Why is Insurance Important?

Recently I had some issues arise with my health insurance that could have resulted in my daughter and I losing our coverage. I have to admit that, to some extent, I saw not having health insurance as a relief because it could have resulted in a lot more take home pay for me! I have yet to use my health insurance this year, and really didn't see myself using it any time soon. For my daughter though, I had to cancel her upcoming 18 month check up/vaccinations until I got the issue resolved. Part of me really wanted to just let it cancel and keep the money so that I could buy some things that I normally would not have the extra funds to buy, and also further help my husband pay the bills.

It was pointed out to me, however, that even though nothing might happen between now and open enrollment in November, that something could happen. My daughter, Audrey might get sick, or injured. She is learning to climb now, and just imagine if she attempted to climb her swing set at home and fell and broke her arm. There is no way to prepare for those medical bills except to have health insurance.

That is why we have insurance-to be prepared for the things that could happen.

We are required by the government to have auto insurance. If you didn't have car insurance, and you had an accident, you alone would be responsible for the damages to your car(and possibly having to buy a new car) and injuries you incur. You may also then be sued for the vehicle damage and bodily injury to the other driver! That would bankrupt a lot of people. Tens of thousands of dollars. As it is, those of us who are following the laws of the land have car insurance that helps us to afford these costs in the case of an accident.

Homeowners insurance covers a huge variety of incidents from roof damage during a storm to a person injuring his/herself on your property. Imagine what would happen if you didn't have homeowner's insurance. Something would happen, and you would be hit with a bill or lawsuit for, again, tens of thousands of dollars-maybe even more.

Then there is health insurance. I am one of those people who skated by without it for a few years because I am young and healthy. Many people, in spite of the Affordable Care Act penalizing those without health insurance, did not enroll in health insurance because the penalty for not having health insurance is much cheaper than the annual premiums for having health insurance. However, they are playing a virtual game of chicken. Accidents are called accidents because they are unintended-they can't be planned for. Diseases and illness are out there, and you will never know when disaster may strike.

Part of growing up is learning to look ahead at the future and not focusing solely on the present. Mature adults know that planning and preparing for the worst is essential to not being a victim of chance. Life insurance becomes an important factor as you prepare for your loved ones in the inevitability of death, and the scary possibility of a sudden, unexpected death. Unfortunately, often people don't think about buying life insurance until they are very sick, or close to the end of their lives and then it can be much more expensive. Your untimely death could result in tens of thousands of dollars in debt and bills that your grief stricken family will now have to shoulder, unless you have a life insurance policy in place to help protect them.

All insurance policies do one thing-they help us prepare for the unknown. Insurance is the one thing that you buy, hoping you will never have to use. Its like a security system for your life. You hope the alarm never goes off; but when it does, you are so glad it was there to help protect you from the unknown forces of destruction in the world.

I've Had a Car Accident-Now What?

I remember my first accident. A white sedan drifted out of her lane on a curve and side swiped me with her side-view mirror. I was on my way back from a lunch break, and I knew I would be late if I stopped, so I was tempted not to...but I realized I had to stop. So I pulled over, and the sedan pulled over too. I wasn't sure what to do first, so I called my insurance agent.
 "Dad, I've just been in an accident. I'm fine, its nothing serious. What do I do?"
My agent asked me if it looked like over $500 worth of damage-pssh, I didn't know! It was just a scratch and small dent, surely it couldn't cost over $500(which was my deductible). It ended up costing well over $1500 to fix the damage. Anyway, I didn't call the police, but the lady and I exchanged information, and because it was her fault, we filed on her insurance. Long story short, I got my car fixed, but I made a few mistakes that could have cost me a lot of money if the other driver hadn't been honest. Thank goodness there are still many honest people out there!

So, for those of you have not been in an accident before, let's go over the proper steps to handling an accident.


#1 Check for injuries. Make sure you and the other driver are ok, as well as any passengers.Call emergency services if needed.

#2 Call the police to report the accident. Whether the damage is serious or not, go ahead and have a police officer come down to take statements. Having official statements taken will ensure that the other driver can't change their story later to avoid having their insurance pay for damages, and it will be much easier for the adjuster to determine fault. They officer can also take official witness statements, if there are any. The statements also shows evidence of a loss.

