March 19, 2012
Life throws many unexpected things at all of us. While we usually can’t stop these things from occurring, we can opt to give our lives a bit of protection. Insurance is meant to give us some measure of protection, at least financially, should a disaster happen. There are numerous insurance options available, and many financial experts tell us that we need to have these insurance policies in place. Yet, with so many options, it can be difficult to determine what insurance you really need. Purchasing the right insurance is always determined by your specific situation. Factors such as children, age, lifestyle and employment benefits are all points to consider when planning your insurance portfolio.
There are however, four insurances that most financial experts recommend that all of us have: life, health, auto and long-term disability. Each one of these covers a specific aspect of your life, and each one is very important to your financial future.
Life Insurance
The greatest factor in having life insurance is providing for those you leave behind. This is extremely important if you have a family that is dependent on your salary to pay the bills. Industry experts suggest a life insurance policy should cover “ten times your yearly income.” This sum would provide enough money to cover existing expenses, funeral expenses and give your family a financial cushion. That cushion will help them re-group after your death.
Health Insurance
A recent Harvard study noted that statistically, “your family is just one serious illness away from bankruptcy.” They also concluded that, “62% of all personal bankruptcies in the U.S. in 2007 were caused by health problems and 78% of those filers had medical insurance at the start of their illness.”
Those numbers alone should urge you to obtain health insurance, or increase your current coverage. The key to finding adequate coverage is shopping around. While the best option and the least expensive is participating in your employer’s insurance program, many smaller businesses do not offer this benefit.
Finding affordable health insurance is difficult, particularly without an employer-sponsored program or if you have a pre-existing condition. According to the Kaiser/HRET survey, the average premium cost to the employee in an employer sponsored health care program was around $4,100. With rising co-payments, yearly deductibles and dropped coverage’s, health insurance has become a luxury less and less can afford, yet even a minimal policy is better than having no coverage. The cost for a day in the hospital can range from $985 to $2,696. Even if you have minimal coverage, it can provide some monetary benefit for your hospital stay.
Long-Term Disability Coverage
Even those workers that have great health insurance, a nice nest egg and a good life insurance policy never prepare for the day when they might not be able to work for weeks, months or may not ever be able to return to the job. While health insurance pays for your hospitalization and medical bills, where is money coming from to pay those daily expenses that your paycheck covers? Here are a few very sobering statistics regarding disability:
- Disability Causes Nearly 50% of all Mortgage Foreclosures, 2% are Caused by Death.
- Close to 90% of Disabling Accidents and Illnesses Are not Work Related.
- In the Last 10 Minutes, 498 Americans Became Disabled.
If you are injured and off work for even three months, would you have enough in savings to cover your living expenses? Consider what you might face financially if you suffer a major medical condition such as cancer and were unable to work for over a year.
Auto Insurance
There were over 10-million traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2009 (latest available data) and 33,808 people died in motor vehicle crashes in those accidents, according to data released by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The number one cause of death for American’s between the ages of 5 and 34 were auto accidents. Over 2.3 million drivers and passengers received treatment in emergency rooms in 2009, and the costs of those accidents including deaths and disabling injuries was around $70 billion.
While all states do not require drivers to have auto insurance, most do have requirements regarding financial responsibility in the event of an accident. Many states do periodic random checks of drivers for proof of insurance. If you do not have coverage, the fines can vary by state and can range from the suspension of your license, to points on your driving record, to fines from $500 to $1,000.
The Bottom Line
While insurance is expensive and certainly takes a chunk out of your budget, being without it could lead to financial ruin. Always check with your employer first for available coverage, as this will probably be where you will find the most economical way to of securing coverage. If your employer doesn’t offer it, obtain multiple quotes from several insurance providers. Schedule times with agents who offer coverage in multiple areas as they may have some discounts available if you purchase more than one type of coverage.
The expense of not having insurance is nothing compared to the expense of living without it.
By Linda McMaken | Investopedia – Wed, Feb 15, 2012 3:39 PM EST
Doherty, Duggan and Rouse Insurors2301 Dawson Rd
Albany, GA 31707
Phone: 800 628 2040
email: rdoherty@ddrins.com
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