How to Make a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

How to Make a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim - Different companies may impose specific conditions on how their policyholders may file a claim. Generally, though, this is how the claiming process goes.

Go over your long-term care insurance policy and check how long your elimination period is and what services it actually covers.

Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

Elimination period is the duration that you have the wait before your policy starts paying off. Apart from knowing how long it will last, you need to also determine if your policy counts service or calendar days against your waiting period. This will give you a picture of how much you will have to pay out of pocket before your policy shoulders your bill.

Likewise, see what services your plan will pay for. Determine which care settings are covered. For instance, will it shoulder for care administered in the home? If so, does it require that the services you receive come from licensed caregivers?

Reviewing these areas of your policy will avoid discrepancies as you make a claim. If your care expenses are in-lined with what your policy will pay for, you can expect no delays in the claiming process.

Call the insurance company
Even if your elimination period is not yet over, it is best to call your insurer once a need arises. Remember that the company will have to go through your records and plan of care before it pays off claims. The evaluation process takes time. That’s why it’s best that you inform them ahead of time.

When you call the company, they will give you guidelines and instructions on how you will file a claim. If you want the process to be smooth, make sure that you follow the steps accordingly.

Submit the required documents
Before your claim will be processed and evaluated, you will need to submit certain documents to your insurer. Typically, the company will ask for:

• a completed claim form 
• plan of care 
• notes and recommendations from your physician and care provider 

If you’re a holder of a reimbursement policy, you will also be required to submit the following

• receipts 
• invoices 
• bills 
• other proof of payment 

To avoid any delays, make sure that you accomplish all of the necessary paperwork. This can be a daunting task; however, the key to a successful claims process is being organized. Keep track of everything including any form of communication that you had with the insurer. Store all the important pieces of paper in one place. This way, you can easily access all the necessary information should you need to track down a conversation or refer to a document.

After you submitted the required documents, the company will evaluate your eligibility. If your insurer deemed that the paperwork you provided is still insufficient, they may request additional information from you.

Important tips
As soon as your policy takes effect, it’s essential that you let your family and loved ones know that you have long-term care insurance. Should you become unable to file a claim personally, a family member can go over the claiming process for you.

Meanwhile, care coordinator services may be offered by your insurer or already tailored in your policy. We suggest that you take advantage of this. The claims process can be an arduous process, but a care coordinator can relieve some of your burden. They can assess and create a care plan for you and look for care providers that are suited for your required level of care. (Logic insurance article source: LTC Options) 

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How to Reduce Long-Term Care Insurance Costs

How to Reduce Long-Term Care Insurance Costs - While long-term care insurance can be a good way to pay for a nursing home stay or a home health care worker, it doesn't come cheap. Annual premiums vary significantly, depending on your age, health, and the type of policy, but policies can run as high as $5,000 per year. You do not need to pay that much, however. The following are some ways to reduce your costs.

How to Reduce LTC Insurance Costs

Shorter benefit period

The most significant cost-saving step you can take is to not purchase a lifetime policy. Unless you have a family history of a chronic illness, you aren't likely to need coverage for more than five years. In fact a new study from the American Association of Long-term Care Insurance shows that a three-year benefit policy is sufficient for most people. 

According to the study of in-force long-term care policies, only 8 percent of people needed coverage for more than three years. By purchasing coverage for three, four, or five years instead of a lifetime, you can save thousands of dollars in premiums. If you do have a history of a chronic disease in your family, you may want to purchase coverage for 10 years, which would still be less than purchasing a lifetime policy.

Buy younger

Long-term care insurance premiums rise as you age, so the younger you buy, the cheaper your premiums. Be careful, however, because insurance premiums can, and often do, increase considerably from your initial purchase price. Even if you have a policy that is "guaranteed renewable," your premiums can still increase. For more information, click here.

Shared care policy

If both you and your spouse are purchasing long-term care insurance, a shared care policy might be able to give you more coverage for less money. With a shared care policy, you buy a pool of benefits that you can split between you and your spouse. For example, if you buy a five-year policy, you will have a total of 10 years between you and your spouse. If your spouse uses two years of the policy, you will have eight years. A shared care policy may cost more than separate policies with the same benefit period, but it will allow you to buy a shorter policy, knowing that you have a pool of benefits to work with.

Longer elimination period

Most policies have a waiting period before coverage begins, typically 30-90 days. The longer you make this waiting period, the cheaper your premiums. Keep in mind, however, that you will have to pay for your care out of pocket until the waiting period is over and the insurance begins its coverage.

Reduce the daily benefit

Instead of purchasing the maximum daily benefit you might need in a nursing home, you can consider paying for a portion of the daily benefit yourself. You can then insure for the maximum daily benefit minus the amount you plan to pay. A lower daily benefit will mean lower premiums.

Inflation protection

Inflation protection increases the value of your benefit to keep up with inflation and is almost always recommended. But you can save on premiums by which method of protection you choose: compound-interest increases or simple-interest increases. If you are purchasing a long-term care policy and are younger than age 62 or 63, you will need to purchase compound inflation protection. This can, however, more than double your premium. If you purchase a policy after age 62 or 63, some experts believe that simple inflation increases should be enough, and you will save on premium costs. 

You should also remember that your premiums may be tax-deductible

Premiums for "qualified" long-term care policies will be treated as a medical expense and will be deductible to the extent that they, along with other unreimbursed medical expenses (including "Medigap" insurance premiums), exceed 7.5 percent or 10 percent of the insured's adjusted gross income, depending on the tax year and the taxpayer's age. (Logic insurance article source: Elder Law Answers)

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Who Should Buy Long Term Care Insurance?

Who Should Buy Long Term Care Insurance? - Getting insured with long-term care usually comes with a high price tag. Therefore, it’s just normal to ask yourself, “Do I need long- term care insurance? What factors make purchasing a policy a good decision?”

About 70% of people aged 65 and above are estimated to require long-term care services. Meanwhile, about 40% of people between the ages of 18-64 years old might also require this type of care.

Who Should Buy Long Term Care Insurance?

Given these figures, who needs LTCI is more of a question of who can afford its cost, since it’s safe to say that the majority of us will require long-term care sooner or later.

Financial Strength
Income may come from your employment or from your retirement. Your wealth and assets are fruits of your hard work therefore, it’s given that you will intend to protect them. LTC insurance can do exactly that. Should time come that you need to avail of long-term care services, you can be sure that your nest will not be affected of this expense. Thanks to this insurance policy.

