice president at the Insurance Information Institute's branch office in Washington, D.C.
Gorman's organization, the Insurance Information Institute, says you need enough insurance to cover the following:
The structure of your home.
Your personal possessions.
The cost of additional living expenses if your home is damaged and you have to live elsewhere during repairs.
Your liability to others.
Chubb spokesman Mark Schussel says your homeowners insurance policy should have adequate coverage to cover your outstanding mortgage. However, that may not be enough for you to rebuild. "What's more important is for you to purchase an extended replacement cost policy that regardless of your stated policy limits will provide you with enough insurance proceeds to replace the home in its entirety," explains Schussel.
Schussel's bottom-line point on the subject? "Most banks won't approve your loan application unless you have adequate insurance to pay off the mortgage," he said.
Says Safeco Insurance spokesman Paul Hollie: "If your house burns down due to a covered loss, homeowners insurance typically will pay to clear your property of damage and debris, rebuild your home, and replace the belongings you lost in the fire. In addition, if you can't live in your home, your homeowners insurance will pay additional living expenses as detailed in your policy. This covers the cost of
Get the Home Insurance Facts
Buying a home is one of the single largest investments that most people ever make. If you need to protect that investment, your main line of defense is homeowners insurance.
Just the basics
Most standard homeowners insurance policies will provide coverage for damage to your home (and many of the items in your home) caused by:
Theft
Fire and lightning
Smoke
Frozen pipes
Ice and snow
Homeowners insurance also provides coverage for liability claims, medical payments to third parties, and legal costs if a lawsuit is brought against you. The most common amount of liability coverage included in a homeowners policy is $100,000, but you may need much more, depending on your circumstances.
What's not covered?
Read your homeowners insurance policy to find out exactly what is and is not covered. Do this before you suffer a loss, so you won't be surprised. Most insurers exclude damages caused by an act of war, nuclear accident, flood, earthquake, and terrorism, although you may be able to purchase special policies or endorsements that will cover these events.
A diamond is forever. Or is it?
Most homeowners insurance policies limit coverage for certain high-priced or hard-to-replace items. Additional endorsements or floaters will be necessary to protect items like engagement rings, watches, furs, antiques, and other valuables. You'll need to have each item appraised.
How much is enough?
Mortgage lenders require that borrowers purchase a minimum amount of homeowners insurance (typically equal to the appraised value or the purchase price of the home). But this is often not the amount of coverage you truly need. Instead, find out how much it would cost to rebuild your home, and consider insuring it for that amount.
You get what you pay for
Are you willing to pay more to have damaged personal property replaced? If so, consider purchasing replacement cost coverage with your homeowners insurance. When it comes to valuing property, insurers generally use one of two methods. The first, actual cash value, pays you an amount equal to the replacement value of the property, minus depreciation for the years you owned the item. The second, replacement cost, is more expensive, but it pays you the full value of the item today, so that you can replace the old item with a new one.
How deep are your pockets?
To save money, consider choosing a deductible of $250, $500, or even $1,000. In the event of a loss (e.g., water damage from a leaky roof), you'll be required to pay this amount out of your own pocket before your homeowners insurance takes over, but in the meantime, you'll save on premium charges.
Sound the alarm
Don't forget to tell your insurer if you have a home security system (e.g., fire, burglar, emergency). Most insurers offer discounts for such safety features. You may also qualify for a lower insurance premium if you live near a fire department or hydrant, own a newer home, own a home built out of fire-resistant materials, or get your auto insurance from the same company.
Shop around
Get quotes from several insurance companies when shopping for homeowners insurance. But remember, the lowest price does not always equal the best deal. Compare the coverage each policy offers, and check with your state's department of insurance to make sure that each company you're evaluating has a good reputation in the industry.
Just the basics
Most standard homeowners insurance policies will provide coverage for damage to your home (and many of the items in your home) caused by:
Theft
Fire and lightning
Smoke
Frozen pipes
Ice and snow
Homeowners insurance also provides coverage for liability claims, medical payments to third parties, and legal costs if a lawsuit is brought against you. The most common amount of liability coverage included in a homeowners policy is $100,000, but you may need much more, depending on your circumstances.
What's not covered?
Read your homeowners insurance policy to find out exactly what is and is not covered. Do this before you suffer a loss, so you won't be surprised. Most insurers exclude damages caused by an act of war, nuclear accident, flood, earthquake, and terrorism, although you may be able to purchase special policies or endorsements that will cover these events.
A diamond is forever. Or is it?
Most homeowners insurance policies limit coverage for certain high-priced or hard-to-replace items. Additional endorsements or floaters will be necessary to protect items like engagement rings, watches, furs, antiques, and other valuables. You'll need to have each item appraised.
How much is enough?
Mortgage lenders require that borrowers purchase a minimum amount of homeowners insurance (typically equal to the appraised value or the purchase price of the home). But this is often not the amount of coverage you truly need. Instead, find out how much it would cost to rebuild your home, and consider insuring it for that amount.
