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FAQ

Get Quick Answers to Popular Questions!

We always make sure our clients are satisfied and totally onboard with everything we do. We’ve specified all of our services and products here, but if somethings still are not clear, take a look at our FAQs. Learn more about our insurance services, and why we are the right company for you! Feel free to contact us with any other inquiries you may have.

Health Insurance

How to Get Health Insurance

When you begin to search for health insurance, you can look on the private market or through your state's healthcare exchange. For those who are new to the process, it can be overwhelming. Start by assessing your needs. If you’re prone to illness, play high impact sports, or have a risky profession, it may be better to have a co-pay plan rather than one with a high deductible.



What does Health Insurance cover?

Health insurance can cover a variety of things, from your regular checkups and family care to your major medical expenses. The types of services that are covered will vary with different healthcare providers and plan types, so it is important to determine your needs before buying a specific health insurance plan.



How Does Health Insurance Work?

Health insurance can help you pay for your regular healthcare costs as well as your major medical expenses, depending on the type of plan you choose. You will pay a premium of some kind, based on your plan and coverage, whether you get your health insurance through your employer or privately. Depending on your type of plan, you may have co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance.



What Does Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of health insurance depends on several factors. Costs vary based on your plan type, whether you have insurance through an employer or private insurer, what state you live in, and how much of the insurance you cover. Additionally, if you purchase your coverage through the healthcare exchange, you may qualify for government subsidies based on your household income.



Life Insurance

What is the purpose of life insurance?

Life insurance is intended to serve as income replacement for your heirs in the event of your untimely death.



What kind of life insurance do I need?

The most simple policy is what’s called a level term insurance. ‘Level term’ means you pay one flat rate year after year for the length of the policy. This policy will replace your income should you die prematurely. There are other types of life insurance policies such as whole life and universal life that has accumulated cash value and covers the insured for the length of their lives.



Can I afford it?

Yes! One non-profit insurance industry group says that a healthy 30-year-old man can get a $250,000 level-term policy for 20 years at a cost of less than $13 a month. That’s around $150 a year…and the price never goes up with a level-term policy!



How much coverage should I buy?

When it comes to the question of how much you should buy, people can get frustrated with all kinds of complicated formulas. Clark says that you should buy six to 10 times your annual income.



Cyber Insurance

How much does cyber liability coverage cost?

Insurance premiums can be as low as $1,500 a year. Cyber liability insurance is still a fairly new concept, so there is a lot of variation among policies. The important thing to remember: if you don’t purchase this coverage, you will be liable for first-party expenses including hiring IT experts, notification of customers, providing annual credit monitoring, lawyer expenses and any applicable state or federal fines or penalties.



Doesn’t my general liability policy cover me?

Typically, no. General liability provides protection in the event of bodily injury or property damage. What will protect you?A cyber liability policy. This policy is designed to protect against the significant risk of economic loss related to intellectual property, network liability, and network and cyber property security.



We have an IT department and we have firewalls. Isn’t that enough?

Not usually. Many data breaches occur because of an employee error. From passwords tacked on computer screens in plain sight and employees opening suspicious email and downloading malware to lost laptops and smart phones, a large portion of security breaches occur because of your employee actions.



We use a third party for reservations and credit cards. Do we still need this coverage?

Even if you’re using a third-party or cloud vendor for reservations or credit card payments, your customer’s personal information is still your responsibility.



Employee Benefits

What are the general types of group employee benefits I may be eligible for?

The types of employee benefits that are available for working people are virtually limitless, but most employers (over 50 full time equivalent employees) are required to provide the minimum coverage under the Affordable Care Act. This generally includes health insurance, prescription coverage, and dental benefits for minors.



How can I know what kind of employee benefits I need?

This is an individual question, based on your unique needs and lifestyle. Each person is responsible for his or her own well-being, with the exception of minor children who need their parents to provide for them. To best answer this question for yourself, determine what health services you are likely to participate in the coming year.



Do I have to offer comprehensive benefits for my employees?

If that is what you want. We offer small employers the opportunity to receive large company employee benefits like health insurance, dental and vision care, life insurance and retirement saving plans.



Workers Compensation

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers' compensation insurance helps protect businesses and their employees from financial loss when an employee is hurt on the job or gets sick from a work-related cause.



What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

The workers’ compensation insurance helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing care costs, as well as funeral expenses if an employee is hurt, becomes sick, or dies as a result of a work-related accident or illness.



What Is Not Covered by Workers’ Comp?

These vary from state to state and are typically determined by different state laws. Here are a few examples of what most workers’ compensation plans do not cover: - Injuries received by a fight that an employee started - Injuries an employee sustains due to being intoxicated in the workplace - Injuries an employee gets intentionally - Emotional injuries that are not accompanied by a physical workplace trauma



Do I Have to Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

In most states, any employer with one or more employees is required to carry workers compensation insurance. Texas is exempt from this. Large employers may insure themselves, but they must apply with their state and meet strict self-insurance requirements. It’s important to note that not all workers must be covered by this type of insurance.



