Credit Report - How Do Late Payments Affect My Credit Report And Score?
Author: Helen Hecker
Of course you don't want to make any late payments on your credit cards or loans and affect your credit report and score unless you absolutely have to, but what happens if you're unable to avoid it? It all depends on whether you're 30, 60 or 90 days past due. If it's only one late payment you may be able to dispute it and get it removed from your credit report but if it's more than one that may be difficult to do. And it depends on whether it's currently past due or long term past due, and other factors.
Understanding how FICO credit scoring works for late payments will help you avoid late payments and understand which late payments will show up for the long term and which payments won't.
Put simply, FICO credit scores are used by credit card companies, loan and mortgage companies, utility and insurance companies etc., to predict how reliable you'll be as a customer and how much they can trust you make the payments.
If you're 30 days late on a payment it will affect your credit score only when it's reported to the credit bureau. The same applies to 60-day late payments. However these are considered short term and may not cause any lasting damage to your scores. If this happens over and over then this will not be the case. Also a one time late payment of 30-60 days may never be reported to the credit reporting agency. You can avoid a lot of worry by finding out if the creditor reports a currently 30 or 60-day late payment or not. Many do not.
If you're 90 days late it's another matter. This can damage your credit report and score for seven years, unless you can get it removed. If it was in error or you had some special circumstances and your credit history has been good then it is worth a try by writing a letter to the credit report company. The three main credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
Credit card companies and other creditors look at 90-day or 120-day late payments as a red flag. They can no longer trust you to make your payments on time so your credit score will go down. Their purpose is to determine whether you'll be able to make your payments on time or at least before 90 days have passed. It doesn't matter if the payment was for $25 or $1000, they will look at it the same way.
Also sometimes late payments may cause a rise in the interest rates on your credit cards.
If you can avoid making any late payments you'll dramatically improve the scores on your credit report. And if you haven't gotten your copy of your personal, annual, free credit report online yet then get one now. Study it and then find out how your current creditors look at late payments. Call them up and find out if they report a 30 or 60-day late payment to the credit reporting agency.
Best of all find some emergency ways to completely avoid making any late payments. Try making your payments online a few days early to avoid payments getting lost in the mail. If at all possible find things you can sell or do some small part-time work from home and try to make a small emergency fund.
Do anything you can to avoid making a late payment. But if it happens, make it as soon a possible so it doesn't go into a 90-day problem. Ninety days is the point where it'll be difficult to turn things around and seriously affect your credit report and score and future borrowing opportunities. It's best to spend a little time learning about credit reports, how you can fix or repair your credit report and scores now and how you can raise your credit scores fast. You may be doing some things you had no idea would cause your scores to drop.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/credit-report-how-do-late-payments-affect-my-credit-report-and-score-541919.html
Saturday, August 30, 2008
How to Stop a Foreclosure Sale
Author: Jill Borash
At every point in the foreclosure process you have an opportunity to stop a foreclosure sale on your home. You simply have to know what your options are and be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary in order to save your home. More than likely this will mean doing things that make you feel uncomfortable.
If you want to stop a foreclosure sale on your home, you first need to gather some facts.
1. When is the sheriff’s sale date set for your home? You should have received legal documentation from your bank’s lawyers that tells you this information. The legal paperwork I received that had this date on it was called a Combined Notice of Sale and Right to Cure and Redeem. Under the Notice of Sale section was the information on when the sale date was going to occur.
2. How much money do you currently owe the bank? Simply adding up the payments that you owe the mortgage company is not going to tell you this. The bank has tacked on late fees, legal fees and possibly other fees as well. You can find out how much you owe by asking the bank what your loan reinstatement amount is. It will probably take them a few days to get back to you on this and chances are good that they will not even call you back once they have the numbers so make sure you call them a few days after you request this amount.
3. Is your bank willing to work with you to stop a foreclosure sale on your home ? Unfortunately, the answer to this question may be no. It will depend on your bank and it will depend on your financial situation as well. The bank may not be able to workout an arrangement with you if your financial situation has permanently changed.
The answers to the above questions will determine what course of action is the best one for you in order to stop a foreclosure sale of your home, especially the answers to 2 and 3. If the bank is not willing to do a workout arrangement with you, that may mean you need to come up with the money to reinstate the loan. And here is where you need to decide how far you are willing to go to save your home. If your bank is willing to do a workout arrangement with you, chances are good that you will need to come up with a fairly healthy sum of money upfront. Because if your home has gotten to point where a sale date has been scheduled, you are already in deep. If you want to stop a foreclosure sale of your home, you are going to need to find a way to come up with whatever is needed to save it.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/how-to-stop-a-foreclosure-sale-542025.html
About the Author:
You can stop a foreclosure sale of your home, you simply need to know what you need to do in order to save your home. And the bigger piece is that you must be willing to do what is necessary in order to save your home. Get more free foreclosure tips and techniques at http://www.Stopping-Home-Foreclosure.com
At every point in the foreclosure process you have an opportunity to stop a foreclosure sale on your home. You simply have to know what your options are and be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary in order to save your home. More than likely this will mean doing things that make you feel uncomfortable.
If you want to stop a foreclosure sale on your home, you first need to gather some facts.
1. When is the sheriff’s sale date set for your home? You should have received legal documentation from your bank’s lawyers that tells you this information. The legal paperwork I received that had this date on it was called a Combined Notice of Sale and Right to Cure and Redeem. Under the Notice of Sale section was the information on when the sale date was going to occur.
2. How much money do you currently owe the bank? Simply adding up the payments that you owe the mortgage company is not going to tell you this. The bank has tacked on late fees, legal fees and possibly other fees as well. You can find out how much you owe by asking the bank what your loan reinstatement amount is. It will probably take them a few days to get back to you on this and chances are good that they will not even call you back once they have the numbers so make sure you call them a few days after you request this amount.
3. Is your bank willing to work with you to stop a foreclosure sale on your home ? Unfortunately, the answer to this question may be no. It will depend on your bank and it will depend on your financial situation as well. The bank may not be able to workout an arrangement with you if your financial situation has permanently changed.
The answers to the above questions will determine what course of action is the best one for you in order to stop a foreclosure sale of your home, especially the answers to 2 and 3. If the bank is not willing to do a workout arrangement with you, that may mean you need to come up with the money to reinstate the loan. And here is where you need to decide how far you are willing to go to save your home. If your bank is willing to do a workout arrangement with you, chances are good that you will need to come up with a fairly healthy sum of money upfront. Because if your home has gotten to point where a sale date has been scheduled, you are already in deep. If you want to stop a foreclosure sale of your home, you are going to need to find a way to come up with whatever is needed to save it.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/how-to-stop-a-foreclosure-sale-542025.html
About the Author:
You can stop a foreclosure sale of your home, you simply need to know what you need to do in order to save your home. And the bigger piece is that you must be willing to do what is necessary in order to save your home. Get more free foreclosure tips and techniques at http://www.Stopping-Home-Foreclosure.com
Mortgage Interest Rates Move Down Slightly And The Impending Takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
Author: Ki Gray
Mortgage interest rates moved down slightly this week. This was a good sign since it was not preceded by any rate cuts from the FED. The 30 year mortgage rate fell from 6.52 to 6.47 and the 15 year mortgage rate fell from 6.07 to 6.00. For arms the 5 year rate fell from 6.02 to 5.99. The 1 year arm was the only one of the 4 rates to increase going from 5.18 to 5.29. If anything the mortgage rates are not more in align with each other. Over the past few weeks the difference between the 1 year arm and the other rates has seemed larger than normal.
To put this weeks changes in context of what has happened over this summer mortgage rates are still quite a bit higher than earlier. For the 30 Year mortgage on May 22 rates fell to 5.98. Then by July 24 rates raised to 6.63. So rates have fallen since then but we are still quite a bit higher than the rates we saw in May. Below are mortgage rates for the last few weeks.