You get what you pay for
Are you willing to pay more to have damaged personal property replaced? If so, consider purchasing replacement cost coverage with your homeowners insurance. When it comes to valuing property, insurers generally use one of two methods. The first, actual cash value, pays you an amount equal to the replacement value of the property, minus depreciation for the years you owned the item. The second, replacement cost, is more expensive, but it pays you the full value of the item today, so that you can replace the old item with a new one.
How deep are your pockets?
To save money, consider choosing a deductible of $250, $500, or even $1,000. In the event of a loss (e.g., water damage from a leaky roof), you'll be required to pay this amount out of your own pocket before your homeowners insurance takes over, but in the meantime, you'll save on premium charges.
Sound the alarm
Don't forget to tell your insurer if you have a home security system (e.g., fire, burglar, emergency). Most insurers offer discounts for such safety features. You may also qualify for a lower insurance premium if you live near a fire department or hydrant, own a newer home, own a home built out of fire-resistant materials, or get your auto insurance from the same company.
Shop around
Get quotes from several insurance companies when shopping for homeowners insurance. But remember, the lowest price does not always equal the best deal. Compare the coverage each policy offers, and check with your state's department of insurance to make sure that each company you're evaluating has a good reputation in the industry.
Understanding the Difference Between HMO, PPO, and POS
Which health insurance plan is best for your small business?Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Point-of-Service Plans (POS) are all types of managed health care. The purpose of managed care is to provide its members with access to a comprehensive system of medical care that offers savings and encourages quality service. While larger companies can afford to offer a choice of health plans, a smaller business can save money by comparing health insurance plans each year before the annual enrollment period. While cost is a key factor, make sure that the network you select provides convenience and coverage in your local area.
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)When your health care coverage is provided by a Health Maintenance Organization, you typically must select an HMO physician to be your primary health care provider. This doctor will coordinate all of your medical care, including referrals to specialists, such as a dermatologist, cardiologist or surgeon. If you choose to seek treatment from a non-network physician, you will generally be required to pay most of the cost yourself. By law, an HMO cannot require referrals for emergency care, so an HMO will pay for emergency room treatment without a referral.
Due to the restriction of choosing from mostly HMO network services, it's important to check the physician listing and hospital affiliations for the HMO you are considering. If the list is extensive and you are satisfied with the hospitals used by the HMO network, an HMO may be a good choice. On average, HMOs are the least expensive health option for employers and employees. Doctor's visits, preventive care, and medical treatment are covered by your monthly insurance premium, and there is no individual or family deductible to meet. There is generally a co-payment for each visit that varies based on the type of service provided and the plan you select, but typically no co-insurance. Most standard HMO plans do not have a lifetime maximum benefit amount. Some HMOs are starting to offer more choices in plan configuration, allowing their members to visit preferred providers outside of the network. This gives their members access to an HMO network and a PPO network at the same time, although the PPO portion usually involves deductibles and co-insurance.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)A Preferred Provided Organization is more flexible than a traditional HMO insurance plan, but it still operates with a list of physicians and hospitals that are considered "within the PPO network." With a PPO plan, you may visit an out-of-network provider and still receive some coverage for their services. However, because the insurance company has not negotiated discounted rates with these providers, you will usually have to pay co-insurance or the difference between the network and out-of-network prices. The co-payment amounts for office visits and other services are also smaller if you see a doctor in the PPO network than if you see an out-of-network doctor. If you do choose to stray from your PPO network, you may need to pay for the treatment and submit the receipt to your PPO insurance provider for a partial reimbursement. Lastly, you do not need a referral if you wish to see a specialist, nor do you usually need to select a primary care physician.
HMO vs. PPO Prescription PlansBoth plans may include a prescription drug benefit if you, as an employer, choose to offer one. You can decide what percentage of each prescription is covered by your HMO or PPO and what percentage the employee will be required to pay. The coverage price may range anywhere from a co-pay of $5 for some drugs, to a co-pay of almost the entire amount for others. Most plans also include a higher co-payment if the employee chooses a brand name drug over a generic formula, if one was available and recommended by the physician. Some HMO medical buildings have an in-house pharmacy, which may be an added convenience.
Point-of-Service Plan (POS)The POS plan is like a combination of the HMO and PPO plans. You are required to designate an in-network physician to be your primary health care provider. You may go out-of-network if you choose, but in doing so, you will have to pay most of the cost yourself, unless a primary care physician refers you to that specific doctor. In that instance, the health plan will pay all or most of your bill. Depending on the networks available in your area, a POS plan may be a great choice for your small business, if your employees work in multiple cities with different groups of doctors and hospitals available to them.
There are many choices for today's small businesses, and some health insurance companies give you the ability to offer more than one option to your employees. If you are interested in getting a health insurance plan for yourself or your business, Insurance.com helps you compare multiple rates from top health insurance providers
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)When your health care coverage is provided by a Health Maintenance Organization, you typically must select an HMO physician to be your primary health care provider. This doctor will coordinate all of your medical care, including referrals to specialists, such as a dermatologist, cardiologist or surgeon. If you choose to seek treatment from a non-network physician, you will generally be required to pay most of the cost yourself. By law, an HMO cannot require referrals for emergency care, so an HMO will pay for emergency room treatment without a referral.
