KCAL Insurance Agency

LIMRA study reveals untapped life insurance market

According to a recently released study by LIMRA, just 39 percent of households recall having an opportunity to buy life insurance in the last two years. The phenomenon is especially true for single people, with only 26 percent recalling an opportunity to buy coverage. A previous LIMRA study showed one-third of single had no life insurance coverage at all. Among single

Posted Date :2012-02-03

Friends drive teen drivers to distraction

Teen drivers are known to be more likely to crash if they have a bunch of friends in the car. Now, this has been proven by two studies how those passengers can lead them to drive unsafely. In those situations, teens were most likely to consider themselves "thrill-seekers." Also, teen drivers with teen passengers were more likely to be distracted just before a crash, c

Posted Date :2012-02-02

華興保險舉辦「中小企業雇主座談會」

時間：02月24日

地點：San Gabriel Hilton (225 West Valley Blvd San Gabriel CA 91776)

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Posted Date :2012-02-01

Make a plan for evacuating your pets before disaster

Experts suggest the following steps to take for pet owners when natural disaster happens: 1. Create a pet-friends evacuation plan. Identify friend of yours or hotels can accommodate your pet. 2. Make an emergency kit. Make sure you have include seven days'worth of water and food supplies, medication supplies and pet medical records. 3. Provide proof of identity.

Posted Date :2012-01-31

Average age of U.S. cars hits record high

According to Polk, the average age of U.S. cars reached 10.8 in 2011 showing a slight increase from 10.6 in 2010. This report is based on an analysis of national vehicle registration data. Passenger cars'volume in operation is slightly smaller than light trucks, including pickups and SUVs. Since dropping collision and comprehensive lowers car insurance rates, it makes

Posted Date :2012-01-27

U.S. teen pregnancy rate remains highest in developed world

According to data released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen pregnancy rates in the United has the highest rate among all developed countries. The most recent controversy originated from the federal government's refusal to allow emergency contraceptive pills to be sold over-the-counter to girls age 16 and younger. The report shows that half of

Posted Date :2012-01-26

U.S. says 28 states took steps on health insurance exchanges

According to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services, 28 states have already been on the way to establish insurance exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Among the 28 states, 14 have enacted legislation or already have the authority to set up the regulated insurance markets. Although the uncertainty about the law's future make

Posted Date :2012-01-25

Secret ways insurance companies fight claims fraud

According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF), insurance fraud is an $80-billion-a-year crime, costing the average American family about $950 annually in excess insurance premiums. Insurers are fighting back in a variety of ways to spot and reduce fraud. The first tactic use is Cross-checks. Commonalities are usually red flags for potential fraud. The seco

Posted Date :2012-01-19

Employers paying a bit more in workers' compensation premiums

Employers in California are facing a higher premium rates for workers'compensation insurance. The current new rates, according to the top 100 companies, have already increased by an average of 2.8% in January. Such hike imposes an impact on most companies and organizations required by law to purchase the workers'compensation to cover expenses incurred due to injuries

Posted Date :2012-01-18

Rising home insurance rates point to climate change

NPR reported Monday that home insurance premiums are going up across the board in response to the record number of tornadoes, floods, fires, blizzards and other heavy weather that hit the country in 2011. The president of the Insurance Information Institute says the weather caused about $35 billion of insured damages last year in the U.S. in events that caused a total

Posted Date :2012-01-17

Insurance companies send less junk mail

According to recent data from Mintel Comperemedia, a Chicago-based firm, insurance companies sent less direct-marketing mail during the first three quarters of 2011 than in the same period in 2010. Direct-mail volume from health insurance companies, property and casualty companies, and life insurance companies to consumers during the third quarter was down 7 percent,

Posted Date :2012-01-16

Insurance companies send less junk mail

Aetna is offering four of its online wellness products to the general public through Best Buy retail stores in the Chicago area. The "My Resources for Living Well" product line, originally developed for Aetna members, feature online modules focused on fitness, weight management, smoking cessation and stress management. Each 12-week program sells for $19.99 and includ

Posted Date :2012-01-15

Cost biggest factor for delaying dental care

According to a new Consumer Reports survey,the cost of dental care is the biggest reason consumers delay going to the dentist. Among those who had a dental procedure for health reasons, 17 percent said they had delayed it. Even those with insurance reported delaying procedures; 23 percent did so because insurance wouldn't cover the procedure, and 24 percent delayed be

Posted Date :2012-01-14

Insurance study: Women are better drivers than men

Women are less likely than men to cause auto accidents. Statistics also reveal that men were involved in 6.1 million car accidents while women were involved in 4.4 million in 2007. Also, male drivers outnumber females 3 to 1 for DUI violations. However, in crashes of equal severity, females are more likely than males to be killed or injured.

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Posted Date :2012-01-13

Allstate to hike homeowner insurance rates up to 10 percent

Allstate insurance company said on Wednesday that Homeowners insured with Allstate Corp. will soon be hit with rate increases from 4 percent to 10 percent annually, which translates into monthly increases of $4 to $9, effective March 26. The rate hike is due to increased claims for water, wind and hail damage.

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Posted Date :2012-01-12

How to do a 'needs analysis' before you buy life insurance

When buying life insurance, don't choose a policy before you understand the financial needs of your beneficiaries. A new study by the international insurance consulting group LIMRA finds that people are 1.5 times more likely to buy life insurance if they first do a needs analysis. Before you buy any life insurance, please analyze current and future expenses，wha

Posted Date :2012-01-11

Study: 9.3 million adults lost health insurance during recession

According to a new study by researchers at Cornell, Indiana and Carnegie Mellon universities, an estimated 9.3 million American adults lost health insurance coverage during the recession. The study found that roughly nine times as many American adults lost health insurance during the 2007 to 2009 recession as in the previous recession of 2001. Researchers also estimat

Posted Date :2012-01-10

Study: Customers want contact from their insurance agent

According to new research from the PIA Partnership, most customers want to hear from their insurance agents or companies. PIA Partnership is a group of insurance companies that work with PIA, a national trade association of insurance agents. According to online surveys conducted by the partnership: 81 percent of customers want to be contacted when the agent or company