August 21,2008
30-yr 6.47 15-yr 6.00 5-yr ARM 5.99 1-yr ARM 5.29
August 14,2008
30-yr 6.52 15-yr 6.07 5-yr ARM 6.02 1-yr ARM 5.18
August 7,2008
30-yr 6.52 15-yr 6.1 5-yr ARM 6.05 1-yr ARM 5.22
July 31,2008
30-yr 6.52 15-yr 6.07 5-yr ARM 6.07 1-yr ARM 5.27
July 24,2008
30-yr 6.63 15-yr 6.18 5-yr ARM 6.16 1-yr ARM 5.49
So let's see what these mortgage rates would mean for an actual mortgage payment. We ran today's mortgage rates through our free mortgage calculator for a 200k loan. We also looked at what the payments would have been on the same mortgage a week and a month ago.
August 21st
30-yr $1260.19
15-yr $1687.71
5-yr ARM $1197.81
1-yr ARM $1109.36
August 14th
30-yr $1266.76
15-yr $1695.28
5-yr ARM $1201.67
1-yr ARM $1095.75
July 24th
30-yr $1281.28
15-yr $1707.22
5-yr ARM $1219.75
1-yr ARM $1134.32
So what else is going on in the mortgage industry. First it looks like the government might take over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. A few months ago it was made clear that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae would be protected while other smaller banks would be allowed to fail. Now with Freddie and Fannie running into serious financial problems (Freddie Mac stock has sank from 65.88 to 4.75). Oddly enough one of the problems Freddie Mac faces is that because the US government has made it clear Freddie Mac is too large to fall, investors are hesitant to give funds to Freddie Mac under the assumption that their investment will not be repaid following a government takeover.
So what will happen following the government takeover of Freddie Mac. Personally I think it will be positive. Over the last several months Freddie Mac has created a pretty large list of loans they will not provide backing for. This has hurt the ability of people to get loans and in turn has been one of the negative factors dragging down the national real estate market. If the government takes over Freddie Mac a lot of these restrictions will probably be pulled back. So while it won't magically cure all the problems with the national real estate market it will alleviate at least one of the negative factors weighting it down.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/mortgage-interest-rates-move-down-slightly-and-the-impending-takeover-of-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae-541368.html
Mortgage interest rates moved down slightly this week. This was a good sign since it was not preceded by any rate cuts from the FED. The 30 year mortgage rate fell from 6.52 to 6.47 and the 15 year mortgage rate fell from 6.07 to 6.00. For arms the 5 year rate fell from 6.02 to 5.99. The 1 year arm was the only one of the 4 rates to increase going from 5.18 to 5.29. If anything the mortgage rates are not more in align with each other. Over the past few weeks the difference between the 1 year arm and the other rates has seemed larger than normal.
To put this weeks changes in context of what has happened over this summer mortgage rates are still quite a bit higher than earlier. For the 30 Year mortgage on May 22 rates fell to 5.98. Then by July 24 rates raised to 6.63. So rates have fallen since then but we are still quite a bit higher than the rates we saw in May. Below are mortgage rates for the last few weeks.
August 21,2008
30-yr 6.47 15-yr 6.00 5-yr ARM 5.99 1-yr ARM 5.29
August 14,2008
30-yr 6.52 15-yr 6.07 5-yr ARM 6.02 1-yr ARM 5.18
August 7,2008
30-yr 6.52 15-yr 6.1 5-yr ARM 6.05 1-yr ARM 5.22
July 31,2008
30-yr 6.52 15-yr 6.07 5-yr ARM 6.07 1-yr ARM 5.27
July 24,2008
30-yr 6.63 15-yr 6.18 5-yr ARM 6.16 1-yr ARM 5.49
So let's see what these mortgage rates would mean for an actual mortgage payment. We ran today's mortgage rates through our free mortgage calculator for a 200k loan. We also looked at what the payments would have been on the same mortgage a week and a month ago.
August 21st
30-yr $1260.19
15-yr $1687.71
5-yr ARM $1197.81
1-yr ARM $1109.36
August 14th
30-yr $1266.76
15-yr $1695.28
5-yr ARM $1201.67
1-yr ARM $1095.75
July 24th
30-yr $1281.28
15-yr $1707.22
5-yr ARM $1219.75
1-yr ARM $1134.32
So what else is going on in the mortgage industry. First it looks like the government might take over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. A few months ago it was made clear that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae would be protected while other smaller banks would be allowed to fail. Now with Freddie and Fannie running into serious financial problems (Freddie Mac stock has sank from 65.88 to 4.75). Oddly enough one of the problems Freddie Mac faces is that because the US government has made it clear Freddie Mac is too large to fall, investors are hesitant to give funds to Freddie Mac under the assumption that their investment will not be repaid following a government takeover.
So what will happen following the government takeover of Freddie Mac. Personally I think it will be positive. Over the last several months Freddie Mac has created a pretty large list of loans they will not provide backing for. This has hurt the ability of people to get loans and in turn has been one of the negative factors dragging down the national real estate market. If the government takes over Freddie Mac a lot of these restrictions will probably be pulled back. So while it won't magically cure all the problems with the national real estate market it will alleviate at least one of the negative factors weighting it down.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/mortgage-interest-rates-move-down-slightly-and-the-impending-takeover-of-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae-541368.html
Commercial Mortgage Loan – Shocking Clause
Author: Jeff Rauth
Many borrowers that have a commercial mortgage loans with smaller or regional banks are often shocked to learn that they have signed off on a clause referred to as the “Right to Offset”. This clause is only relevant to banks that hold deposits from borrowers. Meaning the bank hold checking or savings accounts with the borrowers.
It’s often the case that in order to get a commercial loan whether a commercial mortgage or an unsecured loan that the borrower will have to have at least some of its deposits (if not all of its deposits) with the bank. What this clause allows the bank to do is “offset” their losses by taking money directly out of the borrower deposits/account without their immediate consent. The bank will use this cash to paydown debt the borrower has with the bank.
And the bank normally takes the money out of the account in the most shocking of ways – by simply taking the money without telling the borrower who almost always finds out when they happen to check their balance and see a big fat zero.
From the banks perspective they are protecting their capital and their investment. From the borrowers perspective they are often shocked that the bank can do this, which is of course very legal. The borrower agrees to this right when they signed off on the note.
Ironically this right is normally only exercised during the worst of times for the borrower. When their business is against the ropes and they need what money they have left more than any other times.
One potential solution for the borrower to avoid this potential issue is to get a commercial mortgage from a non depository lender or bank. There are many out there and they are normally large national banks. And normally do not have branches.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/commercial-mortgage-loan-shocking-clause-540558.html
Many borrowers that have a commercial mortgage loans with smaller or regional banks are often shocked to learn that they have signed off on a clause referred to as the “Right to Offset”. This clause is only relevant to banks that hold deposits from borrowers. Meaning the bank hold checking or savings accounts with the borrowers.
It’s often the case that in order to get a commercial loan whether a commercial mortgage or an unsecured loan that the borrower will have to have at least some of its deposits (if not all of its deposits) with the bank. What this clause allows the bank to do is “offset” their losses by taking money directly out of the borrower deposits/account without their immediate consent. The bank will use this cash to paydown debt the borrower has with the bank.
And the bank normally takes the money out of the account in the most shocking of ways – by simply taking the money without telling the borrower who almost always finds out when they happen to check their balance and see a big fat zero.
From the banks perspective they are protecting their capital and their investment. From the borrowers perspective they are often shocked that the bank can do this, which is of course very legal. The borrower agrees to this right when they signed off on the note.
Ironically this right is normally only exercised during the worst of times for the borrower. When their business is against the ropes and they need what money they have left more than any other times.
One potential solution for the borrower to avoid this potential issue is to get a commercial mortgage from a non depository lender or bank. There are many out there and they are normally large national banks. And normally do not have branches.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/commercial-mortgage-loan-shocking-clause-540558.html
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Why You Should Not Refinance Your Home
Author: Joshua Suffie
Going through the home refinance process may seem like a good idea to save money or to get money for home improvements or other purposes, but there are some instances when you should not refinance your home. By understanding the situations where getting a refinancing loan is not such a good idea, you can better understand when you should look into the home refinance process. What are some of the reasons why you should not refinance your home?
- To pay for a vacation, car, or other consumable purchase.
If you are going to refinance your home to take a vacation or to pay for a car or other purchase, this may not be such a good idea. When you refinance your home, you are taking out a loan for a time period of 15 to 30 years. If you use the money for a vacation or other purchase, then you are in essence paying for it for the entire length of the loan. That is not a smart move, simply because it is throwing money down the drain, because it is a purchase that will not last.
