Low Income Health Options

Affordable Health Care, When? 

While we are all waiting to see if the Affordable Care Act will finally come to a state near us, and do us any good, lots of people are having trouble affording medical care right now! What do you do when you need to see a doctor, by a prescription, or visit the dentist and you need help with medical bills?

BestRateUS has a good summary on things to do if you cannot afford health insurance. This covers things you can do before the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented. They include a variety of private and public assistance programs, and also exactly where to find them. This includes :

• Handy ZIP code search for low cost medical clinics
• Public Medical plans for adults and kids
• Private organizations with money for specific health conditions 
• High risk medical plans from states and the federal government

If you are still confused about the changes that are supposed to happen by 2014, join the line! However, you can stay updated about the Affordable Care Act at HealthCare.gov. 

The important thing is to get the care that you need as soon as possible.

Can Older People Still Buy Life Insurance?

How Old Is Too Old To Purchase Life Insurance? 

Most of us had life insurance at some point in our lives. However, we might have let it drop for a number of reasons that could include a job change, financial problems, or may just letting a term policy expires. Now, during midlife, you might wonder if you can still find life insurance over 50. It is actually quite possible to purchase coverage in your 50's, 60's, and maybe even your 70's!

You might even find that life insurance is cheaper than you expected. This is for a couple of reasons.

• Internet quotes have forced insurers to be more competitive and 
  more transparent about their pricing. 
• Life expectancy has increased over the last decade, and this had also reduced risks and premiums.

What Kind Of Life Insurance Can You Find Over Fifty? 

A fifty year old can probably choose between very reasonably priced term policies and somewhat more expensive permanent policies.  It would be reasonable to assume, in fact, that a relatively healthy person in their fifties can find fairly cheap term life. If you want to hold onto your options, consider purchasing a 20 year term policy with an option to convert it to whole or universal life later without having to go back through health underwriting.

There are even major insurers who will sell term life to people in sixties and seventies. These are more likely to be 15 to 20 year term life insurance policies though. Once you hit 80 to 85, it might not be easy to find anything affordable though.

How Much Coverage Do You Need? 

If you are interested in looking for a policy, you might start out by analyzing your needs. Frugal Pig has a handy online life insurance needs calculator you can use for free.

What If You Do Get Declined For Life Insurance? 

There is some kind of coverage for almost everybody. The question you need to ask yourself if it is is worth it.  This article has some sage advice about avoiding declines, and also what to do if you are declined for life insurance.

Driving Without Insurance WIll Not Save You Money!

 Driving Without Insurance Is Expensive

You know, it might be tempting to drop some bills when times are tight. If you plan to save a few dollars by dropping your car insurance, you could be making a really expensive mistake. Each US state has rules about that sort of thing and they are getting a lot tougher about enforcing those rules. You might get away with it for a little while, but you are unlikely to escape notice for very long. Think long and hard before dropping your required minimum liability car insurance.

• If you get caught driving without insurance, you will be penalized. These vary by location but can include fines, loss of your vehicle registration and driver's license, and maybe even jail time. See some state penalties for driving uninsured.
• Some cities impound uninsured vehicles. In order to get your car back, you have to pay fines, storage costs, and still produce proof of coverage.
• Finally, you should understand that the lack of coverage will not get you off the hook for any damages or injuries you might cause. It is a lot easier to settle a a case when you have an insurer behind you than when you don't.

What should you do if you do not have the money to pay your car insurance premium? 

Some states, like California, have reduced rate programs for people with low incomes. You might call your state insurance board or local agent and explain your situation. Your agent might also be able to help you come up with some bare bones coverage to tide you over until you get your finances back on track. For example, many people's policies have lots of different types of auto coverage included, and maybe you don't need some many. For some help understanding that, you might refer to this article on BestQuoteUS about types of auto insurance coverage: http://bestquoteus.com/types-of-auto-insurance/

Your last resort is probably to try and find some alternative transportation until you can settle up with an insurer for the basic required coverage.  You might be able to find a sympathetic buddy or coworker who can help you get to work in exchange for a a favor.favors. This is inconvenient, but not as inconvenient as losing your car, paying fines, or even getting slapped with an auto damage or personal injury lawsuit.

In case you are interested, here are some facts about uninsured motorists by state and the truth about who actually pays for drivers without insurance by BestQuoteUS.com. The reality is that everybody pays in the end because of higher auto insurance rates and the potential for heavy penalties.