Yes this is the picking season, farmers are picking Apples, Kids are picking pumpkins, and this is the time to pick a Medicare health and drug plan. Medicare Open enrollment is October 15 - December 7.

Picking a Medicare plan is a very personal and important decision. Each one of us has unique goals and when you sit down to review your Medicare Health and drug plan choices, look for things you may want from your plan and pick that meets your goals.

Here are few things to look for:

• Does the plan cover services you need or may need this year?
  
• What is the cost of the plan?
  
• Convenience of the plan doctors, Hospital, Pharmacy and other providers.
  
• And most important quality of care by the plan
  

To see the ratings of each plan in your area visit www.medicare.gov

Why a Home Inventory Is Important
 
Let’s try a little exercise: Can you list everything you own from memory?
Didn’t think so.
 
The fact is most people own more things than they realize. It’s easy to remember the cars, the computer, the TV. But what about that holiday china in the garage?  Or every pair of shoes?
 
All of it is regarded as personal property for insurance purposes. And if your home is destroyed by fire or some other disaster, having a list of your possessions makes filing a claim easier — and helps you put your life back together.
 
Why should I complete a home inventory? What’s the best way?
Comparing the value of your belongings to the “contents” limit listed in your policy helps you make sure you have enough insurance to replace them if they are lost, stolen or destroyed as a result of a covered loss. The easiest way to take an inventory is to use a video camera, recording and describing items as you walk through your house. Or, you can use a regular camera and create a home inventory checklist.
 
Here are a few tips for completing and storing your inventory:
Add brand names and descriptions where you can, especially on large-ticket items. Serial numbers are helpful to note.
Keep any receipts you have with the list to make the claims process easier.
Store your video or photo inventory offsite so you won’t lose it if your house is damaged.
Update your personal property records when you purchase new furnishings and valuables.
Though the task may seem daunting, it’s important to try. An incomplete inventory is better than nothing at all.
 
How much insurance do I need?
We can assist you in analyzing your insurance needs and help you decide how to most effectively protect your personal property. You should consider full-value coverage, which will pay for the replacement value of your personal belongings. A standard policy typically covers personal property only up to its actual cash value, determined by taking the replacement cost and deducting depreciation, which can be substantial. (For example, a 5-year-old TV is usually worth much less than what it would cost to purchase a new one.)
 
Finally, remember your homeowners policy covers valuable items such as jewelry, furs, art and antiques, only up to set dollar amounts. If the cost of replacing them exceeds these limits, you may want to purchase scheduled personal property coverage.
 
The Insurance Information Institute has a FREE online tool that can help you create your inventory. Just visit www.knowyourstuff.org for more details.
 
We hope you’ll never need the home inventory, but preparing for the worst can prevent a lot of hassle later!

Open enrollment for 2016 coverage is November 1st  2015 to January 31st 2016.
 
Open enrollment is the only time you can enroll for health insurance, unless you qualify for special enrollment after open enrollment period.
Find Affordable health coverage in your area today.

COVERED CALIFORNIA CREATES LIMITED SPECIAL-ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR THOSE
COVERED BY COBRA
COBRA Enrollees Have 60 Days to Switch to an Exchange Plan.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Beginning Thursday, May 15, Covered California will launch a limited-time special-enrollment period for people who have COBRA health insurance, either Federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA, and would like to switch to an exchange plan.

People who have health coverage through COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) will be eligible to shop for and buy coverage through Covered California from May 15 through July 15. The two-month window mirrors a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ruling announced May 2 that allows COBRA enrollees to buy plans through the federal exchange up to July 1.

The federal policy for the COBRA special-enrollment period was approved amid concerns that notifications did not give consumers clear information about options in the new marketplace. HHS encouraged state exchanges to follow suit.

“COBRA coverage has given vital protection for nearly three decades to people who lost coverage from their employers, especially those who couldn’t get affordable insurance because of their age or a pre-existing condition,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, plans in the individual market could be preferable to COBRA coverage because of premium assistance and cost-sharing reductions, available only through the exchanges. For some people who have COBRA coverage, purchasing a plan in the Covered California marketplace during this special-enrollment period could save thousands of dollars a year.”

Under COBRA, individuals who experience a job loss can purchase the coverage they had through their employer but are responsible to pay the full cost. In some cases, individuals and families can purchase more affordable coverage in the health benefit exchanges.

“COBRA will continue to be a cornerstone of coverage for workers after a job loss, but it’s important for employees to know that there are options in the marketplace that could save them money,” Lee said.

This newest category of  special enrollment joins a host of “qualifying life events” under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that allow consumers to get exchange coverage during a time when open enrollment is not available. Other events include losing coverage, having a child, getting married and moving.

COBRA enrollees, either on Federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA, who would like to take advantage of this limited special-enrollment period can apply at the Covered California website and select “Other Qualifying Event” during the special-enrollment application process.

Hello Everyone! I received a request to provide a little more information regarding the ACA (Affordable care Act), AKA: Obama Care, or Covered California. I have put together this flyer to try to answer any questions there might be, I hope it helps!

2014 Tax Season to Open Jan. 31; e-file Can Speed Refunds.2013-100, Dec. 18, 2013WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced plans to open the 2014 filing season on Jan. 31 and encouraged taxpayers to use e-file as the fastest way to receive refunds.

So let us work on getting you the biggest refund possible. Call us today (562) 916-3214.

I get this question almost every week from my clients, so I decided to post it here for everyone to see.

For student drivers in college, if you drive someone else's car whose insurance covers it?

http://voices.yahoo.com/can-someone-drive-car-they-arent-your-6084866.html?cat=27

With California's help, you can afford auto insurance! For $339 a year or less, you can stop worrying and start driving!
 
The State of California developed the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA program) to provide income eligible, good drivers with access to affordable automobile liability insurance. Each policy provides liability coverage for the vehicle's primary driver and eligible secondary drivers.  The CLCA policies are limited to no more than two policies per person. The Program provides affordable liability only auto insurance that meets the state's financial responsibility laws.

The California Compulsory Financial  Responsibility Law requires every driver and every owner of a motor vehicle to maintain financial responsibility (liability coverage) at all times. Notwithstanding the coverage amounts required by section 16056 of the vehicle Code, a low-cost automobile policy issued under the program shall satisfy the financial responsibility requirements of Sections 4000.37, 16021, and 16431 of the Vehicle Code.