Joyce Foster (D-Denver) asked insurance broker/insurance underwriters representative Jamie Scholl why women pay more than men for health insurance in the individual insurance market. His answer: "You'll have to ask God, because he put our parts on the outside and yours on the inside." Crude and laughable, but the rest of the insurance industry's reasoning basically follows the same appalling logic (and just for emphasis, he repeated his response in the afternoon session). Women are complicated and more health conscious, therefore more expensive. Men are simpler and less likely to see a doctor, therefore cheaper. Another health insurance lobbyist backed him up in the Denver Post, telling a reporter that women's health care is more expensive because their reproductive systems are more complex and require more complicated, costly and risky procedures.

Blasted Insurance Companies!

So the insurance paid off on them, paid for repairs, paid for the restoration company to dry out the house, and so on. It wasn't cheap. And then, a month afterward, I got THE NOTICE! Yep, a non-renewal. I had the unmitigated GALL to put in a claim on the insurance that I'd been paying for. How DARE I do such a thing? Well, do you know what a pain it is to get another insurance company? Let me tell you, just get a broker to find insurance for you, it'll be so much easier on you. But wait! There's more to the story! Two years later (about three months ago), about a mile away there was a big shooting. Now look people, I live in a nice little blue collar neighborhood. This was a neighbor fight that apparently had been going on for YEARS. Seven people shot, one died (the one who started it, oh the karma!).

Insurance is essential for home-based businesses

But too many of them may short-change themselves when it comes to buying insurance.

A recent survey commissioned by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) found that nearly 60 percent of the nation's 11 million home-based businesses do not have insurance coverage.

Of those entrepreneurs, nearly 40 percent thought they are already protected by some other type of coverage, while almost 30 percent said their businesses are too small to insure.

Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA's vice president of education and research, explains that home-based business owners are at risk for significant financial losses associated with theft, accidental damage, natural disasters, vehicle accidents, and liability if an employee suffers an injury while on the job or a business guest is hurt while visiting the home-based business.

Insolvencies 'not upping PI insurance premiums'

The rising number of insolvencies in England and Wales had not led to the cost of professional indemnity (PI) insurance increasing for accountants and auditors, it has been claimed. According to Troy Russell, a senior vice-president at insurance broker Marsh, after a business fails, accountants can sometimes find themselves the subject of legal action as interested parties attempt to recoup their losses. If they are subject to action, they can expect their PI premiums to increase if they have to make an insurance claim, he explained. However, the fact that more firms are now operating in the PI market means that the costs are being kept down despite the rise in insolvencies. He said: "In some cases there have even been premium reductions at renewal. This bucks the trend of other professions and financial institutions, where conditions are more challenging." During the second quarter of 2009, 6,584 firms became insolvent in England and Wales.Show me Chartered Accountant jobs.

The View From Your Sick Bed

I am an account manager at an insurance brokerage, dealing specifically with group (employer-based) benefits. In response to the Heath Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account reader- unused FSA funds are turned over to the employer. Employers may do whatever they wish with it. Most of our clients turn it into the employer-paid portion of the insurance premium. Some forward-thinking companies are putting that money towards an employee-wellness program. In my opinion, this is the smartest choice, as it is a value-added benefit for employees, positively affects the company's bottom line, and no matter what happens in Washington with healthcare, wellness is important.

This has been an interesting time in our office. I am a Republican, who happily voted for Obama, and have an Obama magnet on my car.