Security Insurance: October 2007

Friday, October 19, 2007

Free Books On Insurance and Other Subjects

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Practices in Health & Disability Insurance - The Lives & Wealth They Cost America

18 Oct 2007 01:09 Africa/Lagos

Practices in Health & Disability Insurance - The Lives & Wealth They Cost America

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Health and disability insurance companies are systematically cheating the American public.

The results of an investigation of practices by health and disability insurers and their effect on America are detailed in this new JustHealth- funded study.

Insurers provide no healthcare goods or services.

Health insurance costs are rising 2-to-3 times faster than inflation. Medical debt is the number one cause of personal bankruptcy.

We pay much more per capita and get less healthcare than the rest of the industrialized world.

Approximately 16% of Americans are uninsured, 18,000 die prematurely each year because of this. Many more die because their insurers delay, diminish, or deny payment for promised benefits.

Reports about people dying from insurer misconduct seldom receive broad coverage in the media. Lack of media coverage has led to a nation uninformed about how our national health policies are controlled by the insurance industry.

Insurance companies are in business to make as much money as possible. They do so by systematically delaying, diminishing, and denying payment for promised services, and blaming individuals for their own misfortune.

On the boards of directors of the 9 largest insurance companies are 113 people. They hold 150 past and/or present positions with major financial or investment institutions, and are connected to some of the largest corporations in the world. Their combined affiliations represent 2006 revenue of over $2,500,000,000,000.

They spend millions on campaign donations, lobbying and media saturation to convince us that we need them, despite overwhelming evidence that we would all be better off without them.

Spending for administrative costs associated with health insurance exceeds 30% of health care costs in the US...and insurance companies provide no health care. They are just middlemen.

Americans have a choice: continue with a profit-driven insurance system in which insurers systematically delay, diminish, and deny promised benefits -- leaving millions of Americans without necessary care; or we can build a common pool health care system that provides necessary care to everyone -- for less than what we are paying now.

-- Peter Phillips: Professor of Sociology, Sonoma State University and Director of Project Censored. Bridget Thornton: graduate student, Interdisciplinary Studies Program. All statements above are fully documented in their new study "Practices in Health Care and Disability Insurance: Delay, Diminish Deny and Blame" -- http://www.justhealthnow.org/.

Source: JustHealth

CONTACT: JustHealth, +1-888-225-2686, johnmetz@justhealthnow.org; or
Peter Phillips, +1-707-664-2588

Web site: http://www.justhealthnow.org/

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Dear Entrepreneur: Tips for Buying Insurance

Dear Entrepreneur: Tips for Buying Insurance

ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ --

When making choices to protect your business, yourself and your family, the subject of insurance can cause confusion, says Frank N. Darras, the nation's leading disability and long-term care insurance lawyer.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070717/NYFNSC02)

Entrepreneurs have complex choices of health-related insurance plans ranging from: Disability to Long-Term Care; with a plethora of other offerings for special health considerations. Even the savviest shopper can get overwhelmed reviewing policies that promise to pay the bills, should the unthinkable happen.
Darras says, "Comparing features, advantages and benefits of different policies is tough; but putting off making decisions that can affect the rest of your lives, can be dangerous." See http://www.darrasnews.com/.
Determine where your financial risks are the highest, says Darras. Once you prioritize your risks, you should be able to choose insurance policies that can protect you best.

Darras suggests:
DISABILITY INSURANCE
-- Get disability coverage when you're young.
-- Consider "own occupation" policies.
-- Beware clauses limiting coverage to 24 months, after that, requirements
change and you could be denied coverage.
-- Understand the 'limitation on benefits'.
-- Group disability coverage from work does not protect you and it's
taxable.

LIFE INSURANCE
-- Life insurance may not be necessary if no one depends on you for
income, financial support and you have enough money for burial and
funeral expenses.
-- Life insurance helps leave our loved ones financially secure, in the
event of a tragedy.
-- Have a reliable second party listed on your policy so they can be
notified if you miss paying a premium.
-- Make sure you have 'waiver of premium".

LONG-TERM CARE
-- If you are under 59, you are too young to shop for long-term care.
-- If you are older, understand what services long-term care policies
cover and who provides the care.
-- Make sure the policy allows for care: in your home, by a family member
or friend, in the home of a family member, in an adult care service
facility, in an assisted living facility, a hospice facility or in a
nursing home.
-- Understand the terms: custodial, intermediate and skilled care.

Darras says, "Never buy from a company you don't recognize! Paying really cheap premiums to a company that won't be in business in 20 years can be devastating."
See http://www.darrasnews.com/ or call 800-458-4577.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Frank N. Darras

http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=39767

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070717/NYFNSC02

AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Frank N. Darras

CONTACT: Robin Nolan, +1-650-279-9512, robin@mcdavidpr.com, for Frank N.
Darras
Web site: http://www.darrasnews.com/
NOTE TO EDITORS: Darras available for interviews.

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