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What is Simply Business Insurance 2024? How Does Work It?

What is Simply Business Insurance 2024? How Does Work It?

Simply Business Insurance operates an online insurance brokerage which specialises in protecting the business its customers are building by simplifying the insurance-purchasing process for small businesses. Simply Business provides specialist small business insurance which is tailored to the requirements of the individual client and offers a variety of insurance covers from business insurance to product liability insurance and landlord insurance. The business prides itself on being able to provide quotes from a broad range of insurers in minutes, allowing its customers to pick the core covers that they require with options for different risks. What does Simply Business Insurance cover? Different types of Simply Business Insurance cover different risks. Public liability insurance covers compensation claims made by a member of the public, while professional indemnity insurance covers you if you’re sued by a client. Employers’ liability insurance covers compensation claims from employees. Each type of business insurance is designed to cover a different set of risks that you face in the course of running your business. Public liability insurance can cover your business if a member of the public makes a claim against you for injury or damage. Your insurance can cover the cost of legal fees and compensation payouts, up to the limit of your policy. Professional indemnity insurance can cover compensation claims made against you by a client because they believe you’ve given bad advice or made a mistake in your work. This can include things like mishandling client data. Employers’ liability insurance can cover compensation claims lodged by an employee for injury, illness or damage that they’ve suffered due to their work. You can also choose to cover things like your business building, contents, equipment, tools, and stock in case they’re damaged or destroyed. How Insurance Works Insurance is available to help you pay for damage to your property or to pay others on your behalf when you injure someone or damage their property. Insurance is a contract that transfers the risk of financial loss from an individual or business to an insurance company. They collect small amounts of money from clients and pool that money together to pay for losses. Insurance is divided into two major categories: Property and casualty insurance provides protection to businesses and individuals for losses related to their belongings or assets, both physical and financial. Life and health insurance protects people from financial loss due to premature death, sickness or disease. Simply Business Insurance Review Simply Business provides insurance to around 800,000 small businesses, sole traders and landlords, and is one of the UK’s biggest providers of business insurance. It’s a broker, so it compares quotes from a number of insurers (many of which are established names). Businesses can also manage their policies through Simply Business. Its emphasis on speed, with the promise of same-day cover and documents, and online quotes in minutes likely to appeal to time-poor business owners. Simply Business Insurance pros and cons Pros Cons These pros and cons are based on a survey of UK business owners on what they found important when selecting a range of business products, conducted by NerdWallet in December 2022. Simply Business insurance: Types of coverage Simply Business Insurance: Types of coverage Simply Business offers the following coverage options through its partner insurance providers: Simply Business also offers inland marine insurance, which it bills as “tools and equipment insurance.” Other types of coverage, including commercial auto and property coverage, may be available through Simply Business’ partner providers, but you need to go directly to the source to obtain that coverage. General liability insurance Simply Business offers general liability insurance through a handful of partner providers. This coverage is recommended for virtually all business owners as it protects against third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage. General liability insurance also kicks in if your business is accused of libel, slander or copyright infringement. It doesn’t cover damage to your own property or injuries to your employees, which fall under commercial property and workers’ compensation insurance, respectively. Professional liability insurance Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is available through Simply Business’ network of insurance partners. If your business is sued for negligence, mistakes or delays, professional liability coverage will pay for legal fees and damages. This type of coverage is recommended for businesses that provide advice or services for a fee, such as accountants, architects, consultants, engineers and financial advisors. Simply Business offers the option to add an errors and omissions endorsement to your general liability policy, rather than purchasing full-fledged professional liability coverage, depending on your business type. Simply Business Insurance quotes through Simply Business Simply Business connects business owners with tailored quotes and coverage based on their business type. You can get multiple business insurance quotes online in a matter of minutes by providing key business details, including: While Simply Business offers up quotes, all policies are underwritten and administered by third-party insurance companies. Simply Business Insurance key features Simply Business Insurance full review Simply Business is a business insurance broker that offers cover from a range of insurers to businesses, the self-employed and landlords in the UK. It has been around since 2005 and has a sizable position in the market.  Its starting point is usually public liability insurance, but you can build a policy that suits your business risks. So you might begin with core cover – including public liability and employers’ liability, for example – and then add more specialist cover, such as online retailer insurance, if you need it. It might be reassuring that Simply Businesses specialises in business cover, so its focus and expertise lies with commercial risks. This isn’t always the case with other providers and brokers that tend to serve consumers too. As Simply Business is a broker, the policy you may decide to take out via them will be provided by another firm. Simply Business will look to place your business with the most appropriate provider for your needs.  This review is based on Simply Business and not the firms they broker to. The types of products, benefits & features referred to in this review … Read more

