Mark Your Calendar
The month of December brings important deadlines for those hoping to secure health insurance. Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7. Our Senior Health staff can help you compare Medicare plans and answer your questions. Call us at 1-800-259-5300.
Open enrollment for individual health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace ends December 15. If you’re still trying to narrow down your options, remember to review your plan’s health care network. Contact an agent to help review your options.
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Get Smart About Holiday Travel
Accidents can mean expensive repair and liability costs, and lead to higher premiums. Accident forgiveness means that an insurer agrees not to increase a customer’s premium after the driver is involved in an at-fault accident. It is an enticing perk that many insurance companies offer either as part of a standard policy to loyal customers or as an additional endorsement that drivers with a safe driving record can purchase. Here is what you need to know if you’re considering the option.
Cost Involved. In some cases, accident forgiveness is included as part of a standard car insurance policy; however, you will typically pay a higher premium for a policy that includes this added protection.
Eligibility. Many insurers only offer accident forgiveness to customers who have been insured with the company for a certain number of years.
Talk with your insurance company or agent to determine if accident forgiveness is right for you and to learn more about how your rates might be affected by an accident.
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Protecting Your Valuables
As you prepare for the holiday season, review your insurance policies to avoid possible expensive surprises.
Presents are stolen from your home: Standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage with special limits for certain goods, such as electronics and jewelry. Standard condominium and rental insurance policies provide similar coverage. Check your policy for specific item limits, and be sure to add new items to your policy as soon as possible to ensure you are covered.
Someone uses your credit card to buy a big screen television: The purchase might be covered as part of your contract with your credit card company. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically provide up to $500 of coverage toward your legal obligation to pay your credit card company. However, there is no coverage if, for example, a family member entrusted with the card buys a big screen television. Federal law also limits a cardholder's responsibility as long as the credit card company is promptly notified per the cardholder agreement.
Someone breaks your car's window and steals gifts from the back seat: Most standard homeowners and rental insurance policies provide coverage; however you are responsible for the policy deductible and there are limits. Some auto policies provide coverage for this situation. Talk with your agent or company on both policies (homeowners/renters and auto) to find out under which policy you should report your claim.
Here are a few tips to prevent vehicle theft:
- Lock your car doors and close the windows.
- Park in a well-lit area.
- Keep your valuables out of sight.
- Never leave your vehicle’s engine running unattended.
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