- You will not break even with closing costs and interest rate.
Make sure that you are going to stay in the home long enough to recoup your closing costs and refinancing fees that you have to pay. By considering the lower monthly payment and how long it will take to make up the closing costs that you are going to pay, you can make sure that you will stay in the home long enough to recoup the costs of refinancing. Evaluate this carefully to ensure that it will be worth the money that you will have to spend to refinance your home.
- To pay off credit card debt without addressing the spending problem.
Refinancing your home to pay off your credit cards, only to rack up the debt again is not a reason to refinance. If you do not address the spending issues that you and/or your spouse have, you will not do any good in the long run. You are putting your home at risk and are possibly setting yourself up for bankruptcy in the future. You are exchanging your short-term debt for long term debt that you are going to have to pay for up to 30 years. Addressing the spending issues that you have will help your refinancing decision to be a sound one, rather than just a quick fix. Cut up the credit cards or make other changes that will keep you out of this situation in the future.
A home refinance loan may sound like a good idea, but it is important to evaluate why you are getting the loan to ensure that it is best for your long term goals. Make sure that it is a sound financial decision that will help you in the future, rather than make your financial situation more tenuous. By considering the reasons why you should not refinance your home, you can better determine if your reasons are financially sound for you and your family.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/why-you-should-not-refinance-your-home-534320.html
Going through the home refinance process may seem like a good idea to save money or to get money for home improvements or other purposes, but there are some instances when you should not refinance your home. By understanding the situations where getting a refinancing loan is not such a good idea, you can better understand when you should look into the home refinance process. What are some of the reasons why you should not refinance your home?
- To pay for a vacation, car, or other consumable purchase.
If you are going to refinance your home to take a vacation or to pay for a car or other purchase, this may not be such a good idea. When you refinance your home, you are taking out a loan for a time period of 15 to 30 years. If you use the money for a vacation or other purchase, then you are in essence paying for it for the entire length of the loan. That is not a smart move, simply because it is throwing money down the drain, because it is a purchase that will not last.
- You will not break even with closing costs and interest rate.
Make sure that you are going to stay in the home long enough to recoup your closing costs and refinancing fees that you have to pay. By considering the lower monthly payment and how long it will take to make up the closing costs that you are going to pay, you can make sure that you will stay in the home long enough to recoup the costs of refinancing. Evaluate this carefully to ensure that it will be worth the money that you will have to spend to refinance your home.
- To pay off credit card debt without addressing the spending problem.
Refinancing your home to pay off your credit cards, only to rack up the debt again is not a reason to refinance. If you do not address the spending issues that you and/or your spouse have, you will not do any good in the long run. You are putting your home at risk and are possibly setting yourself up for bankruptcy in the future. You are exchanging your short-term debt for long term debt that you are going to have to pay for up to 30 years. Addressing the spending issues that you have will help your refinancing decision to be a sound one, rather than just a quick fix. Cut up the credit cards or make other changes that will keep you out of this situation in the future.
A home refinance loan may sound like a good idea, but it is important to evaluate why you are getting the loan to ensure that it is best for your long term goals. Make sure that it is a sound financial decision that will help you in the future, rather than make your financial situation more tenuous. By considering the reasons why you should not refinance your home, you can better determine if your reasons are financially sound for you and your family.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/why-you-should-not-refinance-your-home-534320.html
Credit Repair Self Help
Author: Faranak Groves
As a result of poor money management or perhaps things that are simply out of our control, many of us find ourselves in trouble with our credit. This can have devastating effects on many areas of our life although it certainly is not something that is going to be life-threatening. Even so, with our credit numbers being low, it can hurt our ability to get a loan, apply for an apartment or even get a job. Although there are a lot of different credit repair services that are available out there, many people are interested in credit repair self help because they recognize that they are the ones that need to take the first step in order to bring their numbers up.
Credit repair self help really starts with getting into the mindset that you're going to do everything possible in order to raise your credit score. This would include such things as paying all of your bills on time, regardless of what you have to give up in the process. Most of us realize that paying bills late is going to hurt our credit score but many of us don't realize exactly how devastating of an effect it has. Paying one bill late is going to lower your credit score considerably and if you are consistently late, it is going to put you down with difficulty of ever getting back up again. That is why it is important for you to correct this immediately and consistently.
Another thing that you should consider if you are trying to go through a credit repair self help program is to take a look at your credit score in the first place. Each individual is entitled to a copy of their credit score and you will need to contact the credit agencies in order to obtain one. Once you have it in your hand, you should go over it very carefully in order to determine if there are any mistakes which need corrected. If you find one, take the time to make sure that it is corrected and your credit score will go up as a result. Although it will take several months for the corrections to actually display themselves, you would be surprised with how quickly it will rise after that.
If you are in a position where you are simply unable to pay your bills and there is no hope of you ever getting out of your current condition, you may want to consider going through bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is certainly nothing to be ashamed of and it is a provision that has been put into place in order to help individuals who have gotten themselves into this kind of trouble. Although this is a last ditch credit repair self help process, it is certainly one that is available if you need it. Once you have your debts wiped out as a result of the bankruptcy, you can begin building your credit once again.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/credit-repair-self-help-534117.html
As a result of poor money management or perhaps things that are simply out of our control, many of us find ourselves in trouble with our credit. This can have devastating effects on many areas of our life although it certainly is not something that is going to be life-threatening. Even so, with our credit numbers being low, it can hurt our ability to get a loan, apply for an apartment or even get a job. Although there are a lot of different credit repair services that are available out there, many people are interested in credit repair self help because they recognize that they are the ones that need to take the first step in order to bring their numbers up.
Credit repair self help really starts with getting into the mindset that you're going to do everything possible in order to raise your credit score. This would include such things as paying all of your bills on time, regardless of what you have to give up in the process. Most of us realize that paying bills late is going to hurt our credit score but many of us don't realize exactly how devastating of an effect it has. Paying one bill late is going to lower your credit score considerably and if you are consistently late, it is going to put you down with difficulty of ever getting back up again. That is why it is important for you to correct this immediately and consistently.
Another thing that you should consider if you are trying to go through a credit repair self help program is to take a look at your credit score in the first place. Each individual is entitled to a copy of their credit score and you will need to contact the credit agencies in order to obtain one. Once you have it in your hand, you should go over it very carefully in order to determine if there are any mistakes which need corrected. If you find one, take the time to make sure that it is corrected and your credit score will go up as a result. Although it will take several months for the corrections to actually display themselves, you would be surprised with how quickly it will rise after that.
If you are in a position where you are simply unable to pay your bills and there is no hope of you ever getting out of your current condition, you may want to consider going through bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is certainly nothing to be ashamed of and it is a provision that has been put into place in order to help individuals who have gotten themselves into this kind of trouble. Although this is a last ditch credit repair self help process, it is certainly one that is available if you need it. Once you have your debts wiped out as a result of the bankruptcy, you can begin building your credit once again.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/credit-repair-self-help-534117.html
Credit Card Fraud is on the Rise
Author: Stephanie Andrews
Credit card fraud has increased significantly in recent years, according to law enforcement officials and consumer protection organizations like the Public Interest Research Group and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. More consumers own credit cards now than in the past, and criminals are constantly looking for new ways to tap into accounts. All of this means cardholders need to protect their credit cards now more than ever before.
Perhaps the most obvious form of credit card fraud takes place in the form of theft. Even if you don't lose your card or have it stolen, however, your credit card account could still be in danger. It is not uncommon for criminals to steal your credit card identity - details such as the number on the card and the expiration date. A stolen account number is the first step in a series of credit card fraud incidents. Unfortunately, cardholders may not be aware of the theft until the unauthorized activity starts showing up on the bills.
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when your personal information is gathered without your authorization and used for criminal purposes. It occurs when someone steals information that identifies who you are, such as your name, address, date of birth, or social security number. Sometimes you need to submit this information when applying for credit, opening a new bank account or making a purchase. When someone taps into these accounts or transactions without authorized permission, your information could be in danger. According to a Federal Trade Commission survey issued in October 2007, an estimated 13.5 percent of U.S. adults (30.2 million consumers) were victims of one or more identity fraud incidents in 2005.
