Is Mobile Telematics Technology Promising for Auto Insurance?

When street mishaps cause the passing of millions, there is a need to check driving conduct through versatile advancements.

As indicated by WHO, 1.25 million individuals kick the bucket because of street mishaps. WHO likewise evaluates mishaps will be the seventh driving reason for passings all around. Is there a need to press the frenzy catch even with these figures? What sort of instruction is required to check mishaps or diminish the mishap dangers? Give us a chance to stay further.

As indicated by Bob Joop Goos, executive of the International Organization for Road Accident Prevention, “Over 90% of mishaps are caused by human mistake.” The human blunder is tied in with driving conduct, would it say it isn’t? All things considered, on the off chance that it is so there is a requirement for a driver scorecard for enhancing driving and making driving safe. This is to guarantee that he get his protection guarantee to bother free for misfortunes brought about. Having overcome much, let us go into the specialized parts of upgrading ones driving conduct. In addition, let us additionally think about whether one needs to pay ‘settled premium’ or ‘pay as you go’ or ‘pay how you drive’ for accident coverage.

A man living in the State of Alabama is paying $1,500 every year on a normal. Assume a man living in the city is paying $1500 where he is inclined to more mishaps against a man lives in suburbia paying a similar sum where less odds of mishaps. Rural drive is simple contrasted with driving in urban areas. Keep in mind the city driver will drive lesser kilometers in correlation with the rural driver who drives more. The city driver is inclined to more mishaps. Then again the rural driver is inclined to more wear and tear of his vehicle. Whenever settled premium is gathered from the two drivers, how does this bode well? Presently on the off chance that you are giving an alternative to pick between the accompanying:

• Fixed premium every year

• Usage based Insurance (UBI) which is pay-per-utilize

What will you pick? Everyone needs to be savvy; none needs to wind up in misfortune. In this manner dominant part is probably going to pick the second choice. The reason is more clients are portable. Clients can download the portable application on mobiles to follow their driving information. Hazard appraisal is simple with portable telematics application. Evaluating dangers like driving at pinnacle movement hours, following activity rules or not, stopping bother free, speed driving and so forth., and play it safe in future with the assistance of tips given by the application on cell phone.

Advanced advances are engaging the insureds to pay as you drive (PAYD) protection, pay how you drive (PHYD) by the client. How this will influence the protection business? This is another zone that requires dialog.

Portable telematics innovation coordinates advances like Global Positioning System (GPS), Mobility, Cloud and Big Data investigation where driver utilizes information to improve his driving conduct. This will diminish mishaps. The versatile application gives data on like hard braking connected, fast increasing speed, street types, driving smoothness, telephone diversion, activity cautions, speed and mileage and so on. Additionally, back up plans can convey customized benefits and acquire new clients by diminishing handling delays. Club the upside of upgrading driving conduct with Usage Based Insurance. This will most likely get the help from State and in addition from organizations.

Will we acquire bits of knowledge on this? Organizations are searching for efficiency, the government needs beneficial natives. Nobody needs their beneficial ones to be harmed or be a weight. It is in this setting there is where insurance agencies, organizations, and the government may cooperate to lessen efficiency dangers. Driving conduct is the prime reason for street mishaps. Versatile telematics innovation has the ability to upgrade drive conduct, lessen mishap dangers and work process not disturbed.

Portable telematics innovation likewise has its bearing on car industry. As we probably am aware extravagance vehicle makers accompanied inbuilt telematics, little brands charge additional for car electronic extras. These discovery advances are pushing the expense of autos upwards. In such a situation, versatile telematics advances brings down innovation cost with the incorporation of a combination of advances, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS), Mobility, Cloud and Big Data investigation on PDAs. Favorable position for would-be vehicle proprietors.

When passings caused by mishaps are recorded as seventh overall government, guarantors, organizations and the overall population, portable innovations offer want to diminish dangers. Canada is facilitating Insurance Telematics Canada 2016 on 28, 29 April at DoubleTree Hilton, Toronto. In the earlier year 2015, 43% of insurance agencies went to the occasion. This year the occasion meets auto tech and protection anticipating that more participation should conceptualize.

Prime’s telematics framework, Xemplar, empowers quick and productive two-route correspondence among guarantors and clients. Xemplar’s versatile application put together framework spares you cash with respect to equipment and foundation costs while additionally pleasing any cell phone or tablet; achieving drivers whenever, anyplace, and giving your business basic data continuously. Get in touch with us now, and in under 24 hours you will have the innovation answer for all ages.

Personal Injury Attorneys and Car Accident Claims in Tulsa

Being the victim of a car accident is a stressful experience. The last thing you need is to have any issues settling your personal injury claim or getting what you deserve after your accident. That’s why it can be quite helpful (and beneficial) to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you fight your claim.

In today’s society, it might not be surprising to learn that nearly one-third of the crashes that end in a fatality is caused by speed, or that texting while driving makes it 23 times more likely that you’ll end up in a crash. Of course, you’ll notice that doesn’t say specifically that YOU were texting and driving. A lot of people do it, and if you’re on the highway, it is likely that you’re surrounded by at least a few drivers who are texting, video chatting, or otherwise engaged with their mobile devices while operating a vehicle. A personal injury attorney can definitely help you hold these people accountable if they cause an accident.

A lot of drivers assume that their auto insurance company will take care of the accident claim and the personal injury involved. People aren’t aware that while insurance companies might go after another party for accident losses and financial reimbursement, they aren’t doing it with your best interests in mind. They are simply doing their job by settling the personal injury claim with enough money to cover the bills and pay for the damages. A personal injury attorney can help you file a lawsuit so that you can get the compensation, and more importantly the justice, that you deserve.

Insurance Companies Don’t Always Play Fair
Speaking of insurance, what if your company refuses to pay or disputes some aspect of the claim? You can, and should, fight back. Too many people assume they have to take whatever they get from the insurance company, but that isn’t the case at all. You deserve to not only be appropriately compensated for your accident but to see the other driver held accountable for their actions that caused the crash in the first place. The insurance company just wants to get their money and get your claim settled as quickly as possible.

Medical bills add up quickly and depending on your insurance policy, some of them might be disputed by the insurance company. Not only that, but some bills or procedures might require payment upfront. You have to make sure that you have all of the correct documentation so that the insurance company will reimburse you for the expense. Do not pay for anything related to your accident out of pocket until you check with your insurance provider to make sure that they will reimburse every penny that you have to spend.

Car Accident Statistics
There are thousands of accidents that cause personal injury and death every day in the United States, and most are preventable. There are as many as 30,000 fatal crashes in the U.S. every single year, including 45% that involve victims not wearing seat belts. Here are some more quick facts to keep in mind:

Most accidents happen within 25 miles of your home, and during the hours of 3-6 PM.
2.3 million people are injured annually in car accidents.
Over 10,000 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2015 alone.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Accident Claim
Gorospe Law Group - Tulsa Personal Injury Lawyers Law FirmIf you want to make sure that you get the outcome that you deserve from your accident settlement, contact a personal injury lawyer now. You can discuss your case and get advice and support in fighting back against the insurance company, and you won’t have to worry about facing this stressful time on your own. Contact us to learn more or get started on your personal injury lawsuit today.

