Insurance Defined: Home Inventory

February 20th, 2012

We’ve mentioned many times the importance and benefit of creating a home inventory. This detailed list of possessions is an invaluable tool to help you get and maintain the correct amount of homeowner’s insurance, keeping your property protected at full value. Creating a home inventory is not difficult, but it is a little time-consuming.

Step 1: List
To begin with, go room by room (and then outside as necessary) and write down every major item in the room: this means every item of value or significant importance (don’t feel the need to write “tissue box” or “throw pillow”). Write down when the item was purchased, and what it cost. For antiques, write down the age and approximate value. If you don’t know or remember the cost or value, leave it blank to begin with. Later, when you begin Step 3, you can take the time to figure that out. At first, just focus on listing items and everything you do know about their age and value. Also record details such as size, color, internal features (like if the sofa is really a sofa-bed or if the TV is 3D), and other pertinent details (such as if the item is part of a collection and therefore worth more as a set).

Step 2: Photograph
Take pictures of each item. You may want to take multiple pictures of some items to show what condition the item is in, and other important details such as model numbers, authenticating marks, accessories, and upgrades. You should make sure to have images that show the item in your home, you may even want to get pictures of yourself with the item, to prove possession. Record the image number (digital cameras automatically assign them; for film camera, number the roll of film and image order, ex: Kodak1, 3/24) next to the written description of the item. This will help you stay organized. Print your images to keep in your records, making sure that the appropriate image number is written on each. Thumbnails and other small images are ok, as long as they are clear and the details visible. If you have digital copies, you can also put them on a CD or portable drive as a back-up.

Step 3: Authenticate
Now you need to prove the value of the items. Collect any receipts you have for the items you purchased. If you lost or tossed the receipt, try contacting the retailer for another copy; if you bought with check or credit card or purchased a warranty, chances are good they will have a record of your item, even years later. A cheap option is to research the value of an item online, from the model number of your refrigerator to more unique items (such as a baseball card or a set of limited edition Pez dispensers), and print the results. For items such as antiques, collections, or jewelry, you may need to get a professional appraisal. As some items get more valuable over time, your appraisal should include the item details that prove the item is genuine and a signature of the certified professional. This will authenticate the item (such as an original painting) for future evaluation.

Once you have completed a detailed home inventory of your valuable property, make copies. Make sure you put a copy in a safe place, such as a locked fire-safe box, a bank vault box, or a secure place outside the home. Then, take a copy to your insurance agent. Have the agent go over the inventory with you to make sure your homeowner’s policy covers the correct value of the items. If it doesn’t, you may want to purchase extended coverage under your policy, or purchase a unique policy for the specific item. Have the agent file the home inventory copy with your policy documents. It may be extra work, but creating a detailed home inventory can save you significant hassle and battle while filing a claim and save you significant money by protecting the full replacement value of your property.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Insurance Defined: Under the Influence

February 17th, 2012

When people think of the term “driving under the influence,” many automatically assume it means driving drunk. In reality, “under the influence” can mean alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana, and even over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is the leading cause of traffic fatalities in the U.S. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that 1/3 (32%) of all traffic-related deaths involve alcohol, resulting in over 11,000 deaths in 2009. A contributing factor to this problem is the social aspect of alcohol use which takes drinking out of the home to travel destinations and the physical reaction alcohol produces in the body. Alcohol users are at a high risk of dangerously underestimating their level of impairment, leading to high incidences of alcohol-impaired driving.

Only 18% of traffic fatalities involved other drugs (from marijuana to cocaine), and many of these were in combination with alcohol. Lower rates of impaired driving among these drugs is contributed to lower incidences of use, the clandestine or hidden nature of illegal drug use, and the varying effects of the drugs on human behavior. Areas of higher use in drugs like methamphetamine also increases the rates of impaired driving.

