BEDARD & COMPANY, PC ______________________________________ Certified Public Accountants
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Protection Planning
Protection Planning
Articles
Automobile insurance
ABCs of auto insurance
Auto accident checklist
Auto insurance for 20-somethings
Auto insurance for the hard-to-insure
Baby on board: keeping your child safe in the car
Buying a new car? Asking these questions might save you money on your auto insurance
Comparing auto insurance policies
Dealing with the damage: the auto repair process
Deer and moose are deadly road hazards
Driving defensively at any age
Filing an auto insurance claim
Five ways to fight auto insurance fraud
GAP insurance
How automobile insurance premiums are determined
How much auto insurance coverage do you need?
How safe is that new car?
Insuring a teenage driver
Insuring your boat
Insuring your personal watercraft
Insuring your snowmobile and ATV
Is your teen ready to drive?
Lawsuits: what every driver needs to know
Liability coverage under your personal auto insurance policy
Medical payments coverage
Motorcycle insurance
No-fault insurance
Policy options
Preventing car theft
Rental car insurance
Shopping for auto insurance
State-by-state minimum coverage requirements
Tax planning tips: auto insurance
Understanding your personal automobile policy
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Who's covered under your auto insurance policy?
Will your auto insurance premiums go up after an auto accident?
Business insurance
Business automobile insurance basics
Business interruption insurance
Business liability insurance basics
Business overhead expense insurance
Commercial general liability
Disability income insurance for the self-employed
Do you need crime insurance?
Funding a buy-sell agreement with disability insurance
Funding a buy-sell agreement with life insurance
Group health insurance: a valued employee benefit
Group term life insurance
Health insurance for the self-employed
Income tax tips: business insurance
Insurance tips for business travelers
Insuring your home business
Key employee life and disability insurance
Life insurance for the self-employed
Offering group disability insurance
Professional liability coverage
Properly insuring your business
Should you self-insure your business?
Split dollar insurance plans
Understanding your business owners policy
What employers need to know about workers' compensation insurance
Why insure your business?
Disability insurance
Beyond the basics: disability income insurance riders
Comparing disability income insurance policies
Disability income insurance: typical policy features
Do you need disability income insurance?
Government-sponsored disability insurance programs
Group disability insurance
How disability income insurance policies define disability
How much disability income insurance should you have?
Long-term vs. short-term disability income insurance
Lowering the cost of disability insurance
Noncancelable and guaranteed renewable policies
Surviving the underwriting process for disability income insurance
Tax planning tips: disability insurance
The fundamentals of disability insurance
Understanding waiting periods
Where to get disability coverage
General insurance topics
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Buying insurance: what savvy consumers should know
Choosing an insurance provider
Fighting insurance fraud
Finding and using insurance company rating information
Finding and working with an insurance agent or broker
Handling a dispute with your insurance company
Insurance concerns of divorcing couples
Insurance contract basics
Insurance needs in retirement
Pet insurance
Shopping for insurance
Travel insurance
Types of insurance
Umbrella liability insurance
Why buy insurance?
Health insurance
Alternative therapies
Archer medical savings accounts
Buying short-term health insurance
Comparing health insurance plans
Coping with medical bills
Coping with rising prescription costs
Dental insurance
Getting health insurance when you're hard to insure
Group health insurance
Health insurance and COBRA: sometimes you can take it with you
Health insurance and divorce
Health insurance for college students
Health insurance for travelers
Health insurance in retirement
Health insurance made simple
HMOs and PPOs: what's the difference?
Individual health insurance
Limitations, exclusions, and riders
Lowering the cost of health care
Making the most of your group health benefits
Mental health benefits
Planning a family? Get to know your health insurance policy
POS plans
Prescription plans
Preventing sports injuries
Tax tips: health insurance
Trends in managed care
Understanding managed care
Understanding your health insurance policy
Vision care insurance
Where to get health insurance
Homeowners insurance
Are you covered if . . .?
Buying a home both you and your insurer will love
Comparing homeowners policies
Conducting a home inventory
Earthquake insurance
Filing a homeowners insurance claim
Fire prevention and safety tips
Flood insurance
Home security tips
How much homeowners insurance coverage should you have?