TD Life Insurance Canada Review 2024

TD Life Insurance Canada Review 2024

TD Life Insurance is offered by one of Canada’s largest financial services groups. While the TD Bank Group is a leader in banking, investment services, insurance, credit cards, and more, TD life Insurance is a fairly young product. However, could it be the right fit for you? Does it have everything you’re looking for? To find out, read our complete review on TD life insurance, including its pros, cons, coverage, pricing, and further. Company Overview TD Insurance is a member of Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank), originally a product of the merger of the historic Bank of Toronto and The Dominion Bank. TD Bank was founded in 1955, and it is now the largest bank in Canada, and amongst the top ten largest banks in North America, with their total assets being $1.92 trillion.  Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, TD Bank currently serves over 13.5 million Canadian customers in over 1000 Canadian Branches. TD Bank has over 27.5 million customers worldwide, with a team of 95,000 employees. TD Insurance provides many insurance services, such as auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, sickness insurance, accident insurance, and protection plans. TD offers a handful of life insurance options that include both term and permanent life insurance options.  Find out everything you need to know about Life Insurance companies in Canada in our article about the Best Life Insurance Companies in Canada. Our TD life insurance review: Comprehensive coverage from a reputed brand TD Insurance is part of TD Bank Group which is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has over 90,000 employees worldwide. The company offers TD life and health insurance solutions (and td life and critical illness insurance), as well as other policies, exclusively to Canadian residents and retail customers. Often referred to as TD Bank life insurance due to the association, it is a favoured policy for millions of Canadians. Unlike many other providers in Canada, TD life insurance (also including td mortgage life insurance) plans are fully underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. It is a good solution for those looking to provide comprehensive financial security for their loved ones, especially for current customers who can receive 10% off the life insurance premiums. Its affiliation with TD Bank Group lends credibility, and the availability of no-medical-exam policies and discounts make the insurance plans quite an impressive option. However, it might not be ideal for everyone. While it offers a variety of coverage options, it might not provide the same breadth as other insurers. Those over 35 might face higher premiums, and the limited range of riders and products could be limiting for those seeking specialised coverage. Pros of TD life insurance Canada Cons of TD life insurance Canada How much does TD life insurance cost?  The costs of plans vary essentially depending on the type of coverage you want and certain personal variables. For example, your age, smoking and health status, residence and gender all play a part in determining your life insurance premiums. Fortunately, the company has costs and quotes available for customers through their website. The table below shows a range of monthly premiums for healthy, non-smoking female and male customers for a 20-year TD term life insurance policy with $250,000 coverage. The premiums also take into consideration the 10% discount available for existing TD customers. Age Female (Premium per month) Male (Premium per month) 25 $15.30 $19.80 30 $16.20 $19.80 35 $19.80 $23.40 40 $26.10 $32.40 45 $36.90 $51.30 50 $58.50 $81.90 55 $98.10 $144.00 How to get a TD life insurance quote? If you are certain the plans from this company are the right fit for you, quotes are readily available through their website and online quoting tool. All you have to do is navigate to the life insurance solutions and link through to their pricing page. Once there, you enter your personal information and requested coverage amount to get a live quote. Sometimes, however, you won’t be able to finalise your TD life insurance quotes using the online system. This may be due to how you answered some medical questions in the application stage. In those instances, the best way to get accurate policy or plan quotes tailored to suit your unique needs is by contacting a licensed company advisor.  How to contact TD life insurance? The customer service can be reached directly via the td life insurance contact methods below, or a call can be requested from an authorised advisor through their website. TD Life Insurance Contact Method Contact Details Phone number 1-877-397-4188, Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Address in Quebec 2990, Pierre-PeladeauSuite/Unit – 200 Laval, Quebec H7T 0B1 Mailing Address TD Insurance TD Life Insurance Company P.O. Box 1 TD Centre Toronto, Ontario M5K 1A2 What does TD life insurance cover? It covers Canadians who are looking to protect their families and loved ones from the potential financial burden of their passing. It does so and very effectively by covering all causes of death from natural to accidental, as well as homicide and suicide after two years of continuous coverage. TD Canada life insurance is the perfect way to provide financial security when planning for family protection, business continuation or in specific situations. Financial security within these three categories can often be broken down into the following. Family protection Business continuation Special needs What types of life insurance does TD offer? The company offers a limited yet good range of insurance products including both temporary and permanent life insurance solutions. TD provides coverage ranging from $50,000 to $10,000,000. These include straightforward 10-year term life and 20-year term life insurance, as well as a hybrid term and whole life insurance product called Term 100 Lifetime Coverage. All policies are also available at discounted rates if you fulfil either of the criteria below. Save 10% if: Save 5% if: TD Term Life Insurance TD term life insurance comes in two product options: A 10-Year Term and 20-Year Term Life. Both policies are simple temporary-term life insurance plans that are great for those wanting to save money on premiums but still provide good … Read more

What Is a Secured Loan? How They Work, Types, and How to Get

What Is a Secured Loan? How They Work, Types, and How to Get

What Are Secured Loans? Secured loans are business or personal loans that require some type of collateral as a condition of borrowing. A bank or lender can request collateral for large loans for which the money is being used to purchase a specific asset or in cases where your credit scores aren’t sufficient to qualify for an unsecured loan. Secured loans may allow borrowers to enjoy lower interest rates, as they present a lower risk to lenders. However, certain types of secured loans—including bad credit personal loans and short-term installment loans—can carry higher interest rates.  Understanding the Types of Secured Loans Loans that are secured can be found in different types, each one made to fit particular money requirements and situations. One common type is the mortgage loan, where the property being financed acts as an assurance. Usually, this kind of loan is used for buying houses or real estate properties. Another well-known secured loan is the auto loan. In this type of lending, the security is provided by the vehicle that you are buying. For people who want to borrow money and have assets such as savings accounts or investment portfolios, they can choose a secured personal loan where their possessions act as collateral. Two more common choices for using assets as security are secured lines of credit and secured credit cards. Additionally, the borrower must understand that the kind of secured loan they select might influence how the borrowing agreement is structured. For example, mortgage loans usually come with lengthier repayment periods and lesser interest rates in comparison to alternative kinds of secured loans. Conversely, secured credit cards might provide a greater degree of flexibility when it comes to credit caps and potential expenditures. Features of Secured Loans How Do Secured Loans Work? Debt products backed by an owned asset are known as secured loans. The assets you intend to use as collateral for a secured loan must be disclosed to the lender when you apply. A secured loan allows you to pledge an asset as collateral, such as your house, vehicle, or boat. The lender will put a lien on your until you repay the loan.  Lenders may seize and sell the collateral to make up for losses in the event of a loan default. The majority of secured loans are instalment loans, which means you get your entire loan amount all at once and have to pay it back over time in EMIs. Mortgage loans have 30-year repayment terms, while secured personal loans have shorter terms of one year. Types of Secured Loans Secured loans can be used for a number of different purposes. For example, if you’re borrowing money for personal uses, secured loan options can include: As mentioned, vehicle loans and mortgage loans are secured by their respective assets. Share-secured or savings-secured loans work a little differently. These loans are secured by amounts you have saved in a savings account or certificate of deposit (CD) account at a credit union or bank. This type of secured loan can be useful for building credit if you’re unable to get approved for other types of loans or credit cards. In the case of a secured credit card or line of credit, the collateral you offer may not be a physical asset. Instead, the credit card company or lender may ask for a cash deposit to hold as collateral. A secured credit card, for instance, may require a cash deposit of a few hundred dollars to open. This cash deposit then doubles as your credit limit. Business Loans Business loans can also be secured, though unsecured ones can be had. An equipment loan, for instance, is a type of secured business loan. Say you own a construction business and need to purchase a new dump truck. You could use an equipment loan, secured by the dump truck you plan to purchase, to pay for it. As long as you pay the loan on time, you wouldn’t be at risk of losing the equipment you purchased. One thing to note about secured business loans is that you may also be required to sign a personal guarantee. This means that you agree to be personally liable for any debts taken out by your business if the business defaults on the loan. So if your business runs into cash flow issues, for example, you could be personally sued for a defaulted loan. Car Title Loans and Pawnshop Loans Other types of secured loans include car title loans and pawnshop loans. Car title loans allow you to borrow money using your car title as collateral. Pawnshop loans can use anything from tools to jewelry to video game consoles as collateral, depending on what you’re willing to pawn. These are generally short-term loans that allow you to borrow small amounts of money. Life Insurance Loans A life insurance loan lets you borrow money against a life insurance policy using its cash value as collateral. You could then repay the loan during your lifetime or allow the loan amount to be deducted from the death benefit paid to your beneficiaries when you pass away. This type of loan is available with permanent life insurance policies, such as variable or whole life insurance. Bad Credit Loans Bad credit personal loans are another category of secured loans. These are personal loans that are designed for people with poor credit history. Lenders can offer bad credit personal loans, but they may require some type of cash security, similar to share-secured loans, secured credit cards, and secured lines of credit. Note that a lower credit score can translate to a higher interest rate and/or fees with a bad credit secured loan. Tips for Securing a Secured Loan For a secured loan, you must think carefully and get ready to make sure that your application is approved and you receive good loan conditions. One important thing is to keep up a good credit score because lenders frequently look at the credit history when they evaluate applications for loans. Making sure that information in your credit report is correct by checking it often can assist in enhancing eligibility for a secured … Read more

