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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Do I need Health Insurance?


If you think you do not need Health Insurance; then think again. The unpredictable nature of life is itself a valid reason to own a health insurance. Life is filled with risks. Wherever there is an element of risk, risk management is indispensable. Insurance is just a form of sensible risk management. 



So, what is health insurance? To put it in simple terms, a health insurance policy is an agreement between an individual and an insurance company. The policy will include a host of benefits such as medical tests, medicinal drugs and other medical treatments. When an Insurance policy is issued by the company, then it implies the insurance company has agreed to cover the cost of a particular set of benefits listed in the policy, which are known as "covered services". 



So, when a particular service is not covered by the insurance company and you have it performed anyway, the insurance company "denies the claim." In such a situation, the individual will be left with no other choice, but to pay for the service out of his own pocket. However, the policy holder has the right to challenge the insurancecompany's denial, by following the appeal process mentioned in the plan handbook. But, it is advisable to do so after consulting the doctor in this regard. 


It is also very important to read the terms and conditions of the insurance policy clearly, before signing up for one. This is to ensure that your hard-earned money is not invested in a policy that does not meet your needs. It is also important to bear in mind the fact that decisions pertaining to what will be and what will not be reimbursed are made by the company, and not by the doctor. So, even when a shadow of a doubt about the policy arises, it is advisable to call the insurance company for support.
                       In conclusion, when considering the purchase of health insurance it is important to consider all of its merits. One has to realize that the money that is involved in purchasing a medical insurance is very little, when compared to the cost incurred in undergoing some major medical services. Moreover, insurance policies may also be tax deductible, in which case you can be said to be paying for your policy with money you might have otherwise given to the tax man. These are some of the financial incentives of having an insurance policy. Excluding the protection to family and oneself, however, the greatest benefit is that possessing a health insurance policy would also ensure peace of mind to the policy holder, a significant psychological benefit. In light of all these advantages, it really wouldn't be such a bad idea to own a health insurance policy. 

Friday, September 24, 2010

Wind Turbine Generators - Free power from mother nature. Maybe we could install it now

Wind generators are one of the most reliable forms of alternative power sources on the planet. They are made to manufacture power by transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy, which is then either harnessed directly (in the case of windmills, for example, which were used to change wheat into flour, or to pump water for farming) or coupled to a generator that creates a DC output that can be used in a more general sense. In this article I will be talking about the type of wind generators that produce electric energy, as this is more useful to us in our daily lives. Wind turbines are basically large windmills, with gigantic blades that rotate in the wind and produce power from the conversion of the winds force. Wind turbines are manufactured from plastic, aluminium, steel and numerous other space age metals. Wind turbines have a few negative impacts on the environment. They are very visible, and quite unsightly since they must be put in proximity to windy, open terrain to be useful - attempts to locate them off the coast have been met with great success. They require a great deal of energy in their manufacture, energy which is typically fossil-based, and therefore it can take a considerable amount of time before they are positive in terms of total carbon emissions - this time can be anywhere from 2 to 5 years. Wind turbines are linked to the mauling of rare species of birds that can be mutilated as they pass through the turbine fans during migratory passages. With all of the downsides aside, wind turbines should be a choice when talking about a broad plan for renewable energy. Once erected, wind turbines are amazingly efficient in a larger sense - they generate power from a natural, eco-friendly renewable resource, without the hidden social or environmental penalties that we incur with the use of fossil fuels - theres no need to mine for fuel or to transport it - there are no global warming pollutants created, and no need to store, process, or to dispose of toxic wastes. At the small side of the scale, turbines can be as tiny as 5 feet in diameter and are capable of only a few hundred watts. On the high end of the spectrum, turbines can be as huge as three hundred feet in diameter and are capable of generating two to five megawatts of power. Similar to photovoltaic solar power generation, there might be rebates available for construction, and excess energy can be sold back to the power company. Wind velocity is impacted by topography and increases with height above the ground, so wind turbines are generally installed on top of large towers. In a typical application, the wind turbine sits on top of a tall tower and generates low voltage DC which is used to charge a battery store - this stored potential energy is ultimately utilized by routing it through an inverter that changes the low voltage direct current power into utility voltage alternating current electricity that can be used in household applications. By concentrating a lot of turbines into wind farms a substantial amount of electricity can be stored and utilized, perhaps for a whole city or town. Because the wind doesnt blow all of the time in many areas, wind turbines are used as adjuncts in hybrid configurations with many different technologies like photovoltaic panels, and diesel generators to provide a consistent source of electricity. Dissimilar to fossil-fuel stations, wind turbines are clean and green - they dont create the carbon dioxide emissions that are causing greenhouse gases or the SO2 emissions that cause acid rain. Todays turbines are divided into 2 categories, namely horizontal turbines and vertica turbines. Todays horizontal axis wind turbines are actually far better at capturing the wind than vertical axis turbines given the same amount of swept area (which is the diameter of the circle traced by the outside tip of the rotor blades).
  

