Do you have health insurance through work and think you’re covered? What if you lose your job, get sick for a long time, or — God forbid — something happens to you and your family is left with a mortgage? Insurance is a topic that Poles in the USA put off until later. And later is often too late.
Three pillars of protection — what protects what
- Life insurance — financially protects your family if you pass away. It pays off the mortgage, covers living expenses, and pays for children’s education. Two main types: term (for a specific period, cheaper) and whole life (for your entire life, more expensive, but with a savings component).
- Health insurance — if you don’t have it through work, you must have an individual one. Medical costs in the USA are astronomical — one hospital stay without insurance is a bill for tens of thousands of dollars. The Marketplace (Obamacare) offers subsidies depending on income.
- Disability insurance — protects your income if you cannot work due to an accident or illness. Many people don’t think about it because they think it only applies to “dangerous professions.” Statistics say otherwise — one in four working-age Americans will experience a disability for at least 90 days.
Long-term care — the insurance no one talks about
Then there is long-term care insurance — protection in case you need long-term care (nursing home, home help, assisted living). Medicare does NOT cover this — that is one of the biggest myths. The cost of a nursing home in the New York area is $12,000–$15,000 per month. Without insurance, this money comes out of your savings.
Check the Zimnoch Financial Group profile in the PolishPages directory
What to look for when choosing an insurance agent
- Independence — an agent working with many insurance companies will compare offers and find the best one for you. A captive agent (assigned to one company) will only show you what they have in their offer.
- Holistic approach — it is best when the agent also understands your finances: retirement, taxes, investments. Then they will select a policy that fits the full picture.
- Help in Polish — an insurance policy is a legal contract. One misunderstood sentence (e.g., an exclusion clause) can mean a denial of payment at a critical moment.
- Regular reviews — your needs change with age. Did you have a baby? Did you buy a house? Did you open a business? Your policy should keep up with that.
Zimnoch Financial Group meets these criteria — check the profile in the PolishPages directory
Don’t put this off until later. Call: 631-760-7449
