Reader’s Question:

I know that life insurance rates for smokers are higher than for those who are not. I can’t do anything about my smoking habits but I still wanna get insurance policy. Why is it that smoker insurance rates are usually higher? What can I do about this?

Ben

Austin Texas

Finding an affordable smoker insurance rates may be quite a challenge. For one, smokers are considered riskier to be insured by life insurance companies. To give you an idea, I heard from a friend that a female smoker who weighs 115 pounds and stands 5’5” could be charged of $50-$90 per month for a 30 year term life insurance. On the other hand, a non-smoker person who with the same attributes would only be charged $20-$60 per month.

Big difference right? You must remember that smoking is bad for your health. If you put yourself on an insurer’s shoe, I guess you would understand why they need to charge higher insurance rates for smokers.  It’s been proven by studies that there are smoking related illnesses like lung cancer for one. Also, heart attack, stroke, and severe asthma are believed to be related to smoking and may result to premature death.

I know it’s not easy to quit smoking. There are still ways to get smoker insurance rates that is within your budget. For one, you can take advantage of what the Internet offers and look life insurance quotes from different insurance companies and compare what you got. There are some sites that would give you insurance quotes instantly and there are some that would respond after few days. Also, you can check with insurance agents to help you find better deals. Whatever way you choose, make sure that you carefully study your policy before spending money on it. Good luck!

No medial exam term life insurance is a fast way to protect yourself with coverage. Life insurance serves several purposes. an adequate amount of it can provide for your family and or loved ones after your demise. It can also assist to pay for your funeral costs.

Term Life insurance is obtained for the purpose of accommodating immediate goals such as loan payment, funeral costs, mortgages, and education fees.Three variables are considered in term life insurance – value of protection, term of coverage, and the cost of insurance. Insurance companies offer insurance using a combination of these three variables. Term of coverage can be a term of one or two years; value of protection and cost of insurance may rise, remain, or decline.

No medical exam term life insurance is a particular type of term life insurance. Term life insurance is ideally purchased for the purpose of paying off debts, business insurance, or check replacements to guarantee that the beneficiaries of the insured will still be guaranteed with financial resources upon the passing of the insured individual. This is also purchased to protect the needs that will be lost even before the insured’s death.

Term life insurance is an awesome way to protect your family or business during the time when they are most vulnerable. Having term life insurance will provide you a good sense of serenity that you have taken steps to protect your loved ones. The best part is term life insurance is very low-cost for most people.

So what exactly is no medical exam term life insurance? No Exam Life Insurance is the same as it sounds; a life insurance policy that does not necessitate a medical exam. While there are many advantages to this particular type of life insurance, one should recognize that since no medical exam is required, the insurance company is taking a greater risk, and therefore the monthly payments will be much higher.

Besides the obvious reasons of convenience, there are a list of reasons why people choose to purchase no exam life insurance. Some of these reasons include paying for future burial expenses, as well as being purchased as a children’s life insurance policy.In order to see if no exam life insurance is right for you, you can request a free no exam life insurnce quote online. It only takes about a minute!

Knowledge really is the key when it comes to purchasing cheap car insurance in Austin, Texas. Although many insurance companies are competing to get the business of each and every driver on the road in the Lone Star State, not every company can offer the same coverage at a reasonable price. The best way to find the right insurance company for you is to contact a few companies that seem reputable and ask for a quote.

When anyone calls for a quote in search of cheap car insurance they need to be prepared to supply certain specifics. One is their age, as well as the type of vehicle they are driving. In addition, some insurance companies will ask for the individual’s own thoughts on their driving record. Not being honest in regards to this will only cause the quote to be way off balance. After all, a quote is simply that, an estimate about future costs. Any driving record problems will show up before the policy is underwritten anyway, so it’s best to be upfront.

Also mention anything that you feel will be beneficial to securing a cheaper car insurance rate. If you have never been in an accident, tell the agent that. Also, if you tend to take public transportation to and from work to save money and the environment, a prospective agent will need to know because it could lower your expected premiums. Although you may have to negotiate a bit to find cheap car insurance in Austin, Texas, it certainly can be done.