Very few events disrupt lives like auto accidents. Not only are serious accidents a problem, but minor collisions that do not result in long-term personal injury can also be frustrating experiences when there is significant financial damage. Even a moderate personal injury can result in lingering physical impact and problems functioning on a daily basis. And of course, accidents that produce long-term personal injury are also very serious cases that require solid aggressive legal representation when victims are pursuing whole damages.

Catastrophic injuries typically last a lifetime, and it is important for those who are permanently injured to be compensated wholly as soon as possible following the fact. Sadly, this is not always the case even when fault is obvious and insurance is in place to cover the financial reimbursement, as many defendants and their insurance companies will delay a claim or even allow it to go to a full trial if there is a possibility of a reduced final payout. Regardless of the material facts of a a personal injury auto accident case, it is always vital to have experienced legal representation when filing a claim.

What a Personal Injury Attorney Can Do That Injured Victims Cannot
Many personal injury accident claims hinge on the official accident report, which is also commonly influenced by the insurance company accident reconstruction team. Not only does the state have an investigation team evaluating the accident, but most insurance companies do as well. Having your own legal team from the very beginning can be very important when fault for an accident could be shifted to an injured driver by a respondent insurance company adjuster who thinks they can avoid paying a claim. Fault is always central to an auto accident case, and states that use modified comparative negligence law can be trouble for injured drivers who are the target of this defense.

An aggressive personal injury attorney in Tulsa can then build a solid case countering any attempt by the defendants to deflect responsibility. Comparative negligence percentages can only be officially assigned by a jury in a full trial, but it is still always part of a claim negotiation in serious accident cases. Most cases settle out of court, and those with legal counsel tend to receive significantly more in financial compensation.

Pursuing Whole Damages in a Personal Injury Case
Everyone who is injured in a car accident wants equitable compensation. Insurance company adjusters understand that. They also understand they are obligated first to the company profit margin and secondarily to the claimant, even in an obvious case where the insurance carrier will be required to pay benefits.

The process for the insurance company then becomes how to reduce the settlement as much as possible. Many insurance companies act very amiable and make a low-ball settlement offer complete with full release of future medical coverage, which is always a red flag to retain a personal injury attorney immediately. Whole damages should always include a considerable and equitable general damage payment for non-economic pain-and-suffering incurred following the accident injury. Insurance companies always want to avoid this component of a settlement, and a comprehensive personal injury attorney will understand how to calculate a reasonable damage amount. Damages for mental anguish associated with the accident should also be included, and many times the combination will result in a maximum insurance coverage settlement if not whole damages.

Multiple Negligent Parties
Many auto accidents include more than two vehicles, which means that cases can easily be complicated. All parties will be addressing fault, and they often have competing versions of events. Truck accidents that result in pile ups are a prime example of how contested a vehicle crash case can become. Trucking companies and their insurance providers are well-known for trying to get ahead of the curve when positioning themselves financially following a truck wreck, and this can actually occur in any commercial vehicle crash. In addition, collisions that are caused by malfunctioning automotive equipment can result in product liability cases that can greatly enhance an auto accident personal injury claim.

Maximizing a personal injury claim is important, and your attorney will focus on all avenues of compensation.
It is never a good decision to attempt handling a personal injury claim without the benefit of solid representation by an experienced Tulsa personal injury attorney who understands what to expect from the opposing litigants. Building a sound case for maximum value can be difficult, and you only have one day in court for the most part when being injured in an auto accident. It is vital to make it count, and the attorney you choose can matter. Always select a personal injury attorney with a long track record of excellent results for their clients.

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in Tulsa, The Gorospe Law Group personal injury law firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma can assist you to help you claim the compensation you deserve. Contact a qualified personal injury attorney in Tulsa today at (918) 582-7775.

Personal Injury, Insurance Claims, Attorneys and Knowing Your Rights
Being injured due to the negligence of another party is always a bad experience. Our health is commonly the most important component of our personal lives and injuries can hamper all types of activity, including merely getting through the day for those who are seriously injured. Equally as frustrating as being injured is attempting to recover financial damages that are so common with personal injuries as well. Often times people who have been needlessly injured will not be able to work, which is only means of financial support for most people. And then, to compound the issue, there are medical bills and the need for transportation to make all medical treatment appointments. When all of the problems associated with an injury are considered, it is difficult to know exactly where to turn first for direction through the legal maze of dealing with insurance companies and their negligent clients. This is where having an experienced personal injury attorney can make a major difference in being properly compensated.

Know Your Rights
While many personal injury victims understand they can be compensated for their medical bills and lost property, such as a totaled vehicle from an auto accident, many people do not realize the extent of additional general damage claims that can be made. In addition, many individuals also do not understand how comparative negligence works when it comes to insurance claims. Comparative negligence is commonly the primary defense from insurance companies who are reluctant to pay a claim, usually stating the claimant was largely responsible for their own injuries. It is important to understand the court may not view recovery rights in the same mode as the insurance company adjusters, but not having a personal injury attorney keeping them honest could result in a small settlement at best and no compensation at all in some instances. This is why everyone has the right to a day in court with their case being represented by an experienced legal professional.

Filing an Insurance Claim
The first step an injured accident victim will usually take is contacting the respondent insurance company in order to file a claim. All insurance companies have a standard protocol when any claim is filed, including dispatching an accident evaluation team to investigate what actually happened. Agents are generally friendly at the time of the first contact, asking specific questions regarding the claim, but the information gathered by the accident team in addition to information gleaned from the claimant will then be used by company claims adjusters to determine what if any benefits they will be required to pay, usually based on the level of negligence of their client.

All injured claimants should understand that Oklahoma is an “at fault” state that implements modified comparative negligence when determining the amount of insurance recovery an injured victim can receive. While injured passengers rarely have any comparative negligence percentage, injured driver claimants are always assessed for personal contribution to causation of the accident. The respondent insurance company will typically over-state personal contribution to the accident as a potential means of reducing a claim or an outright reason for denial, which is exactly why it takes a detail-driven personal injury attorney to secure an equitable settlement.

What a Personal Injury Attorney Can Do
Claimants are always at a disadvantage when trying to settle a personal injury claim without the benefit of experienced legal counselor because all insurance claims adjusters are trained professional negotiators who deal with denying or reducing personal injury claims on a daily basis. In addition, when they think they can avoid a claim altogether or lessen the value significantly, they will usually make a quick unsubstantial settlement offer or force the case to court.