Those who are financially capable should consider long-term care insurance. If you have a steady stream of income at a moderate level, then you can consider yourself as such.

If you have a steady source of income, start planning now on how you can pay for long-term care premiums. You may consult a financial adviser on how you can allot an expense for long-term care insurance with how much you earn. Premiums may cost high, but purchasing is very feasible, especially if you are earning a reasonable income.

The rich and wealthy can self-insure and may decide against applying for this policy. On the other hand, the vastness of your wealth can shrink anytime. Furthermore, paying outright for long-term care services can decrease your wealth considerably. LTCI can still work for you as it can act as a safety net for your assets.

Health Condition
If your health is still at its prime, then you’re a great candidate to be a holder of a long-term care policy. Buying while you’re still healthy may entitle you to up to 10% discount off your premiums. You can also have better LTCI coverage if your buy at a younger age.

Some policies may not cover for preexisting conditions. If you already have underlying conditions prior to application, don’t fret. Some policies still cover care for this area; however, there can be a waiting period before benefits will start to kick in.

For Women
Women are expected to live 5 years longer than men. Given their life expectancy, they require long-term care more. 60% of policy holders are women and 70-80% of claims are paid to them. Not lonely do women have a higher life span, they also have a greater need to be covered when it comes to long-term care. (Source: For more full article pleas visit Who Should Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?)

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The Insurance Coverage You Actually Need

The Insurance Coverage You Actually Need - Awhile back, I was leaving town for the weekend and realized I had forgotten something at home, so I left to get it on my lunch break. As I was turning the corner off the main road, I was stupidly distracted and accidently hit another car. Long story short, there was very little damage to the other car but the driver did receive a slight bump to her head.

Protocol dictated that she go to the hospital for an assessment and was subsequently cleared without incident. Since it was my fault, my insurance covered everything (she did not have insurance), and I assumed that was the end of it.

The Insurance Coverage You Actually Need

Four weeks later, I received a notice in the mail from my insurance company wanting permission to release my insurance limits to an attorney-not just any attorney, but the attorney on the back of the phone book. Interestingly enough, the individual I hit was unemployed and on Medicaid. She apparently found out what I did for a living, and suddenly I became a target for her to obtain a financial gain from the incident.

Case No. 2
We all have patients who are a challenge to render care to; no matter what you do, they are not pleased. It seems that a patient's dissatisfaction with a dentist's services led to her (the patient) filing a complaint with the state licensing board with the intent of having the dentist's license suspended or even revoked. There was also a threat of a malpractice lawsuit. Fortunately, in the end, diligent recordkeeping and use of an attorney enlisted by the dentist's malpractice insurance ruled in favor of the dentist.

Case No. 3
Day-to-day tasks and activities may seem simple and almost mundane; we go about them without even thinking. That was the case for this dentist who was riding her mountain bike on a trail she had been on several times. As luck would have it, she hit some rocks just right while going down a steep section of the trail and she somersaulted over her handlebars.

The accident left her with a severely dislocated right shoulder, jammed and hairline-fractured fingers, and a crack in her helmet. The shoulder sling and splints on her right hand (working hand!) hindered her ability to work at full potential for at least two to three weeks.

All of the above stories are true and, after reading them, these are the thoughts that likely crossed your mind:
1. Those types of things will never happen to me.
2. Good thing those dentists had some kind of insurance; if they didn't, that's crazy.
3. I wonder if I am protected like I need to be.

If we could control every aspect of our lives, we would not need what many call the necessary evil-insurance. My eyes roll into the back of my head when I think about the insurance that I carry for the property of my business, the workings of my actual dental practice, disability and malpractice, life and homeownership ... and let's not forget the umbrella policies that can be put in place to help cover above and beyond everything else that's in place. It's an investment, but how can you make sense of it all, and what are the policies that you really need?

Every insurance agent will tell you that you need to buy this insurance for that possibility, etc. While every practicing dentist has his or her unique situation, there are general guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your basics are covered. The intent of this article is to get you to think about your particular situation and ask the right questions. If you are a newly graduated dentist, you need to be able to get the insurance you need. If you have been practicing awhile, you can inventory your current coverage and make any necessary additions or changes. Why? Because what you had in place two, five, or even 20 years ago may not be applicable to your circumstances today.

Disability insurance

Disability insurance is a must. This type of insurance will protect you and your ability to provide an income should the need arise if an injury or sickness occurs.

Disability insurance is the most arduous insurance to get because it's based on your health and the type of risk you are to the insurance company. You should apply for this insurance when you are young and healthy because it is a medically underwritten policy; submission of past medical records is mandatory. With that being said, binding a policy under the "sooner than later" implication is encouraged, regardless of when you started practicing. Depending on their assessment, there may be exclusions or limitations built within your policy. Know what they are and understand them. Some of the most common disability claims in dentistry are from chronic back, neck, and shoulder pains as well as repetitive movement complications.

Regardless of when you apply, you need to be diligent and involved in the underwriting process. Case in point: When I was pregnant with my second son, I applied for disability insurance. The company wanted to increase my rates because (1.) I had a cesarean for my first delivery and, (2.) My cholesterol levels were slightly elevated due to the pregnancy hormones (they were still within normal limits). Despite the fact that a letter from my obstetrician indicated that my pregnancy and health were excellent, the insurance company did not consider my health good enough to offer me the highest and best policy available because I was a "risk," so I filed a complaint. Shortly thereafter, I received notice that my application had not only been approved, but I had been granted the best rates and policy available.

Our roles as dentists are irreplaceable, and because of this, it would be wise to investigate the different types of disability insurances available. For example, an "Own Occupational Policy," will cover your principal duties that you have been trained to perform on a day-to-day/week-to-week basis. If a claim is made, you will be analyzed to assess the extent to which you can perform your duties that will categorize you as fully or partially disabled. For example, if you become disabled and are unable to prep teeth or do surgeries but can still do exams, you may not be eligible to get the full amount of disability insurance because you are considered to be partially disabled. Some insurance companies offer a "Modified Own Occupational Policy" or a "Medical Occupational Policy." With these policies, if you are unable to perform the duties that provide you with the majority or even part of your income, you may be eligible to still receive a full monthly disability benefit. These policies are designed specifically for physicians and dentists. I would highly recommend looking into the type of disability policy that you have or plan on getting. Understand the limits and definitions in their entirety. These details will bind you in the event a claim is made!

