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Developed countries such as Japan, USA and Canada have high percentages of people who get insurance coverage for various purposes. It is said that the degree of awareness a populace with regard to the value and benefits of insurance coverage determines the level of economic progress. Or, perhaps, it is the other way around. Economic health could be spurred by people investing in their future security. Insurance is a form of forced savings which allows people to leverage their future in the event that the unexpected or the unforeseen occurs. A lot of people would not have enjoyed their retirement years without having some form of retirement insurance. Here are some valuable tips about insurance for business-owners which will help them appreciate what insurance can do for them and what they can do with having one: 1. Make it a practice to consider the merits of three or more insurance companies through brokers or free-lance agents. Find out as much as you can about the companies' corporate culture. Are they earnestly interested in your losses in case you reach that point? Or are they merely eager to get you to sign a policy? 2. For many small business-owners, self-insurance is common. However, it can be counter-productive as the potential for acquiring coverage for the whole business is sacrificed in favor of the individual. With so much capital available today, it is more prudent to get coverage for one's business. 3. Annual assessment of one's property is essential as the needs of your company and the liabilities grow. Waiting for several years to have a re-assessment might compromise your firm's ability to recover in case of loss. 4. Oftentimes, the insurer has the option to recompense your loss in three ways: paying the amount lost, repairing the insured asset or replacing the same. Nevertheless, let the insurer know which option you would prefer

Maine citizens looking to purchase health insurance on healthcare.gov now have more choices for their 2015 plans. We did a quick roundup of the 3 main players in the local health insurance field in Maine. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. A veteran in the health insurance industry, Anthem has been around even before the launch of the Affordable Care Act website 3 years ago. In fact, it has registered over 18,000 Maine citizens as individual clients (i.e. customers who bought their own coverage instead of getting it through work benefits). Their enrolment rates is almost twice as high as their closest rival which is not surprising since they are getting corporate backing from WellPoint, one of the national health insurers with a big market share. Almost 20% of the enrollees on the ACA site for 2014 plans were through Anthem. So this year, they seem to be prepared for a big comeback with their premium rates reduced by 1%. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. A newcomer in the industry, the non-profit Harvard Pilgrim came to the market with 4 plans for 2015. Though relatively new, it's already familiar with health reforms from its partnership with the now-defunct Dirigo Health (Maine's effort to increase the number of citizens with health insurance).

Choosing health benefits is one of the most significant decisions you make every year, Harver Health Insurance Counter Fraud Group provided below some basic points you need to consider in choosing the plan that is best for you and your family.

"People have homeowners insurance to protect against fires and floods," notes independent financial planner Stephen Ng, founder and president of Stephen Ng Financial Group, (www.stephenngfg.com). "They buy insurance to replace their car if it gets wrecked and they buy health insurance to protect themselves from medical costs. "But for many people, their biggest material asset is their retirement portfolio. When I look at a new client's portfolio and ask, 'Where's your insurance?' they look at me like I'm crazy!" Insure your retirement fund by taking steps to safeguard at least a portion of it, Ng says. As you get closer to retiring, the amount you safeguard will be what you need to rely on for your retirement income. "Your retirement income should be derived from guaranteed sources, such as Social Security benefits and your pension plan," says Ng, a licensed 3(21) fiduciary advisor, certified to advise companies about their 401(k) and other retirement plans. "It's the amount you need to pay the bills and do the other things you hope to do in retirement, so your retirement income needs to be a guaranteed source of income. "Then you look for your 'play checks.' That's the money you don't absolutely have to have, so you can still try to grow it, and take risks with it, in the market."