Purchasing auto insurance can be confusing, especially when multiple drivers share a vehicle. Is it possible for two people to insure the same car? What are the pros and cons? This guide will explain when and how two people can insure the same vehicle. Is It Legal to Jointly Insure a Car? Yes, it is … Read more
Having health insurance is supposed to make healthcare more affordable. But it’s not uncommon for hospitals to charge insured patients more for the same procedures than uninsured patients pay in cash. Why does this backwards-seeming practice happen? The Role of Chargemasters Part of the reason lies in hospital chargemasters. These are comprehensive lists of prices … Read more
If you’re shopping for business insurance, you’ll likely come across both insurance carriers and insurance brokers. But what exactly is the difference between an insurance carrier and a broker? While they both play important roles in the insurance industry, carriers and brokers serve very different functions. Understanding how they differ is key to determining the … Read more
If you work in insurance sales, you may have noticed the terms “insurance agent” and “insurance producer” used interchangeably. What exactly is the difference between the two titles? Do they refer to different roles? While there are some nuances, insurance agent and insurance producer largely refer to the same occupation. However, understanding the subtle differences … Read more
When you buy insurance, how is your premium or rate determined? Insurance companies use different methods of rating to calculate policy rates based on risk factors. The three primary methods of insurance rating are: Judgment rating Class rating Merit rating Understanding how these methods work can provide insight into why your insurance costs what it … Read more
Coinsurance is one of the most confusing parts of health insurance. You pay a premium every month, but then there are deductibles, copays, and coinsurance too. It can get complicated quickly. One common coinsurance question is: what does 0% coinsurance mean after you meet your deductible? Let’s break it down step-by-step so you know exactly … Read more
Health insurance plans often have both deductibles and copays as forms of cost-sharing. This can lead to confusion over whether you still owe copays once your deductible is satisfied for the year. The short answer is yes – you generally continue paying any applicable copays even after meeting your deductible. Understanding the ongoing nature of … Read more
Having multiple health insurance plans can get confusing when it comes to who pays what. Specifically, many wonder if they can use their secondary insurance to cover copays required by their primary insurer. Unfortunately, the coordination of benefits rules do not allow billing a secondary plan for the primary’s copay. This article provides an overview … Read more
Medicare beneficiaries interested in Medicare Advantage plans sometimes wonder if they can enroll in more than one plan at the same time. The short answer is no – you can only be enrolled in one Medicare Advantage plan at a given time. Here’s an overview of the rules around multiple Medicare Advantage plan enrollment and … Read more
Getting notice that your insurance company intends to cancel your policy can be stressful and disruptive. Most states have laws regulating how much advance warning insurers must provide policyholders before dropping their coverage. This article examines the typical cancellation notice periods for different insurance policies and what steps you can take if your insurer moves … Read more