Due to the restriction of choosing from mostly HMO network services, it's important to check the physician listing and hospital affiliations for the HMO you are considering. If the list is extensive and you are satisfied with the hospitals used by the HMO network, an HMO may be a good choice. On average, HMOs are the least expensive health option for employers and employees. Doctor's visits, preventive care, and medical treatment are covered by your monthly insurance premium, and there is no individual or family deductible to meet. There is generally a co-payment for each visit that varies based on the type of service provided and the plan you select, but typically no co-insurance. Most standard HMO plans do not have a lifetime maximum benefit amount. Some HMOs are starting to offer more choices in plan configuration, allowing their members to visit preferred providers outside of the network. This gives their members access to an HMO network and a PPO network at the same time, although the PPO portion usually involves deductibles and co-insurance.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)A Preferred Provided Organization is more flexible than a traditional HMO insurance plan, but it still operates with a list of physicians and hospitals that are considered "within the PPO network." With a PPO plan, you may visit an out-of-network provider and still receive some coverage for their services. However, because the insurance company has not negotiated discounted rates with these providers, you will usually have to pay co-insurance or the difference between the network and out-of-network prices. The co-payment amounts for office visits and other services are also smaller if you see a doctor in the PPO network than if you see an out-of-network doctor. If you do choose to stray from your PPO network, you may need to pay for the treatment and submit the receipt to your PPO insurance provider for a partial reimbursement. Lastly, you do not need a referral if you wish to see a specialist, nor do you usually need to select a primary care physician.
HMO vs. PPO Prescription PlansBoth plans may include a prescription drug benefit if you, as an employer, choose to offer one. You can decide what percentage of each prescription is covered by your HMO or PPO and what percentage the employee will be required to pay. The coverage price may range anywhere from a co-pay of $5 for some drugs, to a co-pay of almost the entire amount for others. Most plans also include a higher co-payment if the employee chooses a brand name drug over a generic formula, if one was available and recommended by the physician. Some HMO medical buildings have an in-house pharmacy, which may be an added convenience.
Point-of-Service Plan (POS)The POS plan is like a combination of the HMO and PPO plans. You are required to designate an in-network physician to be your primary health care provider. You may go out-of-network if you choose, but in doing so, you will have to pay most of the cost yourself, unless a primary care physician refers you to that specific doctor. In that instance, the health plan will pay all or most of your bill. Depending on the networks available in your area, a POS plan may be a great choice for your small business, if your employees work in multiple cities with different groups of doctors and hospitals available to them.
There are many choices for today's small businesses, and some health insurance companies give you the ability to offer more than one option to your employees. If you are interested in getting a health insurance plan for yourself or your business, Insurance.com helps you compare multiple rates from top health insurance providers
The Hunt For A Missing Life Insurance Policy
Uh-oh! You're the beneficiary of a relative who just died, but their policy is nowhere to be found! What do you do? Well, don't panic, because if you find it in the near future, you may still be able to claim the death benefit. Here's what to do if a life insurance policy is missing:
Look through canceled checks or go to the relative's bank and request copies of any old checks. When reviewing the checks, see if there are any made out to life insurance companies.
Ask your relative's lawyer, insurance agent or accountant and see what information they can give you on your relative's finances.
Call their old employers and see if they bought into the company's group life insurance.
Call the (MIB)—an organization that maintains a database showing if insurers requested your relative's medical information. If your relative applied for a life insurance policy within the past seven years, the MIB will more than likely have some kind of paper trail to help you find it. In addition, the MIB offers a that will search over the last 12 years to locate applications, for a fee.
Naming a beneficiaryIf you are making someone your beneficiary, here are a couple of things you will want to do:
Be sure to provide your beneficiary with your life insurance policy details, such as policy number, insurance agent's name, company phone number and email address.
Keep your records together. To make it easier on your beneficiary, be sure to keep all of your records (financial and medical) together in one place. This will help alleviate any panic or stress if your beneficiary needs to find something after you have passed.
Different kinds of policies
Term policy—If your relative had a term life insurance policy, and they died during the term and paid their premiums, the named beneficiary will receive their death benefits. If they died outside of the term or failed to pay their premiums, you won't receive anything.
Permanent policy—If the policy was in force at the time of death, the named beneficiary will receive the death benefits. If the relative died a while ago, the beneficiary is entitled to the death benefits plus the interest accrued from the date of death.
Lapsed policy—If your relative had a permanent life insurance policy and they stopped making payments and the policy lapsed, the insurance company could switch its status to one of the non-forfeiture options selected at purchase or specified in the policy. These options include extended term, reduced paid-up, cash surrender value, and loan value. In most cases, laws specify that there are certain amounts that must be returned to a policyholder or beneficiary even if premiums were not fully paid.
