Tag Archives: insurance

IOA Risk Services Identified: 4 Dangerous Trends Facing the Ceiling & Wallboard Industry

Learn issues facing the Ceiling & Wallboard Industry and how progressive companies are positioning themselves to be more competitive in their marketplace.

Longwood, FL (USA), Tuesday – January 10, 2012 — How have the last couple of years in business treated the Ceiling & Wallboard industry? Is it more difficult to raise revenue? Have profit margins continued to be squeezed? It has been asked, “are there companies actually out there that are being successful? And if so, what are they doing?”

Rick Dalrymple is a member of the Florida Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association. He has been a Risk Manager with expertise in the construction industry for over 30 years. In his discussions these past several months, he has heard a consistent tone of real concern of companies wondering if & how they will make it during these challenging times.

As a result, IOA Risk Services contracted with a national research firm to help them determine what is going on. More importantly, business owners are interested in information that will help them survive and thrive in this economy. So they commissioned a study called… The 4 Dangerous Trends Facing the Ceiling and Wallboard industry…to provide you with insights on what you must know if you don’t want your competitors to pass you by.

#1…Those in the Ceiling & Wallboard industry will likely see their overall insurance rates increase due to the investment climate. Insurance carriers balance their profitability from either investment income or underwriting profit. Because their investment income have been decreasing during the recession, coupled with the erosion of their underwriting profits due to adverse loss results, it’s expected that rates overall will harden (or increase), especially in the area of Workers’ Compensation.

#2 …Reports indicate that medical costs will continue to increase. To validate this point, construction companies have seen their Workers’ Compensation rates increase two (2) years in a row (FLA). Like many businesses, physicians have been adversely affected by the downturn in the economy. Some companies have seen doctors string out a patient’s medical care to help offset their lack of business, which costs contractors money.

#3…With the new rules that NCCI modified to begin in January 2013, many companies will see their experience modification factor and their subsequent Workers Comp insurance premiums increase. ( http://www.RichardDalrymple.com )

#4…To add insult to injury, at a time when your profit margins are being squeezed, OSHA has increased their staff to enforce safety training activities of employers. Since 2010, OSHA staffing is up 37% and their fines are up 200%.

Employers have asked, “What can be done to control these issues?” Are there companies who have a handle on this, and if so, how are they keeping their competitive edge?

Let’s look at four (4) strategies that progressive companies are pursuing these days.

#1…To avoid seeing your insurance costs skyrocket in the near future, it is important to better position your company to look and act “Best in Class.” When insurance underwriters price your account, they look at your past claims experience, but also, they look to see what policies and procedures companies have in place to avoid future claims.

#2…What is your company’s RiskScore™? Similar to a credit score (where a higher credit score = lower mortgage rates), the higher your RiskScore™, the lower your insurance rates. ( http://www.RichardDalrymple.com )

#3…Companies are turning to “easy to implement” Learning Management Systems (LMS) to provide quick training on a complete list of disciplines, such as OSHA and HR compliance, Safety or wellness training. If OSHA ever knocks on your door looking for your safety program and documentation, it’s all at your fingertips to share with them if a company has access to a Learning Management System. Because of their value, there is a cost for these types of systems, but as a client, companies can receive over 200 courses at no cost.

#4…And lastly, smart companies recognize that claims can dramatically decrease their profitability and revenue. To combat this issue, many are going through a “4P” process review (Pre-Hire, Post-Offer, Pre-Claim, Post-Claim) which identifies and shores up missing policies and procedures needed to reduce claims and increase your operational efficiency. Statistics show that many claims can be avoided by simply improving your hiring practices.

You will benefit from learning more about these and other strategies that are taught that will to lower your cost of doing business.

To find out what your RiskScore is, or to schedule a free “4P” workshop or process review, or to check for qualification for Free OSHA compliance training, just call or email today.

Rick Dalrymple, CPIA, CMIP 407-998-4108 Rick.Dalrymple@ioausa.com http://www.RichardDalrymple.com

Press & Media Contact:
Rick Dalrymple, CPIA, CMIP
Insurance Office of America
1855 West State Road 434
Longwood, FL 32750 – USA
407-998-4108
Rick.Dalrymple@ioausa.com
http://www.RichardDalrymple.com

Website to Offer insurance to Cover Bail for Occupy Protesters

“The insurance only applies to those participating in an active Occupy demonstration,” said Fraser. “The insurance also covers those in other Occupy movements in other countries.”

