Maternity Insurance and the Cost of Pregnancy: Fact and Fiction

If you are pregnant, are considering becoming pregnant, or have someone on your health insurance plan that is pregnant or will become pregnant and especially if you live in the state of Florida then this is "The Maternity Insurance Article" for you. The aim of this article is to explain some of the maternity options available to you and to debunk some common myths concerning maternity insurance, maternity riders, maternity discount plans, and other types of maternity coverage.

First of all, if you are a Florida resident and you are pregnant and do not have maternity coverage then you will not be eligible for maternity coverage under an individual health insurance plan. Those with the foresight to plan ahead and purchase some type of maternity coverage before they become pregnant are rewarded while those who wait until they are actually pregnant are of course not afforded individual maternity coverage. (If you are pregnant and have access to a group plan through you or your spouses' employer then now is the time to seriously inquire about your enrollment options as many group health insurance plans usually cover maternity just as they do any other illness). Naturally, sick people always want health insurance and people with a pregnancy in the family always want some form of maternity insurance.

If you are not pregnant and would like to add on additional maternity coverage to your individual health insurance plan then there are a few things that you should know. Most individual health insurance policies will allow you some measure of maternity coverage in the form of a rider for an additional cost. It is quite common for a maternity rider to have a waiting period of at least 12 months before they pay out any type of maternity benefit. Still some other maternity riders, such as the one that Golden Rule/United Healthcare offers in Florida allow full benefits to be paid up to a set amount after 12 months and 50% of the benefit paid out beginning immediately.

So how much does a pregnancy in our example state of Florida really cost anyway? How much of a maternity benefit should I be certain to have? How much can I anticipate paying out of pocket for the pregnancy and related expenses? These are all important questions and the answer may be, "Not quite as much as you at first think." According to FloridaCompare.gov the statewide average charge for a normal delivery is $1,689 while the statewide average charge for a cesarean section is $14,458. As you can see there is quite a range in the cost depending on if there are any complications present during the pregnancy.

The important thing is to know the options that are available to you and to obtain maternity insurance and health insurance before you need it!

How To Ensure That Your European Road Trip Doesn't Become the Trip From Hell!

For many people, touring Europe by car is the only, and the best, way to see Europe. You have the freedom to go wherever your car can go whenever you choose. You're not bound by public carrier schedules, and you can usually save a lot of money by "doing it yourself". However, there is a downside. If your car breaks down, especially "in the middle of nowhere", your plans for an idyllic cruise through Europe could be drastically affected. These problems are difficult enough to deal with at home where you know the language and the culture. What if it happens while you're in Germany, France or in Poland?

What if Your Car Breaks Down?

The answers to these and other questions will become very important. What will happen if your car breaks down just a couple of days before your trip? If it breaks down while on your trip, how will you get your car from where it is to where it can be repaired? What about accommodation while waiting for your car to be repaired? Did you plan for this extra expense? What if it is not possible to repair your car, how will you get it and yourself home, and how will you pay for it?

Mechanical Breakdown (Car Breakdown) Insurance Can Save Your Trip

This is where mechanical breakdown insurance comes in. If you have this coverage, expenses like roadside assistance, the cost of transporting you and your vehicle to where it can be repaired, overnight accommodation and meals, the cost of a replacement vehicle to continue your trip, repatriation of you and your vehicle if it can't be repaired-all of these expenses can be taken care of by appropriate car breakdown insurance.

Types of Car Breakdown Insurance

These policies are available to cover single trips or as annual insurance, which is probably the most cost-efficient for people who frequently take their car to Europe for weekend get-aways or for longer jaunts.

Limitations and Restrictions to Consider

Of course, like any insurance policy, mechanical breakdown insurance policies also have restrictions and limitations. For example, there may be limitations on "prior to departure" breakdown insurance. How many days of pre-departure coverage does the policy offer? If you purchase the policy 9 days before departure and your car breaks down 3 days later, do you have coverage? What is the maximum number of days the policy will provide coverage? Or what about the length of the trip-are there limitations?

Where to Get Car Breakdown Insurance

Because limitations and restrictions can vary from company to company and policy to policy, it's a good idea to check things out online. For more information or to begin your online search for excellent car breakdown insurance, check out www.travel-insurance-central.com/39800-mechanical-breakdown-insurance.html.

