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We've blogged before on insurance designed to protect your assets should you be in a situation where you had to use deadly force:

"Our ErieSecure Home policy with the Select bundle now includes criminal defense cost reimbursement"

Which is nice, but Andrew Branca, the guy who literally wrote the book on self-defense, tells me that "it's a reimbursement-type program," with which he's not impressed.

But that was then, and this is now, and our friend Bill M has tipped me to this potentially helpful alternative:

"The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides a policy for its members designed to provide immediate assistance after an incident."

The plans, which range from about $150 to $350 a year (depending on level of protection), cover attorney's fees, bail, even counseling (interesting, that). And they're specifically geared to cover intentional acts, not just accidental discharges.

I reached out to the folks at USCCA, asking if we can choose our own attorney or if they assigned one. They replied:

"Yes, you may choose your own attorney. We have a network of criminal defense attorneys that you can choose from. However, you most certainly choose your own. A list of our attorney network is provided to members on their dashboard."

Which is a good thing.

I've reached out to Andrew for his take, and will update this post with his reply.

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The devastation and aftermath of Harvey along the Texas coast could be a lesson in what not to do. For sure, there are those who claim the cities and state did not do enough to protect the citizens against a 600 year flood. Others say the hurricane was caused by global warming.

There is always someone else to blame.

Travel back to 1871 when Chicago was essentially destroyed by a fire that claimed a third of the city and 200 lives.

 The fire burned for nearly 24 hours, cutting a path four miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide through what is today the Loop and the area surrounding the Magnificent Mile. Nearly everything in its path was consumed. Wrote an observer as the flames were finally extinguished by long- overdue rain, “The fire here last night and to-day has destroyed almost all that was very valuable in this city. There is not a business house, bank, or hotel left. Most of the best part of the city is gone.” - Fee.org

Amid all the loss people looked for someone to blame and that blame fell on an Irish immigrant, Catherine O'Leary and her cow.

Perhaps much too late both Mrs' O'Leary and her cow have been exonerated but there is still a lesson to be learned.

Chicago recovered in less than 3 years. More importantly it was done without federal funds and almost no local government money.

How did that happen?

The role of the government immediately following the fire was largely limited to keeping order. Martial law was not officially declared, but it was imposed de facto, enforced by army troops, the police, and specially enlisted volunteers. Mayor Roswell B. Mason also issued executive orders that established the price of bread, banned smoking, limited saloon hours, and prohibited wagon drivers from charging more than their usual rate. Mason appointed Lieutenant-General Philip Sheridan, the Civil War hero, to command the Division of the Missouri in patrolling the streets, guarding relief supplies, and enforcing curfews. Four companies of infantry were also stationed just outside the city for several months. But after only two weeks, Mason discharged Sheridan’s troops on the grounds that they were no longer needed.

FEMA did not exist until created by President Carter. Federal agencies provide funds and low interest loans that essentially take the place of private insurance and charity. The federal government also provides temporary housing (FEMA trailers), food, medical and pre-loaded debit cards to cover incidentals.

Is this really what we want?

Is government dependence really what we need?

Has big government (which never seems to get smaller in spite of promises to do so) become a sugar daddy willing to bail out citizens who do not take personal responsibility?

No doubt it will take years and millions of dollars to rebuild the Texas coast. Private insurance, personal savings and charity will cover a lot of the costs but no doubt the lions share will fall on the taxpayers.

The lessons from the Chicago fire have been forgotten. Instead of a handout the citizens were given a hand up. Assistance in the form of jobs to help them get back on their feet. How far we have come in 146 years and have we moved in the right direction or not?



#HurricaneHarvey  #ChicagoFire1871

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As Texans (and now Pelican Staters) deal with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey, some are learning that they're on their own, insurance-wise:

"Most Harvey flood victims on hook to pay for home repairs"

That's because "only a small fraction of homeowners in Harvey's path of destruction have flood insurance."

And why is that?

Well, to understand that, we need to go back a bit: regular readers may recall my stint as Answers.com Insurance Content Expert. One of those articles explained how flood insurance works. Unfortunately, those article have since been memory holed. However, I did save them, so here's that explanation:

■ Summary
You may or may not be covered if your home is flooded. In some cases, the National Flood Insurance Program, administered by FEMA, provides coverage. Your homeowners policy does not.

■ Intro
Water damage can be expensive: from ruined carpets and furniture to dangerous mold and damaged walls, repairs can cost thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars. And standard homeowners' and business policies won't cover the cost of these repairs or replacements. That's where flood insurance comes in: to help you pick up at least a portion of these expenses.

■ What's a flood?
Unlike the story of Noah, a flood doesn't have to mean 40 days and nights of rainfall, although heavy rains can be a covered cause. So would a blocked creek or broken water main outside your house or store.

On the other hand, a backed-up sewage system that "floods" your basement with debris is not, in fact, considered an actual flood.

■ What's a flood zone?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed Flood Insurance Rate Maps. These are digital representations of various flood hazards around the United States. There are actually almost 100,000 of these maps currently available, and they identify areas by how prone they are to flooding.

For flood insurance to be available at all,  one's home or business must be in a Participating Community that has partnered with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Those areas that are most at-risk for severe flooding are called Special Flood Hazard Areas. These areas are defined as those which might expect to be "inundated by [a] flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year." They are also often referred to as "100 year" floods.

■ What other Flood Zones are there?
In addition to the Special Flood areas, there are also "moderate" and "minimal" risk zones. These are less prone to the most severe or devastating floods.

