Cleveland Insurance.com

Spring Rains Do You Have Water Back up

Gregg — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:03:48 +0000

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Ohioans Advised to Check Insurance for Sewer Backup Coverage
COLUMBUS — Recent heavy rains have caused an overburden on some local sewer system, which have led to sewer backups that have damaged Ohioans homes. Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Judson is urging Ohioans to contact their homeowners insurance agent if their homes have been damaged by a sewer back-up to begin the claims process and is reminding Ohioans to review their insurance policies to determine if they are adequately covered.
“Backed up sewers can damage flooring, furniture and electrical equipment. Replacing all of that as well as cleaning up from the damage can cost thousands of dollars,” Director Hudson said. “Ohioans should check with their agents to see if they have that additional coverage in the event they are impacted by a backed up sewer.”
Sewer backups or the inability of sump pumps to handle runoff water from major downpour are not covered by a typical homeowners insurance policy nor are they covered by flood insurance. Those types of coverages must be purchased as a separate product or endorsement.
Director Hudson is offering these tips to Ohioans who have suffered damage due to a sewer backup or a sump pump failure:
If You Have Suffered Damage to a Sewer Backup:
Call your insurance company as soon as you can. Be sure your agent knows how to contact you.
Without endangering yourself, take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage.
Closely inspect property and cars for damage. Note and photograph any damage.
Provide your insurance agent with your home inventory. This will assist in settling claims.
If required to seek temporary housing, check your policy for “loss of use” coverage.
Be sure everything is considered in your claim. Back up claims with written estimates.

Ohioans with questions about sump pump, sewer backup or flood coverages can call the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1526 or visit www.insurance.ohio.gov
# # #

Ohio Department of Insurance Contacts:

Robert Denhard, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-3366

Jarrett Dunbar, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-2475

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US Chamber of Commerce on Health Care Vote

Gregg — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:43:07 +0000

U.S. Chamber Statement on House Health Care Vote
“The House made a wrong and unfortunate decision that ignores the will of the American people. This $900 billion, 2800 page bill is not health care reform. It fails to fix what is broken and risks breaking what already works.”

HOw Health Care Changes Impact The Self Employed

Gregg — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:38:29 +0000

Updated March 26, 2010
How Health-Care Changes Impact Self Employed
By Suzanne Zionts
– FOXBusiness

Are you now, or do you wish to one day become your own boss? Here’s one expert’s take on what the health-care shift may mean for you.

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With sweeping changes on the way to the nation’s health-care system, one of the many groups of workers that stand to be directly impacted is freelancers, who today make up 30% of the nation’s workforce.

Sara Horowitz, founder and director of the Freelancers Union, said that as a result of the shift, “more (workers) [will be] in the driver’s seat about organizing their career than in the past. “

FOXBusiness: What do you see as being the biggest impact freelancers should expect from the health-care changes?

Horowitz: Right away, of course, is the pre-existing condition changes. This will be the big thing. For lower income freelancers, they will see they are able to get certain subsidies in the next few years.

FOXBusiness: What suggestions for finding insurance options do you have for freelancers?

related links
Among Many Health-Care Unknowns: The Law’s Impact on Hiring
Small Businesses on Health-Care Reform: What About Us?
Horowitz: People should be looking state by state. If people go to actorsfund.org, it is for people in the arts, but it [also] gives options for [freelancers] in every state .. I would also look at the Chamber of Commerce in your region.

FOXBusiness: What is your biggest piece of advice for people who are their own boss and “business?”

Horowitz: This is the truth, though it may sound odd. When people work on their own, they focus [100%] on the work, but they should focus [more] on networking. You need to talk to people you know and find out what work is out there. You need to always be marketing yourself and having a support network of people to talk to.

FOXBusiness: Do you think the health-care legislation will lead to more innovators taking the leap to the driver’s seat?

Horowitz: I do. It will enable people who stay in a job for health care to get out. People are going to have to be more nimble and more mobile. Not having your benefits tied to your employment will clearly help people be nimble.

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Flood Ins

Gregg — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:35:45 +0000

Possible NFIP Program Hiatus (All States)
From: Steven P Boyd – Posted: 3/26/2010 12:29:06 PM – Department: Nationwide Flood Program

As of this writing, Congress has not voted to authorize a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which creates the possibility of an authority lapse at midnight Sunday, March 28. Additionally, beginning March 26 ot 27, Congress goes into recess until April 12. In the event the program is not funded and is put on hiatus, the NFIP and its Write Your Own Flood Companies and agents will not be able to:

(a) issue new policies,
(b) increase coverage on existing policies, or
(c) issue renewal policies until Congress reauthorizes the program.