How to save money on homeowners insurance
Insuring a condo or co-op
Insuring a manufactured home
Insuring a new home during construction
Insuring your home during remodeling
Insuring your personal computer or laptop
Insuring your vacation home
Insuring your valuables
Leaving your home alone for the winter
Liability insurance under your homeowners policy
Mold: are you covered?
Natural disasters: are you prepared?
Opening the door to homeowners insurance
Renters insurance
Shopping for homeowners insurance
Tax tips: homeowners insurance
Understanding your homeowners policy
When homeowners are dogowners
Who is covered under your homeowners policy?
Windstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes: are you covered?
Winterizing your home
Life insurance
Cash value life insurance
Claiming life insurance benefits
Comparing life insurance policies
Credit life insurance
Designating a beneficiary for life insurance
How does cash value in a life insurance policy really work?
How much life insurance do you need?
Life insurance and charitable giving
Life insurance and estate planning
Life insurance and terminal illness
Life insurance at various life stages
Life insurance basics
Life insurance for children
Life insurance: do you need it?
Life insurance: the application process
Making policy loans and withdrawals
Planning ahead for life insurance proceeds
Reading and understanding your life insurance policy
Shopping for life insurance
Surrendering your life insurance policy
Tax planning tips: life insurance
Term life insurance
Term vs. cash value life insurance
The ins and outs of policy ownership
Traditional whole life insurance
Types of life insurance policies
Understanding insurance company illustrations
Universal life insurance
Variable life insurance
Variable universal life insurance
Viatical settlements
Long-term care insurance
Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits
Do your parents need long-term care insurance?
Five things to watch out for when buying long-term care insurance
If long-term care insurance isn't right for you: other options
Long-term care insurance: how does it work?
Should you buy long-term care insurance?
Tax tips: long-term care insurance
Understanding long-term care insurance
Understanding long-term care riders and options
Using life insurance riders to pay for long-term care
What do long-term care insurance policies cover?
Decision Tools
Automobile insurance
Auto insurance analyzer
How to save money on your auto insurance
Business insurance
Business life insurance needs
How cross purchase plans work
How entity purchase plans work
How insurance preserves assets
Number of policies needed with a cross purchase plan
Disability insurance
Disability Income Needs Calculator
Disability insurance benefit period
Disability insurance cost-of-living rider
Disability insurance waiting period
Disability insurance waiver of premiums
How much disability insurance can you buy?
Individual/group disability policy alternatives
Likelihood of suffering a disability by age 50
Noncancelable and guaranteed renewable disability policies
Recurrent disability provision
Residual and partial disability benefits
When do you qualify for disability benefits?
General insurance topics
How insurance preserves assets
Personal liability umbrella insurance
Health insurance
Comparison of typical health plans
Which health plan is right for you?
Homeowners insurance
Disaster checklist
Fall/winter home maintenance checklist
Home inventory checklist
Homeowners insurance quiz
How to save money on your homeowners insurance
Personal liability umbrella insurance
Life insurance
Advantages and disadvantages of cash value insurance
Advantages and disadvantages of term insurance
Comparison of level term and annual term premiums
Comparison of men's and women's mortality
Comparison of types of life insurance
How insurance companies are rated
How traditional whole life insurance works
How universal life insurance works
How variable universal life insurance works
How variable whole life insurance works
Life insurance needs analyzer
Net worth calculator
What is your life expectancy?
What is your life insurance rating?
Long-term care insurance
Comparing long-term care insurance policies
Inflation protection options
Long-Term Care Needs calculator
Should You Consider Buying Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI)?
What to avoid when buying a long-term care insurance policy
FAQs
Automobile insurance
Another driver smashed my car, but he doesn't have insurance. How am I going to pay for the repairs?
Do I need to get auto insurance before I buy a new car?
Do I need to insure a car that's worth only a few hundred dollars?
Do I need to provide credit information on my auto insurance application?
Does my auto insurance policy cover flood damage?
Does my auto insurance policy cover me on car trips outside the United States?
Help! I forgot to pay my auto insurance premium last month. Will my insurance company cancel my policy?
How can I find insurance for my sailboat?
How can I reduce my auto insurance bill?
How can I reduce the expense of insuring a teenage driver?
How do I know if my auto insurance covers my broken windshield?
I don't own a car, but occasionally I borrow my friend's car. Do I need my own auto insurance policy?
I drive my own car on company business. Whose insurance will pay for damages if I get into an accident?
