DarrasLiving

As many states across the country raise awareness of the dangers of severe weather, it is crucial to highlight one of its very dangerous and costly side effects: flooding. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness to discuss common flood insurance misconceptions and how to overcome them to ensure you’re protected against the effects of severe weather.

As you make your way through your spring-cleaning checklist, don’t forget one very important thing: now is a good time to review your homeowners insurance policy. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness to talk about life events that may prompt a policy review and which elements of your home insurance policy you should assess.

February is American Heart Month, so you've probably seen lots of news about identification and prevention of heart conditions. But what happens if you've already had a heart attack? Many people wonder if they can receive disability benefits for the aftereffects of a heart attack. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness to address the common myths and facts about filing for disability benefits due to a heart attack.

  There are many myths floating around about disability insurance - the most common is that there isn't much of a difference between SSDI and private long-term disability insurance. Often, Americans will choose to skip the latter because they think the former will provide for them if they become disabled. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness and discuss the key differences between Social Security Disability Insurance and private long-term disability insurance.

Earlier this month, we discussed one new year's resolution that can help you find peace of mind: make January the time to review and update your insurance policies. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness and discuss our final tips for evaluating your insurance policies to ensure a smart start to the new year.

Many Americans begin the new year with a resolution of some sort, such as getting in better shape, traveling more, or learning a new skill. While many of these resolutions are rarely kept, there is one that can help you find peace of mind: make January the time to review and update your insurance policies. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness and discuss tips for evaluating your insurance policies to ensure a smart start to the new year.

New Year's Eve is often celebrated with parties, drinks, and a countdown to the dawn of a new year. However, a holiday meant to celebrate friends and family is often spoiled by mishaps that lead to insurance claims. In this podcast episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth, and Happiness to look at common New Year's Eve insurance disasters and how to avoid them.  

You thought you covered the essentials: your home, your car, and your health are all insured. What else could you need? Unfortunately, many Americans who insure their basic needs have gaps in coverage that can unexpectedly drain their savings if disaster strikes. In this episode, we team up with Gary Pozsik from Health, Wealth, and Happiness to discuss three common insurance problems you may not be prepared for and how you can fill the coverage gaps.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a busy holiday season, which comes with a unique set of hazards.  In this podcast episode, we discuss insurance tips to help you have a safe Thanksgiving, whether you're staying home and entertaining guests or traveling far distances to spend time with loved ones.

Veterans Day is meant to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces and thank them for said service. Unfortunately, respect for veterans does not always extend to them when they need it most. Veterans filing a claim for disability benefits experience overwhelming delays and unreasonable denials. The Center for Investigative Reporting found that the average wait time to evaluate a veteran's disability claim was at least 277 days. In this episode, we discuss why veteran disability claims are delayed and denied and whether veterans can increase their chances of approval.

Open enrollment is a critical time for employees, as it provides the opportunity to select or update health, disability, and life insurance coverage for the next year. However, many employees do not pay attention to changes in their existing plans for make time to reevaluate their insurance needs. In this episode, we discuss tips to help you make the most of open enrollment, understand your options, and find the best coverage to fit your ever-changing needs. Read the show notes for highlights from this episode.

Insurance companies keep records of everything, including what kinds of claims occur each month. This information helps us identify seasonal hazards that lead to insurance claims and understand how to avoid them. Data from the recent Farmers Insurance Seasonal Smarts Digest reveals several potential home insurance claims  that are commonly filed in the fall. In this episode, we discuss three fall hazards you may encounter and what you can do to avoid them.

Most adults know the importance of life insurance; after all, one in three households would have immediate trouble paying living expenses if the primary wage earner died, according to the 2016 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and LIMRA. Did you know you can also purchase life insurance for your children? Some insurance agents say purchasing life insurance for your children is a smart financial move, but many financial advisors caution against it. In this DarrasLiving episode, we discuss the common reasons for purchasing life insurance and whether they make sense for your children.    

One in three households would have immediate trouble paying living expenses if the primary wage earner died, according to the 2016 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and LIMRA. 85% of survey respondents said most people need life insurance, yet only 62% have coverage. Many people do not purchase life insurance due to misconceptions - they think it's too expensive, it's not right for their needs, or they don't understand the available options. In honor of Life Insurance Awareness Month, this DarrasLiving episode explores five questions to ask before buying life insurance.