Please read on for more information.

How Health Care Changes affect the Self Employed

Gregg — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:24:19 +0000

Updated March 26, 2010
How Health-Care Changes Impact Self Employed
By Suzanne Zionts
– FOXBusiness

Are you now, or do you wish to one day become your own boss? Here’s one expert’s take on what the health-care shift may mean for you.

printemailshare recommend (0)

FOXBusiness: What do you see as being the biggest impact freelancers should expect from the health-care changes?

FOXBusiness: What suggestions for finding insurance options do you have for freelancers?

FOXBusiness: What is your biggest piece of advice for people who are their own boss and “business?”

FOXBusiness: Do you think the health-care legislation will lead to more innovators taking the leap to the driver’s seat?

Health Care Reform What’s in it For You?

Gregg — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:23:56 +0000

Article comments (2) /static/all/img
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/politics/2010/03/22/health-care-reform-means/
Updated March 22, 2010
What the Health Care Reform Bill Means for You

The Wall Street Journal

No more worrying about lifetime limits on health coverage, about whether your insurer will dump you when you get sick, or about whether your adult child will be booted off your plan when he turns 18. These are some of the changes that will kick in this year as part of the landmark health-overhaul legislation the U.S. Congress passed on Sunday.

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No more worrying about lifetime limits on health coverage, about whether your insurer will dump you when you get sick, or about whether your adult child will be booted off your plan when he turns 18.

Kids will be able to stay on their parents’ plans until they’re 26 if they want and new insurance policies will have to cover certain preventive-care measures with no out-of-pocket cost to the consumer. These are some of the changes that will kick in this year as part of the landmark health-overhaul legislation the U.S. Congress passed on Sunday.

Insurers also will be barred from denying coverage based on people’s pre-existing health conditions for the first time, but children receive this benefit before adults.

The ban on excluding kids because of illness takes effect six months after passage, but the full adult measure doesn’t kick in until 2014. In the meantime, adults with pre-existing conditions who’ve been uninsured for at least six months can enroll in a temporary high-risk pool and receive subsidized premiums, starting three months after the bill’s passage.

Advocates for consumers and patients hailed the overhaul’s passage.

“While the new reforms won’t solve all the problems in our nation’s broken health-care system, they will go a long way toward achieving the goal of affordable, reliable health care for all Americans,” Jim Guest, chief executive of Consumers Union, said in a statement after the vote.

What You Can Expect

Here’s an outline of what you can expect depending on your employment, income, health and lifestyle factors. The exact timing of several provisions has yet to be determined.

– If you have employer-sponsored coverage: Any lifetime caps on how much your health plan will cover, often set between $1 million and $5 million, will be eliminated in both group and individual health plans starting later this year. Employers will have to disclose the cost of workers’ health coverage on their W-2 tax forms starting in 2011.

– If you have a small business: Small firms starting this year may be eligible for new tax credits that would cover up to 35% of health-insurance premiums for businesses that have fewer than 25 employees. Workers at small businesses eventually will be able to buy policies on new health-insurance exchanges, where health benefits will have to meet a new minimum standard.

– If you’re uninsured: Over the next 10 years, the bill will extend coverage to an estimated 32 million people who would otherwise lack coverage. It does this by expanding the government safety net and providing subsidies for low- and moderate-income people without employer health benefits to buy private plans on health-insurance exchanges, which are due to start in 2014. For the first time, all citizens and legal residents will have to buy health insurance–with financial aid from the government if they can’t afford it, on a sliding scale up to 400% of the poverty line–or face a penalty starting in 2014, with some exceptions for low-income people. The amounts are set to rise annually, beginning with a fine of $95 or 1% of income, whichever is greater, and growing to as much as $695 or 2.5% of taxable income by 2016.

Click here to read the full story in The Wall Street Journal.