Credit card thieves can come in two forms. The first of these are complete strangers, and the other kind falls into the category of people you know. This second group can include anyone from friends and family members to neighbors, co-workers, or anyone that you have an established relationship with. More than half of the identity theft cases that occur are committed by criminals that have established relationships with their victims.
This doesn't mean that you should be wary of all of your friends and in-laws. You should, however, be aware of certain warning signs. Here are a few of the common ways that identity theft happens:
- Someone may steal your wallet or purse. When they get a hold of it, they have instant access to your credit cards and bank information.
- Your personal information can be taken from information you submit on the Internet.
- Fraudsters may locate your discarded receipts by looking through your trash can. If your name or account number appears on the receipt, they can use it to their advantage.
- A clerk at a store might make an extra copy of your credit card, or take the numbers from it.
- Your utility bills, credit card and bank statements, tax information, and new checks can be stage-managed to land up at the wrong place.
- You may get a phone call or email offering a free trip or a cheap travel package. To receive it, however, you have to submit your account number. Once you do, the source can start using your card number to make unauthorized purchases.
After collecting your personal information, fraudsters may get the mailing address on your credit card account changed by calling your creditors and opening new lines of credit. In some cases, they might do more than just rack up purchases on your card. They might open bank accounts in your name, apply for loans in your name, or set up new phone accounts. The list of possibilities is nearly endless.
New Credit Card Crimes
One of the newest methods that identity thieves are using is referred to as skimming. In this technique, a small hand-held electronic device called a skimmer is used to gather the information embedded in the magnetic strip of the card. With a simple swipe of your card in the hand-held skimmer, all your personal identification information is collected in just a second. It is then used to create a counterfeit card or make purchases online.
Crime perpetrators are continually trying out different technologies to carry out identity theft. Fortunately, many organizations are fighting the battle against credit card crime by developing new encryption techniques. Business are doing all they can to help individual consumer keep their private information a closely guarded secret.
Despite various improvements and efforts, almost anyone can be a victim of identity theft. And it can be nerve-wracking to find unauthorized charges on your personal credit card bills. Most credit card companies will cover the amounts charged to your card in fraudulent cases. Still, it is in your best interest to do all you can to protect your credit card, as well as your personal identification information. Prevention is always better than the cure!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/credit-card-fraud-is-on-the-rise-534219.html
Credit card fraud has increased significantly in recent years, according to law enforcement officials and consumer protection organizations like the Public Interest Research Group and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. More consumers own credit cards now than in the past, and criminals are constantly looking for new ways to tap into accounts. All of this means cardholders need to protect their credit cards now more than ever before.
Perhaps the most obvious form of credit card fraud takes place in the form of theft. Even if you don't lose your card or have it stolen, however, your credit card account could still be in danger. It is not uncommon for criminals to steal your credit card identity - details such as the number on the card and the expiration date. A stolen account number is the first step in a series of credit card fraud incidents. Unfortunately, cardholders may not be aware of the theft until the unauthorized activity starts showing up on the bills.
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when your personal information is gathered without your authorization and used for criminal purposes. It occurs when someone steals information that identifies who you are, such as your name, address, date of birth, or social security number. Sometimes you need to submit this information when applying for credit, opening a new bank account or making a purchase. When someone taps into these accounts or transactions without authorized permission, your information could be in danger. According to a Federal Trade Commission survey issued in October 2007, an estimated 13.5 percent of U.S. adults (30.2 million consumers) were victims of one or more identity fraud incidents in 2005.
Credit card thieves can come in two forms. The first of these are complete strangers, and the other kind falls into the category of people you know. This second group can include anyone from friends and family members to neighbors, co-workers, or anyone that you have an established relationship with. More than half of the identity theft cases that occur are committed by criminals that have established relationships with their victims.
This doesn't mean that you should be wary of all of your friends and in-laws. You should, however, be aware of certain warning signs. Here are a few of the common ways that identity theft happens:
- Someone may steal your wallet or purse. When they get a hold of it, they have instant access to your credit cards and bank information.
- Your personal information can be taken from information you submit on the Internet.
- Fraudsters may locate your discarded receipts by looking through your trash can. If your name or account number appears on the receipt, they can use it to their advantage.
- A clerk at a store might make an extra copy of your credit card, or take the numbers from it.
- Your utility bills, credit card and bank statements, tax information, and new checks can be stage-managed to land up at the wrong place.
- You may get a phone call or email offering a free trip or a cheap travel package. To receive it, however, you have to submit your account number. Once you do, the source can start using your card number to make unauthorized purchases.
After collecting your personal information, fraudsters may get the mailing address on your credit card account changed by calling your creditors and opening new lines of credit. In some cases, they might do more than just rack up purchases on your card. They might open bank accounts in your name, apply for loans in your name, or set up new phone accounts. The list of possibilities is nearly endless.
New Credit Card Crimes
One of the newest methods that identity thieves are using is referred to as skimming. In this technique, a small hand-held electronic device called a skimmer is used to gather the information embedded in the magnetic strip of the card. With a simple swipe of your card in the hand-held skimmer, all your personal identification information is collected in just a second. It is then used to create a counterfeit card or make purchases online.
Crime perpetrators are continually trying out different technologies to carry out identity theft. Fortunately, many organizations are fighting the battle against credit card crime by developing new encryption techniques. Business are doing all they can to help individual consumer keep their private information a closely guarded secret.
Despite various improvements and efforts, almost anyone can be a victim of identity theft. And it can be nerve-wracking to find unauthorized charges on your personal credit card bills. Most credit card companies will cover the amounts charged to your card in fraudulent cases. Still, it is in your best interest to do all you can to protect your credit card, as well as your personal identification information. Prevention is always better than the cure!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/credit-card-fraud-is-on-the-rise-534219.html
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Hurricane Or Tornado Loss? Here's a Top Ten List of How to Submit Your Claim!
By Russell Longcore
On March 14, 2008, a tornado swept through downtown Atlanta, causing over $250 million in damages. Hundreds of homes and business were damaged, some were total losses. Most had property insurance. Yet, hardly any of the policyholders have ever read their policy, nor do they have any idea how to submit a claim so they maximize their recovery. This lack of knowledge places the insurance companies at a big advantage.
What should the victims of these storms do? This Top Ten Tip List will get you MORE MONEY!!
1. Notify the Insurance Company. Make sure you notify the insurance company the way the policy tells you to. You can put your claim in jeopardy if you don't do it right.
2. Slow down. Don't accept a fast payment from your insurance adjuster if it means you close your file. Insurance companies love to make fast payments. But if you accept a payment before you know all your damages, you'll be giving your insurance company a big discount. Worst, you won't be able to get the repairs done for the money.
3. Mitigate your damages. That's a fancy term for protecting your property from further damage. Put a tarp over the roof...plastic over a broken window...that kind of protection. The expenses you'll incur are covered by your policy.
4. Take LOTS of photos. Don't rely on the adjuster...it's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to prove your claim. The adjuster might not get to you for days. You may need to make temporary repairs to get your business back working, or your home livable. Cleanup might mean you're throwing away stuff you should get paid for. Make sure you've made a photo record of your loss.
5. Start a document file. Keep everything related to this claim in one place, like a box. Keep all receipts, claim documents, photos, EVERYTHING in that box.
6. Open a checking account just for handling the money for the repairs. This keeps you from mingling the funds with your normal household or business funds. It also makes record keeping easier.
7. Don't just blindly accept the adjuster that the insurance company sends to your home or business. Interview the adjuster to find out if they are trained to handle your loss. If your adjuster has two years or less experience, call his supervisor and DEMAND another adjuster.
8. Ask the adjuster for an advance if you need money to begin demolition of cleanup. If you need funds for Business Income or Additional Living Expenses, ask the adjuster for an advance. It's done all the time, but many times the insurance company won't volunteer it.
9. Record EVERY conversation you have with your adjuster. Keep a diary of adjusting activity. Don't EVER trust an adjuster to work on your behalf. His paycheck is paid by the insurance company. He's on THEIR SIDE.
10. Call a Public Insurance Adjuster (PA) to evaluate your claim. Public Adjusters are licensed through the State Department of Insurance to represent policyholders, not represent the insurance company. Hiring a PA will usually result in you getting more money in your settlement than if you just accept the offer from the insurance company.