I just had a car accident. How do I file a claim with my insurance company?
I'm buying my first car. What should I look for in an insurance company?
I'm considered a "risky driver." How can I get insurance?
I'm considering leasing a car. Is there any special insurance I need?
I'm traveling to Europe this summer and won't need my car. Can I get my auto insurance suspended to save money?
I've found a better deal on auto insurance, but how hard is it to switch from one insurance company to another?
If I let someone borrow my car, does my insurance policy still cover me?
Is hail damage covered under a typical auto insurance policy?
Is it true that some sport utility vehicles cost more to insure than others?
Is there a minimum number of quotes I should get when shopping for an auto insurance policy?
My car was totaled in an accident. Can I negotiate the settlement amount?
My insurance company paid the bill for some body work done on my car after an accident, but I'm unhappy with the repair work. Is it too late to complain?
My mother is 90. Is it OK for her to keep driving?
Our daughter will be taking one of our family cars to college. Is this allowed under our auto insurance policy?
Should I buy medical payments coverage?
What are points, and do they affect my insurance rates?
What is "no-fault" insurance?
When I rent a car, should I purchase the collision damage waiver insurance that's offered to me?
Why do I need to provide so much information when getting an auto insurance quote?
Will my insurance premiums go up if I marry someone with a bad driving record?
Business insurance
A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company's insurance cover the loss?
Can I get disability insurance if I'm self-employed?
How can I get affordable health insurance if I'm self-employed?
I own a business. Are there any creative ways I can use life insurance in my business?
I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?
I'm an independent contractor. Where can I get health and disability insurance?
I'm thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?
What is errors and omissions insurance?
What is stop-loss insurance?
What kind of insurance coverage do I need for my small business?
Disability insurance
Can I buy short-term disability coverage through my employer?
Do I need disability insurance?
Do long-term disability insurance premiums depend on the nature of my job?
How can I reduce the cost of disability insurance?
How do I apply for workers' compensation benefits?
I broke my leg and can't work for two months. Am I entitled to file a disability claim with my employer?
If I have long-term disability insurance coverage through my employer, do I need my own policy, too?
Many years ago I was treated for cancer, but now it's in remission. Do I need to disclose this when I buy disability insurance?
Will I have to pay life insurance premiums if I become disabled?
General insurance topics
Can I buy health insurance for my dog?
How can I find insurance for my sailboat?
How do I insure my coin collection?
How long does an insurance company have to respond to a claim I've filed?
I'm going on a cruise. Do I need trip interruption insurance?
I'm looking for a job. How can I tell if an employer is offering a good insurance benefit package?
Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?
My child is heading off to college this fall. What insurance issues does this raise?
My cleaning person is bonded and insured. Is that important?
Should I buy travel insurance?
What are independent insurance agents?
What is funeral insurance, and do I need it?
What kind of insurance can I buy to cover my diamond engagement ring?
Health insurance
Can I see a specialist outside of my HMO provider network?
Do I need cancer insurance?
Does a typical dental insurance policy cover braces?
Does my health insurance cover prescriptions filled by an on-line pharmacy?
How can I get affordable health insurance if I'm self-employed?
How long am I covered under my parents' health insurance policies?
How much health insurance coverage do I need?
I'll be changing jobs next month, and I'm pregnant. Will I qualify for health insurance coverage with my new employer?
I'm planning on living in Europe for several months. Do I need special health insurance?
If I leave my job, will I lose my employer-sponsored health insurance?
If my employer goes out of business and discontinues its health insurance plan, am I still eligible for COBRA benefits?
Is dental care covered under Medigap insurance?
Is prescription drug coverage part of my medical coverage?
My husband and I are getting divorced. How do we decide whose health insurance policy will cover the children?
What are health reimbursement arrangements?
What happens if my Medicare HMO goes out of business?
What is critical illness insurance?
What is Medigap?
What is prescription insurance?
What recourse do I have if my insurer will cover only the generic version of a drug my doctor has prescribed?
What's the birthday rule all about?
What's the difference between an HMO and a PPO?
Which is better, an HMO or a PPO?
Will Medicare alone be enough to cover my health-care needs in retirement?
Will short-term health insurance cover all my medical expenses?
Homeowners insurance
A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company's insurance cover the loss?