The rule of thumb is that you should procure as much insurance as possible (depending on need and budget). The industry as a whole sets a ceiling amount, which is typically 60% to 75% of your monthly income. With that being said, the average available maximum is anywhere between $15,000 to $20,000 per month. Additionally, it is important to protect your insurability by considering purchasing an "additional purchase benefit." This allows you to purchase more disability insurance in the future, regardless of your health, as long as your income will support the higher benefit amount.

Make sure you add an indexing option to your policy to keep up with inflation. If a person were to have a 20- to 30-year disability, his or her benefit could triple with this option.

Lastly, know and understand the terms, limitations, and spelled-out benefits of your insurance policy.

Malpractice insurance

There are two basic types of malpractice/liability insurance-claims made and occurrence. Knowing the difference between the two will have a tremendous impact, especially in the event that there is a claim made against you.

A claims-made policy will cover claims made against you only while the policy is in effect; in other words, the insured is covered only during the policy period as long as the premiums are being paid. In the event that you, the insured, leave a position (retirement, go to another practice, etc.), or if you move to another state that will not cover your practice from the prior state, claims can still be made against you. You will NOT be covered unless you purchase an optional "extended reporting period," also known as a tail policy, which can be acquired for a number of years following the policy cancellation. Ask if a tail benefit is included within your policy. If it isn't, it is recommended you purchase it after the policy is terminated. This type of policy is typically less expensive than an occurrence policy.

An occurrence policy provides coverage for incidents or claims that occurred during the time a service was rendered, regardless of whether or not your policy has been cancelled or expired. For example, if a claim is made against you in 2015 based on treatment rendered in 2013 (and you had cancelled or terminated your policy), your occurrence policy will respond according to the limits, terms, and conditions of the policy during that period of time.

Know the strength of your insurance company and examine the claims department; the company should be well versed with claims in the dental industry. Furthermore, inquire into the company's rating and assets to ensure your coverage and financial security. Your representing insurance agent should be well versed in his or her liability knowledge and policy provisions.

You have a policy in place, but do you understand what the coverage limits mean? Most policies are written like this: $1 million/$3 million or $2 million/$3 million or some other combination of coverage. The first number represents the amount of coverage for each occurrence, and the second number indicates the annual aggregate amount. Translation: A provider who has a $2million/$3million policy would have up to $1 million to cover a specific incident in a year and a total of $3 million for all claims during that same period of time. If you are a new dentist, typically your coverage will be less, and as you accumulate wealth and value in your practice, you will need to adjust and increase your limits.

As strange as it may sound, some areas are more litigious than others, so you must take that into consideration when deciding on the type and amount of policy you will be purchasing.
Purchasing disability and malpractice insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company. Understand the terms and read the fine print. If you don't understand what is written, ask. I would furthermore recommend yearly meetings with your insurance agent(s). Document and record changes that take place with these policies, and don't be negligent in assessing your evolving needs and how these policies will work for you in the unfortunate event they have to be put into action.
Next month, in Part 2 of this series, we will assess overhead disability and life insurance, umbrella policies, and the insurance needs for your practice entity, building, and property. (Logic insurance article source: Dental Economics)

About author:

Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, is in private practice in Hamilton, Montana. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Montana and is a contributing author for DentistryIQ, Surgical-Restorative Resource, and Dental Economics. She can be reached at ssimmonsdds@gmail.com

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Biggest Insurance Companies In the World 2015

Logic Insurance, Biggest Insurance Companies In the World 2015 - Insurance is one of the biggest financial services and the biggest insurance companies in the world are at the top of their game! We all need insurance in some point of our lives.

Insurance, to live a happy and healthy life without worries of the future gnawing at us! And, these companies provide the much-needed assurance of solace from those never-ending worries and stress.

Biggest Insurance Companies In the World

So what is insurance? Simply put, it is the process of transferring risk in exchange for payment. The insurer charges a fee from the insured, who in turn gets compensated for their losses if and when they occur.  

And, contrary to popular belief it is definitely not a new concept. It has always been around in some form. However, it is in the modern times that the concept has evolved and diversified and big firms have come into play. Now you can get covers for life risk or accident risk, along with the risk involved in a business that could cause severe implications to your wealth.

To ensure the future prosperity of families, life insurances have become the norm these days. And, companies are coming up with more personalized policies to suit individual needs and preferences. Newlyweds and new house owners, looking to start a family should definitely be surveying the best and the biggest insurance companies in the world and choose suitable policies for themselves and can also take a look at our other list Biggest Construction Companies in the World.

The top insurance companies can be ranked according to a number of factors like market capitalization, revenue, profit, etc. However, our list is based on the total assets they own. Needless to say, most of the companies own assets that run into hundreds of billion dollars and which is why they are the biggest and the most powerful among their counterparts. 

Aegon Insurance Companies

Netherland-based, Aegon, deals in life insurance, pensions, and asset management and has a customer base that runs into several million. Total assets under the company were close to $516 billion. The company is primarily listed on the Amsterdam Stock exchange while it has a secondary listing on New York Stock Exchange as well.

Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Companies

The American multinational was catapulted to the big league by none other than Warren Buffet and according to Forbes Global 2000, is the fifth largest company in the world. It delves into services relating to both insurance and reinsurance including life insurance, accident and health reinsurers and casualty reinsurer. It, along with its subsidiaries, maintains high levels of capital strength.

Prudential Plc Insurance Companies

The insurance and financial company headquartered in London, has over 7 million customers in UK alone. However, the company’s largest market lies in Asia with over 13 million customers and is one of the top three insurance providers in HonKong, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines. The company had a market capitalization of £41,630 million in February 2015.

Assicurazioni Generali Insurance Companies

Along with being the largest insurance company in Italy, the Generali Group is also the eighth biggest insurance company in the world by total assets. The company has its operations in Europe, Middle East and East Asia while its US operations are limited to financial offerings only.

Legal and General Insurance Companies

Legal and General offers life insurance, pensions, general insurance and investments. Headquartered in London, it has managed to create a presence in UK, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, United States and the Gulf. Total assets under the company were around $622 billion in 2014.

