If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a serious illness, you may have already discovered that dealing with actual health issues is just part of the individual puzzle you must reassess and reassemble.

One major hurdle: paying the health care bills. However, there are solutions out there. Our guest columnist and licensed insurance agent, M. Bryan Freeman, explains one often over-looked solution: life settlements.

What is a life settlement??

Basically, a life settlement is the sale of an existing life insurance policy. Although life settlements are usually undertaken by relatively healthy seniors for financial- and estate-planning reasons, people with serious illness also may qualify.

Learn more - read M. Bryan Freeman’s article here…

We’re undergoing a redesign here at WhatHappensNow.com and we’re moving a few things around.

One major change will be the URLs or the links for the pages on our site (we’re shortening them!). So if you’re searching through the blog archives you might encounter dead links until we’re fully live (which should be very shortly!!).

Thanks for your patience! I’ll still be blogging and I’ll let you know the minute we’re live!

Today in Minneapolis, currently the thermometer has reached a sultry 13 degrees (not Celsius!). Cold temps are just one of the many budding signs of winter, reminding us that there’s plenty still left to come.

For instance, I just got a notice from AccuWeather this afternoon stating that the first winter storm (read: Blizzard!!) might actually be on its way towards the Eastern part of the country (check your local forecast here).

So what do you need to do to prep for winter? Here’s a quick checklist to help you get ready before you hibernate:

1. Check your car. Your car is your best (and worst) friend when the temps get low. To make sure it starts and runs right, read these top tips from Lauren Fix, the Car Coach and a licensed mechanic.

2. Throw in a winterized car emergency kit. You’ll never know if or when you’ll get stuck in a snowbank so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Get started on your kit…

3. Add winter items to your home kit, too. You’ll need extra blankets, water, matches, warm clothing, firewood, etc. on hand, just in case you’re snowed in or lose power. Make your home preparedness kit…

4. Winterize your home. When it’s below freezing outside, the last thing you’ll want to be dealing with are frozen or leaking ice dams. Learn more about ice dams and how to prevent them…

5. Dress the part. The American Academy of Pediatrics has tips on how to dress kids for cold weather, how to spot frostbite and other winter weather tips. Read them here.

Survived winter? Have a hot tip? Post it in the Comments!

Getting into the giving spirit this holiday season? Why not give yourself a little something too?

Someday you’ll be in need of a helping hand (especially after a major loss or disaster) and these top five gifts will certainly help you get back on your feet. Click on the links to learn more:

1. Car Emergency Kit (a list and instructions on how to assemble): Handy for all those possible roadside emergencies (flat tire, out of gas, engine trouble, stranded in the snow, etc.), this kit is a comprehensive list of all the items you’d need…just in case.

2. Home Emergency Kit (a list of items and instructions on how to assemble): This just-in-case kit is essential to have on hand in case of fire or other major disasters.

3. “To-Go” Kit: a mini, portable version of the home emergency kit.

4. CPR/AED/First Aid Class: You never know when these techniques will come in handy!

5. Wedding Day Emergency Kit (list of key items to have): Of course nothing will go wrong on the big day - but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Bring along a wedding day emergency kit (great bridal shower gift!).

Have a helpful gift idea? Post it in the Comments!!

This is the last part of the article “Insurance Riders: Do I Need One?” written by our guest insurance blogger, Stephen Hadhazi.

How much coverage is enough? Do I need to buy extra riders to cover the contents in my home? Stephen Hadhazi, a certified public insurance adjuster, tackles the answers to these very questions:

Policy Limits

In addition, certain items such as jewelry, firearms, coin collections, furs, fine art, computers, and electronics are subject to policy limits. To make sure you’re adequately covered, inventory your possessions and compare the value against your personal property coverage and any related limits.

The following list represents common policy limits:

• Business personal property - $2500
• Computer equipment and electronics - $1000
• Firearms - $2000
• Jewelry, furs, fine arts - $1000-$1500
• Money (including coin collections) - $250
• Silverware - $2500
• Structures other than dwelling such as sidewalks, driveways, fences, permanent yard structures, and swimming pools – 10% of the dwelling limit
• Trees and landscaping – 5% of the dwelling limit

Endorsements(riders) to consider:

• Individual floaters for valuable items
• Replacement Cost Value coverage (not available for personal property on flood policies)

Personal Liability Limits

Most policies offer liability limits of $100,000 to $300,000. While this sounds like a lot of money, it might not be enough especially if you have a high net worth or own expensive assets, a dog, a swimming pool, or your own business.