A personal injury lawyer can inspect all articles of evidence, including cross-examination of accident reconstruction officials, and craft a case for maximum recovery for their client. Attorneys are officers of the court as well police officers and have the legal authority to conduct a separate investigation on the behalf of their injured client in support of a whole damage claim.

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury, The Gorospe Law Group personal injury law firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma can assist you to help you claim the compensation you deserve.

6 Ways Machine Learning is Changing Insurance

The insurance industry has always relied on data to calculate risk and come up with personalized ratings. Today, the sector is undergoing a profound digital transformation thanks to technologies such as machine learning.

Insurers are using machine learning to increase their operational efficiency, boost customer service, and even detect fraud. Here are 6 ways machine learning is transforming the insurance industry.
1. Automation and process improvement

The insurance industry is regulated by specific legal requirements. It processes thousands of claims and responds to even more customer queries. Machine learning can improve this process and automatically move claims through the system – from the initial report to analysis and contact with the customer.
In some cases, these claims may not require the work of human employees at all, allowing them to dedicate more time to more demanding claims. Insurance companies are already automating some parts of their claims process, benefiting from significant time savings and increased quality of service.
For example, Captricity has developed algorithms able to extract handwritten or typed forms into a digital form with a smashing 99.9% accuracy, helping insurers to reduce cycle times.

On February 2019 Captricity announced Captricity READ, the first AI-powered software that, according to company's claims, outperforms humans at reading handwriting.
Lemonade is an insurance company that uses AI to process claims more quickly and provide customers with fast payouts using various applications, such as a chatbot.

That is one of the fastest-growing company in insurance space - Lemonade raised $780 million already and is using the funding to expand into Europe (with Germany as their first market).
Another example is the technology provided by Tractable, a startup that offers software for assessing the damage and predicting repair costs to accelerate claim processing.

On April 2019, Tractable hosted a webinar to showcase their technology - the company invited participants from all over the world to submit photos and evaluate the results of its visual algorithms.

2. More sophisticated rating algorithms
Rating serves as the foundation of insurance companies. There’s a famous saying in the insurance world: “There are no bad risks, only bad pricing.” That means companies are able to accommodate most risks as long as they find a good match in pricing.

However, many insurers still rely on traditional methods when evaluating risk. For example, when calculating property risks, they may use historical data for a specific zip code. Individual customers are often assessed using outdated indicators, such as credit score and loss history.

In this context, machine learning can offer agents new tools and methods supporting them in classifying risks and calculating more accurate predictive pricing models that eventually reduce loss ratios.

An example of this is vehicle telematics – the combination of vehicles, computers, and wireless telecommunication technologies that facilitate the flow of information over vast networks. Here’s a case study of the Italian market which has the highest coverage of telematics-based motor policies in the world.

Another example is Zendrive, a mobile app that monitors the driving behavior of customers to potentially offer them significant discounts on car insurance premium.

Based on 60bn journeys's data from 2018, Zendrive estimate that rate of smartphone use behind the wheel may be as high as 60% (source: The Economist).

- The current models of auto insurance - using proxy variables for a responsibility like age, education, marital status, homeownership, etc. - have a little direct impact on save lives on our roads - Noah Budnick, Data Practice & Policy Director at Zendrive told us.

- Zendrive wants to help communities achieve Vision Zero - the elimination of traffic deaths and injuries - and our technology can help identify the driver behaviors that are most likely to contribute to serious crashes, injuries, and deaths. With this data, insurers can create policies to save lives on the roads - he added.
3. Improving underwriting
One area where machine learning can bring benefits in the process of underwriting is healthcare. Healthcare insurance provides coverage of costs incurred by disease, accident, disability, or death. This area of insurance stands to benefit a lot from data-driven approaches as the healthcare analytics market is on the rise.

Insurance companies need to provide better services and reduce their costs. They can now use machine learning-powered tools that help to consolidate insights from massive volumes of highly varied data such as insurance claims data, membership and provider data, benefits and medical records, and many others. These solutions can structure and process data to offer healthcare insurance businesses insights leading to costs reduction, higher quality of care, and fraud detection.

An example of such technology is Daisy Intelligence, which provides price suggestions for different customers based on their individual risk factors, such as age, location or even blood pressure.

On April 2019, the company has beaten 12 other startups to won the Canadian Fintech 3.0 Summit’s Future of Retail pitch battle.

- We’re establishing a new category, A.I. empowered category management – and delivering disruptive financial benefits to retailers and insurance companies - said Gary Saarenvirta, Daisy’s founder and CEO.

Another area that stands to benefit from machine learning technologies is property insurance.
Projects such as Tensorflight provide satellite and street image processing tools to improve the underwriting process and eliminate misclassification errors that are expected to cause the US sector to lose $4.5 billion over the next 4 years.

4. Better customer lifetime value (CLV) prediction
Customer lifetime value (CLV) is a complex metric that represents the value of a customer to a company as the difference between the revenue gained and expenses incurred – all projected onto the entire relationship with a customer, including the future.

Insurance companies predict CLV with the help of customer behavior data that allows them to assess the customer's potential profitability for the insurer and create a more personalized marketing offer.

Such behavior-based machine learning models can be applied to forecast retention or cross-buying, all critical factors in the company's future income. Machine learning tools also help insurers to predict the likelihood of a particular customer behavior – for example, their maintenance of the policies or surrender.

5. Personalization in marketing
Customers expect to receive personalized services that match their needs, preferences, and lifestyles. Creating personalized insurance experiences with the help of advanced analytics and machine learning is now an option companies can use to improve their marketing ROI.

They can draw insights from data about individual preferences, behaviors, attitudes, lifestyle details, and hobbies to create personalized products such as policies, loyalty programs, and recommendations. All of that is possible thanks to machine learning algorithms applied to data sets to develop suggestions that fit specific customers through sophisticated selection and matching mechanisms.

By taking advantage of machine learning solutions, insurers can offer customers personalized services, machine-generated insurance advice or even employ chatbots like ABIE to help insurers make the right policy choice. Consumers have nothing against that – in fact, 74% of them are happy to interact with machines in that context.

6. Fraud detection and prevention
Fraud is a serious concern that costs the US insurance sector over $40 billion a year. If insurance companies found methods to mitigate fraud effectively, they could positively impact their profit and loss statements. And that's where machine learning algorithms can help.

They are already being used by the industry leaders to identify claims that are more likely to be fraudulent than others and subject them to further investigation by human employees. Machine learning tools enable insurance companies to take action against fraud much more quickly than when relying on human analytical capabilities alone.
For example, the Paris-based startup Shift Technology has developed an AI-powered solution to better spot potential fraud among insurance claims and provide fraud handlers with clear and actionable rationale for why the claim was scored with a high potential for fraud and best next steps for investigating the claim.

The solution supposedly boasts a 75% accuracy rate, double the market standard. The accuracy rate refers to claims identified as potentially fraudulent that the handler elects to move forward.