Are you planning a getaway over Labor Day weekend? In this episode, we discuss the insurance and safety tips to consider before you pack your bags and hit the road. Protect your home while you're away. Unplug any appliances that do not need to stay plugged in, such as toasters, coffee makers, phone chargers, televisions and computers. Plugged-in appliances are known to cause home electrical failure fires. Ask a friend or neighbor to stop by the house randomly, so they don't establish a pattern that would-be thieves could use to their advantage. Ask them to check the mail, pick up packages from the doorstep, and take fliers from the door. If you are going away for a long time, reduce the risk of floods or leaks by turning off the water to your washing machine, dishwasher and toilets. Avoid posting on social media while away on vacation. Many thieves pick their targets based on social media activity. Consider travel insurance for costly or long trips. One in six Americans has had their travel plans impacted by medical conditions, natural disasters or mechanical or carrier-cause problems, according to the US Travel Insurance Association. Of those affected, only one in five had travel insurance. If you are traveling a long distance, taking more than a brief vacation, OR taking a costly trip, travel insurance may provide you with protection and peace of mind. Here are some circumstances travel insurance may cover: Trip cancellation. This is the most common concern for most travelers. Typically, travel insurance can reimburse you for pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses if you need to cancel your trip ahead of time. Each insurance company will provide its own list of covered reasons for trips cancellation. However, common reasons may include: You are laid off from work or required to work A terrorist incident occurs in your destination city You are summoned for jury duty Your travel destination has been damaged by a natural disaster Trip interruption. If a covered event occurs while you are on a trip and you are required to return home, travel insurance may reimburse you for the lost portion of the trip. It may also cover additional expenses for the last-minute flight home. Medical cancellation, interruption or evacuation. If you must cancel or cut your trip short due to the sickness, injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion, you must purchase this specific coverage. Medical treatment or evacuation while abroad can be costly, and many people mistakenly assume they are covered for these medical emergencies. Examine your health insurance policy to determine what coverage, if any, you have abroad, and supplement with a travel insurance policy to cover any gaps. Tune up your auto insurance before you hit the road. Review your auto insurance policy prior to travel. Double-check your collision and liability coverage prior to travel. If you don't already have roadside assistance coverage, ask your auto insurance agent if you can add it to your policy. If you're leaving the state, ensure that your auto insurance coverage is likely valid in another state, even if your insurer does not sell there. Consider rental car insurance. If you're renting a car for your trip, making sure that you have the right insurance coverage can be tricky. Car rental places will encourage you to get insurance through the, but you may not need it. Ask your insurance agent how your specific policy covers rental cars before you purchase additional coverage.

As many young adults prepare to head off for college, insurance is probably the last thing on their mind. However, leaving home without proper insurance coverage can spell financial disaster for students and their parents alike. In this podcast episode, we discuss insurance coverage tips that parents and their college-bound students should consider.    

According to U.S. News and World Report, only 100,000 traditional long-term care insurance policies were sold in 2015, compared to 700,000 in 2000. People aren't buying long term care insurance policies for many valid reasons, but the increasing cost is the most common. However, 9 million Americans over the age of 65 needed assistance in 2012. That number is expected to grow to 12 million in 2020. Is there a way for millions of Americans to fund their long term care without buying an insurance policy? In this podcast episode, we join Gary Pozsik of Health, Wealth and Happiness to examine the true need and cost of long term care insurance, as well what your alternative solutions are.

Although self-driving cars have garnered various kinds of media attention lately, one thing is clear: the revolution is underway and won’t slow down any time soon. In fact, BMW has joined the ranks of other auto manufacturers developing self-driving technology and has announced it will deliver a self-driving car by 2021. A future of self-driving cars could change many things. In this episode, we discuss what changes this revolution could bring to your auto insurance.

Frank Darras join Nathan Bachrach, Ed Finke, and Amy Wagner, hosts of 55KRC Cincinnati’s Simply Money, to discuss how parents can combat the high costs of insuring a teenage driver.

Many homeowners learn the hard way that their homeowners insurance doesn't cover property damage caused by hurricanes and floods.  In this DarrasLiving podcast episode, we discuss why now is the perfect time to review your insurance policies and what coverage you need to protect your home from big and small storms.

