Simply Junior

Well, for better or worse, the healthcare bill has been signed into law. There is no immediate benefit in being angry. There are a number of legal actions started by various Attorneys General alleging that the reforms are unconstitutional. Even if some of these cases succeed on the issue of mandatory insurance for private individuals, this will not necessarily strike down the whole bill. The likelihood is we will be left with all the provisions dealing with small businesses. Keeping it real, we have to start planning for the future on the law as it is. The good news is that the main raft of provisions will not become active until 2014. This gives the lawmakers plenty of time to have second thoughts. Just as important, there are sets of regulations to be written clarifying the detail of how some of the new features are to work at state level. However, this is an outline of what we can expect.

The states are to establish SHOP exchanges where small businesses can group together and buy insurance. For these purposes, until 2016, a business is considered small when it has no more than 50 employees, with states having the option of increasing the limit to 100 employees. To calculate numbers, you pro-rate the full- and part-time employees. Independent analysts predict group premiums will drop no more than 4%, while the value of the cover will rise by up to 3%. To bridge until the exchanges are operating, a tax credit system will come into force. If your business has less than ten employees with an average annual pay of less than $25,000, the credit is 35% of the health plan cost. There are partial credits where the number of employees is less than 25 and their average annual pay is less than $50,000. When the exchanges start, the credit increases to 50% for the first two years.

With immediate effect, there are a ban on terms designed to cap the value of claims, and limits on the right of insurers to cancel policies except in cases where actual fraud can be proved. As from 2014, the insurers must accept all employees without regard to pre-existing conditions. Their calculation of premium rates can only be based on location, age and whether an individual smokes. As from 2014, small businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to provide a health plan or pay an annual penalty of $750 for every full-time employee denied cover. This can rise to $2,000 if coverage is still denied.

So, tomorrow, you will be going out into the same market as before the reform bill became law. Finding cost-effective small business insurance will continue to be a struggle. Indeed, many insurers may increase premiums now so that, when the SHOP exchanges do come into force, they have a margin to play with to deal with the competition. However, when you buy, check that the new terms on the total value claimable and restrictions on the right to cancel have been introduced. If you buy your small business insurance through an agent, ask direct questions. It saves time fighting over whether wording is unlawful later on.

Imagine what could happen to your business if you were disabled for a few months or trying to recover after a bad accident. Most small businesses are tightly bound to their owners and if something bad happens to the person running the whole thing it can mean bad news for the enterprise. Not if you have disability insurance.

Disability insurance will cover the costs of the business owner or a worker being disabled and will pay for the lost income during the recovery period. So if your business risks going on halt because a key worker is absent then you should definitely get disability insurance with your policy.

Of course, many of you may think that the government will pay for your losses. Yes, social security and worker’s compensation can really help if you manage to get an approval, but still you will have to wait for a long period of time and the coverage you will receive is likely to be less than you really need. And as we all know, time is money and money is time.

One of the most important aspects of disability insurance for an enterprise is deciding how much your business needs and can really afford. First of all you should analyze your liabilities and assets to determine the period your business can sustain without any income. Add up to the additional medical and care costs associated with disability. Of course, personal savings and health insurance can help you for a short time but your business will need financial support for a much longer period. But still don’t expect your income to be covered to the full extent. The insurance company is interested in your faster recovery and getting back to your job, so the part of income you will receive will range from 40% to 80% according to the coverage amount you are willing to pay for.

Disability insurance can make part of your cheap small business insurance plan if you take the right steps when shopping for it. First of all makes sure to buy from a reputable company that has strong ratings, otherwise you risk paying less for your premiums but having more additional costs and being unable to receive adequate coverage. Try joining a business association: members of such associations are often given cheap small business insurance rates that are lower than for individual buyers. Find a good insurance broker or agent that you can really trust. This is the person that will address all of your questions and make the link between you and the company, so establishing good relations with that person is essential. Besides, if there are any discounts or better insurance offers from other companies, your agent is the person to ask about such things.

Whether your enterprise is aimed at cheap small business insurance or has more money to invest in insurance coverage, having disability insurance will definitely save you from a lot of hassle and problem if anything bad happens. Insurance is about eliminating risks and this type of coverage sure has its purpose.