Recommended sites for low rate insurance

Free Car Insurance Quotes in Austin, Texas
Combined Home and Auto Insurance Quotes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Mills

Author: Deborah Mills

This article describes HAAM an innovative program in Austin that provides health insurance for musicians.

Austin enjoys the self-promoted but well-deserved reputation as live music capital of the world. In recent years, the city has decided to put its money where its mouth is to ensure that it stays that way. One of the most innovative and socially progressive ways it is doing that is by providing an insurance program for working musicians through HAAM, or Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

It’s a unique concept. Besides New Orleans, Austin is the only city in the US to provide such comprehensive health care to its local musicians.

“This city loves those who make music for us all,” according to Betty Dunkerley, Austin Mayor Pro Tem and HAAM board member. “What better way than Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is there to show our appreciation? HAAM makes members’ lives better.”

HAAM was created in 2005 as a result of a partnership between local hospitals and the SIMS foundation with support from the city and various Austin businesses. They recognized the tremendous need that existed in the community of musicians in the city for affordable health care. More than 8,000 working musicians live in Austin and most of them are uninsured. Rather than wait for the federal or state government to come up with a plan to help the millions of Americans who do not have health insurance, this community of musicians and their supporters decided to provide that help themselves.

Funding for the organization is provided by business and private donations and various grants. The HAAM benefit day every October mobilizes musicians, local businesses and city officials to raise money for the organization. In 2006 they raised more than $107,000, and more than $180,000 in 2007. Other events throughout the year, such as Austin music backer Nancy Coplin’s BIG SIX-O birthday party recently, donate their proceeds to HAAM as well. Of course, interested supporters may also donate money at any time through the HAAM.

HAAM’s 2007 annual report reveals nearly 4,900 medical, dental and mental health visits which earned a 94 percent approval rating from member-musicians. This success results from a one-of-a-kind collaboration among the Seton Family of Hospitals (clinic visits, prescriptions, hospital services and specialist referrals), St. David’s Community Health Foundation Leadership (dental visits) and The SIMS Foundation (counseling, psychiatric and addiction-recovery sessions).

Membership in 2007 grew to 929 of which 65 percent were age 40 and younger, with 67 percent earning less than $15,000 a year. To receive the benefits from the program, members must live in Travis County and be able to prove that they earn money playing music. For many services, members must pay a small co-pay; some other services are provided for free.

The SIMS foundation was named after Austin musician Sims Ellison who lost a long battle with depression and committed suicide in 1995. His death shocked the Austin community and a group of family and friends decided to create the SIMS foundation to provide low-cost counseling, psychiatric and addiction recovery service to musicians who needed it. The foundation provided more than 2,300 such sessions in 2007.

In addition, through HAAM, more than 573 members made more than 1,300 clinic visits that same year and benefitted from more than 500 hospital services of various kinds as well. Many members also took advantage of the free dental services provided by the organization.

Almost all members are very positive about the work HAAM is doing and the services it provides. Guy Forsyth is an Austin musician who has built up quite a reputation throughout Texas.

“It makes me really happy for younger musicians who are coming up and for parents who may have a child who’s very talented and it’s scary to think of them becoming an artist. Because we see all these examples around us of people, who aren’t part of a corporate structure are left behind in terms of health care and public support,” Forsyth said.

If you are looking to invest in the Austin real estate market Ki can help. His website provides a Austin MLS search along with a free mortgage calculator

Dr. Paul Beckwith has been providing quality eye care throughout the Greater Houston area for over 30 years. His dedication to improving the quality of vision and his patients’ lives is unparalleled. He has created numerous successful practices serving different communities throughout Greater Houston including Tomball, Humble, Galleria Area, Kingwood, Northwest Houston, Tanglewood, River Oaks to name only a few. His practices have not only served these communities but Dr. Beckwith’s commitment and dedication to continuing education in optometry have brought young, leading optometric physicians and opthamamologists into the fold coupled with the latest treatments and techniques in advanced eye care. His eye clinics do not only provide eye exams and a diverse selection of eyewear, but they are knowledge centers in up to date eye care and procedures ranging from information on lasik correction surgery, cataracts, macular degeneration, elderly vision care, pediatric eye care, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy to name a few.

