June, 2023 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership
I Have a Medical Condition. Am I Disqualified From Getting Life Insurance?
Everyone can come up with a reason why they think they don’t need or shouldn’t get a life insurance policy: too young, don’t have children, single, and the list goes on. However, there are several benefits to having a life insurance policy in place when you’re young.
A person could drive themselves crazy thinking of all the reasons why they don’t need a life insurance policy. Additionally, considering all of the different policy options, benefit amounts, premiums and riders can be overwhelming. On top of that, if you have a medical condition, it may be enough to convince you not to get a life insurance policy with the idea that it’ll cost you too much financially.
Want to know the truth about life insurance and medical health conditions? The reality is that there are many manageable conditions that people may have that don’t automatically disqualify them from getting a good price on a life insurance policy.
- Health conditions a medical professional is helping them successfully manage: These conditions could include high cholesterol, hypertension, asthma, thyroid conditions, heart murmurs, diabetes, being overweight and more.
- More serious conditions in their past: This can include heart attack or heart surgery, cancer, stroke and other diseases. Though insurers’ pre-coverage medical exams and the individuals they choose to insure may differ, most will consider the type and severity of the illness, the time that’s elapsed since the diagnosis and the stability of their health and treatment regimen, before making a decision.
Things to Keep In Mind
If you’re interested in purchasing life insurance, you should consider the following:
- Never assume a health condition automatically disqualifies you from obtaining life insurance. Sure, maybe your health is less than perfect but you may be eligible for coverage, so give us a call to speak with one our licensed insurance professionals to be sure.
- Always be honest about your medical history. Failing to mention a major surgery, serious diagnosis or knowingly misrepresenting your health history could compromise a future claim.
- The best time to get covered is when you’re young and healthy. The last, and quite possibly most important recommendation: don’t wait, the earlier you can apply the better — especially if you have a health condition. Down the road, if your medical status takes a turn, it could become significantly harder to obtain coverage.
Additionally, if you’re under 40, you likely qualify for (and should strongly consider) adding a Guaranteed Insurability Option (GIO) rider to your life insurance policy. The GIO rider allows you to increase your life insurance coverage as you age and remain locked in at the healthier rate class secured by your younger (and wise beyond your years) self.
Read moreWhat You Should Know About Car Washes
How do you feel after you’ve just put on a clean, crisp dress shirt? Great, right? You feel like you’re put together and ready to take on all that life throws at you. When you have a clean car, you get a similar feeling. Washing your car on a regular basis can help give you a sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment during your day. It’s like making your bed every morning. You’ve completed your first task of the day. You’ve been productive.
It's important to keep in mind, however, that not all car washes are created equal. In fact, some may actually do more harm to your vehicle than protect it.
Here are some helpful tips to know about car washes, so you can always protect your car.
Touchless car washes are better to maintain your car’s paint job.
It actually depends. A touchless car wash actually uses chemicals and high-pressure water to clean your car while an automatic car wash utilizes rotating brushes or soft cloths. You may want to reconsider where to take your car to get it washed, depending on how dirty it is. Touchless car washes may not have the power to get it as clean as you think it should be after a car wash. Keep in mind that a car wash that uses worn brushes or dirty cloths can cause damage to the exterior or your vehicle i.e. scratches in the paintjob.
If you typically use touchless car washes to get your car clean, you may want to consider rotating between a touchless car wash and a soft-cloth or hand wash in order to get your car as clean as you want it to be.
An undercarriage wash can prevent rust.
An undercarriage wash will get the underbody of your vehicle hosed down with high-pressure water. This method of cleaning will result in the successful removal or mud, salt, or sand that tends to get packed into hard-to-reach areas. Moisture and corrosive materials like road salt can result in your car rusting. If you consistently drive in cold weather climates with a lot of snow, it’s best to regularly get an undercarriage wash. Do this at least once a season to be safe.
Handwashing your car is better than automatic washes.