Small Business Health Insurance 2024

Small Business Health Insurance 2024

Best Small Business Health Insurance Plans 2024 Blue Cross Blue Shield stands out as the best health insurance company for small businesses because of its range of coverage options. The company offers a nationwide preferred provider organization (PPO) network and extra benefits for employees, including an extensive discount program.  Depending on your state, you may have a few options for finding health coverage for your employees, including through the Small Business Health Insurance Options Program (SHOP)—a government marketplace for small business health plans—and by purchasing a traditional group health plan from a broker or directly from an insurer.  To choose the best health insurance companies for small businesses, we evaluated major health insurance carriers based on financial strength, customer satisfaction, coverage options, telehealth and wellness benefits, digital tools, and more. These are our top picks.  Understanding Small Business Health Insurance Health insurance, often named as mediclaim, is insurance coverage against medical conditions and treatments covered under the policy. Usually, health insurance covers the expenses incurred during a medical emergency. It protects the financial assets of the policyholders and helps them get the best possible medical care. Small business health insurance is a type of group health insurance policy taken by businesses to provide medical coverage to their employees.  This health policy is good for budding businesses that want to provide medical aid to their workforce without disturbing their budgets. Further, it also helps businesses fight medical burdens caused to their employees due to unforeseen circumstances. Small Business Health Insurance Costs According to KFF1, annual premiums for group health insurance in 2023 average $8,435 a year for single coverage—roughly $703 monthly—and $23,968 a year for family coverage, which is about $1,997 per month. The average annual premium for single coverage and family coverage each increased by 7% over the last year. Monthly premiums also run higher for certain types of health insurance, like preferred provider organization (PPO) plans and health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. The average cost for single coverage and family coverage is also more expensive in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States and in specific industries like transportation, communications, and utilities. Organizations can reduce their budget by implementing higher cost-sharing requirements for employees. However, adding these requirements increases the risk that eligible employees will decline participation in the plan. If too many employees choose not to participate, the organization may not be able to offer the policy at all. A health insurance company typically requires at least 70% of employees to participate in a group health plan. What Are My Small Business Health Insurance Options? Small employers (generally those with 2–50 full-time employees1) may be eligible to purchase through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace. Created through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), SHOP offers affordable and flexible plan options to small businesses. If you do not qualify or there are no SHOP plans available in your area, you can also find a small business health insurance plan through a licensed broker or through an insurer like Anthem. How Does Small Business Health Insurance Work? Group health insurance for small businesses functions similarly to that of larger corporations and businesses. However, this insurance policy is for a smaller group of employees. The organisation takes out this policy for their employees. In the event of a medical crisis, employees can rely on the coverage provided by this organisation. This health insurance policy is available to businesses year-round. Usually, after buying the small business health insurance, premiums are locked in for a year. In that period, employers can add new employees to the plan. Not just this, employers can also remove the employees from plans that no longer work in their organisation. At the end of the insurance coverage, the employer can renew the plan or go for any other group health insurance policy that aligns with their business needs. How Many Employees Do You Need To Offer Small Business Health Insurance? The number of employees is just one of four requirements to qualify your business for small group health insurance. You must generally: What Types Of Small Business Health Insurance Plans Are Available?  As a small business owner, you can choose from five types of healthcare plans for your business.  HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)An HMO is designed to keep costs low and predictable by only using doctors and hospitals within the HMO network. It typically has low premiums, deductibles, and fixed copays for doctor visits. Primary care physicians (PCP) are the primary point of contact for all medical care, including specialty referrals. PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)PPO networks let you choose where to go for care, without a referral from a PCP or having to only use providers in your plan’s provider network. These plans typically have higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)An EPO offers a local network of doctors and hospitals to choose from. If you’re looking for lower monthly premiums and are willing to pay a higher deductible when you need healthcare, you may want to consider an EPO plan. POS (Point of Service)A POS plan requires that you get a referral from your PCP before seeing a specialist. This plan covers out-of-network doctors at a higher out-of-pocket cost than in-network doctors. HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan)An HDHP has low premiums but higher immediate out-of-pocket costs. Employers often pair HDHPs with a Health Savings Account (HSA). This is a tax-free fund used to offset costs such as deductibles. Best Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses for July 2024 Blue Cross Blue Shield Overview Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is also our pick for the best health insurance company overall, offers employers many options. Among them are plans that include access to the BlueCard PPO network, which gives employees coverage when traveling nationwide. In some states, BCBS offers fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a group of companies, so benefits and plans vary by region, but many member companies offer extra benefits.  For example, the member company Anthem provides an employee assistance program at no … Read more

What is Sun Life Insurance 2024?