Houston, TX, November 24, 2011 – Today marks a week since the Occupy “Day of Action” in New York, which left more than 240 people arrested, five protesters charged with felony assault, and seven officers and 10 protesters injured, but the developers of a new website say they’ve made it possible for all Occupy protesters to get insurance to cover their bail if they are arrested in the future.

“This insurance will cost only $99 for the year and cover bail for misdemeanor charges up to $1,000,”said Aaron Fraser, developer and spokesman for the new websites, Occupyfannie.org and occupyFreddie.org.

Fraser added that the insurance would also cover property damage up to $500.

“The insurance only applies to those participating in an active Occupy demonstration,” said Fraser. “The insurance also covers those in other Occupy movements in other countries.”

The insurance offering could prove to have perfect timing as word of the planned eviction surfaced a day after the Occupy LA group rejected what they described as a city offer to give them indoor space, farmland and other concessions as inducements for the hundreds of demonstrators to leave City Hall on their own.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office said in a statement it had “informed members of Occupy LA that City Hall park will be closed at some point next week for rehabilitation.”

If Occupy protesters don’t evacuate when the park closes, arrests will be made.

“I am offering Occupy protesters an opportunity to purchase protesters insurance,” Fraser explained. “Any protester that is arrested and has this insurance can be bailed out by our organization.”

He added that Occupy protesters can purchase additional insurance to protect their personal property as well.

“They must have the insurance for at least 30 days, and collection of property insurance must accompany a police report,” Fraser noted, before adding that in addition to the insurance, those who want to help defray the cost of feeding Occupy protesters can help by purchasing T shirts from the Occupyfannie.org or OccupyFreddie.org website.

The OccupyFreddie.org and OccupyFannie.org websites, Fraser said, were recently launched to raise awareness and call citizens to non-violent action through the vehicle of public protests against Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The protest, funded and sponsored by Gotham Dating Partners Inc., will be held Nov. 28 at the Freddie Mac building in the 8200 block of Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Va. and Nov. 29 at the Fannie Mae headquarters, located in the 3900 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, D.C.

“The public can go to OccupyFreddie.org and OccupyFannie.org website to buy shirts to participate in the movement, Fraser said, before adding, “I want to connect with the young and old who are tired of corporate greed and want to show it by publically protesting.”

Supporters of the Occupy movement, Fraser explained, can now purchase insurance and also provide support to help cover other costs in the event Occupy protesters find themselves in a situation similar to the “Day of Action,” which was an attempt to delay the opening of the New York Stock Exchange with demonstrations on the subways, a sit-in in the roadway at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge and unscheduled clashes with the police in Zuccotti Park.

“It’s clear that arrests will occur, but now Occupy protesters can be covered in the event they are arrested,” Fraser said.

For more information about the protester’s insurance or to provide financial support with the purchase of a T-shirt, please visit: OccupyFreddie.org and OccupyFannie.org

Contact:
Aaron Fraser
OccupyFreddie.org
45 East 135th Street
New York, NY 10037
347-793-8926
aaronwalterfraser@gmail.com
http://OccupyFreddie.org

Truck Cargo Insurance – You Can Get Low Cost Truck Cargo Insurance

Commercial trucks are vital to keeping the economy running. They deliver necessary goods to stores for individuals to buy. Without trucks, these items would not get to stores and, ultimately, into consumers’ hands. These necessary goods make up the truck’s cargo.

Cargo is often worth several thousand dollars per truck. It is the truck driver’s duty to ensure that the cargo gets to its destination intact and in working condition. Failure to get this done may make the trucking company liable for damage to these items.
To avoid a claim and keep your truck insurance or cargo insurance in good standing, it is important to be aware of a few security measures. By ensuring that you have control of the cargo constantly, you will find there’s significantly decreased probability of loss. The following is a list of useful guidelines.
Just like most business that require commercial insurance policy, commercial truck insurance supplies a vast array of policies and configurations in order to better serve specialized market applications and equipment.

