Recent Articles By Penny Gusner

15 things you didn’t know your car and home insurance policies cover
Your insurance policies probably include coverage you've never thought about. In order for you to get the most value from your policy, check out these things that may already be included for your premium payments.
Umbrella insurance extends your coverage
An umbrella policy covers damage claims caused by you, your dependents and even your pets. It starts paying out after your homeowners and auto liability limits run out.
16 non-crash car injuries — and whether insurance covers them
Traffic accidents aren't the only source of car-related injuries. Learn 16 others and whether your car insurance will cover them.
How auto theft investigators work – and how to hire your own
If you've ever had the experience of having your car stolen and then your claim denied, read how your insurer decided your claim was bogus.
The consequences of late car insurance payments
Even if you're even a day late with your car insurance payment, your auto insurance company may cancel your policy.
Are insurance settlements taxable?
Insurance settlements typically are not taxable, however there are exceptions to every rule.
12 ways to save money on car insurance
Here are the top ways to reduce your car insurance rates. You can get cheap insurance by trying out a few of these tips.
How Does Gap Insurance Work and Do You Need it?
Unless you have gap car insurance you might have to come up with hundreds, maybe even thousands, in cash to pay the remainder of your lease or loan if your car is totaled.
RV insurance – A complete guide
Before you hit the road, find out the common RV insurance misconceptions.
¿En qué consisten las coberturas amplia y colisión?
Insure.com resume todo lo que usted necesita saber sobre los seguros contra todo riesgo y contra choques.
¿En qué consiste la cobertura contra conductores sin seguro y con seguro insuficiente?
Explicación de la cobertura contra conductores sin seguro y con seguro insuficiente
13 cosas que afectan su seguro automotor
Si las aseguradoras creen que usted podría costarles dinero, usted experimentará tarifas más altas. Aquí están los factores que usted puede y no puede controlar.
14 things your auto insurance agent knows that you don’t
Car insurance agents have the insider information you wish you had.Here are some of the things agents know that customers don’t.This will help you to make more informed decision on your own.
Wildfires and home insurance: What you need to know
Find out the role home insurance plays in covering wildfire damage. Plus, tips on how to prevent wildfire damage to your home if you live in a susceptible area.
Do you need the VIN number for the insurance quote?
Car insurance companies want your vehicle identification number when you’re applying for a car insurance quote so that they can pull up information about your vehicle.
How your state’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act can help you
Your state has specific regulations that protect you against unfair claims settlement practices, such as slow or deceptive claims handling.
Car insurance after a DUI
You car insurance will likely skyrocket after a DUI, but there are still things you can do to keep your insurance bills to a minimum.
High-risk car insurance: How to shop for it
Find out how much more high-risk auto insurance costs, see a list of high-risk auto insurance companies, what limits come with high-risk policies and how you can still save on coverage.
5 questions to ask your car insurance agent
Asking the right questions when you buy a car insurance policy can save you money, time and frustration.
How much life insurance do you need?
Determining how much life insurance coverage you need can be overwhelming and confusing. Our simple steps to a life insurance needs analysis can help.
8 ways to find life insurance when you’re uninsurable
If you've been relegated to the category of uninsurable but have need for insurance, there are still ways you can get life insurance without going through the underwriting process.
When is it too late to file a car insurance claim after an accident?
You can wait a few months to make a claim for damages to your vehicle; however, the adjuster may look more closely at the damages and your description of the accident.
Do I have to tell my health insurance company that my wife is pregnant?
If your wife is covered by your health insurance plan, pregnancy and childbirth are automatically covered as essential benefits.
Flood damaged cars: Your top questions answered
Here’s what you need to know if you’ve have a flood-damaged car and need to make an insurance claim.
How much will my insurance go up after an accident?
Find out how much will car insurance go up after an accident by looking at surcharge ranges. Rate increases are drastically different depending on insurer.
Rotten or Sagging Floors: Does homeowners insurance cover rotting wood?
