Moneysmartz Personal Finance Guide and Blog

Worst Case Insurance Planning

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:30:40 -0600

Chances are you don't have enough insurance coverage. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 60% of American homes are inadequately covered. So if you think you fall into this group, here's a way to get motivated to get the insurance you really need. Visualize your worst-case scenarios. It's a difficult way to plan, but if a worst-case occurs, you will be thankful you took the time to think ahead. To learn the basics of insurance planning and start filling gaps, visit the MSN Money and Marketwatch guide "Making sure your insurance fits." The Moneysmartz Insurance Guide offers even more links to relevant and reliable sources of Insurance information and advice.

Travel Insurance

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:02:12 -0600

On the family cruise of a lifetime, you slip, fall, and break your arm. You require emergency medical attention. Do you have insurance?

As spring break travel peaks and preparation for summer travel begins, a review of travel insurance may help avoid catastrophe if the unthinkable happens on your next trip.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, there are four major types of trip insurance, including trip cancellation insurance, baggage insurance or personal effects coverage, emergency medical assistance, and accidental death.

There are a number of travel insurance providers and comparison sites including InsureMyTrip.com, AIG Travel Guard, CSA Travel Protection, Travel Insurance Services, and many others.

For more travel insurance information and links, visit About.com Personal Insurance. If you work with or know a travel agent, then be sure to talk with them for additional information.

Being prepared before vacation, including purchasing adequate travel insurance, will help give you the peace of mind to enjoy vacation.

Best of Class Financial Services Customer Service

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:25:43 -0600

If you have ever been at the receiving end of a surly customer service agent, then you know the value of great customer service. The following insurance, banking, and brokerage firms are included in the top 50 of The BusinessWeek 2008 Customer Service Elite:

1. USAA (Insurance)

8. Edward Jones (Brokerage)

13. Amica (Insurance)

18. Wachovia (Banking)

19. Smith Barney (Brokerage)

28. Vanguard (Brokerage)

29. Erie Insurance (Insurance)

30. National City (Banking)

Insurance Update

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:13:51 -0600

Are you protected against unexpected risks? The Moneysmartz Insurance category will help you understand the forms of insurance that protect you from financial catastrophe. When navigating the Moneysmartz insurance page, visit the Yahoo! Finance and Fool.com listings for a wealth of articles, resources, and calculators. For a comprehensive introduction to insurance, visit the Insurance Information Institute listing. For quotes and comparisons, visit Insurance.com. The old adage an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure applies to insurance where a minimum investment of time yields maximum protection and peace of mind.

Finding the Best Insurance Providers

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:11:38 -0600

If you've spent time with an insurance agent, then you may have left the conversation with a lot of anxiety about the personal and professional risks for which you are unprotected. The good news is that many of us overcome this hurdle and eventually protect ourselves against these risks. The bad news is that we often forget to look at the risk associated with the companies providing the insurance. In times of economic and political instability, marginal insurance providers are at risk, placing policyholders at risk.

For individuals interested in doing a little homework before buying insurance, A.M. Best offers an extensive database of insurance company ratings. Since 1899, A.M. Best has been collecting insurance information, for both professionals and consumers. To gain full access to the ratings, you'll need to register and wade through some technical information. If you have limited time and perhaps comfort with the more technical aspects of the site, then print out the following page describing Best's ratings, and ask you insurance provider how they rank. Most should have the answer, which you can then use to compare against other providers.

By taking these necessary steps, you’ll be better prepared to weather the next unexpected financial, economic, or political crisis.