How to Get Florida Term Life Insurance if You Have Diabetes

If you are one of the millions of Americans who have diabetes, then you may be concerned that you won’t be able to find Florida term life insurance or that it will be too expensive for you to afford. This doesn’t have to be the case; there are some things you can do to help secure life insurance at affordable rates.

Understanding the Expense

Anyone who has diabetes should be prepared to pay higher premiums for Florida term life insurance than someone who is otherwise healthy. This is because the risks associated with diabetes present greater risks to insurers for various reasons. However, it is still possible to get into a great rating class with excellent premiums, even if you are currently being treated for diabetes. You should understand a few statistics, what insurers are looking for, and what you can do to get the best results possible.

Diabetes Statistics

As of 2013, more than 26 million Americans are living with diabetes and this is a staggering 8% of our country’s population. It is estimated that there are almost six million more people who are living with the disease and don’t even know it, and doctors have determined that there are 57 million people nationwide who have what is known as pre-diabetes. These are the people who have the precursors for developing the condition. The statistic that worries insurance companies the most is that 65% of the people who have diabetes die prematurely of heart attack or stroke.

What Your Insurer Wants to Know

When you apply for Florida term life insurance, you will likely need to take a medical exam and tell your insurer that you have been diagnosed with diabetes. You will need to explain when you were diagnosed, how old you were at the time, the exact diagnosis you received, how advanced the condition is, how well you have responded to treatments, how well your diabetes is controlled, the type of treatments you have received in the past, the treatment you are receiving now, whether or not you use tobacco and if you have any other medical condition. These things will help the insurer determine your overall level of health.

Saving Money

Statistically, several studies conducted with multiple Florida term life insurance providers have concluded that premiums were lower for those who regularly followed up with their physicians, changed their lifestyles, and kept their diabetes under strict control with diet and medication. On the same note, premiums were almost always much higher for those who failed to follow up with a doctor regularly, who did not change their diets, or who did not take their medications as directed. Thus, it can be determined that individuals who are concerned with and who control their diabetes are those who can secure the lowest premiums.

In any case, it is always recommended for you to secure a Florida term life insurance policy with an affordable premium at first. You can always make changes to your diet and lifestyle, better control your diabetes, and work your way into a better rating class as you go. 

A Statistical Analysis of Florida Traffic Accidents

If you are wondering how much and what sort of automobile insurance you need, it may help to review some of the basic statistics regarding Florida traffic accidents. These statistics will help you better understand how many people are involved in accidents and what types of accidents are most common.

Annual Accident Total

Every year, there are more than 200,000 Florida traffic accidents involving cars, pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles. The following sets of statistics will take a peek into how many drivers and passengers are killed in accidents annually, how often alcohol plays a role in the accident, and even how many injuries are reported each year. We have also provided some advice for staying safe if you are a pedestrian, riding a bike, riding a motorcycle or driving a car.

Deaths and Injuries in Vehicular Accidents

Of all of the different types of Florida traffic accidents, there are an average of between 2,500 and 3,000 deaths reported per year. Similarly, some 200,000 people are injured in these accidents. This includes all drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcycle drivers and bicycle riders. In order to reduce this number, it is important to always remain aware and alert behind the wheel. Drivers should never text, drink, eat or perform any other task when they are driving, and they should always anticipate the errors of other drivers on the road. Defensive driving courses are highly beneficial in preventing accidents like this.

Pedestrians

In 2008, there were 502 pedestrians killed in accidents and more than 7,800 crashes involving pedestrians. While it is true that the pedestrians are sometimes at fault, there is plenty that drivers can do to prevent these deaths and injuries. It is imperative to slow down at intersections and any time they see a pedestrian attempting to cross the road. Pedestrians always have the right of way, whether they are crossing in a crosswalk or in the middle of the street. Pedestrians should be sure to always use sidewalks and crosswalks, however, and they should be sure to anticipate cars that may come through blind intersections.