#3 Take photos of the damage. Your adjuster will take photos, but if you have your own photos, you can be sure the adjuster didn't miss anything, and you will have your own personal records of the damage. Take pictures of the license plates too.Go ahead and take pictures while you are on the scene.You never know when that might be helpful.

#4 Report the claim to the insurance company. Most have a specific 800 number available 24/7 that you should report the claim to. Your agent can give you the claims number if you don't have it. Report the claim as soon as reasonably possible.

 #5 Get an inspection and estimate of the damages. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to take photos of the damage and give you an estimate on the cost of repairs. You can get your own estimates from a shop for comparison. Your insurance company may recommend a specific body shop, but you are not obligated to use that shop. You can use whichever shop you would like to.

#6 Work with an adjuster.The adjuster will analyze the information-the damage to your vehicle, accident/police reports and any witness statements- to determine which driver was at fault and what will be covered by the policy. Your insurance company may have a way for you to check your claim status online and view documents, or you can contact the adjuster to review the claim status.

#7 Get your vehicle repaired.As soon as the claim is filed and coverage is figured out, the adjuster will guide you through the steps to getting your car repaired. You will need to pay your deductible, if any, to the body shop before the insurance company will pay for anything.  Then you simply drop off your vehicle to the body shop and-wallah! You've finished the process.

Avoiding Independence Day Claims

Happy Independence Day! The 4th of July is one of the most fun holidays we celebrate in the United States. Many of us will be attending or hosting cookouts and maybe enjoying some fireworks. Both when I worked for an optometrist, and now working in insurance, staff members like to talk about
what sort of claims or problems will arise from typical holiday activities. Today I am going to list a couple of the potential Independence Day hazards, and offer some tips to avoid ruining a great holiday.

Issue: Car Accidents

#1 Put down your cell phone and pay attention to the road. There will be lots of drivers on the road because most everyone is off work and out of school. More drivers on the road increases the chances of an accident, so you will need to be alert and aware. Pull over to take a phone call, and wait until you're parked to check and answer text messages.

#2 Keep the noise level and frivolity in the car down to minimum. Many drivers, especially young drivers, get into accidents when driving with a car full of people. If you are the driver, stay focused on the road! If you are the passengers, try to create an environment conducive to driving safely. Don't try to show the driver pictures or videos on your phone etc. 

#3 DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. This includes operating boats and jet skis!Many of our 4th of July cookouts will involve coolers full of beer etc. Be responsible. If you know you are going to be driving, stay on the safe side and completely avoid alcohol. Have a soda! I promise it won't ruin your good time. 

Issue: Home Fireworks Accidents

First of all, as an insurance agent, I would like to advise against any illegal fireworks. In North Carolina, illegal fireworks include:
-firecrackers
-ground spinners
-roman candles
-bottle rockets
-mortars
-and anything that spins, leaves the ground, or flies through the air.

Any damage to yourself, others, or your property while using illegal fireworks will not be covered under insurance. Your homeowners' won't cover it, and if your health insurance company finds out, they won't pay any claims either. Insurance will not pay on anything that happens while doing something illegal. Just a little thought for those of you buying fireworks in another state and bringing them home to NC for the 4th.

Legal fireworks include:sparklers,shower fountains, and novelty fireworks that do not explode(snaps, pops, and glow worms). For a complete view of NC's Statutes on fireworks, click here.

A few Saftey Tips on Fireworks:
#1 Read the labels on anything you are using and follow instructions carefully. You want to know what to expect out of the firework before lighting it.
#2 A repeat. ALCOHOL AND FIREWORKS DO NOT MIX WELL. If you have had a few beers, ask someone that has abstained to be in charge of lighting fireworks. Many an accident has happened by mixing drunkenness and pyrotechnics.
#3 Wear Safety Glasses. You only get one set of working eyeballs in this life, please don't ruin your life.
#4 Never Relight a Dud firework. If it doesn't go off, soak the firework in water and discard.
#5 Light Fireworks one at a time. You're not a professional, you don't have professional equipment, so don't try to put on a finale like a professional.

