MANAGING YOUR INSURANCE - KNOW YOUR POLICY

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This page contains dozens of short articles that will help you quickly understand international insurance. For example, terminology, purchasing details and managing your insurance coverage are topics that are all covered within these articles. Choose an Article From the Topics Below

KNOW YOUR INSURANCE PLAN

I purchased my first American health insurance after being overseas for 30 years. The agent explained everything to me, but I understood very little. I gave him my check and filed away the insurance material he gave me. Never once read did I look over the material, but faithfully sent the company a check every month. I am aware now that the coverage was fine, but at that time I was not aware of the details of my coverage.

Many times we get calls from our clients who have purchased an insurance plan, but are mistaken concerning what is covered. I know reading insurance material is boring. Yet it is essential that you have a fair grasp of what is covered by your policy.

Read the insurance material before you purchase the policy. Highlight items that you don’t understand or that you think are important. Then contact your agent and ask for an explanation. If you are not satisfied with his/her answers, ask for a second agent.

Also read the small print in your policy. You must always keep in mind the old insurance adage, “The large print giveth and the small print taketh away.” Especially read the “Exclusion” page and the definition of “pre-existing conditions.” Another good adage to keep in mind is, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”

People who tend to be disappointed with their insurance are disappointed because they expect the insurance to cover something that is excluded from coverage in their policy. To avoid this, “Know your Policy.”