Marijuana is legal in 14 states for medical use, and there is much debate over increased legalization for medical and recreational use. A recent study sponsored by IZA (a German economic research institute) and conducted by two American professors compared state data on traffic fatalities and driving under the influence. The study found that marijuana use actually reduced traffic fatalities by 9%. The theory is that marijuana is used as a substitute for alcohol (not a companion), reducing overall alcohol use. Simultaneously, because of marijuana’s effect on the body, marijuana users are actually more likely to accurately assess or even overestimate their level of impairment. As such, they are more likely to avoid risky behaviors such as driving impaired.

Increased use of legal drugs, both over-the-counter and prescription, also cause impaired driving. Many such medications contain warnings for users to not drive while taking the medication, warnings that are too often disregarded. Inappropriate use of these medications is also growing problem, from overdosing to illegal prescription use.

The bottom line: any substance that impairs a person’s ability to drive constitutes driving under the influence. Most state laws do not differentiate between impairing substances, and an impaired driving conviction for any reason will dramatically affect future insurability. Drivers with a history of impaired driving have limited insurance options, are subject to the highest premiums, and are ineligible for long-time or safe driver discounts for years (sometimes as many as 10 years!) after the incident. If you or someone you know is impaired by any substance, be it alcohol, drugs, or medications, don’t drive. Long after the legal consequences pass, the financial consequences last.

 

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Do You Know What Your Homeowners Insurance Covers?

February 13th, 2012

Homeowners insurance is something that most people don’t spend a lot of time on. Many policies are never read fully before signing, and never reviewed until something major happens. Not knowing much about the specifics of your homeowner’s insurance policy until you need it can be a very costly mistake.

Even though your homeowner’s insurance policy will offer you coverage for your personal items, chances are it will not cover everything. Homeowner’s policies have limits to what they will cover, especially with pricier items such as jewelry or artwork. Take a detailed inventory of your valuables and make certain that you have enough coverage to protect them. If not, take out additional coverage to cover the cost of replacing them.

Your homeowner’s insurance policy does not necessarily cover all of the vehicles, both yours and those of any visitors, on the property. If a tree on your property drops a branch through a visiting vehicle’s windshield, do not expect that your homeowner’s policy will cover it. If you host a lot of vehicles, check your coverage before there is any damage. Most likely, you will need the protection of an umbrella policy to completely cover all vehicles on your property.

Termites and mold are two of the biggest causes of damage to your home, and are not covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. The reason for this is that these are problems that do not happen suddenly. Damage from termites and mold will take time to take hold, and can be avoided with proper home maintenance, therefore insurance companies will not cover it. Avoid these destructive and extremely costly issues by taking steps to prevent them, and have them professionally treated at the first sign of trouble.

If you live in an area prone to such natural disasters as earthquakes and floods, there is a good chance that your homeowners’ insurance policy will not cover them. Before you buy a home, understand the geological risks to the area. If there are risks from earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters, you should check with your insurance agent about additional policies that will protect you from these events.
Do not wait until the worst happens before you know that you are protected. Take the time to know exactly what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers and does not cover before you need it.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Should You Rethink Dental and Vision Insurance?

February 10th, 2012

The cost of insurance has most of us rethinking how much insurance we have and how much we need. Health insurance is hard to do without, but many people think they can cut their monthly insurance cost if they eliminate vision and dental coverage. If you find yourself wondering if you really need dental and vision insurance, a few simple calculations can help you decide.

The average cost of a dental insurance plan can start range from $10.00 to $25.00 per month for individuals. If in the course of a single year, all you ever need is two exams and cleanings, at an average of $50-135.00 per visit plus the cost of x-rays, then the dental insurance pays for itself. If you find that the toothache that you had will require an extraction or a root canal, you could be looking at hundreds of dollars out of your pocket if you do not have dental coverage.

