Real Estate Agent Insurance: What You Need for Protection
In the United State, there are about 1.36 million licensed real estate agents.
Every real estate agent has a different working style, specialty, and clientele. However, every real estate agent needs coverage.
If you’re in the real estate business, it’s important you learn what you need to stay protected.
Read on to learn the types of real estate agent insurance you need.
1. General Liability Insurance
As a realtor, you might spend a lot of time on the road showing houses to your clients. However, there will be instances when clients visit your office.
General liability insurance covers you against claims that result from an injury or damage to another person or their property. For example, if one of your clients visits your office and they fall over a loose tile, they could sue you later one for their injuries.
Having general liability insurance will provide you with the coverage so you can protect yourself. General liability insurance also covers advertising claims such as slander and advertising claims.
2. Professional Liability Insurance
When you’re a real estate agent, you help people buy the home of their dreams every day, and they depend on your advice to make a decision. After all, they are making a big investment. Learn about these investments and how to protect them.
Unfortunately having that responsibility, also makes you more vulnerable to lawsuits. After all, real estate agents, even the best, can make mistakes or overlook a detail every once in a while.
Also known as errors and omissions, professional liability insurance protects you against several claims. The reason can include and are not limited to negligence, failure to disclose important detail or the delay or cancellation of a sale due to your mistake.
If you get sued due to any of those reasons, the litigation costs and real estate attorney fees could be too much for your business to handle.
3. Car Insurance
If you’re like most real estate agents, you use your car to go on showings.
Since you’re using your car to conduct business, you need the type of car insurance that will protect you in case of an accident while you’re on the job.
Make sure you disclose to your car insurance company you use your car for business so they can give you the appropriate policy.
4. Business Owner Policy
Business owner policies protect all of your office equipment such as printers, furniture, computers and more. You need all of these things to successfully conduct business so you need to protect it.
5. Umbrella Coverage
Even if you have liability insurance, it might not be enough to protect you in case of a lawsuit.
If your coverage caps out at $1 million but you get sued for $2 million, where would you get the rest?
Umbrella coverage is a supplemental policy that covers the rest.
Real Estate Agent Insurance: The Bottom Line
Real estate agent insurance is a must for all agents. Insurance can protect you against general liabilities, professional mistake claims, and more.
Wondering whether it’s a good idea to hire a real estate attorney? Check out this article.
Life Stages that Impact Insurance Needs for Estate Planning
Different life stages call for different insurance coverage especially when you own a home. A young single individual or empty nester does not need as much insurance coverage as a parent with young children. Learning the ins and outs of the basic insurance needs you may have is a good first step towards a solid financial education.
Life Stage Young Adult
As a young adult your financial responsibilities are usually few. If you happen to own a home, your insurance needs will be higher than if you are renting or living with your parents. If you have financial responsibilities like rent or a mortgage, you should have short term and long-term disability. This insurance will help ensure that you have a roof over your head should you get insured or sick and are unable to work.
Life insurance would be minimum since you are not supporting anyone at this point in your life. You should opt to have a minimum term policy of $10,000 this would cover any funeral costs if the unfortunate happened. This insurance would keep your parents or other family members from going into debt to handle your final arrangements. If you own a home at this point it is unlikely there is much or any equity, but the sale of the home should take care of any open financial ties if you pass.
Life Stage Young Married/Partnered Adult
As a young couple you have financial responsibilities to each other to ensure that you are taken care of incase one of you can no longer work or you pass. You are either renting or living in your first home. You and your significant other depend on one another to cover monthly expenses.
You want to ensure that your partner is taken care of if something happens to you and you also want to make sure if you or your partner is unable to work that your financial responsibilities are still taken care of. You should have a life insurance policy to cover all financial burdens that you and your significant other share, rent, mortgage, car loans, credit card or other debt. Short term and long term disability are key to making sure you do not lose income if you are unable to work for a short period of time or if you become disabled and need long term disability.