- As for key milestones in 2019, we’re really excited about the trajectory the company is on. Since our launch in 2014, we’ve raised more than $40M, expanded our global footprint – most recently opening new offices in Boston and Tokyo – and we’ve signed contracts with more than 60 insurers throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas - Rob Morton from Shift Technology told us.

- Most recently, we announced a strategic partnership in the US with the National Insurance Crime Bureau and signed on HyreCar, an innovator in both the ridesharing and insurance industries as a Shift customer - he added.

Key takeaway

Machine learning is on its way to causing a massive disruption across many different industries, and insurance is no exception. Q1 of 2018 saw $728 million invested into insurtech companies across 66 transactions.

Since insurance companies have always worked with data, it only makes sense that they ride the digital transformation wave and implement machine learning solutions that give them a more in-depth look into this data to uncover new insights. And these come in handy for a broad range of purposes, from fraud detection to development of rating algorithms that determine the best pricing strategies.

Machine learning is on the rise, so we're bound to see these applications mature and new ones appear on the insurance scene to accelerate the sector's digital transformation.

Parents and Medical Decisions – Fight the Revolution

Technical and scientific discoveries and innovations are happening at a tremendous rate. Social attitudes and morality have also undergone huge shifts in just the past two generations. Try this mental exercise. Imagine virtually any community in the 1950s and then fast-forward to the present. Almost nothing will have remained untouched. The geography and enduring elements like architecture may be substantially similar, but the automobiles, any technological item, even the demographic characteristics of that community will be largely different. Even the most basic social laws like those defining marriage or protection for the right to life before birth have changed alarmingly. We are living through radical technological and social revolutions moving at breakneck speed.

It feels like our societies have been catapulted into a strange utopian social science experiment.  A person coming of age in the late 1950s has a substantial chance of being alive today thanks to the average life expectancy extending to great old age today. This person born into a family with his/her father and mother married to each other as a societal norm sees a very different picture today among his/her grandchildren’s generation. That the gender of every human was either male or female and heterosexual normativity did not pose any question at all not so long ago. There were no headlines discussing a “woman” who was born male but then took hormones or had sex-change surgery and now demands to compete in female athletic events.

Finally, the rights of parents to educate and raise their own children were universally acknowledged. Only the most severe forms of abuse were considered grounds for separating children from their parents.

Rights of Parents, Guardians of Their Children

Modern child rearing combines several phenomena. Children increasingly often remain dependent on their parents for years beyond their legal maturity. The average age of mothers and fathers at the birth of the first child has climbed steadily while conversely global fertility rates have plummeted over the past few decades. These older and older parents are faced with children who remain financially dependent for longer periods of time as they pursue years of higher education and even sometimes move back home after unsuccessfully attempting to launch their independent work lives. The old truism about the “empty nest” is less and less of a common phenomenon.

rights of paren

Society also intrudes more often into the sanctum of the home and the authority, responsibilities, and rights of parents vis-à-vis their children. Schools routinely deny the right of parents to exempt their children from mandatory sex education classes that contradict the morals and religious beliefs of these families. Government-sponsored social agencies have taken children away from their parents, not for any kind of physical abuse, but rather for educating their own children with their conservative religious views. Hospitals and health authorities sometimes make decisions regarding sick babies that contradict the wishes of parents, even in cases where their status as the legal guardians for these minors has not been rescinded.

It is important to discuss this topic of modern legal conflicts between institutions and parents in health care decision-making for children. It raises a serious issue of medical ethics. Who has the competence to decide in concrete medical cases? The consensus view among ethicists and in legal norms is that an adult with a sound mind has the legal right to decide the medical treatments they will or will not undergo, with the exception of emergency situations, as part of informed consent in medicine. In the case of a child, and particularly when it comes to babies, a legal guardian or guardians have this power. Almost universally, the biological parents are entrusted with this role. They are deemed to have the best interests of their child at heart. Legal guardians for children who are not their parents can be appointed and indeed the rights of parents can be legally terminated if either or both the mother or father have demonstrated a lack of regard for the safety or well being of the child.

All of this is theoretically straightforward and in fact, is hardly ever challenged. There may be some disagreement in particular cases as to a parent truly being “unfit” or not, but the general view that parents will almost always have the best interests of their little boy or girl at heart when making medical decisions in a hospital setting is uncontroversial. Yes, there are ethically wrenching situations like where parents refuse to allow a needed blood transfusion for a child because they are practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thankfully, these cases are rare.

I will not explore in-depth developments in children’s rights. A modern movement has achieved international recognition for increasing the autonomy rights of children at the expense of the rights of parents. This vast topic includes both recognition of some true rights and some clear usurpation of parent’s rights, particularly by institutions acting on behalf of minors. The main thrust of my argument here, however, concerns medical decision-making for infants and therefore is largely out of the domain of the new children’s rights debate.

Medical discoveries and technological advances are increasingly creating more ethical conflicts involving very sick babies. Throughout most of human history infant mortality was extremely high. It was one of the main limiting factors of human population growth. Perinatal mortality, the death of the fetus or newborn in the first week after birth, was particularly high. Modern medical science has reduced perinatal mortality rates substantially. It is still true, however, that most children who die do so in the first year of life. A modern ethical challenge is the increasingly frequent situation of a very sick patient who cannot be cured by current medical science but who can be kept alive by a combination of therapies and machines at great cost.

It is an extremely ethically uncomfortable position for a medical professional to have a patient who has a very poor prognosis for recovery, or even conscious living, but who can be prevented from dying for an extended period of time. These patients can fall into a kind of limbo category where it is unclear where their true best interests lie. Should everything be done to preserve their lives while hoping for a “medical miracle”? Is it more merciful and just to disconnect them and allow them to die? Is there a middle ground position that is preferable?

The Morality of Withdrawing Care

The Catholic Church offers an analytical tool in taking these decisions. She makes a distinction between “ordinary” and “extraordinary” means in health care. Very simply stated, ordinary means are always morally obligatory for patients while extraordinary means are optional. Of course, the devil is in the details. What is ordinary or extraordinary? Because of medical progress what was clearly extraordinary many years ago, like renal dialysis, has largely become ordinary care. It may still be the case, however, that in a poor country dialysis is still extraordinary because of its lack of availability. There is also a strong subjective element on the side of the patient. Some people are extremely distressed/suffer terrible side effects from treatments like chemotherapy that have become quite ordinary in cancer care. In such circumstances, a good case can be made that it is not unreasonable to consider the treatment as extraordinary because of the burdens it imposes, and therefore that it is not ethically obligatory.