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Ohioans Advised to Consider Flood Insurance Options

Gregg — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:35:19 +0000

Policies Are Purchased Through The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson is urging Ohioans who are considering purchasing a flood insurance policy to do so as soon as possible to avoid experiencing any delays in trying to purchase a policy.
On February 28, Congress did not vote to extend authority for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). While most of the 5.6 million flood insurance policyholders nationwide were not affected during the hiatus, it did prevent the NFIP from issuing new policies, increasing coverage on existing policies, or renewing policies. On March 2, the U.S. Senate extended the NFIP’s authority to March 28, ending the hiatus. However, a similar hiatus could happen again after March 28, so Director Hudson is advising those who were considering purchasing the coverage to do so as soon as possible.
“While we do anticipate Congress to further authorize the NFIP before the upcoming deadline, there is a chance that that extension could be delayed as it was earlier this month,” Director Hudson said.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage to property owners and renters in communities that have enforced floodplain management regulations. In Ohio, the average annual policy premium is approximately $720. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) oversees community eligibility. A person is not required to live in a floodplain area to purchase a policy, which becomes effective after a 30 day waiting period in most cases.
Flood insurance does not cover damage to property directly caused by rain entering through an opening in a wall or the roof. These types of losses may be covered by traditional homeowners policies.
Ohioans who desire to insure their cars to protect against the peril of floodwaters are encouraged to contact their auto insurance agent. The physical damage portion of an auto insurance policy typically provides coverage for flood damage.

Where to get more information about NFIP:

· The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 888-CALL-FLOOD or www.floodsmart.gov .
· The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Floodplain Management Program Office at 614-265-6750 or www.dnr.state.oh.us .
Ohioans with questions about severe weather preparedness, insurance claims or flood coverage can call the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1526 or visit www.insurance.ohio.gov .

Ohio Department of Insurance Contacts:

Robert Denhard, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-3366

Jarrett Dunbar, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-2475

Seven Ways to Save on Auto Insurance

Gregg — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:59:45 +0000

Hi Gregg and Judy, This is the blog post that I created over the weekend. I have not posted it to Cleveland Insurance, as I do not have your log in information. Also I want to talk about possibly creating a more user friendly and “sleek” blog site or page. I’m going to give you a call here so we may talk about it if you have a few minutes.

Seven Low Cost Car Insurance Tips
With the growing price of car insurance, more and more American families are finding it difficult to keep up. Increasing numbers of people are trying to find cheap car insurance plans. However the question remains, is it possible to find cheap car insurance coverage, while maintaining the integrity of your insurance company?
Everyone knows that car insurance companies aren’t all equal. Low-cost car insurance coverage is wonderful when paying the bill, however make a claim on one of those low cost insurance companies and you may find that your budget car insurance policy could turn into a nightmare. Low cost car insurance might not fully cover your damages when making a claim.
If you’ve found a discount car insurance agent don’t simply take the cheapest quote you are offered. You may want to search for information concerning the insurance company’s coverage, and consumer’s satisfaction, with that insurance companies claims process.
With this in mind, there are ways in which you can scale back and reduce the price of your current car insurance plan, with most insurance companies. Here are some tips for those looking to reduce the cost of their car insurance plan without compromising other things like value.
1.    Look at your deductible amount. This is the amount that you must pay out of pocket on any claim. The cost of your policy is directly related to this coverage amount. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance cost will be. Many individuals, significantly those who have had their insurance policy for a while, may have never thought of whether or not they should change their deductible. If you have a good driving record and are ready to increase the risk of paying a larger amount within the event of a (hopefully unlikely) claim, you will save premium by increasing your deductible.
2.   Have a look at the type of car you drive. Certain varieties of cars attract higher car insurance rates. Sports cars and certain makes and models that are prime theft candidates cost additional to insure. If you are shopping for a car, then take into account which makes and models may cost more to insure before you buy. Make sure to call and get a few quotes ahead of time on what your new insurance will cost you, there is no reason you should be surprised with an increase in your insurance bill. When calculating your monthly budget with your new car loan, make sure to include the potential increase in your insurance cost. This way you can be sure to safely afford your new monthly budget.
3.    Drive carefully. Though it sounds obvious to mention, your driving record has the biggest direct effect on your insurance cost. Companies offer huge safe driver discounts and you won’t get a cheap car insurance plan if you have had 3 accidents or violations in the last year. In fact most companies look back 3 years for accidents or violations. A $100 speeding ticket can potentially add up to $100’s more over the 3 or so years it takes to fall off your driving record. This should always be taken into consideration when driving. When running late to work or elsewhere, ask yourself, “Is the 10 minutes of work I’m going to miss enough to pay for the cost of a speeding ticket, and the ongoing cost of increased insurance?” If the answer is no then slow down.
4.    Never let your insurance lapse! Insurance companies view lapses in auto insurance as irresponsible and will charge you more for coverage, even if you find yourself in a situation where you will not have a car or may not be driving for a while. See what it would cost to insure yourself as a driver on a policy without a car. Additionally, if you are going to be driving somebody else’s car, ask to have them find what it would cost to add you as a driver to their policy.
5.    Take a look at your policy when it comes time to renew, don’t just pay. There are some things that you can change in your policy that will have an effect on the cost. You may find there are things which duplicate alternative insurance which you may already have. Maybe you pay $100 per year for a AAA membership, you may have similar coverage on your auto insurance for a fraction of the cost of your AAA membership. Be vigilant, look rigorously and ask questions concerning these inquires before you renew your policy.
6.    Consider where you place your other insurances. Most insurance companies offer multiple policy discounts. If your house insurance is with a different company from your auto insurance, call them both up, find what each other’s total insurance package would cost and consider combining your insurance for the best package rates and discounts.
7.   Take care of your credit. Regardless if you feel your credit is an indication of your driving style or not, companies do take this into account. Be sure to take whatever steps possible to increase your credit rating. Some good credit tips can be found here: http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/improveYourScore.aspx
So you are in the market for low cost car insurance coverage, we hope these simple concepts can help you. Don’t just settle for car insurance that may be costly, get out there and do something about it. As you know, we offer free auto insurance quotes and free advice about most insurance subjects. Please feel free to give us a call or email to discuss your specific situation.