Posted Date :2012-01-09

Health insurance linked with healthier habits

According to an analysis based on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Americans who have health insurance are more likely to exercise and eat better and less likely to smoke than those who are uninsured. The index tracks well-being in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany and is based on 200,000 interviews of 18- to 64-year-olds conducted in the first 10 m

Posted Date :2012-01-08

Busy season creates delay in unemployment and insurance payments

The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation discovered that a computer error is causing issues processing claims for benefits for this week. The Department traditionally receives a greater number of calls than usual, during this post-holiday season, which is further causing delays for callers accessing the telephone claims system. The Unemployment Insura

Posted Date :2012-01-07

Tax guides for long-term care insurance available

Two new guides explaining 2012 tax-deduction limits and regulations for long-term care insurance are available through the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.　According to "The Guide to Tax-Qualified Long-Term Care Protection," each individual may be able to deduct as much as $4,370 of the cost of long-term care insurance premiums in 2012.Long-te

Posted Date :2012-01-06

California tweaks low-cost car insurance program

California recently made its low-cost auto insurance program more convenient for consumers by authorizing participating insurance agents to print valid new temporary proof of insurance card at offices. The change eliminates the two-week wait for mailed proof of insurance cards. The program also launched a texting feature to make purchasing a policy easier. When consum

Posted Date :2012-01-05

Study: Private insurance companies could play flood insurance role

According to a new study by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, private insurance companies could play an important role in providing flood insurance and offering lower rates in some instances than those charged by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The report shows there are certain areas where average NFIP premiums are too high and other

Posted Date :2012-01-04

California adds patients to health insurance rolls

California now ranks second only to Pennsylvania with the highest number of enrollees in the temporary insurance plan. Despite a slow start, California's push to extend health coverage to those with preexisting medical conditions has enrolled more than 6,000 patients. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens who have been uninsured for six months and have been

Posted Date :2012-01-03

Insurance among most complicated industries

According to Siegel+Gale's second annual Global Brand Simplicity Index, which ranks industries and brands on simplicity, American consumers consider general insurance and health insurance among the most complicated industries. Online retail ranked as the simplest industry. General insurance was near the bottom, and health insurance was dead last on the list of 25 indu

Posted Date :2012-01-02

More Health Clinics Pop Up Inside Retailers

According to a new report, the growth of health clinics inside retail stores rebounded in 2011 and is poised for a "second spring" this year, driven by well-capitalized retailers and grocers. According to a report by Thomas Charland, chief executive of Merchant Medicine, which tracks the growth of retail medical care services, the number of retail clinics jumped 11.2

Posted Date :2012-01-01

CoreLogic: 2011 a big year for natural disasters

2011 was the most expensive U.S. hurricane season since 2008, and the U.S. tornado season was the third most active since 1980, according to a new report by CoreLogic, an analytics company. Property, casualty and commercial insurance companies are starting to re-evaluate risk for tornado damage beyond the traditional geographic areas known for the storms, CoreLogic sa

Posted Date :2011-12-30

Pet insurance: A good deal? Or a rip off?

A recent survey by the Associated Press found that a significant number of pet owners (41 percent) are extremely or somewhat worried they could not afford the medical bills for a sick cat or dog. Buying pet insurance is both an economic and emotional decision that need to be based on your personal financial situation and what you're willing to pay for peace of mind. P

Posted Date :2011-12-29

Car insurance injury claim costs rise

According to a new report by the Insurance research Council, Car insurance injury claim costs have increased nationwide. The cost of personal injury protection claims per insured vehicle rose more than 18 percent from 2008 to 2010.Two trends are driving up costs. First, people are filing bigger injury claims. Second, the total number of PIP claims filed, which had dec

Posted Date :2011-12-28

States to get more flexibility in health insurance plan design

The Obama administration says it will give states more flexibility in determining which benefits must be included in health insurance plans offered to individuals and small groups in 2014.Under the Department of Health and Human Services' proposed approach, states would have the flexibility to select an existing health plan to set the "benchmark" for the items and ser

Posted Date :2011-12-26

Feds push for nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is asking all 50 states and the District of Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices for all drivers. More than 3,000 people have died in the last year in distraction-related accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Posted Date :2011-11-22

Hybrid cars safer than gas cars, but not for pedestrians

According to an industry research, hybrid cars are safer for owners and passengers, but more dangerous for pedestrians. Hybrid cars are safer for owner and passengers because the odds of injury in a crash in a hybrid car are 25 percent lower than in conventional cars. A hybrid car has the advantage of higher weight which allows it to push the lighter one backward on i

Posted Date :2011-11-21

Family health care premiums exceed 20% of income

From 2003 to 2010, the family health insurance premiums in California have grown up by 52%. Now the total exceeds 20% of income per family. By 2010, the premiums jumped from an average of $9,019 in 2003 to $13,819. Report also found that the annual amount employees pay toward their health insurance policies increased by an average of 68% during this period.

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Posted Date :2011-11-20

New York orders 11 health insurance companies to refund $114.5 million

Under New York state law, health insurance companies must spend 82 cents of every dollar collected in premiums on providing medical care. 11 health insurance companies in New York state are ordered to refund $114.5 million to 573,748 policyholders who were overcharged for premiums in 2010. Refunds have already been made to health insurance policyholders in the small

Posted Date :2011-11-18

Study: Consumers in denial about long-term care needs

A recent survey conducted by the 3in4 Association disclosed some facts regarding the use of long-term care insurance. Study found that 82 percent of people in the age of 45 to 64 have not purchased a long-term care health insurance policy, even through a majority of them think it important. Long-term care service is a section not entirely covered by health insurance o

Posted Date :2011-11-17

California shifts unemployment insurance payments to debit cards

The Employment Development Department that runs the unemployment and disability insurance programs announced that it's completed the process of issuing 1.8 million debit cards to people receiving benefits. Since December of 2010, the agency has paid out $3.7 billion in benefits for the disability and unemployment insurance programs. The cards can be used to draw cash