Bicycles and Motorcycles

Drivers must share the roadways with bicycles and motorcycles. In 2008, 118 bicyclists and 502 motorcyclists were killed in Florida traffic accidents; thousands more were injured. If you are a driver, remember that bicycles and motorcycles have the right to be on the road just as much as you do. You should always anticipate their needs and treat them with respect. If you are riding your bicycle or motorcycle on the road, you should learn and obey all of the various traffic laws that are designed to keep you and other drivers safe.

Alcohol Use

In 2009 alone, there were more than 20,000 Florida traffic accidents that involved the use of alcohol. Of these, more than 14,000 people were injured and 1,004 died. To avoid these accidents, drivers of cars and motorcycles alike should remember that the legal blood-alcohol limit for operating a motor vehicle in the state of Florida is 0.08%. Of course, it is always better to avoid drinking at all if you will be driving.

Florida traffic accidents have decreased somewhat over the years, but they are still responsible for taking thousands of lives annually. Drivers, bicycle riders, pedestrians and motorcyclists should always be aware and alert of their surroundings and avoid drinking and driving. 

Florida Insurance Tips for Business Travelers

If you are one of the thousands of Florida residents who are almost always on the road and moving from one hotel to the next, you may have different insurance needs. Here are some Florida insurance tips for business travelers that could help you save money while ensuring that all of your needs are covered.

Your Car

If you travel a lot for your business, you will want to make sure that your car and all of its contents are covered in the event of an accident or theft. You will likely have several different options from which to choose, but this only applies in the event that you are driving your own car. If you are driving a company car, then the company for which you work is responsible for the insurance coverage. Another thing that you should consider is whether or not your Florida insurance – or even your employer’s insurance – will cover expensive items like laptops or cell phones if they are in the car. You may need to have these covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, instead.

How Your Rates are Set

When it comes to Florida insurance, your rates are set based upon a multitude of factors and this is particularly true for business travelers. For instance, things like the type of car you drive, how your car is used primarily (whether for business or personal use), the number of miles that you drive your car in a year, the location in which you live as well as the locations to which you travel most frequently, and your overall driving record will impact the amount you can expect to pay as far as premiums go. If you use your own car to travel for business, your insurance company needs to know this so that you can get the best coverage possible.

Consider Travel Insurance

If you travel more than you are at home, then some form of travel insurance may be helpful to you. You should look into insurance components like emergency medical coverage, lost luggage, repatriation, trip cancellation or delay, rental cars, evacuation and more. All of these things, while unlikely in most circumstances, are still possible and can cost you an arm and a leg if you are not properly covered. You could look for a plan that is designed specifically for your situation or speak to your agent about adding these components to your existing policies.

Understand Your Health Insurance

Finally, you will need to understand your health insurance policy very well – especially before you travel outside of the country. Your plan likely covers you if you are injured or become sick somewhere within the United States or its territories, but you may find that you have absolutely no coverage in a foreign country. In the event that you are in another country and you need medical help, you will be expected to pay up front ; this can be incredibly costly. If you are planning to travel abroad for business, you should look into short-term supplemental Florida insurance that will cover you in this case.

Business travelers have a lot to worry about. They have to get to their destinations on time, build a good rapport with their leads and finalize sales in order to be successful. Florida insurance should not be a worry, so make sure that you have all of the coverage you need today. 

Discussing Florida Life Insurance with Your Children

A recent study published in September 2013 by a leading automobile insurance provider revealed that the majority of parents are more comfortable talking to their children about drugs than Florida life insurance. While this may seem strange, there are some very important things to consider – especially if you need to discuss life insurance with your own children.

The Statistics

Believe it or not, only 38% of the parents nationwide that were polled stated that they would feel ‘extremely comfortable’ talking to their children about life insurance. However, more than 55% stated they were comfortable discussing drugs and alcohol with their kids openly. To put this into even further perspective, three out of 10 parents stated that they were comfortable discussing puberty and related subjects with their children. Why is Florida life insurance such a difficult subject to discuss?

The Implications

When asked in detail about why they did not feel comfortable discussing Florida life insurance with their children, a vast majority of the parents reported that death and dying were considered ‘taboo’ subjects and that it was ‘bad luck’ to discuss such things. Of course, when discussing life insurance, this is the route that the conversation will inevitably take. However, as your children grow older and begin to take on more responsibilities – and particularly when they leave to go to college – it is necessary to discuss the importance of Florida life insurance.

