Before you leave for vacation this summer, walk through your home, look at everything you own. Now think for a second... if you returned from vacation and found that your home had been destroyed by fire and the contents were a total loss, would you be able to remember everything?

When you make a claim, the insurance adjuster will ask for a list of everything you lost in the fire. It will be easy to remember large items like pieces of furniture and electronics, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to think of everything. And the one thing worse than losing all of your possessions is not remembering exactly what you’ve lost.

CARP’s trusted insurance provider, The McLennan Group suggests that one of the easiest ways to protect yourself is to create a complete inventory of your possessions. In addition to the list, consider taking photos or shooting videos of the items. And most important, store the inventory, photos and video in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box.

Regardless of how it’s created, in addition to making it easier to file a claim, an accurate home inventory will help you determine the proper insurance coverage in the first place. You may find that high priced items such as jewellery and artwork should be protected with special coverage. Also, you may determine that a home business policy offers the best protection for business records at home, computer software, securities, etc.

Remember, home insurance is a contract between you and your insurer. The insurer can only provide coverage based on supplied information. A regular review of your policy and your possessions goes a long way to ensuring that you have adequate coverage for your home and contents, and there are no surprises in the event of a claim.

Or to order a home inventory form and request more information about the coverage available from CARP’s Exclusive Auto & Home Insurance Program, click here or call toll-free: 1-888-316-0629.

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Nothing cuts into finances worse than unexpected bills like car repairs or health care expenses.

Of course, if your automobile is going past warranty, you can purchase an extended plan to protect yourself from the high cost of repairs. Similarly, with supplemental health insurance, you can protect yourself from the high cost of health care services not covered by your provincial health plan.

Think about how much you and your family spend each year for health care. Even common benefits like prescription drugs, dental care and vision care could cost you thousands. And if you think your health care costs are fully covered by your provincial health plan, think again.

If you live in Ontario, visit the website of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. In the “Fact Sheets” link you'll find:

• Routine eye examinations provided by either an optometrist or physician, for
patients aged 20 to 64 are no longer covered by OHIP. These individuals pay for
this service or have the cost of examinations covered by private insurance.

• People aged 20 to 64 will no longer receive coverage for physiotherapy.
Ontarians with private insurance should check to see if their plan has coverage
for physiotherapy.

• Chiropractic services are no longer covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

If you live in Saskatchewan, visit the website of Saskatchewan Health. In the “Programs and Services” link you’ll see that:

• Partially covered services include hearing services, dental services, prescription
drug services, and chiropractor benefits.

• Services not covered by Saskatchewan Health include: contact lenses or
eyeglasses, cost of private and semi-private ward accommodation, physiotherapy
and occupational therapy services provided by private physical and occupational
therapists not under contract with a district health board.

While details vary from province to province, it’s a similar story across the country. But for only a few dollars a day, Health & Dental Insurance for CARP Members offers basic or enhanced coverage for most health care expenses; dental care, vision care, prescription drugs, hearing aids, chiropractic services, physiotherapy, home care, hospital accommodation, Best Doctors Solutions Services, medical specialists such as naturopaths, osteopaths, registered massage therapists, and much more.

Canada has one of the best health care systems in the world. But coverage from provincial plans only goes so far. Health & Dental Insurance for CARP Members picks up where your provincial health plan leaves off. There are a number of plans to choose from – some with no medical questionnaire required.

For more information, click here or call toll-free: 1-877-551-5566.

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Basic automobile insurance policies are essentially the same across your province. So why do automobile insurance rates vary so much from company to company?

Canadian automobile insurance companies follow the concept of “pooling”. That is, rates are based on the claims experience of the “pool” of drivers they insure. Depending on the experience of your "pool", this can lead to higher insurance premiums for you.

There is no doubt, more Canadians than ever before are comparison shopping. And chances are, at renewal time, many will make the decision to switch their auto insurance providers. However, before you choose to dive head first into a new pool, it’s best to know with whom you will be swimming.

You have the opportunity to join an exclusive group – a pool of policyholders who like you, are CARP members with good driving records. CARP’s Exclusive Auto & Home Insurance Program is all about better drivers with fewer claims paying lower premiums.

The premiums charged to individual policyholders in the CARP’s Exclusive Auto & Home Insurance Program are based on their individual driver profiles, and the amount of coverage selected. Comprehensive coverage can be tailored to the policyholders’ specific needs. Plus, the program is enhanced with unsurpassed claims service, and value-added benefits like Identity Theft Protection.

