December is National Impaired Driving Prevention month. Seasonal festivities have begun and according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities due to driving impaired increase significantly during the Christmas and New Year Holidays. Whenever your plans include consuming alcohol, make arrangements ahead of time for your transportation home so you do not drive impaired. Have a designated sober driver, plan to take a taxi, or arrange for a sober friend or family member to pick you up. You not only put yourself at risk if you drive impaired, but you also put other drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk. … Continue reading

I want to help save you from experiencing some of the same winter woes that I have. The first is being aware of where you park your car this time of year, as there can be falling ice from roofs.  When the weather gets cold, then warms up, ice may fall onto your vehicle and wake you up in a panic in the middle of the night as it did to me. This is important to be aware of for many different reasons. Thank goodness it was just a vehicle it fell on! If you own rental dwellings, be sure … Continue reading

As a parent, you will see many life changing events with your child. When major life events occur, you may question if your child’s eligibility to be covered on your health care coverage changes too. Don’t fret. Children up to 26 years old are still eligible to be insured under your health plan, regardless of any of the following circumstances. o Getting married o Having or adopting a child o Living out of the state o Attending or leaving college o Moving out of parents’ home o Not being claimed as a tax dependent o Child declining health coverage through … Continue reading

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is currently running a campaign to “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires”.  The emphasis for this is holiday fire safety.  Fire hazards this time of year include not only Christmas trees, but also many of the holiday decorations and the cooking of the holiday treats we all enjoy.  There are a few steps that you can take to be sure the holidays remain a safe and happy time of year. According to the study completed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2009-2013 there was an estimated average of 210 reported home fires where … Continue reading

Life moves quickly. It feels like yesterday you watched your child take his or her first wobbly steps. Today they’re confidently stepping across the graduation stage. Tomorrow you’re anxiously stepping into the hospital to meet your first grandchild. No matter what your child’s next step is, you want to be there for them. That includes being there when it comes to their health insurance coverage. Many parents with children on their health plan are unsure if they must remove their child the moment they turn 26. Wondering how long your child can stay on your plan is a common concern … Continue reading

Tis’ the season for indoor trees, candles, fireplaces, and gatherings with family and friends. I have some tips for you to keep your home and family safe during this time of year. Place your tree several feet away from any heat source. Live trees can dry out quick, so be sure to water it as often as necessary. Check your light strings and extension cords to be sure they aren’t damaged or frayed. Always unplug decorative lights before you leave your home or when you go to sleep. Never leaving a burning candle unattended. Remove stockings that are hanging from … Continue reading

Winter is upon us. Well, maybe not officially, but we do have snow on the ground!  I enjoy the snow and outdoor activities, and often need to drive to get to them. Here are some tips for safe winter driving: Clean the snow and ice off of your windows, lights, and mirrors before you start driving. You need to see and be seen by others! When stopping, slow down sooner. It takes longer to stop on snow or ice. Bridges and ramps can get icy before the roads do, so take extra caution on them. Allow plenty of space between … Continue reading

I adopt boxers (not the Muhammad Ali kind).  I adopt the sweet, squishy face, snoring, and slobbery kind.  They truly are members of my family. Unfortunately, pets also get cancer, eat ornaments off your Christmas tree, and break bones too.  Pet insurance can help with some of the costs of treatment, and I have experienced the benefits of it with my dog, Ruger. We adopted Ruger when he was about three. We don’t even know his actual birthdate because the rescue was not able to get records from his previous owner. We brought him in for his initial exam with … Continue reading

There is a common misconception that if a trailer is hooked to your vehicle the trailer is automatically covered under your auto policy.  This is not always, or usually the case, and unfortunately too many people find out the hard way after the damage has been done.  This leaves the question, when is my trailer covered? If you want physical damage coverage on your trailer it needs to be listed on your insurance policy. Just like your vehicle coverage you can elect to have comprehensive, collision coverage, or both on your trailer. If you are pulling a small trailer, the … Continue reading

1) Income Not just straight income, but Modified Adjusted Gross Income.  Here is a good website to help you determine what is considered when figuring this number out for yourself:  http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Documents/2013-11%20MAGI%20Summary%20with%20DHCS.pdf Remember, if there is more than one income earner in a household, this number reflects the total of all income earned for the year. 2) Household Size When determining your household size, here is who you should include: Yourself Your spouse Your children who live with you, even if they make enough money to file a tax return themselves Your unmarried partner who needs health coverage Anyone you include … Continue reading