You have just completed an online form requesting a free health insurance quote and moments later you are being inundated with phone calls from insurance agents hoping to get your business. Try not to become overwhelmed or annoyed by these “pesky sales people” because they are really not telemarketers. Most of them are well-trained state licensed professionals who can really help you make a good decision regarding which health plan is best and most affordable for your individual or group coverage needs.You may be under the misconception that if you buy your health plan directly from the insurance company, and cut out the “middle person”, you will save money. This is absolutely not the case. In fact, insurance companies rely on agents for most of their business and that’s why they pay them commissions for bringing in customers. It does not cost a consumer one penny more to use a licensed California health insurance agent to obtain their insurance coverage.There are many differences between California health insurance and other states including how it is applied for.For example, while Blue Cross and Blue Shield are one company in other states, here in California, each is separate and applied to individually as Anthem Blue Cross of California and Blue Shield of California.California health insurance law AB 1672 is an improvement over the federal HIPAA law that covers all states in that it includes the following with regard to California group coverage:1. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions may change over to a new group health plan without an exclusionary period.2. It allows small businesses and professional organizations to have access to health plans providing they have between 2 and 50 full time employees.3. It keeps insurance rates from climbing after a claim is filed.4. Employees who have health problems may change jobs or health plans without being rated higher for having pre-existing conditions.That said, the very best health insurance agent for your individual and business needs is an “Independent Agent.” Why? Because they represent multiple insurance carriers, not just one. An independent agent can help you select the most appropriate cost-effective plan offering the most benefits for your dollar as available from the major carriers, rather than feeding you just one company’s line of health plans which may not suit your particular needs. Many people are too complacent and settle for what their current insurance company has to offer. They could use a good independent agent to sort through the many plans available from multiple insurance carriers to find and provide the best choice of options.Another misunderstanding you may have is that insurance agents set the premium rates for the health insurance plans they sell. Thinking if you shop around you may get a better price for the same plan. Premium rates are based on your age, zip code or county in which you reside and are controlled completely by the insurance companies. Every agent uses the exact same rate guides set by the insurance companies. The condition of your health may affect your premium, which may be rated up after the insurance company’s underwriting department has reviewed your medical records. Again, the insurance company, not the agent, determines that outcome.Now, let’s talk about the benefits of having a good insurance agent representing you. Most consumers neither know nor understand the benefits of a health plan being offered and need the expertise of an agent to explain the benefits to them in full. For example, do you know what the difference is between an “out-of-pocket maximum” and an “annual deductible?”An out of pocket maximum is the most you will have to pay in a given year for deductible and coinsurance for covered benefits before your insurance starts to pay 100% of most expenses until the year ends.An annual deductible is usually the amount you pay each year before your health plan starts paying anything for covered services. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Certain services such as prescription drugs carry separate deductibles. Plans may vary and sometimes benefits will kick in before you have to meet the deductible.A knowledgeable health insurance agent can be a guide through the maze and help you choose the right plan to meet your needs and budget while obtaining the most benefits for your dollars spent. An agent will also make clear how the benefits for a generic prescription may differ from the benefits for a brand prescription on a particular plan.After you have a health plan in place, a good, caring agent will remind you to pay your premium on time so the insurance company doesn’t cancel you. Your agent can also be an enormous resource for assistance if you run into a problem with a health insurance claim. Instead of waiting on hold at the insurance company’s 800 number for thirty to forty- five minutes, call your agent and explain your problem and if you have chosen the right agent, you will get help and may save yourself lots of time and frustration, maybe even some money by having an expert in your corner where your best interests come first.So next time you or someone you know, fills out one of those on-line forms for a health insurance quote and you get several phone calls from health insurance agents wanting your business, be grateful that a professional wants to help you for free to choose the right plan and you’ll have an important friend for life.