Most policies offer liability limits of $100,000 to $300,000. While this sounds like a lot of money, it might not be enough especially if you have a high net worth or own expensive assets, a dog, a swimming pool, or your own business.

If you have a home-based business, your liability is limited. For example, if a customer or business contact is injured in your home, your homeowners insurance won’t necessarily cover injuries, medical costs, or lawsuits.

Endorsements(riders) to consider:

• Home business endorsement
• Increase liability limits to match or exceed your net worth
• Umbrella policy

Because all situations are different it’s important to understand your policy and address any shortcomings before disaster strikes. Review your policy annually and add or remove endorsements as needed to reflect any changes in your situation.

In addition, you may want to call a Public Insurance Adjusting company in your area and ask them what insurance company is writing the best policies and is which company would be easiest to deal with if you were ever faced with a claim. Then, keep that company’s number handy just in case you ever need them.

This is the second half of the article “Insurance Riders: Do I Need One” written by our guest insurance blogger, Stephen Hadhazi. Missed the first part? Read it here!

What’s the difference between replacement cost value and actual cash value? Does it really matter what coverage I have on my home owner’s policy? Stephen Hadhazi, a certified public insurance adjuster, tackles the answers to these very questions:

Personal Property Limits

The contents of your home are generally insured for 50% to 75% of the total dwelling limits. If you carry $100,000 of insurance on your home, you may have personal property coverage of $50,000 to $75,000 depending on your policy’s provisions. Is it enough?

Further, depending on the type of replacement coverage you carry, the contents of your home could be dramatically underinsured. There is a huge difference between Replacement Cost Value endorsement which will replace your possessions with brand new, like-kind items and Actual Cash Value, which depreciates the possessions and pays only a fraction of their original cost.

In many cases, however, the term Replacement Cost Value reimbursement can be a slight misnomer both on personal property and structural claims. Nationally, many Replacement Cost Policies state that they will pay only the Actual Cash Value until such time replacement has been completed and you send them proof of the replacement.

Under such circumstances, you should also be aware that reimbursement of the full depreciated amount is also contingent on you spending at least the amount of the replacement cost amount allowed by your insurance company.

For example, you filed a claim for damage to a five year old sofa and your insurance company allowed a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) of $2000. You agree that the average useful life expectancy of the sofa would be ten years. The adjuster then depreciates the sofa at the rate of 50% leaving you an Actual Cash Value (ACV) of $1000.

The adjuster then writes you a check for $1000 and then tells you that you have a certain amount of time, usually 6-12 months, to replace the sofa and file for reimbursement of the $1000 they held back in depreciation under the Replacement Cost benefits of your policy. You then find a suitable replacement couch on sale for $1,500.

You eagerly send in your receipt to your insurance company expecting to receive the $1000 they held back in depreciation. However, you’re also limited by what you actually spent for replacement so instead you get a check from your insurance company for an additional $500 with a thank you note for saving them $500.

Check back tomorrow for the conclusion of Stephen’s article, complete with a list of personal property limits for most policies.

I spend Thanksgiving with at least six dogs, each begging to have an extra nibble of turkey or trying to lick the plates as we put them in the dishwasher.

However, certain foods can be harmful to animals. Here’s a list of a few foods to watch out for (courtesy of Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer):

Turkey Skin - High-fat foods, such as turkey skin, can be hazardous to your dog. Since the skin is hard to digest, it can lead to pancreatitis. If you still want to share your bird, give your dog a small piece of white meat.

Turkey Bones - Cooked poultry bones are brittle and splinter easily. If ingested, they can lodge in the esophagus or cause stomach or intestinal irritation.

Xylitol - This sweetener is present in products from gum to sugar-free cookies. Even in small amounts, ingestion can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and death.

Grapes and Raisins - These common snacks can induce permanent and life-threatening kidney failure in some dogs. Though some pets seem to handle eating grapes just fine, it’s safest to avoid grapes and raisins completely.

Chocolate - Most pet owners are aware of chocolate’s danger, but with the recent popularity of dark chocolates — which contain higher doses of toxic cocoa — it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about chocolate consumption. Ingestion can cause abnormal heartbeats, kidney failure, and death.