The Catholic Magisterium or teaching authority has provided much more explicit guidelines for ordinary care. Nutrition and hydration, whether by natural or artificial means, are to be considered ordinary care.[1] The reasoning for this is straightforward. All human beings require food and water to live. To cut off these basic necessities is a form of passive euthanasia. An exception even to this rule is admitted. If the patient is in the final days of life, and withdrawing a feeding tube or accepting that the person no longer wishes to be handfed will not lead to their deaths, it may be less burdensome for the patient and morally licit to allow them to forgo nutrition. It is frequently observed that in a patient who is slowly dying a point occurs where his/her body simply shuts down and no longer absorbs food. Hydration is a more acute need than nutrition, and it is rare that the same criteria for it to become an extraordinary means to apply. Even in those cases, moistening the lips and skin of the dying person are ordinary care as well as the other most basic measures to keep the dying person comfortable.

Another crucial aspect of this ordinary vs. extraordinary means distinction involves the common good. Societies and families have a duty to provide ordinary care to their members. They should also provide access to health care, although they are not required to offer every form of extraordinary care available. Difficult decisions have to be made concerning health policy since available resources are by definition finite. On the other hand, the demand for health care services generally far outstrip even the most generous health plans and state health services, particularly for acute pathologies. The fear of imminent death can lead individuals or their legal guardians to extreme decisions. When a person is spending their private wealth to pursue experimental or burdensome and costly treatments that have a very low chance of success, this will, in most cases, fall under the category of licitly choosing extraordinary means. More frequently, however, the issue is whether society is willing to cover the costs of these therapies, and that is much less easy to decide. It is certainly not ethical to allow a very small number of patients to consume societal health care resources that could be used to save many more lives. Where exactly to draw the line is a thorny issue that requires the input of ethicists and specialists in several fields.

The problem is even more difficult when the patient is a tiny innocent baby. Imagine your desperately sick newborn in a hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is almost unbearable. Most parents will want every possible medical means used regardless of cost or chances of success. In some cases they may become irrational on the topic and even abusive of medical staff that refuses to comply with their wishes. Spiritual and even psychological support is needed in most cases. In the most exceptional scenarios an independent legal guardian for medical decision-making may need to be appointed. Great care must be exercised, however, as the sacred bond between mothers and fathers and their children; the rights of parents are not something that can be violated except for a particularly extreme situation.

The Push for Patients’ Rights

Strangely, in this area, trends seem to be going counter to the general direction of bioethical consensus. Over the last few decades a strong push for greater patient autonomy has replaced the previous paradigm of medical paternalism. It is something of a cliché to refer back to a past period when the doctor told the patient what would be done and the sick person simply had the duty to acquiesce. Today informed consent is the gold standard. Medical professionals are required to explain treatment options as clearly as possible and allow the patients to decide what they want. In its most extreme form this modern view is that the patient decides and the doctor is required to carry out their wishes. It is an illogical position to take since in the name of the autonomy of the patient the professional autonomy of the health care worker is sacrificed. This also helps to explain why medical personnel conscientious objection has become such a prominent topic of ethical discussion.

Rights of Parents Violated: Examples in the News

So, while there is generally higher respect for patient autonomy and informed consent today, these rights appear to be problematic at times for parents as legal guardians in medical matters for their sick children. The spectacular cases that make international headlines such as those of Charlie Gard or Alfie Evans are certainly rare but remain disturbing. An in-depth study of the number of these cases would certainly be necessary to have a better idea of the scale of the problem today. We can nevertheless benefit from a brief analysis of these two cases.

Both Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans were suffering from severe conditions that required extraordinary medical care to continue living. In both cases the parents wished to explore further medical care for their children and came into conflict with the doctors and hospitals caring for their sons. Both cases arose in Great Britain. These two conflicts dragged on and went through extensive court cases on multiple levels of jurisdiction. Regardless of the scientific merits of the medical opinion defended by the institutions in each case that further care was futile, the most shocking aspect of Charlie Gard’s and Alfie Evan’s situations was that the hospitals refused to allow them to be discharged at the request of the parents.

It is a clear violation of patient autonomy to allow a patient to be voluntarily admitted but then to refuse to discharge that patient when other treatments, that the hospital in question refuses to provide, are chosen. In effect, the patient is being held a prisoner in the hospital. In the Alfie Evans case, a police officer was even posted outside the baby’s hospital room to prevent the parents from exercising this right.

Even worse, the hospitals insisted on and obtained court orders to disconnect the respirators of the infants in the clear knowledge that this would lead to rapid death. One can only imagine the desperation of fathers and mothers not convinced that nothing more can/should be done who are physically prevented from exploring other medical options and helplessly can only look on as their child dies.

Charges of cruelty and human rights violations are not amiss, particularly when even the request of Charlie Gard’s parents that their son be allowed to come home to die was denied. The Bambino Gesù hospital in Rome run by the Church offered to provide free medical care to both boys. In neither case were there any credible charges that the parents did not sincerely want what was best for their sons. It appears they were the victims of a medical and legal establishment that refused to honor the most basic autonomy right of patients to seek out the best care they could find. It should be noted that the economic ethical arguments regarding resources did not apply to the final decisions to refuse to discharge the children since the parents had found alternative providers and charitable donations that would not cost the British taxpayers anything.

In the United States, so-called “futile care” laws have passed in many states to apply in cases where medical institutions want to cease extraordinary medical treatments and the patients or their representatives refuse to accept this decision. It is not the case, however, that they refuse to allow the patients to be discharged. Accusations have been leveled, nonetheless, that at times hospitals refuse to admit patients discharged by others on grounds of the futility of further treatment. This problem can equally leave patients with no options except to acquiesce to having their life-support unplugged and dying where they are.

How Do Commercial Vehicle Insurance Claims Work?

If you are a business owner, you or your employees might drive every day. Maybe your car is a vital part of your home delivery service for the elderly. You might run a cross-country trucking business. No matter how you and your employees use your commercial vehicle or fleet, you could be at risk in the event of accidents. When an accident happens, knowing how to file commercial vehicle insurance claims will help save you valuable time.

An agent in the Trusted Choice network® can help make sure you’re covered. Your agent will help you through the process of filing your commercial auto insurance claims and can answer all your questions. If you are looking for commercial auto insurance and want to find someone you can trust to help you, contact an independent agent in the Trusted Choice network. Find an agent today and get the assistance you need.

Commercial Vehicle Crash Facts

Over 5 million commercial vehicle accidents occur annually

Between 3 and 4 million of these accidents result in property damage

Over 30,000 of these accidents result in fatalities

The Basics of Commercial Vehicle Insurance Claims

You know having insurance is important, but you may wonder what kind of insurance policy is best for your business. Normal commercial auto insurance on standard vehicles is very similar to your personal auto policy.

For example, perhaps you have special delivery trucks, a fleet of limousines, or several vans painted with your company logo for delivering catering services to weddings. You need the right amount of collision and comprehensive insurance to cover the cost of repairing or replacing those expensive vehicles. You will also need enough uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage so you can be prepared to file claims involving drivers who cannot cover your repair costs.

