Insurance magazine

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado and an affiliated company were fined a total of $542,500, Insurance Commissioner Marcy Morrison said Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its wholly owned subsidiary HMO Colorado Inc. were ordered to pay $290,000 and $252,500 respectively, for violating market regulations.

The insurers paid the fines on Aug. 1.

The fines were the result of a market-conduct examination for the year 2006 which found that — among other things — the insurers failed to maintain required records, failed to provide coverage to newborns in some cases and didn’t properly implement processes for terminating policies. The insurers also failed in some instances to pay, deny or settle claims within the time frames required by law.

Anthem failed to properly define its terms and in some cases did not provide written denials of coverage or provide reasons for denial.

HMO Colorado Inc. also was cited for not disclosing policies for obtaining emergency medical services.

“We have made it clear that our mission is to protect consumers and this market-conduct examination and resulting fine reflects our commitment,” Morrison said in a statement.

Sally Vogler, a spokeswoman for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said the insurer worked closely with Morrison during the exams and is working to improve some of the concerns that resulted in the fines. She attributed many of the violations to technical difficulties associated with converting to a new data system between February and December of 2006.

While the new system designed to give consumers faster, more accessible and more accurate information to benefits, Vogler said that “conversions of this nature are extremely complex.”

She also said Anthem has already corrected 95 percent of the issues identified in the insurance commissioner’s report.

“Anthem is committed to complying with all laws and regulations that govern our industry,” Vogler said. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the commissioner and her staff and to providing access to affordable, quality health care benefits to our members.”

by Bob Mook

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A Lady Gets a Cheap Car Insurance Quote?

Yes, it is true well, in most cases. Many lady drivers are able to get cheaper car insurance quotes than men drivers. Are men drivers cursed by their gender? Perhaps not. They just need to know the secrets of lady drivers.

Buy a safe vehicle. Safe vehicles get cheaper car insurance quotes than vehicles considered unsafe, and safety does not only include seatbelts, air bags, and child proof locks. A safe vehicle will also include anti-theft devices.

Buy a modest vehicle. Modest vehicles are less likely to be stolen, and vehicles that are less likely to be stolen are less like to be expensive to insure. You dont have to buy a minivan to get a cheap car insurance quote, but buying a Jaguar isnt going to work in your favor.

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Be good to your vehicle. Being good to your vehicle means not putting your vehicle in situations where it can become damaged or stolen. Drive like you have some since do not push its limits. Park your vehicle in a garage when it is not in use. If you do not have a garage, find out about renting garage space in your area if you have one within walking distance, or installing a bright outdoor light near where your vehicle is parked.

Drive responsibly. Driving responsibly includes driving the speed limit, obeying road signs and traffic lights, and following the general rules of the road altogether. When you drive responsibly, you avoid traffic citations and car accidents, and when you do not have these kinds of blemishes on your driving record, car insurance companies see you as a responsible driver. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Responsible drivers with clean driving records get cheaper car insurance quotes.

Grow up. Alright, maybe grow up would be better phrased grow older. The older and more experienced a driver gets, the lower the car insurance quotes and rates become regardless of gender.

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If you’re shopping for affordable auto insurance and looking to save money, there are many variables to consider. The price of auto insurance varies depending on the car you drive, your driving record, and the insurance company you choose. This guide has information to help you choose the best auto insurance policy for your goals.Shop Around

It’s easy to shop around and get price quotes from various companies now that most of this information is online. Insurance Information Institute (www.iii.org) suggests drivers get at least three price quotes. You can get an online auto insurance quote from an insurance Web site or call them directly. Sometimes, your state insurance department has charts to compare auto insurance (http://www.iii.org/media/companies/state_org/insur_departments). Be sure to compare quotes from different types of insurance companies. For example, some companies sell policies through their own agents, while others sell through independent agents who offer policies from various insurance companies. Sometimes policies are sold directly online or by phone. Depending on the sales method, prices may vary.

Remember, though, you shouldn’t shop by price alone. Make sure the company as a whole satisfies you. Do they answer your questions and handle claims effectively and fairly? Talk with friends, family, and co-workers, or check consumer magazines. State pennsylvania car insurance quote  departments also provide consumer complaint ratios for various companies.

Ask for Higher Deductible

A higher deductible can lower the price of your auto insurance considerably. According to www.iii.org, “Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision coverage and comprehensive coverage premium by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more.” These are substantial savings; however, you need the deductible on hand in case something happens to your vehicle.