Consider adding a home warranty insurance plan to your monthly expenses. As most young couples do not have much in expendable income, this low monthly policy can help if any untimely expenses arise for the appliances or home systems in your first home.
Life Stage Young Couple with Children
Young couples with children have the highest need for insurance. They are now the providers of not just themselves, but they now have dependents. If the couple is still renting, they do not need to have a life insurance policy large enough to pay off a mortgage, but they would want a policy large enough to help cover all monthly expenses if one parent passes. The transition from being a two-parent household down to one would take a great deal of time and stress.
Removing the financial burden from your significant other is the best thing you can do for them if you pass. You will need short term and longer-term disability to help ensure your monthly expenses are covered if you or your partner is unable to work due to an injury. Consider adding a home warranty to your monthly expenses as this small monthly charge can help cover any repairs that come up in your home with your appliances or home systems. If you own a home you will need a life insurance policy that will pay off the mortgage, and all other debts and allow your partner time and resources to make life adjustments. For each child you should have a life insurance policy for a minimum of $5-$10k.
Consider adding a cancer policy to help cover expenses that could come with missing work and caring for a member of your family while dealing with the illness. Have a life insurance policy and plan in place incase both parents pass and family would care for the children. The cost of raising a child and any life adjustments should be considered when deciding on how much insurance is needed.
Life Stage Mature Couple with Older Children
Couples with older children may not need as much life insurance as the amount needed to care for and raise the children has decreased. The above policies are still suggested.
Life Stage Empty Nester
Once children are out of the home and are no longer being cared for by the parents, the life insurance policy needed to help raise the children is no longer needed. At this point whether or not you need a large life insurance policy may depend on your financial situation. If you are still living paycheck to paycheck, having a life insurance policy would be ideal to ensure that if something happens to you or your spouse neither of you are left saddled with debt.
The need for additional insurance policies may not be as immediate as most people are planning toward retirement, extra funds should be going into investments to grow a retirement savings. Since most of any expendable income should be being invested consider keeping the home warranty on the home to keep you from having to worry about unexpected repairs with your home’s appliances and home systems. If you haven’t already sold your home and moved into a smaller home, consider adding the home warranty with the sale of the home. This makes the new buyers feel more confident in the purchase that the home they are buying has been well taken care of.
Life Stage Retirement
After you have moved out of your home and downsized, you can consider downsizing on your insurance needs. Your children are grown and have their own life insurance policies; you do not need to have policies on them at this point. You may already own your home or have moved back into renting, so having a life insurance policy to pay off a mortgage is also no longer needed. You are living off of your retirement, so eliminating unnecessary expenses is key. Many adults in their golden years have already prepaid for their funeral expenses, so having a policy in place to cover that expense is no longer needed.
You are living on a budget, so be sure to avoid any unexpected expenses at this point. You can keep the home warranty on your home and this will help keep your budget in line and you do not have to worry about the fridge going out or furnace. Focus on the beauty of retirement and relax knowing you are covered.
Does Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?
Does insurance cover plastic surgery? Yes, your health insurance policy might cover your plastic surgery procedure when the surgery will be categorized as a non-cosmetic surgery. However, there will be certain terms and conditions.
When Does A Health Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?
| Many things will depend on the type of health insurance you have and your insurance company. There are a few factors that you need to consider in order to know that your plastic surgery is covered by your own insurance or not. It is important to know if the surgery is cosmetic, reconstructive, or to preserve the quality of your life. The type of surgery that you’ll have will decide the coverage that you’ll receive. |  |
Coverage might be different for a facelift compared to a someone who is recovering from labor and is in need of a mommy makeover.
Most of the companies follow MMA (American Medical Association) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) definitions. These definitions state the following:
Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery means that these surgeries performed are to correct the abnormalities caused by developmental abnormalities, congenital defects, infection, trauma, and disease. These surgeries can help to improve the functionalities or can correct abnormalities to offer a normal appearance.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is related to reshaping any normal structure on the body for improving the self-esteem or appearance of the patient. When getting any sort of cosmetic surgery procedure done, be sure to do your prior research and choose a qualified plastic surgeon.