Think about this... you hire doctors when you're sick. You hire attorneys when you have legal issues. You hire accountants to handle your books or file your taxes. So, in this case, when you do not know the insurance claims process, why would you hesitate to hire a claims professional to represent you in the submission of your claim? At the very least, you should consult a PA to find out if it makes economic sense for you to hire a PA. Your claim might not be big enough to warrant a PA, but you won't know unless you ask one. By the way, don't ask your insurance company adjuster if you need a PA. What would you expect them to say?
Follow these simple strategies and you'll add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlements!
For more strategies that can add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your settlement, go to my website at: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com
Copyright 2008 by Russell D.Longcore
P.S. I wrote a book that YOU need!
check out: insurance-claim-secrets.com
NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category!
My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com
Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Longcore [http://ezinearticles.com/?Hurricane-Or-Tornado-Loss?-Heres-a-Top-Ten-List-of-How-to-Submit-Your-Claim!&id=1078340 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Hurricane-Or-Tornado-Loss?-Heres-a-Top-Ten-List-of-How-to-Submit-Your-Claim!&id=1078340
On March 14, 2008, a tornado swept through downtown Atlanta, causing over $250 million in damages. Hundreds of homes and business were damaged, some were total losses. Most had property insurance. Yet, hardly any of the policyholders have ever read their policy, nor do they have any idea how to submit a claim so they maximize their recovery. This lack of knowledge places the insurance companies at a big advantage.
What should the victims of these storms do? This Top Ten Tip List will get you MORE MONEY!!
1. Notify the Insurance Company. Make sure you notify the insurance company the way the policy tells you to. You can put your claim in jeopardy if you don't do it right.
2. Slow down. Don't accept a fast payment from your insurance adjuster if it means you close your file. Insurance companies love to make fast payments. But if you accept a payment before you know all your damages, you'll be giving your insurance company a big discount. Worst, you won't be able to get the repairs done for the money.
3. Mitigate your damages. That's a fancy term for protecting your property from further damage. Put a tarp over the roof...plastic over a broken window...that kind of protection. The expenses you'll incur are covered by your policy.
4. Take LOTS of photos. Don't rely on the adjuster...it's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to prove your claim. The adjuster might not get to you for days. You may need to make temporary repairs to get your business back working, or your home livable. Cleanup might mean you're throwing away stuff you should get paid for. Make sure you've made a photo record of your loss.
5. Start a document file. Keep everything related to this claim in one place, like a box. Keep all receipts, claim documents, photos, EVERYTHING in that box.
6. Open a checking account just for handling the money for the repairs. This keeps you from mingling the funds with your normal household or business funds. It also makes record keeping easier.
7. Don't just blindly accept the adjuster that the insurance company sends to your home or business. Interview the adjuster to find out if they are trained to handle your loss. If your adjuster has two years or less experience, call his supervisor and DEMAND another adjuster.
8. Ask the adjuster for an advance if you need money to begin demolition of cleanup. If you need funds for Business Income or Additional Living Expenses, ask the adjuster for an advance. It's done all the time, but many times the insurance company won't volunteer it.
9. Record EVERY conversation you have with your adjuster. Keep a diary of adjusting activity. Don't EVER trust an adjuster to work on your behalf. His paycheck is paid by the insurance company. He's on THEIR SIDE.
10. Call a Public Insurance Adjuster (PA) to evaluate your claim. Public Adjusters are licensed through the State Department of Insurance to represent policyholders, not represent the insurance company. Hiring a PA will usually result in you getting more money in your settlement than if you just accept the offer from the insurance company.
Think about this... you hire doctors when you're sick. You hire attorneys when you have legal issues. You hire accountants to handle your books or file your taxes. So, in this case, when you do not know the insurance claims process, why would you hesitate to hire a claims professional to represent you in the submission of your claim? At the very least, you should consult a PA to find out if it makes economic sense for you to hire a PA. Your claim might not be big enough to warrant a PA, but you won't know unless you ask one. By the way, don't ask your insurance company adjuster if you need a PA. What would you expect them to say?
Follow these simple strategies and you'll add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlements!
For more strategies that can add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your settlement, go to my website at: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com
Copyright 2008 by Russell D.Longcore
P.S. I wrote a book that YOU need!
check out: insurance-claim-secrets.com
NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category!
My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com
Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Longcore [http://ezinearticles.com/?Hurricane-Or-Tornado-Loss?-Heres-a-Top-Ten-List-of-How-to-Submit-Your-Claim!&id=1078340 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Hurricane-Or-Tornado-Loss?-Heres-a-Top-Ten-List-of-How-to-Submit-Your-Claim!&id=1078340
Auto Insurance - Hybrid Equals Savings
By Tod F.
If you haven't already given up on cars altogether, then you can cut the bus pass and put the bicycle back in the garage. The reason for this is the hybrid car. A hybrid car is just like a regular car, but with an additional electric motor. With the pressure from what seems like all sides to go "green," a hybrid is an excellent start towards that initiative. Think that's the only reason to buy a hybrid? Think again. Hybrids can save you money on auto insurance, gas, and more.
How does a hybrid save me money on auto insurance?
Depending on the company you carry insurance with, you may be eligible for a discount on your policy if you own a hybrid vehicle. The discount can be as much as ten percent(10%), not bad for just owning a specific type of car. Not every hybrid gets that much of a discount, so be sure to check with the auto insurance company first and don't be afraid to shop around.
In addition to providing a substantial discount on auto insurance, hybrid cars can also provide great gas mileage, which is an additional savings. You may be wondering how these cars get such great gas mileage. When you are driving the car and have to press on the brakes, the car battery saves up some energy. Then, when you press the gas pedal and start driving again, that stored energy is released to the electric motor for use. At this point the two motors are working together, thus allowing for the gas engine to use less fuel because it is not carrying the entire load. Some hybrid cars can get over 40 miles per gallon (mpg). Getting that kind of miles per gallon can lead to huge savings, especially when added along with the auto insurance savings.
Believe it or not, there are even more ways to save with a hybrid vehicle. The following hybrid incentives are beginning to be phased out, but you may be able to still get the savings. Some states offer special incentives for having a hybrid vehicle, such as: toll discounts, parking incentives, and tax breaks.
Usually when one thinks about a hybrid vehicle the first thought that comes to mind is "good gas mileage." The second thought is "hybrids are expensive." Now, maybe we should add "I can save on auto insurance with a hybrid" to our list of first thoughts. While it is very true that hybrids have a higher sticker price than most non-hybrid vehicles, when you add in all of the discounts and savings, the price suddenly isn't so bad. Be cautious when choosing your hybrid purchase, because some models are hybrid in order to enhance performance (more power), and may not get the great gas mileage hybrids are so well known for.
So, if you are coming to that point in time when you are ready to start looking for a new car and you wouldn't mind saving money on your auto insurance, fuel bill, and even your taxes, consider getting a hybrid as your next car.
Tod F. is owner of http://www.theinsurancefiles.com - The Insurance Files is a great resource for information on all types of auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance, homeowners insurance and more. You will find a wealth of information to answer all of your insurance questions. Get a [http://theinsurancefiles.com]free auto insurance quote today from The Insurance Files!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tod_F. http://EzineArticles.com/?Auto-Insurance---Hybrid-Equals-Savings&id=1396582
If you haven't already given up on cars altogether, then you can cut the bus pass and put the bicycle back in the garage. The reason for this is the hybrid car. A hybrid car is just like a regular car, but with an additional electric motor. With the pressure from what seems like all sides to go "green," a hybrid is an excellent start towards that initiative. Think that's the only reason to buy a hybrid? Think again. Hybrids can save you money on auto insurance, gas, and more.
How does a hybrid save me money on auto insurance?
Depending on the company you carry insurance with, you may be eligible for a discount on your policy if you own a hybrid vehicle. The discount can be as much as ten percent(10%), not bad for just owning a specific type of car. Not every hybrid gets that much of a discount, so be sure to check with the auto insurance company first and don't be afraid to shop around.