Why It is Important

Something else to consider is that more than 30% of the households in the United States lack life insurance coverage. Often times, this is not because the premiums are too expensive; it is because the members of the household simply do not think about the importance of covering their final expenses and making sure their loved ones are financially stable after their deaths. By having this conversation with your children early, perhaps as young as 14 years old, your children will learn the importance of this insurance and are more likely to purchase it as adults.

What to Say

If you are looking for ways to discuss Florida life insurance with your child, there are many routes you can take. It is best to simply be honest but to use terms that will not cause your child to feel a sense of impending doom. You could explain that you want your child to be taken care of in the event that something tragic happened to you. You may also choose to explain to your child that if you should pass away, bills would still need to be paid and your child would still need to have money for college. All of these things are great conversation starters, but your child will likely ask some questions along the way, too.

There is no reason for Florida life insurance to be a taboo subject at family meetings. While it isn’t something that you will need to address all the time, a conversation once per year about the importance of life insurance and why it is in place will help your child feel more secure in the long run. 

Florida Health Insurance for Early Retirees

Early retirement is meant to be an exciting part of life and not one that is fraught with stress. Fortunately, finding Florida health insurance benefits after early retirement does not have to be as daunting as it seems. There are plenty of ways to make sure that the coverage you select is both comprehensive and affordable.

If You Already Had a Plan

If you already had a Florida health insurance plan that you were paying for on your own rather than from your employer, then there is nothing you need to do. You may need to report your retirement to your insurance company, but this will not affect your premiums in any way. People who purchased their own health insurance do not need to worry about any health conditions they will develop in the future, either. This is the best way to preserve health insurance benefits after an early retirement.

Separate the Family when Applying for New Coverage

If your employer-provided insurance coverage will terminate after your early retirement, then you can save money on your new insurance plan by separating your family. Sometimes, the premiums you will pay for a family insurance plan are based upon the age of the oldest member of the family. Thus, if you are 54, your wife is 49 and your college-aged child who is still covered under your plan is 22, then separating the family may actually save money. If you still choose to go with a family plan, be sure that the insurance policy is in the younger spouse’s name. This way, things are much easier for you when you decide to switch to Medicare.

Check out State Pool Insurance Programs

In some cases, the premiums for individuals aged 55-65 who are purchasing Florida health insurance for the first time are so high that it may be better to actually look into state-guaranteed programs that are funded from a pool. Although these programs are usually intended for individuals who are considered unhealthy or otherwise uninsurable, they present a great opportunity to save money on premiums while still receiving ample coverage. You may need to provide a letter from a reputable insurance agent that states you would have been rejected had you applied for coverage, though.

Negotiate with Your Employer

Perhaps the best thing you can do if you are faced with the problem of finding Florida health insurance after early retirement is to negotiate with your employer to see if you can receive ongoing health benefits. Chances are, however, that your employer is paying double—or even triple—the amount for your insurance premiums than it is paying for your younger coworkers. However, even with this being said, the costs associated with the group plan are likely less than what you would pay on your own. You may be able to convince your employer to allow you to pay these premiums in full out of pocket to save you money.

Florida health insurance for early retirees can be complicated and expensive. If you have questions or you aren’t quite sure which route to take, please speak with your insurance agent and your employer prior to retiring. 

Florida Homeowners' Insurance and Your College-Aged Child

Although it is advisable to review your homeowners’ insurance policy once per year, it is well worth your time to review it again when your child leaves for college. There are many reasons for this, but making amendments to your Florida homeowners’ insurance policy when your child moves away will protect your child's valued possessions. 

Your Child's Possessions

By the time your child is old enough to go to college it is likely that he or she has collected thousands of dollars’ worth of possessions which may include computers, televisions, stereo systems, mobile phones, tablets and more. Then, there are clothes, books, bicycles and things that you purchase for your child over the years. When your child moves out and goes to college, you will want to determine whether or not your existing Florida homeowners’ insurance policy will cover those items or if you will need to purchase renter’s insurance for your child. Although renter’s insurance is an added expense, it is certainly a lot less expensive than replacing all of the things it is designed to cover.