Lapsed Policy Non-forfeiture Options
Extended term uses any built up cash value to buy a term life insurance policy in the amount of the current policy. If the insured dies before the term ends, the beneficiary collects the benefit. Otherwise, the beneficiary gets nothing.
Reduced paid-up means that the life insurance company uses the cash value of the policy to buy as much insurance as possible. This reduces the death benefits, but keeps the policy in force.
Cash surrender value refers to the amount of cash value a policy has. This amount is returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy is canceled.
Loan value is the amount of the policy's cash value available as a loan. This amount will be returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy will be cancelled.
If the policy lapses due to the death of the insured, the beneficiary will collect the full death benefit. Also, there is no time limit on when the beneficiary can collect the death benefit. The only requirement is that the death certificate is presented to the life insurance company to verify the insured's death. If the beneficiary never comes forward, then no one receives the money.
Unreported deathIf the policyholder dies and the insurance company isn't informed, the policy will lapse. In this case, the life insurance company will send letters informing the insured that payment was not received and their policy may lapse if this continues. If there is still no response, the insurance company may initiate a search, but if no answer is found, the policy will automatically lapse due to delinquency of payment.
Unclaimed death benefits: are they gone forever?If a beneficiary doesn't collect death benefits, and the life insurance company can't find the beneficiary after a few years, the money is transferred back to the state where the life insurance policy was originally purchased. The full amount must be turned over to the state comptroller department within three to five years of the insured death. There, it is put into a bank account and considered "unclaimed property."
A database with the names and addresses of lost beneficiaries is located at the state comptroller's office, and many times, they try to find the beneficiaries to distribute the death benefits to. Depending on your state, you may be able to go online, look in the paper for any unclaimed death benefits, or call the state comptroller or treasurer for information.
It should be noted that if the life insurance company doesn't know the insured has died, they are not required to turn the money over to the state. If the state doesn't have a death benefits law in place, then the money will remain at the insurance company and they can continue to search for the beneficiary. Also, it is very rare for money to be turned over to the state, because most insurance companies have their own search techniques to find beneficiaries.
Insurance.com is a national online auto insurance agency, not a life insurance agency. We do not have information about specific life insurance policies, nor can we personally assist in locating a policy. If you choose to consult a service that will search for a policy for you, be sure they are reputable before you provide personal information or payment. If you have any questions or comments about this article, but do not send personal information, such as your address, policy number, or social security number.
Look through canceled checks or go to the relative's bank and request copies of any old checks. When reviewing the checks, see if there are any made out to life insurance companies.
Ask your relative's lawyer, insurance agent or accountant and see what information they can give you on your relative's finances.
Call their old employers and see if they bought into the company's group life insurance.
Call the (MIB)—an organization that maintains a database showing if insurers requested your relative's medical information. If your relative applied for a life insurance policy within the past seven years, the MIB will more than likely have some kind of paper trail to help you find it. In addition, the MIB offers a that will search over the last 12 years to locate applications, for a fee.
Naming a beneficiaryIf you are making someone your beneficiary, here are a couple of things you will want to do:
Be sure to provide your beneficiary with your life insurance policy details, such as policy number, insurance agent's name, company phone number and email address.
Keep your records together. To make it easier on your beneficiary, be sure to keep all of your records (financial and medical) together in one place. This will help alleviate any panic or stress if your beneficiary needs to find something after you have passed.
Different kinds of policies
Term policy—If your relative had a term life insurance policy, and they died during the term and paid their premiums, the named beneficiary will receive their death benefits. If they died outside of the term or failed to pay their premiums, you won't receive anything.
Permanent policy—If the policy was in force at the time of death, the named beneficiary will receive the death benefits. If the relative died a while ago, the beneficiary is entitled to the death benefits plus the interest accrued from the date of death.
Lapsed policy—If your relative had a permanent life insurance policy and they stopped making payments and the policy lapsed, the insurance company could switch its status to one of the non-forfeiture options selected at purchase or specified in the policy. These options include extended term, reduced paid-up, cash surrender value, and loan value. In most cases, laws specify that there are certain amounts that must be returned to a policyholder or beneficiary even if premiums were not fully paid.
Lapsed Policy Non-forfeiture Options
Extended term uses any built up cash value to buy a term life insurance policy in the amount of the current policy. If the insured dies before the term ends, the beneficiary collects the benefit. Otherwise, the beneficiary gets nothing.
Reduced paid-up means that the life insurance company uses the cash value of the policy to buy as much insurance as possible. This reduces the death benefits, but keeps the policy in force.
Cash surrender value refers to the amount of cash value a policy has. This amount is returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy is canceled.
Loan value is the amount of the policy's cash value available as a loan. This amount will be returned to the policyholder or beneficiary and the policy will be cancelled.
If the policy lapses due to the death of the insured, the beneficiary will collect the full death benefit. Also, there is no time limit on when the beneficiary can collect the death benefit. The only requirement is that the death certificate is presented to the life insurance company to verify the insured's death. If the beneficiary never comes forward, then no one receives the money.