Wood rot or floor joist rot is typically not covered by a homeowners insurance policy.But as with most things, there are exceptions to that rule.Read on to know more about what more situations are covered.
What are your favorite foods to eat while driving?: Insure.com survey 2021
Insure.com surveyed 1,000 drivers and asked them how often they eat and drive and why, how much danger they think it poses, if it’s resulted in an accident and what their favorite meals on wheels are.
Insure.com survey 2021: Why do many parents not enforce teen driver laws?
Insure.com's survey reveals that most parents are allowing teens to break graduated driver license laws, and findings explain the reasons why.
Is it possible for me to take out a life insurance policy on my husband because he won’t do it? How do I take the first step in finding out about this?
You can take out a life insurance policy on him because you have an 'insurable interest' in his life.
I am a divorced mother of two daughters. I’d like to take out an insurance policy on their father, my ex-husband, in order to cover the money he contributes to child support in the event he passes. Is that possible? Does it require his consent?
If your ex-spouse is paying child support, you have an insurable interest, and, thus, can purchase a life insurance policy on that person. However, it can’t be a secret.
Can someone have a secret life insurance policy on you?
Do you suspect that a relative, friend or neighbor wants to secretly profit from your demise? Here's what you need to know about a secret life insurance policy.
I’m 24 years old. Is it legal for my parents to discontinue my health insurance if I refuse to give them money toward it?
While health insurers offering family plans must offer dependents, up to age 26, coverage, parents aren’t obligated to place or keep coverage on their children.
13 things that affect your car insurance rate
Slideshow of the rating factors that insurers use to set your car insurance rates.
Most and least expensive states for car insurance – 2020
Car insurance rates vary greatly from state to state. Here are the top five most and least expensive states for car insurance for 2020. Find out why rates differ.
Autonomous cars: 5 delightful and 5 distressing things
Driverless vehicles are coming out of sci-fi and into reality, but the perks may be stymied by critical flaws.
10 things that are illegal but shouldn’t be
From sparklers to playgrounds, these activities could land you a fine or even jail time. Maybe it's time to revise the rules.
10 things that aren’t illegal but should be
From cussing at a cop to driving barefoot, the activities on Insure.com's list are surprisingly legal in most states.
Does home insurance cover damage from lightning?
A consumer would like to know whether a standard home insurance policy covers damage from lightning. A well-researched, comprehensive answer is provided.
Does my home insurance cover damage from water and mold?
Coverage for damage due to water and mold by your home insurance hinges on how the damage occurred and your covered perils.
What to do after a car accident
It pays to know ahead of time how to deal with car insurance companies after a car crash.
More ways to get cheap car insurance
Here's how to find extra discounts that will save you money on car insurance rates.
Insider’s guide to auto insurance discounts
Here are the biggest money-savers for auto insurance discounts and what you can expect to save on your policy.
Avoid estate taxes with a life insurance trust
The trust owns your life insurance policy, pays the premiums, & gives the death benefit to your beneficiaries when you die.Read on to know more.
Will my car insurance still cover my vehicle if I had it towed out of the road after hitting a deer? I have a witness to the event.
Your car insurance company will accept a comprehensive claim if your car is damaged due to striking a deer, even if you have your car towed away from the scene.
How to spot flood-damaged cars
Learn how to spot flood-damaged cars and avoid the problems that come with them.
The largest auto insurance companies by market share
A list of the top 25 car insurance companies based on direct premiums written.
How impaired-risk specialists find life insurance for people with medical problems
Impaired-risk specialists are insurance brokers who know which life insurance companies tend to offer the most competitively priced policies for applicants with certain medical conditions or risky lifestyles.
How life insurance rates are determined
When you buy life insurance, your life insurance rates will be set in part by your risk class, which is defined by a life insurance company's underwriting guidelines.
Father’s Day Index 2017: Dad’s value rebounds to over $26,000 – highest ever
Learn why the 2017 salary for what Dad does for the household is important to know when mapping out your life insurance strategy.