Posted Date :2011-11-16

The Importance of Disability Insurance Coverage

Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income if you are unable to work because of injury or illness. When you review your employer's disability benefit, here is what to consider： Check both short term and long term. Find out how much of your income will be replaced under the terms of your group disability insurance. Disability payments from coverage

Posted Date :2011-11-15

Poll: Smokers, obese people should pay more for health insurance

According to a Thomson Reuters-National Public Radio poll, almost one-third of Americans think overweight and obese people should pay more for their health insurance, and more than half believe smokers should pay higher premiums, When asked about factors driving up health care costs, respondents named smoking (28.5 percent), obesity (27.6 percent) and stress (25.2 per

Posted Date :2011-11-14

Consumers unaware they can buy life insurance from car and home insurance companies

According to a new study by LIMRA, only 48 percent of consumers know they can buy life insurance from companies that sell other types of coverage, such as home and car insurance, even though 95 percent of the companies represented in the survey offer life insurance. In addition, 87 percent of consumers said they had never spoken to a multi-line agent about life insura

Posted Date :2011-11-13

Your lying, cheating ways: 5 biggest car insurance customer lies revealed

Insurance company might be the last person you would like to inform when any changes happen to your household. When an accident occurs, insurance companies no doubt will investigate, if they find that any critical change is not updated, they might refuse to cover the lost or simply cancel the policy at renewal time. Here are five of the mot common lies people tell the

Posted Date :2011-11-11

Is your dog a backseat driver?

A recent survey conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Kurgo, a pet-travel product manufacturer, found no amount of auto insurance can offset the threat posed by unrestrained dogs in cars. The most common dog-related distraction identified by the survey was petting animals while driving. Fifty-two percent of the participants admitted to having done

Posted Date :2011-11-10

Breast cancer survivors are getting better access to life insurance

It is easier for women with a history of breast cancer to buy life insurance now. Not only can they qualify for coverage, but they can also get better rates and apply sooner after treatment than in previous years. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) announced changes to its underwriting guidelines for women who've had breast cancer, resulting in bette

Posted Date :2011-11-09

GEICO launches insurance Facebook app

GEICO has launched a Facebook application which is called"GEICO Shortcuts"that lets policyholders access pay their bills, retrieve identification cards to save or print, and view special discount offers through the company's Privileges program. The insurance company has released several mobile apps this year. Others include the GEICO Guinea Pig Getaway, the GEICO BroS

Posted Date :2011-11-08

Survey: Public-sector employers want to cut employee benefit costs

Most public-sector employers want to cut employee benefit program costs，according to a new survey by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co.. Among public-sector human resources managers, 80 percent said their organizations were exploring ways to reduce employee benefits plan costs. More than half, 58 percent, said controlling costs is the benefit program's top

Posted Date :2011-11-07

P/C Market to See Only Moderate Changes in Rates in 2012: Willis

Property/casualty insurance rates will continue to be flat to with some slight increases or decreases. Some exceptions to that trend include catastrophe-exposed property programs and employee benefits, which are experiencing notable price increases. Willis sees the stability of the current insurance marketplace as a indicator of potentially explosive growth that the i

Posted Date :2011-11-06

Posted Date :2011-11-05

Social media changes the insurance business

A report based on third-quarter interviews with 15 North American insurance industry executives showed that although insurance companies see the marketing potential of social media, many have yet to focus on its possibilities for changing how claims are processed. Consumers today are more influenced by friends and strangers through social media than by marketing and a

Posted Date :2011-11-04

Blue Shield Opens First Retail Health Insurance Store in California

Blue Shield of California has taken the bold step of opening the first retail health insurance store in San Francisco. The 500-square-foot store will open on Nov.7 within a Lucky supermarket store in SF. The store will provide consumers with wellness assessments, wellness education, service and information on plans and claims. As for why choose a grocery store, nearly

Posted Date :2011-11-03

Vision Care Insurance: Do you really need it ?

Deciding whether to purchase vision care insurance or not can be tricky. A number of factors you need to know to make sure you're getting a product that will be valuable to you. Get your hands on a copy of the plan benefits and read it thoroughly. It's better to find out what products and services are covered, how much coverage is provided and what expenses are exclud

Posted Date :2011-11-02

Should You Pass on Buying Burial Insurance?

Usually completed with simplified underwriting, burial policy applicants will have to answer a few basic questions about their health but will not be subject to a medical exam. Waiving the medical exam means almost anyone can qualify and therefore drives up the cost of burial. However, simplified underwriting doesn't mean a burial policy is a sure thing. Applicants ca

Posted Date :2011-11-01

Scary insurance claims: Are Halloween tricks covered?

Trick-or-treaters aren't the only thing you have to contend with on Halloween. Mischievous acts and vandalism are common during this time of year, which means your personal property could be at risk. For home and automobile owners, taking precautionary measures to safeguard your property can reduce the chances of falling victim to Halloween high jinks. If you won't be

Posted Date :2011-10-31

Should smokers and fat people pay more for health care?

Smokers and fat Americans could soon be paying a lot more for their health care. One recent survey shows the use of penalties is expected to climb next year. That's up from 19% this year and only 8% in 2009. Penalties include higher insurance premiums and deductibles for those who aren't participating in the company's health programs and those engaged in risky health

Posted Date :2011-10-30

California gets OK for large cuts to Medi-Cal

California state government plans to reduce Medi-Cal rates by 10%，the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday. The Obama administration will allow California to cut Medi-Cal reimbursement, which makes it harder for the poor to get medical treatment. The cuts will have a real impact on Medi-Cal patients because fewer doctors will be willing

Posted Date :2011-10-28

CMS ask feds to review Medi-Cal rates

The California Medical Association is asking federal Medicaid authorities to review whether the state pays enough to guarantee adequate access to care for patients who rely on the Medi-Cal program. A 2008 review of Medicaid payment rates shows that California ranks last in the nation, spending about $3,367 per beneficiary. The nationwide average is $5,342, according t

Posted Date :2011-10-27

Affordable Employer Health Insurance Options: eHealthInsurance Releases Open Enrollment Tips for Sma