In addition to providing a substantial discount on auto insurance, hybrid cars can also provide great gas mileage, which is an additional savings. You may be wondering how these cars get such great gas mileage. When you are driving the car and have to press on the brakes, the car battery saves up some energy. Then, when you press the gas pedal and start driving again, that stored energy is released to the electric motor for use. At this point the two motors are working together, thus allowing for the gas engine to use less fuel because it is not carrying the entire load. Some hybrid cars can get over 40 miles per gallon (mpg). Getting that kind of miles per gallon can lead to huge savings, especially when added along with the auto insurance savings.
Believe it or not, there are even more ways to save with a hybrid vehicle. The following hybrid incentives are beginning to be phased out, but you may be able to still get the savings. Some states offer special incentives for having a hybrid vehicle, such as: toll discounts, parking incentives, and tax breaks.
Usually when one thinks about a hybrid vehicle the first thought that comes to mind is "good gas mileage." The second thought is "hybrids are expensive." Now, maybe we should add "I can save on auto insurance with a hybrid" to our list of first thoughts. While it is very true that hybrids have a higher sticker price than most non-hybrid vehicles, when you add in all of the discounts and savings, the price suddenly isn't so bad. Be cautious when choosing your hybrid purchase, because some models are hybrid in order to enhance performance (more power), and may not get the great gas mileage hybrids are so well known for.
So, if you are coming to that point in time when you are ready to start looking for a new car and you wouldn't mind saving money on your auto insurance, fuel bill, and even your taxes, consider getting a hybrid as your next car.
Tod F. is owner of http://www.theinsurancefiles.com - The Insurance Files is a great resource for information on all types of auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance, homeowners insurance and more. You will find a wealth of information to answer all of your insurance questions. Get a [http://theinsurancefiles.com]free auto insurance quote today from The Insurance Files!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tod_F. http://EzineArticles.com/?Auto-Insurance---Hybrid-Equals-Savings&id=1396582
Health Insurance Myths
By Thomas T.
Let the myths about health insurance begin: It's too expensive. It's impossible to be self-employed and get good Montana health insurance plans. I have to have a job with full benefits to be properly insured. All I can afford is a shell of a plan that covers only catastrophes. If I make sure my children are properly insured, I'll have to forgo coverage for myself and take my chances.
As a Montana health insurance professional, I have heard just about every (often largely unfounded) reason for why folks think they cannot afford quality health insurance. Perhaps it's based on what politicians promise and argue over, maybe it's just a case of "everyone says it's so," or maybe it's fostered on us from doom and gloom from the media. Whatever the underlying reason, many are the misconceptions regarding the issue.
The truth of the matter is that medical insurance, when you seek the guidance of a proper agency, can be relatively affordable. Being properly insured will provide you the peace of mind you deserve, knowing you and your loved ones are covered in the event of an illness or injury. What's more, it is also possible to secure Montana health insurance plans that include well care, which is vital to people with children so as to provide regular checkups, immunizations, and other care. And the list goes on of the superb options that exist to get the affordable health care that you and your family deserve... and now is the time to get it. Tragedy can hit at any time. You must be ready.
Ensure you find [http://www.montana-health-insurance.com/]Blue Cross health insurance plans in Montana where the agent has been successful in writing policies for folks with preexisting conditions and other issues that present challenges. While such policies, of course, necessarily command higher premiums, with the help of a good Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana agent it is possible for higher-risk clients to become properly insured. That is to say, everyone has options.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_T. http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-Insurance-Myths&id=1397144
Let the myths about health insurance begin: It's too expensive. It's impossible to be self-employed and get good Montana health insurance plans. I have to have a job with full benefits to be properly insured. All I can afford is a shell of a plan that covers only catastrophes. If I make sure my children are properly insured, I'll have to forgo coverage for myself and take my chances.
As a Montana health insurance professional, I have heard just about every (often largely unfounded) reason for why folks think they cannot afford quality health insurance. Perhaps it's based on what politicians promise and argue over, maybe it's just a case of "everyone says it's so," or maybe it's fostered on us from doom and gloom from the media. Whatever the underlying reason, many are the misconceptions regarding the issue.
The truth of the matter is that medical insurance, when you seek the guidance of a proper agency, can be relatively affordable. Being properly insured will provide you the peace of mind you deserve, knowing you and your loved ones are covered in the event of an illness or injury. What's more, it is also possible to secure Montana health insurance plans that include well care, which is vital to people with children so as to provide regular checkups, immunizations, and other care. And the list goes on of the superb options that exist to get the affordable health care that you and your family deserve... and now is the time to get it. Tragedy can hit at any time. You must be ready.
Ensure you find [http://www.montana-health-insurance.com/]Blue Cross health insurance plans in Montana where the agent has been successful in writing policies for folks with preexisting conditions and other issues that present challenges. While such policies, of course, necessarily command higher premiums, with the help of a good Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana agent it is possible for higher-risk clients to become properly insured. That is to say, everyone has options.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_T. http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-Insurance-Myths&id=1397144
Vista Health Care Florida Health Insurance Company Review
By James J. Robinson
Vista Health Care is a Florida insurance company and a subsidiary of Coventry Health Inc. Vista Health Care Company provides health benefits to its over 300,000 individual members and over 10,000 large and small business group plan members. The company employs over 950 employees, all of whom assist Vista in meeting its mission to provide health coverage that offers the best overall value for their customers.
The company which has its headquarters in Hollywood boasts annual revenue of one billion dollars. Vista Health Care also has offices in Miami, Tallahassee, Lake Worth, and Sunrise. Members of Vista Health Care are presented with a large range of independent health care providers to choose from- over 6000 in fact. You can rest assured that you will be able to get prompt customer service as this department is open ten hours a day, 5 days a week. Currently Vista only offers coverage in the South and North Florida areas.
Vista Florida Health Insurance Coverage Overview
Vista Health Care Company offers a wide variety of plans to its members. Plans offered include HMO, POS, PPO, Medicare, Medicaid, and Florida Healthy Kids. Vista is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), which means that the company has undergone and passed various nationally set standards (i.e. how it communicates with members, grievance resolution, etc.) for quality and access to health care.
No matter your group or individual selection of insurance you will be pleased with the wide variety of services and coverage options these plans offer. Most plans offer a selection of over 6000 physicians and include dental and vision coverage. Your co-payments are fixed and customers have the almost unheard luxury of coverage of preventative health care such as yoga classes and massage therapy.
As an example of the innovation of this company, as part of almost all of their [http://www.healthquote360.com/Florida_Health_Insurance/Florida_Health_Insurance.php]Florida health insurance plans, you are eligible to receive a discount at the 500 different health clubs throughout the state that participate in the discount program. Members also have access to an e-program that assist them with important health concerns such as quitting smoking, and wealth of online and personal wellness tools to ensure that you achieve the best health possible.
The Medicare plan offers benefit options that are not available under original Medicare. Participants will pay nothing for visits to the doctor or for generic prescriptions. There is also no limit to the amount of generic prescriptions that are available for purchase.
Vista's Florida Customer Service Record
Vista Health Care Company offers its individual and group members unparalleled insurance selection and customer service. Their commitment to your family's overall well being and health along with the health and well being of their surrounding community makes them a leading choice in Florida health insurance.
If your are in the market for FL health insurance then be sure that you shop around and compare Vista and other top companies. Get started comparing [http://www.healthquote360.com/Health_Insurance_Companies/Health_Insurance_Companies.php]health insurance companies today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson http://EzineArticles.com/?Vista-Health-Care-Florida-Health-Insurance-Company-Review&id=1413391
Vista Health Care is a Florida insurance company and a subsidiary of Coventry Health Inc. Vista Health Care Company provides health benefits to its over 300,000 individual members and over 10,000 large and small business group plan members. The company employs over 950 employees, all of whom assist Vista in meeting its mission to provide health coverage that offers the best overall value for their customers.
The company which has its headquarters in Hollywood boasts annual revenue of one billion dollars. Vista Health Care also has offices in Miami, Tallahassee, Lake Worth, and Sunrise. Members of Vista Health Care are presented with a large range of independent health care providers to choose from- over 6000 in fact. You can rest assured that you will be able to get prompt customer service as this department is open ten hours a day, 5 days a week. Currently Vista only offers coverage in the South and North Florida areas.