Rental reimbursement on your car insurance policy is a good idea
Whether you buy coverage from a rental car agency or use your own insurance, it's wise to make certain you have enough coverage to pay for costly repairs if you should happen to suffer an accident in a rental car.
Mother’s Day Index 2017: Multitasking moms
Mom's pay continues to rise, but only a bit. Learn what the tasks mothers do most are worth if she was paid wages for them in 2017.
Should I freeze my credit? Impact on auto and home insurance premiums
Should you freeze your credit? We explain how to freeze your credit to protect yourself from scammers, as well as how doing so affects auto and home insurance, and finally, outline alternatives to a credit freeze.
How to get a premium tax credit for your health insurance
If you bought a health plan through a marketplace and are due a tax refund, here’s how to get your premium tax credit as quickly as possible.
What do life insurance companies test for in a health exam?
If you're buying life insurance, find out what's included in a life insurance medical exam and how to get the best results.
Replacement cost policies for your home: Getting what you pay for
Replacement cost insurance is designed to cover the costs of replacing your home, and those contents covered under the policy, if they are severely damaged or destroyed. Some insurance companies and policyholders have argued over just what constitutes �r
The Father’s Day Index 2015: Dad’s value climbs, but still trails Mom’s
Dad’s value is up in 2015, but it's still well below Mom's.
Life insurance for diabetics
Tips for buying life insurance if you have diabetes. Learn how to get life insurance with diabetes and find the best life insurance rates for diabetics.
The biggest lies told on life insurance applications
It doesn't pay to lie on a life insurance application, but here's what some people try to get away with.
I received money from my deceased mom’s life insurance. Will I be taxed on this money or need to report it on my taxes as income?
Life insurance benefits are not considered taxable income by the IRS, however, sometimes the policy owner can owe gift taxes when the policy pays out.
New driver insurance grace period: What you need to know
A new driver's insurance grace period is the amount of time you have to purchase a policy after getting your license. Read on to learn more.
Licensing-renewal procedures for elderly drivers
Special license-renewal procedures aim to keep those who are unfit to drive off the road.
Top insurance mistakes made when having a baby
Be aware of these top insurance mistakes mistakes when having a baby.
Life insurance for people with HIV
HIV treatments have improved, but HIV-positive people may still have to search widely for life insurance. Here are some options they should consider.
What samples are needed for a medical exam?
Blood and urine alone can provide a revealing window into your life. Here's what life insurance companies are looking for.
The Father’s Day Index 2014: Feeling valued
Dad’s value is about $24,000 this year, but here’s how to make him feel like a million bucks.
My husband fell in our home and broke his ankle. Will our homeowners insurance cover this since the accident happened in our home?
Your home insurance medical coverage and liability coverage will cover only those outside your household. If you’re injured in your home, turn to your health insurance company for help with medical expenses.
Mother’s Day Index: Mom’s value is up
The cost to replace the work Mom does around the house has risen. Learn what a mother's work is worth this year.
Why is my work-place health insurance company asking me about my wife’s health insurance carrier? Why do I have to provide this and other personal information just to sign her up?
Don’t be surprised if your health insurance company asks you to give personal information on your spouse when you try to add him or her to your plan.
My wife was half asleep when she went out to scrape snow and ice off her car. She used a snow shovel, not realizing she picked up the one with the sharp metal blade at the end, so she scratched the car all over. Will her car insurance cover the damage?
Accidental damage to your vehicle, such as scratching the car's paint it when trying to remove snow and ice, is covered by comprehensive car insurance.
Can I opt out of my union health insurance plan if I am covered by my wife’s health insurance plan?
While most employees cannot be forced to take the company’s group health insurance plan, there are exceptions. Union contracts can be one such exception.
My legal residence is in one state but I keep and drive a second car in a different state. In which state should I buy my second vehicle’s car insurance policy?
You can own and keep a car in a state that isn’t your permanent residence, but you should register and buy car insurance for that vehicle in the state in which it resides – not your home state.
My dad passed away and we need to find the homeowners insurance policy. What should we do?
If you can’t find a late parent’s homeowners insurance policy, look to the mortgage company for help.