What is Sun Life Insurance 2024?

Sun Life Financial Inc. is a Canadian financial services company. It is primarily known as a life insurance company. sunlife life insurance company has a presence in investment management with over CAD$1.3 trillion in assets under management operating in a number of countries. Sun Life ranks number 235 on the Forbes Global 2000 list for 2022. Sun Life completes sale of its UK business Sun Life begins long-term strategic partnership with UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business TORONTO, ON and LONDON, UK, April 3, 2023 /CNW/ – Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) announced today it has completed the sale of SLF of Canada UK Limited (“Sun Life UK”) to Phoenix Group Holdings plc (“Phoenix Group”) (LSE: PHNX). Headquartered in London, Phoenix Group is the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business with more than 12 million customers and £260 billion of assets under administration. Who is Sun Life Insurance? Sun Life Financial is an international financial services company founded 150 years ago. It is the third largest insurer in Canada and is primarily known for its individual insurance products and group benefits. It has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best. Sun Life quick facts: SunLife Life Insurance Calculator SunLife Life Insurance Calculator Use our calculator to easily work out how much over 50 life insurance you may need. Fill in the costs that you would like your policy to cover and calculate your ideal cover amount. Remaining mortgage balance: Loans, credit cards and other personal debt: Cost of your funeral: Retirement fund for a partner: Leave an inheritance or charity donation: Existing life insurance/funeral plan or savings: Calculate Your total cover estimate: £0 Sun Life life insurance rates for 2023 Sun Life Canada offers a wide range of individual (i.e. not group) life insurance products from term to whole and universal life insurance. Let’s dive into some coverage options that might suit your financial needs. Note: Prices have increased across the board for Sun Life policies between April 2023 and July 2023.‍‍ Coverage options Monthly payments* Sun Permanent Life $83.88 SunSpectrum Permanent Life II $83.88 SunSpectrum Term 10 $12.42 SunSpectrum Term 20 $24.93 SunSpectrum Term 30 $20.16 Sun Universal Life II $76.17 Sun Permanent Life – 20 Pay $149.04 Key takeaways: Sun Life Insurance Company Overview Sun Life Insurance Canada deals primarily in life, travel, and health insurance for its personal lines and employee benefits for its commercial lines. Customers looking for personal home and auto insurance can use the Sun Life referral service to get a 10 percent discount on products offered by belairdirect. Sun Life Insurance offers advantages to its customers such as: Sun Life Canada’s Insurance Products Sun Life Canada has a list of insurance products that focus on keeping customers healthy as they grow and protect their wealth. The company also wants happy business clients that are able to offer their employees competitive benefits. Health Insurance From short-term medical needs to long-term illness concerns, Sun Life Canada has a complete set of personal health insurance products that apply to every member of the family. The major components of the company’s health insurance lines are: Life Insurance Sun Life Canada is well-known throughout Canada for its customizable life insurance products that can also grow in financial value. Whether you need insurance to cover your short-term plans or a life-long policy that gains equity over time, you will find the coverage you need. The types of life insurance available are: Travel Insurance The Sun Life Canada travel insurance program helps customers during all types of traveling situations from emergency medical situations to recovering lost luggage. Coverage types include: Mortgage Protection Insurance Sun Life Canada offers a special mortgage protection program that will pay your mortgage payments if you become too ill to work or pass away unexpectedly. Small Business Insurance Sun Life Canada can create a benefits package for your business that includes investment options for retirement accounts and insurance that covers: What is the SunLife over 50 plan and how does it work? The SunLife over 50 plan is a life insurance policy which guarantees a cash pay out to your family when you pass away. For many people, taking out an over 50 plan is an easy and affordable way to help pay for their funeral. The funds can relieve some financial worry for loved ones at an already difficult time, particularly as the average cost of dying now exceeds £9,600 in the UK. Sun Life insurance phone number uk – 1800 270 7000 The table below explains the key features of SunLife over 50 life insurance and how it works: Feature Description Guaranteed acceptance You’re guaranteed to be accepted for cover if you’re a UK resident aged 50 – 85 No medical questions During the application process you don’t need to provide any medical information or undergo a medical exam Whole of life cover This type of policy is also known as life assurance or whole of life insurance because it covers you for the rest of your life Guaranteed pay out after 12 months Once your policy has been in place for 12 months (known as the ‘waiting period’), your loved ones are guaranteed a pay out when you pass away, regardless of when that may happen in the future. Accidental death benefit If you pass away during the first 12 months of your policy as a result of an accident, a full pay out will be made Fixed monthly premiums from £5 a month When you take out an over 50 plan your premiums will need to be paid each month to keep cover in place. The amount you pay will depend on your age, smoking status and the sum assured. The cost of your premiums won’t change during the lifetime of your policy Fixed pay out amount (sum assured) guaranteed The maximum pay out is £18,000. The amount you can secure will depend on your personal circumstances and budget Sun Life life insurance: pros and cons Read up on some of the pros and cons of Sun Life life insurance based on their different products. Pros of Sun Life insurance: Cons of Sun Life … Read more