Compare Insurance Costs Before Buying Car

The price of auto insurance depends greatly on the type of car you drive. Factors include the sticker price, costs for repair, overall safety record and the likelihood of theft. Often insurers offer discounts to drivers who take measures to reduce the risk of injuries or theft.

Purchase Home and Auto Insurance from Same Provider

If you buy two or more types of insurance from one insurer, you will often receive a multi-policy discount. You may also pay a lower price if you insure more than one vehicle with the same insurance company. Often, long-time customers are offered reduced premiums.

Take Advantage of Low-mileage and Safe-driver Discounts

Some motorists receive a low-mileage discount from their insurers for driving a lower than average number of miles per year. These discounts also often apply to drivers who carpool. And, if you’re a safe driver, and you have not had any accidents or moving violations in a number of years, many companies will reward you with a safe-driver discount. If you’ve recently taken a defensive driving course, you may also receive a price reduction.

To save money on, business auto insurance is something to ask about. You may be eligible for insurance through your employer, or through professional or business groups and other associations you are involved in. You should also closely monitor your credit rating because your credit may affect the price you pay for insurance. No matter what, always shop around and compare prices. This is the most effective way to save money on auto insurance!

Ryan Patterson is president of US Insurance Online, based in Austin, TX. He graduated in 2000 from the University of Texas with a combined business and computer science degree, and started US Insurance Online in May of 2005 with fellow entrepreneur Jim Waltrip. Visit http://www.USInsuranceOnline.com for help shopping for insurance and for free insurance quotes.

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If you were looking for online car insurance quotes a decade ago, all ‘online’ probably meant was that you could communicate with your agent via email, rather than through letters in the post. You still would have probably started by speaking with an agent, by telephone, if not in person.

In the past, it seemed ridiculous to assume that any agent would give up their secret weapon in the fight for new clients. Most of them would never even think about handing out a quote to a potential client if they didn’t actually come to their office for a real meeting.

That has all changed. Relationship-focused agents are more and more being replaced by price-focused, highly automated website sales. This sea change to the Internet serves the young and urban, the groups that tend to prefer the web over all other media. As companies turn their attention more to web sales, older and less technologically sophisticated customers will be pushed to the web as their agents become less and less effective in comparison.

It is more and more common for car insurance quotes to be offered on line. As customers are increasingly occupied with other day to day activities, they have become increasingly more comfortable with online purchasing, even for major items. And, as their awareness of their options has grown along with their technological proficiency, their demand for more self-service opportunities has grown as well.

This has all served to make formerly unknown car insurance firms into viable entities. Every customer online started looking for a free auto insurance quote with no strings attached, and true discount auto insurance - before the market leaders were prepared to offer them. By focusing on this change in customer appetites, small companies were able to become national players.

Now that the huge market leaders have caught up, every insurance company in the US seems to offer online car insurance quotes. Only now, there seem to be more of them than ever before. This is, of course, not a bad thing. Competition is in the consumer’s best interest.

The key to a low rate on your auto insurance policy to to compare quotes from several companies. These days it is a simple matter of going online and getting quick and private rate quotes. Don’t settle for renewing with your current company without comparing the cost and coverage available.

The role of technology has changed in the search for discount car insurance, but because pronouncements of “big savings” and “free quotes” have become the norm, it is important to remember how long it used to take, just ten years ago, and spend a little bit of time comparing the offers. There are still great companies out there fighting for your business, looking to make a name for themselves.

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The Connecticut Department of Insurance has fined Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. $51,500 and Employers Mutual Casualty Co. $43,000 for violating several state laws.

Employers Mutual did not pay some people for the loss of the use of their car after an accident, and it failed to send some policyholders their new premium bills soon enough, according to a recently disclosed “market conduct” exam. The department’s exam sampled company business in 2006.

When an auto insurer’s policyholder causes an accident, that insurer is supposed to pay the other vehicle’s driver something if his or her car is too damaged to use. Connecticut requires the “loss of use” payment even if the other driver does not rent a vehicle.

Employers Mutual, part of Iowa-based EMC Insurance Cos., also did not properly appoint some agents and agencies to represent it. One agent representing the company was not licensed in Connecticut, regulators’ report said.

The exam of Lincoln National Life, formerly known as Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Co., found 50 agents who were not properly appointed to represent the company in Connecticut during the exam period — 2005 and 2006. Jefferson-Pilot Corp. in North Carolina merged into Lincoln National Corp. in April 2006.

Regulators also faulted Lincoln National Life for being unable to provide four of the advertising materials that examiners requested for review. Market conduct examiners typically review selected sales and marketing materials to make sure that they do not mislead consumers.