Can I get a ticket for swearing at a police officer who is writing me a traffic ticket? Would that type of ticket affect my auto insurance?
Car insurance companies don’t care if you swear at the police, which is your first amendment right.
If my husband died in a car accident in which he was driving under the influence of alcohol, could my life insurance company refuse to pay me?
If your spouse dies due to driving under the influence, a life insurance policy will still generally pay out.
What to do when your car is totaled and you only have liability insurance
This article will help you understand what steps to take when your car is totaled and you only have liability insurance.
How long until home insurance lapses if your payment isn’t made on time?
Don’t depend on a grace period. Your homeowners insurance policy could terminate immediately if you fail to pay on time.
If I’m the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that’s paid for by a person who’s still living, can I cash it in?
A beneficiary cannot tap into the cash value of a life insurance policy, unless he is also the policy owner.
I currently have health insurance through my employer that covers my family. If my wife were to get a job with health insurance coverage, would my plan still be my primary insurance due to the birthday rule?
The birthday rule used by health insurance companies applies only to children covered under two parents’ health plans, not to spouses with double coverage.
What are some ways other than prepaying for a funeral to make sure the expenses are paid when I die? I don’t know that I want a full out life insurance policy.
If you don’t want (or can’t get) a term or whole life insurance policy, burial insurance is an option that will help pay for your funeral costs – so your family doesn’t have to.
I already have individual health insurance coverage, but my employer says I have to take their plan and pay for it even though I don’t need or want it. Can I be forced into this?
Typically, your employer can’t force you to participate in its health insurance plan. But there are exceptions to this rule.
My dog dislocated her hip while jumping off the bed at my house. Does my home insurance cover my vet bills?
Home insurance can cover injuries others receive at your house, but not injuries to you or your pets.
If you have full coverage and your daughter is an excluded driver and takes your car without your consent and wrecks your car will your insurance cover damages to your vehicle?
When you exclude a driver, it means that your car insurance coverages don’t extend to that individual. This means your policy won’t pay if the person drives your car without consent and crashes.
I will be in the hospital recovering from surgery at the time my COBRA insurance expires. My surgery will be covered, but what happens with the last couple days of hospitalization beyond the end of my COBRA coverage?
Your COBRA coverage doesn’t extend past its expiration date, even if you’re in the hospital at the time. Before it expires use special enrollment period to shop for replacement health policy.
My neighbor’s bamboo has invaded half way through my backyard and has damaged my shed. Can I claim it on his homeowners insurance?
To make a claim for your neighbor’s invasive bamboo, you will have to show he is liable. State laws may help you make your case.
My new employer said that I would automatically be enrolled in health insurance. At other jobs I have always had to sign up myself. Is it true the employer can do it for me?
Your employer can automatically enroll you in a job-based health insurance plan, but must also give you the ability to opt out of the coverage if you so desire.
My car was rear-ended and totaled but it was paid out by my insurance company and I am left with a balance on my car. Can I make a claim with the other drivers insurance company to pay the balance?
Unless you have gap insurance, your car loan balance is inconsequential to your claim settlement.
My wife is a licensed driver but hasn’t driven in over 10 years and doesn’t want to in the future. Do I have to keep her on my household car insurance policy?
Removing a licensed spouse that doesn’t drive from your car insurance policy can be difficult, and could actually cause your rates to rise...
The worst days to do 20 common activities
Watch out! July 1 is the worst day to go to the hospital and also a top day for car theft.
I asked my car insurance company to remove my daughter as a driver from my car insurance policy because she got a new car and she is insured with her father (we’re divorced) with a different insurer. My auto insurer asked me to send it proof of my daughter’s insurance or of a different address if she is not living at my residence. Is it right for them to ask me for these items?
If you want to remove someone from your auto policy it’s common for your auto insurance company to ask for proof of other coverage.
With term life insurance, if I were to die and my wife was the beneficiary would she have to pay any money back to the insurance? Does the company just give you a check and then expect nothing in return?