Commercial trucking is an extremely diverse industry. Many facets of commercial trucking are regulated by law for reasons of safety, economic security and environmental considerations. Since trucks are used in so many applications, certain trucking companies are affected by such regulations and some are not.
An excellent policy for those who typically haul general non-hazardous goods is general freight. Much like you’d expect, general freight is actually blanket cargo insurance for general goods, items or substances which aren’t going to require specific regulation, handling procedures or present any unconventional safety risks

Commercial truck insurance provides the online truck insurance policy for your commercial trucks.truck cargo insuranceGet the fast and best commercial truck insurance quote in California ca, na Nevada Trucking Insurance with us,Commercial truck insurance and get a FREE truck insurance quote. Call 1-800-513-3135.

An Improved way to Find Cheap Car Insurance for Young Drivers

Cheap Insurance Locator has redeveloped their car insurance comparison system for young drivers, allowing them to save even more money on their insurance quotes.

Fulham, London, November 25, 2011 – Cheap Insurance Locator has redeveloped their car insurance comparison system for young drivers, allowing them to save even more money on their insurance quotes.

With the help of the countries top insurance providers, they can help our young drivers on the roads to get cheaper car insurance quotes by offering a simple and easy to use quote form that instantly delivers results for comparison.

As the number of new drivers increases over the holiday season, due to students having time to take driving tests and a number receiving cars for their Christmas presents, their could not be a better time to start offering great savings on insurance for this particular group of drivers.

Even though some insurance companies do offer great deals for new and young drivers they can be hard to come across as these deals are not advertised as much as other lower risk categories, and even in some cases other insurers will simply not offer cheap car insurance for young drivers as it is considered just too risky. But thanks to this new comparison system all those hard to find deals are made apparent to people who desperately want to lower their outgoings.

Before quote forms it could be near on impossible to get a fair deal, as you would be required to ring a large number of companies, handing over the same details to each one. Even if you do have the patience to do this, it is likely you will miss a great offer or if you do find a great one it can be extremely easy to lose with all the notes you make on sheets of paper!

Cheap Insurance Locator provides insurance quotes for a number of areas of the market, from cheap mini insurance and cheap 4×4 insurance, to insurance for your home. We have been operating for nearly three years and have always stuck to own original goal, to save money for our visitors.

To find out more about cheap insurance for young drivers visit Cheap Car Insurance.

Contact:
Michael Foote
Managing Director
Cheap Insurance Locator
11 Varna Road
Fulham, London SW6 7LA
07815867794
sales@cheapinsurancelocator.co.uk
http://www.cheapinsurancelocator.co.uk

Trucking Insurance – Save Your Valuable Time And Money

Meet with commercial truck insurance agents or brokers. While it’s possible to get truck Insurance quotes over the phone and through websites, many business owners like the personal touch an independent insurance agent can offer. Most independent insurance agents will also be willing to come to you at your place of business making it easier on your time.

ou can also save on truck insurance by comparison shopping among insurance companies. Truck insurance quotes vary widely from one insurance company to another, but you can easily get multiple quotes from A-rated insurance companies.

As far as local truck insurance companies are involved, they provide the very best available quotes to many insurers. Online forms using them enable not just for the insurance plan industry but also the carriers to then check quotes instantly. A creative way to check on with local agencies is online, especially if consumers have less time in hand the way it doesn’t require complete application filling along with information giving. After consumers have submitted a very small form online, local agents can then provide them the truck insurance quotes on the telephone.

There are several Truck Insurance firms out there that offer types of truck insurance Quotes, that it could be difficult to make up your mind to choose which one to purchase. Sometimes, drivers like yourself tend to get careless and choose a policy which they regret taking later on.

Commercial trucking itself is a very diverse industry. Many aspects of commercial trucking are regulated by law for reasons of safety, economic security and environmental considerations. Since trucks are used in so many applications, certain trucking companies are affected by such regulations and some are not.

When you choose the insurance company you want to work with, make sure the agent answers all of your questions and don’t sign anything until you read the fine print in the contract. Making your payments will be relatively simple – usually a check that comes right out of your bank account every month. Some will allow credit card payments as well. You don’t have to be an insurance expert, but you should understand what kind of coverage you have; how much liability coverage you have; and how to make a claim in case of an accident

Commercial truck insurance provides the online truck insurance policy for your commercial trucks.trucking insurance Get the fast and best commercial truck insurance quote in California ca, na Nevada Trucking Insurance with us,Commercial truck insurance and get a FREE truck insurance quote. Call 1-800-513-3135.

