Jason P. Berube
Cornerstone Financial & Insurance Services
59 Matthies St
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915
jberube@cornerstoneinsurancesvcs.com
(978) 304-9467
Long-term care insurance typically covers costs associated with personal and custodial care in a variety of settings. Here are some examples of what a policy might cover:
These are general categories, and the exact coverage can vary from policy to policy. Policies often have daily or lifetime dollar limits. Daily limits on long-term care insurance refer to the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for your long-term care expenses in a single day. This amount is specified in your policy.
For example, if your policy has a daily benefit limit of $200 and your actual long-term care costs for the day are $250, the insurance will only cover $200, and you would be responsible for the remaining $50.
This limit is set when you purchase the policy and often factors into the premium amount – a higher daily limit would typically result in a higher premium. Some policies also have "lifetime limits" or "maximum policy limits," which cap the total amount the insurance company will pay over the life of the policy.
Inflation protection is another important consideration when it comes to daily limits. The cost of care is likely to increase over time due to inflation. Some long-term care policies offer inflation protection, which increases your daily benefit amount each year to help keep pace with the rising cost of care.
The premiums for long-term care insurance are not guaranteed to remain the same for the life of the policy. They can, and often do, increase over time.
Insurance companies set the initial premiums based on a variety of factors, including the policyholder's age, health status, the amount of coverage, and statistical assumptions about interest rates, mortality rates, and the future cost of long-term care. However, if these assumptions prove to be incorrect, the insurer may need to increase premiums to ensure that they have sufficient funds to pay future claims.
Insurance companies can't increase an individual policyholder's premium based on their personal circumstances, such as their advancing age or declining health. However, they can increase premiums for a particular class of policies, subject to regulatory approval from the State Department of Insurance.
Be sure to read your policy thoroughly to understand the coverage it provides and any limitations or exclusions. Always consult with a knowledgeable professional or insurance agent for the best advice tailored to your specific needs.
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