The Solution To Finding Your Lost Files - Data Recovery Companies



When the worst happens to your computer and all your files disappear, never worry! There are a number of quality data recovery companies that are able to restore your critical files quickly and easily. 

Instead of tearing out your hair over a stubborn computer that is holding that essential file hostage, let the worries slide away and send off your hard drive to a data recovery company. These companies work their magic and recover files of all sizes in a remarkably quick turn around time. This service is essential for any individual or business that has fallen onto hard times with their computer.

Most data recovery companies operate over the internet and occupy cyberspace as they would a store front. If you find yourself in need of a quality company to find your files, look no further than the World Wide Web. 

A simple search of search engines will produce hundreds of quality companies eager to solve your every problem. Before you send off your hard drive, carefully evaluate the chosen company to ensure it is legitimate and reputable. Using an incorrect company may result in further headaches and a loss of money for services not rendered.

Upon your search for a data recovery company, investigate their capabilities and services. Choosing a company that will best serve your needs will ensure the greater success in the end. You may need to compare services versus charges for these data recovery companies. 

The old adage, "you get what you pay for" could not be truer when it comes to regaining your lost files. If you are taking the trouble to send off your hard drive in an attempt to reclaim critical files for business or personal reasons, then you should be prepared to spend the appropriate amount of money to get the job done. However, just because one data recovery is more expensive than another one does not mean the pricier company is more successful.
    When choosing a data recovery company to reclaim your files, consider contacting individuals who has used their services in the past. This recommendation to use or to avoid the company may be an excellent method to choosing a company. 

Also, contact the company directly and explain your specific situation. A representative for the company will be able to discuss the possibility of the recovery of your files and the estimated cost of their services. You should be sure to inquire the expense if the company is unable to recover the lost files. Many companies offer to return your hard drive without charging for their services if they are unable to deliver your compromised files.

Whichever data recovery company you entrust to regain your lost files, be sure to keep the company's contact information if you are pleased with the services rendered. Having this resource can be invaluable if a similar fate befalls your files in the future and you need a reputable source to recover these files as quickly as possible. If you are pleased with the data recovery company, be sure to tell other individuals in your predicament. 

Friday, September 17, 2010

How To Protect Your Debit and Credit Cards

The following suggestions may help you protect your credit card and your ATM or debit card accounts. 

For credit and ATM or debit cards: 

Be cautious about disclosing your account number over the phone unless you know you're dealing with a reputable company. 

Never put your account number on the outside of an envelope or on a postcard. 

Draw a line through blank spaces on charge or debit slips above the total so the amount cannot be changed. 

Don't sign a blank charge or debit slip. 

Tear up carbons and save your receipts to check against your monthly statements. 

Cut up old cards - cutting through the account number - before disposing of them. 

Open monthly statements promptly and compare them with your receipts. Report mistakes or discrepancies as soon as possible to the special address listed on your statement for inquiries. Under the FCBA (credit cards) and the EFTA (ATM or debit cards), the card issuer must investigate errors reported to them within 60 days of the date your statement was mailed to you. 

Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates, and the telephone numbers of each card issuer so you can report a loss quickly. 

Carry only those cards that you anticipate you'll need. 

For ATM or debit cards: 

Don't carry your PIN in your wallet or purse or write it on your ATM or debit card. 

Never write your PIN on the outside of a deposit slip, an envelope, or other papers that could be easily lost or seen. 

Carefully check ATM or debit card transactions before you enter the PIN or before you sign the receipt; the funds for this item will be fairly quickly transferred out of your checking or other deposit account.
         Periodically check your account activity. This is particularly important if you bank online. Compare the current balance and recent withdrawals or transfers to those you've recorded, including your current ATM and debit card withdrawals and purchases and your recent checks. If you notice transactions you didn't make, or if your balance has dropped suddenly without activity by you, immediately report the problem to your card issuer. Someone may have co-opted your account information to commit fraud. 

Should you buy a registration service? 

For an annual fee, companies will notify the issuers of your credit card and your ATM or debit card accounts if your card is lost or stolen. This service allows you to make only one phone call to report all card losses rather than calling individual issuers. Most services also will request replacement cards on your behalf. 

Purchasing a card registration service may be convenient, but it's not required. The FCBA and the EFTA give you the right to contact your card issuers directly in the event of a loss or suspected unauthorized use. 

If you decide to buy a registration service, compare offers. Carefully read the contract to determine the company's obligations and your liability. For example, will the company reimburse you if it fails to notify card issuers promptly once you've called in the loss to the service? If not, you could be liable for unauthorized charges or transfers. 
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