If you want your car to look like it belongs in a showroom, then handwashing your car is the way to go. Handwashing allows you to go over every inch of your vehicle. And remember, it sounds silly, but you have eyes, whereas a machine doesn’t. So, unlike a machine, you have the ability to pay extra special attention to every detail of your car. The only con when it comes to handwashing is the amount of time it takes to do it effectively.
You should always buy the most expensive wash.
There are different levels of cleanliness and care that are offered at various car washes. Sure, you could pay for the most expensive option, and your car may look like it’s in pristine shape when all is said and done. But, the truth is, just because you’ve forked up the most amount of money doesn’t necessarily mean that your car has added protection from dust or debris.
Dish Soap is safe to use for washing your car.
This is a common misconception. The truth is that dish soap is best left in the kitchen. It oftentimes contains harsh chemicals that have the ability to strip the protective coating that your paint has in it. Car wash soaps are specially formulated to combat dirt and grime without removing the protective coating from your car’s body.
You should only dry your car with a clean microfiber cloth.
This is true. Your safest way to dry your car without damaging the paint is by using a clean microfiber cloth. Anything else, like a beach or bath towel, can lead to scratches and scrapes. You may think air-drying is fine, and while it won’t lead to any damage to your car, you not be aesthetically pleased by the time your car is dry. Air-drying can leave water spots on the body of your car.
You only need to wax your car once a year.
Truthfully, there is no real answer to when it comes to how many times a year you should wax your car. If you store your car in a garage where it is safe from the elements of nature, you may not need to wax your car at all. Of course, you are still at risk of dust build-up, but that can be taken care of by a simple rinsing. To be safe, consider waxing your car once a season. If your car’s surface doesn’t feel smooth, it may be time for a waxing.
Waxing and polishing are the same thing.
Waxing and polishing are not the same thing. Although these terms are oftentimes used interchangeably, they serve two entirely different purposes. Waxing is meant to enhance and protect your paint surface. Polishing serves to remove minor surface imperfections from your paint. During the process of polishing, a detailer will use an abrasive compound in order to remove scratches, swirl marks and oxidation.
Paste Wax is better than liquid wax.
Traditional paste wax offers a thick, protective coating on top of your car’s paintjob. This type of waxing is usually a longer process because it requires the wax to be buffed in using an applicator pad. Liquid waxes are simply sprayed on your vehicle and wiped off.
Read moreWhat You Should Know About Buying a Car From a Private Seller
When you’re in search of your new ride, it’s sometimes possible to find a better deal when you’re working with a private seller as opposed to buying a car directly from a dealership.
Here are some tips on how to navigate the process of buying a car from a private seller in a safe manner that will have you concluding your business confidently.
Negotiating Price
When you’re buying a car from a private seller, price is one of the most important considerations. Unlike at a dealership, private sellers are more willing to negotiate pricing with you.
Understand the numbers. Before you begin the negotiation process, it’s best to be equipped with knowledge yourself. To make sure you go into your meeting with your private seller with confidence, do your due diligence ahead of time by researching the value of the car you’re interested in on a site like Kelly Blue Book. Taking this important step first will help you avoid overpaying for your new car.
Private sellers have a tendency to start off asking for more than even they think they can get for the car they are trying to sell. Know this going into the negotiation. Start low and you’re more likely to reach a price both of you are comfortable with.
Quality of the car
When buying a car from a private seller, it’s important to consider the quality of the vehicle you are about to buy. While dealerships have access to detailed vehicle history reports, private sellers may not. You should also make sure that you trust the person you are working with before trying to buy a car from him or her.
Take a test drive. Always test drive the vehicle before making your ultimate decision. You’ll be able to make an informed decision based upon first-hand knowledge of the vehicle. For example, how good is the car’s handling? Do you notice any unusual noises or smells coming from the vehicle? Make sure you get all of the information you think you need before making your final decision.
Read the report. The car’s VIN number can help you gain access to a CarFax report. You’ll be able to see the car’s accident history, service history, and ownership history.
