Medigap - Benefits of Using an Independent Agency

As the Baby-Boomers turn 65 and start utilizing their Medicare benefits, many will have both the desire and the financial means to purchase some sort of additional insurance to fill in the gaps that Medicare leaves for the consumer to pay. This is where an independent agency is an extremely useful resource.
When people think about buying Medicare supplement insurance often the first thing that comes to mind are the big names: Aetna, Blue Cross, Gerber, Mutual of Omaha, Sterling, etc. Some will spend hours calling or combing the internet trying to ring out the best deal for themselves. While this self-reliance and can-do attitude is noble, what if there is a very simple and easy way to ensure you get the lowest priced Medigap plan? This is where an independent agent comes in!
There are two types of insurance agents that you will meet when you wander through the woods of insurance shopping. The first and most prevalent is the captive agent. A captive agent is an agent that works for a particular insurance company and only sells insurance for that company. The reason they are so prevalent is because when an insurance agent starts off selling insurance they make very little money. Most agents cannot afford the cost of starting a small business, then going without a paycheck for many months. This means they have to sign with a big company that will sponsor them. The other type of insurance agent is an independent agent. This is an agent that is licensed in any particular state to sell insurance and can sell insurance from any company with which they have a contract. Most are contracted with several companies.
The benefit of using an independent agent is that they can compare the costs of all the insurance companies in your area and find you the lowest price. Also, your Medigap policy will not cost you any more if you use an independent agent. Many agents will even pay the mailing costs to process your application. Then in the future when your premiums rise, the independent agent can compare prices again to see if there is a better priced supplement plan for you.
Word of caution! Many seniors will go on the internet and start making quote requests on various web sites. This leads to them being bombarded with agents emailing them and calling them at all times of the day. It doesn't even matter if you are on a do not call list because you are granting permission to be called when you fill out the form. The reason for this happening is many of the internet sites that come up are there simply to collect people's information and then sell it to multiple agents and insurance companies. All Medicare Supplement plans are federally and state regulated, so there is no need to go through this hassle. The ABC plan of one company has the same exact coverage as the ABC plan of another. Also you cannot buy the plan of one company cheaper from one agent than you can another agent. The playing field is level.
So, save yourself a lot of hassle and time and find an independent agent from which to request your insurance quotes. To learn more about more about Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance from a licensed independent agency, visit us today at http://centaurmedicaresolutions.com/
Joel Moyer is an owner and independent agent for Centaur Medicare Solutions. Prior to being licensed as an insurance agent, Joel served in the US Army for over twenty years. His service included many places around the United States and countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Korea. A more extensive bio is available by clicking his picture on our website.
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Just Qualifying for Medicare Benefits? Some Things to Consider

When you finally qualify for Medicare benefits you can breathe a sigh of relief. Original Medicare as it stands currently is arguably the best health insurance plan available. Granted there are some gaps in the coverage. There are deductibles and co-insurances and co-pays that you will be responsible to pay. The good news is that these gaps are very well defined and very simple to cover with any of the 10 standardized Medicare Supplement Plans currently available.

You finally have a chance to set yourself up in a situation where you can totally predict your medical costs for the year. No surprises, no medical bills. Yet this time for a lot of folks is filled with stress. Piles and piles of mail, hundreds of emails and phone calls. This from agents and brokers looking for your business.

Then you have the people you actually know. Your brother-in-law who retired last year telling you what he did and why you should do the same thing. Your neighbor who can't tell you enough how happy she is with her Medicare Advantage Plan.

The bottom line is that this is your open enrollment period and you only get one! One open enrollment period in your entire life. You have very special rights during this time. You have what are called Guaranteed Issue Rights. This means that during this time you can not be denied coverage for any plan that you choose. It does not matter what your past medical history is. You do not have to answer any health questions at all. Just pick the plan that is right for you and apply. These rights last until 6 months after your 65th birthday or your Part B effective date. Even if you are in great heath now, we know that unfortunately may not always be true. It would be tragic to not get the facts, make a choice that you regret and then not be able to rectify the situation because you can't qualify health-wise.

So please, find an Independent Broker. One who specializes in Medicare. It should be their one focus. Ask the questions to determine if they have your best interests at heart. To the best of your ability make sure that the information that they are providing is up to date and accurate. Do not accept a partial understanding of your options. A competent broker will make sure that you comprehend the choices and the impact each option will have on your pocket-book and your health care. In other words demand the service that you deserve.

Please don't just throw your hands up and say it's too much, too confusing. Don't do what your best friend, neighbor or your brother-in law did. Your circumstances are unique to you. Seek the help you need from a licensed professional. It is far too important. Believe me the decisions that you make during your Medicare Open Enrollment Period will have lasting impact.

Stephanie Coutavas is an Insurance Professional specializing in Senior Insurance Solutions and Medicare Insurance. Stephanie decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper,correct information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."

Whether you are receiving Medicare Benefits before age 65, helping a parent or loved one or just not sure if there might be a better value for your health care $$$, we can help. Call us at 1-888-347-5552 to speak with a licensed Medicare Supplement Specialist or visit us at http://www.medicarequote4u.com/. We are your Medicare Supplement experts and we are standing by to help.

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Health, Life, Home, and Car Insurance for Government Employees: Benefits and Perks

Government employees get many benefits that are not open to the public. For those who work in a government job cheaper insurance is one of the perks. All inclusive policies for health, life, home and car insurance for government employees are available at cheaper rates. If you are a government employee there are many options for obtaining this group coverage. Consider the following options and ways to find cheap health, life, home, and car insurance for government employees.

Online Insurance Quotes

You can search online for cheap health, life, home, and car insurance for government employees. The search is easy. Simply go to an insurance comparison site and enter your zip code. This will allow you to narrow the search to companies that service your local area.

Next, enter your personal information and include your affiliation with the government to get a discount. The companies will either provide instant quotes you can compare or they will call you to discuss your options.

Getting the Best Deal

The key to getting the best deal is shopping around. Don't settle for the first quote you find. Keep searching and comparing rates. Spend at least a few days vigorously searching for the best deals. Look up local agents online and give them a call if they don't offer online quotes.

Once you have the list narrowed down you should call the company to ensure your discount is honored. You can also ask if you get a discount for paying in full up front.

Umbrella Coverage for Cheaper Rates

If you really want to save money you should include all of your coverage in one policy or with one company. Buying health, life, home and car insurance for government employees is much cheaper when your quotes are bundled. Many insurance companies will actually give you a discount for combining your policies. This means they get extra business and they have to end out less paperwork. They can send you one statement and save on the rest. Therefore, many companies pass on the savings to the customer.

Pay Up Front for a Discount

One way to get a great discount is to pay for the entire policy up front. If you pay annually or every six months you will get cheaper rates than if you pay monthly. While this can be expensive you can save a great deal of money over the years. Most companies even charge you a processing fee for charging your credit card each month. This fee is over five dollars with some companies. Over one year that is $60. When you add that to your savings you will be happy you paid up front.

As you can see there are several things to consider when purchasing life, health, home, and car insurance for government employees. Shop around to compare costs and then pay for your coverage up front for the steep discount. In addition, make sure you combine all of your coverage to get the best rate.

Jolee Morgan is a professional freelance writer based in the US. He can be reached at redneckweb@gmail.com for a professional content quote.

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