Let’s look at some common types of commercial auto claims and how you’ll be covered:

An accident where the other driver is at fault: Your insurance company will file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. The other driver’s collision and/or liability coverage pays. If they lack sufficient coverage, your uninsured/underinsured coverage will cover the claim.

An accident in which your employee is at fault: The other driver’s insurance company will file a claim with your insurance company. Your collision coverage will pay for the claim unless it becomes a legal issue or there are medical payments, in which case your liability coverage will cover the claim.

Your employee hits a deer on the highway: Your comprehensive coverage will pay for the claim.

Your delivery van is severely damaged by hail: Your comprehensive coverage will pay for the claim.

Your vehicle’s windshield is cracked by a falling branch: Your comprehensive coverage or special auto glass coverage will cover the claim.

When and How to File Commercial Auto Insurance Claims

There are very simple steps you can take to ensure your commercial vehicle insurance claims process goes smoothly. First, always check for injuries and contact the appropriate authorities.

Next, gather the following information to relay to your insurance company when making your claim:

The names of everyone involved in the accident

All vehicle license plate numbers and car information

The insurance information from all other drivers involved

All accident specifics that you can remember

It is a good idea to record everything that has happened at the scene. For example, if you take pictures of all vehicles involved and jot notes about what happened, you can provide this information during the claims process.

If the accident is minor, evaluate whether it will be worth it to call the insurance company to file claims. You should know your deductible and how your coverage applies to the accident.

If the cost of the damage is lower than your deductible, it may be more cost efficient to pay for the damage out of pocket. Having high deductibles can lead to lower annual premiums, but you have to make sure you have the funds to cover the difference. Many insurance companies will offer lower premiums for businesses that remain claims-free. Use your judgment and review your policy if you are on the fence.

Preventing Commercial Auto Insurance Claims

Ultimately, you want to avoid filing commercial vehicle insurance claims altogether. Clean claims records will save you money and keep your premiums low for years to come. While you can’t always predict the safest travel route, you and your employees can take certain safety measures to prevent accidents that are a result of ignorance. Here are some ways to stay safe on the roads:

Keep a safety checklist in all company vehicles. Coach your staff members on safe practices. Simple measures like buckling seatbelts and using a hands-free phone can potentially save an employee’s life.

Make sure that all your company vehicles meet safety standards. Check them regularly checked for efficiency (oil changes, etc.) If you own a business with multiple cars, this can seem daunting but will help save you money by avoiding fleet insurance claims.

Check the driving history of any employee you hire. An employee with a poor driving record is going to be a liability on the road and will be costly to insure.

Require your employee drivers to take safety training. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has several programs such as Operation Safe Driver and the Driver Excellence Award Program which promotes and rewards safe commercial drivers. Check with your local DMV or insurance company to see if any other programs are available to local businesses.

Choose the Best Commercial Auto Insurance for Your Business

When accidents happen on the clock, you will be glad you took the time to put the right coverage in place. Filing commercial vehicle insurance claims can be a challenging process, depending on your provider and the nature of the claim, so work with a local agent who will advocate for your needs.

If you are partnered with an independent agent in the Trusted Choice network, you can have confidence that your claims process will go smoothly. If you need new or additional coverage, your agent can help and will make sure you have exactly what your business requires. If you’re ready to speak with someone who understands your business needs, find a Trusted Choice member agent today.

Impact of Telematics on Car Insurance Premium

Car insurance offers coverage against third-party liability and any accidental damage caused to you or your car. As per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a third-party liability cover is mandatory for all vehicles on public spaces in India. Whether you own a bike or car, it is important to have a two-wheeler insurance or four-wheeler insurance, respectively. There are 2 types of car insurance policies available on the market – third-party car insurance and comprehensive insurance. As the name suggests, third-party insurance offers coverage against any damage caused by your car to a third-party.

You and your car aren’t covered by third-party insurance. In the case of a comprehensive policy, you get coverage for third-party liability as well as any damages caused to you and your car due to an accident, theft or natural calamity.

The Insured Declared Value (IDV) of the car, the make and model of the car, year of manufacture, engine capacity, and geographical location are the main parameters used to determine the car insurance premium. IDV is the value put on a vehicle by the insurance company at the time of purchase of car insurance.

As for geographical location, India is divided into 2 zones – Zone A which is high accident-risk in comparison to Zone B. The insurance premium is higher in Zone A which includes New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai while Zone B includes the rest of the country.

As per the current parameters used to determine car insurance premium, drivers who drive carefully, cover less miles, and choose to drive when the traffic is less pay the same premium as those who drive rashly and cover more miles.

This seems unfair to the drivers who are being careful when on the road.

That is why, IRDAI has proposed usage-based-insurance premium calculation wherein the driving habits of the policyholder, distance covered, and vehicle usage is monitored in real-time. The collected data will be used to determine the insurance premium.

How does usage-based insurance work?

The concept of Telematics will be used to determine a policyholder’s car insurance premium.

The car will be fitted with a Black Box which records speed and distance traveled by the driver. In simple words, your car insurance cost will be determined based on vehicle usage.

The usage data will be recorded by Telematics, a smart device working on long-distance information transmission technology. The smart device will be installed in the on-board diagnostics center of the car.

The type of roads traveled, the specific time of the day, and the date is also recorded by the smart device. The information from the device will be relayed through an app that is installed on the car owner’s smartphone.

The telematics device is compatible with OBD2-compliant cars. Cars manufactured after 2010 are OBD2-compliant as per government-mandated rules. The telematics technology was introduced in the US and the UK in the year, 2000. Now, India, South Africa, and Italy are using the concept in motor insurance.

Benefits of using Telematics

Telematics technology not only helps insurers but also the policyholders:

The uses of telematics include real-time navigation, vehicle tracking, and roadside assistance.
Telematics can be used to retrieve stolen cars, help drivers take better routes, and also save up on the costs of fuel and maintenance.
It can help motor insurance companies better segregate the customers based on the risk assessment of each individual. By analyzing the driving history of a customer, Telematics can help insurers accurately estimate damages caused due to an accident and reduce fraud.
Drivers can share the real-time location of their cars with others.
Car owners will be alerted if the driver breaks a speed limit via a notification.
In the case of a road accident, the driver of the car can request for roadside assistance through the Telematics app.
Penetration of Telematics in India

There are certain concerns regarding the use of telematics technology in motor insurance such as the appropriation of the data collected by the insurer or the manufacturer, the cost of installing the device, and the low demand of usage-based insurance in the country.

In India, as of now only one leading motor insurance provider is offering usage-based insurance. The insurer is offering the Telematics-based device for free of cost to customers who purchase the company’s add-on covers like personal accident cover, key replacement cover, etc.

Life insurance and health insurance premiums are determined based on the individual’s requirement, age, lifestyle habits, gender, and medical history.