Getting car breakdown insurance can give you peace of mind and help you enjoy your European road trip.

4 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Quotes

Many people complain of having outrageously high car insurance quotes. It seems like everyone has to pay extremely high car insurance payments because of the mistakes of few. However, you should not be discouraged. There are simple things that you can do to significantly lower your car insurance quotes. In turn, you will have more money to spend on other things, and you won't have to cringe every time your insurance bill comes in the mail.

One of the easiest ways to lower quotes is to pay a higher deductible. Many people try to get the lowest deductible possible because they think it will save them money in the long run. In reality, paying a higher deductible will lower your periodic premium amount. This is great if you are an extremely careful driver and are not particularly worried about being in many accidents. It should be noted that paying a higher deductible will mean that if something does happen to your vehicle you will have to pay more for the initial expenses before you even go in for a claim.

Another great way to lower quotes is to take a defensive driving course, or if you are in school, get good grades. Many people do not take advantage of these breaks offered by insurance companies. In fact, taking a state-approved defensive driving course can give you discounts of up to 10% on a premium. Discounts for good grades can also save you some decent cash. It is a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if they offer discounts, and how much they are.

Parking in a garage is also a great way to lower quotes. In certain situations, this can take off almost 20% of a premium. This percentage is so high because in a garage a vehicle is less likely to get stolen or vandalized. Additionally, a car in a garage is less likely to be damaged by other cars. Insurance companies are always rewarding lower-risk clients; so parking in a garage can make you one of these preferred clients.

Probably the best way to lower your car insurance quotes is to simply take the time to shop around. Different companies offer different rates. One company may judge you as high risk and not offer you the best rate. At the same time, another company may judge you as lower risk and therefore give you a better rate. Searching for quotes is not difficult, and can even be done online. Lowering car insurance quotes may seem like a daunting task, but following a few simple tips can drastically reduce your payments.

Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure

Nissan GT-R

Ten autos that will sap your wallet -- and 10 that won't.

From seeking greater fuel efficiency to carpooling, some American drivers are looking for ways to save on ownership costs.

But one thing most can't do without is car insurance. Each of the nation's 50 states has laws that require drivers purchase liability insurance or provide enough "proof of financial responsibility" to cover a claim in case of an accident.

Premiums are dropping; the average in May was at its lowest point in a year at $1,871 per car, down from the national average of $1,982 in October, according to RateWatch, a Web site that tracks annual average insurance rates. But they continue, for most, to be a major outlay. Still, consumers worried about the bottom line have options.

The 185-horsepower, 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe costs an average of $832 a year to insure, the lowest of a list of just under 300 2009 models surveyed. The Saturn Vue costs an average of $911 a year to insure, and a Kia Sedona can be covered for an annual cost of $857.

Owners of luxury autos such as the BMW M5, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Porsche 911 pay for that kind of prestige -- $2,020, $2,088 and $1,819, respectively. But those who drive the $80,790 Nissan GT-R, the 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year, pay an average $2,533 a year. The sports car's super-charged 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged 24-valve V6 engine helped it to the top of the list.

Behind the Numbers

Our numbers come from Insure.com, an online information clearinghouse for consumers. The company calculated nationwide average car insurance premiums for almost 300 2009 model-year vehicles. Averages are based on a 40-year-old male driver who commutes 12 miles to work. This driver has policy limits of $100,000 for injury liability for one person; $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident; and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive. This policy also includes uninsured motorist coverage. Rates were averaged across multiple ZIP codes and insurance companies.

Of course, a car's value will jack up a driver's outlay, as will the driving record of the person behind the wheel, says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Other factors can play a part too, such as potential loss. For example, the Hummer H2 was the eighth-most stolen car in America, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which determined its list by claims per 1,000 divided by average loss payment per claim; it is also eighth-most expensive vehicle to insure on our list.

A consumer's ability to compare is another factor. Shoppers may be most familiar with big companies with representatives located nationwide. Comparing the rates at these brand names with those found online and at independent agencies will yield the best deals. Make sure to compare limits and features side by side.