Ping An Insurance Insurance Companies

Chinese player, Ping An Group, deals with insurance, banking and financial services. It delves into life insurance, property and casualty insurance and insurance in overseas holdings through its subsidiaries. Its operations are mainly focused in China, Hong Kong and Macau, however, through its branches and representative agents it caters to more than 150 countries.

Prudential Financial Insurance Companies

The Fortune 500 Company provides products in life insurance, annuities, pensions, mutual funds to individuals as well as institutional customers. Its numerous subsidiaries have operations in US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia and hold more than $2 trillion in life insurance.

Japan Post Insurance Insurance Companies

The privatization of Japan Kampo Life Insurance led to the formation of the company and since then it has been one of the top insurers according to net holdings. The company has assets over $840 billion.

Metlife Insurance Companies

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or MetLife has over 90 million customers spread across the 60 countries that it caters to. It also serves 90 of the largest Fortune 500 companies while being the market leader in US, Japan, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Europe.

Allianz Insurance Companies

The German multinational is the largest financial service company based on revenue. It has its customer base spread through 70 countries with over 76 million customers. The main offerings are in the areas of life, health, property and casualty insurance and asset management.

AXA Insurance Companies

The French multinational group has a whopping customer base of 80 million world over and is the leading recognized global insurance brand. It has presence in several countries and its operations are divided into five segments focusing on life insurance, property insurance, casualty and international insurances and asset management each. With the amazing asset base of over $1000 billion, it tops our list of the biggest insurance companies in the world. (Insurance article source: Insidermonkey)

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BOE Approves School District Health Insurance Liability

Logic Insurance, BOE Approves School District Health Insurance Liability  - No one on the USD 465 board of education was surprised at their Monday evening meeting to learn that insurance premiums for the district will increase for the 2015-16. By a vote of 7-0 the board approved a contract with Kansas Association of School Boards for workers compensation insurance.

The annual premium will be $164,143, up just over $35,500 from last year's $128,609 premium. A general liability insurance contract was once again awarded to Employers Mutual Company through local agents Buterbaugh & Handlin. Premium for that insurance will be $155,555, a 5.8 percent increase over the cost of $147,039 in 2014-2015.

BOE Approves School District Health Insurance Liability

The board also approved a contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Kansas for a dual option employee health insurance package that had been reviewed by the district's health insurance committee. Employees will have a choice of two health insurance plans with the main difference being determined by the amount of the deductible.

The first would have a $1,000 per person/$3,000 per family deductible. The monthly premium would be $463.02 single/$1,049.77 family. The second plan would be $2,500 per person/$7,500 per family deductible with the premium at $427.98 single/$968.71 family. Currently the district pays $350 of the premium. This amount is currently subject to further discussions and negotiations.

District activities director Billy Tipps presented a proposal to board members for upgrading of the current weight room facility located near Winfield High School.

"This is something we feel very strongly about," Tipps said, "is getting our athletes into the weight room.

"If we expect to compete at the level of other schools, we need our athletes to get stronger, better conditioned and faster."

Tipps was adamant about the weight room’s being a good place to build team cohesiveness, leadership and respect for participants in the various sports.

"We've got to get past this 'I' mentality and think about what's best for the team," Tipps said. "If they work out together, they have an investment in their success as a team."

Tipps said the weight room could potentially be used by almost every middle and high school student even if they do not participate in sports.

"A physical education course is a requirement for graduation," Tipps said, "and with the planned renovations, PE classes could be held there as well."

Tipps said although the current weight room is "adequate," it needs to be updated, and he'd like to be able to take programs to the next level.

"Right now there are lots of things like tarps and such stored in a portion of the building," Tipps said. "When the students come in to lift, they don't know if they're in a weight room or a storage building."
Superintendent J.K. Campbell said some other place to store those materials could certainly be found.
Tipps indicated that a representative from a weight equipment company would soon be visiting the facility to make suggestions and renderings for improvements, which Tipps will bring back to the board.

There are also plans for FFA students to help build lifting platforms and WHS art students to work on interior upgrades.

"This will help keep the cost down," Tipps said, "and we already have some funds available in our athletic budget to use for this."

Tipps reported that the Viking Booster Club has pledged $5,000 in support, which is one-fourth of the estimated $20,000 cost of the renovations. Campbell said there was also the possibility of borrowing from an already established track fund and paying it back over the next several years.

Tipps said there could also be fundraisers including Dillions cards in which a portion of the purchase would be returned to the WHS athletic department and a lift-a-thon in which teams would challenge each other. Coaches of various WMS/WHS sports could also hold fundraisers or make donations out of their budgets.

Tipps also suggested that an upgrade in the projection system be made. "That would allow PE classes to come in and have video instruction for such things as Crossfit, kickboxing and other fitness trends," Tipps said.

"We have the same athletes that other schools have," Tipps continued. “We just have to develop a better way of training and get our athletes to buy in. We need to draw them in with good facilities they can be proud of, then keep them motivated; make this a place where the athletes want to congregate and encourage each other as they train."

In other business, the board:

• Approved 7-0 a 2016 Kansas State Department of Education Child Nutrition and Wellness Program Agreement. This is an annual renewal item required by the State of Kansas to provide school breakfast and lunch services.
• Voted 7-0 to hold a BOE training and goal setting meeting with Kansas Association of School Board leadership consultant Dr. Doug Moechel. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the district offices.
• Approved 7-0 the previously recommended revisions to the 2015-2016 elementary, middle and high school handbooks.
• Heard an update regarding WHS summer school from Assistant Superintendent Mark Littell.

Littell reported that three sessions are still ongoing for the rest of the month and 32 students have completed one or two classes necessary for credit recovery.

"We still have 72 students continuing to work through this week," Littell said, "trying to finish things up."

Board member Jamie Kaiser asked why summer school was in June only and what will happen to those students who have not completed those courses.

"Budget cuts was the reason for only one month of summer school this year," Littell. "This shortened schedule has been hard on both the students and the instructors."

Littell said for students who have not finished the credit recovery courses needed during the summer, once school starts in the fall, they will give up one elective and continue to work on the credit recovery courses through Odysseyware.

Heard a report about the Future Ready Schools Conference on June 11-12 in Denver, attended by Campbell and other staff members.

The conference was paid for by scholarship dollars with no cost to the district.