Unreported deathIf the policyholder dies and the insurance company isn't informed, the policy will lapse. In this case, the life insurance company will send letters informing the insured that payment was not received and their policy may lapse if this continues. If there is still no response, the insurance company may initiate a search, but if no answer is found, the policy will automatically lapse due to delinquency of payment.
Unclaimed death benefits: are they gone forever?If a beneficiary doesn't collect death benefits, and the life insurance company can't find the beneficiary after a few years, the money is transferred back to the state where the life insurance policy was originally purchased. The full amount must be turned over to the state comptroller department within three to five years of the insured death. There, it is put into a bank account and considered "unclaimed property."
A database with the names and addresses of lost beneficiaries is located at the state comptroller's office, and many times, they try to find the beneficiaries to distribute the death benefits to. Depending on your state, you may be able to go online, look in the paper for any unclaimed death benefits, or call the state comptroller or treasurer for information.
It should be noted that if the life insurance company doesn't know the insured has died, they are not required to turn the money over to the state. If the state doesn't have a death benefits law in place, then the money will remain at the insurance company and they can continue to search for the beneficiary. Also, it is very rare for money to be turned over to the state, because most insurance companies have their own search techniques to find beneficiaries.
Insurance.com is a national online auto insurance agency, not a life insurance agency. We do not have information about specific life insurance policies, nor can we personally assist in locating a policy. If you choose to consult a service that will search for a policy for you, be sure they are reputable before you provide personal information or payment. If you have any questions or comments about this article, but do not send personal information, such as your address, policy number, or social security number.
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
If you're researching your life insurance needs, you might well be getting a lot of complicated information. It's not a simple subject.
Some financial advisors will tell you to multiply your annual income by a certain number, like 20. Others will tell you to buy only enough life insurance to replace the income you are expected to make between now and retirement. Some might recommend you buy only enough life insurance to cover your present debts.
The question "how much do I need" might not be the most useful way to approach the problem. The question you may want to ask is, "What do I want my life insurance to accomplish?" Then you can start to determine how much life insurance you'll need. Calculating your life insurance needs takes homework. It requires an individual solution, not a one-size-fits-all approach or a throwaway equation.
Why Do You Need Life Insurance?This is a specific question, not a general topic. Think about why you're considering life insurance, or why you're considering an increase in the amount of life insurance you have. The most common reason for purchasing life insurance is to replace the income of a family member that others depend on. For that need alone, it's usually acceptable to multiply your annual salary by 20 and buy that amount of term life insurance for a period that will cover you until you retire.
If you have additional debts or obligations, you can consider adding those to the amount of insurance you need. However, keep in mind that debts and obligations like mortgages usually decrease over time, while a family's need for income replacement does not. If you and your spouse both work and are financially stable, it might not be difficult for your spouse to pay off a mortgage or debts, as long as you buy enough insurance to replace your income. If you're a single parent, however, you would probably need to purchase enough coverage to pay off all debts so that they're not passed on to your children.
Not Leaving a BurdenFor some people, life insurance may seem too expensive, especially if they're just starting a family. If that's the case, it may make sense to initially purchase only enough insurance to cover your debts and obligations. Although you need to realize that it's risky to be underinsured, it's better that not having any life insurance. As your financial situation improves, you can usually purchase more insurance under similar terms.
For single people with no children, purchasing a small amount of life insurance can be an inexpensive way to cover debts and final expenses.
Additional Life Insurance UsesNot everyone buys life insurance to replace income. If you're wealthy, have a large estate, or simply wish to donate to charity or establish a trust for your family, life insurance can be a smart purchase. If you have a large estate, you may want to consider buying a life insurance policy as a way to pay the estate taxes when you die. Otherwise, your family could be forced to sell off assets in order to pay the estate taxes. Life insurance could also be a good way to donate to a charity without paying taxes, or to establish a trust for your family or for philanthropic purposes.
Regularly Review Your InsuranceBecause things change and it's impossible to predict the future, it's important to review your life insurance needs and coverage at least annually. If you make a change in your life, such as getting married, buying a larger house, or having children, your life insurance needs will probably increase. If your salary increases dramatically and your family becomes accustomed to a higher standard of living, your life insurance needs will also become higher. If you're certain of one of these changes before you purchase life insurance, make sure to include your expected circumstances in your insurance calculations.
Do you have any questions or comments?
Some financial advisors will tell you to multiply your annual income by a certain number, like 20. Others will tell you to buy only enough life insurance to replace the income you are expected to make between now and retirement. Some might recommend you buy only enough life insurance to cover your present debts.
The question "how much do I need" might not be the most useful way to approach the problem. The question you may want to ask is, "What do I want my life insurance to accomplish?" Then you can start to determine how much life insurance you'll need. Calculating your life insurance needs takes homework. It requires an individual solution, not a one-size-fits-all approach or a throwaway equation.