Open enrollment is the time when businesses ask employees to make health insurance choices and other benefit selections for the coming year. Many small businesses will offer open enrollment for the 2012 benefit year between October and December 2011. EHealthInsurance provides the following top seven open enrollment tips for small businesses: 1.Educate your employees a

Posted Date :2011-10-26

Insurers, employers offer incentives to promote healthful habits

Growing numbers of employers and insurance companies, struck by continued healthcare costs, are offering employees inducements to lead healthier lives. Advocates of the approach believe that preventive action will keep workers productive and hold down healthcare bills for expensive diseases like cancer and diabetes. Economists say it's too soon to tell whether rewards

Posted Date :2011-10-25

The health insurance plight of part-time workers

The Nation's largest private employer, Wal-Mart, announced last Friday that it would end the part-time workers health benefits which started since 1996 and would not offer it to new part-time employees. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, only 16 percent of employers offer health insurance to part-timers, and 42 percent among large employers. Part-time employees ar

Posted Date :2011-10-24

Teen crash risk sky high in first month of unsupervised driving

According to a study from AAA Foundation, teen drivers are about 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of driving on their own than after the first year behind the wheel. In analyzing new driver crash data in North Carolina, researchers found that three mistakes accounted for 57 percent of all crashes：failure to slow down, inattention and failure t

Posted Date :2011-10-23

New worksite health stations let employees connect virtually with doctors

Aetna has introduced new computerized worksite health stations that let employees check their blood pressure, look up health and wellness information, and consult doctors through video or voice connections. Aetna is making the stations available for lease to self-insured employers. The cost of a video consultation through the health station is $35 or less. Co-pays, de

Posted Date :2011-10-22

Best Age to Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?

Researches from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance show that the 45-to-54 demographic accounts for more than 1 in 5 long-term care policies, while those 55 to 64 make up more than half. Cost projections from Cornerstone Wealth Management proclaimed that adding long-term care to your portfolio at a younger age increases the value. Also, the younger,

Posted Date :2011-10-21

California Home Insurance Rates Up 6.5 Percent Since Same Time Last Year

HomeownersInsurance.com reported that average premiums on new homeowners policies sold in California were around $770 in May 2011. This was a 6.5 percent increase from May 2010. The overall cost of hazard insurance or California homeowners is affected by the frequency of specific hazards in the area. Since earthquake damage is not covered by a standard homeowners poli

Posted Date :2011-10-20

Michigan Democrats oppose auto insurance changes

Michigan now is the only state that mandates uncapped medical benefit coverage for people seriously injured in auto accidents. A new proposal in consideration would instead let motorists choose among $500,000, $1 million or $5 million in personal injury protection coverage. Although Republicans support the proposed changes, saying that it would offer choices and lower

Posted Date :2011-10-19

New Insurance Hotline to Aid Consumers

Consumers in Illinois can now get unbiased information about a wide range of insurance topics from a statewide toll-free hotline. The hotline offers information to help customers make decisions about insurance issues and does not sell insurance or recommend specific companies. Customers can call 1-800-444-3338 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

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Posted Date :2011-10-18

Most baby boomers baffled by Medicare plans

Over the next 20 years, an average of 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. According to a new survey released by the National Council on Aging and United Healthcare,more than half of Americans age 60 and over find Medicare confusing or don't understand it at all. It also showed seniors have a poor understanding of changes to Medicar

Posted Date :2011-10-17

Insurance companies look at social media accounts to fight fraud

The insurance information institute says absolutely some companies monitor people's social media pages, mostly to find potential fraud. Insurance companies could use what you post to raise your premium or deny your claim. Depending on your privacy settings, they could see every tweet, Facebook photo or Myspace update.

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Posted Date :2011-09-28

Title fees are hard to swallow when refinancing mortgage

Mortgage rates are at the lowest levels in decades. The average for a 30-year fixed loan has fallen to 4.09%. The average 15-year rate has dropped to 3.30%. Most experts say a refi makes sense when rates drop at least 1 percentage point below what a homeowner is currently paying. That means many people who refinanced last year could be in the market once again for a c

Posted Date :2011-09-16

Expats in China to pay social insurance from Oct 15

From Oct 15, foreigners working in China will be required to pay social insurance, making them eligible for benefits. Currently, foreign workers are covered by commercial insurance purchased by themselves or their employers. The system may benefit those without coverage and who are willing to be treated in the mainland's health-care system. There were concerns that th

Posted Date :2011-09-15

Young Adults' New Dilemma: Stay on Parents' Health Insurance Policy?

Under the Affordable Care Act, signed into law March 2010, young adults under age 26 now have the choice to stay on their parents'plan, buy an individual policy or be covered by their employer. For healthy, non-smoking, young adults, health insurance experts claim it might be cheaper to get out from under a parent's plan in some states. For unemployed young adults,

Posted Date :2011-09-14

Posted Date :2011-09-12

Irene insurance losses estimated at $5.5B

Hurricane Irene, which struck the East Coast late last month, could cost insurers up to $5.5 billion, according to the latest estimate from a disaster-modeling company，Risk Management Solutions Inc.. They said Irene caused insured losses of $2 billion to $4.5 billion in the U.S. and $500 million to $1 billion in the Caribbean.

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Posted Date :2011-08-02

Cancer disparities exist despite good insurance

Despite having equal access to health care through military health insurance, black women with breast cancer are less likely than white women to receive certain aggressive treatments, according to the findings of a new study. Black and white women were equally likely to have either a breast-removing surgery. However, black women who had tumors that had spread beyond t

Posted Date :2011-08-01

Petplan Pet Insurance Provides Travel Tips to Keep Fido and Fluffy Feeling Fine

Traveling with pets has become increasingly common - 18 percent of U.S. travelers now usually take their pets with them on trips, according to the U.S. Travel Association. If you decide to travel with your furry companion, Petplan offers these additional tips for a safer and easier trip: 1.Use the vet finder at http://www.gopetplan.com/find-a-vet to scope out local ve