Onions - High levels of onion ingestion in dogs and cats can cause life-threatening anemia. Be aware of food at your table — such as stuffing or casseroles — that may contain this dangerous ingredient.

If you suspect that your dog may have ingested one of these foods or another harmful substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline: 888-426-4435.

By Stephen Hadhazi, our guest insurance blogger, public insurance adjuster, and publisher of DocuDamage.com

You pay your homeowners premiums on time and feel reasonably comfortable that you are well covered should disaster ever strike, right? Wrong. Even if you think you have adequate coverage, you could be drastically underinsured. The typical homeowner’s insurance policy includes the basics that most people need and places limits on the coverage.

The basic policy offered should be considered a starting point, not the final solution. Endorsements (or riders) are important (but often overlooked) tools that modify the insurance policy to better meet your insurance needs. They don’t usually add a significant amount to your premium and most are put into effect immediately though this will vary from company to company.

Structural Limits

Does your policy cover water damage from burst pipes? Many bare bones policies don’t contain this important coverage and policyholders don’t find out until they file a claim.

1. Most policies cover water damage from windstorms such as when the wind blows out a window and the rain gets in – unless you live in a hurricane or tornado prone area where you might need to purchase windstorm coverage or pay extremely high “hurricane deductibles” which average 2% of the value of the home but can be as high as 5%.

• At an average home value of $200,000 this equates to some $4000 to $10,000 right off the top of any damages you incur. In effect, the cost of your roof has been deducted.

2. Floods and earthquakes are excluded from standard policies.

• This could even include flooding during a hurricane if it’s not wind related. In the Katrina disaster, many engineering firms were caught changing their reports to reflect the cause of loss to be from Flood rather than Wind, which is what the insurance companies needed to be able to justify the denial of millions of dollars in property damage claims.

3. Another potential problem with your coverage involves the cost of rebuilding.

• Do you have enough insurance to cover the cost to completely rebuild your home using current construction costs? If your home is older, you may be forced to upgrade to current building codes which can be cost-prohibitive.

Endorsements to consider:

• Earthquake insurance - usually covers earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides
• Flood insurance
• Inflation guard - ensures that your policy keeps up with inflation including building costs
• Law and code enforcement - pays to get your house up to current code during rebuilding
• Mold rider
• Sewer backup

Check back tomorrow for Stephen’s advice on personal property limits and endorsements (riders)!

According to AAA, gas prices will be high over the next week or so with no sign of declining. Avoid Thanksgiving travel speed bumps with these top tips:

1. Fill ‘er up. Heading out on a road trip next week? Fill up on Tuesday to avoid the price hikes before or on Thanksgiving Day. Get better gas mileage…

2. Check the weather forecast for your destination.

• Local meteorologists are now putting out their feelers for next Wednesday/Thursday’s forecast (check the weather here). Keep an eye on this, especially if you’re flying. A last-minute snowstorm could cause extra delays (especially if you’re connecting! Monitor their weather patterns as well).
• Also, adjust your packing list accordingly!

3. Did I leave the stove on? Avoid these potential questions by printing out our last-minute, “hitting the road” check list.

4. Plan for “misadventures”: Print our Help - Air Travel and Help - Car Travel sections just in case you run into car trouble, flight cancellations, lost luggage, etc. You can never be too prepared!!

Additional Resources:

• Get Prepared - Air Travel
• How to Avoid Unnecessary Travel Fees
• Top 10 Travel Planning Tips
• WHN Travel Blog

Change your passwords! It’s important to update your passwords on a regular basis in order to keep out those pesky hackers and identity thieves.

1. Choose a “strong” password: your password should have numbers, letters and symbols (i.e. 5RT!sm345@). Why? Because these take much longer to hack (see previous post - How Strong Are Your Passwords?).

2. Update your passwords. You should choose different passwords for each site. Here’s a list of top websites or applications that you should update:

• Banking/financial sites (bank, credit card, investing)
• Blog(s)
• Email (all accounts!)
• Gaming/entertainment sites
• Google account (this is the key to everything Google! Email, applications, documents, blogs, etc).
• Home computer
• Insurance/health sites
• Retail sites/PayPal
• Social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, Flickr)
• Subscription/newspaper sites
• Work computer

3. Create a reminder to update your passwords again in a few months. Jot this down in your calendar or set a reminder in Outlook.