For more fireworks safety tips, click here. I would recommend braving the crowds and watching fireworks done by professionals at an event.

In general folks, lets enjoy Independence Day like our forefathers intended:like civilized people. Enjoy your family and friends, have fun without completely letting go of your good sense, and follow the rules. Do I sound stuffy and boring? Well, I am an insurance agent. Stuff-And-Boring is my middle name.

Can I still Enroll in Health Insurance?

Right now, no one can enroll in health insurance through the marketplace and receive a subsidy...unless

A) You are turning 26 years old this year
If you are turning 26 this year then you are aging off your parent's insurance(if you haven't already purchased your own health insurance plan). Aging off a parent's plan is a Qualifying Life Event. Within 60 days of this event, you can enroll in a health insurance plan of your choice through the Marketplace, and receive a subsidy if you qualify.

B)You are Getting Married this year
If you are taking the plunge into matrimony(CONGRATS!!), then you and your fiance can and should be shopping for health insurance. Engaged, but your date is set for next year? You may want to consider pushing up the date if you don't have health insurance, or want to change your health plan.

C)You are Having a Baby
If you are having a baby this year, you can and should be shopping for a health insurance plan. You can see what your premium will be with the little one added on. When I added my daughter to the group plan I used to be on, I was shocked at the increase in premium-better check out your options! You may NOW qualify for a subsidy that you didn't before. Dependents make a big difference! Oh, and call me-we need to talk about life insurance too.

D)You are Losing Group Coverage(I.E. Losing your Job)
If you are losing your job, you are probably panicking about how you are going to be able to get affordable health insurance. Don't worry! Group insurance is NOT always cheaper than individual insurance! Plus, your income has now changed, and you may be eligible for a subsidy now. You have an alternate to COBRA that may be much more affordable.

E)And Speaking of COBRA...
COBRA lasts for 18 months, and once COBRA has ended, you have to start shopping for health insurance. Losing COBRA is another Qualifying Life Event, and you can go to the Marketplace and pick a new health insurance plan.

F)You are Getting Divorced
If you are getting a divorce, then your income could be changing and your tax filing status is changing. You are eligible to go to the Marketplace and shop for a new health insurance plan.

G)You are Getting a New Job
If you are starting a new job, you can shop for an insurance plan on the Marketplace too. Your new job may not offer group coverage, and even if it does, you usually have a waiting period before you are eligible for group coverage. Also, your income is changing once again, so you can adjust your estimated income for the next year and get a new list of plans and rates.

H)You are Moving To a new Zipcode
Because different plans are available in different areas, moving to a new zipcode enables you to apply for health insurance on the Marketplace. If you didn't sign up for health insurance this year, or if you want to change plans, moving to a new zipcode may be a feasible option for you.

I)You are Becoming a US Citizen
Newly Naturalized? You are now eligible for health insurance on the Marketplace.

All of these Qualifying Life Events give you a 60 day window in which to shop around and enroll in health insurance, and possibly qualify for a subsidy. We are available to help you select a plan that covers what you need, and fits into your budget(hopefully!). We work with Blue Cross an Blue Shield, which sells plans on the Marketplace, and we can help you find out if you qualify for a subsidy. Call our office(336-342-4438), or email me!

Why Do I Need Pet Health Insurance?

I remember the day I went to get my Brittany Spaniel puppy, Landon. Poor Landon got carsick on the way home and threw up several times in the back of our Taurus Station Wagon. We had everything ready for him at home-a kennel, a collar, a leash, food, bowls, brushes, and toys. I thought I was ready for the responsibility. As much as I loved that dog, I had not realized just how much time I was not at home(I was in high school and playing sports) and the rest of my family was just as busy. Landon needed a lot of exercise because he was bred to be a hunting dog, and I just wasn't home enough to give him all the attention and stimulation he needed. He developed some destructive habits because he was wound up and bored. Landon eventually went to a new home on a big farm with another Brittany Spaniel, and I believe he is a happy dog to this day.