Vista Florida Health Insurance Coverage Overview
Vista Health Care Company offers a wide variety of plans to its members. Plans offered include HMO, POS, PPO, Medicare, Medicaid, and Florida Healthy Kids. Vista is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), which means that the company has undergone and passed various nationally set standards (i.e. how it communicates with members, grievance resolution, etc.) for quality and access to health care.
No matter your group or individual selection of insurance you will be pleased with the wide variety of services and coverage options these plans offer. Most plans offer a selection of over 6000 physicians and include dental and vision coverage. Your co-payments are fixed and customers have the almost unheard luxury of coverage of preventative health care such as yoga classes and massage therapy.
As an example of the innovation of this company, as part of almost all of their [http://www.healthquote360.com/Florida_Health_Insurance/Florida_Health_Insurance.php]Florida health insurance plans, you are eligible to receive a discount at the 500 different health clubs throughout the state that participate in the discount program. Members also have access to an e-program that assist them with important health concerns such as quitting smoking, and wealth of online and personal wellness tools to ensure that you achieve the best health possible.
The Medicare plan offers benefit options that are not available under original Medicare. Participants will pay nothing for visits to the doctor or for generic prescriptions. There is also no limit to the amount of generic prescriptions that are available for purchase.
Vista's Florida Customer Service Record
Vista Health Care Company offers its individual and group members unparalleled insurance selection and customer service. Their commitment to your family's overall well being and health along with the health and well being of their surrounding community makes them a leading choice in Florida health insurance.
If your are in the market for FL health insurance then be sure that you shop around and compare Vista and other top companies. Get started comparing [http://www.healthquote360.com/Health_Insurance_Companies/Health_Insurance_Companies.php]health insurance companies today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson http://EzineArticles.com/?Vista-Health-Care-Florida-Health-Insurance-Company-Review&id=1413391
10 Questions to Ask When Considering a Health Insurance Quote
By Donald Saunders
When you are considering health insurance it is essential that you ask a number of specific questions about a health insurance plan quote to ensure that you get the right cover at the right price. Here we look at 10 questions that you need to ask:
Question 1. What out of pocket expenses and deductible will you have to pay? No medical insurance plan is going to meet all of your medical bills and you will usually have to meet a deductible before your insurer will pay out at all and will also ask you to meet certain other expenses.
Question 2. What health screenings and examinations does the plan include?Health plans vary considerably when it comes to preventative care and you will have to look to see what screening tests are covered. For example, does the plan cover all family members including babies, children and adults and provide such things as breast examinations, mammograms and pap smears?
Question 3. Is specialist care and referrals covered? When you require a referral to a specialist this might or might not be covered and, if it is covered, might have restrictions placed upon that cover.
Question 4. How is emergency care and hospitalization treated? Sometimes you will find that emergency care and hospitalization are only be covered if pre-approved and you must fully understand the circumstances under which such treatment is covered.
Question 5. What prescriptions costs does the plan cover? You will have to examine any accompanying prescription plan with care to determine what drugs are permitted and the extent to which you may have to meet part of the cost of any prescription drugs.
Question 6. Are both dental and vision care covered? In many cases medical plans will not cover dental and vision care and these then have to be covered under a separate plan.
Question 7. Does the plan cover psychotherapy, psychiatric services or mental health services? Although many health plans will cover mental illness in various different forms such cover is frequently limited and you will normally find that there is a cap on the amount of cover provided.
Question 8. Is hospital, home health and nursing home care covered? While most plans will offer fairly good hospital cover you will have to look at just what cover is provided for home health and nursing home care.
Question 9. Is physiotherapy and rehabilitative care covered? Plans will frequently separate out initial treatment and follow-up rehabilitative care and physiotherapy and so it is vital to discover exactly what is and what is not covered.
Question 10. Does the plan cover alternative care? As an increasing number of people are turning to alternative treatments like acupuncture or holistic treatments health insurance companies are increasingly including cover for such treatments. It is however still early days for alternative treatment and, if this is something that you want to take advantage of, you will need to look to see to what extent it is covered.
The ten questions here should form the basis on which you consider any medical insurance quote but you may want to include other items to your own list like how much paperwork is required when it comes to making a claim under the plan and how wide is your choice when it comes to hospitals, doctors and other treatment facilities. The main thing however is to make sure that you completely understand exactly what cover you are being provided with and how much it will cost before committing yourself to a plan.
MedicalHealthInsuranceToday.com will help you find [http://medicalhealthinsurancetoday.com]private medical insurance and also provides the opportunity to get a free and no obligation [http://medicalhealthinsurancetoday.com/online-discount-health-insurance-quote.html]online discount health insurance quote
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Questions-to-Ask-When-Considering-a-Health-Insurance-Quote&id=1417004
When you are considering health insurance it is essential that you ask a number of specific questions about a health insurance plan quote to ensure that you get the right cover at the right price. Here we look at 10 questions that you need to ask:
Question 1. What out of pocket expenses and deductible will you have to pay? No medical insurance plan is going to meet all of your medical bills and you will usually have to meet a deductible before your insurer will pay out at all and will also ask you to meet certain other expenses.
Question 2. What health screenings and examinations does the plan include?Health plans vary considerably when it comes to preventative care and you will have to look to see what screening tests are covered. For example, does the plan cover all family members including babies, children and adults and provide such things as breast examinations, mammograms and pap smears?
Question 3. Is specialist care and referrals covered? When you require a referral to a specialist this might or might not be covered and, if it is covered, might have restrictions placed upon that cover.
Question 4. How is emergency care and hospitalization treated? Sometimes you will find that emergency care and hospitalization are only be covered if pre-approved and you must fully understand the circumstances under which such treatment is covered.
Question 5. What prescriptions costs does the plan cover? You will have to examine any accompanying prescription plan with care to determine what drugs are permitted and the extent to which you may have to meet part of the cost of any prescription drugs.
Question 6. Are both dental and vision care covered? In many cases medical plans will not cover dental and vision care and these then have to be covered under a separate plan.
Question 7. Does the plan cover psychotherapy, psychiatric services or mental health services? Although many health plans will cover mental illness in various different forms such cover is frequently limited and you will normally find that there is a cap on the amount of cover provided.
Question 8. Is hospital, home health and nursing home care covered? While most plans will offer fairly good hospital cover you will have to look at just what cover is provided for home health and nursing home care.
Question 9. Is physiotherapy and rehabilitative care covered? Plans will frequently separate out initial treatment and follow-up rehabilitative care and physiotherapy and so it is vital to discover exactly what is and what is not covered.
Question 10. Does the plan cover alternative care? As an increasing number of people are turning to alternative treatments like acupuncture or holistic treatments health insurance companies are increasingly including cover for such treatments. It is however still early days for alternative treatment and, if this is something that you want to take advantage of, you will need to look to see to what extent it is covered.
The ten questions here should form the basis on which you consider any medical insurance quote but you may want to include other items to your own list like how much paperwork is required when it comes to making a claim under the plan and how wide is your choice when it comes to hospitals, doctors and other treatment facilities. The main thing however is to make sure that you completely understand exactly what cover you are being provided with and how much it will cost before committing yourself to a plan.
MedicalHealthInsuranceToday.com will help you find [http://medicalhealthinsurancetoday.com]private medical insurance and also provides the opportunity to get a free and no obligation [http://medicalhealthinsurancetoday.com/online-discount-health-insurance-quote.html]online discount health insurance quote
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Questions-to-Ask-When-Considering-a-Health-Insurance-Quote&id=1417004
Beware of Health Insurance Infomercials
By Ed Harris
I don't know about you, but when I see the term "low cost," I immediately assume the product is of very little use and limited quality. And when I see the Infomercial king Billy Mayes pitching a health insurance policy...well...I know there's something wrong. And there is.
The policy he's peddling is like Swiss cheese. Full of holes...and full of something else as well! Consider these policy provisions on the 1100 Series policy:
$100 application fee. Sorry...but you NEVER should pay an application fee.
Only $1000 of surgery coverage per year. Seriously...I'm not kidding!
Limit of $20 per blood test of lab test.
Limit of $220 for an MRI.
Only $1100 of your hospitalization charges are covered per year.
Anesthesia charges limited to $250 per surgery (that's about 10 minutes, folks!).
