| Honest John: 20 questions
The biggest problem we have is trying to find insurance at a reasonable cost. It’s hard to find quotes online at much less than the cost of the car. Are there are any insurance companies specialising in covering this category of driver? S.B., Farnham Quinn Direct seems to be cheapest while the youngster is learning, but the premium rises hugely once he passes his test and statistically becomes a greater risk. Direct Line, Tesco or the Co-op might then be cheaper. As usual, it’s a case of shopping around. Snubbed tow My faithful Daihatsu Fourtrak is now too rusty, so I’ll have to replace it. I need something pleasant, reliable and economical to drive, with a diesel engine and the ability to lug 7.5 tonnes.
Tip: Consider health insurance for foreign travel
For those with health insurance policies limited to coverage in the United States, Matt Tassey, former chairman of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, says your travel agent should be able to steer you to a company that offers short-term coverage. Among them is International Medical Group (imglobal .com), Tassey says. Many of these policies include coverage for common vacation problems such as trip cancellation or lost bags. For those on Medicare, several Medicare Supplement Plans will cover some medical costs incurred outside the United States. Medigap plans C-J, for example, will pay 80 percent of the costs of emergency care after a $250 deductible, according to AARP. But be aware, there is a $50,000 lifetime maximum. Seniors without Medigap coverage can get a short-term policy from a private insurer.
VT Leads the Country in Captive Insurance
Captive insurance is a regulated form of self insurance, which lets businesses control their own risk management and often save money in the process. Vermont leads the country in captive insurance, with more than 550 companies licensed here. State officials say the industry is often counter-cyclical -- doing well when the economy is down. The number of captives formed this year has exceeded the number formed last year. Dan Towle / Director of financial services for agency of commerce and economic development: "First of all, there's about 1400 full and part-time jobs, they're high-paying jobs, it's a clean industry, it's a good fit for Vermont. there's also tax revenues derived from the companies that form here, and that's not insignificant at all, i believe it was over $22 million last year which is a pretty significant revenue...//... and also all these companies are required by law to hold their annual board meeting in the state so there's a lot of nice tourist activity to that as well." This year's conference features 110 exhibitions, 18 seminars and 60 guest speakers.
Q+A: Co-ops in focus in US healthcare debate
Democrats strongly support the public option plan, saying it would inject much-needed competition into the insurance market. Republicans strongly oppose it, saying it would drive private insurers out of the market and lead to a government takeover of all U.S. healthcare. Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat, proposed creating nonprofit, member-operated health cooperatives to compete with insurers. The idea has gained strength and is likely to be part of the package that is being drafted. Q: HOW WOULD IT WORK? A: The government would offer start-up money -- Conrad said $6 billion would be needed -- in loans and grants to help doctors, hospitals, businesses and other groups form nonprofit cooperative networks to obtain and provide healthcare. The cooperatives could be formed at the national, state and local levels.
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