"What I liked about the conference was that there were no vendors," Campbell said. "It was just a learning experience with other schools that have very effectively incorporated more technology into their curriculum. We learned that we really need to keep moving forward with technology in our schools."

Prior to the regular meeting, a reception was held at 6:15 for outgoing board members Jason Speegle and Lynn Herlocker, who have completed their four year terms. (Health insurance article source and author: Winfieldcourier.com) 

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How to Switching Car Insurance

Logic Insurance, How to Switching Car Insurance - Could you save hundreds of dollars by switching car insurance? It is a question worth asking yourself at least once a year. By doing a little research now, you may be able to find a comparable insurance plan at a better rate with another company, and save money.

But you have to make sure you take the appropriate steps to switch, because you don't want to have a lapse in coverage. Jeanne Salvatore, senior vice president at the Insurance Information Institute in New York, suggests asking yourself if you're happy with the cost, coverage and service of your current policy each time it comes up for renewal.

"If the answer is 'yes, yes and yes,' then stay with them. But if you're not sure, it's a good opportunity to shop around," she says.

How to Switching Car Insurance

Review your current driving situation.
Take note of your driving circumstances as well as the needs of other drivers in your household. Do you have a newer model car? Do you commute several miles each week to work? Do you have recent traffic tickets?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), your potential new insurance company may ask you all of these questions as part of the underwriting process. You'll also likely be asked about the number of drivers on the policy, your driver license information, and the insurance coverage and limits you'd like to purchase.

Take a look at your existing auto insurance policy. Knowing what you currently have will make it easier to create apples-to-apples comparisons with the rates you receive from different insurers. An easy way to do this is to study your current policy's declarations page, says Vaughn Graham, president of Rich and Cartmill insurance company in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"The declarations page describes the insurance you have, including the amount of coverage as well as coverage limits, and the amount of your deductible," he says. When you're more informed about your current coverage, it can help you become a smarter shopper.

Shop around
Once you're familiar with your current policy, it's time to look for alternatives. A good first call is to your current insurance agent or the insurance company itself (some insurers, such as Geico and Progressive don't work with agents). Even if you're not happy with your existing policy (if you think the premiums are too expensive, for example), ask if there are ways to lower your rate for the same amount of coverage, says Salvatore. You may be eligible to receive discounts you're not getting.

Here's a list of common insurance company discounts, according to the NAIC:

• Having safety devices in the car, such as anti-theft features
• Having a good driving record
• Driving a low number of miles a year
• Having multiple cars on the same policy
• Being a student who gets good grades
• Insuring both your home and car with the same provider

While you're reviewing discounts, be aware that switching to a new provider could affect discounts you already have with other types of insurance. For example, if you're already getting a homeowner's and car-policy rate reduction from your current provider, and you then move your car insurance to a different company, you may lose the discount you receive for homeowner's insurance. It may make more financial sense to stay where you are, or switch both policies to a new provider that will give you a rate reduction for both.

In addition to speaking to your current agent or insurance company about your options, you can look online to research potential companies and obtain quotes. It is also a good idea to get referrals from family members, colleagues and other people whom you trust, Salvatore says. If they have had to file a claim with the insurer, they could tell you in person about their customer service experience.

If you're currently buying through an independent agent who represents multiple insurance companies, you have a few more options. "You can go to them and say 'I'm happy working with you, but I'm not so happy with this carrier' and explain why," Salvatore says. "Ask if they can suggest another carrier."

A good agent should be able to offer you customized choices to fit your needs, adds Graham. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We're all a little different."

Don't skimp on coverage.
As you receive quotes, make sure the insurance coverage and deductibles mentioned are satisfactory. Just because a rate quote may be lower than what you're currently paying, it doesn't mean it's a better deal if the coverage is lacking, Graham says. If you're not sure how much coverage you need, discuss your needs with insurance company representatives, and ask for guidance.

For example, if you have significant assets, you may need more than just the state minimum for bodily injury liability insurance. The same is true for property damage coverage. The retail price for an average new vehicle could easily top $30,000, but in many states, the minimum property damage coverage required is only $25,000. If you were responsible for a loss and did not have enough insurance coverage, you'd likely be on the hook for the difference. "Many of those limits are often inadequate and not near enough to meet today's exposures to price of vehicles," Graham says.

Though it's important to have ample liability coverage, if you drive an older model vehicle that is paid for, you may choose to opt out of some optional types of coverage, such as collision and comprehensive insurance, in order to keep premiums low.

Collision insurance pays for the physical damage your vehicle receives if it collides with another object, such as a tree or another car. Comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car from causes other than a collision. This could include vandalism, broken glass, fire and theft. If this coverage is more than your vehicle is worth, you could skip it to lower your rates.

Just understand that you would then be paying for these losses out of your own funds if such damage did occur. People who live in areas prone to such natural disasters as floods, high winds and earthquakes might want to think about retaining their comprehensive coverage, experts say.

Another way to get a lower premium is to ask for a higher deductible. If you are willing to pay $1,000 out of pocket for a claim instead of $250, you could lower your rates. But make sure you can afford the higher deductible in the event that you suffer an insurable loss.

Notify your old and new providers.
After conducting all your research (and with a bit of luck), you may well find a company that offers good coverage at a lower rate. You may be willing to switch, but before you sign a new agreement, call your state's department of insurance to learn if the company is permitted to do business in your state. You can also check out business-rating companies A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's to check out the company's financial stability. (Standard & Poor's requires free registration before you can see company ratings.) It's worth the extra time to spend before you agree to pay hundreds of dollars on a new policy.

Once you've verified that the new provider can do business in your state and appears financially stable, it's time to make the switch. "When you are ready to cancel your current policy, let all parties know in writing, so that there is no gap in coverage," Salvatore says.

If you end your existing auto insurance policy before it expires, you may receive a partial premium refund, depending on the terms of your agreement. However, you should continue paying for your old policy until the new coverage is confirmed in writing. Otherwise, the old policy could be dropped for non-payment before the new policy starts. And in most states, driving without proper car insurance coverage is against the law. "It may be easier to wait and have your new policy start when the old one expires," Salvatore says.