If you have a family, the cost of the policy is higher, as is the risk for unexpected dental issues. A family policy can run from about $15.00 per month, all the way up to $75.00 per month. A $900.00 per year premium might seem high until you consider that a single filling can cost up to $300.00. For a family of four seeing the dentist twice a year will already bring you close to what the insurance policy would have cost. If any one of those visits results in a cavity that needs filling, you will wish you had insurance. Should anyone need braces, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars without dental insurance.

Vision insurance can run about $180.00 a year for individuals, and around $440.00 a year for a family plan. The math here is simple. The average eye exam can run close to $100.00 if not more, and a pair of eyeglasses or contacts could cost hundreds more. If you have a single eye exam annually and you wear glasses or contacts, vision insurance is definitely worth the cost of the annual premium for both the individual or family plans.

Saving a few dollars in the short term could end up costing you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in the end. Before you cancel you dental and vision insurance to save a little money, really consider the potential costs of any issues. What may seem like a solution to a tight budget could end up costing you a great deal more than you’d save.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Unemployment Down with Private Sector Growth

February 6th, 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report Friday showing decreased unemployment through the month of January, dropping the nationwide unemployment rate to 8.3% – the lowest rate in three years. Job growth exceeded expectations, numbering 243,000 new jobs in January. This report follows December’s gains of a revised 203,000 new jobs, and prompted an optimism-fueled 1% rise in stock prices on Wall Street shortly after the report was released Friday morning.

The rise is due almost entirely to private-sector job growth. The report presents the vague phrase “little changed” to describe government employment rates. Private sector employment is credited with an increase of 257,000 jobs, primarily in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. The 14,000 difference is not directly cited, though information and media was reported to have declined by 13,000 jobs, with significant losses in the film and music industries.

Though the report encourages belief in economic recovery, other indicators of economic recovery, such as house prices and consumer spending, continue to show weakness, as does the continuing caution by the Federal Reserve. Analysts also point out that the 8.3% does not include the underemployed (people working part-time jobs for lack of full-time employment), the marginally attached (jobless people who want work, but had not applied for a position for 4 weeks as of the survey date), or the discouraged (jobless people who have given up looking for a job entirely). These 11 million people are included in the “U-7” calculations, putting the total broad un- and under-employment rate at 16.9 according to PBS, a slightly more optimistic 15.1 according to the NY Times. Both agree that these numbers show improvement, but more is needed.

Underemployment is particularly troublesome for the economy, because these positions have little or no chance of becoming full-time, yet financial concerns continue to keep workers in these permanent part-time positions. Many of these positions can be found in retail and other service industries, but are increasingly common in the general workforce. Many employers have cut hours or replaced full-time positions in reaction to decreases in business, or to take advantage of the lower cost of part-time workers in terms of salaries and benefits.

The irony of the situation lies in the high demand for skilled workers.  As the NY Times reports, employers often struggle to find workers with the specific skills needed in their industries. Jobs that require little higher education or few unique skills, such as support services, are increasingly shifting toward contract workers and other temporary staffing strategies. Full-time staff positions are reserved for skilled professionals; too-frequently obtained only through recruitment from industry competitors. This can only emphasize the importance of education and training (or re-education and re-training) for workers in specific industries and fields of growth to tackle the problem of long-term unemployment.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Looking for a way to lower your Medical Bills?

February 3rd, 2012

Medical costs are skyrocketing and a growing number of people are finding themselves buried under mounds of medical debt. If you are one of those people facing medical bills that you cannot afford, there are some negotiation strategies that you can use to lower your medical bills significantly.

Be proactive. If you are having a planned procedure or treatment, start negotiating in advance.  Work with each doctor and facility to get the best rates before the service. Asking for discounts and exploring rates, advocates, charities, and other assistance, and offering to pay when the service occurs, or pay in cash, can cut your bill before it is written.