Common Insurance Clause

A common clause that is found in many Florida homeowners’ insurance policies is one that states that the insurance policy will only cover the possessions of the college-aged child as long as he or she resides on campus. This means that if your child lives in a dormitory, the items will likely be covered and an additional policy will not be necessary. However, if your child chooses to take an apartment off-campus or live in an off-campus fraternity or sorority house, then the policy will not cover the items and you will be better off purchasing renter’s insurance to cover your child’s belongings.

Take an Inventory

Before your child goes to college, it is important to inventory all of his or her costly possessions. First and foremost, take a pen and paper and write down all of the items that your child owns that cost more than $25 or $50. For the more expensive items like bicycles, computers, televisions and stereos, you should be sure to take pictures and keep receipts for these items. This way, in the event of a disaster or robbery, you have solid evidence to support your claim so that you can be reimbursed for your losses.

Talk to Your Child

When your child leaves to go to college, it is a fantastic time to discuss the necessity of having homeowners’ or renter’s insurance. It is likely that your child has never lived outside the home up to this point, and he or she likely does not understand the full importance of protecting these valuable items. You should also explain that the coverage of these items should not in any way be conducive to reckless behavior; Florida homeowners’ insurance rates go up after a certain number of claims and there are limits on the monetary value of the policy itself, as well.

When your child leaves for college, it can be exciting and stressful all at the same time. However, when you check with your agent about making changes to your Florida homeowners’ insurance policy, you can reduce some of this stress and focus on what really matters: helping your child make this important transition into adulthood. 

A Guide to Planning with Florida Life Insurance

If you are considering the purchase of Florida life insurance, you should view it as an investment and a means of protecting your family rather than an obligation or just another bill to pay. The following guide will help you plan for your future as it pertains to life insurance.

Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance

The first decision you will need to make is whether you want to purchase term or permanent life insurance. There are several differences to consider but, in the long run, the differences are easy to understand. Term life insurance is a great option for young people who need lower premiums, but the premiums will rise as you age. Permanent life insurance is more expensive, but the premiums will not increase as you age and the policy will gain cash value over time. You can even borrow against the cash value of your life insurance policy in the future.

How Much Insurance Do You Need?

After you have decided whether to purchase term or permanent insurance, you’ll need to decide how much Florida life insurance you will need. There are several factors that you will need to consider, and your insurance agent can help you calculate the best option for your individual situation. In general, young, single individuals who have no dependents can get by with a minimum amount of insurance. However, individuals who are married or who have children will need more insurance since these individuals will need ongoing financial support.

Adding More Insurance

No matter what sort of insurance policy you choose now, or if you already have insurance that you feel may be inadequate for your needs, you may be put in a position to decide whether or not you need to add more. Inflation is a huge factor when it comes to Florida life insurance, so if you purchased a policy in 1990 for $100,000, you may want to decide whether or not that $100,000 will still be enough in 2013 with the rising costs of just about everything. Similarly, if you have had another child, gotten married or even gotten divorced, you may need to make some changes.

Future Planning

When you go to purchase a life insurance policy, you are likely just thinking about planning for immediate expenses that may occur in the event of your death. However, if you have a family, you need to think about how they will be supported without your income. If your children are young, you will need to think about how long your life insurance money will need to support their needs. Finally, your permanent life insurance policy may be able to provide you with enough money to help pay for a child’s college tuition, place a down payment on a house or even start a savings account for a loved one.

Florida life insurance should never be viewed as another obligation to pay every month, and you should never go with simply the ‘bare minimum’ in order to save money. You should sit down with your insurance agent and discuss your needs—both now and in the future—in order to determine the right type of insurance and the amount that will best suit you. 

Is Your Florida Whole Life Insurance Policy Still a Good Investment?

Florida whole life insurance is very popular because it builds cash value as policyholders pay their premiums. However, these consumers often want to know exactly how much cash their policies will generate over time; this is known as a rate of return. Here, we have provided some helpful information for determining the rate of return on a whole life insurance policy.