Regulators do market conduct exams at least once every five years on all kinds of insurance companies that sell in Connecticut, to find out how they’re treating customers. They look at many activities, including whether insurers are properly paying claims, charging the rates they filed and following their own underwriting guidelines.

Contact Diane Levick at dlevick@courant.com

As a leading source of information regarding the life insurance industry, PlatinumInsurance.info is pleased to say that there is good information regarding their industry in the state of New York. The New York Department of Insurance has created a Senior Protection Unit, which will help keep seniors from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous life insurance agents.

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Unfortunately, there are some bad apples out there that will try to sell a life insurance policy to seniors using high pressure sales tactics, and may also misrepresent themselves with misleading titles. Life insurance brokers or agents in New York State who use titles that mislead seniors, such as “retirement planner,” “senior advisor,” “certified” and “senior consultant,” will face penalties under the watch of this new unit. Agents or brokers at a legitimate and reputable life insurance company work very hard to earn real titles such as Chartered Financial Consultant or Certified Life Underwriter. These devious practices are unfair to them, and unfair to seniors.

The team at PlatinumInsurance.info believes that these misleading tactics in the attempt to sell a life insurance policy to seniors are intolerable, and is pleased that this special unit has been set up. This unit will be issuing alerts to warn consumers about the sales tactics seniors are exposed and to, and will also issue bulletins to those working in the life insurance agency. In addition, they will impose penalties on agents and brokers who misrepresent their expertise when they try to sell a life insurance policy to a senior citizen.
To learn more about Platinum Insurance or to find the right life insurance company to work with, visit http://www.insurancewall.com/.
About Platinum Insurance:

Platinum Insurance strives to offer the best services for anyone who needs help with life insurance. Their Web site was created for those who want to find out more about life insurance, term life insurance, whole life insurance and universal life insurance. Consumers can find a perfect life insurance policy with experts to help make the right decision.

Every person who thinks about their family and loved ones should get life insurance for their protection. Life insurance allows people to know that their family will be safe if something happens to them, and it can also be used for later emergencies or financial problems. Not many people like to talk about life insurances, but it is something that any person should have. The Platinum Insurance Web site can help consumers to learn more about life insurances and prepare them to find the best policies.

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Nearly 10,000 more Canadians collected employment insurance benefits in March than the month before, although the number of beneficiaries actually declined from a year ago, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

EI payments in March totalled $783.2-million, with an estimated 462,760 Canadians receiving regular EI benefits. That was up by 9,870 from February.

Increases were seen in eight provinces, with the biggest in Saskatchewan, at 6.7%. The number of people receiving benefits in Ontario went up by 3.8% over the month.

However, compared with March 2007, the overall number of Canadians receiving regular benefits has declined by 4.3%.

Saskatchewan saw the largest provincial decline, with the number of EI beneficiaries going down by 13.1% from the previous year. The decline in Saskatoon alone was 34%. Quebec also saw a significant 6.6% decline in EI recipients since 2007.

The numbers of people collecting EI increased in a handful of cities over the past year, including the Ontario industrial heartland of Oshawa, where claims rose by 56%since March 2007.

Statistics Canada also reported that the number of Canadians receiving regular benefits in March declined by 4.7% for men and 5.3% for women over the year.

Canwest News Service

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SALES of protection insurance have plummeted on the back of the shrinking mortgage market and homeowners trying to reduce their outgoings.

The protection insurance ‘gap’ reached £190bn last year, according to Swiss Re, and product providers are divided on whether there are opportunities in the UK market.

The reinsurance company measures the gap by calculating the amount of protection insurance needed by the working population against the number of policyholders.

It found income protection (IP) sales were down by 14.3% in 2007 and uptake of critical illness cover dropped by 8.2%.

Earlier this year Standard Life decided to pull out of protection insurance, saying it could not grow its profits in such a rate-driven market.

But others, such as Bright Grey, part of Royal London, and Aegon Scottish Equitable see protection as a lucrative business and want more to be done to close the gap.

Fortis, a European general insurance company, is considering launching its protection products in the UK.

Most companies admit they have been bitten by the credit crunch. Bright Grey’s new business was down 19% to £38m in the three months to March 31.

Ross Ainslie, its head of actuarial, said: “The credit crunch has had an impact on the market as a fair chunk of protection sales are attached to mortgages. We think the entire UK protection sales market is down by about 10% to 15%. But it’s a blip and customers will return.”