Health Insurance Companies Will Have the Final Say
The health insurance companies will have the freedom to evaluate the condition. They may evaluate differently depending on their policies. They are the final interpreters. Different companies might take things different differently. An example of how these insurance companies might interpret procedures differently is the procedure of circumcision of infants. While some companies cover this procedure, others do not since they find it cosmetic.
The Difference Between Medical Necessity & Cosmetics
This is up to the insurance companies to decide what is medically necessary and what will come under the category of cosmetics. In fact, they can change their policies from time to time depending on the following:
- Insurance type
- How they relate to the needs of the patients
- Evolution of the new procedures
- Requirements for medical treatment
Surgeries Mostly Covered By Your Insurance
There are many types of surgeries covered by your home insurance. In fact, you might consider them cosmetic surgeries. But, they will be covered by your insurance. Here are a few examples:
- Abdominal Surgery: When the surgery is performed to improve your health problems including a hernia, sores, back pain, and your walkability.
- Eyelid Surgery: If it is done to correct vision problems or to improve drooping eyelids.
- Breast Surgery: When the surgery is performed to minimize the size of breast that causes health complication, congenital absence or to reduce the size of male breasts. In the case where a breast reduction is needed, the 1998 Federal Breast Reconstruction Law, and sometimes referred to as the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires insurance companies to provide coverage for breast reconstructions after a mastectomy.
- Facial Surgery: If it is done to boost the appearance caused by threat deformities in the head and neck or paralysis.
- Ear Surgery: When done to correct deformed ears by diseases, injury, or birth.
- Nasal Surgery: If performed to correct the abnormalities resulting from disease or birth causing breathing problems.
- Hand Surgery: When done to treat nerve injuries, fused fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar conditions.
In Conclusion
Does insurance cover plastic surgery? Yes, if you meet any of the above conditions, your surgery might be covered by your own insurance. Most surgeries that are covered by insurance companies include abdominal surgery, eyelid surgery, breast surgery, facial surgery, ear surgery, nasal surgery, and hand surgery.
Reasons for delayed life insurance claims and how to avert it
There are few to-do lists that we need to tick off the moment we have a stable career! Other than opening a savings account and making the necessary investments, it is also essential to opt-in for your life insurance. Selecting the correct policy is essential. Additionally, you also need to know the process of life insurance claims, so that you can claim it later.
According to the standard procedure, all life insurance claims are paid within a maximum of 30 days after submission of a formal claim to the concerned insurance organization. When the claim surpasses the 30-day time, the insurance company considers it as delayed. A delay of any kind will strain the survivors. Furthermore, a delay can happen due to multiple reasons.
Majority of the time, when insurance company denies claims and the reasons supporting the same are unfavorable! From missing important data to technical errors, the reasons are varied. To put some order and promise of receiving the claim, it is essential for people to reach out to expert life insurance lawyers. Delay in obtaining the insurance claim doesn’t necessarily mean that the claim will get denied altogether. But if you are facing a delay over a month or two, you need to look into the matter seriously.
Reasons for delayed life insurance claims
Addressing a delayed insurance claim is essential. Also, you need to know the possible reasons that cause a delay. Discussed below are some of the essential reasons that postpone your claims.
- The beneficiary could be a minor
Is the beneficiary a minor child? If yes, then the life insurance claims will get delayed till such time the insurance organization receives the necessary details about the minor’s guardians. It is important to add the minor’s guardian in the claim.
- Not naming a spouse
There are times when a spouse doesn’t get added as a beneficiary for a community-property state. In such cases, it is possible for the spouses to claim a certain amount of the proceeds from the insurance policy.
- Not updating the beneficiaries
Sometimes there can be significant life changes occurring in people’s lives! You might have a major setback as well, such as a divorce. There are instances, when people get married, have children, or change locations and many more. In such situations, the names of the beneficiaries get changed in their life insurance policies. When these changes aren’t updated, the claim will get delayed.
