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This Web site contains a compilation of more than a thousand consumer finance  columns written by Tony Novak from the 1980s through 2006, updated and reformatted for maximum usefulness today.  New material was added after 2010.

Content is the opinion of the author and does not represent the position of any other person or entity. Information is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

The author is paid for product endorsements and has an ownership or other financial interest in the businesses related to the topics covered.

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Alternatives to Time Insurance

originally posted: 11/22/2006  revised: 8/8/2011

Q: I have had a policy with Time Insurance but the rates have gone up astronomically. We are all in good health, live in CT, and have had no claims on the policy. What do you recommend as an alternative?

A: Yes, your insurance company prices existing policies older than new policies and puts restrictions on older policyholders from qualifying at their best rates. The easiest alternative is Celtic Insurance. This is a top quality insurance with comparable policy types, including high deductible Health Savings Account plans and "Celtic Basic" plans in most states. Pricing and application are available directly online but you must be in very good health and provide a have a copy of your medical records in your possession to provide to the underwriter on request. (If you wait until after the request to gather the records the application will expire). There are other alternatives but these are not available online. You must work through an insurance agent or OnlineAdviser service. If you have some medical history, it is best to work with a non-commissioned adviser rather than an agent to help with those types of policies.

UnitedHealthOne and Celtic Insurance are the two most likely replacements to upgrade coverage or reduce cost of a Time Insurance Company policy.

More resources:

OnlineAdviser email enrollment support service for the Freedom Benefits insurance exchange