Since its passage in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, has expanded health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. However, nearly 30 million Americans — over 9% of the population — still lacked health insurance in 2019. This included 5.7% of all children under age 19. Cost is the main reason … Read more
If you don’t have employer-sponsored health insurance, finding affordable health care can seem like an impossible task. Yet millions of Americans survive without employer health benefits. That includes gig economy workers, small-business entrepreneurs, and others looking for self-employed health insurance options. If you’re among them, or if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) that … Read more
Health care costs continue to rise faster than both wages and inflation. In 2021, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that the average health insurance premium for families with employer-sponsored health insurance reached a dizzying $22,221 per year. That figure should give families without employer coverage even more shivers. As premiums spiral higher out of reach … Read more
Life insurance is all about risk. So, it’s no surprise that many health conditions and lifestyle-related risk factors can affect life insurance premiums and eligibility. Mental health issues are no different. If you’ve been diagnosed with depression or another mental health condition like anxiety, you’re seen as riskier in insurance underwriters’ eyes. You could pay … Read more
According to the LIMRA 2024 Insurance Barometer study, only 46% of women have life insurance, while 57% of men have at least one policy. The need for women to have life insurance is higher (45%) versus 39% for men, but they hesitate. Part of this hesitancy may be due to misconceptions about life insurance. Many … Read more
According to 2021 data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 97.3% of large firms — those with 50 full-time equivalent employees or more — offer health insurance to their employees. But just 31.9% of firms with fewer than 50 full-time employees offered health insurance benefits to employees. What accounts for the discrepancy? It’s largely because … Read more
My wife and I live in an old house that sometimes shows its age. Not long after we bought the place, we returned from a restful winter weekend getaway to a bone-chilling surprise. At some point while we were gone, the aging thermostat failed to call for heat, leaving the boiler idle as the outside … Read more
A pet health insurance policy can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket veterinary costs, such as emergency surgery and chemotherapy. More generous policies defray vet bills for preventive care as well. Plus, by limiting the long-term costs of owning an aging or ill pet, pet health insurance reduces the risk of economic euthanasia — the heartbreaking decision … Read more
Homeowners insurance is a bundle of different categories of coverage, which apply in various situations. You aren’t able to pick and choose what categories you want – there are six different components to homeowners insurance, all of which are required, which we’ll discuss below. However, depending on your possessions, type of home, and your financial … Read more
Given sufficient time to prepare, humans anticipate and plan pretty well for planned life events, such as marriage, childbearing, and retirement. However, it’s difficult for most people to imagine – let alone prepare for – major, unexpected life changes. Serious illnesses and injuries befall millions of Americans each year, often with little or no warning. Most working adults … Read more
