Insurance Policy Centres LLC Blog

Free Long Term Care Insurance Quotes - Advice On Long-Term Insurance

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:49:21 -0500

The three questions we are asked most often is, how much does coverage cost, are there ways to save and what's the best age to start planning? Costs vary significantly depending on your age and health when you apply and how much coverage you want. Costs also vary from one insurer to another - by as much as 80 percent per year. Discounts can make your long-term insurance far more affordable than you think. For example, discounts are offered when two spouses apply. Some insurers will offer discoun...

Medicare Plan F or Plan G options

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:35:57 -0500

Plan F isn’t the only game in town. What’s the difference between a Plan F and a Plan G? Today, it is only the Part B deductible, valued at $155. So, if the premium difference between an F and a G is greater than $155, we are opting to sell the Plan G. We find some cases where the difference can be $200-$300, making it a good buy for our clients. Call us, 888-225-9564 or go to http://www.DougMyrick.com to complete your request for information.

Has your Community Joined NFIP?

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:32:43 -0500

Federal officials say only 18 cities and counties in Iowa have enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since the floods of 2008. Some local officials say the requirement would amount to too much red tape or they don't want to force insurance costs of homeowners and businesses. Those that participate must agree to adopt and enforce flood plain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. Individuals and businesses can't buy federal flood insurance unless their communities...

Four reasons to purchase life insurance

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:50:24 -0500

Life insurance reaches full value at the exact moment we need it to. Here are four reasons why life insurance isn’t going away any time soon. Though often misunderstood, life insurance continues to be a necessity. 1. Life insurance replaces economic value. If people work to retirement age, they will collect all or most of their economic value, thus being able to share it with their loved ones. If, d...

Are you accident prone?

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:20:16 -0500

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Three ways to save on long-term care insurance

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:10:19 -0500

Insurance Policy Centres provides the following tips to help you get the best rates. 1. Leverage good health. Insurers will require that you meet certain health qualifications to obtain coverage. Discounts are provided to those in good health and 62 percent of applicants between ages 40-49 qualified in 2009. The percentage drops to 46 percent for ages 50-59 and only 38 percent for ages 60-69. Once obtained, the preferred health discount is not lost when your health changes. 2. Righ...

Get a CLUE

Sun, 09 May 2010 10:55:52 -0500

Ever called your insurer to ask about damage coverage but then didn’t make a claim? Be prepared: It might be listed in one of the industry’s databases as a claim filed without any money paid out. This can cause problems when you shop for a new policy or try to sell your home. What to do – Most insurance companies use the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) database. You can get a free copy of your report by going to http://www.choicetrust.com (If your insurer uses A...

Are you covered in an emergency?

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:30:35 -0500

Disability insurance protects income. Women now make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, and they’re increasingly the primary or sole earners for their families. But just 38% have short-term disability insurance, and less than a third have long-term coverage. Disability insurance can help replace most of your paycheck if illness or injury prevents you from working for a time. “Income is most people’s biggest asset, not their house or portfolio,” says Allstate Agency owner, Doug Myrick. Find ou...

Lucas (Our Grandson!) Turns 4!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:03:34 -0500

Only 14 More Years Until College... How fast they grow! Our "baby" of the family is now officially, in his words, "a big kid now"! What's amazing to Kathy and I, is how quickly he picks up technology. Lucas follows everone around, bugging them to show him how he can play games on the ipod just like them. I wish I had a picture to show you of Lucas sitting on the couch totally absorbed in playing tetris on Kathy's ipod - it's hilarious!

Cut These Bills for Quick Savings

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:17:48 -0500

Do you need to save money? Do you believe you’ve already cut back as much as you can from your expenditures in order to facilitate saving? You may be surprised to learn that there are likely still bills you can trim, fairly easily and painlessly, in order to save even more. Energy and Utility Bills You already know full well that utility bills can eat into your family’s budget. But what you may not know is how to cut back on them. One of the most highly recommended (and inexpensive) ways to s...

Five Common Insurance Mistakes Can Sink Boats’ Fin

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:26:14 -0500

As boating season starts to heat up once again, we see clients who are re-evaluating their boat insurance needs, and looking to us for advice. There are five common mistakes boat owners make with their insurance coverage. Whether they believe they do not need insurance because they own their boat, or because the boat isn’t physically in the water during the off-season, there are widespread misconceptions about when boat insurance coverage is necessary. Any boater should have some type of coverag...

Four Things NOT to do with Your Home Equity

Mon, 11 May 2009 13:16:23 -0500

The equity you've built in your home is a valuable resource. You can use it as a tool to build your wealth, or you can spend it unwisely. Ultimately, it's your choice, but here are four things most experts recommend you do not do with your home equity. 1. Do not use it to consolidate debt.If you've racked up debt on your credit cards, you should sit down with a professional and make a plan to pay it off as efficiently and steadily as possible. A home equity loan might allow you to pay off a larg...

