How You Can Fill the Benefits Gap

In the past ten years, employers have faced skyrocketing costs for their employee health plans. If you have employer-sponsored health coverage, your share of costs has probably risen as a result. Continue reading “How You Can Fill the Benefits Gap”

Covering Your Property in Storage

Too much stuff? Almost 9 percent of American households rented a self-storage unit in 2012, up from 6 percent in 1995. Before joining them, be aware that you, as the lessee, remain responsible for loss or damage to everything in your unit, unless your rental agreement specifies otherwise. Continue reading “Covering Your Property in Storage”

Renting Out That Extra Room: Know Your Risks

Home rental clearinghouses such as Airbnb and VRBO make it easy for homeowners to rent out a spare bedroom or a second home when they aren’t using it. This might sound like a good way to earn extra money. Before diving in, consider the risks and your insurance coverage. Continue reading “Renting Out That Extra Room: Know Your Risks”

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Foreign travel checklist: Passport – check. Visa – check. Airline tickets – check. Hotel reservations – check. Health insurance coverage – ? Any foreign travel requires some planning. Since nothing can ruin a trip faster than an accident or unexpected illness, don’t forget to check how your health insurance coverage applies outside the U.S.! Continue reading “Do You Need Travel Insurance?”

Social Media and Your Liability Risks

Should you worry about the content of your teen’s tweets or your spouse’s Pinterest posts? All it takes is for one tweet to veer away from commentary to defamation, or one image to invade another’s privacy, and you could face a lawsuit.

Continue reading “Social Media and Your Liability Risks”

How Your Credit Score Affects Your Insurance Costs

With the recession of the past few years, many individuals’ credit scores have taken a hit. In addition to affecting your ability to get a mortgage, loan or credit card, your credit score can also affect how much you’ll pay for your insurance. Continue reading “How Your Credit Score Affects Your Insurance Costs”

Protecting Your Family from Dog Bite Liability

The Insurance Information Institute (III) reported that dog bite claims cost an average of $24,461 in 2008 (the most recent figures available). If you own one or more dogs, do you have the insurance coverage to protect you from dog bite liability? Continue reading “Protecting Your Family from Dog Bite Liability”

E-Cigarettes and Your Health

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are growing in popularity. How will they affect your health…and your insurance coverages?

Tobacco vs. E-Cigarettes

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,700 chemical compounds, Continue reading “E-Cigarettes and Your Health”

Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes an estimated 15,200 people to visit an emergency room or miss at least one day of work per year. But because carbon monoxide exposure creates nonspecific effects that are easily misdiagnosed, the actual toll of carbon monoxide poisoning is probably much higher. Continue reading “Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”