Long Term Care Insurance Shopping Tips

By: Scott Lunt
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:15:25
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

It's hard to face the reality of needing long term care. But more and more people are realizing that if they do need it, they may lose their entire retirement assets just to pay for it. It's now considered part of a smart financial plan to have long term care insurance if you don't have enough assets to cover the costs and still maintain your standard of living. The insurance can seem expensive so keep these points in mind when shopping for quotes.

Your age, health and desired benefits are the biggest factors that affect how much you pay for long term care insurance.

The older you are, the greater the chance that you may need long term care. Thus insurers will charge more to insure a 65-year-old than a 55-year-old. A recent study* released by the American Association for Long-term Care Insurance showed that the difference in yearly premium between a 55-year-old in good health and a 65-year-old in good health -- for the same benefits -- averaged almost $700 more.

The benefit affects your premium. You can choose a per diem amount for most policies based on what you think you may need. For example a policy may pay $30, $100, or $300 per day. The higher the benefit, the more your premium will be. Also, you can choose different lengths of waiting period before your benefits kick in. The longer the waiting period, the lower your premium should be.

Rates can vary between companies, so the most important consideration when shopping for long term care insurance is to get comparison quotes. When you're comparing different company quotes take a look at the following:

1. How much does the policy cost per month and per year?

2. Is there an inflation adjustment feature? How much does that feature cost?

3. What services are covered? (Nursing home, at-home care, assisted living care, etc.)

4. What is the waiting period before benefits start?

5. How much does the policy pay per day for the services? How long does the benefit last per service? Is there a lifetime benefit maximum?

6. Are pre-existing conditions covered? What conditions are covered?

7. Is the policy guaranteed renewable?

8. Does the company have a financially strong rating from an independent rating agency?

Once you select a policy, take the time to read through it carefully. If you don't understand any part of the policy, ask questions.

*2006 National Long-term Care Insurance Price Index

Scott Lunt is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience writing insurance-related articles. You can compare long term care insurance quotes and find more tips on saving on car, home, life, health and long-term care insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Insurance category

  • How to Find Proper Healthcare Coverage - By: Jennifer Hrycyk
    There a lot of things a person should consider before enrolling himself or herself in a personal health insurance program or signing his or her family up for a family insurance plan.
  • Trucking Authority - By: Tanner J.D
    Despite the setbacks presented by the skyrocketing prices of diesel and other petroleum products, the trucking industry is still reaping profits. Even if gas rates have pushed past the ceiling, companies and other enterprises still need trucks and rigs to get their merchandises delivered to their destinations.
  • Health care services through your individual health insurance plan - By: Charles Peter
    An individual health insurance cover, simply stated, is an agreement between you and the insurance firm, aimed at protecting you against any financial constraints on account of a medical emergency.
  • Latest Trucking Trends Show Increased Advertising and Technology Use - By: Tanner J.D
    Regardless of whether they operate with their BOC-3s or not, trucks and big rigs that traverse the highways of the United States have always been a staple of the American road.
  • Cheap Car Insurance Quotes - By: Ted Monit
    Finding cheap car insurance is important for many consumers. Even more important is finding cheap car insurance from a reputable company so you know your insurance policy will cover you when you need it.
  • Importance of Interstate Trucking or Transportation - By: Tanner J.D
    Despite the many advances in technology, interstate trucking or transportation is still a preferred choice when it comes to delivering goods nationwide. Practically all U.S. commodities are transported by truck at certain points in the distribution process.
  • Rating the insurance companies - By: David Mayer
    The article looks at the need for people to check out the financial strength of the auto insurance companies before trusting them with your business.
  • Health insurance from the employer's point of view - By: David Mayer
    The article looks at the rise in the cost of insurance to employers and notes that the smaller the number of people who are insured, the higher the premiums will be. Premiums only fall if more healthy people are insured.
  • Why does someone need life settlement? - By: Jacob Christopher
    One of the reasons why people need life settlement is because they may be terminally ill. A person may be having an insurance cover, but he can't recover money from the policy right now.
  • Insurance Companies Want You Dead! - By: Carson Danfield
    Think about all the medical advances that have been made in the last 50 or so years. We've developed new medicines and advanced surgical procedures. We've eliminated or greatly reduced many illnesses and diseases.