Keeping CARP’s Exclusive Auto & Home Insurance Program as a CARP member exclusive allows a select “pool” of good drivers 50-plus a chance to benefit from lower rates. Compared to 24 competitive plans using identical deductibles, coverage and driver profiles, CARP members are saving hundreds on their premiums each year.

If you feel it’s time to test the water, request a no-obligation quote by clicking here or calling toll-free 1-888-316-0629.

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So you’ve just been involved in a fender bender. Now what? The correct answer typically depends on how much damage has occurred, and terms and conditions set out by your insurance policy. For the most part however, you won’t go wrong if you follow these simple steps:

If Necessary, Call 911

Survey the accident scene as soon as it’s safe to do so. If someone is hurt, call 911 for an ambulance immediately. If you believe the other driver has been drinking, or if he or she becomes abusive, again you should call 911.

Get Out Of The Way

It’s best to move your vehicles onto the shoulder – especially if you’re on a hill or a curve, where it’s difficult for approaching traffic to see you. However, don’t move your vehicle if there are injuries, extensive damage or fuel leaks. If you do move your vehicle, lock your doors for security. And don’t move anyone with injuries unless it is necessary to get them away from fire or passing traffic.

Call Police – Or Not

If no injuries have been sustained, it may not be necessary to call police. If you have damaged public property such as a fire hydrant, you do have to call. Otherwise, use your best judgement. Depending upon the facilities that are available where you live, police might simply tell you to drive or tow your vehicle to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.

Exchange Information – Before Leaving The Scene!

When reporting the claim to your insurance company, you will need the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, plate number and the make and model of their vehicle. And be sure to ask for the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, the name of the other driver’s insurance company and their policy number. If the police are filing a report, ask for the investigating officer’s badge number and precinct phone number.

No Police? Take Notes

Gather information from everyone involved in the accident. In addition to the other drivers, speak with passengers, witnesses, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers, and make a rough sketch of the scene. Draw the vehicles when they collided and indicate street names, direction vehicles were travelling, traffic lights or signs, one way direction, turning lanes, skid marks, etc. Some people will even carry disposable cameras in their glove compartments to take photos of where the cars were in relation to each other, and any resulting damage.

Call A Tow Truck

If you belong to an auto club or are covered through your auto manufacturer, call and explain you need a tow. Otherwise, call a towing company directly. Prices vary, so ask for a written estimate before the hook is attached. Keep in mind: if your vehicle poses a danger, police will call their own dispatcher and have your vehicle hauled away at your expense.

Contact Your Insurer Right Away

Before you agree to any repairs, report the accident to your insurance company, who will assign an adjuster. You may be asked to take your vehicle to an authorized body shop. While some insurers let you choose the shop, they may set a limit on reimbursement.

Whether you’re dealing directly with your insurance company or through an independent broker, the best advice is first to call them first for the best advice.

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The McLennan Group Life Insurance Inc. is pleased to introduce the all-new Dental Enhanced Plan – the newest addition to the Health & Dental Insurance for CARP Members.

Like the current 3-Star Plan, the new Dental Enhanced Plan offers CARP members guaranteed coverage for supplemental health care benefits, with no medical exam required. And both plans provide basic coverage for vision care, hearing aids, registered specialists and therapists, homecare and nursing, and more.

But where the 3-Star Plan provides basic coverage for prescription drugs and dental care, the new Dental Enhanced Plan does not cover prescription drugs. Instead, policyholders will enjoy enhanced coverage for their dental services.

In addition to 90% co-payment for exams, cleanings and filling, x-rays, extractions, diagnostic services, denture repair, reline, rebasing, and oral surgery, the new Dental Enhanced Plan also provides:

• 90% co-payment for endodontics and periodontics
• 60% co-payment for major restorative services starting in Year 3: includes
dentures, crown and orthodontics
• Anniversary year maximums ranging from: $500 in Year 1 to $1,250 for Year 5
and beyond

So whether you need increased coverage from the 4-Star and 5-Star Plans, the basic coverage from the 3-Star Plan, or enhanced coverage for the new Dental Enhanced Plan – we have a plan for you. And unlike most supplemental health care plans, Health & Dental Insurance for CARP Members has no age limit.

For more information, click here or call toll-free: 1-877-551-5566.

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