With Telematics, the same concept can be applied to premium calculation in motor insurance. Here, the cost of car insurance will be determined based on real-time data such as the distance traveled, driving habits, and usage of the car.

5 Best Small Business Health Insurance Providers of 2019

If you run a small business, you may be concerned about finding health insurance options either for yourself (if you do not have any employees) or for your small workforce. Fortunately, there are several different options available. In this article, we will explore health insurance for those who are self-employed on their own, and for those who are seeking small business health insurance plans for a workforce of two to 50 employees. 

If you are self-employed without any employees, you’re probably busy enough as it is without worrying about your health insurance options. The good news is that the Affordable Care Act now allows a self-employed health insurance deduction for 100% of their health insurance premium. You can search the Health Insurance Marketplace for plans that will fit your healthcare needs and budget. If you’ve missed the ACA open enrollment period to apply for health insurance, you can also consider a short-term health insurance plan to cover your health expenses until the open enrollment opens again. You can also check and see if you qualify for Medicaid healthcare coverage, or even elect to self-fund your health insurance. Many insurers now offer self-insured employee healthcare. Because you are only insuring yourself, you have some flexibility in choosing the best plan for your needs.

If you have at least two employees but less than 50, then things get a bit more complicated. You should start looking into small business health insurance plans to figure out how to best cover your employees. Read on for our picks of the best health insurance providers for small business owners.

01 Best for Online Care: UnitedHealthCare
UnitedHealthcare if a part of UnitedHealth Group and is the largest single health insurer in the United States and is rated “An (Excellent)" by A.M. Best. UnitedHealthcare offers health insurance plans to small business owners with two to 50 employees. One great feature that both employers and employees will love is the “virtual visits” option, which allows access to online care 24/7. You can talk to a doctor from your mobile device or computer without an appointment and can even get a prescription to pick up at your local pharmacies. There is also a health discount program that allows you to save up to 50% on select health and wellness services like cosmetic dental care, laser eye surgery, acupuncture, massage therapy, infertility, hearing devices and more.  Some of the most popular UnitedHealthCare small business health insurance plans are UnitedHealthcare Choice, UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus, and UnitedHealthcare Options PPO.

The UnitedHealthcare Choice is an open-access medical plan, meaning you can see any doctor or healthcare facility of your choosing.  This health plan is open to employers from 2 employees to over 5,000 employees. Features of the plan include fixed-dollar copayments, coinsurance options and lower out-of-pocket costs for care from in-network doctors and clinics.

UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus offers the same benefits as UnitedHealthcare Choice but with added coverage for out-of-network doctors. For the added coverage, there is a higher coinsurance payment along with a higher deductible.

Finally, the UnitedHealthcare Options PPO plan offers substantial discounts to employees who use in-network care. However, you can use any doctor of your choice without a referral. Members must obtain approvals for both in- and out-of-network services. When using an out-of-network doctor, copayments and deductibles may be higher.

02 Best for Tax Savings: Humana
Humana offers small business health insurance to employers with two to 50 employees. Plans and options vary by state, so be sure to check restrictions for your area.

The Humana Simplicity plan provides in-network preventive care and allows employees to set their own copay amounts for services. After the out-of-pocket expense is met, the plan pays 100% for covered services.  The plan also includes wellness incentives.

The Level Funded Premium plan is for employers with 10 or more employees. This is a flexible self-funding plan with comprehensive medical and pharmacy plans and includes wellness programs. Premium tax savings are possible through this plan along with a refund for any claims surplus.

The Self-Funded Plans allow employers to have predictable costs and administrative help for their plans. You can cover your premium with one monthly payment. The self-funded plans typically offer lower premium payments for employees.

The High Deductible Health Plans through Humana allow employers to offer low premiums to employees by having a higher deductible which covers both medical and prescription drug costs. Annual in-network exams are covered 100% and the plans can also be paired with health savings accounts.

Humana Copay Plans allow employees to pay a flat fee for services and offer lower costs for care provided by in-network healthcare doctors and facilities. Coverage is provided through this plan for annual in-network exams which are paid 100%.

The Coinsurance Plans offer 100% coverage for preventive exams and services and discounted rates for other services through in-network providers. The prices for services are negotiated through Humana and employees pay a percentage of the negotiated price.

03 Best for a Large Provider Network: BlueCross/BlueShield
The Blue Cross Association not only operates in the United States but also in more than 170 countries worldwide. In all, more than 99 million Americans are covered by a Blue Cross policy. There are 39 separate Blue Cross organizations throughout the U.S. and most of these companies have a financial strength rating of “A+ (Excellent)."

BlueCross/Blue Shield offers small business health insurance plans for employers with 50 employees or less. BlueCross/BlueShield has one of the largest preferred healthcare provider networks in the nation, making it easier for employees to see an in-network doctor or healthcare facility and receive the preferred provider discount. BlueCross/BlueShield also offers many wellness incentives including Blue365 which offers discounts on health and wellness products and services, and WalkingWorks, a physical fitness and training program to help keep employees active and healthy.

Most states offer some form of Blue Cross small business health insurance plan for employers with two to 50 employees. Pharmacy networks are included in the plan options. There are over 30 plan options with different deductibles, out-of-pocket expense, coinsurance, copayment and preferred provider options. Here is a sample plan brochure for the state of Texas. Coverage options and plans will vary based on state.

The plan features virtual visits, a preferred pharmacy network, and prescription programs on payment level tiers. Prescription drugs on the lower level tiers will cost less so there will be less out-of-pocket pharmacy expenses for the employee.

04 Best for Health Savings Plans: Aetna
Aetna is one of the largest health insurers in the nation and has an “A- (Excellent)" financial strength rating with A.M. Best. Aetna offers a small group of health plans for employers with two to 50 employees. Coverage options and plans will vary based on state.

Open Choice Plan: The open choice plan allows you to visit any healthcare provider you choose, although the rates may be lower if you choose a network doctor. You can also visit a network doctor without a referral. Any licensed doctor or specialist is allowed in the open choice plan through Aetna. Out-of-pocket expenses may be higher if you do decide to visit an out-of-network provider.

Traditional Choice Health Insurance Plan: The traditional plan allows you to visit any licensed doctor or specialist without a referral, although you may need to get approval for certain kinds of services. Those services are outlined in the Benefits Summary of your policy. With the traditional plan from Aetna, you pay for your care when you visit the doctor, submit a claim and then receive the money back.

Aetna HealthFund One-to-One Employer Overview: This plan works with any of the Aetna small business healthcare plan options. Once you choose a plan, you pair it with either a health fund or health savings account to lower out-of-pocket and deductible costs. The HRA and HSA plans are tax deductible for employers and tax-free for employees.