Again, his commitment to continued education has consistently created a community and family based vision center bringing the latest information, treatments, developments in eye care to the local residents it serves. His most recent recent practice, Austin County Eye Associates, seeks to provide this excellent level of service to an entirely different community base. The vision center is based in Sealy, Texas and is armed with a dedicated, professional, caring staff, state-of-the-art technology and innovative techniques to ensure patients receive top-quality, personalized eye care. The goal of the practice is to not only serve the local residents of Sealy but to extend this level of service to the surrounding communities of Bellville, Katy, Columbus, Waller, Eagle Lake, Richmond, Rosenberg, La Grange, Schulenberg and Hallettsville thus filling the gap left behind more traditional eye clinics. His vision center combines the advanced technology typical of a university medical center, with the sensitive and sincere one-on-one personal concern characteristic of a hometown medical practice. Whether you are looking for a routine eye exam or suffering from an advanced eye problem such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, they are here to change the outlook on all patients’ life. The goal of the practice is to inform and educate all patients about their vision ensuring that they receive as many treatment options as possible to maintain the highest level of eye care.

It doesn’t stop there. The vision center has extensive stock of frames and lenses to fit every type of personality. From designer eyewear to more practical, durable every day frame wear to prescription sunglasses. A specialized, qualified optician from the Austin County Eye optical office will take the time to ensure that you receive the proper frame fitting for comfort using the lasting technology on offer. Thus, leaving you confident and secure in your selection. The brands on offer often change, however, the latest stock selection includes Oakley, Marchon, Maui Jim, 9West, Silhouette, Safilo, Takumi Magnetic Eyewear, Nautica and Flexon by Marchon. And if they do not have a specific frame in stock, be sure to ask your optician if it could be ordered. The optical office is committed to customer service and ensuring the patient’s satisfication no matter what the case.

Dr. Beckwith and his staff have one cohesive, goal and passion in mind. “The occular health and vision of the patients he serves.” This has been adhered to for 3 decades now. In his latest endeavour, Austin County Eye Associates, he has organized under one roof, doctors of opthamologoy and optometry, opticians, specialized physicians and a dedicated staff to not only corrrect vision but to also diagnose and treat numerous health issues that effect your vision and your eyes. The physicians include Joel S Cohen, MD, Opthamologist, Burt A. Ginsburg, M.D., Retinal Ophthamologist and W. Rex Hawkins, M.D., Retinal Ophthamologist. Austin County Eye Associates seeks to serve a broader community in Central Texas providing a level of vision care to smaller and larger communities that has not been provided to date. Thus, providing a level of vision care to communities in need of such care.

The practice also accepts hundreds of health insurance plans and vision plans which one of the dedicated staff members can assist patients with. It is most likely the practice accepts your plan.

For additional information or to schedule an Eye Examination, please contact us at (866) 611-7556.

By: Christopher Cartre

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more click on A Superior Vision Center Serving Central Texas. At Austin County Eye Associates our focus is on you and the best options for your eye vision care.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

How can you make sure that your loved ones can be assured of financial stability, in the event of your passing away? Decreasing term life insurance is a sound option, to help them cope with the financial problems that arise soon after.

Term life insurance is a type of insurance, wherein a person’s life is covered for a limited duration, with a fixed amount of monetary value. This kind of policy is based purely on the concept of death benefits. Death benefit is the payment received by the beneficiary of a policy, after the passing away of the insured person. This type of insurance is used to cover the financial responsibilities arising after the death of the policy holder. It is usually paid as a fixed one-time amount, or in the form of a pension to the beneficiary. There are three types of term life insurance, namely: decreasing term life insurance, level term life insurance and renewable term life insurance. Here we take a look at decreasing term life insurance.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