Term life insurance doesn’t give you something for nothing. You have pay for the policy for a beneficiary to be paid out if the insured dies during the policy period.
My company offers health insurance benefits but the monthly premium is $950. Do I have to sign on with their health insurance or can I find my own cheaper insurance somewhere else?
Finding a cheaper health insurance plan can be difficult when the marketplace’s open enrollment period is closed.
I let my 18-year-old niece, who doesn’t live with me, drive my car occasionally. Is she covered if she has an accident?
Before letting even a relative drive your vehicle, check that your auto policy will fully cover the individual behind the wheel.
I recently started a new job and I cannot get insurance for 30 days and COBRA is very expensive. Can my husband and I just wait until the 30 days is over and then we are covered? Or, do I need to get COBRA or a short term 30-day policy?
You don't have to purchase short-term health insurance or COBRA if you don't want to if you have a 30-day gap in coverage.
“Diminished value” car insurance claims get the wrecking ball
Getting reimbursed for your car's decreased value after an accident is almost impossible nowadays -- but here's how to sneak a claim through.
How to get on your car insurance company’s bad side
A look at what can result in car insurance policy cancellation.
How to buy uninsured motorist property-damage coverage
Learn how uninsured motorist property-damage coverage is useful, and when it's not necessary.
Expatriate health insurance: Don’t leave your homeland without it
Expatriate insurance is a specialized type of health insurance designed specifically for people on extended stays outside the United States.
The advantages of survivorship life insurance policies
Here are the reasons you'd want to purchase a survivorship life insurance policy.
How to convince health insurance plans to pay for autism treatment
Health insurance for autism can be hard to find. Here are strategies for parents of autistic children.
Health insurance coverage for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy
Health insurance companies that cover mastectomies must also provide breast reconstruction surgery, according to the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act.
How to steer clear of claim trouble in 6 car accident scenarios
Here are six common car-accident scenarios and tips on car insurance.
The basics of critical illness insurance
The medical conditions that qualify under supplemental critical illness policies include serious injuries, disease, and major surgeries.
Mission impossible: Extreme sports that could knock you out of contention for life insurance
Broken collarbones and legs, paralysis, blindness -- even death -- are potential results for those who indulge in extreme sports.
How your car drives your insurance premium
The car you choose can have a substantial impact on the car insurance price you pay, especially if you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage.
Your life expectancy
Your life expectancy is everything to your life insurance company.
Life settlements: To sell or not to sell?
A life settlement allows you to receive a large sum of cash in exchange for your life insurance policy when you are still alive.
Investing in life settlements and viaticals
Buying a viatical or life settlement may or may not be the right choice for you. The following tips are provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Tips on selling your life insurance policy: Understanding viaticals and life settlements
Selling your life insurance policy may or may not be the right choice for you. The following tips are provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Insurance for your motorcycle
Make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your motorcycle. Forty-nine states require bikers to buy insurance.
State laws on insurer use of credit information
One way that auto and homeowners insurers evaluate you as a potential customer is to check your credit score when you apply for a new policy.
Do you need MedPay coverage?
Some hospitals are laying claim to portions of consumers' auto insurance liability settlements in order to recoup payment for services rendered.
What your auto insurance company knows about you
Before insurance companies sell you a policy, they will investigate your credit history and calculate your credit score. Find out what your insurer knows about you.
Life insurance living benefits provide cash for the terminally ill
Life insurance provides the option of accelerated death benefits.
Life insurers shrug at assisted suicide
The question of whether life insurance policies will pay out to policyholders who opt for assisted suicide is one that has not been widely addressed.
Buying life insurance when you have asthma
Low cost life insurance can be obtained even when you have asthma.
How to buy group life insurance for your small business
Important considerations when you're shopping for group life insurance.
The basics of credit insurance: Do you really need it?
If you've just taken out a loan, or are in the process of borrowing money or signing up for a credit card, your lender may have suggested you buy credit insurance.