- Unnamed beneficiaries
When an insurance claim doesn’t carry the name of a beneficiary, the concerned insurance company will either pay the proceeds based on the state law rules. And this can delay the insurance claim as well.
How to avoid any life insurance claim delays?
One of the intelligent ways to avert all kinds of denials and delays in your life insurance claim is to consult a life insurance lawyer. This attorney will ensure that all the correct data gets added with the claim. Going forward, the lawyers will let the insurance companies know that they want a clear claims policy in place. The moment an insurance company is aware that you have a lawyer to guide you; they will stop delaying the claim because you didn’t add any unnecessary details.
Do you want to know how to stay away from claim delays? If yes, you can refer to the pointers listed below:
- Make sure that you are adding in precise data
Right from the start to the end, it is essential to add in only the correct data in your insurance claim. A missing or wrong data will lead to a delay.
- Make sure to have a beneficiary
It is essential to appoint a beneficiary and ensure that you name the correct beneficiaries. You must also make the necessary updates if there has been any significant life change.
- Make sure to pay all your premiums on time
It is a smart call not to let your policy lapse because of any non-payment issues. Ensure that you have made the necessary arrangements for another person to receive the relevant invoices so that the premiums are paid on time, even when you are not present.
- Add in all the essential documentation
Every insurance company has its process for a claim. The company will inform you about all the details that it requires before they start to pay the benefits. You need to ensure that all the details and correct get submitted in time.
The solution for the delay in life insurance claims
There are times when a delayed life insurance claim becomes a denied one. In such a situation, it’s pointless to follow up the life insurance company all by yourself. You need to know the correct legalities supporting this process. For this, it is essential that you get in touch with an ace life insurance lawyer who has the necessary expertise to address this issue and resolve it successfully, at the earliest.
Each lawyer has their way of working! There are expert life insurance lawyers who can make you receive a claim, from a claim that the insurance company denied before. Some ace lawyers proceed with the case at hand by meeting the claims representative of the life insurance company. The lawyer attempts to convince the representative to clear the payment in within two weeks. Just in case a claim gets denied, the lawyers will have to get down to serious work. They will have to submit a legal brief, that’s anything between 100 and 200 pages, to the company’s legal section directly. After this, both you and your lawyer will have to allow some time, preferably a month for the company to share their decision. Usually, this is the process that most lawyers follow. However, every case of a life insurance claim delay or denial has its challenges. Hence, the solution provided by the lawyers is case specific and subjective.
It is always a smart call to go ahead under the guidance of an expert lawyer! If you try to resolve this complex issue yourself, you might fall into more trouble. You can ask for recommendations from your friends and family for a life insurance lawyer. Close references prove useful most of the time. That aside, you can always research online and gather the names of the law firms and get connected.
Express Movers – Importance of Movers Insurance
If you are planning to relocate, you might be wondering whether or not you need movers insurance. Given the unexpectedness of what can happen during a move, it might be in your best interest to consider the importance of movers insurance. There have been cases in the past when valuable items were accidently destroyed and no compensation was issued to the individuals moving. Below are some things you need to learn about movers insurance.Importance of Movers Insurance
There are several methods on how you can safeguard your move and household items. You can opt for valuation coverage or buy moving insurance. Here are some of the things you need to know about the two options.What is Valuation?
If you’re not moving in a hurry, once you pick a moving company, you will be presented with a moving contract to sign. Here, you will notice that the moving company offers different levels of valuation coverage. The coverage is the amount that the moving company is willing to pay in case of damages. But it is crucial to note that the valuation coverage is not insurance, and its benefits are limited. There are several things that are not covered by the valuation coverage. Some of them include:
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Why You Need Additional Movers Insurance
Additional to valuation coverage, you have an option of getting movers insurance. If you’re not throwing a lot of stuff away and you are transporting several valuable items, it is a good idea to purchase movers insurance. This will ensure that things you handle yourself are well-covered. In addition, movers insurance schemes cover items for around 90 days while in storage or transit.What Items are Covered by Movers Insurance?
| Movers insurance covers a plethora of things. However, it depends on the policy you choose. Generally, the insurance covers damages on household items while in transit or storage. Also, damages to your household goods caused by floods, earthquakes or accidental breakage are covered. |  |
Does Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover the Move?