–
Thanks,

Chris

Mini Cobra Benefits

Gregg — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:44:08 +0000

Friday, February 26, 2010

Mini-COBRA Benefits Extended
House Bill 300 provides three additional months of Ohio continuation coverage
COLUMBUS — Ohioans who lost their jobs and were in danger of losing their health insurance received some relief on Thursday, said Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson. Governor Ted Strickland signed House Bill 300 (H.B. 300) into law, providing temporary extensions of Ohio continuation (mini-COBRA) coverage from twelve months to fifteen months to permit Ohioans who lose their jobs to take full advantage of the federal subsidies available to help pay for the cost of mini-COBRA, or state continuation, coverage.
“In these challenging economic times, the last thing that Ohioans want to be worrying about is being able to keep their health insurance,” said Director Hudson. “The mini-COBRA changes will temporarily allow those who lose their job to maintain their health insurance for a little while longer.”
Effective immediately, all small employer-sponsored group insurance policies issued, delivered or renewed on or after February 25, 2010, increase continuation coverage from 12 to 15 months. The extension is temporary and lasts only as long as newly terminated employees are eligible for federal premium subsidies for mini-COBRA coverage. When those federal subsidies are no longer available to newly terminated employees, the temporary law will end, and the Ohio law will return to 12 months of continuation coverage.
H.B. 300 affects only the duration of continuation coverage provided by Ohio insurance law. All other provisions of these statutes remain in effect.
The Department is issuing a bulletin offering guidance to insurance companies concerning this change to the Ohio continuation law. That bulletin, as well as the complete version of H.B. 300, can be found on the Ohio Department of Insurance web site, www.insurance.ohio.gov . Ohioans with questions about the new law can call the Department’s consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526.
# # #

Ohio Department of Insurance Contacts:

Robert Denhard, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-3366

Jarrett Dunbar, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-2475

Workers Comp

Gregg — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:20:25 +0000

For Immediate Release:

Friday, February 26, 2010

Ohio Health Care Coverage and Quality Council’s Multi-Payer Enhanced Primary Care Work Group to hold March 1st Public Meeting
COLUMBUS – The Multi-Payer Enhanced Primary Care (MPEPC) Work Group of the Ohio Health Care Coverage and Quality Council (HCCQC) will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 1 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ohio Department of Insurance, located on 50 W. Town Street, Suite 300, in downtown Columbus. The meeting will take place in the ODI Public Hearing Room, 601. The work group will be meeting with Michael Bailit, who is nationally recognized as an expert in medical homes and payment reform.
The HCCQC was formed to facilitate the implementation of strategies that will improve the cost and quality of Ohio’s health care and coverage systems. The HCCQC consists of more than 30 members from the provider, payer, consumer, and policy communities. State agencies responsible for heath care and insurance delivery and oversight are represented, as is the Ohio General Assembly. The council encourages and provides regular opportunities for public comment.
Among the specific responsibilities of the council is advising the Governor and General Assembly on strategies to improve health care programs and health insurance policies, studying health financing alternatives, recommending improvements in data reporting to increase transparency and consistency, recommending minimum coverage standards, supporting the implementation of health information technology, assisting employers in adopting cafeteria plans and producing an annual report.
Those interested in learning more about the HCCQC and its task forces, including lists of members, meeting notes, and efforts to reform health care in Ohio should visit www.healthcarereform.ohio.gov .
# # #

Ohio Department of Insurance Contacts:

Robert Denhard, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-3366

Jarrett Dunbar, Public Information Officer
(614) 644-2475