Getting a divorce changes your insurance needs
If you divorced recently -- or anticipate a divorce in the coming months -- review your insurance to make sure it meets your new obligations and financial situation.
Evaluating your life insurance company
Looking at the rating of your life insurance company is just as important as determining how much life insurance you should buy, and what type.
Buying life insurance after a heart attack
Life insurance rates will depend on the severity of your heart disease and the steps you've taken to treat it.
Insurance and marriage
If you are healthy and unemployed, employed part-time, going to school, graduating from college, leaving home for the first time, or even retiring early, you might consider carrying short-term health insurance coverage.
How a history of mental illness affects your life insurance rates
If you've taken Xanax or Zoloft for anxiety, or if you once used Paxil or Prozac for depression, there's a chance you won't have to pay higher life insurance rates.
Bankrupt PennCorp sells off insurance companies
PennCorp Financial Group Inc. is selling two of its life insurance companies to Reassure America Life Insurance Co.
How blood pressure and cholesterol affect life insurance rates
Find out how high blood pressure and cholesterol affect your life insurance rates.
How the structure of your insurance company affects you
All insurance companies are required by law to fulfill their insurance contracts regardless of their corporate structure. You won't see a difference in the long run.
Variable life and variable annuity sub-accounts: The more the merrier?
When it comes to your investment choices on variable life insurance policies and variable annuities, life insurance companies seem to think that more is better.
Being overweight carries life insurance pains
Life insurance can be hard to get when you're overweight.
“Fortified” homes protect against natural disasters
As homeowners battle down to protect against fire, water, and wind, home insurers continue to push a house-fortification program that can safeguard property in the event of a major natural disaster.
Buy your own doctor: Concierge medicine
Tired of long waits at the doctor's office and short appointments? Concierge medicine may be the answer.
Your rights when your health plan changes
Depending on which state you live in and the type of health insurance you have, you do have some rights when your health plan or doctor changes without your consent -- but not a lot.
Individual health insurance purchases tied to income levels
For some consumers, individual health insurance is the last rung on the ladder to becoming uninsured.
State infertility-treatment insurance laws
Health coverage is regulated only by the federal ERISA law, which has no provision for infertility treatment.
Lyme disease patients feeling the bite of insurance companies
The number of reported cases of Lyme disease has increased 25-fold since 1982 and there are more than 177,000 people in the United States who have been infected with the disease.
6 ways to avoid medical bankruptcy
Medical bills can quickly pile up and if you're not prepared, you could find yourself dealing with bankruptcy. Here are six ways to avoid medical bankruptcy.
Don’t let a previous mental health claim ruin your health insurance prospects
Individual insurers might deny you coverage based on your medical history if it includes use of prescription drugs or counseling for anxiety, depression, grief, or an eating or sleep disorder.
Tips for single parents whose children lack health insurance
Before you rush into buying your children their own health plans, there are several factors to consider so you don't end up with a policy that omits needed coverage.
Tax credits would make health insurance cheaper than cable TV?
If President George Bush's proposed health tax credits become law, eligible Americans will see the average cost of individually purchased health insurance drop.
Born uninsured: The consequences of teen pregnancy | Insure.com
Health insurance for pregnant teens and their babies is available. It’s important to start investigating the insurance options immediately
Nation fails in women’s health care
Forget the bell curve. When it comes to women's health, not one state earns a passing grade.
Metlife Car Insurance
Mercury Insurance Company offers a variety of insurance products such as personal auto, homeowners insurance, personal umbrella, mechanical breakdown, commercial auto, and various commercial coverage packages.
The Auto Club Group (ACG)
Find out how The Auto Club Group fared in the Best Auto Insurance Companies ranking for 2022. Also, find out information on The Auto Club and how to contact it.
Mercury Car Insurance
Mercury General received 3 stars in Insure.com’s 2022 best car insurance companies rankings.
CSAA Car Insurance
Find reviews and ratings for California State Automobile Assoc. car insurance, including the latest CSAA scores from our best car insurance companies survey.
The General Car Insurance
Find useful information related to The General car insurance, including coverage and discount options.