In case of a decreasing term life insurance, the death benefits of the insured decreases over the duration of the covered period. The death benefit usually comes down to zero, when the term of the policy ends. Still, the value of the death benefit, is much higher compared to the initial premium paid. Every life insurance policy pays a cash settlement, whenever a policy is surrendered before its maturity period. Decreasing term life insurance does not pay any such settlement, as they have no surrender value. Surrender value can be generally defined as the amount of cash a person receives, if a policy is prematurely terminated. In most life insurance policies, the value of the benefit to be paid, in case of an early death, remains the same throughout the term. In case of the decreasing term life insurance policy, the payout amount decreases with a decrease in the maturity value of the policy.

Most life insurance policies have large payouts when a policy matures before the death of the insured. There are no such payouts, in decreasing term policies. The premium paid on these policies are usually cheaper and payments can be made anytime before the policy expires. In other insurance policies, the premium and the face values remain the same, until maturity. However, in case of the decreasing term life insurance policy, though the premiums remain the same throughout, the value of the benefits decrease, as the coverage period increases. As such, level term insurance policies pay a fixed amount of money, regardless of the time of the death of the policy holder. However, in a decreasing term life insurance policy, the value of the payout amount, will reduce with the passage of time.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance Policy

Taking out a decreasing term life insurance policy is beneficial as it protects the financial obligations which reduce with time, such as, mortgages, educational loans and other amortized loans. A conversion clause is commonly found in most decreasing term life insurance policies, allowing the policy holder, to exchange the existing policy with a straight or cash value life insurance policy. However, the converted benefit cannot be valued at more than 80% of the amount of the decreasing term life insurance policy, at the time of conversion. Among these financial conversions, mortgage loans are most preferred.

A decreasing term life insurance can be converted into a mortgage assurance loan, by making the decreasing unpaid balance of the mortgage loan, equal to the amount of coverage provided in the life insurance policy. This policy is converted as a rider to an existing policy or is taken as a separate policy. Mortgage insurance is usually taken out as a precaution to protect the mortgage investments of the policy holder. This policy cover makes sure that a lump sum amount, equal to the remaining mortgage debt, is paid to the beneficiary, at the time of the death of the policy holder.

A decreasing term life insurance policy can also be converted to a credit insurance policy, which enables a policy holder, to pay off his credit loans after his death. The payment goes directly to the lender, without making his dependents, a party to the whole process. The face value of this policy decreases proportionately, with the outstanding loan amount as the loan is paid off over time, until both the values reach zero.

Decreasing term life insurance is a great way to protect business partners and other dependents from facing financial instability, caused as a result of the death of a policy holder. The value of the insurance goes down as the actual mortgage is paid off and the policy value decreases with the passage of time. But still, these policies have the cheapest premiums, with steady rates that do not fluctuate to a great degree. Decreasing term life insurance is one of the best options available, to protect your mortgage investments, and ensure financial stability to those left behind after the unfortunate event of your passing away.

Whole insurance does not have a definite coverage period, so as long as the policy holder continues to pay the premiums, they will continue to be covered until they pass away. This is the primary benefit of whole insurance, and it is a big one. However, it is marred by high premiums that many people may not be able to afford.

Term life insurance can give you a choice as to how long you want to be covered. And because they are flexible and there are a wide variety of choices, it’s possible to get the perfect price and benefit amount for the period of time you want to be covered. That being said, in the subject of term vs whole life insurance, term insurance should only be used for high-risk years (like for children, during a high-risk job, or while medically unstable), and not be used as a permanent source of security.

If you would like the security of whole insurance but do not want to pay the premiums, a level term policy can give you that peace of mind until you are financially secure enough to move forward with a whole policy.

To put the dispute of term vs. whole life insurance at rest, if you are looking for a life insurance policy to cover you for an indefinite amount of years, go with whole. It will not run out so you risk no losses, and after the age of 100 you no longer have to pay premiums. Otherwise, term coverage will be good enough. Why waste the extra money?

Click here to get a fast quote from best life insurance company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tiffany_Nelson

Author: Tiffany Nelson