NO outpatient surgery coverage.
Inpatient hospital expenses such as lab work, blood tests, medications etc...are NOT covered!
And it keeps getting better! For Ohio residents, the cost is NOT $50 per month, as you might expect. Try $159 per month and a whopping $269 per month for an entire family.
At those prices, you should get a food dehydrator, a knives and cutlery set, a pasta maker, a pocket fisherman and an autographed picture of Lebron James.
The focus of this article is not necessarily to bash infomercials. They are quite entertaining and generally the product that is being presented, is worthwhile. But health insurance policies do not belong on infomercials. A health insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder where millions of dollars can change hands.
Granted, this plan is a little better than the dreaded "discount plans" that have flooded the market. But, there are many inexpensive major medical health insurance plans that are a much better option than Billy's overpriced product.
A few of these options include UnitedHealthCare's "Copay Saver" plans, Anthem's "Value" plans and Aetna's "Value" plans.
If you want further information on any of these plans. Or any other available plans from a reputable company, then visit http://www.ohioquotes.com
For additional information, feel free to email [mailto:eharris@ohioquotes.com]eharris@ohioquotes.com or visit http://ohioquotes.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Harris http://EzineArticles.com/?Beware-of-Health-Insurance-Infomercials&id=1415754
I don't know about you, but when I see the term "low cost," I immediately assume the product is of very little use and limited quality. And when I see the Infomercial king Billy Mayes pitching a health insurance policy...well...I know there's something wrong. And there is.
The policy he's peddling is like Swiss cheese. Full of holes...and full of something else as well! Consider these policy provisions on the 1100 Series policy:
$100 application fee. Sorry...but you NEVER should pay an application fee.
Only $1000 of surgery coverage per year. Seriously...I'm not kidding!
Limit of $20 per blood test of lab test.
Limit of $220 for an MRI.
Only $1100 of your hospitalization charges are covered per year.
Anesthesia charges limited to $250 per surgery (that's about 10 minutes, folks!).
NO outpatient surgery coverage.
Inpatient hospital expenses such as lab work, blood tests, medications etc...are NOT covered!
And it keeps getting better! For Ohio residents, the cost is NOT $50 per month, as you might expect. Try $159 per month and a whopping $269 per month for an entire family.
At those prices, you should get a food dehydrator, a knives and cutlery set, a pasta maker, a pocket fisherman and an autographed picture of Lebron James.
The focus of this article is not necessarily to bash infomercials. They are quite entertaining and generally the product that is being presented, is worthwhile. But health insurance policies do not belong on infomercials. A health insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder where millions of dollars can change hands.
Granted, this plan is a little better than the dreaded "discount plans" that have flooded the market. But, there are many inexpensive major medical health insurance plans that are a much better option than Billy's overpriced product.
A few of these options include UnitedHealthCare's "Copay Saver" plans, Anthem's "Value" plans and Aetna's "Value" plans.
If you want further information on any of these plans. Or any other available plans from a reputable company, then visit http://www.ohioquotes.com
For additional information, feel free to email [mailto:eharris@ohioquotes.com]eharris@ohioquotes.com or visit http://ohioquotes.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Harris http://EzineArticles.com/?Beware-of-Health-Insurance-Infomercials&id=1415754
Tips for Keeping Car Insurance Rates Low
Author: Amy Nutt
Aside from avoiding being in an accident, there are ways in which car insurance rates can be kept low. However, you sometimes have to be the vigilant one when it comes to finding ways to keep your rates low. In other words, you have to remind the car insurance company that there has to be some way within their system that will allow you to keep a few more bucks in your pocket. This is usually what prompts them to look and see what it is they can do for you, especially if you tell them that another company has got a knockout deal that you would love to take advantage of. That will usually get them up on their toes and make them look for a solution for you.
Discounts
Insurance companies have discount programs for individuals who meet certain criteria. These discounts can usually save around 10% on a policy and they can be stacked. What that means is that multiple discounts can be applied to the same account. Now you're probably wondering how the insurance companies can still insure a vehicle if the policyholder qualifies for so many discounts. Well, that is their secret, but the truth is that they do have these things to help you save money. Many people take advantage of them and many fail to. It isn't because the insurance company doesn't want their policyholders to save money. Sometimes they simply don't think about it when the policy is being opened. If they do mention certain discounts to you, they still may not be listing them all.
Below is an example of some of the discounts you can take advantage of:
- Good student discount: This discount applies to college students who maintain a certain grade point average. If you are a parent with a teen driver on your insurance, you can also use this to save some money. You simply bring in grade reports every quarter or semester. Grades have to remain satisfactory in order to keep the discount. If grades drop, the discount is lost. If they go back up, the discount can be reinstated.
- Multi-line discount: This is when you have more than one policy on your account. You might have your homeowner's insurance, life insurance, and car insurance on the same account. Then again, you may have more than one car on your auto insurance and a life insurance policy. The combinations can go on and on and usually involve up to three accounts.
- Automatic debit: This is when you authorize the insurance company to take your payment out of your checking account at the same time each month. This usually saves a few bucks each month.
Common sense
As stated before, maintaining a good driving record can keep car insurance rates low. You can also keep your rates low by not buying new cars for teenagers in your home. You can also be mindful of the insurance rates on any new cars that you are considering. Always call your insurance company and get a quote on cars you are interested in buying. It is amazing how often insurance rates determine whether or not a person purchases a certain vehicle. By doing this, you can save yourself a lot of money. If it is not necessary for you to have the car with the higher insurance rate, then it is feasible for you to buy the other car that has the better rate.
By asking your insurance about any discounts you may qualify, being mindful of the types of vehicles you purchase, and driving as carefully as possible, you can secure the lowest insurance rates and keep them that way.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/tips-for-keeping-car-insurance-rates-low-531396.html
Aside from avoiding being in an accident, there are ways in which car insurance rates can be kept low. However, you sometimes have to be the vigilant one when it comes to finding ways to keep your rates low. In other words, you have to remind the car insurance company that there has to be some way within their system that will allow you to keep a few more bucks in your pocket. This is usually what prompts them to look and see what it is they can do for you, especially if you tell them that another company has got a knockout deal that you would love to take advantage of. That will usually get them up on their toes and make them look for a solution for you.
Discounts
Insurance companies have discount programs for individuals who meet certain criteria. These discounts can usually save around 10% on a policy and they can be stacked. What that means is that multiple discounts can be applied to the same account. Now you're probably wondering how the insurance companies can still insure a vehicle if the policyholder qualifies for so many discounts. Well, that is their secret, but the truth is that they do have these things to help you save money. Many people take advantage of them and many fail to. It isn't because the insurance company doesn't want their policyholders to save money. Sometimes they simply don't think about it when the policy is being opened. If they do mention certain discounts to you, they still may not be listing them all.
Below is an example of some of the discounts you can take advantage of:
- Good student discount: This discount applies to college students who maintain a certain grade point average. If you are a parent with a teen driver on your insurance, you can also use this to save some money. You simply bring in grade reports every quarter or semester. Grades have to remain satisfactory in order to keep the discount. If grades drop, the discount is lost. If they go back up, the discount can be reinstated.
- Multi-line discount: This is when you have more than one policy on your account. You might have your homeowner's insurance, life insurance, and car insurance on the same account. Then again, you may have more than one car on your auto insurance and a life insurance policy. The combinations can go on and on and usually involve up to three accounts.
- Automatic debit: This is when you authorize the insurance company to take your payment out of your checking account at the same time each month. This usually saves a few bucks each month.
Common sense
As stated before, maintaining a good driving record can keep car insurance rates low. You can also keep your rates low by not buying new cars for teenagers in your home. You can also be mindful of the insurance rates on any new cars that you are considering. Always call your insurance company and get a quote on cars you are interested in buying. It is amazing how often insurance rates determine whether or not a person purchases a certain vehicle. By doing this, you can save yourself a lot of money. If it is not necessary for you to have the car with the higher insurance rate, then it is feasible for you to buy the other car that has the better rate.
By asking your insurance about any discounts you may qualify, being mindful of the types of vehicles you purchase, and driving as carefully as possible, you can secure the lowest insurance rates and keep them that way.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/tips-for-keeping-car-insurance-rates-low-531396.html
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