While many top draft prospects wait anxiously to see if their dreams of being a pro will come true, some will have one more thing to consider: if the draft doesn’t go well, could they join the lucky few who collected on loss of value insurance policies? In this episode of the DarrasLiving podcast, we discuss the merits and risks of these elite athlete insurance policies.

Baseball season has arrived, and with it comes endless debates about the best-hitting lineups and pitching staff. However, there's one topic everyone should be following this season: the frequency and prevention of Tommy John surgery. The procedure has become so commonplace that many fans and players consider it routine - but should it be? In this episode, we examine the reasons behind this increase in Tommy John surgeries and how UCL injuries in young athletes can be prevented.

As you make your way through your spring-cleaning checklist, don't forget to dig out your insurance policies and look them over. In this episode, we discuss the elements of your home, life and auto insurance policies you should review.

Are you doing everything you can to save money on your homeowners insurance? There are a variety of other lesser-known credits that can trim your premium by up to 25 percent. Here are three unexpected ways to save on your homeowners insurance.

Over the course of American Heart Month,we have heard lots of tips for identifying and preventing stroke and heart conditions. However, what happens if you've already suffered a disabling stroke or heart condition? In this episode, we discuss tips for filing a successful disability insurance claim for these health issues.

Are you thinking about purchasing disability insurance? In this episode, we discuss five signs that may indicate you should invest in a policy.

Does your pet have lots of medical expenses? Do you have a child living in a rented property? Have you ever had a trip cut short due to a family emergency? Believe it or not, there's insurance for all these scenarios. In the final installment of the ABCs of Insurance, we discuss insurance products you might need, but never knew existed.

Did you know how many types of insurance there are? The choices can be overwhelming. In the third installment of the ABCs of Insurance, we continue to examine which insurance options to consider in the new year.

In our last episode, we began to examine numerous insurance options and discuss whether these policies are right for you. Here is part two of the ABCs of Insurance.

As we prepare for 2016, many of us will forget to do one very important task: review our insurance needs. While many Americans may remember to review their health insurance plans, other options will not receive a second thought. In this episode, we examine the numerous available insurance options and discuss whether these policies are right for you. Here is part one of the ABCs of insurance.  

November is upon us, meaning that Black Friday – the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season – is almost here. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly half (46%) of holiday browsing and buying will take place online this season. As online shopping activity increases, it’s more important than ever to be proactive and protect your information. In this episode, we'll discuss how you can do it.

Halloween is a fun time of year for children and festive adults alike. However, Halloween can bring tricks as well as the treats. In this episode, we'll discuss why homeowners should take the time to carefully review their insurance policies, prepare for common safety mishaps and learn how to avoid them.

Anyone who isn’t living under a rock knows that a state of emergency has been declared across much of South Carolina due to extreme flooding. The final cost of damage is going to be well above $1 billion, and most likely a multibillion economic cost. The looming issue for the state and federal government is that most of it will be uninsured. It may be too late for the homeowners already affected, but those who don’t have a flood insurance policy should take steps to learn what it can do for them and how to get it.

More than half of Americans don't plan on buying life insurance in the next year. Why? There are numerous misconceptions about the product and its purchase process that prevent people from even trying. In honor of Life Insurance Awareness Month, we're discussing four common myths that keep you from buying life insurance.

More than a quarter of Americans have smart home products and say those devices save them  more than $1,000 per year. But what exactly makes a home "smart"? Are the savings and convenience worth the cost? In this episode, we discuss what you need to know about this growing industry, what exactly constitutes a smart home, and what the pros and cons are of having one.

Frank Darras join Nathan Bachrach and Ed Finke, hosts of 55KRC Cincinnati’s Simply Money, to discuss insurance tips for college students and parents to keep in mind before the school year begins.

Frank Darras join Nathan Bachrach and Ed Finke, hosts of 55KRC Cincinnati’s Simply Money, to discuss the latest trend of smart home appliances and whether these devices are a money saver or a security risk.

Auto insurance fraud isn't something we think about often, but it's likely it could happen to you.   Auto insurance fraud incidents are believed to cost $20-30 billion nationally every year. This translates into $200-300 in additional insurance premiums each year for those affected. California, Florida, Texas, New York and Maryland are the top five states for fishy auto insurance scams, but you're at risk no matter where you live. In this episode, we discuss who conducts these scams, what the most common ones are and how you can avoid them.  