Taking on a dog or a cat is a big responsibility and will change your life in big and small ways. They become a part of your family, and you do your best to take care of them. Unfortunately, dogs and cats are susceptible to many health issues just as we are, and they almost always happen unexpectedly. From small incidents, like your dog ingesting something that makes him sick, or a urinary tract infection, to major illnesses like cancer-you will inevitably end up at the veterinarian's office for something or another.  Vet bills are starting to look more like your bills from your doctor. Procedures can costs hundreds up to thousands of dollars. A lot of times this puts a pet's family in a very difficult situation. Not everyone can afford to pay thousands of dollars on treatments for their beloved dog or cat.

This is why pet health insurance is essential when you have a furry family member. Pet insurance can help you afford the procedures, treatments, and medications your pet needs when they are diagnosed with an illness or have an accident.The policy can cover genetic and chronic illnesses, as well as imaging, specialist treatments and alternative therapies. It will also pay on minor issues, like ear infections or having a tooth pulled. Pet insurance companies typicially will not cover pre-existing conditions, so this is not something you buy after you find out that your pet has cancer.  Pet health insurance is best purchased when you first bring home your new dog or cat. The younger your dog or cat is when you purchase a policy, the lower the rate, and the rate doesn't increase as they get older.

No one wants to be faced with the decision of whether to come up with money for an expensive procedure, or to have their pet euthanized. With a pet insurance plan, a dedicated pet parent can have peace of mind, knowing they are truly prepared(unlike me when I brought Landon home) to take care of your dog or cat, no matter what happens.

For more information on pet insurance, and to get a quote for insurance for your furry family member, go to KeepYourPetCovered.com.

The Black Hole in North Carolina's Affordable Healthcare System

North Carolina is one of the many states that did not accept funding from the federal government to expand our medicaid program. Expanding the medicaid program would have broadened the qualifying income levels so that more people would be eligible for free health insurance. North Carolina opted out of this because the funding was only guaranteed for 3 years, and then NC would have to either fund the expanded program itself, or drop those people off the program. NC has had trouble funding the state medicaid system in the past, and the idea of trying to come up with the funds to support an expanded program seemed like a terrible idea.

The problem now is that we have what I have named,  the "Black Hole" in our healthcare system in North Carolina. There is this big void between medicaid eligibility and qualifying for a federal subsidy on the Exchange.

If you are single(file as single on your tax return) and are not on disability or of Medicare age, you are not eligible for medicaid. If a single person make less than $12,000 a year, then they do not qualify for a subsidy on the Federal Exchange. It doesn't matter how old you are, unless you are eligible for Medicare, in which case you won't be purchasing insurance on the Exchange.

Earlier this year I had a man come into the office to get a quote for health insurance. He was 62, so he was not old enough for Medicare, he had no dependents, and was not legally disabled. He had some health problems, and he only worked sporadically. He brought in his tax forms from the year before showing that his total annual income was $1,800. He received food stamps, and that's what he lived on. I was incredulous that this could be the only money he had made. I questioned his daughter, who was with him, about whether she paid for more than 50% of his bills(therefore qualifying him as a dependent on her taxes), but she insisted that she did not, that $1,800 was what he lived on. In this situation, if $1,800 was truly all of his income...there was nothing I could do for them. This man did not qualify for medicaid because he was single, and did not qualify for a subsidy because he made too little money. The monthly rate for this man would have been $400-$500 a month for health insurance, which he clearly could not afford.

Fortunately, there is a a Free Clinic in  Rockingham County that can assist this man on a basic level. A person can qualify to go to the Free Clinic if they have no health insurance(no Medicaid or Medicare), if they are a local resident, and if their income falls within Federal Poverty Guidelines. Their services are limited, but they are wonderful people that do anything and everything they can to get help for their patients.

I was pretty humbled by this man's situation. I personally feel I pay too much for health insurance for my daughter and I, but I realize now that I should be grateful for my situation because there are some people that can't afford health insurance at all. Health Insurance in the next couple of years will get only more chaotic if the Supreme Court decides that states without their own exchange cannot access the federal subsidies that residents are currently getting. While I do not want to offer my personal opinions on the Affordable Care Act, I am eager to see the chaos die down so that people will feel more secure about their health insurance.

Open Enrollment for 2016 will begin November 1st and end January 31st. If you have questions about how to navigate health insurance in the coming year, call our office(336-342-4438) for a quote or contact me by email. We work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Humana, and Assurant Healthcare, as well as Medicare Supplement plans.