Revise 529 plans

Sat, 09 May 2009 10:19:51 -0500

The market meltdown means most 529 state college savings plans are awash in red ink. Joe Hurly of http://Savingforcollege.com, which ranks these plans, offers this advice, based on your child’s age. AGE 10 AND UNDER: Hang tight. Stocks are still your best chance to see money grow at a rate that even begins to approach yearly tuition hikes. But look to see if your plan has an age-based option that automatically moves you into more conservative investments (bonds, cash) as your child approaches co...

Seven Golden Rules For A Successful Bid On a House

Mon, 04 May 2009 08:09:27 -0500

First time home buyers are looking at a market that shows no mercy, is highly competitive and does not reflect the conditions of a so-called "depressed real estate market." It is not easy to find a good house at the entry level without having to compete with other buyers, but with persistence, good preparation and the help of a professional local Realtor your chances of becoming a homeowner are better. Above all, be realistic, your very first house is not your "Dream House" but getting on the ho...

When Do You Report Claims?

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:47:47 -0500

I just read an interesting article written for insurance agents on when to report claims to insurance companies.In 750 words the "insurance expert" said to report all claims. (so much for succinctity!)My advice to insurance buyers:-Anytime you may have injured someone or damaged their property, report the incident.-Anytime someone threatens to sue you, report the incident.-Anytime you get a letter from an attorney about an event, report the incident.-If your property is damaged and the amount is...

Five Reasons Why Diamonds Don’t Always Last Foreve

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:38:30 -0600

All the lucky women who receive diamonds as a Valentine’s Day gift should know this important fact: Diamonds don’t always last forever. Iowa City Allstate Agent Doug Myrick and Allstate claim adjusters, who handle thousands of claims each year, are dispelling the notion that diamonds last forever by revealing the top five reasons diamonds are lost forever. § Flushed Away - Left on a counter near a sink or toilet. Just add running wate...

Economic Conditions Expected to Cause Increase in

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:16:40 -0600

A study issued by the Insurance Research Council indicates that one of the expected consequences of the recent economic downturn will be an increase in the percentage of uninsured drivers. The report cites a correlation between the unemployment rate and the percentage of uninsured motorists and predicts, based on current unemployment projections, that the percentage of uninsured motorists will increase nationally from 13.8 in 2007 to 16.1 percent in 2010. In an upcoming press release, Allstate i...

Is it time to sell your unwanted gold?

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:57:33 -0600

With 24-karat gold at $855.75 an ounce at this time, is it time to unload that clunky bracelet? If so, Doug Myrick of Insurance Policy Centres has these tips: For big pieces in good shape, hire an appraiser (najaappraisers.com) for an estimate based on condition, design, and karat weight. Armed with that information, negotiate with jewelers who buy back gold. Sell damaged pieces for scrap; most jewelers deal in it. Pure gold (24 karat) fetches top dollar, followed by 18-, 14-, and 10-karat gol...

Hosting a Party? Be Wary of Too Much Holiday Cheer

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:07:22 -0600

Many would-be hosts are completely unaware of their potential liability when hosting a holiday party. More than two-thirds had no idea they could be held financially liable should a partygoer leave their home and cause an accident*. Liability concerns exist inside the home as well. Tipsy guests are more prone to falls and accidents around the house. Should someone trip and injure themselves, the host could be held responsible for their medical bills. This liability exists regardless of whether ...

Knowing the Language of College Funding

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:26:31 -0600

Entering the world of college funding is like visiting a distant country. If you know the mother tongue, you're likely to find better accommodations, travel more efficiently and absorb more of the local culture. Knowing the language of college funding through 360TuitionCoach will achieve all of the above as you enter the somewhat alien terrain of financial aid and college funding. For instance, if you had an income of say, $125,000, and you have two or three kids headed toward college, TuitionCo...

Making College Affordable

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:01:24 -0600

A Few Money-Saving Tips: Enroll in a monthly payment program (sometimes they're interest free). Consider having more than one student attend college at a time. Keep student income and assets low. In separated families, if possible, have the less affluent parent claim the student. Don't overestimate anything on financial aid forms. Bragging can be very costly! Be prepared to negotiate with your financial aid administrator.

3 Smart Ways To...Pay Tuition, Save Taxes

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:16:09 -0600

With your kid off to freshman orientation, hefty bills are starting to roll in. Too affluent to qualify for financial aid? Unfortunately, shifting assets into your child's name no longer saves money, and you can take a full education tax credit only if you and your spouse make less than $96,000. But Jim Van Grevenholf, a senior tax analyst for Thomson Reuters, says there are still ways to minimize the IRS' bite.Spend 529 or Coverdell money on room and board first. That's because funds you withdr...

College and Life’s Time Sheet

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:14:51 -0600

Maybe it is parental pressure; maybe just a congenital urge but somehow we feel it is necessary to focus on a major and a career to get the maximum impact from a college education. It is about making a living. But if college is in place to prepare one for what lies ahead in life, reason would dictate that we stop long enough to better assess what our lives are really like. Maybe college is also about having a life. Let’s start with a normal, 24 hour day and a typical job. Most jobs occupy about ...