For a bill in the mail, do not wait to act on it. Do not waste your time calling the doctor’s office receptionist, as they are not likely to be able to help you. Contact the billing office or patient advocate right away to discuss your bill. It is important to be calm and kind to whomever you are speaking to on the phone. Even if you are upset, you will always be more positively received when you treat people with respect.
Once you have someone on the phone, ask him or her to go through the bill with you line by line. Ask them if there are any alternative rates for the services that you received and verify that each line item was charged to you properly. The date of service should be verified also to be certain that the bill is accurate and the services that you are being charged for were necessary and actually performed.

When the line items have been verified and any alternative rates explored, ask if you can get the Medicare rate. Insurance companies negotiate their own rates with providers. Medicare rates could possibly lower the rates you are being charged if you are not already receiving them.

After you have gone through the bill line by line, if you have managed to negotiate a better price, ask for an updated bill that reflects the negotiated amount. If you do not get it in writing, you run the risk of having to begin the negotiation process again.

If you are in a position to pay the bill in full immediately, ask for a discount. Make sure that you negotiate the bill as low as you can first, and then offer to pay immediately if they can offer you a discount. In exchange for not having to manage your account, or spend the time and effort in billing and collection, you may be able to shave a decent percentage off of your bill. Even when you can’t pay upfront, try cash.  Paying in cash saves processing time and fees, and those savings can be passed on to you.

After exhausting every option, if you cannot afford the payments, talk to the billing representative about payment plans.  Don’t turn medical bills into credit card debt. Calmly explain what you can pay and when you can pay it. Don’t agree to payments too high for you and risk defaulting. Show your willingness to pay your bills in reasonable installments, and then follow through by paying each one on time. Missing a payment can ruin any discount or payment plan you negotiate and wreck your credit.

Remember that this process of negotiation may not work for every medical bill, every time, but if you are persistent and maintain control; you can save a lot of money on your medical bills.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Regulating Insurance Information: What Must Be Provided, How, And How Often.

January 30th, 2012

The business of insurance is regulated by the states. Each state has its own Department of Insurance (or equivalent agency) that monitors insurers, agents, policies, and everything else insurance.  While each state has some unique regulations, the majority of state insurance codes are pretty similar; which makes sense. After all, they all have the same goal: to protect consumers’ trust and allow insurance companies to compete fairly.  Interestingly, the bulk of the regulations aimed at protecting consumers are ones we consumers most often fail to use to protect ourselves. A significant portion of insurance regulation sets explicit rules concerning information: what must be provided, how, and how often.

Most states require insurance contracts to follow approved formulas and use wording that is specific, unambiguous, and clear. All policy items must be written clearly and explicitly in the contract, and all changes or additions have to be signed by all parties. Policy summaries and buyer’s guides further translate options into plain language, and every item that is not specific, fixed, or guaranteed carries disclaimers to make consumers aware of these facts.  Consumers get copies of all of the paperwork for their own records as well.  Insurers must also provide information annually or biannually, and upon request, so that nothing can be hidden or misinterpreted. Your right to information is protected; it is up to you to exercise your right by learning what things mean and how they affect you.

Information regulation isn’t just paperwork, it’s everything.  Insurance advertisement, solicitation, sales pitches, even the words agents use to talk to us are subject to regulation.  The days of the fast-talking salesman are over.  Guidelines are in place to help prevent confusing language and unfair tactics that could take advantage of public trust. While confusion can still occur, deliberate and even accidental misconduct by insurers and agents is strictly prohibited.

Reading the copious amounts of paperwork our insurance agents provide us with is pretty tedious. We know we should read it, but like the manual to a car or the booklet for that new TV, we just can’t spare the time. The fact that so much effort is put into the regulation of insurance information gives us a reason to change our ways.  Insurance is that important to our lives, and information is that important to our success and wellbeing. The good people at your state’s Department of Insurance are working hard to make sure you get the information you need to choose, monitor, maintain, and use your insurance to your own benefit.  You owe it to them, but mostly owe it to yourself, to do your part. When you receive information about insurance, get informed.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Insurance Defined: Homeowner’s Insurance

January 23rd, 2012

Homeowner’s insurance is pretty standard these days because few people buy their homes outright. All lenders require it in mortgage contracts, because if your home is destroyed and you lose everything , they lose everything  they invested as well. As long as there is a loan on the house, a certain level of insurance must be maintained by the homeowner. If a home is owned outright, homeowner’s insurance becomes optional, but most paid-in-full homeowners feel the full weight of their personal investment in their home, so homeowners insurance usually continues despite the state of ownership.