Make it a priority to review your insurance policies on a regular basis. Household driving situations change often, and so do state laws that could affect the price of your premiums. By taking some time each year to do some car insurance research, you can make better decisions and pay the best possible prices for the best amounts of car insurance coverage. (Logic insurance article source and author: Margarette Burnette)

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Importants Steps to Buying a New Car

Logic Insurance, Importants Steps to Buying a New Car  -The following steps will show you how to locate, price and negotiate to buy the new car you want. Using this information could save you thousands of dollars on a new car and make the process quicker and enjoyable. It also puts you in charge of the deal-making process — and that feeling of empowerment is a good one.

But first things first: You need to decide what car you want to buy. If you haven't done that yet, please check out our "10 Steps to Finding the Right Car for You." Then head back here once you have chosen the right car.

Importants Steps to Buying a New Car

And if you have any questions along the way, please reach out to the Edmunds.com Live Help team for free assistance. The team will work hard to make your car shopping experience the best one yet.

Get Approved for a Car Loan
A powerful first step in the car buying process is to get approved for a loan. (If you have decided to lease your new car, things proceed a little differently, so please read "10 Steps to Leasing a New Car.") Getting approved for a loan from a bank, credit union or online lender will show you what interest rate you qualify for. If the interest rate offered is unexpectedly high, you will know that there are problems with your credit history that need to be resolved before you move forward. Getting approved in advance will also mean you can negotiate at the dealership as a cash buyer, which is much easier. You can still accept dealership financing, but getting approved before you even walk into the dealership will be the bargaining chip to get you the best interest rate.

Price Your Car and Your Trade-in
Everyone knows that the price of a new car is usually negotiable. But how much of a discount can you expect? Edmunds.com's True Market Value (TMV®) pricing uses actual sales figures to reveal the average price buyers are paying for cars in your area. Edmunds TMV adjusts the price for other factors including incentives, options and color.

Using Edmunds TMV, you can see the price of the car you want to buy, and also the price of your trade-in, if you have one. Choose the make, model and year of the car you want to appraise and follow the prompts. TMV adjusts the new car price for the available incentives. TMV for your used car shows the current market value if you sell it to a private party or trade it in at the dealership.

While TMV already factors in incentives, it is also possible to separately review the latest incentives and rebates available for all new cars. Perhaps you'll find an even better bargain on a new car you had not considered.

Locate Your New Car
As you search for your car, keep in mind that the more flexible you can be about options and color, the wider the range of the vehicles you'll find for sale. Being flexible will also give you more leverage to negotiate a better price, since you are not emotionally connected to one specific car.

On the Edmunds.com home page, select the make, model and year of the car you want. You'll then get a page that displays several actual cars for sale in your area, along with Edmunds.com Price Promise® offers. (More about Price Promise in the next step). Click on the link "Find Cars for Sale Near You" in the upper half of the screen. You then will make selections about options and color to get a more complete list of matching cars available for sale. Once you find the exact car you want, the next step will be to contact the dealership.

Use Price Promise and Dealership Internet Departments
Now that you are approaching the deal-making phase of the process, here's more about a good pathway for buying a new car: the Edmunds.com Price Promise program. It assures car shoppers a guaranteed, up-front price on a specific car.

Look for Price Promise offers on the car of your choice, print out the certificate on the page and you are ready to go to the dealership to conclude the deal. It's a good idea to call ahead and make sure the car is still available. Here are other tips on how to use Price Promise to buy your next car.

If there's no Price Promise offer on a car you want, shopping through a dealership's Internet department will save you time and money. You can easily communicate with the Internet manager by phone or e-mail.

We know that many people are drawn to the traditional way of car buying: visiting showrooms right off the bat. If you go this route, you should assess the car salesperson who is working with you before moving forward. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable and sense that you can trust this person. If you do feel comfortable, set up a time to test-drive the car if you haven't already done so. (It's a key step in finding the car that's right for you.) Before you head to the dealership, review all your notes and bring them with you.

Try Negotiating a Lower Price
Price Promise offers are usually below Edmunds TMV. But if you think you can negotiate an even better deal, you have another option: Request Internet price quotes from at least three local dealers. Take the lowest price, call the other dealerships and say, "If you beat this price, I'll buy it from you." The dealer almost certainly will give you a better price.

Some shoppers find this time-consuming and stressful, so consider whether the potential savings are worth the time and effort. It's good to remember that a good deal isn't just the lowest selling price. It's a combination of the most streamlined, enjoyable shopping experience and the lowest total out-the-door cost.

Review New Car Fees and Check Dealer Financing
Besides the cost of the car, you have to pay sales tax, registry fees and a documentation, or "doc" fee. You can estimate these extras using Edmunds' Monthly Loan Payment Calculator. Now ask the Internet sales manager or the dealership's Price Promise contact to supply a breakdown of all the fees, or a "worksheet," which lists the purchase price, the vehicle's invoice and all related fees. Review the figures carefully before signing the sales contract.

Back in Step One, you were pre-approved for financing. But who knows? Maybe you can get an even better interest rate at the dealership. To see if that's possible, you can let the dealership run a credit report and assess what interest rate you qualify for. If it is lower than your pre-approved loan, go for it. If not, you already have a good loan locked in.

If the price, financing and fees look right, it's nearly time to say yes to the deal. But before you do, consider making the sale contingent on having your new car delivered to your home or office. This is a great time saver and allows you to close the deal in a relaxed environment.

Sign the Paperwork
This step will take place at your home if you have the dealership deliver the car, or at the dealership if you prefer to pick it up there. Either way, make sure there are no dents or scratches on the body or the wheels. Check that all the equipment is included, such as floor mats, owner's manuals and rear-seat DVD headphones. Your new car should also come with a full tank of gas. If anything is missing or needs repair, ask for a "Due Bill" that puts this in writing.

In cases of home delivery, the salesperson arrives with all the necessary paperwork. If you opt to pick up your car at the dealership, you will sign paperwork in the finance and insurance office, where the finance manager may try to sell you additional items. These typically include extended warranties, fabric protection or additional alarm systems. These extras can often be purchased elsewhere for less. One product that can have real value is an extended auto warranty, which provides peace of mind to many buyers and could save you money in the long run. Remember, though, that its price also is negotiable and you can always buy it later. You can learn more about the products offered by the finance manager in "Negotiating a Dealer's New-Car Add-Ons."

Importants Steps to Buying a New Car

Review the contract carefully and make sure the numbers match the worksheet and that there are no additional charges or fees. A good finance manager will explain each form and what it means. Don't hurry. Buying a car is a serious commitment. And remember, there is no cooling-off period. Once you sign the contract, the car is yours.