Aegon, however, seems to have bucked the trend, with new business up 17% to £12.7m in the first quarter of 2008.

It said this is because it is not overly dependent on selling to mortgage borrowers through independent financial advisers as it has a number of distribution channels, including its partnership with Barclays.

Another reason for low take-up of protection is that consumers are cynical about its worth, having read reports of companies refusing to pay out on claims, citing exclusions in their small print.

Providers claim this is being addressed. Bright Grey has paid out £14m on critical illness claims since its launch. In the 12 months to March 31 it fulfilled 82% of claims, with most refusals being a result of “non-disclosure of conditions” by clients.

Roger Edwards, products director at Bright Grey, said: “There is a culture of using small print in the industry and it adds to the negative perception of protection insurance.

“Since we started doing business we have put anything we would not pay out on in massive print. We’re also looking at accepting telephone applications, which will let us question people about such things as family history to help reduce non-disclosure.”

There has been talk of the Government making protection compulsory for home owners to reduce how much the state has to provide as a safety net, but Edwards disagrees with this approach.

He said: ” The ideal scenario is for education on financial services, including the need for protection insurance, to be part of the school curriculum.”

By Rosemary Gallagher

It seems that consumers everywhere are complaining about the cost of health care and health insurance.

At the same time they are throwing away dollars like there was no tomorrow, buying phantom insurance and other ways to waste their money.

Here are a few examples.

A lady called looking for health insurance. Her current plan was increasing to over $600 per month. Among her health issues was high cholesterol. Every year her doctor ordered a lipid panel test as part of her physical exam. He also had her on an expensive cholesterol reducing med.

I suggested a carrier that would insure her but would not cover her cholesterol med or her lipid panel.

The premium was $280 less than her renewal.

The med would run $140 per month. The lipid panel around $80, once a year.

She opted to keep what she had and pay the higher premium.

She believes she has coverage but all she really has is phantom insurance. The cost of the phantom insurance is over $2500 per year.

A man asked me about options, should he leave his current employer plan and purchase individual insurance. He was entertaining a job offer that would increase his current salary by $80,000 per year but did not offer health insurance.

His current plan was quite rich with $20 copays and a $500 major med deductible. His cost was $100 for him and his wife.

He looked at plans with a $1000 deductible and $25 copays for $700 per month. I suggested a plan with a $5000 deductible and a $300 premium.

He asked what the difference was in the $700 plan and the $300 plan.

With the $700 plan you have something similar to your current coverage. So what do you get for the $400 difference?

You get to forfeit $5000 of your raise. Money you will never see again.

He said he wanted to weigh his options but felt “more comfortable” with the lower deductible plan.

He wanted phantom insurance.

A man called about HSA plans. His wife was a reluctant participant in the decision. She really liked the copays.

We finally resolved all of her issues after several weeks of hashing out issues. But there was one final stumbling block.

“Her doctor” was not in the network of the proposed carrier. Another carrier had an identical plan but the premium was $160 per month more.

She was willing to pay $1800 per year in additional premiums to see her doctor once a year.

She wanted phantom insurance.

In case you haven’t figured it out. Phantom insurance isn’t insurance at all. It is additional premiums paid for coverage that does not exist and a complete waste of money.

When consumers stop buying phantom insurance they can pocket more of their hard earned money and stop padding the coffers of the carriers.

The Business Associate Compliance
Center, providing online Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) compliance exclusively for Business Associates, is helping insurance
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    “With today’s emphasis on providing quality information to consumers, the
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Associate Compliance Center. “The Compliance Center provides agents with
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    According to Peterson, insurance companies, agents and prospects or
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    About HealthFront
    HealthFront, a non-profit organization based in Minnesota. At its
founding, HealthFront was charged with the responsibility of bringing the
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Innovations in Health Care Quality, and Excellence in HIPAA Privacy and
Patients Rights Training. For more information, visit
www.healthfront-info.org.
    About The Business Associate Compliance Center
    The Business Associate Compliance Center provides online compliance
management exclusively for Business Associates to meet the HIPAA requirements
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Made Easy” strategy delivers HIPAA compliance in a Web-based environment for
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information, visit www.BAcompliance.com.
    The Business Associate Compliance Center is powered by CMoffice, provider
of online compliance management solutions. CMoffice is a registered trademark
of Resiant Networks, Inc. All other trademarks or trade names are properties
of their respective holders.
     Media Contact:
     Kris Fisch
     kfisch@bacompliance.com
     Direct Dial: (952) 841-6541

SOURCE  The Business Associate Compliance Center