Posted Date :2011-07-31

U.S. hopes states to move soon on insurance exchanges

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month proposed the first wave of regulations for health insurance exchanges. The proposal offered states hybrid solution of collaborating with the HHS in setting up these insurance marketplaces as an alternative to entirely doing it themselves or leaving the responsibility to the federal government. So far

Posted Date :2011-07-30

How Travel Insurance Covers Terrorism

Given the recent terror alert, Americans traveling overseas should understand how travel insurance can protect them against terrorism, advises Squaremouth.com. Policies that specifically mention terrorism will usually reimburse non-refundable trip costs if a traveler cancels or interrupts a trip because of an attack. In most cases though, a travel insurance policy wou

Posted Date :2011-07-29

Life Insurance Purchasing Habits Changing as One in Four Consumers Now Prefer to Buy Direct

A new study finds that Americans' preferences for purchasing life insurance are shifting towards direct buying methods. While two thirds of still prefer to buy life insurance from an insurance or financial professional, that number is down from 1996, when 80 percent) preferred to buy the product face-to-face. Today, more than one in four adults prefer to purchase lif

Posted Date :2011-07-28

New York life insurance companies directed to find and pay beneficiaries

New York is cracking down on life insurance companies, requiring that they try harder to find and pay beneficiaries when policyholders die. When someone dies after they buy life insurance, his or her beneficiaries are responsible for claiming the benefits. But often they don't even know they are entitled to life policy benefits, or don't know which company holds the p

Posted Date :2011-07-27

Ways to Lower Your Health Insurance

Health insurance is a must to hedge against an emergency medical need, but for some it's a struggle to pay premiums. Here are a few ways to trim your health costs. 1.Stay healthy with exercise and diet. As you take action to control your health and prevent sickness -- such as quitting smoking or losing weight -- your health costs may decrease. You can also check with

Posted Date :2011-07-26

Aunt's nursing home hinders exit

My aunt is in a nursing home. They tell us she isn't allowed to leave unless she gets the doctor's permission. If she does, she has to sign a statement saying she doesn't hold them liable and will lose all her healthcare coverage. She is on Medicare. Can you help?
No doctor or any other healthcare provider has the authority to strip you of your health insurance

Posted Date :2011-07-25

You've got the wrong home insurance!

Homeowners in disaster-prone areas of the U.S. increasingly are dealing with nightmare home insurance scenarios. Many homeowners who thought they were fully insured are discovering that the replacement-cost policies they bought are dramatically insufficient to replace or rebuild their homes. As a result, scores of underinsured homeowners face potential losses of ten

Posted Date :2011-07-24

KCAL INSURANCE URGENT CENTER LIST

URGENT CENTER 1:Allied Physicians IPA

ALHAMBRA

925 S.GARFIELD AVE ALHAMBRA, CA 91801

626-282-8093

MON-FRI 6PM-9PM SAT 9AM-3PM

ALHAMBRA

1668 S.GARFIELD AVE, 2ND FL ALHAMBRA, CA 91801

626-943-6183

MON-FRI 9PM-5PM

HACIENDA HEIGHTS

17170 COLIMA RD.#D HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA 91745

626-581-8810

MON-FRI 5

Posted Date :2011-07-23

Small Violations With a Big Impact on Car Insurance Costs

Car insurance rates can be a mysterious thing. Each insurance company uses its own formula to decide how much to charge you for coverage. The major violations such as DUIs and speeding tickets cause insurance rates to soar. But other, seemingly smaller violations also can make it more difficult to get cheap car insurance. The following are violations that are likely t

Posted Date :2011-07-22

California's Low-Cost Car Insurance Option

Adding car insurance is may be a lot more affordable than you realize. California drivers are required to carry a basic insurance policy, but some four million drivers still take to the roads without coverage. The State is now offering an alternative for good drivers that costs less than $400 a-year. The policies do not provide full coverage, but do provide enough to

Posted Date :2011-07-21

If Your Child is Headed off to College, Remember to Study the Insurance Implications

The parents of college students moving to on-campus or off-campus housing should review their insurance policies to make sure their children's personal possessions are covered while they are away at school, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Before a child heads off to college recommends taking the following steps: 1. Create a 'dorm inventor

Posted Date :2011-07-20

Expanded coverage of contraceptives urged by experts

An independent panel of doctors and health experts Tuesday recommended that health plans cover contraceptives for women without co-pays, setting the stage for another debate over the impact of the healthcare overhaul President Obama signed last year. Many experts see preventing unwanted pregnancies as critical to women's and babies'health, as women with unwanted pregn

Posted Date :2011-07-19

Insurance Coverage for Your College Student

If your kid is going to college, your homeowners insurance will generally cover his living in a dorm. The kid 'll have the same liability limits as if he were in your home, but the coverage for his belongings may be limited to 10% of your total possessions coverage (the rules vary by insurer). Many homeowners insurance policies cover possessions up to 70% of the home-

Posted Date :2011-07-18

Federal Auditors Will Soon Review Health Insurance Rates in 10 States

The Obama administration will soon take over the review of health insurance rates in 10 states because state officials do not adequately regulate premiums for insurance sold to individuals or small businesses. Starting Sept. 1, federal and state officials will begin to scrutinize proposed rate increases of more than 10 percent to determine if they are justified. Seven

Posted Date :2011-07-17

Insurance covers diagnosis, treatment of most sleep problems

The diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders have come a long way in recent years. Insurance usually covers the diagnosis and treatment of sleep problems, with some exceptions. For example, snoring on its own is not a medical problem and insurance won't cover its treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs in at least 2 to 4 percent of Americans is another matt

Posted Date :2011-07-15

Over 50s Struggling To Get Travel Insurance, Lloyds TSB Discovers

Getting older is no longer a barrier to traveling the world, however over a quarter (26%) of adults aged 50 and over going on holiday are struggling to get adequate travel insurance for various reasons, says research from Lloyds TSB. The research reveals how the main cause for holiday makers aged fifty and over being refused cover is an existing illness or injury, ris

Posted Date :2011-07-13

Health officials ease requirements for states' insurance exchanges

The Obama administration moved Monday to ease some requirements on states to help them set up new insurance exchanges in 2014. In a nod to this resistance, the Obama administration proposed regulations that will give states wide latitude in deciding how to regulate insurance companies that sell plans in their exchanges.Under the new rules, some states may exercise rel

