Sending Money In An Emergency

Posted by Imogen Standish · Leave a Comment 

Sometimes a friend or relative will get into trouble overseas or experience an emergency in a foreign country. If you need to get money to them quickly, the US State Department can help. However, travel insurance is essential. Encourage your family members to take out international travel insurance to help cover the costs of unforeseen problems. While the US Embassy can help transfer money, they cannot reimburse people for any money spent in an emergency situation.

The US State Department, on request, sets up a secure account where you can deposit money. The person in trouble abroad can then contact the Embassy where they are to pick up the funds.

Relatives can transfer money by mail or Western Union.

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Budget woes may cause health insurance hardships in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania

Posted by Rose Broinowski · Leave a Comment 

Even as economists assure us the recession has long since ended, consumers and states alike continue to feel the pinch in their pocketbooks. Government budgets that used to roll in pork are now cut to the bone. In Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, more than 100,000 people are living with the reality that their family health insurance may be a thing of the past.

Health insurance targeted in Wisconsin

The biggest current political drama in the nation is being played out in Madison, Wis. as opponents lined up against proposals of the newly elected Gov. Scott Walker. Democratic members of the Wisconsin Legislature fled the state earlier in the month to prevent a vote on legislation to change collective bargaining practices.

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Comprehensive Coverage versus Collision Coverage

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If you’re buying a car insurance policy for the first time, or if you’ve decided to upgrade your policy from a simple third party or liability policy, you may be slightly confused by the difference between collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

Both types of insurance cover you against damage to your vehicle or yourself in case of an accident, regardless of whose fault it was. This is different from liability insurance, which only pays for damage you do to another person or vehicle. Collision insurance is just that, it’s insurance in case you have a collision. It will pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and medical expenses for any injuries to you. Full story…

National Auto Insurance Rates Rise by One-Fifth of 1 Percent

Posted by Amber Swanton · Leave a Comment 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Wednesday released the latest monthly update to its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which indicates that Americans saw motor vehicle insurance prices in May that were 0.2 percent higher than in April.

According to the report, May 2011 car insurance policy costs were 3.8 percent higher than in May 2010.

The upward trends in premiums are similar to those of all items documented in the CPI. Between April and May, prices for all goods rose by about one-half of one percent.

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NY Senate Budget Analysis of DFR

Posted by Rose Broinowski · Leave a Comment 

The NY Senate Republicans have released their analysis of Governor Cuomo’s budget, including the proposal to merge the Insurance Department, the Banking Department and portions of the Consumer Protection Board. In the document they conclude that there are no savings to be achieved and a cost of $6-$9 million primarily in consolidation expenses. The document doesn’t contain a narrative discussion of the merits of the proposal – it merely states the conclusions on costs.