We all know that if you smoke cigarettes, your insurance premiums will be higher.  But what about e-cigs?  Are they considered smoking? 

            Federal regulators are weighing in now on whether or not health insurers who participate in the Affordable Care Act can charge a tobacco surcharge on e-cigs.  The law currently allows insurers to charge up to 50 percent more in premiums for smokers, but it does not specify the use of electronic cigarettes. 

            Electronic cigarettes are devices that are battery powered that turn liquid nicotine into vapor to “smoke.”  The review comes after the Food and Drug Administration proposed the first federal regulations on e-cigs back in April. 

            Some employers, including Wal-Mart and the United Postal Service, already charge employees who use e-cigarettes more because of the potential of health risks.  Critics say, though, that this charge could deter some people from switching from cigarettes to a safer alternative of electronic cigarettes. 

            "It's a very sticky situation," said Ray Story, chief executive of the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association. "What we're trying to provide is a product that's less harmful. You can't paint it with the same brush as conventional cigarettes." (Armour, 2014).

            "We don't know what the health effects of e-cigarettes are, but we do know nicotine has potential negative effects," said Mark Skillan, a medical director at Munich American Reassurance.”  (Armour, 2014).

            This debate has led to an unlikely agreement between the tobacco industry and the health advocacy groups because neither one want a surcharge on the e-cigs.  Currently Cigna says that since the law didn’t state e-cigarettes specifically in the definition of tobacco use, they are not considering them as tobacco use in it’s family and individual health plans. 

Call Pachuta Insurance Today @ 706-769-2262
Source:
The Wall Street Journal

Along with all the other expenses of setting up an apartment, a new home away from home, and finding really good reliable room-mates who will pay their part of the expenses on time, does a student REALLY need the additional expense of renter’s insurance?

Here are some possible situations when renter’s insurance may come in handy:

·         You are moving in and the box of dishes that your Grandmother gave you to use falls over the stair rail and crashes 2 floors below.

·         Finally all moved in and you decide to go somewhere to eat and celebrate, but upon returning home the apartment is empty.  Someone broke in and took it all.

·         While having a Watch The Big Game party one of your friends falls down and breaks a leg.  What happens when the bills come in?

·         It’s a really cold winter night, the pipes freeze and when they thaw water floods out right onto all your sports equipment.

·         During a big windstorm a tree crashes down on your roof destroying everything in the living room.  The TV, music system, everything all is destroyed.  What now?

All of these scenarios, depending on your policy, could be covered by renter’s insurance.  Since renter’s insurance is one of the least expensive insurances, it would be a good idea to call for more information and a quote from a reputable, respected insurance agent.

Call Pachuta Insurance Today @ 706-769-2262

There is a major misconception among younger people about the cost of renter’s insurance.  The average cost of renter’s insurance is the same as a few trips to the coffee shop.  Seeing as how most renters are responsible for a lot of the same things are homeowners are, renter’s insurance is a must.  For example, most people don’t know that stolen property is normally covered under a renter’s insurance policy or that a third of people don’t realize that party accidents are covered a lot of times as well.

Over half of the renter’s in the country don’t have any coverage at all.  People would be surprised what they can afford and most policies are very affordable. 

One of the parts of a renter’s insurance policy that needs to be taken into major consideration is the loss of use provision.  This is coverage that is for if something were to happen that would make the home uninhabitable.  The key to this is to make sure that there is enough coverage in this area.  The coverage needs to be enough to cover not just the rent in another place, but the day-to-day expenses as well, such as toiletries, while the person is displaced from their home.  The standard in most policies is just 20% of contents coverage, while the suggested adjustment is 40%-50% of contents coverage in order to get adequate policy limits

Call Pachuta Insurance Today @ 706-769-2262


Source:
Insurance Business of America

“The Biz Beat” of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on March 12, 2014 about the hardship new car prices cause for the average driver currently living in Atlanta and its suburbs. Adding to the payment schedule imposed on those purchasing their new vehicle, comes the increased cost of auto insurance they must now integrate into their budgets. The writer advises those looking to purchase new cars to look for those models that sell for $20,000 or below the national median of car prices. Although these cars will still require a full policy of car insurance, their lower net worth can lower consumer costs accordingly.

Working with an insurance professional that understands your needs and budgetary state after buying a new car is another way to lower insurance costs. Your auto insurance rates can reflect a careful comparison of what is available in the marketplace. This car insurance can also contain discounts based on your driving habits and professional rate reductions that may be due you. An experienced insurance agent can set up your policy to include other drivers in your family that will be driving this new car with your chosen auto insurance. Adding to these cost saving methods is the flexibility to increase or decrease your policy premiums as needed.

While more people are shopping on the world wide web for their products and services, buying required insurance for a new vehicle is best not conducted this way. Having a face to face or telephone discussion with an actual insurance agent is always going to be preferable to merely signing up online. The person-to-person factor can always find additional ways to help new car buyers meet their State of Georgia insurance requirements while not depleting the financial resources they need to proudly drive their new car or truck.

Looking for car insurance in Athens?  Call Pachuta Insurance today @ 706-769-2262.