Planning and Paying for a Funeral

The number one thing that an insurance agent will bring up as a reason to purchase Life Insurance is the cost of your funeral.Both because I am only 25, and because thankfully I have not had any of my immediate family members pass away, I have never had to plan and execute a funeral. I have realized that many people have never had to be involved in planning a funeral, and therefore would not know how much it costs and what kinds of decisions have to be made at that difficult time. I did a little research and I wanted to share what I learned: Planning a funeral sounds awful, and I plan to write into my will that I want to be immediately cremated with no frills or viewing. I'm sorry for those who want to pay their respects to my embalmed corpse, but I would rather spare my family the effort in planning a "traditional" funeral. With that said, let's go over the List of Funeral Fees and Options.

First, there are the basic services fees, fees that can't really be avoided. These fees include paying a funeral home to plan the funeral, permits to hold a funeral at a cemetery, copies of death certificates, preparing notices for the funeral, sheltering the remains(its kind of like renting a bed at the morgue), and coordinating the funeral with the cemetery or crematory. Theses fees are generally lumped together on your invoice as one fee.

Second, there are fees related more specifically to the funeral. These other services include transporting the body from where they passed away to the funeral home and then to the grave site. Embalming is done to preserve the body, but it is not a requirement unless you plan on doing a viewing or visitation. If you do an immediate burial then sometimes you can avoid the embalming if you wish. If you are having a viewing or memorial service at the funeral home, then there will be fees to rent the facility. Any staff or equipment(like a tent and chairs) used for the funeral or graveside service will appear on your invoice also. You will also pay for a hearse to carry the body and for the family ride a limousine. One of the more obvious charges related to a funeral is the casket. The average cost of a casket is a little over $2000 depending on the materials. The cheaper caskets are made of pine, and they are soft and will break down more quickly. More expensive casts are designed to preserve the body longer and are more ornate. Caskets can cost upwards of $10,000 depending on what the family chooses. Something I learned while doing this research was about the outer burial container, or grave liner. While the law may not require you to bury the casket in a cement grave liner, most cemeteries will require a grave liner so that the ground will not cave in and sink around the body as the casket breaks down. Another, more expensive option is a grave vault in which the casket is entirely encased in cement or another material. While we are at it, if you don't already own a plot of land for the body to be buried in, then you will have to pay for that, and a headstone to cap it off. If you choose to have to have the body cremated rather than buried intact, you will be billed for the cremation. Again, a funeral home usually packages these sorts of services together, but you can obtain some of these things, like a casket, from a third party seller. It is possible to find a cheaper casket or grave liner elsewhere, and the funeral home will be required to use those things without any additional fee.

Other things that the funeral home can handle for you are things like flowers, obituary notices, hiring pallbearers, a clergyman to officiate the service, and organists and/or soloists to perform at the service. These services are labeled as "cash advances" because they are purchased from outside vendors for you. Some funeral homes charge you exactly what they pay for theses services, but some may charge service fees for arranging the services.

If you were ignorant of all that goes into a funeral, like me, then you are probably as shocked as I was at all that goes into planning and executing a funeral. Fortunately, funeral homes are used to these things and they do package everything together so that you don't have to make every little decision while you are coping with the loss of your loved one. At the same time, though, it seems like you probably could get a lot of unnecessary services in those packages. Funeral homes, after all, are businesses. It's easier for me to understand now why funerals can cost well over $10,000. Based on this (for me) new information, life insurance is an absolute necessity. No one wants their family to go into debt just to pay for a funeral, on top of any other debts and bills you may leave behind at your departure. I strongly encourage everyone to evaluate whether you can afford NOT to have a life insurance policy in force. The younger you are when you purchase, the lower you can lock in your rate, and you will gain comfort of knowing that, should something happen, your loved ones will not have to wonder how they are going to pay for the funeral. They can skip the terrible task of itemizing every little detail involved in a burial. Let them take advantage of the services that funeral homes offer without digging through the invoice to save every penny, by leaving them the money to fall back on. If you would like to talk to Dan Zeller about your options for life insurance, give us a call at 336-342-4438.