Why Do You Need Life Insurance?This is a specific question, not a general topic. Think about why you're considering life insurance, or why you're considering an increase in the amount of life insurance you have. The most common reason for purchasing life insurance is to replace the income of a family member that others depend on. For that need alone, it's usually acceptable to multiply your annual salary by 20 and buy that amount of term life insurance for a period that will cover you until you retire.
If you have additional debts or obligations, you can consider adding those to the amount of insurance you need. However, keep in mind that debts and obligations like mortgages usually decrease over time, while a family's need for income replacement does not. If you and your spouse both work and are financially stable, it might not be difficult for your spouse to pay off a mortgage or debts, as long as you buy enough insurance to replace your income. If you're a single parent, however, you would probably need to purchase enough coverage to pay off all debts so that they're not passed on to your children.
Not Leaving a BurdenFor some people, life insurance may seem too expensive, especially if they're just starting a family. If that's the case, it may make sense to initially purchase only enough insurance to cover your debts and obligations. Although you need to realize that it's risky to be underinsured, it's better that not having any life insurance. As your financial situation improves, you can usually purchase more insurance under similar terms.
For single people with no children, purchasing a small amount of life insurance can be an inexpensive way to cover debts and final expenses.
Additional Life Insurance UsesNot everyone buys life insurance to replace income. If you're wealthy, have a large estate, or simply wish to donate to charity or establish a trust for your family, life insurance can be a smart purchase. If you have a large estate, you may want to consider buying a life insurance policy as a way to pay the estate taxes when you die. Otherwise, your family could be forced to sell off assets in order to pay the estate taxes. Life insurance could also be a good way to donate to a charity without paying taxes, or to establish a trust for your family or for philanthropic purposes.
Regularly Review Your InsuranceBecause things change and it's impossible to predict the future, it's important to review your life insurance needs and coverage at least annually. If you make a change in your life, such as getting married, buying a larger house, or having children, your life insurance needs will probably increase. If your salary increases dramatically and your family becomes accustomed to a higher standard of living, your life insurance needs will also become higher. If you're certain of one of these changes before you purchase life insurance, make sure to include your expected circumstances in your insurance calculations.
Do you have any questions or comments?
How to Buy Life Insurance
Why Buy Life Insurance?One of the biggest reasons to buy life insurance is to provide money in case of death. If you're single and don't want to leave money to anyone, you may not need life insurance. But as you take on more responsibilities and your family grows, your need for life insurance increases. The proceeds from a life insurance policy can replace the income lost to your family upon your death. The life insurance death benefit can also pay off debts and expenses, provide money to a charity or organization, and cover final and estate expenses.
Term or Cash Value?There are two basic types of life insurance: term life insurance, which provides life insurance coverage for a specified period of time (the term), and whole life (permanent or cash value) insurance, which combines a death benefit with a cash value component. Term life insurance generally offers the most protection for the smallest price. Many term policies are renewable, meaning that you can purchase them again for the same term even if your health or circumstances have changed, although the premium may increase on renewal. Some term policies (called "convertible") will permit you to convert the term life insurance policy to a permanent one at some point without undergoing an evaluation.
The advantage of cash value life insurance is that it offers lifetime protection. However, some types of permanent life insurance act more like investments, meaning that their ultimate value depends in part on the performance of their stocks and bonds. Permanent life insurance generally has much higher premiums, especially initially, but unlike term insurance, it can also be used as an investment and retirement vehicle. With term life insurance, you protect you family's financial future for a smaller premium payment. For a higher premium, permanent life insurance gives you financial protection now and savings for the future. To further compare types of life insurance, see our article on.
Choose a Coverage AmountThe amount of life insurance protection you should buy depends on how much income your survivors will need, how much you own and owe, and the amount of other life insurance available to you. If you're married, both you and your spouse should consider buying life insurance. One of the easiest ways to estimate how much life insurance protection you should buy is to use a What Term?Term life insurance is usually offered for periods ranging from 1 to 30 years. Consider choosing a term that matches your need for life insurance protection. For instance, if your main reason for buying life insurance is to protect your 7-year-old twins until they're out of college, you'll want to buy a policy with a term of at least 15 years. Different types of term life insurance will have different premiums. Level term, in which the death benefit stays the same over the course of the policy, and renewable and convertible term life policies will tend to have higher premiums, but may offer the protections you want.
PremiumsHow much you pay for life insurance will depend on a number of factors, including your age, your health, whether you use tobacco, your family health history, and the type and amount of life insurance you're buying. Keep in mind that the premium payments may change later with some types of life insurance. If your policy does not guarantee that premiums will stay the same and that benefits will not decrease, that means the insurance company may raise the rate or lower the benefits. Be especially sure to understand how and why the premium and benefit payments are calculated, and what is guaranteed. Although many policies come with example illustrations of how the insurance company expects the policy to perform, your policy may not get the same performance. If you expect or need guaranteed premium payments and benefits, make sure your policy provides them.