Posted Date :2011-07-12

Medicare guidance is here

People have long complained that doctors have either dropped out of the program or are no longer accepting new Medicare patients into their practice. If you're having a hard time finding a doctor who accepts Medicare, there are resources available to help you. For starters, check out the Physician Compare tool on Medicare.gov by going to the "Facilities and Doctors" t

Posted Date :2011-07-11

Insurance Key to Health for Poor Americans

A National Bureau of Economic Research study has confirmed it: When you give poor people access to health insurance, they end up happier and healthier. Because people without health insurance tend to be poorer, it's hard to say whether their relatively poor health is due strictly to health insurance access or if other factors associated with poverty are to blame. The

Posted Date :2011-07-08

Adults with Medicaid feel healthier than those with no insurance, a unique study finds

Adults with Medicaid use more medical services, have less financial stress related to health and, overall, feel healthier than those without insurance. So says a first-of-its-kind study on the effectiveness of the government insurance plan. The findings make intuitive sense, yet the study is the first to directly compare similar adults with Medicaid and with no insura

Posted Date :2011-07-07

Same-Sex Spouses in New York Will Get Heatlh Insurance

According to the state insurance department, an employer that provides coverage to spouses must now also extend that coverage to same-sex spouses who were legally married in New York. New York recently became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Couples that marry will gain a variety of other legal and financial benefits as well, but the ability to add a spo

Posted Date :2011-07-05

About Real Estate: Some household possessions need extra insurance coverage

A standard homeowner's insurance policy covers items such as jewelry and antiques, but additional protection may be needed if the items are unusually valuable. But coverage for most personal possessions typically is limited to no more than 50 percent or 75 percent of the coverage you have arranged to repair or rebuild the dwelling itself. Figure on adding at least a b

Posted Date :2011-07-03

1.5 Million Californians to See July 1 Health Insurance Premium Increases, Some as High as 92.5%

More than 1,500,000 Californians will face health insurance premium increases on July 1 averaging 3% to 17.4%, according to state filings. California insurance regulators need the power to protect consumers and deny such steep rate increases when they are found to be excessive or unjustified. The bill will be heard in the California State Senate Health Committee Wedne

Posted Date :2011-07-02

As Risks Rise, Currency Insurance Could Gain Favor

If the political situation were to get chaotic，companies would consider a type of political-risk insurance that protects against governmental exchange-rate barriers. Banks and businesses often buy currency-inconvertibility coverage to guarantee that a project they are funding in an emerging country will continue to pay back its loans in the agreed-upon currenc

Posted Date :2011-07-01

Govt. Wants 'Mystery Shoppers' to Probe Docs About the Ease in Getting an Appointment

Some research has found that as many as 60 million Americans can't get primary care physicians, the federal government wants to use 'Mystery Shoppers' to investigate if primary care physicians are rejecting new patients depending on insurance type they have. Staff from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation will call 4,185 primary care phys

Posted Date :2011-06-30

Today's homeowners face a world of modern concerns

Homeowners today present a host of challenges that previous generations never concerned about. Owning a home brings a rising potential for extreme weather and toxic building materials to fear about. Insurance companies have been paying out record amounts for claims related to extreme weather like storms and tornadoes which are becoming more frequent and ferocious. Hi

Posted Date :2011-06-29

Study: 354,000 Tennesseans lost employer-provided health insurance in past decade

In the last decade, the number of employer-provided insurance cases dropped largely. And those who still had coverage ended up paying much more for coverage. Study by the nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that 354,000fewer Tennesseans had their health insurance covered by the employers, almost a drop of 10% compared to the figure in 1999. Among these 354,

Posted Date :2011-06-27

Child-only health insurance policies to be sold for 6 weeks

Iowa health insurers will resume selling children individual policies, but it only will last for six weeks. This is in response to the sudden drop in sales due to compliance of the new healthcare reform. Against the original will of making it easier for families to find coverage for their children, this reform ended up by insurers across the country quit selling the p

Posted Date :2011-06-26

Cobination Life Insurance Up 62%

According to LIMRA’s research, new premium sales of individual life combination products increased 62 percent in 2010, hitting 1. 2 billion. It accounts for six percent of the individual life insurance market. More than 26,000 policies were sold in 2010. Sales of whole life(WL) and universal life(UL) combination products also increased in 2010. The sales of vari

Posted Date :2011-06-22

Want to Pay Less for Car Insurance? Have Good Credit

Having a good credit score not only helps you to lower the interest rates on loans, but also affects the rates you pay for car insurance. When quoting a rate, the insurers also check your credit since it is likely for you to file an insurance claim if you have a low credit score. But federal legislation to check credit scores for auto insurance quotes failed and Calif

Posted Date :2011-06-22

5 Claims Insurance Companies WANT You To Make

Insurance companies do not always frown upon any type of claim. Sometimes they are probably happy about your claim. Here are five examples: 1. A claim they don't owe you money for. This type of claim refers to when the deductible is higher than the actual worth of damage. In such case, you not only won't make a claim on it, but also will probably get a bad clue report

Posted Date :2011-06-18

Is travel insurance worth the extra money?