Social media can keep us connected, but what we post can also haunt us in unanticipated ways. This is especially true if you’ve filed an insurance claim, such as a disability insurance claim, a workers compensation claim, a personal injury claim or auto insurance claim. In this episode, we discuss how social media can be used against you in these insurance claims and what you can do about it.

Frank Darras join Nathan Bachrach and Ed Finke, hosts of 55KRC Cincinnati’s Simply Money, to share which life milestones may make you eligible for auto insurance savings.

Is there a better way to beat the summer heat than by spending your days in a pool, ocean, river or lake? Probably not. Yet many water-related activities have hidden risks. In this episode, we'll discuss how you can stay safe while having fun and staying cool.

Did you know that someone turning 65 has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long term care? Or that the average annual cost of an assisted living facility is $43,200, and the average length of stay is 3.7 years for women and 2.2 years for men? Yet less than 8% of Americans have long term care insurance, and most who don't have it say it's too expensive. In this episode, we discuss how you can save money on long term care insurance and still ensure you're covered in your later years.

Frank Darras join Nathan Bachrach and Ed Finke, hosts of 55KRC Cincinnati’s Simply Money, to discuss common traffic ticket misconceptions and how they affect your insurance rates.

50% of working Americans couldn't make it a month without their income before financial difficulties would kick in. Could you? "You have a greater likelihood of becoming disabled than you do of dying before you retire, and yet more people understand the need for life insurance." Why don't most Americans have disability insurance? 1. "It won't happen to me." One in three women and one in four men will have a disability that keeps them out of work for 90+ days at some point during their working lifetime 70% of Americans have life insurance, while only approximately 40% of Americans have disability insurance Injuries and freak accidents aren't typically the cause of disabilities - nearly 90% of disabilities are caused by illnesses 2. "My work will cover me." Only 40% of employers offer short-term groupd disability insurance and only 33% offer long-term group disability insurance Only California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico have mandated short-term disability coverage to be provided to workers either directly or through employers What are your options? 1. Short term disability insurance Designed to replace a percentage of your gross income for a short amount of time - may range from 60 to 180 days, depending on your policy You  need to wait for an "elimination period" before the coverage kicks in - the actual time period can vary depending on the policy Employers often offer short-term disability insurance to their employees, and many subsidize that coverage - if they do, the benefits are taxable 2. Long term disability insurance What happens if your short-term disability coverage runs out and you're still out of work? Long-term disability kicks in after you've been out of work for an extended period of time, such as 180 days. Can be acquired through a private insurance company or through a company-sponsored plan Long term disability insurance policies will typically pay between 40% to 60% of your pre-disability salary These benefits are paid for a specific period of years or until age 65 - every policy is different, so pay attention to the fine print There is an elimination period following the onset of disability to qualify for benefits - this can vary, but averages 180 days Group vs. individual disability insurance policies Group disability policies Most people have a group LTD insurance policy - one they got through their employer or through a professional organization/association they're part of Employer may pay the premiums or at least a portion of the premiums Income replacement benefits paid under a group policy are taxable More limitations than individual policies - limitations on duration of coverage, conditions that are covered, etc. Individual disability policies Can be purchased through private disability insurance companies More customizable than your typical group LTD plan They're portable - your policy will go with you if you leave your job These policies have less limitations than group policies Will require a medical exam when applying Benefits are received income tax-free  Do you have questions about your disability insurance policy, or need help while shopping around for one? DarrasLaw offers free consultations on disability insurance matters, including free policy analysis.

Frank Darras join Nathan Bachrach and Ed Finke, hosts of 55KRC Cincinnati’s Simply Money, to discuss how to protect your family and your home from severe weather conditions, such as rainstorms and tornadoes.

Graduation season is upon us once more, and young adults are preparing to enter the postgraduate world. Whether you’re graduating from high school or college, there are decisions you’ll need to make and options you should be aware of. In this episode, we break down some of those options for you. You'll learn what recent graduates – and their parents – need to know about insurance.  

We've been in the disability insurance field for a long time, and there's one thing we've noticed over the years: Nurses get injured - and those injuries often leave them disabled. Currently, 9,000 healthcare workers sustain a disabling injury on the job every day. While this has gained some media attention, little has been done to remedy the problem. In this episode, we dive into the nursing injury epidemic and explore: What causes injuries in hospital workers The effect of those injuries What can be done to reduce the risk of injury How hospital workers can take their safety into their own hands