Shop AroundWhen comparing life insurance quotes, make sure that the policies and insurance coverage you're comparing are similar. And remember, any policy that you buy is only as good as the company that issues it. Find out what rating the company has received from major ratings services, such as A. M. Best or Standard & Poor's. These companies evaluate an insurer's financial condition and claims-paying ability. The company giving you an insurance quote should provide you with this information. You can also contact your state's department of insurance to find out more about an insurer's record.
Submit an ApplicationOnce you're ready to purchase a life insurance policy, you'll fill out a life insurance application that contains questions about your current and past health history and lifestyle. You'll generally be required to take a medical exam, arranged and paid for by the insurance company. The answers you give on your application, along with the results from the medical exam and your past health history, will help the insurance company determine whether to offer you a policy, and if so, at what price. Be sure to answer the questions fully and carefully, because intentionally misrepresenting yourself or hiding information can cause the policy to be cancelled. There are many life insurance options and many companies. Even if you're not eligible for a policy from one company, you can usually get a policy somewhere else.
Read and Understand Your PolicyLife insurance contracts aren't written to be exciting, but read and understand yours. Policy provisions, the amount of benefits, the premium, and other charges you'll pay will be listed along with other important information such as the beneficiaries you've named and the premium guarantee period. Make sure you understand everything in the policy. Under the laws of your state, you may have a "free look" period (typically at least 10 days) during which you can cancel the policy without penalty. If your life insurance policy doesn't meet your needs, it's easier to change it during this period than later, when you may face cancellation penalties.
Term or Cash Value?There are two basic types of life insurance: term life insurance, which provides life insurance coverage for a specified period of time (the term), and whole life (permanent or cash value) insurance, which combines a death benefit with a cash value component. Term life insurance generally offers the most protection for the smallest price. Many term policies are renewable, meaning that you can purchase them again for the same term even if your health or circumstances have changed, although the premium may increase on renewal. Some term policies (called "convertible") will permit you to convert the term life insurance policy to a permanent one at some point without undergoing an evaluation.
The advantage of cash value life insurance is that it offers lifetime protection. However, some types of permanent life insurance act more like investments, meaning that their ultimate value depends in part on the performance of their stocks and bonds. Permanent life insurance generally has much higher premiums, especially initially, but unlike term insurance, it can also be used as an investment and retirement vehicle. With term life insurance, you protect you family's financial future for a smaller premium payment. For a higher premium, permanent life insurance gives you financial protection now and savings for the future. To further compare types of life insurance, see our article on.
Choose a Coverage AmountThe amount of life insurance protection you should buy depends on how much income your survivors will need, how much you own and owe, and the amount of other life insurance available to you. If you're married, both you and your spouse should consider buying life insurance. One of the easiest ways to estimate how much life insurance protection you should buy is to use a What Term?Term life insurance is usually offered for periods ranging from 1 to 30 years. Consider choosing a term that matches your need for life insurance protection. For instance, if your main reason for buying life insurance is to protect your 7-year-old twins until they're out of college, you'll want to buy a policy with a term of at least 15 years. Different types of term life insurance will have different premiums. Level term, in which the death benefit stays the same over the course of the policy, and renewable and convertible term life policies will tend to have higher premiums, but may offer the protections you want.
PremiumsHow much you pay for life insurance will depend on a number of factors, including your age, your health, whether you use tobacco, your family health history, and the type and amount of life insurance you're buying. Keep in mind that the premium payments may change later with some types of life insurance. If your policy does not guarantee that premiums will stay the same and that benefits will not decrease, that means the insurance company may raise the rate or lower the benefits. Be especially sure to understand how and why the premium and benefit payments are calculated, and what is guaranteed. Although many policies come with example illustrations of how the insurance company expects the policy to perform, your policy may not get the same performance. If you expect or need guaranteed premium payments and benefits, make sure your policy provides them.
Shop AroundWhen comparing life insurance quotes, make sure that the policies and insurance coverage you're comparing are similar. And remember, any policy that you buy is only as good as the company that issues it. Find out what rating the company has received from major ratings services, such as A. M. Best or Standard & Poor's. These companies evaluate an insurer's financial condition and claims-paying ability. The company giving you an insurance quote should provide you with this information. You can also contact your state's department of insurance to find out more about an insurer's record.
Submit an ApplicationOnce you're ready to purchase a life insurance policy, you'll fill out a life insurance application that contains questions about your current and past health history and lifestyle. You'll generally be required to take a medical exam, arranged and paid for by the insurance company. The answers you give on your application, along with the results from the medical exam and your past health history, will help the insurance company determine whether to offer you a policy, and if so, at what price. Be sure to answer the questions fully and carefully, because intentionally misrepresenting yourself or hiding information can cause the policy to be cancelled. There are many life insurance options and many companies. Even if you're not eligible for a policy from one company, you can usually get a policy somewhere else.
Read and Understand Your PolicyLife insurance contracts aren't written to be exciting, but read and understand yours. Policy provisions, the amount of benefits, the premium, and other charges you'll pay will be listed along with other important information such as the beneficiaries you've named and the premium guarantee period. Make sure you understand everything in the policy. Under the laws of your state, you may have a "free look" period (typically at least 10 days) during which you can cancel the policy without penalty. If your life insurance policy doesn't meet your needs, it's easier to change it during this period than later, when you may face cancellation penalties.