If you have a homeowners policy, it is not a guarantee that your items are covered during a move. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it is important to check with your individual insurance to fully comprehend if your homeowners insurance policy covers moving.Bottom-line
Before moving, it is essential to take photos of all your household goods. This will help you in case you want to file a claim. Also, if you are packing your belongings, ensure you are using the right boxes. Then hire a trustworthy moving company and ensure you have additional movers insurance. All in all, hopefully this article has shown you the importance of movers insurance.
Can I Sue My Insurance Company? – 10 Easy Steps to Dispute an Insurance Claim
Ohio State Patrol has investigated 46,389 auto accidents year-to-date in 2018—including 822 fatalities. And, that only includes those accidents reported.
Many accidents, reported or not, will lead to insurance company issues. The companies involved will argue responsibility, damages, and personal injuries. And, they will lengthen the process it takes to satisfy the parties involved. Dealing with uncooperative insurance companies may require the assistance of an experienced auto accident attorney, sooner than later.
Here’s How to Dispute a Car Insurance Claim in 10 Easy Steps:
- Identify your problem: An insurance company may claim that the accident or injury falls outside the policy coverage. Or, it might insist damages have been determined incorrectly or unfairly. If you are confident after reviewing your policy, then you should assert the insurance company’s offer was inadequate and you expect more.
- Check the law: Insurance companies must comply with state rules. If you check state law on the state website and find your insurer violates them, your dispute is all the stronger.
- Use a third party: Insurance appraisers work for their employers’ interests. But, an independent appraiser may see things differently.
- Document, document, document: You must collect and organize all communications regarding the claim. Gather any notes, letters, reports, texts, and emails.
- Make that call: With your work and thoughts organized, you must call the insurance company to report the problem the way you see it. If you stay firm but polite, you can make a stronger impression.
- Put it in writing: Having reported your complaint to the insurance company, you should put your understanding in writing to the claim adjuster. That letter will serve to prove you have reported the dispute.
- Amp up the dispute: If the insurer fails to honor its commitment or ignores your dispute, it is time to complain to the Ohio Department of Insurance. They will investigate your complaint.
- Get a lawyer: With an experienced lawyer behind you, you can present the best case. With all your records prepared, you can visit this attorney’s office to see what dispute you have. The lawyer may or may not recommend suing. Lawyers can negotiate your claim dispute without going to court.
- Think about mediation: The lawyer may show how mediation may be in your best interest. A third-party mediator will negotiate a resolution that satisfies everyone without the cost of going to court.
- Go to court: Depending on the state’s limits, you can take a dispute to Small Claims Court. With all your records with you, you can navigate Small Claims Court on your own. But, if need a settlement on a larger claim, you can press your lawyer to sue the insurance company for its bad faith practice.
Dealing with Uncooperative Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have obligations to their stakeholders. They should not reward frivolous claims. But, they should honor their commitments to policyholders, too. So, if you find yourself unhappy with the insurance company’s handling of your claim, these 10 recommendations should help.
When Should You Hire an Insurance Lawyer?
As insurance companies will jump through hoops to avoid payouts, they continue to pay their CEOs hundred million dollar salaries.
Meanwhile, you could be offered a settlement that inadequate to cover your medical bills. When dealing with an insurance company, it’s important to consider hiring an insurance lawyer.
While your first thought might be that a lawyer is too expensive or too much of a hassle for your claim, think again.
Insurance lawyers can handle multiple cases at one time, meaning that their prices will be accessible to the average claimant. Insurance lawyers know the kinds of returns that you’re meant to get and will adjust their fees accordingly.
