The holiday shopping season will be here before you know it. But there’s an even more important shopping period to think about first: Open Enrollment.

Whether you’re buying your own health insurance for the first time or are considering switching plans, Open Enrollment may seem like a confusing, stress-inducing event. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s everything you need to conquer this year’s health insurance signup process.

What is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the annual period of time when everyone gets a chance to sign up for health insurance for the coming year. This year, you may have heard the approaching enrollment period referred to as “Open Enrollment 2020”.

Employers that offer health benefits also have an annual enrollment period to allow employees to switch plans. While most companies kick off their signup process toward the end of the year (usually October or November), the start date and enrollment window vary from business to business.

Why is Open Enrollment a thing?
Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010, signing up for individual health insurance was often a challenge. If you had a pre-existing health condition, or had a family history of certain types of diseases, insurers could deny you coverage or charge you much higher rates than healthy people.

These practices prevented people from gaming the system by only signing up for insurance after they developed a health issue. But they also kept many consumers from getting coverage, either because they were denied insurance or because they couldn’t afford it.

After the ACA was passed, new consumer protections were put in place to ensure everyone can get health insurance, regardless of health history. It also provided subsidies to help lower-income people pay for coverage. But these new policies removed the check in place to prevent people from getting insurance only when they really needed it. And thus, Open Enrollment was born.

Under normal circumstances, Open Enrollment is your once-a-year chance to sign up for health insurance. If you miss this window, you have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to get a new plan (with some exceptions – more on that later). By restricting signups to a limited time frame, insurers are protected from people dropping in and out of plans, paying for coverage only when they have an active health issue.

What’s changed for this year’s Open Enrollment?
For the most part, this year’s Open Enrollment will look a lot like last year. The signup dates are the same. The state and federal Marketplaces still exist, and are one of several ways you can purchase a health insurance plan for 2020. Subsidies will still be available for those that qualify for financial assistance.
Looking for new health insurance for 2020? Start a free quote here.

When is Open Enrollment?For health insurance plans beginning in 2020, Open Enrollment starts on November 1, 2019 and ends on December 15, 2019. But some states have extended the Open Enrollment period until January to give people more time to sign up.

What information do I need to collect for Open Enrollment?
In order to sign up for a plan during Open Enrollment, you’ll need a few key pieces of information, including:

• The names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of everyone you want to cover on your plan.
• Your estimated household income for 2020 (pre-tax), if you think you'll qualify for financial aid.
• Employer names, addresses, and phone numbers for everyone in your household.
• Immigration documents, if applicable.

For a complete checklist of what you need to prepare for Open Enrollment, click here.

Can I sign up for insurance outside of Open Enrollment?
If you don’t sign up for a health insurance plan during Open Enrollment, and your life circumstances remain the same, you’ll have to wait until next November for your next chance to enroll. However, if your life circumstances do change, you may be able to get insured during a Special Enrollment period.

Special Enrollment is a 60-day enrollment window that happens when you experience a qualifying life event – a fancy phrase for a significant change that impacts your status. Qualifying life events include things like:

• Losing health insurance through your job, spouse, or parent.
• Becoming ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare.
• Getting married or divorced.
• Having a baby or adopting a child.
• Moving to another city.
• Certain changes in income or legal status.

Check out the full list on HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify.

Contact our Benefits Department today to learn more and get covered!

Hurricanes are strong storms that cause life and property threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane. As forecasters track a hurricane the terms “hurricane watch” and “hurricane warning” will be used often. It is important to know the difference:

• Hurricane Watch – Hurricane conditions are a threat within 48 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued.
• Hurricane Warning – Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

​What Should I Do?

• Listen to local forecasts on television and radio as well as National Weather Service (NWS) announcements.
• Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by wind (furniture, toys, etc.)
• Close windows, doors and shutters.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if power goes out.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Create an evacuation plan with your family. Plan routes to local shelters and make plans for pet care.
• Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and bridges.
• Because standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, it is important to have protection from floods associated with heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes. For more information visit the National Flood Insurance Program website here.

What Supplies Do I Need?

• Water – at least a three-day supply, one gallon per person, per day.
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food.
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications seven-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids, glasses, syringes, etc.)
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation & personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medications, proof of address, deed/lease, passports, insurance policies, etc.)
• Cell phones with chargers
• Family & emergency contact information
• Extra cash (ATMs may be down if power is lost)
• Emergency blankets
• Maps of the area
• Baby & pet supplies if needed
• Tools/supplies to secure your home
• Extra clothing (hats and shoes as well)
• Extra set of car & house keys
• Rain gear
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Camera for photos of damage for insurance claims

What Do I Do After A Hurricane?