Nitrogen in Tires: Hot Air or a Cool Breeze?
Recently, you may have seen articles or news reports about the advantages of replacing the air in your tires with pure nitrogen. Claims range from improved handling and pressure stability to gas mileage and tire life. Is there really any advantage to having pure nitrogen in your tires, especially given the price per tire for this service?
The air that you normally put into your tires is 78 percent nitrogen already, with the rest being mostly oxygen (21 percent) and other various gases (that remaining 1 percent).
Pure nitrogen is just that - 100 percent nitrogen gas with no other gases present. Many car dealers and other locations offer nitrogen fill ups, with more locations appearing every day. It's estimated by that there are over 11,000 dealers in the United States as of October 8, 2008.
Some people claim that they do get much improved handling with nitrogen in their tires, while others don't notice any difference. Much of this may come down to the road condition and the kind of vehicle driven, but it may also be a personal preference for tire pressure too. Regardless, driving your car with the tires at the manufacturer's recommended pressure will improve your gas mileage over time, and reduce tire wear, saving you money.
One of the main advantages of having pure nitrogen in your tires instead of plain old air is the lack of water vapor present. Ordinary air can have a lot of moisture in it, and as the temperature changes, this water vapor can condense and reform. This can and does change your tire pressure, as it forces the air inside your tires to expand and contract. Over a long period this not only changes the pressure, it can cause wear and tear on your tires. That said, it's fairly minor, and the difference between pure nitrogen and air won't make a significant difference to your finances or driving efficiency, other than to cost you money for the nitrogen tire fill in the first place.
The oxygen present in air causes oxidation inside your tires, responsible for rust and degradation of rubber. Pure nitrogen doesn't. Again, it's such a small amount of wear over a long period of time (on a part of your car that will need to be replaced after a certain length of time anyway) that it doesn't really make a big difference, especially if you're being charged for your nitrogen top-ups. Giving that small amounts of oil and water may get into your tires when you use standard air supplies provided at gas stations (professionals probably keep their equipment in better condition) it's unlikely your tires will see any real advantage from nitrogen over air.
ran a yearlong study on the subject, and concluded that any slight improvement gained by filling tires with pure nitrogen was not a replacement for regularly checking for proper inflation, regardless of what's in your tires. If you can get your tires filled with nitrogen for free (as part of a deal with new tires, for example) it's probably not a bad idea - the advantages are minor, but a free advantage is always a good one. Otherwise just keep checking your tire pressure regularly and keep them topped up with ordinary air (which, remember, is already 78 percent nitrogen) instead
The air that you normally put into your tires is 78 percent nitrogen already, with the rest being mostly oxygen (21 percent) and other various gases (that remaining 1 percent).
Pure nitrogen is just that - 100 percent nitrogen gas with no other gases present. Many car dealers and other locations offer nitrogen fill ups, with more locations appearing every day. It's estimated by that there are over 11,000 dealers in the United States as of October 8, 2008.
Some people claim that they do get much improved handling with nitrogen in their tires, while others don't notice any difference. Much of this may come down to the road condition and the kind of vehicle driven, but it may also be a personal preference for tire pressure too. Regardless, driving your car with the tires at the manufacturer's recommended pressure will improve your gas mileage over time, and reduce tire wear, saving you money.
One of the main advantages of having pure nitrogen in your tires instead of plain old air is the lack of water vapor present. Ordinary air can have a lot of moisture in it, and as the temperature changes, this water vapor can condense and reform. This can and does change your tire pressure, as it forces the air inside your tires to expand and contract. Over a long period this not only changes the pressure, it can cause wear and tear on your tires. That said, it's fairly minor, and the difference between pure nitrogen and air won't make a significant difference to your finances or driving efficiency, other than to cost you money for the nitrogen tire fill in the first place.
The oxygen present in air causes oxidation inside your tires, responsible for rust and degradation of rubber. Pure nitrogen doesn't. Again, it's such a small amount of wear over a long period of time (on a part of your car that will need to be replaced after a certain length of time anyway) that it doesn't really make a big difference, especially if you're being charged for your nitrogen top-ups. Giving that small amounts of oil and water may get into your tires when you use standard air supplies provided at gas stations (professionals probably keep their equipment in better condition) it's unlikely your tires will see any real advantage from nitrogen over air.
ran a yearlong study on the subject, and concluded that any slight improvement gained by filling tires with pure nitrogen was not a replacement for regularly checking for proper inflation, regardless of what's in your tires. If you can get your tires filled with nitrogen for free (as part of a deal with new tires, for example) it's probably not a bad idea - the advantages are minor, but a free advantage is always a good one. Otherwise just keep checking your tire pressure regularly and keep them topped up with ordinary air (which, remember, is already 78 percent nitrogen) instead
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