Review of Seven Corners Travel Insurance 2024

Review of Seven Corners Travel Insurance 2024

Seven Corners Travel Insurance Seven Corners offers a range of unique travel insurance plans for U.S. residents, non-U.S. residents and traveling groups. While some of the company’s plans are geared to trips that take place in the United States, others are for international trips or even for frequent travelers who need coverage for multiple travel plans over the course of a year. Standout features of Seven Corners travel insurance plans include relatively high coverage amounts for emergency medical expenses and medical evacuation as well as optional coverage options for rental cars, sports and golf equipment rentals, and ticket registration fees. For example, the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan for individual trips covers groups of up to 10 travelers and comes with up to $500,000 in primary coverage for emergency medical expenses and up to $1 million in primary coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. This plan also comes with a waiver for preexisting medical conditions if purchased within 20 days of making an initial trip payment. Some Seven Corners plans also let travelers buy cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage that lets them get reimbursement for eligible prepaid travel expenses if they cannot travel for any reason, as well as interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage that reimburses prepaid expenses when a trip is interrupted for a reason beyond the traveler’s control. Both CFAR and IFAR coverage offered through Seven Corners will reimburse insured trip costs up to 75%, which is higher than some other travel insurance companies offer. If you’re curious about the coverage Seven Corners has to offer and what the company’s plans might cost, read on for an overview of plans from this provider, travel insurance quotes and recent customer reviews. Seven Corners Travel Insurance Plans Seven Corners offers travel insurance for U.S. residents and groups for domestic and international trips. It also offers travel medical insurance for visitors to the USA who are not citizens. Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan (above) is its highest-rated plan according to Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best travel insurance. Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic plan: This travel plan offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage. It also includes $600 per person in travel delay coverage and the option to upgrade with “cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage. Travel Medical Excluding USA Basic and Choice: Seven Corners offers travel medical insurance for international trips up to 364 days. These plans act like short-term health insurance coverage for you while you are on trips outside the U.S. That means they have deductibles and cover routine care, urgent and emergency care, among other types of treatments. You can choose a maximum benefit amount ranging from $50,000 to $5 million if you are age 64 or younger.  Travelers ages 65 to 79 can choose $50,000 or $100,000; for those over 80 you get and $10,000. Travel Medical Including USA Basic and Plus plans from Seven Corners are for non-U.S. visitors to the States. They provide travel medical expense coverage for those here on trips up to 364 days. The Travel Medical Basic and Travel Medical Plus plans offer maximum coverage of $50,000 to $1 million for travelers up to age 69, $50,000 or $100,000 for those age 70 to 79 and $10,000 for travelers age 80 and older. The Plus plan reimburses 90% of the first $10,000 in covered expenses for out-of-network care, compared to 80% for the Basic plan. Cost of Seven Corners Travel Insurance Plans Travel benefits vary among Seven Corners’ travel insurance plans and so does pricing for each plan. Travel insurance costs generally vary by your age and trip cost. Here are examples of prices for Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan. Travelers And Trip Cost Per Trip For The Trip Protection Choice Plan Two travelers age 30, $3,000 trip cost, traveling to Mexico for 8 days $158 Two travelers age 40, $6,000 trip cost, traveling to Italy for 17 days $368 Family with two parents age 40 and two children, $15,000 trip cost, traveling to Italy for 17 days $368 Family with two parents age 40 and two children, $15,000 trip cost, traveling to France for 17 days $788 Family with two parents age 40 and two children, $15,000 trip cost, traveling to U.K. for 17 days $788 Two travelers age 65, $6,000 trip cost, traveling to the Italy for 17 days $788 Two travelers age 70, $3,000 trip cost, traveling to the Mexico for 8 days $286 Does Seven Corners Have 24/7 Travel Assistance? Seven Corners travel insurance plans come with 24/7 travel assistance. Seven Corners Assist can help with: What’s Not Covered by Seven Corners Travel Insurance? Every travel insurance plan contains exclusions and it’s a good idea to review the fine print so that you’re aware of what your plan doesn’t cover. Here are some examples of exclusions in the RoundTrip Choice plan: How To File a Claim with Seven Corners At Seven Corners, you can file a claim by mail, fax, phone or through the Seven Corners mobile app. Be sure you have the supporting documentation you’ll need for completing the claim. Seven Corners Travel Insurance for Individual Trips Seven Corners offers several travel insurance plans for different types of trips. For example, travelers can opt for single-trip plans that cover trips within the U.S. and abroad, or they can purchase an annual plan that covers eligible trips that take place over the course of a year. The charts below highlight the major benefits included with plans from this provider. TRIP PROTECTION BASIC TRIP PROTECTION CHOICE Trip cancellation Up to 100% of prepaid travel expenses (up to $30,000 per person) Up to 100% of prepaid travel expenses (up to $100,000 per person) Trip interruption Up to 100% of prepaid travel expenses Up to 150% of prepaid travel expenses Trip delay (at least 6 hours) Up to $200 per day per person (maximum of $600) Up to $250 per day per person (maximum of $2,000) Missed tour or cruise connection (at least 3 hours) … Read more

