Is this in the best interests of consumers? After all, you must be licensed to sell health insurance because it is complicated. Most consumers will focus on price, an important issue, and then may find they didn’t get what they thought they were getting.

In 2010, with changes mandated by healthcare reform, the major carriers here in Utah changed their plans at least once. The plans have moved away from the traditional plans many consumers were familiar with. Some cover chiropractic care, some don’t cover prescriptions. This saves money which is passed onto the consumer in lower premiums.

I strongly suggest that you consult with a licensed health insurance professional before applying for affordable health insurance online.

Our office serves residents of Salt Lake county and surrounding areas.

With families continuing to struggle financially, life insurance is a life-saver. Most families recognize the need for life insurance but aren’t sure exactly how to shop for and purchase life insurance.

Years ago, announcements ran in the newspaper of births and marriages. Life Insurance Agents would contact families experiencing these life changes and discuss life insurance with them.

In the 21st Century, these are relics of days long ago.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) lists member life insurance agents who uphold their code of ethics on their website.

I am one of the Agents who belong to NAIFA (listed under zip code 84095) and can be reached at 801.748.0500.

I get a lot of questions from clients about earthquake coverage on their home insurance. If there is an earthquake and your home is damaged, you will not have coverage under the standard homeowners policy. You will not have coverage for property within the home or additional living expenses if your home is damaged.

An earthquake endorsement or separate earthquake policy is essential.

Earthquake insurance carries its own deductible which is higher than your standard homeowners insurance policy. The deductibles range from 5-25% of coverage A, (dwelling amount).

If your insurance policy is insuring your home for 250K and you added an earthquake endorsement with a 5% deductible. you would be responsibe for the first $12,500.

If you do not have an earthquake endorsement you are responsible for 100% of the damages unless the earthquake damage caused a fire or other covered peril.

Please contact me with other questions.

What price increase would homeowners see when they rebuild their home? ( after a fire or other loss)

The current standards are subject to the 2006 building code.

How does that affect your home insurance? Do you have replacement cost coverage on your home insurance?

There is a coverage -building ordinance that adds coverage for increased costs associated with rebuilding to a newer building code.

Without knowing the additional costs homeowners face when rebuilding to this new building code, it is difficult to know if they have enough coverage to rebuild.

I suggest homeowners review their policies every one to two years with their agent.

You don’t have a personal agent? Give me a call and schedule an insurance review.

Children have to be accepted with pre-existing conditions. Carriers have dropped child only insurance plans and children will need to be on a family plan.

Insurance cariers have also dropped their low deductible plans. It will be hard to find a plan offering a deductible below $500.

The major carrier here in Salt Lake has dropped one of their individual plans allowing you to waive a RX deductible.

Healthcare costs will increase for many families with the implementation of healthcare reform.

Families and individuals interested in obtaining affordable health insurance need the expertise of a professional more than ever. There are a number of pitfalls waiting for those who buy insurance without an agent.

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Insuring your ring, requires an appraisal or bill of sale. Your insurance agent will usually add a “jewelry floater” to your renters, condo or homeowners policy. Your jewelry piece will have its own deductible which could range from $0 on up.

Insurance companies use the appraisal as the basis of what they will pay in the event of a claim. Auto insurance policies are ACV or actual cash value. When you suffer a loss you are paid the value of the vehicle at that moment in time.

A jewelry floater establishes the value of the jewelry. You will be paid that dollar amount minus your deductible when you have a claim.

Does your policy cover “mysterious disappearance”? Some policies will, ask your agent.

Insure your ring, and get peace of mind. Priceless!

Do you really need the services of an agent?

What does an agent really do for the customer?

Ther are two types of insurance agents: captive and independent.

A captive agent works primarily for one company, Allstate, State Farm, etc.  An independent agent writes insurance for a variety of companies.

Captive agents have authority to bind coverage and to make changes quickly.

If a client walked into my office to buy auto insurance and I bind coverage, the client is covered as soon as they leave my office. 

  An independent agent may have some binding authority but may have to send all new business, and policy changes in to a service center to be completed.  The policy would not begin until it has been processed.

An agent should be helping the client pick the right coverage.  An agent should be there to assist when there is a claim.  An agent should be able to help with billing problems.  An agent should be able to add a new policy quickly.  An agent should be able to answer coverage questions.

When choosing an agent ask about their availability.

Do they answer the phone Saturday afternoon when you were rear ended?

Do they answer the phone at 7 pm when your pipes broke?

Interview a few agents before deciding which office you place your policies with.  Do not choose an agent just because they quoted a low price.