Take Delivery of Your New Car
You are probably eager to begin driving your new car. But this is an important step: Let the salesperson give you a tour of your new car. This could include showing you how to connect your smartphone to the car's Bluetooth system and learning how to use other important features and safety devices. Yes, you can review all this in the manual later, but it's quite helpful to get a hands-on demonstration. If you don't have time for a complete demonstration when you sign the contract, ask to visit the dealership a week later for this important step. As you drive away, there is only one more thing to do: Enjoy your new car. (Logic insurance articles source and writer: Philip Reed)

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Insurance Companies Create Narrow Networks

Logic Insurance, Insurance Companies Create Narrow Networks  - Regarding the article “Surprises in Health-Law Bills” (U.S. News, June 12), the insurance companies create narrow networks and sell these as affordable insurance.

Insurance Companies Create Narrow Networks

Never mind that there aren’t enough doctors in the networks or some specialties are underrepresented. Never mind that many doctors don’t participate in such networks because they would be paid less than what “customary” charges are.

When the limited number of the in-network physicians cannot take care of all the patients, some patients will be seen by out-of-network physicians. Then populist bills force doctors to accept the fees that they didn’t accept by a contract.

Best US Insurance Companies

This cynically plays into the hands of the insurance companies. Now they will only have to set up a narrow network with the lowest possible rate, and this will define the fees for everyone. This is akin to forcing star lawyers to accept the fees of colleagues with less experience or to make an airline accept the lower ticket prices of another airline flying the same route. (Insurance company article source and author: Zoltan Trizna, M.D., Ph.D. - Austin, Texas)

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Teenager Drivers, Marijuana,Teenager Drivers,

Teenager Drivers, Marijuana and Car Insurance, Logic Insurance - Marijuana, young drivers and serious car accidents are on a collision course. Fatal crashes involving drivers whose systems showed evidence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, nearly tripled in 10 years, rising from 4.2 percent in 1999 to 12.2 percent in 2010, according to a study released earlier this year by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. In another four-year study, 43 percent of fatally injured drivers under 24 tested positive for cannabinoids. The percentage was lower for older age groups.

Now that marijuana is legal in Colorado and Washington and widely tolerated elsewhere in the U.S., parents may be on their own collision course with pot: They face steep car insurance hikes and even cancellation if young drivers on their policies are convicted of a DUI stemming from marijuana use. Here's what parents need to know about drugged driving and the effect it can have on insurance coverage.

Teenager Drivers, Marijuana and Car Insurance

Pot use behind the wheel is a subset of a category that law enforcement and the traffic safety community call drugged driving. Every state has laws addressing it. In many, the laws say if a driver is stopped and authorities can prove the individual drove under the influence of any substance that impairs driving ability, he or she could be convicted of a DUI. Nearly one-third of states feature "per se" laws. These more strict laws say that any amount of a controlled substance found in the driver's body is evidence of impaired driving.

The hazards of drunken driving are well known. A growing concern among researchers, law enforcement and those in the traffic safety community is the destruction wreaked by individuals driving under the influence of drugs including marijuana, cocaine and prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Conservative estimates put the cost of these accidents at 6,700 deaths and nearly $60 billion in costs each year.

The effects of marijuana use on driving vary from one person to the next. In the words of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), "It is difficult to establish a relationship between a person's THC blood or plasma concentration and performance impairing effects." Concentrations of the drug are "very dependent on patterns of use as well as dose."

Driving while stoned is a serious matter for teen and twenty-something drivers, who risk death, injury, criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits. In addition to those outcomes, drugged driving also can have financial impacts on parents, who often own and insure the cars their adult children drive.

"Insurance follows the car, not the driver," says Loretta Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute, a national insurance trade association. A young person's drugged-driving conviction is likely to be treated like a drunk driving conviction, whether the recreational use of pot is legal in that state, says Bob Passmore, personal lines policy senior director with the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

"As with any DUI conviction, your insurance company could cancel your policy, ask you to take the individual off the policy, or keep him or her on at a much higher rate, depending on the rules in the state," Passmore says. "The individual with the conviction might need to get their own policy." That would come at a much higher rate than if the driver is on his parents' policy, he says.

Worters agrees. If a young person is convicted of driving under the influence, "insurance rates will jump astronomically, because driving under the influence is illegal," she says. "DUI convictions can result in multi-year jail terms. You're also putting the parents' assets at risk" if there are civil lawsuits in connection with the accident, she warns.

Not every teen uses pot, of course. In 2012, less than 8 percent of youths ages 12-17 had used marijuana in the past month, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use & Health. And about 80 percent of teens say they disapprove of their friends using pot. Pot use increases markedly for young adults, however. In 2012, 18.7 percent of 18-to-25-year-olds had used marijuana in the past month.

If your child does use pot, you may need to take a tough stance when it comes to his or her use of your cars.

"Parents may want to consider either taking the car privileges away until they've cleaned up their act, or taking them off your insurance policy," Worters says. An insurance company may not be comfortable with a young driver continuing to be on the policy if they're "living in the same house, having possible access to the keys, even if they aren't driving," she says, "because that risk is always there."

Teenager Drivers, Marijuana and Car Insurance

Parents should consider contacting their insurance agent to assess their coverage, preferably before a teen drives under their car insurance policy, experts says. Parents also might want to review their liability limits and consider an umbrella liability policy. This will provide protection in case their child causes a serious injury and is sued. (Logic Insurance article source and author: Neil Bartlett)

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How to Cut Teen Insurance Rates

How to Cut Teen Insurance Rates, Logic Insurance - Teens ages 16-19 are three times more likely than drivers older than 20 to be involved in a fatal crash (or any crash, for that matter) according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It's not too surprising, then, that teen drivers tend to have high insurance premiums. For parents, this can mean a big jump in insurance premiums once you add your teen driver to your policy.

How to Cut Teen Insurance Rates

However, there are ways to reduce your costs right out of the gate, even for very inexperienced drivers. Here are some ways to keep policy costs at a minimum.

Choose the Right Car
It's simply a matter of economics. There are some cars that cost more to repair and replace than others. There are also some cars that are more likely to be stolen and others that protect passengers better in a crash. Combined, these three characteristics have a lot to do with how much you'll pay for the collision and theft portions of your policy, says David Goldstein, the author of Insure Your Car for Less: A Practical Guide to Saving Money on Automobile Insurance.