• Continue to listen to weather forecasts and local news for updates.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and flooding even after the storm has ended.
• If you evacuated only return home when officials say it is safe.
• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and bridges.
• Keep away from loose or downed wires and report them immediately.
• Stay out of any building surrounded by water.
• Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures for insurance claims.
• Use flashlights in the dark, NOT candles which can cause fires.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it is not contaminated.
• Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Wear protective clothing and use caution when cleaning up to avoid injury.
• Watch pets closely and keep them under your direct control.
• Use telephones only for emergency calls

Let Your Family Know You Are Safe!
​If your community experiences a hurricane or any disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website available through RedCross.org/SafeandWell to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you do not have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.
​​
Click here to download a Hurricane Safety Checklist provided by the Red Cross.

Click Here for How To Prepare for Hurricane Safety!

3 Steps Homeowners Can Take to Stay Safe This Holiday Season

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. The United States Fire Administration reported that structure fires, and the dollar loss per fire, is nearly one-third higher between December 1 and January 7. On Christmas Day alone, the incidence of fires caused by candles quadruples compared to any other day of the year.

The holidays can also be a peak time of year for home burglaries as many police departments across the country list the week after Christmas as the highest burglary caseload. You can escape these worst-case scenarios with common sense and a little forethought. To keep your home safe and secure this holiday season, here are three simple rules.

1. Don’t Leave the Kitchen Unattended
One of the leading causes of fires during the holidays isn’t Christmas trees or Christmas lights—it’s cooking. While cooking-related fires are most common on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve aren’t far behind.
Home fires occur in the kitchen more than any other room in the house. Make sure that you have a smoke alarm near the kitchen and that the batteries are in working order before you begin your holiday meal preparations. 
If you follow the rule of never leaving the stove or oven unattended, you can avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Distractions are inevitable when your extended family arrives for Christmas Day festivities. Adding an extra set of hands to assist with cooking can help mitigate the risk of a potential fire hazard. 

2. Mind Your Festive Lights
Even if you follow all instructions, like making sure that the base of your Christmas tree is always submerged in water, you are still at risk for a fire if you don’t manage your Christmas lights safely. To lower your risk of a fire, always follow these light-safety tips:

• Use low heat, miniature lights.
• Inspect every light before you put a strand on the tree.
• Refrain from overloading power strips or outlets.
• Use lights designated for indoor use only.

Christmas-tree lights should be treated like an open flame. Never leave them on when no one is home, and always turn them off before you go to bed.
Outdoor lights are a little more complex—and just as dangerous. Keep these basic guidelines in mind when setting up your display:

• Never set up your lights by yourself.
• Never place lights by gutters that might contain dry leaves.
• Never hang decorations from the lights.
• Never rely on strands of lights to support themselves—reinforce them with insulated, not wire or metal, hooks.
• Never use lights that haven’t been tested and verified by a group such as Underwriters Laboratory.
• Never ignore warm wires on your daily lights check.

Just like indoor lights, the most important step you need to take with outdoor lights is to turn them off before you go to bed, and when you are not at home.

3. Don’t Leave Your Home (and Gifts) Vulnerable 
Leaving your house clearly unattended is an open invitation for burglars. If you plan on going out of town, even for a day or two, follow these simple rules:

• Hire someone—a contractor, a neighbor kid—to keep your driveway shoveled.
• Arrange for a neighbor to collect mail, newspapers or any packages left on your doorstep.
• Let trusted neighbors know of your travel plans, but do not post your plans—or photos—on social media.

It’s tempting to display beautifully wrapped presents under the tree prior to the holiday but, if your tree is within sight of any windows, you may want to keep your gifts hidden until the day you’re unwrapping them. Burglars often monitor homes, looking in windows for easily accessible items like large presents in the shape of a television.
Even if you’re staying home this holiday season, you still need to take steps to defend your home against burglars:

• Do not place your presents under a brightly lit Christmas tree; keep them safely undercover until Christmas morning.
• If you are expecting deliveries—especially expensive gifts, such as a television—make sure that they are signed for and brought inside immediately.
• Conceal all packaging and boxes in dark trash or recycling bags, or organize the boxes inside your house and take them to the trash in the weeks after Christmas. You don’t want to show the entire street what everyone in your home received for Christmas.

Get Peace of Mind This Holiday Season from Auto-Owners Insurance
This holiday season is the perfect time to check with your insurance agent to confirm that you are protected against everything that could go wrong. The independent agents are experts at seeing gaps in your home insurance coverage that could leave you and your home vulnerable. For example, what if gifts are stolen from the trunk of your car while it’s parked in your driveway? Is that covered?

Your insurance agent can answer all these home insurance questions and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your home and your presents are protected this holiday season.  

for more information, please visit Auto-Owners' blog.