Automotive and Diesel Career Training Options
Gaining the education necessary to work with a variety of automotives can be done by enrolling in an accredited educational automotive and diesel training program. Students can receive the training they need by pursuing an accredited education from a number of available technical or trade schools. Automotive and diesel career training programs allow students to learn to be a variety of automotive professionals. Students can earn certificates or a variety of degrees ranging from an associate to a masters level. There are a number of things to learn prior to enrolling in an accredited technical school.1) There are numerous educational opportunities for those seeking a career in the automotive industry. Students can train for careers in:
auto body
automotive service management
NASCAR…and much more. With an accredited educational automotive and diesel training program students can for employment as:motorcycle mechanics
diesel mechanics
automotive service technicians
auto body workers
automotive service managers…and many other exciting positions. Educational training programs can help students prepare for careers in a number of industries.2) Coursework will vary by program but may include the study of various subjects like:
welding
brakes
transmissions
physics
drive systems
body painting
engines…and much more. Studies will also depend on each individual students desired level of education and career. Specific areas of study may consist of subjects like:
refinishing
steering
electronics
customer service
climate control…and many other related courses. By studying these subjects students can learn all the necessary skills and knowledge needed to enter into the workforce prepared.3) Students can train to work with a variety of automotives with an accredited education in the field. Learning will allow students to be able to work on:
stock cars
dirt bikes
buses
motorcycles
cranes
mopeds
tractor trailers…and much more. Educational career programs provide students with the training needed to pursue employment in:
auto body shops
dealerships
manufacturers
trucking companies
maintenance shops…and much more. With an accredited degree students can enter the workforce prepared to succeed in their desired position.Continuing education certificates are available to those looking to further their education in a specific area of the field. Students who choose to earn an accredited education in this field can do so by enrolling in a variety of trade schools. Accreditation is a programs proof that students will receive the quality education they need to succeed in their desired career. Agencies like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (http://www.asscs.org/) and others are approved to fully accredit various educational programs. Students can learn more about the degree or certificate of their choice by researching available automotive and diesel training programs. By enrolling today students can start the path to an exciting new career. Learn more by requesting information regarding the career of your choice.DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.
5 Clever Finance Tricks for Large Purchases
Big purchases like boats, homes, and cars are not just for the rich. Instead, if people learn how to save and finance such purchases, it is possible to afford luxury. Really, people need to be focused on their goals to find the best deals and figure out how to finance this purchase. The following are some tips for how to buy such items.
Look for 0% Finance Options
0% finance means that people will not have to pay interest on a loan for quite some time. This helps one buy everything from cars to boats. The low monthly payments and 0% interest makes big ticket purchases more attainable. This is why it is important to not only look to see how long the 0% interest lasts but how much the rate will go up upon expiration. There are specific 0% car finance options available from many dealerships.
Check Dealerships and Businesses for Sales and Promotions
Often, dealerships and businesses will have sales and promotions. Another great way to finance a bit ticket item like a new boat or piece of machinery is to take advantage of such deals. This could mean no down payment will be needed, that mail-in rebates could save people hundreds of dollars, and there will be price cuts as the seasons or weather change. Buying a boat during the winter is smart since they are used far less than in the summer.
Compare Area Rates and Negotiate
New cars are sold in a number of places. This is why it is important to look at the going rate for a vehicle and to see which dealership has the lowest price. You can always use the given Blue Book amount plus local deals and promotions to negotiate better deals. After all, a dealer wants business. This is why educated shoppers can grab great deals if they know that the market looks like.
Consolidate Debts
One of the best ways to afford a big purchase is to apply for a consolidation loan. Thus, old debts are paid off, monthly bills are lower, and people have a better chance at affording finance options on big ticket items. This not only means lower monthly payments but also means people will have to pay fewer interest rates, too.
Use Direct Transfers
When saving for a big purchase, be smart about saving money. Often, one can direct a certain percentage of his or her income to be automatically placed into a savings account. This means that one can save without having to put much effort into it. Smaller options, too, can help: adding a change jar at the office and at home and using coupons. Every little bit counts when trying to invest in a big purchase like a car, boat