An insurance contract involves a legally binding agreement between an insurance company and a policyholder. For the agreement to be valid and enforceable, it must contain certain essential elements as required by insurance law and regulations. This article provides an overview of the key elements that comprise an insurance contract. Basic Contract Elements Like all … Read more
Insurance company failures can be distressing events for policyholders. However, safeguards exist to protect consumers if their insurer becomes insolvent. This article provides an overview of what happens when an insurance company fails and how states regulate and support policyholders when insolvencies occur. How Insurers Fall Into Financial Trouble Insurance companies can fail for several … Read more
If you receive Medicare benefits and suffer injuries in an accident caused by someone else, you may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, if Medicare covered treatment for your accident-related injuries, they may seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive. So how much can Medicare take? Below we’ll … Read more
Property and casualty insurance provides protection against loss or damage to property as well as legal liability. Homeowners insurance, auto insurance, and business insurance are all common types of property and casualty coverage. The process of evaluating risks and determining appropriate premiums for property and casualty policies is known as underwriting. Below we’ll explain exactly … Read more
When reviewing your insurance policy, you may come across the term “retention” along with a dollar amount. This is an important concept to understand, as it refers to the portion of any claim you are responsible for paying before the insurance company’s coverage kicks in. Below we’ll explain exactly what retention is, how it works … Read more
Stacked insurance is an option that can provide drivers with extra protection in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. By combining or “stacking” coverage from multiple vehicles or policies, you can increase the limits of your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. But what if you only have one car? Is stacked … Read more
Mold can be a headache for homeowners. If left unchecked, it can cause extensive damage to your home. So does your USAA homeowners insurance policy cover mold? The short answer is yes, USAA homeowners insurance can provide coverage for mold damage under certain conditions. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how USAA covers mold, key … Read more
Car insurance rates tend to increase as drivers get older, with significant hikes often occurring after age 75. This is due to higher risks and costs associated with insuring elderly drivers. While frustrating, being aware of when and why rates increase can help you budget accordingly and shop for the best rates. Why Rates Rise … Read more
Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are recalculated annually based on updated financial information. This means the premium amounts can change from year to year, sometimes increasing substantially. Understanding why the premiums are recalculated each year and what triggers changes can help beneficiaries evaluate if they are being charged the right amount. Overview of … Read more
The standard Part D benefit refers to the basic structure and parameters of coverage that Medicare prescription drug plans must offer. When Medicare’s voluntary outpatient drug benefit, known as Part D, launched in 2006 it established this standard benefit design. While plans have flexibility to modify the standard benefit, it serves as a consistent benchmark … Read more