The lender’s minimum insurance level should, in the event that the home is destroyed, pay off the existing loan. However for most homeowners the loan is not the limit of the home’s value or the extent of their personal investment (equity). Home policies don’t cover market value- that included the land and intangible valuations like ‘style.’  Called Dwelling coverage, home policies start with determining the cost of replacing the house if it is destroyed and covers repairs for damages caused by specific risks. Detached garages and other structures on the property are usually included up to 10% of the dwelling total, though higher coverage is available. Covered events frequently include wind, hail, lightning, fire, ice, explosion, criminal human acts, falling objects, crashing aircraft or vehicles, and volcanic eruption. Additional coverage for flood, earthquake, and other unnamed risks may be purchased separately.

After the house structure, homeowner’s insurance covers property contained in the home or on the Property. Property coverage is calculated as a percentage (frequently 50%-70%) of the dwelling coverage to replace lost, damaged, or stolen stuff. A home inventory is a valuable and frequently neglected took for determining the correct amount of property coverage and for proving later claims. Each property policy will specify the limits for how much it will pay for types of property with or without proof of value.  A good home inventory is a list of stuff in your home and how much each item is worth. Including photos, receipts, appraisals, and other proof of ownership can establish value and provide crucial support for filing claims. Significant items, like expensive jewelry, technology, or antiques, can be listed on policy (called a scheduled endorsement) for specific coverage.

The three ‘human interaction’ aspects of a homeowner’s policy are Loss of Use, Liability, and MedPay.  Loss of Use helps cover personal living expenses during repair; Liability covers possible lawsuits against you, your family, or your pets for damage or injury on or around your property; and MedPay covers medical treatment for injuries sustained on your property. Each type of coverage will carry specific limits and exclusions and each can be increased or expanded if needed.

Determining the correct levels of homeowner’s insurance can be complicated. Make your insurance provider go over each aspect with you to make sure you have the coverage you need, and the coverage you want, to protect your home.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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7 Ways to Negotiate Lower Medical Bills

January 20th, 2012

Medical costs are skyrocketing and a growing number of people are finding themselves buried under mounds of medical debt. If you are one of those people facing medical bills that you cannot afford, there are some negotiation strategies that you can use to lower your medical bills significantly.

Be proactive. If you are having a planned procedure or treatment, start negotiating in advance.  Work with each doctor and facility to get the best rates before the service. Asking for discounts and exploring rates, advocates, charities, and other assistance, and offering to pay when the service occurs, or pay in cash, can cut your bill before it is written.

For a bill in the mail, do not wait to act on it. Do not waste your time calling the doctor’s office receptionist, as they are not likely to be able to help you. Contact the billing office or patient advocate right away to discuss your bill. It is important to be calm and kind to whomever you are speaking to on the phone. Even if you are upset, you will always be more positively received when you treat people with respect.

Once you have someone on the phone, ask him or her to go through the bill with you line by line. Ask them if there are any alternative rates for the services that you received and verify that each line item was charged to you properly. The date of service should be verified also to be certain that the bill is accurate and the services that you are being charged for were necessary and actually performed.

When the line items have been verified and any alternative rates explored, ask if you can get the Medicare rate. Insurance companies negotiate their own rates with providers. Medicare rates could possibly lower the rates you are being charged if you are not already receiving them.