Driver stereotypes also play a role. Expensive, high-performance autos often attract "riskier" drivers, says Nerad, and such vehicles are more expensive to fix or replace when involved in accidents. Likewise, autos like sports cars that are popular with younger drivers usually have a higher premium since younger drivers are considered riskier drivers.

Larger vehicles like SUVs and minivans are more likely to be family vehicles driven by mothers, who are historically less dangerous drivers. With lower risk comes lower loss potential, and thus a lower premium. Eight of the top 10 least expensive vehicles to insure are either minivans or SUVs.

But even those with a need for speed are likely to see premiums drop slightly. And, along with premiums, insurance rates have fallen after an increase last year of 8%. Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah and Idaho experienced the largest rate decreases in May, from 9% in Wyoming to 5.5% in Idaho.

As insurers compete for increasingly discerning consumers, expect this downward trend to continue for the rest of this year.

Most Expensive Cars to Insure

No. 1 Most Expensive: Nissan GT-R
Sports car
$2,533

No. 2 Most Expensive: Dodge Viper
Sports car
$2,446

No. 3 Most Expensive: BMW M6
Sports car
$2,236

No. 4 Most Expensive: Ford Shelby GT500
Sports Car
$2,186

No. 5 Most Expensive: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
SUV
$2,088

Least Expensive Cars to Insure

No. 1 Least Expensive: Hyundai Santa Fe
SUV
$832

No. 2 Least Expensive: Kia Sportage
SUV
$840

No. 3 Least Expensive: Hyundai Entourage
Minivan
$848

No. 4 Least Expensive: Kia Sedona
Minivan
$857

No. 5 Least Expensive: Kia Rio5
Passenger
$870

5 Things Never to Say to Your Insurers

Some words are red flags to insurers and using them could mean that your claim might be delayed or even denied.

1. "I Think ..."

Never begin a statement regarding a claim with these words. If you aren't sure, don't guess. What you say could cause your claim to be delayed or denied, says attorney Vedica Puri. And if you're wrong -- say, you report driving at 30 miles per hour before an accident but police later prove you were going 50 -- it could hurt your credibility.

Particularly beware of speculating on blame or causation. For example, if you suggest that a water leak is due to a construction defect, you could give the insurer an out if that's a policy exclusion.

Stick to the facts. Should the insurance rep ask you a question you can't answer, simply say, "I don't know." If the person is taking a written or recorded statement, ask for a transcript to review for misstatements.

2. "I Got Whiplash"

Fraud costs auto insurers up to $6.8 billion a year, reports the Insurance Research Council. And suing for damages caused by whiplash is a fraudster favorite ("Oh, my neck!"). Merely mentioning the term is likely to get your claim flagged for further investigation, says Amy Danise of Insure.com.

Whiplash is a specific diagnosis. If a doctor says that you have it, then you should report it as such. Other wise, if you feel neck pain, just refer to it that way.

3. "It's an Experimental Treatment"

Truly experimental or investigational medical procedures are typically not eligible for health insurance coverage. So if a doctor tells you he wants to experiment with a treatment, don't represent it using those words. "In medical terms it may not actually be experimental or investigational," explains Danise. "If it's proven effective, your doctor deems it medically necessary, and it's not an exclusion, it should be covered." Verify with your doctor that it meets the above litmus tests before going to the insurer.

4. "My Basement Flooded"

With homeowners insurance, "flood" is a red flag. "The word refers to an act of weather or an overflow from a nearby body of water," says Danise. "And a standard homeowners policy doesn't cover it. You'd need flood insurance."

So don't use the f-word if your basement is knee-deep in water because of a burst pipe. Damages from such an incident should be covered by a homeowners policy. But calling it a "flood" could muddy the waters, so to speak.

5. "Just Send Me a Check"

When filing a home or auto claim, don't emphasize that you're just looking for the cash.

"If you were to say, 'I don't care about the roof leak, I just need the money,' that admission could slow things to a halt," says Puri. Technically, you're supposed to use the payout to make the repair for which you filed. While it's true that most insurance companies aren't going to check up on you, you'll certainly raise the fraud unit's suspicions if you imply that you won't. And then you might lose out on the money altogether.