Obtaining a Projection

In order to figure out how much your policy will yield over a period of time, insurance agents will typically come up with what is known as an internal return rate, or IRR. They come to this figure by calculating how much your policy is expected to grow each year, and this rate can change dramatically based upon the length of time that your policy has been in place. If this rate is too low, you’ll know that it’s time to shop for a new policy elsewhere. However, it should be noted that determining the amount of money a policy will yield is quite difficult.

Insurance Illustrations

When you receive a Florida whole life insurance projection from your agent, there are several things that this should include. You should be able to review things like the cost of the policy, how much you have paid in the form of premiums, the death benefit and the amount of cash the policy would generate if you surrendered it. You should be able to view this information currently and for five, ten, and even 20 years down the line, as well. However, these projections are often complicated and contain terms and slang that are difficult to understand. It is often wise to ask a lawyer to review the documents for any loopholes that may be bothersome.

Understand the Policy's Performance

All in all, a Florida whole life insurance policy is designed to be a long-term investment in your future. You should never purchase this sort of insurance in hopes of making quick money. However, in order to get the most from your policy, you will need to take a look at how the policy is expected to perform over the next 30 years or so if you are buying a new policy. If you already own a policy, you should look at the expected performance over the next five to 10 years. This will tell you how much you can expect to earn and whether or not the policy is a good investment. In many cases, consumers will hire third party insurance analysts to help them compare policies in this way.

If you are wondering whether or not your Florida while life insurance policy is still a good investment, you will need to speak to your insurance agent in order to obtain a projection. After receiving this information, you can better decide if switching insurance companies or policies is the best choice for your individual needs. 

Consider the Cost of Florida Car Insurance before Your Next Vehicle Purchase

The next time you are in the market for a new vehicle, you should take the time to consider how the vehicle you purchase might affect your Florida car insurance rates. Here, you will find some information that can be very useful as you are shopping and you may even be able to reduce your rates when you purchase certain types of cars.

Costs for Different Types of Automobiles

The first thing that you should consider when you go to the dealership to look at automobiles is the type of vehicle you are interested in purchasing. Nationwide, pickup trucks and SUVs cost less to insure than average while sports cars and other luxury vehicles will cost more than average. A family sedan, meaning a four-door car with a mid-level price, will provide you with average insurance premiums. For example, if you are looking at two four-door cars of the same make and model but one is marked LE for Luxury Edition after the model name, then you can feel almost certain that the LE edition will be more expensive to ensure.

Safety Ratings

Another thing that you should consider when you are purchasing your next automobile is not only the worth of the automobile itself, but also the risk involved in bodily harm. The higher the safety rating a car has received, the more likely the driver and passengers are to be kept safe from harm in an accident. If a car has poor safety ratings, the Florida car insurance company is likely to see this as a liability since even a minor accident is likely to result in injuries. However, if the vehicle has excellent ratings, the insurance company will be less concerned about the likelihood of injuries in an accident.

Colors and Features

Believe it or not, even the color of the vehicle you choose can have an effect on your Florida car insurance rates. A study conducted a few years back determined that yellow cars are much more likely to be involved in accidents than vehicles of any other color, so many insurance companies have increased rates for yellow automobiles. Some of the features that are present on the automobile you choose can impact your insurance rates, too. For example, if your car is equipped with an alarm or other anti-theft device, chances are that your rates will be lowered. If your car has an anti-lock brake system, this is often indicative of a discount, as well.

Contact the Insurance Company

Of course, the best way to determine how the purchase of a vehicle will affect your insurance rates is to simply contact your agent when you are seriously considering a new car. Before negotiating with the salesperson at the dealership, call your insurance company to provide the make, model, year, color and features associated with your vehicle of choice. You should be able to receive a new quote in just a few minutes’ time, and your agent can even hold this information for you in the event that you decide to go ahead with the purchase. This way, when you buy the car, one quick call ensures that you are ready to drive off the lot right away.

Your Florida car insurance can be affected significantly based upon the type of car you purchase and the features associated with it. Of course, this is something that you will always need to consider any time you go shopping for a new automobile.