Inspect the car thoroughly. Examine the inside and outside of the car. Do you see any scratches, scrapes, or dents? Is the windshield cracked? Are the tires properly inflated and do they have do tread or are they significantly worn? Any points of concerns should be addressed to the seller first. If you have a friend who is experienced with vehicle inspections and examinations, consider bringing them along with you to the sale.
Comparison Shop
In addition to researching the value of the car, be sure to compare vehicles of a similar make from different manufacturers in order to help you make the best educated decision.
Online resources like YouTube are great for gaining knowledge about cars you may be interested in.
Doing your research about such things as performance, fuel economy, and overall quality will help you in your decision-making process.
Buy Securely and Safely
Getting the car by legal means is vitally important. Insist on getting a notarized title from the seller to make sure that your ownership of the car is legal. If the seller is hesitant to provide a title for you, walk away from the deal.
Consider cash alternatives. Paying by cash can be risky because it’s hard to trace. Instead of using cash, consider alternative means of payment like check or money order. Avoid situations where sellers are asking for things like wire transfers or cashier’s checks.
Use Caution. Before making a purchase from a private seller, make sure you can identify them properly first. Check their contact information and address and consider meeting them in a public place to complete the purchase of the vehicle.
Read more
Do You Want to Buy an RV?
Are you considering purchasing an RV? We get it. The thought definitely has its appeals: freedom, flexibility, slower pace. Don't forget the convenience of having a comfortable bed to sleep in instead of having to fork up more money for a hotel stay.
Before you purchase an RV, here are a few things you should consider.
Before making any significant financial decision, you should ask yourself a number of questions.
- How much are you willing to spend on an RV? Going into this blindly -- or any situation for that matter -- is never a good idea. Do you research on prices and amenities first.
- How many people will I need to fit? RVs are specially designed to fit a specific amount of people. You don't want it to get too crammed inside the RV, so before you make your purchase, know how many people will be coming along with you on your journey.
- Where do I want to camp? Whether you're considering private campgrounds or going to more scenic destinations i.e. national parks, do your research and find out what appeals most to you and your loved ones. If you fancy more secluded, remote areas, perhaps a smaller RV is something you should consider as an option.
- What will I bring along and how much storage will I need? Do you see yourself towing a vehicle with your RV? What about bicycles or picnic tables? Are you a fan of ATVs? Before purchasing, you'll want to make a list of everything you'll be bringing with you on your trip. This way, you'll know what size RV you'll need to purchase. This can also help you figure out your budgeting.
- What amenities do you want to have? RVS can be basic or they can be rather luxurious. Some have refrigerators, bathrooms with showers, flat-screen TVs and even king-size beds. Remember, the more amenities you want, the more it'll cost you.
- Do you want to drive or tow your RV? RVs are either motorized or towable.
Motorized RVs require you to drive them. They are categorized into 3 different categories.
Class A: These RVs look more like buses, typically have six wheels, and can range anywhere from 21 to 43 feet long. They can have private bedrooms, separate livingareas, kitchens, and more. Because they have all of these features, they do tend to be on the pricier side.
Class B: Smaller than Class A RVs, these modes of transportation and living may be easier to drive for those familiar with minivans or SUVs. They can also sleep up to four people.
Class C: These are distinguishable from the other two classes because they have an overhang above the roof of the driver's cab. These are usually between 25 to 35 feet in length.
Towable
These types of RVs can be attached to the back of your vehicle. While some are heavy-duty, others can be lighter and easier to transport. Figure out how much your truck can haul first before making your purchase.
- Travel trailers: These come in a wide variety of sizes, configurations and prices. They are versatile and can be a popular option for new and experienced RV users.
- Fifth wheel trailers: You'll need a truck with a fifth whell hitch to be able to use these.
- Pop-up campers: These lightweight trailers fold open and closed. If you sleep in them, you'll feel more like you're sleeping inside a tent. Offering less amenities than the others, they fall in the lower price categories and can fit between 4 and 8 people.
- Sport utility haulers: These are great because they give you the ability to take your "toys" with you. Anything from storage for ATVs and golf carts as well as including a full kitchen, bathroom and living areas.