Best HELOC Lenders Of July 2024

Best HELOC Lenders Of July 2024

Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are one type of loan that allows homeowners to access their equity as needed. With a HELOC, you can take out cash as many times as you want—up to your credit limit—and pay it back over time, which makes it a flexible financing option. Best HELOC Lenders of July 2024 Forbes Advisor compiled a list of HELOC lenders that excel in various areas, including offering low fees and loan costs as well as convenience and flexibility. The interest rates are reflected as annual percentage rates (APRs) based on recent market rates and compared to the national average. We also considered each lender’s maximum HELOC limit and minimum credit score requirement. The lenders we compiled for this list had a minimum four-star rating. Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Bank Home Equity stands out for its Equity Flexline Mastercard that lets you earn rewards (and a rewards bonus) after your first qualifying line of credit purchase, helping you maximize your spending through the program. In addition to the credit card, you can access your HELOC by check, online, in person or at an ATM. Pros & Cons Flagstar Bank We chose Flagstar Bank because of its high HELOC limits. Lines of credit range from just $10,000 up to $1 million, which is notably higher than many other HELOC lenders. Borrowers can opt for a 10-year draw period and a 20-year repayment period. Pros & Cons Bank of America We chose Bank of America because it has roughly 3,900 locations nationwide, making it a convenient option for most HELOC borrowers. The bank offers a relatively low starting APR for the first six months of financing and a variable APR thereafter. Pros & Cons Citizens Bank We like Citizens Bank for its HELOC customer discounts; it offers a 0.25% interest rate break when paying from a linked Citizens checking account. The lender also charges no closing costs, setup fees or application fees, making this a low-cost option for HELOC borrowers. Pros & Cons Truist Truist gets our thumbs up for its fast HELOC application process, which moves up to two weeks faster than other lenders. The average underwriting period is approximately 30 to 35 days, compared to as long as six weeks at other HELOC lenders. Pros & Cons Alliant Credit Union We love Alliant Credit Union because it charges no closing costs. At Alliant, you won’t pay appraisal fees or closing costs on a HELOC up to $250,000, which is a huge benefit. However, Alliant requires non-members to apply for membership before starting the HELOC application process. Pros & Cons BMO U.S. BMO U.S. gets our vote for having the best fixed-rate HELOC due to its lower-than-average interest rate. Plus, BMO lets you convert balances as low as $2,000 into a fixed-rate repayment plan, and customers paying from a linked BMO banking account receive a 0.50% autopay discount on new HELOCs. Pros & Cons PenFed Credit Union We love PenFed Credit Union for its fast closing times. Through the PenFed Express program, borrowers who can verify their income, credit and property documents within three business days can close within 15 business days. This is one of the fastest closing times we’ve seen. Pros & Cons TD Bank TD Bank Home Equity stands out because it has no minimum draw amount and its minimum credit line is $25,000. Plus, TD Bank HELOC borrowers can access up to nearly 90% of their home’s value. Pros & Cons Connexus Credit Union Connexus Credit Union stood out for its low introductory fixed rate during the first six months on standard and interest-only HELOCs. Following the intro period, the rate becomes variable and can adjust semi-annually. Pros & Cons How Does A HELOC Work? A HELOC allows you to use a portion of your home equity as collateral to draw on a revolving line of credit at a variable interest rate. Similar to a credit card, as you pay down the balance and replenish the funds, you may have the option of repeatedly borrowing more as needed, up to a limit. HELOCs have two phases. The initial period is called the “draw period.” The draw period is a set term (typically lasting 10 years) when you can pull funds from your line of credit. During the draw period, you usually make interest-only payments on the amount you borrow. Once the draw period ends, the “repayment period” begins. This phase is a fixed period when you must make scheduled repayments on the remaining principal balance and interest on the amount you borrowed. Though a HELOC provides you with an available line of credit to draw from—usually up to 85% of your home’s equity—you don’t need to tap into all of it, and you only pay interest on the credit you borrow. The term of a HELOC is how long you have to repay the loan. Typical HELOC terms run from 10 to 20 years. And much like fixed-rate mortgages, HELOC interest rates are usually more favorable the shorter the term. For instance, a 10-year HELOC typically has a lower interest rate than a 20-year HELOC. Pros and cons of HELOCs A HELOC’s main advantage is that it offers flexibility. During the draw period, the minimum monthly payment usually covers just the interest on the balance, and you aren’t required to pay principal. A HELOC can have a variable interest rate, which means it can go up or down over time. When the interest rate rises, the minimum monthly payment may increase, too. Less commonly, some lenders offer a fixed-rate HELOC option, meaning that you can lock in some or all of the loan balance at a specific APR. There are two major disadvantages to a HELOC: The interest rate can rise, and you can get in over your head if you’re not careful. You may end up borrowing so much that you can’t comfortably afford the principal and interest during the repayment period.Defaulting on a HELOC could put your home at risk of foreclosure. What Can … Read more

Best Online Mortgage Lenders Of July 2024

Best Online Mortgage Lenders Of July 2024

Nowadays, there are more online mortgage lenders than ever. Because borrowers have different needs and financial profiles, Forbes Advisor compiled a list of online mortgage lenders that excel in various areas. So, whether speed is a top priority or you want an online lender that specializes in a niche—for instance, if you’re a first-time home buyer—there’s something here for everyone. The Best Online Mortgage Lenders 2024 Guaranteed Rate Guaranteed Rate’s minimum credit score for VA and FHA loans is 600. For conventional loans, it’s 620. These scores are lower than average for most lenders, which can be helpful for first-time borrowers who might not have a well-established credit history. VA loans also require no down payment while some conventional loans require just 3% down. FHA borrowers must put a minimum of 3.5% down. These no- or low-down payment options can help cash-strapped first-time home buyers who can also combine these loans with local or state financial assistance programs that help pay closing costs or the down payment. Pros Cons Better Better offers a robust online lending experience nationwide. Applicants can expect to get a rate quote and preapproval in about 20 minutes. It also has developed technology to automatically look for discounts customers might be eligible for, without any extra effort or cost on the borrower’s part. Better also doesn’t charge commission or lender fees—that includes application, underwriting and origination fees. Pros Cons PNC Bank PNC Bank is one of the few online mortgage lenders that has physical branches—and a lot of them. You can apply in person at one of PNC’s 2,600 bank branches in the following 28 states and the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Pros Cons Mr. Cooper Mr. Cooper requires a minimum credit score of just 600 for conventional loans, which is 20 points lower than the typical minimum requirement of 620 for most mortgage lenders. For FHA borrowers, the requirement is 580. Many lenders often have a higher credit score minimum to help minimize their risk of lending to borrowers with less-than-ideal credit profiles. Pros Cons Ally Ally provides qualified borrowers with a lightning-fast preapproval letter—within three minutes. This is a significant advantage in a competitive housing market where time is of the essence. Many lenders can take one or two days to preapprove you for a home loan. Borrowers also can lock their mortgage rate within 10 minutes of being preapproved. This protects them from rising loan costs if mortgage rates move up before closing on a home purchase. Pros Cons LoanDepot LoanDepot is the third-largest nonbank mortgage lender based on number of closed loans and dollar amount in the U.S., according to 2022 federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data. The lender closed $52.5 billion across more than 156,126 loans in 2022. That also makes it the sixth-largest lender overall in the U.S. by dollar amount, and No. 3 among all lenders for number of loans closed, HMDA data shows. Pros Cons Rocket Mortgage Rocket Mortgage has an expansive mortgage product lineup for all types of borrowers. This includes fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), conventional and jumbo mortgages, FHA loans and VA loans. One of its unique offerings is YourGAGE, a fixed-rate mortgage that allows you to choose a custom term from eight to 29 years. It also offers the FHA Streamline refinance loan that allows existing FHA borrowers to refinance into a lower rate with less paperwork and no appraisal required. Pros Cons Guild Mortgage Guild Mortgage offers a Homebuyer Express 17-Day Closing Guarantee program for homeowners who need to close quickly. This is considerably faster than the industry average of 43 days to close, according to Freddie Mac. Guild will pay $500 toward closing costs if the loan doesn’t close on time due solely to the company’s delay. Pros Cons What Is an Online Mortgage? Lenders who operate solely online, and those that focus primarily on mortgages, offer a different experience for borrowers than traditional lenders, like banks, do. Online lenders typically don’t offer services like checking or savings accounts, but because they specialize in loans, they often have speedier approval times and application processes. And considering that they often don’t have branches, they may be able to pass some of that overhead savings on to customers. Even so, not having a brick-and-mortar branch can be a drawback for some customers who may prefer an in-person experience. And in some cases, traditional banks give discounts for things like mortgages to customers who already have accounts. Nevertheless, those customers who prefer applying for a mortgage online with a direct lender will be able to apply for many of the same loan types traditional financial institutions offer such as: Current Online Mortgage Rates Today’s average online mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.12% compared to the 7.24% average rate a week earlier. The current online mortgage rate for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is 6.04% compared to the 6.01% average rate a week earlier. Some online lenders may advertise their current rates on their websites. However, these rates contain assumptions about a borrower’s credit score, loan amount, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and location that are unlikely to apply to your situation. To give you a general idea of what to expect, Forbes Advisor lets you compare current mortgage rates, but keep in mind that these are national averages. Applying with several lenders and comparing your loan estimates from each one is the best way to find out what current online mortgage rates you can actually get. Does an Online Mortgage Have Better Rates? An online mortgage lender may have better rates and lower fees than its brick-and-mortar competitors. This is because online lenders tend to have lower fixed costs (such as no physical locations to maintain) or better technology. The best way to know if you could get a better rate with an online mortgage lender is to apply … Read more