After you have gone through the bill line by line, if you have managed to negotiate a better price, ask for an updated bill that reflects the negotiated amount. If you do not get it in writing, you run the risk of having to begin the negotiation process again.

If you are in a position to pay the bill in full immediately, ask for a discount. Make sure that you negotiate the bill as low as you can first, and then offer to pay immediately if they can offer you a discount. In exchange for not having to manage your account, or spend the time and effort in billing and collection, you may be able to shave a decent percentage off of your bill. Even when you can’t pay upfront, try cash.  Paying in cash saves processing time and fees, and those savings can be passed on to you.

After exhausting every option, if you cannot afford the payments, talk to the billing representative about payment plans.  Don’t turn medical bills into credit card debt. Calmly explain what you can pay and when you can pay it. Don’t agree to payments too high for you and risk defaulting. Show your willingness to pay your bills in reasonable installments, and then follow through by paying each one on time. Missing a payment can ruin any discount or payment plan you negotiate and wreck your credit.

Remember that this process of negotiation may not work for every medical bill, every time, but if you are persistent and maintain control; you can save a lot of money on your medical bills.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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Insurance Defined: Income and Value of Life Insurance

January 16th, 2012

A life insurance policy is written to cover a person’s financial contribution when they die. To do this, each policy must, in effect, place a numerical value on the person’s life. Policy coverage amounts are calculated based on the income or monetary value the insured person is projected to generate in their life, and the benefit is paid to replace the funds that person would have produced, or provide a monetary replacement for the services that person supplied. It is not emotional; there is no real way to make up for losing someone you care about. This numerical value is strictly a matter of how that person’s presence affects the financial balance and how to mitigate the financial impact the person’s death will have.

Calculating the correct life insurance amount isn’t very tricky, but it does take some care and attention to detail. While picking a huge number might sound good, (after all, aren’t you worth that much, and don’t you want your loved ones to have that money?) this can lead to excessive premiums and fees, which could become problematic when the budget gets tight. Likewise, a random number might potentially fail to cover the financial concerns you leave behind. Properly calculating your personal life insurance needs will help you select the best policy for your situation.

Begin by determining your annual financial contribution and how many years that contribution will need to be replaced. The ‘years’ in question may vary: some people might want to calculate based on their projected work-life (years until retirement), while others might focus on particular milestones, such as when their youngest child finishes high school or college. Financial contributions could be calculated as straight salary, but some people might want to consider the value of the benefits, such as health insurance, that accompany it.  Once you determine the contribution and amount of time, multiply them together. For a person bringing in a value of $50K a year wanting to replace that income for 20 years, the base amount of coverage becomes $1 million.

After calculating the base amount, you should balance your assets and debts. Add all of your assets, from savings, investments, 401Ks, and pension, to property that could be sold in an emergency. Then add your debts such as outstanding loans, mortgages, and credit card debt. You should also include projected future debts, such as the cost of a funeral (about $8K-$10K), medical bills, taxes, and major obligations that you intend to cover in your life (such as a child’s college tuition or wedding).  Subtract the combined asset amount from the combined debt. If assets are higher, this can allow you to lessen your base coverage. If debts are higher, this may prompt you to increase your coverage.

Once you know how much coverage you want, you should shop around. Policies can different have benefits, exclusions, or requirements, and premiums might vary. You can look for a single policy that serves all of your needs, or combine multiple policies to create a comprehensive benefit plan. The final part of life insurance calculation is up to the insurer. They will calculate your risks against the coverage you want to determine premiums and other policy items. Always read and understand your policy contract before signing. There are many professional services available, both privately and through state government, to help you gain understanding so that you can select the best coverage.

In our next post, we will continue discussing life insurance and how value is calculated for a stay-at-home spouse.

Find out How to Get Your Insurance License here.

About The Author: Rose Newport Johnson is Vice President of Insurance License Express, a division of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996, Express Schools has offered online insurance licensing courses and online real estate courses, as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance license exam prep.

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