There are several ways to choose the least expensive car to drive. First, check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick awards and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 5-Star Safety Ratings to see which cars scored the best in crashworthiness. You'll also want to check the National Insurance Crime Bureau's list of Hot Wheels: cars that are most commonly stolen.

Your insurance broker or company can also help you find the best rate for the cars you're considering, says Goldstein, who has worked as an insurance and claims adjuster. "If you're considering several cars, call and ask for a rate quote on each," he suggests.

Midsize family cars are generally the cheapest to insure, says Jeanne Salvatore, senior vice president and chief communications officer at the Insurance Information Institute, a nonprofit information service. "You want a car that's easy to drive and highly protective. Those are the cars that are going to keep your teen safe and cost the least to insure," she says.

You may also want to consider a car that doesn't need collision insurance, which will cut your rates considerably, says Salvatore, and either way, the age of your car may lead to more discounts.

"Some companies offer a utility discount for cars older than a 2002 model year," she says. That said, make sure any older car you purchase has a solid crash rating and all of the safety features that a newer car might have including airbags, an antilock braking system (ABS), daytime running lights and (for SUVs) electronic stability control.

Adjust Driver Assignments
When you call the insurance company to add your child to a policy, the representative will ask you to designate which car will be driven by each member of your family most often.

You can save money by designating and having your child drive the car that's the least expensive to insure. The trick is finding out which car that is, says Goldstein. "Driver assignment can really affect your rates," he agrees.

If you get someone on the phone who is willing to work with you, he or she can take you through all the different scenarios. "Occasionally, I'd quote rates for four people and four different cars: two parents and two kids. If we played around with it, we could often save money," Goldstein says.

Look for Alumni Discounts or Resident-Student Discounts
One of the perks of going to college is that many schools ink alumni deals with large organizations, such as insurance companies. While the discount is usually around 5 or 10 percent, it's still worth looking into. Geico, for instance, offers an 8 percent discount for DePaul University students and alumni. Liberty Mutual offers special rates to those who attend Arizona State University.

If your child goes away to college and doesn't take a car along, you can save a lot on your premium. Allstate, for example, offers a 35 percent discount off premiums for students who live at a school that is more than 100 miles from where their car is garaged. "There's an assumption that they are only going to be driving on weekends and school vacations," says Salvatore.

Finally, all full-time high school and college students who get good grades can benefit from their diligence. Most companies offer up to 25 percent discounts for good report cards. You'll also see rates drop as your child advances in school. Seniors in college have better rates than freshman, so if your child takes college credits over the summer or in high school, let your insurance company know when he or she reaches the next college milestone, says Goldstein.

Wait an Extra Year Before Licensing
Some teens may not like this idea, but you can save a lot of money simply by having your son or daughter wait an extra year to get a driving permit.

"Wait until they are as old as possible before they get their permit," says Goldstein. "For instance, in some states you can get your learner's permit as early as 16 but you're probably not going to be driving [without restrictions] until you're 18. Why pay for insurance those two years unless you have to?"

Delaying the process is more common than you may think, according to several recent studies. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that just 44 percent of teens get their licenses within 12 months of the minimum age and only 54 percent get their licenses before they turn 18.

However, if you go this route, make sure teens know that they'll still need the practice and supervision that a graduated driver licensing program affords.

Tracking for Discounts and Better Driving Habits
In recent years new devices that connect to a car's computer and use GPS technology to track driving habits and routes have flooded the market. While they can be very useful for parents who want to make sure that their teen isn't speeding or driving outside an approved area, they're also being used by insurance companies to help set rates for drivers of all ages in an approach called use-based insurance.

Snapshot, a program by Progressive Insurance, is one such option that uses a pocket-size telematics device that transmits car data using cell-phone technology. The device plugs into a car's onboard diagnostic port and measures driving habits such as how and when someone drives, tracking behaviors like mileage, time of day and if the person performs hard braking maneuvers.

"Our Snapshot program gives all consumers, including teens, more control over their car insurance costs by offering personalized discounts based on their actual driving behavior," explains Jeff Sibel, a spokesman for Progressive Insurance. "People who drive less, in safer ways and during safer times of day are most likely to receive a discount."

Some companies are offering the device for parental tracking, but without an immediate insurance discount. Its use could result in lower rates going forward, says Rebecca Hirsch, a spokeswoman for insurer USAA. "We're offering the device for free and parents get the monitoring for a year free," she says. "Parents can get text messages if their teens are doing things like hard braking. It enables the parent and the teen to have a conversation around safe driving habits. The first few years are so critical. Anecdotally, we've seen that the devices help build better driving behaviors."

Take a Class
Adults and teens alike can save money by taking a six-hour driving safety course either online or in person. Some insurance companies are offering teen-specific courses that can help reduce the number of crashes that involve teens by providing realistic driving simulations.

Liberty Mutual, for example, offers something it calls teenSMART, a program that focuses on the six factors that most commonly cause teen car accidents. The company says teens who complete the program may get "special savings" on their auto policies, but doesn't offer any examples of what those savings might be.

State Farm offers a program called Steer Clear for drivers under the age of 25 or new drivers with less than three years of driving experience. It requires drivers to watch a video, sign a safe driving parent/driver agreement and complete a certain number of supervised trips of 15-30 minutes over the course of a month, filling out a log after each trip. By completing the program, drivers can get a discount of up to 15 percent on their coverage, says State Farm spokeswoman Rachael Risinger.

Finally, driver-training classes — so-called driver's ed — can also help lower your premiums by up to 10 percent, depending on your insurer.

Make Smart Choices
Even if they apply every discount imaginable, most people will find there's no getting around the fact that rates will go up with a teen driver on the policy — at least for a little while. And while it might be tempting to simply "forget" to inform your insurance company that Junior has his license, take note: Doing so can have serious consequences if your child is in an accident.

How to Cut Teen Insurance Rates

You'll also want to make sure you have enough insurance coverage. "Don't go for the minimum limits," suggests Burl Daniel, a former insurance agent and corporate risk manager who testifies as an expert witness in insurance cases. "You're exposing yourself to potential problems, if your kid does have a wreck and seriously injures someone. Don't take the bait now just to save a few hundred dollars when it could end up costing you a lot down the road." (Logic Insurance source and author: Karen J. Bannan)

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