The 7 Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies July 2024

The 7 Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies July 2024

Based on the evaluation of over a dozen pet insurance providers, Lemonade and ManyPets are the cheapest pet insurance companies. ManyPets is the most affordable pet insurance with an average monthly cost of $23, and the cheapest option for cats at $16. Lemonade’s average monthly cost is $23, and it is the cheapest option for dogs at $30 per month. The best pet insurance companies at a glance All of the pet insurance companies below scored 5 out of 5 stars based on an in-depth comparison of coverage, plan terms and options, consumer experience, financial strength and discounts: The best pet insurance companies of 2024 We evaluated pet insurers across the country to find the ones with the best combination of coverage, financial strength, consumer experience and plan options. Below are the ones we consider to be the best pet insurance companies in the U.S. ASPCA: Best pet insurance for broad coverage You name it, and ASPCA pet insurance probably covers it — including dental illnesses, behavioral issues, alternative treatments, prescription food and even microchipping. Unlike some other pet insurers, it also includes coverage for accident or illness exam fees. If you want less coverage and a lower rate, you can opt for an accident-only policy. If you want even more coverage, you can add a preventive care plan to pay for services like dental cleaning, heartworm tests and vaccinations. The company offers pet insurance not only for dogs and cats but also for horses. Below are monthly rates for accident and illness coverage for two sample pets. Pet Age 2 Age 8 Mixed-breed dog $30 $68 Domestic shorthair cat $16 $30 Pros Cons Embrace: Best pet insurance for many ways to save Embrace offers its customers many ways to save. You’ll automatically get a 10% discount when you insure more than one pet. Active military members and veterans can get a 5% discount in every state but New York and Tennessee. The company is currently working on rolling out a healthy pet discount, too. Embrace has a wide range of deductibles and annual coverage limits to choose from. Its standard accident and illness plan includes chiropractic care, acupuncture, physiotherapy and other alternative therapies. It also pays exam fees for covered conditions and reimburses for behavioral treatments as long as a vet provides them. Below are monthly rates for accident and illness coverage for two sample pets. Pet Age 2 Age 8 Mixed-breed dog $42 $77 Domestic shorthair cat $23 $40 Pros Cons Figo: Best pet insurance for cats Figo offered some of the most consistently affordable cat insurance rates when NerdWallet gathered sample quotes from more than a dozen pet insurers. If you’re looking to minimize out-of-pocket expenses when your kitty goes to the vet, consider Figo’s 100% reimbursement option. Select that, and as soon as you hit your deductible, Figo will pay you back for all vet costs, up to your annual limit. Figo offers an accident and illness plan with three different annual reimbursement maximums ranging from $5,000 to unlimited. Figo’s coverage is comprehensive, including nonroutine dental care, alternative treatments and hereditary conditions. Then you can add even more options such as wellness care and coverage for veterinary exam fees. Figo isn’t the only pet insurer with a mobile app, but you can use its Pet Cloud for more than simply filing claims and paying bills. You can also organize your pet’s medical records, live chat with a veterinarian and meet other pet parents. Below are monthly rates for accident and illness coverage for two sample pets. Pet Age 2 Age 8 Mixed-breed dog $22 $52 Mixed-breed cat $10 $19 Pros Cons MetLife: Best pet insurance for dogs Among our highest-rated companies, NerdWallet found the lowest sample rates for dogs from MetLife across a variety of ages, breeds and locations. The company also stands out because it doesn’t have an extended waiting period before it’ll pay to treat orthopedic issues for dogs. (Some insurers won’t cover knee injuries or other orthopedic problems for the first six months of your policy.) MetLife offers an array of ways to save on your policy, depending on where you live and work. First responders, health care workers, veterans, current members of the military and staff at animal care facilities may all be eligible for a discount. You may also save on your policy if your employer offers MetLife pet insurance as a benefit. MetLife’s website is generally user-friendly and offers a sample policy so you can preview the coverage terms before you buy. Below are monthly rates for accident and illness coverage for two sample pets. Pet Age 2 Age 8 Mixed-breed dog $42 $78 Domestic shorthair cat $23 $37 Pros Cons Nationwide: Best pet insurance for exotic pets While most companies insure only dogs and cats, Nationwide’s exotic pet plan can cover just about any of your furry, feathered or scaly friends. You’ll have to call to get it though, as online quotes are available only for cats and dogs. Nationwide has three main plans. Whole Pet covers a range of accidents and illnesses, including hereditary conditions, and reimburses a percentage of your vet bills — up to your annual limit. Major Medical offers less comprehensive coverage and pays a set amount for each condition, regardless of what your vet charges you. The Modular plan allows you to mix and match different types of coverage. You can supplement your Modular or Major Medical plan with wellness coverage or buy a wellness plan on its own. Wellness plans aren’t available in all states or with Whole Pet. Below are monthly rates for accident and illness coverage for two sample pets. Pet Age 2 Age 8 Mixed-breed dog $46 $33* Domestic shorthair cat $23 $10* Pros Cons Pets Best: Best pet insurance for flexible plans If you’re looking for plenty of ways to customize your coverage and price, Pets Best may be a good option. The company has three tiers of accident and illness coverage, plus two wellness add-ons and an … Read more