A plumber damaged my bathroom during a repair. Will my homeowners insurance cover the damage?
A squirrel got into my home and caused a lot of damage. Is this covered by my homeowners insurance policy?
Are hunting rifles covered under my homeowners insurance?
Are manufactured homes safer these days?
Can I save money on my homeowners insurance premium if I install a home security system?
Do I need flood insurance if I buy a third-floor condo on the beach?
Do I need flood insurance?
Do I need title insurance if I'm buying a condominium?
Do I need to let my homeowners insurance company know that I'm refinancing my mortgage?
Does homeowners insurance cover losses that occur outside my home?
Does my homeowners insurance cover what's in my yard?
How can I insure my possessions during a move?
How can I reduce the cost of my homeowners insurance?
How do I determine how much renters insurance I need?
How do I insure my historic home?
I need to file a claim on my homeowners insurance. How do I do this?
I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?
I'm building a new home. Do I need to insure it while it's under construction? If so, how can I do this?
I'm placing some items in a self-storage facility. Will they be covered under my homeowners insurance policy?
I'm planning to add an in-law apartment to my home. How will this affect my homeowners insurance?
I'm thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?
I've just bought a pair of expensive skis. Will they be covered under my homeowners insurance?
If I file repeated claims for flood damage, will my flood insurance premiums go up?
If I move, do I need to get new homeowners insurance, or can I transfer my existing policy?
If I rent my home, what are my insurance needs?
If my home is completely destroyed by a storm, will my homeowners insurance cover my living expenses until I can rebuild?
Is jewelry or art covered under my homeowners policy?
Is landscaping covered under my homeowners insurance?
My friend and I share an apartment. Will her renters policy cover my possessions?
My house has appreciated in value over the past 10 years. Do I need more homeowners insurance?
My neighbor's tree fell onto my property and ruined my shrubs. Whose insurance will cover the damage?
My property is close to a river. Do I need flood insurance?
My washing machine flooded our basement. Does my homeowners insurance cover this?
The pipes in my condo burst, and the water damaged the condo below. Whose insurance will cover the damage?
What is a hurricane deductible?
Why do I have to purchase homeowners insurance in order to obtain a mortgage?
Why is replacement cost coverage more expensive than actual cash value?
Will I have trouble getting homeowners insurance if my dog has bitten someone in the past?
Will my condo association's master policy cover my property?
Life insurance
Are withdrawals from a cash value life insurance policy ever tax free?
Can an insurance company require me to submit to a medical exam before granting me a life insurance policy?
Can I change the beneficiary on my life insurance policy? If so, how do I do it?
Can I convert all or part of my term life insurance to permanent life insurance?
Can I ever have too much life insurance?
Can I use life insurance to help me save for retirement?
Do I need life insurance if I'm single?
Do I need to name a relative the beneficiary of my life insurance policy, or can I name a friend instead?
How can an insurance company really tell if I smoke?
How can I reduce the cost of life insurance?
How do I decide if I should replace my existing life insurance policy with a new one?
How much life insurance do I need?
I have enough life insurance right now. But I might need more in the future if I decide to start a family. Will I be able to buy more later, even if I develop a medical condition?
I smoke cigars occasionally, but not cigarettes. Will I be charged smokers' rates for life insurance?
If I leave my company, can I take my life insurance policy with me?
Is it less expensive to buy life insurance while I'm young?
Is it possible to name a charity as the beneficiary of my life insurance policy?
Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill?
Should I buy life insurance on my child?
Should I buy term or cash value life insurance?
Should I replace my permanent life insurance policy with another if I'm unhappy with the rate of return I'm getting?
What are the pros and cons of buying life insurance through my employer rather than buying my own policy?
What happens if my life insurance company files for bankruptcy?
What is group life insurance?
What is term life insurance?
What is whole life insurance?
When I die, is my beneficiary required to take a lump-sum payment of my life insurance death benefit?
Why do I need life insurance?
Why does an insurance company require an insurable interest before I buy a life insurance policy?
Will I be taxed on the growth of the cash value of my life insurance? What if my policy pays dividends?
Will my beneficiaries have to pay taxes on the proceeds of my life insurance policy?
Long-term care insurance
Is there such a thing as nursing home insurance?
Should I buy long-term care insurance?
What is long-term care insurance?
What types of nursing care does long-term care insurance cover?