Travel insurance can include trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidental death or dismemberment, medical and dental care, loss of luggage or personal possessions and protection against the bankruptcy or default of your cruise line or tour operator，you should be familiar yourself with what's out there. Then you should determine whether you're already cove

Posted Date :2011-06-15

Why ID theft insurance might not be worth it

With so many people worried about identity theft, this insurance is hot right now. The majority of these cases involve a stolen credit card number. Some people are willing to pay a few dollars a month to buy peace of mind. Coverage typically costs from $20 to $100 a year. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners cautions consumers that insurance 'cannot p

Posted Date :2011-06-10

Shrink your BMI and your insurance bill

With a growing obesity trends in the United States, an insurance company has started being one of the first in the nation to offer discounts to customers who keep a low body-mass index. The program by Phoenix Cos. Inc. offers discounts up to 20 percent on life insurance policies to customers whose BMI is verified by a doctor to be 19 to 25. BMI is a ratio of body fat

Posted Date :2011-06-03

'Get Off The Road, Grampa!': Insurance Commish Urges 'The Talk'

The state's top insurance executive says more Californians should speak up if they think it's no longer safe for an elderly family member or friend to drive. The number of drivers in California aged 65 and older is expected to double over the next decade and drivers older than 85 are proved to be above teenagers in the number of fatal crashes. The state law entitles d

Posted Date :2011-04-01

Anthem to boost deductibles on some individual plans

You soon may not be able to judge your cost for healthcare by the name on the PPO insurance plan. For example, the PPO Share 500 plan will have a $550 deductible. State regulators are looking into it. When it comes to the cost of health insurance, most attention is typically focused on premiums. Workers' contributions to premiums have climbed 47% since 2005, according

Posted Date :2011-03-10

Survey US Doctors Fear Healthcare Reform

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. doctors surveyed fear healthcare reform could worsen care for patients, by flooding their offices and hurting income, according to a Thomson Reuters survey released Tuesday. The survey of more than 2,900 doctors found many predict the legislation will force them to work harder for less money. "When asked about the quality of healthcare in the

Posted Date :2011-01-20

House Passes Repeal of Healthcare Law

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would repeal President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare reform law Wednesday in a mostly symbolic move likely to be scuttled in the Senate. The House voted 245-189 to approve the Republican bill that would scrap the law, which was passed by Congress last year after a bitter debate and signed by

Posted Date :2011-01-20

Posted Date :2011-01-20

Operation Warmth

Operation Warmth’s main goal is to provide the homeless population of Los Angeles & Orange Counties with a warmer winter.

In the winter months, due to ocean breezes and desert terrain, southern California can become extraordinarily cold at night despite being warm during the day. Seeing as the economy has seen a significant downturn in the past year, thousan

Posted Date :2010-12-20

CA Workers Comp Insurance Raised

California's workers' comp insurers wrote approximately 10 percent more premium the first nine months of 2010 compared to 2009. Written premium for the first nine months of 2010 was recorded at $7.4 billion. Average rate insurers charged per $100 of payroll during that period was $2.39, approximately 1 percent above the average rate charged for 2009, but still approxi

Posted Date :2010-12-16

California and Federal Emergency Responders Signed A Plan

California and federal emergency responders have signed a plan designed to respond to a disastrous earthquake in Southern California. A similar state-federal pact was developed two years ago for dealing with a quake in Northern California.

More than 1,500 emergency officials worked on the Southern California response plan, which was signed December 14. It outlines

Posted Date :2010-12-15

Many suffer personally on account of Medicare cuts

Nationwide, state lawmakers have taken harsh actions to attempt to lower the budget-busting costs of Medicaid, the health care program that serves 58 million poor and disabled Americans. Some states have cut payments to doctors, have paid bills late or trimmed benefits such as insulin pumps, obesity surgery and hospice care.

The worst is yet to come as lawmakers p

Posted Date :2010-12-14

VA Attorney General Cuccinelli's strategy looks good in light of ruling

Virginia's go-it-alone legal strategy to challenge the nation's sweeping federal health-care overhaul - once questioned by both advocates and some opponents of the law - seems to be paying off for state Attorney General Ken T. Cuccinelli II after Monday's court ruling, in his favor, that a key provision of the law is unconstitutional.

When Cuccinelli (R) filed sui

Posted Date :2010-12-14

After expanding coverage, Mass. looks to cut costs

BOSTON (AP) -- Four years after Massachusetts embarked on the nation's most ambitious health care overhaul, Gov. Deval Patrick and legislative leaders are stepping up efforts to rein in spiraling insurance costs.

Those costs are threatening to undermine the 2006 health care law, which mandated nearly universal health coverage and provided a blueprint for the natio

Posted Date :2010-12-11

Mercury Insurance Cuts Their Rates

Mercury insurance rates are set to go down by at least 10% starting next week for many policyholders. The Los Angeles-based company announced Thursday that state regulators approved a requested rate reduction for customers who buy a new policy or renew an old one after Dec. 15. Customers, who currently insure about 2 million vehicles with Mercury, will save an average

Posted Date :2010-12-10

Q&A: What does the Obama tax deal mean?

The extension of Bush-era tax cuts negotiated Monday by the White House and Republican leaders would affect taxpayers, economic growth and even the political hot potato of federal deficits.

The agreement must still work its way through Congress. Here is a primer on how it would work:

Question: On what did President Obama and the Republicans agree?

Posted Date :2010-12-10

Study: Illegal immigrants increase uninsured numbers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The increase in the number of people without health insurance has occurred largely because of illegal immigration, a study found.

Researchers at the RAND Corporation, a non-partisan think tank, analyzed data received from about 2,400 people in Los Angeles County in 2000 and 2001, and applied that information to the nation's undocumented pop

Posted Date :2010-12-06

California's Seven Largest Health Plans Fines

California's seven largest health plans, Aetna Inc., Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Cigna Corp., Health Net Inc., Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare/PacifiCare. were fined nearly $5 million in total Monday for failing to properly pay medical claims submitted by thousands of doctors and hospitals over the last three years. A

Posted Date :2010-11-30

More than Half of U.S. Households Lack Life Insurance

More than half of all American households don't have life insurance, potentially jeopardizing millions of families' financial security in the event of a loved one's death.

According to a survey from LIMRA, a financial services industry group, the percentage of U.S. households with life insurance coverage stands at the lowest level in 50 years. LIMRA reports that o

Posted Date :2010-11-30

Hospital Need to Clear Record or Report Medical Error

State law outlines 28 medical errors that hospitals must report to the state because they place patients at risk of death or serious injury.