05 Best for Managed Care: Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is a managed care organization where customers can receive medical care from Kaiser Foundation hospitals and medical centers. Kaiser Permanente has excellent financial strength ratings and has won numerous customer service awards through J.D. Power & Associates.  It offers small business health insurance plans to business owners in the states of Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Oregon and Washington. The plan options will vary based on your state. Kaiser Permanente offers four main health insurance policy options for small business owners including Traditional HMO Plans, Deductible HMO Plans, HRS and HAS-Qualified Plans and Deductible HMO with HRA Plans.

The Deductible HMO Plans offer employees the option to have a higher deductible but also a lower premium. These plans can also be paired with a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) for additional tax savings. This plan is designed to offer employees a lower premium while still maintaining quality healthcare options.

Consumer-directed health plans from Kaiser Permanente are the HRA and HSA-Qualified Plans, which offer employees tax-free funds to help pay for healthcare expenses. Employees enrolled in these plans have access to the same services provided to members of traditional HMO plans.

The PPO plans allow employees who may live outside of the preferred provider area to use any licensed doctor of their choice without a referral. The plans are administrated by a single carrier to avoid paperwork delays in paying claims. Discounts are provided when in-network doctors and healthcare facilities are accessed by members.

The Point-of-Service Plans take the best features of the POS, HMO, and PPO plans and combine them into one policy. The employee can then chose quality healthcare from any Kaiser Permanente provider facility, PHCS network physician, or any other licensed provider. This plan provides lower premiums but also gives the ability to go out of network to find a doctor when the need arises.

Is Buying Life Insurance for Your Pet Worth it?

It makes sense to purchase a life insurance policy to cover yourself or your spouse if you want to ensure that your family is protected financially in the event of a tragedy. Some people even purchase life insurance for their children to enable them to secure low-cost policies that can stay with them into adulthood. But what about your family pets? After all, Fido and Whiskers may be bona fide members of your family too. Should you buy life insurance policies for them as well? If you want to find out more details related to your situation contact a local insurance agent.

In most cases, the answer is "No." It is rare for animals to have income potential, so although your pet may have incalculable value to your family, in the eyes of insurance companies, it is worth only its value on paper. That is to say, the value assigned to it will be either the price you paid to purchase it, or the cost to replace it with a pet of the same breed. Emotional value does not come into play. There are exceptions, of course. Rare breeds, show dogs, and famous pets frequently have an assessed value that greatly exceeds their purchase or replacement price.

Costs Associated with Pet Funerals
Cost to cremate a pet: $60 to $150
Cost for an urn for a pet’s ashes: $35 to $400
Cost for a burial plot in a pet cemetery: $400 to $600
Cost for a pet casket: $50 to $500
When a beloved pet passes, it can be very hard on the family who loved it. Many people feel compelled to provide their pet with a proper burial or funeral service. Unfortunately, these costs can often run rather high. You may, therefore, think that purchasing a life insurance policy for your pet can help to alleviate these costs. However, these policies have limits that make them a good financial decision only for a small handful of pet owners.
What Are the Limitations of Pet Life Insurance?
Pet life insurance is different from pet health insurance. It is designed to cover unexpected deaths such as those that may result from an accident or sudden illness. Your insurance company can provide you with compensation in the amount of your pet’s value, as determined by its purchase or replacement cost, or its assessed value. Some insurers will also offer to cover euthanasia, burial or cremation costs in exchange for higher premiums.

However, not all pet deaths are covered. You are likely to face a number of policy exclusions, including such things as:

Hereditary diseases: Some purebred dogs are prone to serious illnesses, and deaths caused by these illnesses will not be covered by dog life insurance. For example, Lhasa Apsos are prone to develop hereditary kidney disease and inguinal hernias; Irish Setters are vulnerable to hemophilia and certain neurological disorders.
Preexisting conditions: Your insurance company will require a health assessment by a veterinarian before issuing a policy. If your pet already suffers from a serious illness, whether hereditary or not, you may not qualify for coverage.
Old age: Pets age and their life expectancy is shorter than that of humans. Pet life insurance limits coverage to a given time span that provides coverage while your pet is in its prime of life. The coverage is therefore limited to accidental deaths and sudden illnesses.
Most Popular Dog Breeds and Their Life Expectancy
Labrador Retriever, 12 years
German Shepherd, 10 years
Golden Retriever, 12 years
Beagle, 12 years
Bulldog, 6 years
Yorkshire Terrier, 14 years
Boxer, 9 years
Poodle, 12 years
Rottweiler, 9 years
Dachshund, 13 years
Life Insurance for Dogs
Smaller dogs tend to have longer lifespans than larger ones. The time limits of your dog life insurance policy will depend on the breed of dog you are insuring.

Typically, dog owners who can benefit from purchasing a dog life insurance policy for their pets own breeds that cost a lot of money. Others that may want to consider a policy are those whose pets compete in Best of Show events or are famous—such as those who have roles on TV shows or who have become popular on the Internet—since these canines can provide a source of income for their owners.

Paris Hilton reportedly shelled out $25,000 for two teacup Pomeranians. While these dogs may have a value that justifies life insurance coverage, if you have the money to pay that much for a dog, you probably have enough to easily cover funeral costs without the need for pet life insurance.
Life Insurance for Cats
Cat owners tend to be less likely than dog owners to seek life insurance policies for their pets.  At fifteen years, the average lifespan of a cat is longer than that of a dog, so cat life insurance policies often have longer coverage periods. Some cats, such as Persians, Bengals and Savannahs, can cost several thousand dollars.

“Grumpy Cat” is an example of a cat that might be worth purchasing a life insurance policy for. This cat, named Tardar Sauce, was born with an underbite and dwarfism, which work together to make it appear that the cat is always scowling. Grumpy Cat quickly grew famous as a Web meme, and her owner has made millions of dollars through commercial projects that have starred her cat. This is one example of a pet that would be assessed at a value far greater than its purchase price.

Is Pet Life Insurance Really Necessary?
According to Harris Interactive, Americans spend an average of $1,191 a year on their pets. The largest expenses are food, at $476, and healthcare costs, at $425. There is no reason to incur the extra cost for cat or dog life insurance unless your pet has a high assessed value.

The American Pet Products Association reports that there are approximately 86 million cats and 78 million dogs living with families in the United States. While many of these families might benefit from purchasing health insurance policies for their pets, very few would benefit from purchasing pet life insurance policies.

With a few exceptions, it would make more financial sense to simply put the money you would spend on a pet life insurance policy into a savings account set up specifically for the purpose of covering your furry friend’s eventual burial or cremation costs.

Making the Decision to Get Pet Life Insurance
If you feel that your pet has an estimated value that justifies the cost of a pet life insurance policy, you may want to learn more. A local Trusted Choice® agent can help you find one of the few insurance companies that offer this type of policy, so you can review prices and crunch numbers. These agents can also serve as a resource when you are shopping for any type of coverage, such as auto, home, or life insurance policies. You can get more information by contacting an independent insurance agent near you.