Sunday, March 27, 2011

Reasons to have Life Insurance

Why have life insurance?

Life is ever changing and anything can happen at any given moment. The importance of preparing will provide peace of mind knowing there is a plan in place. Life insurance will cover the unpredictable and exorbitant expenses associated with end of life issues.

Of course it is a personal choice. The world is nothing without free will. Everything must be carefully considered when financial stability is brought into question. It is whether you are willing to take those risks and use your individual situation to your own advantage. We all have heard the tragic stories happening to people who experienced a sudden loss of a loved one and no life insurance was in force. The survivors are left with a major financial burden and many unanswered questions.

It is so important to do your research and decide which type of life insurance and how much to have that best fits your needs. Each of us has our own situation that is different from our neighbors and friends. Only you know what goes on in your household. Keep in mind, what may be best for someone else does not necessarily mean that is the best thing for you. Which is why YOUR needs must considered when purchasing a policy.

So, why have life insurance? 
Reason #1
To pay bills. Most important, mortgage. This alone is a pertinent reason to have life insurance. This major bill will be paid off and not left to your survivors to deal with.

Reason #2
Young, fit and healthy? Then this is the best time to get life insurance. Your premium will be affordable and if you take out a policy that allows you to keep the same premium until the age of 65, you will have considerable savings... the earlier you start, the better. And then if you develop any health issues throughout your life, it doesn't matter, because you already have the policy in force. Forward thinking!

Reason #3
Are you married? Do you have a domestic partner? Should you parish and leave no money behind to help cover bills, you now just placed a heavy financial burden on your loved ones. Do you want to put them through added financial stress on top of the emotional turmoil caused by your death?

Reason #4
Peace of mind. If you develop a terminal illness, your life insurance will pay out a lump sum upon confirmation of a terminal diagnosis from your treating physician. You will have the money to help get your affairs in order.

Having life insurance in force, ensures there is a financial plan in place for those left behind. The premiums of life insurance are small and affordable to anyone's budget. Remember, it is important you discuss options with your agent and decide on a type/policy:  universal or term that fits your individual needs.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/

Monday, March 14, 2011

Freedom of Choice

Safety in Motorcycle Riding

The state of Florida has a no helmet law for motorcycle riders. Translation, the rider has an option to ride with or without a helmet. Florida also provides an opt out for motorcycle insurance. Translation, no insurance required. Another option is to have motorcycle insurance with a minimum liability of $10,000.00. I don’t understand the logic or lack there of.

Regardless of the explanation, this one very important reason should transcend any political or legislative word dance…personal responsibility. Yes the freedom of the open road and wind blowing across your face feels good. Yes this feel good feeling provides a sense of security...false security. Yes you save money on an annual basis by foregoing motorcycle insurance. You need to ask yourself is this feeling of security…false security outweigh the potential catastrophic mess that could follow?

If you do survive a motorcycle accident, the medical costs you will incur are astronomical. Beginning from the ambulance ride, throughout your hospital stay, follow-up visits, any rehab time and loss of work time, the money you saved in annual premium by choosing not to have motorcycle insurance will not be enough to cover medically related expenses. Question, did you invest saved premium or use it as extra spending money? Even the $80.00 DOT approved motorcycle helmet you chose not to wear won’t be enough to cover your electric bill. Ask yourself, are you one of the over 1 million Floridians without health insurance? If you answered yes, you just added insult to injury and dug yourself deeper in to financial crisis.

If you’re a victim of a multi-vehicle accident and plan to sue, it could take years before you see any money provided there is money to collect. So what do you do in the mean time to recover lost monies? Do you have at least 6 months of disposable income available? Suffering through post-accident injuries is frightening enough. You can choose to avoid the additional stress of worrying about bills by having insurance in place. You can increase your chances of survival by wearing protective clothing and a DOT approved helmet.

Failing to see beyond the box will put you in a box.

Sound choices,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Invest in your health part II

The best way to start a new health plan is to get a complete physical examination from your family physician.
Just like a car needs routine maintenance, so does your body. What is your most valuable asset? I hope you answered your health. Things and money comes and goes. You only have one chance to go around. Your body needs routine preventative care. Parents take their children in for routine check ups, but often neglect their own healthcare needs. Here is an overview of some major preventative health screening tests for adults:

Gender specific.  Women should get a routine Pap smear to rule out cervical cancer. Mammograms beginning at age 40 to rule out breast cancer. If there is breast cancer in the family, then start at age 30. For men age 50 and over get your annual PSA along with a digital rectal exam to rule out prostate cancer. If there is family history of prostate cancer then start at 40.

Immunizations.  Tetanus/pertussis booster every 10 years. Gardisal for HPV is a series of 3 vaccinations up to the age of 26.  Annual Influenza if your high risk. Shingles vaccine over age 60.  And Pneumonia vaccine over age 65.

Tobacco cessation.  Thousands of ways and scientifically documented reasons to quit. What else can be said? You either want to quit or not. You either want to be healthy or unhealthy. Your choice.

Hypertension.  Also known as the silent killer. Why? No symptoms other than a BP reading. BP machines at your local pharmacy are not a substitute for going to your Doctor. For accuracy, go for your annual examination. 

Colorectal cancer screening.  Valuable screening for those over age 50. How?  Flexible sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test, barium enema, and colonoscopy.

Obesity.  This screening is done at every office visit. How? Simple. By standing on the scale. Your body mass index and metabolic rate may also be read at the same time. 

Dyslipidemia.  A cholesterol panel is a valuable screening test for high cholesterol, another silent killer and a major cause of heart disease and stroke.

These tests will give you knowledge of what you need to look out for. Every thing I mentioned is a foundation for most of the acute, chronic and life threatening illnesses that are commonly treated. The more you take a pro-active approach to your most valuable asset, your health, the better quality of life you will live and longevity will be yours.


Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN, BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/
drugstore.com, inc.