Truck Insurance Coverage – Get Free Truck Insurance Quote By Call 1-800-513-313

There are severalTruck Insurance Coverage firms out there that offer types of truck insurance Quotes, that it could be difficult to make up your mind to choose which one to purchase. Sometimes, drivers like yourself tend to get careless and choose a policy which they regret taking later on.

As far as local truck insurance companies are involved, they provide the very best available quotes to many insurers. Online forms using them enable not just for the insurance plan industry but also the carriers to then check quotes instantly. A creative way to check on with local agencies is online, especially if consumers have less time in hand the way it doesn’t require complete application filling along with information giving. After consumers have submitted a very small form online, local agents can then provide them the truck insurance quotes on the telephone.

When you contact each insurance company you should ask for a specific quote Relative to your truck. You want to know exactly what coverage options you will be receiving if you choose that insurance company as your provider and how much the annual premium will be on the insurance. Ask about the different coverage portions of the policy as well as the policy limits for each area of coverage. Also inquire as to any exclusions to the truck policy so that you know what you may need to add on to the policy

Meet with commercial truck insurance agents or brokers. While it’s possible to get truck Insurance quotes over the phone and through websites, many business owners like the personal touch an independent insurance agent can offer. Most independent insurance agents will also be willing to come to you at your place of business making it easier on your time.

Produce haulers insurance is a type of cargo insurance that produce and food haulers typically carry. Produce haulers make up a large chunk of the trucking industry and there are many motor carriers that deal with produce exclusively.

For these company’s, blanket produce haulers insurance policies are available to cover all the trucks they use in their rotation.

When you choose the insurance company you want to work with, make sure the agent answers all of your questions and don’t sign anything until you read the fine print in the contract. Making your payments will be relatively simple – usually a check that comes right out of your bank account every month. Some will allow credit card payments as well. You don’t have to be an insurance expert, but you should understand what kind of coverage you have; how much liability coverage you have; and how to make a claim in case of an accident
call 1 800 513 3135.

Commercial truck insurance provides the online truck insurance policy for your commercial trucks.truck insurance coverage Get the fast and best commercial truck insurance quote in California ca, na Nevada Trucking Insurance with us,Commercial truck insurance and get a FREE truck insurance quote. Call 1-800-513-3135.

Keen On Bigger Healthcare Insurance Discounts? Apply These Proven Tips

Everyone can enjoy high quality coverage without paying top price. The only things that stand between you and attracting a cheaper rate at the moment are the right information and a motivation to use the tips you get. Let’s get into the steps you need to pay far less…

Smoking will always attract very high rates. Smokers are more likely to die untimely and are also more likely to contract many deadly diseases.

If smoking causes specific health conditions, then it makes a person a high risk and that calls for higher rates. If you can quit smoking you’ll get rates that are dramatically cheaper when you reapply after 12 months.

Individuals who decide to participate in extreme sports surely get rates that are simply too high. It is therefore imperative to quit such high risk sports if you need lower rates.

A group plan is more affordable than an individual health insurance plan. Therefore take advantage of it if you are in a position to use one.. The higher a risk your profile is the more you’ll save if you use a group plan.

You will also save much with a group plan if you have to pay very high rates owing to a pre-existing medical condition. So taking advantage of a group plan is a good to get quality coverage at an affordable rate.

Buying catastrophic health insurance coverage will help you make considerable savings in health insurance and is best for you if you are the consistently healthy type. You enjoy coverage for those conditions or medical needs that may come up suddenly.

You’ll really appreciate this policy if you ever have to pay huge bills due to sudden diseases or accidents. The name certainly does give an idea of what it provides coverage against. The rate paid for catastrophic health insurance is truly affordable.

Nevertheless, bear in mind that it has deductibles that are as high as $2,000. Notwithstanding, you’ll be happy to contribute such if your medical bills run up to $50,000 which is where catastrophic health insurance really shines.

An HMO will will get you health insurance at a cheaper rate. HMOs offer coverage that is cheaper than regular health insurance. With the cheaper cost comes restrictions in the doctors, health care professionals and hospitals you can use.

For individuals who want no restrictions in who and where to get medical care, a traditional health insurance plan is still your best bet.

For such folks, cost can be lowered if they take the time out to shop extensively for low rates in traditional health insurance. This is a proven way to get inexpensive rates while using a traditional health insurance plan.

However, where you are willing to accept its restrictions, you will pay cheaper rates with an HMO.