What Increases Your Total Loan Balance 2024?

What Increases Your Total Loan Balance 2024?

When considering a loan, it’s important to understand the repayment terms—including details like how the principal and interest are paid over time. Doing so may help borrowers better manage their loans. But there may be times when the total loan balance owed increases during the repayment process. While this may not be something a borrower expects, there are a few common factors that could explain a balance increase. Read on to learn about the factors that can cause a total loan balance to increase and ways to decrease it. Key takeaways How to understand your loan balance In many cases, the amount a borrower owes on an installment loan will end up being higher than the amount they borrowed. That’s because most lenders charge borrowers interest on top of their principal loan payment. With that in mind, it can be helpful to understand some of the most common concepts that can affect the total cost of a loan. These may include the following:  Understanding these terms can come in handy when evaluating the factors that could increase a loan balance. 6 Factors That Increase Your Student Loan Balance Here are a few reasons why your student loan balance might be going up, even if you’re making monthly payments: 1. Loan interest Most student loans charge interest from the date your loan is disbursed. Student loan interest accrues daily based on your loan interest rate. Loans with higher interest rates will accumulate interest faster and come with higher monthly payments as a result. Your loan payments are typically deferred until you graduate. That means you might not make student loan payments for four or more years. However, interest usually accumulates during this deferment period, so your loan balances will continue rising until you make payments. For example, if you have $30,000 in student loans with a 7% interest rate, you could accumulate $2,100 in interest during your first year in school. This means your loan balance is now $32,100 after one year. If you don’t make any interest payments while pursuing your undergraduate degree, upon graduation, your $30,000 loan balance would be $38,400. 2. Unsubsidized vs. subsidized loans Subsidized federal student loans do not charge interest while you’re in school or during the grace period after you graduate. The interest is paid by the government and does not accrue while your loans are deferred while attending school at least half-time. Unsubsidized loans are federal student loans that accrue interest daily while you are in school. If you have unsubsidized loans, your balances will increase as interest accrues. Private student loans are similar to unsubsidized loans, and interest will accrue when the loan is dispersed. 3. Interest capitalization Interest capitalization adds your accrued interest to your student loan balance. This usually occurs at the end of the grace period, typically after graduation. If you have unsubsidized loans and don’t make any payments during school, the accumulated interest will be added to your principal loan balance. This means you will now pay interest on a larger balance, causing interest to accumulate even faster. To avoid interest capitalization, you can choose to make interest payments while you’re in school or during any grace periods where interest is still accruing. This will prevent the interest from being added to your overall loan balance. 4. Student loan fees In addition to interest charges, several fees may be assessed as part of your student loan application or repayment process, and these fees may be added to your loan balance. Some common fees include: 5. Income-driven repayment plans If you’re on an income-driven repayment plan (IDR), you may end up with negative amortization. In this instance, your monthly payment is smaller than the interest charged on your loan, so interest accumulates over time. For some plans, the interest will be added to your total loan balance periodically increasing the amount you have to pay off. As of July 1, 2023, students who elect the SAVE income-driven repayment plan no longer capitalize interest after leaving the plan. The only IDR plan that still capitalizes interest is the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan. 6. Deferment or forbearance Most loans will accumulate interest if you defer your student loan payments (either while enrolled in school or for another reason). And entering a period of forbearance means you won’t make monthly payments, but interest will still accrue. In both cases, interest will be added to your principal balance after restarting a regular payment plan, increasing your overall loan balance. Assessing the impact & reducing loan costs You came here wondering what increases your total loan balance for student loans. Now you know that student loan debt has multiple factors that contribute to its growth overtime—and while interest is the most discussed, they all add fuel to the fire. “All of these factors have a similar financial impact and add to your total loan balance,” Group says. “That’s why you need to understand what debt is and how it works before you assume any.” Group emphasizes that the worst way to increase your total loan balance is to simply not pay your loans. “Interest will continue to accrue each month and, depending on the terms of your loan, you might also be subject to late fees,” he says. “It’s incredibly important to pay back any debt you owe and adhere to the specific terms of the loan, including the payment due dates.” In terms of where to start, Group suggests repaying early and have a regimented payback plan in place. “Many people don’t realize that student loan interest starts accruing the day the loan is disbursed to your school,” he says. “The smartest borrowers will do their best to start repaying their loans back as soon as possible. If that’s not possible, I’d say be diligent with your repayment plan and automate all payments to ensure you stay on track.” How can you reduce your total loan cost? Several factors can cause the total balance of a loan to increase. But there may be ways to reduce the overall cost of … Read more