After investigating, the state can issue fines of $50,000 for the first incident, $75,000 for the second and $100,000 for the third or subsequent error at the same hospital. The state must be notified of such errors within fi

Posted Date :2010-11-29

Fire-and-casualty Licensees got More Time to Gain Health Insurance License

The California Department of Insurance is delaying for six months the implementation of a new licensing requirement for fire and casualty licensees that want to sell health insurance. The six-month extension means that fire and casualty broker-agents licensed prior to Dec. 31, 2010 will now have until June 30, 2011 to obtain the accident and health agent license to co

Posted Date :2010-11-24

The California Insurance Commissioner rejected Increase rate for Workers' Compensation Insurance Pre

The California Insurance Commissioner rejected a call by industry financial analysts for a 28% increase in workers' compensation insurance premiums, which are paid by most of the state's employers. Instead, he recommended that rates stay flat. He suggested that insurers could do much more to cut costs by adopting a number of reforms authorized by the Legislature six y

Posted Date :2010-11-22

The Fallout is Hammering Healthcare Industry

A lousy economy has caught up with healthcare, an industry once considered virtually immune to downturns. The sector, which employs about 1 in 10 Californians, has stalled at a time when healthcare employment continues to grow nationally.

Gone are the days when nurses received fat signing bonuses. Fewer hospitals are recruiting healthcare workers from abro

Posted Date :2010-11-22

Insurance Company Evaluation

An evaluation by the California Department of Insurance comes as many workers assess their healthcare options this month before enrolling for another year of insurance benefits through PPO plans that serve 2.5 million people statewide. The report card, in its second year, is patterned after a similar review of health maintenance organizations conducted by the state

Posted Date :2010-11-19

Washington To Stop Construction at Sites Without Insurance

Employers dodging workers' compensation premiums in Washington can expect to face significant new consequences from the state's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). The department said any construction firm caught with workers, but no current L&I workers' compensation account, can be served a Stop Work Order (SWO). A SWO is a legal notice requiring an employer to

Posted Date :2010-11-17

Nearly 59 million lack health insurance: CDC

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly 59 million Americans went without health insurance coverage for at least part of 2010, many of them with conditions or diseases that needed treatment, federal health officials said on Tuesday.

They said 4 million more Americans went without insurance in the first part of 2010 than during the same time in 2008.

Posted Date :2010-11-12

Calif. Workplace Injuries on Decline

The number of work injuries and illnesses reported by California employers showed a sharp decline in 2009.Data display that California's 14.9 million public and private sector employees suffered just under 492,000 recordable work injuries and illnesses in 2009,which was down 9.2 percent from 2008. California's data shows a rate of 4.2 above the nationwide rate of 3.9.

Posted Date :2010-11-11

Posted Date :2010-11-10

Posted Date :2010-09-10

Posted Date :2010-09-07

Extend jobless benefits

President Obama signed a $33.9-billion package of legislation on July 22 extending unemployment benefits for 2.5 million jobless Americans. The California Employment Development Department immediately announced that it would begin processing benefits for more than 400,000 unemployed people, retroactive to May. State workers will be on duty throughout the weekend to i

Posted Date :2010-07-27

Reviews of health insurance rate hikes

Actuary David Axene, a state consultant who found errors in Woodland Hills Anthem Blue Cross' rate filings, is expected to deliver his findings by mid-August to the California Insurance Commissioner on two of its competitors, Aetna Inc. and Blue Shield of California. Axene is trying to determine whether the insurers spend at least 70 cents of every dollar they collect

Posted Date :2010-07-16

Health Tests at No Cost

The White House on July 14 issued new rules requiring health insurance companies to provide free coverage for dozens of screenings, laboratory tests and other types of preventive care. The rules stipulate that no co-payments can be charged for tests and screenings recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of scientific exper

Posted Date :2010-07-15

Federal Flood Insurance Up for Vote Again

Insurers are urging the House of Representatives to pass legislation today that would extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years. The measure, HR 5114, the "Flood Insurance Reform and Priorities Act of 2010," is expected to be voted upon later this afternoon. This year alone, Republicans has allowed the NFIP to lapse three times. During these la

Posted Date :2010-07-15

California budget impasse

Health clinics that serve hundreds of thousands of California residents face the prospect of not being paid as the state lurches toward a third week of a budget stalemate - despite assertions by the state controller and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration that providers of healthcare for the poor would be immune from missed payments. Without a spending plan i

Posted Date :2010-07-14

Unemployment benefits

In the coming weeks, the Senate is expected to resume its debate about whether to extend the emergency jobless benefits that were passed in response to the steep increase in unemployment caused by the recession. But some who have suffered the longest in the downturn, will not be part of that conversation. They are among the 1.4 million workers who have been unemployed

Posted Date :2010-07-13

HealthCare.gov

People who don't have employer-provided insurance coverage have options, ranging from individual insurance policies to government-funded programs. But information about these plans and programs is often fragmented and confusing. Now, the Department of Health and Human Services has launched a website, HealthCare.gov, that's designed to help consumers identify sources o

Posted Date :2010-07-13

Increasing Privacy Liability

Billing companies, customer service contractors and other businesses regularly handle private health records, but currently, they are not liable for information breaches. U.S. companies that partner with hospitals and other health providers could face steep fines if they disclose private patient information under a new federal rule proposed on July 8. The proposed rul

Posted Date :2010-07-09

Blue Shield accused of overcharging for safety-net insurance

Amalia Lample, 64, of Los Angeles seeks class-action status in her July 7 suit of Blue Shield of California, accusing the health plan of knowingly exceeding maximum insurance rates set by the state and falsely reporting to regulators that the charges stayed within official guidelines, thus overcharging thousands of policyholders who bought safety-net insurance for peo

Posted Date :2010-07-08

Health insurance rate review

Gov. Schwarzenegger moved on July 7 to implement a major element of the new national healthcare overhaul, seeking a $1-million federal grant to strengthen the state's review of health insurance rates. Much of the money would pay for actuaries to evaluate premium hikes sought by insurers. Schwarzenegger also wants insurance companies' planned increases to be posted on

Posted Date :2010-07-08

Small Business Advice

A common trick targeting small businesses that scammers hope are too busy or disorganized to keep track of is business documents renewals. Phishing schemes, which involve official-looking letters or e-mails, may claim that you owe money, are getting a refund or are about to be audited. Never send money or your financial account numbers in response to any of these s

Posted Date :2010-07-05