Knowledge, they say, is power. Knowing what is in your best interest helps you choose rightly. In addition, you will as well be more prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they come.

You can get advice on health matters from government agencies by calling their number toll-free. To make inquiries, call the National Health Information Center at 1-800-336-4797.

If in your case it’s tough to locate a standard health insurance carrier due to a pre-existing disease you can go for COBRA insurance. Just by the way COBRA is the abbreviation for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985.

Check through your policy from time to time. This will help you confirm you always have adequate coverage. But most times it does happen that one of these checks shows that you have more coverage than necessary.

Dropping such unnecessary coverage will lower your rates.For instance, if you bought coverage for your family and one of your kids has just gone to college or got married, you may not remember to remove them from your family policy if you do not crosscheck your entire policy regularly. It is very easy to forget little details like this. Believe me, happiness can make you forget serious things like this.

Would you like to bring down your costs? Then take steps to save considerably by visiting the sites below: cheap auto insurance policy and Cheap vehicle quotes. Mercy Gabriel-Odimba operates over a hundred sites that show you tips to get superior insurance cheap.

How to Find the Truck Insurance Nevada Policy Call 1-800-513-3135

Looking for an Commercial truck insurance can be a daunting job especially if you do not know what to look for. There are several companies that offer extremely low rates, best services and also other promises that seem attractive. It is, without a doubt, a good thing to do your research before finally settling to get insurance, but it is better when you can accomplish this in little length of time and money.

Providers offer several types of policies for a number of fleets. Some offer personal car policies, some for commercial automobiles, some for large fleets and others for temperature controlled vehicles. When selecting company for commercial truck insurance, it is best to seek out specialized provider. This is because a non-specialized provider may well not understand the information regarding the certain truck

Underwriting decisions can be less stringent with specialized company seeing that they base their criteria in their information about the nature of running vehicles. Non-specialized may not understand in regards to the acceptable variety of times for moving transgression, the burden restriction with all the highway in different states and its acceptable high wide loads.

Always observe safety. This calls for doing regular truck check-ups, making certain its engine, tires, and all the rest are functioning well. In addition, try out purchasing devices such as an early warning signal that can be quite useful when road troubles happen. Having your driver participating in safety driving programs or trainings is also worth considering.

he coverage you’ll need is dictated by regulations. Liability is crucial for all vehicles to cover damage you caused on property along with people. This might include under-insured motorist and private injury protection or PIP. Physical damage coverage is also required to cover electronics and the like. For your clients’ protection, you also require protection for the cargo and should be tailored in line with the form of commodities being transported. Elective insurance include people that will handle occupational health and accident, general liability and garage liability.

Even though insurance policies are an intangible investment – you will never get compensated until you need be – it will always be assuring that whatever happens, you will never get bankrupt after an accident. There is no need to worry about paying off damages, so it will be far better to be covered the same.

Commercial Truck insurance fees tend to be higher because of the risks this big vehicle imposes. It is possible to lower your premium by improving the number of deductibles. Moreover, have a promising business credit standing on top of your personal credit rating. Insurance companies will be more than able to provide good rates to clients who is going to control their credit history. Bear in mind effective enterprise credit gives you additional talking energy could lower your rate.

Trucks are further needed to have retro reflective sheeting. It is a material attached to both sides of the vehicle’s body. It sort of glows in the evening so that passing cars are warned that there is an oncoming truck even if the roads are dim and without lampposts. The sheeting needs to be at least half the complete length of the truck’s body.

Commercial truck insurance provides the online truck insurance policy for your commercial trucks.Truck Insurance Nevada Get the fast and best commercial truck insurance quote in California ca, na Nevada Trucking Insurance with us,Commercial truck insurance and get a FREE truck insurance quote. Call 1-800-513-3135.

Manulife wants to be your “Pal” and set your mind at “Ease”

New accident and critical illness plans catered to protect your lifestyle

Singapore – Manulife Singapore today announces the launch of two new plans – mPal and mEase – for customers looking for protection solutions against accidents and critical illnesses. Both plans are designed to give customers peace of mind and confidence in pursuing the lifestyle they prefer.

Ms Annette King, President and CEO of Manulife Singapore said: “Accident, disability and critical illness are three key coverages that a comprehensive protection portfolio should have. As part of Manulife’s commitment to creating forward-thinking products, we set up a business unit focusing on accident and health plans to provide our customers a wider selection of products and solutions. mPal and mEase are the first two of the m-family series of products to launch this year.”