When going up against an insurance company, it can be hard to know how to get what you deserve. Instead of sitting on the phone, hoping to get through to the right person, let an insurance lawyer handle your case if you run into one of these 7 issues.
1. The Insurance Company Is Denying Your Claim
If your insurance company denies your claim for no good reason, they’re not just being difficult. They could be in violation of the law.
Even when dealing with unique insurance claims, providers need to provide valid reasons for your denial.
US laws require that insurance companies always act from a “good faith” perspective when dealing with claims. They are meant to take an approach that assumes that your priority is to get help with costs related to your issue, not to become an overnight millionaire.
If you’re a good customer who regularly pays your bills and is in good standing, you should have your claim processed quickly and efficiently. When your insurance company is throwing hurdles in your way, it’s time to call an insurance lawyer.
When you were denied, did your insurance company give you a valid reason? If not, you should call a lawyer right away to handle your case.
2. No Payout For Fraudulent Reasons
If your insurance company is refusing to pay out for a reason that you know to be completely false, you have grounds for a lawsuit. Your insurance company is acting in violation of the law and you need to take action.
Unfortunately, when this happens to most people, they feel powerless. They don’t know what to do or who to turn to. The might not even realize that an insurance lawyer could help them.
If you have been injured or have a disability due to an accident or incident, your insurance company could wrongfully dispute your disability. They could wrongfully claim that there is a limit on paying for damages if the incident occurred years before. They could also incorrectly identify your issue so as to deny that it’s a valid issue under their payable claims.
When an insurance company purposely offers less than they know they should, they could be in violation of federal or state laws. An insurance attorney will be able to help you to define what it is you’re owed.
3. They Delay Your Payments
If your payments are delayed beyond the time period that was originally agreed upon when you signed the policy, you could have grounds for a suit. If you’re not provided with a proper legal explanation, you should call an attorney.
States set limits that require insurance companies to resolve situations within a given period of time. If their responses have been unreasonably slow, an attorney can figure out what’s going on.
When you submit all of your documentation and information to make a claim, it is the insurance company’s responsibility to tell you if they require more documents. They are also required to tell you the status of your claim in a timely manner. They could keep you waiting, hoping that you give up hope and they can go without paying your claim.
This is one of those instances when you need to get on the phone with an attorney ASAP.
4. Unexpected Policy Termination
If you went to make a claim and found out that your policy was unexpectedly cut off, you should get on the phone with an attorney immediately. If you don’t resolve this issue immediately, you could end up paying your bills out of pocket.
It’s actually illegal for an insurance company to terminate your policy without warning you or without having a good reason. If they claim your policy has ended right after you file a claim for a personal injury, this should raise a few red flags.
Not only is this unethical and inhumane, but it’s quite illegal for an insurance company to deceive you in this way.
Calling an insurance lawyer can help hammer out the details and get your issues sorted out.
5. They Send An Attorney
If your insurance company is sending you to speak to their attorney, you should probably get an attorney as soon as possible. Likely, they’re hoping to build a case and have you speak on the record. They will try to get you to either incriminate yourself or invalidate your claim.
The insurance company’s lawyer has the insurance company’s interests in mind, not yours. Anything you say to the insurance company’s attorney could get turned into part of a countersuit or a case built against you and your claim.
An insurance lawyer can help to coach you on any phone calls you need to make or any meetings you need to attend. They should be able to provide you with representation in person and even orchestrate conference calls with you. If they’re coming for you with their attorney, you’re not going to want to step into battle alone.
Hiring An Insurance Lawyer Will Protect Your Claim
Having an insurance lawyer might seem like a big expense up front, but talk to your lawyer about fees before you begin.
Some attorneys, given a strong enough case, will only bill you if there’s a settlement. This way you can ensure you’ll get proper representation without having to go into debt.
If you’re ready to look for the right attorney for your case, contact us today to get started with your search.
