It's coming up to that busy time of year. Soon it will be Thanksgiving and the holidays, and you'll be swamped with shopping, decorating, parties, and visits from family and friends.
In the midst of year-end chaos, don't miss an important deadline. Open Enrollment for 2019 coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) opened on November 1 and ends on Friday, December 15.
Have you signed up for a plan for next year? If not, contact your insurance agent right away to make sure you have coverage when the calendar flips to 2019. ACA coverage is provided through the Health Insurance Marketplace for those who don't have health insurance through another source, such as an employer or Medicare. Cost for the insurance is based on your income.
Your insurance agent can walk you through the various options available and help you complete the necessary paperwork. To sign up for a plan, you'll need information about the size of your household, basic contact information and social security numbers for those being covered, employer information, income amounts, and current policy numbers if you have 2018 coverage.
What happens if you miss the deadline? Certain individuals may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Others may be eligible for an extension. For example, those whose current plan was discontinued and those who have had certain life events, such as getting married, usually qualify for an extension. Areas affected by hurricanes have also been given extensions.
Contact your agent today to determine if you qualify for any of these special circumstances and to get your coverage process underway.
The easiest way to get health insurance advice from us is to schedule a consultation by visiting this website: https://meetme.so/Brittany |
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| | | | | Don't Miss These Important Healthcare Deadlines | | | | Age 65 and over? Open enrollment for Medicare began on October 15 and ends on December 7.
Under 65? Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act is from November 1 to December 15. Please contact us right away to discuss your health insurance needs.
Go to https://meetme.so/Brittany to schedule a consultation. |
| | Thank You Cards - Still In Style or Needless Paperwork? | | | Fewer people may be sending handwritten notes these days, but thank-you cards still haven't gone out of style. At least they shouldn't, according to etiquette experts.
While it can be confusing trying to figure out the "proper" way to communicate in various situations, there are some agreed-upon guidelines for how to send your thanks. For example, gifts received at parties generally warrant a handwritten thank-you note. Think birthday parties (for both children and adults), bridal or baby showers, and anniversaries. Another rule of thumb: if you received a gift in the mail or a gift that wasn't opened in front of the giver, your best bet is to send a written note. The same goes if you've received something that has been made specifically for you. Lastly, if you've been treated to a kindness or gift during a difficult time, like an illness, death, or hospitalization, then you should absolutely express your gratitude with a handwritten note.
For gifts given during the holidays or "just because," a verbal thank-you is perfectly fine, especially as you most likely opened the presents in front of the giver.
But is it ever okay to send just an email? Of course! Thank-you emails are perfectly acceptable in work situations and when you don't have a person's physical address. They're also more than enough if you want to thank someone for a small kindness, like a neighbor picking up your newspaper.
At the end of the day, though, what matters most is that we all remain generous with our gratitude. Being thankful will never go out of style. |
| | | | Life Insurance 101: Your Policy Options Explained |  | Life insurance may seem simple, but many people who purchase it don't understand their myriad options.
The two most popular types of life insurance are whole and term, both of which pay your beneficiaries when you pass away. What's the difference?
Term life insurance pays your beneficiaries if you pass away during the term of the policy. The term can vary. For example, policies can cover five, 10, or 15 years. Premiums on term life insurance are generally the most affordable of all life insurance premiums because the insurance company does not take on the risk that you will outlive the policy.
Whole life insurance pays your beneficiaries when you pass away, period. In other words, it is in effect for your entire life, as long as you pay the premiums.
But this benefit comes with a cost. As you age, your risk level increases, and your premiums are likely to increase as well. This does not appeal to most people, so to make these policies more palatable, some life insurance companies charge you higher premiums earlier in the policy's term and lower premiums later.
A third type of life insurance is less known to most people. It is sometimes referred to as a separate type of insurance called "return-of-premium term life insurance." Other times it is referred to as a "rider" or "add-on" to a term life insurance policy.
Regardless of terminology, it is similar to the term life insurance policy mentioned above, but if you haven't yet passed away when the term expires, some or all of your premiums are returned.
The catch: Return-of-premium term life-insurance policies can be expensive. They typically cost about 30 percent more than term life insurance (but potentially less than whole life insurance).
Additionally, not all insurance companies offer return-of-premium term life insurance.
If you aren't sure which kind of policy is best for you, a financial professional can help you decide. |
| | | | Pests on the Prowl: Protect Your Car from Wildlife | | | When you consider potential sources of damage to your car, what comes to mind?
Most people think of fender benders, major accidents, and natural disasters. There's another category that many vehicle owners overlook: wildlife.
Did you know animals can cause serious damage to your car? This goes beyond a deer jumping in front of your vehicle on a country road. Other, smaller creatures can wreak havoc on your car, even while it's parked. Squirrels, rats, mice, and even woodchucks have been known to nest in cars and chew wires or cause other damage.
To prevent these pests from wrecking your ride, use the following tips.
Hide it: One of the most effective ways to protect your car from wildlife is to park it in a garage. Keep in mind that rodents can squeeze through the tiniest openings, so it's important to make sure the garage is well-sealed.
Clean it: If you make a drive-through run, don't keep that burger wrapper in your car afterward. Keep your interior free of all food and garbage to avoid any enticing aromas or leftover crumbs that could attract pests.
Treat it: Products are available to treat your wires, making them less desirable to wildlife. Bad-tasting sprays and treated tapes are possible deterrents. These may prove helpful if you are unable to park your car indoors.
Drive it: Wildlife are most likely to infest cars that remain immobile for long periods of time. To keep critters at bay, drive your vehicle regularly. |
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