A Personal Accident plan that is effective worldwide 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, mPal covers accidental death, dismemberment and 14 common diseases such as Dengue Fever and Food Poisoning. It also provides double payment for any injuries sustained while travelling by private or public transport, and double indemnity for injury sustained or covered disease diagnosed overseas where treatment is sought while abroad. In addition, mPal allows for reimbursements of medical treatments from registered Chinese physicians or chiropractors. The plan pays a weekly benefit when hospitalized due to accident or accidental disability as long as it is within 90 days from the date of accident.

KK Loo, Senior Vice President and Chief, Accident & Health Business said: “Accidents are unpredictable, but the importance of accident protection is often overlooked. mPal is like a friend who is always by your side when you are in need. Our customers and their families can count on us for peace of mind.”

Other coverage includes injuries sustained from acts of terrorism, exposure to hazardous sports such as scuba diving for leisure, or full-time National Service or Reservist duty while serving the nation in Singapore and overseas. Parents can enhance coverage for their children with the Child Benefit rider that has an Education Assurance Fund benefit to help future education and daily expenses should the parent die from an accident.

mEase is a term plan that provides comprehensive coverage against 30 critical illnesses, total & permanent disability (TPD) and loss of life. mEase gives customers the option to convert into a regular premium plan from a range of available products of similar cover without further evidence of health. mEase pays out the chosen Sum Insured upon TPD or diagnosis of 29 covered critical illnesses and 10% of the Sum Insured for angioplasty and other invasive treatments for coronary artery disease.

“When misfortune strikes, one’s lifestyle is usually compromised due to the loss of income and this is especially important for sole breadwinners. mEase protects customers’ lifestyles by providing a lump sum to cover loss of income so that they are well equipped financially to focus on recovery,” Mr. Loo commented.

In addition, in the unfortunate event of death, a Compassionate Death Benefit of $10,000 will be payable and an additional sum will be paid on top of this if the mEase Life Rider is attached. Other optional riders are available to waive subsequent premiums upon the death, TPD or critical illness of a payor.

About Manulife (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Manulife (Singapore) Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 22 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients worldwide have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients around the world. We provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in life and property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were $475 billion (US$478 billion) as at December 31, 2010. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

Media Contact:

Cindy Cheng

Manulife Singapore Pte Ltd

68338162

cindy_cheng_ac@manulife.com

Changes to International Student Health Insurance

The latest international student health insurance plan benefit and rate changes have been incorporated in the popular student insurance comparison engine at, www.zinternationalstudent.com. The website offers a wide range of international student insurance, exchange student insurance, and study abroad health insurance.

These plans are available for both foreign students enrolling at US universities and US students going overseas for study abroad programs. The website permits comparing plans from various carriers and makes it easy for users to identify unique benefits that make each plan different from the other.

The first quarter of 2011 has seen numerous changes in rates, benefits & exclusions and the latest update helps students and program coordinators shop for the best value insurance. For example, one of the popular plans in the J visa exchange student community saw a steep increase in rates for dependant children less than 5 years.

US students pursuing a study abroad program are forced to seek coverage outside of their regular domestic HMO or PPO plan because these plans offer very limited or no coverage outside the US. Besides, the international student insurance plans offer the medical evacuation and repatriation for returning home (these benefits are typically absent with HMO and domestic PPO plans).

If you’re coming to the United States under a student exchange program, you will be required to have a valid J1 insurance policy for the duration of the program. If you’re stay is of limited duration, then there are plans that cover trips as short as five days and can is renewable if you choose the right plan.

Chiranth Nataraj, CEO of International Services, Inc said, “it is important for students to check with student advisors on the latest minimum insurance requirements so that they can easily pick a plan that meets all the requirements. When one knows what is required then our website will help you pick a plan within 2 minutes”.

Sometimes, individual preferences go beyond the minimum requirements specified by the University. The discerning can seek out plans that cover preexisting conditions, pregnancies, mental health etc; while the cost conscious can purchase the bare minimum and save on premium.

Finding value in insurance premiums and benefits has been made easy by the updates at www.zinternationalstudent.com; the site remains invaluable for international students and their advisors.

Chiranth Nataraj

President, CEO

International Services Inc.

529 Barnsley Terrace

Glen Allen, VA 23059

877-593-5403