■ What's Flood Insurance, then?
Typical home and business owners' policies don't cover damage from floods. However, flood coverage is available through the NFIP. These policies, which are in addition to ones' standard home or business plan, do cover damages resulting from floods. If you live in a home or own a commercial building in one of the Special Flood Hazard Areas, you'll likely be required by your lender to purchase flood coverage.

■ What do Flood Plans cover?

The structure itself is covered under the basic policy, and optional coverage for your contents may also be available. Renters may also be able to buy coverage for their contents.

Policies are issued by both private insurers and the NFIP. There are currently almost 100 insurance companies that offer the plans, which are sold by Property and Casualty insurance agents.

Rates are dependent on a number of risk factors, including the age and construction type of your home or business, and the risk zone in which it's located. The amount of coverage desired is also critical: coverage for the structure includes the building and foundation, plumbing and electrical systems, HVAC, appliances and even carpeting.

Contents coverage may include clothes and furniture, portable air conditioners and dishwashers, even electronic equipment.

■ How are expenses reimbursed?
Typically, coverage will be for either Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value. Replacement Cost coverage generally costs more, but includes the cost to replace the damaged or destroyed property with a new version. Actual Cash Value coverage reduces this amount to account for depreciation over time.

■ Conclusion
Homeowners' and business insurance policies don't cover losses caused by floods, and many home and business owners don't even realize this. Up to 25% of all flood insurance claims come from low or moderate risk areas, where premiums may be very reasonable because of the smaller risk.

Unfortunately, this isn't going to be of much help to the folks in Harvey's way.

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A life insurance checkup, that is. Longtime FoIB Jeff M has graced us with this helpful guest post:

Any life insurance agent worth his/her salt will tell you one of the keys to their success is staying in touch with clients on a regular basis.  After all, clients’ needs change via a variety of situations…marriage, divorce, and birth of a child to name a few.  But how many agents revisit the term insurance they wrote just a few years ago?  Here is a case in point.  I have a client who purchased $500,000 of 20-year term with Carrier A in 2010 at the ripe-young age of 30.  He had a new mortgage and was getting married in just a few months.  His policy was issued at a preferred non-tobacco rating with a premium of $37/month.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago.  I called my client to suggest we meet to review his life insurance now that he has a son.  He thought that was a good idea, so we met to review his goals and objectives in the event he passed away.  Without using any of the online needs calculators, we discussed an amount of life insurance that would fit both his budget and take care of his wife and son in the event of a premature death.  That amount…$1,000,000.  I utilized my broker’s online quoting engine and found that Carrier B's 20-year term at a face amount of $1,000,000, preferred non-tobacco, would carry a price tag of…$64.63/month.

Let’s step back for a moment and take in the facts of this case.  My client is 7 years older with a face amount that is twice what he purchased in 2010.  

We completed the paperwork, scheduled the para-med exam, and off to the races we went.  My client’s policy issued yesterday at a super preferred-non tobacco rate with the waiver of premium for…$50.63/month.

Let this sink in for just a moment…twice the coverage, 7 years older, and a cost that is less than 2x what he was paying.

If you're an agent, make your client’s day…see if you can put them in a better position by re-writing what you wrote just a few years ago.

And if you're an insured with a recent life event (a baby or an adoption, a marriage or a mortgage), then do yourself a favr and let your agent know, and perhaps set up a time to review your current coverage, and possible new needs.

Thanks, Jeff!

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An insulin dependent diabetic can be expensive if you are on Medicare. Insulin pumps are usually covered by Medicare.

Insulin is covered by Medicare.

Medicare Part D covers insulin except when it is covered by Part B.

Insulin under Part D can cost you several hundred dollars per month. If covered by Part B  your out of pocket can be $0.

CGM's (Continuous Glucose Monitors) are covered by Medicare . . . except when they aren't.

Some pumps may be CGM's but not all CGM's are pumps.

Continuous Glucose Monitors have sensors that are not covered by Medicare. Unless you have a specific brand and model of CGM.

The Dexcom G5 CGM is approved by Medicare but only if you do not use your smart phone to monitor your glucose.

For more information on the challenges of dealing with Medicare when you have a Continuous Glucose Monitor, read Does Medicare Pay for Glucose Monitors?

#CGM #ContinuousGlucoseMonitor #DexcomG5#InsulinPump 

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Insurance Tips and trik auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, auto insurance companies, auto insurance florida, auto insurance quotes online, auto insurance america

Insurance Tips and trik auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, auto insurance companies, auto insurance florida, auto insurance quotes online, auto insurance america

It doesn't matter if you have used a CPAP for sleep apnea for years. Unless you can convince Medicare you need the machine, they won't pay for your CPAP.

Your doctor says you need a CPAP.

The AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) says you have OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).

But until Medicare says you need a CPAP, they won't pay for it.

Until 2013, getting Medicare Part B to cover the cost of a CPAP was not a problem. But in 2009 the Obama administration ordered the IAG to review claim payments by Medicare to determine ways to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.

The IAG study, released in June of 2013, said the following.

"beneficiaries receiving CPAP treatment may have received more supplies than were medically necessary"

Emphasis added.

The report further stated,

Even though the report showed that the number of supplies did not exceed the recommended replacement schedule it also stated that if someone DID receive more supplies than necessary that would be wasteful spending.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Medicare is always looking for ways to save money. Problem is, their way is to shift more of the cost of care to folks who can least afford to pay.

Most Medicare beneficiaries have pre-paid for their benefits over many year via FICA payroll taxes. Now that we have reached the age where we have earned a right to collect, DC is finding ways to deny us access to Medicare benefits.

For more information on the challenges of getting Medicare to cover the cost of your care, read Does Medicare Pay for CPAP?


#CPAP #Medicare #Apnea #OSA

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