Liability

Why do I need professional liability insurance?

You often run extremely important and complex projects for your clients that they may not fully understand. Professional liability insurance is especially important for businesses like IT/technology consultants, business consultants and marketing consultants for whom incorrect advice or a failure to perform professional services could lead to a lawsuit. Even if you haven’t made a mistake, you can still be sued. A general professional liability insurance policy will cover legal fees, protecting you and your business from potentially crippling costs.



How much does a professional liability policy cost?

Professional liability insurance premiums vary a lot depending on several factors, including the size of your business, your occupation, the types of activities you conduct, and the level of protection you choose. However our minimum premiums start from as little as $270 a year.



What do I have to protect as a business owner?

Business owners have the responsibility to protect their companies and their personal assets in the event of a lawsuit. With these five actions under your belt, your business should be well on its way to a legal- and hassle-free future.



What is BPP?

Business Personal Property (BPP) Insurance is contents coverage for your business. This valuable option is tailored to our members’ unique insurance needs in the event of equipment loss due to a fire, flood, theft, etc.



What is Business Income and Extra Expense?

Net Income and Continuing Normal Operating Expenses including payroll. Extra Expense means the necessary expenses that you incur during the period of restoration that would not have incurred if there had not been direct physical loss or damage to your property.



E&O

What is the difference between professional liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance?

Professional liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance are essentially the same thing. People use these terms interchangeably, and they are referring to the same basic product.



What is erros and omissions Insurance(E&O)?

E&O Insurance is designed to cover the professional services rendered by a licensed insurance agent. E&O Insurance specifically covers you as an insurance agent in the event of an error or omission made while servicing and/or selling insurance products



What is an extended reporting period (ERP)?

An extended reporting period, also referred to as tail coverage, is to provide some degree of E&O coverage to an agent who has retired from the business, becomes disabled or deceased. Instead of purchasing E&O coverage year after year, an agent can purchase an ERP.



Is E&O necessary?

Statistics show that 1 in 7 insurance professionals will be named in some type of E&O claim at some point in their career. Even if the agent is not at fault, defense costs can be significant and without the proper E&O coverage, the insurance agent will be paying the cost to defend claims out of pocket.



COVID-19

Will my health insurer make me pay anything if I need coronavirus treatment?

It depends on your health plan. Most large insurers waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment for most of 2020 and into 2021, but several are now applying copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for some of these services. Regardless of your insurer, you shouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket for federally approved COVID-19 vaccines.



Is Medicare covering COVID-19 testing and treatment?

Medicare will pay all costs for COVID-19 testing ordered by a doctor or other health care provider, and for services related to testing, such as office and emergency room visits. Beneficiaries will pay nothing for testing. People with original Medicare who are hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment will still have deductibles and copays. If you have a supplemental Medigap plan, it may cover these costs. If you have Medicare Advantage, out-of-pocket costs for hospital and outpatient treatment vary by plan.



Does my health plan have to cover my COVID-19 test at a testing site?

Yes. Federal guidance requires health plans to provide testing at no cost to everyone. You do not need to have symptoms or to have been exposed to COVID-19. You do not need to be an “essential worker” to get tested.
To get tested you can go to any COVID-19 testing provider authorized or licensed by the state. You do not need to go to a provider that is in your health plan’s or health insurer’s provider network. You do not need to get permission from your health plan or health insurer before going to get a COVID-19 test. And you do not need to pay a co-payment for a COVID-19 test.



Does Medi-Cal Provide free COVID-19 diagnosis, testing, and treatments for the uninsured?

COVID-19 testing is free for all people who get Medi-Cal. Free Medi-Cal COVID-19 testing includes both the viral and the antibody tests. Also, note that all healthcare insurance is required to pay for COVID-19 testing. Californians should not have to pay even if they receive testing and screening at emergency rooms or urgent care. That means that:
- You should not pay out-of-pocket for any COVID-19 testing.
- Your healthcare provider does not need to wait for approval from Medi-Cal to test for COVID-19.
Fee-for-service Medi-Cal pays for COVID-19 treatment. All Medi-Cal managed care plans have to give free care to people who need COVID-19 treatment.
That means that:
- You should not pay out-of-pocket for COVID-19 treatment.
- Medi-Cal or your Medi-Cal plan does not need to wait for approval for services related to COVID-19 treatment.
Another program called the COVID-19 Uninsured Program is available for California residents who have no insurance, currently have private insurance that does not cover diagnostic testing, testing-related services, or treatment service for COVID-19, or who are not otherwise eligible for Medi-Cal with no share of cost (Note: If you have Medi-Cal with a share of the cost, you can still apply for the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program if you have not met your share of cost obligation for the application month.). Examples include people who have incomes that are too high for Medi-Cal with no share of the cost, are underinsured, or are not eligible for Medi-Cal due to immigration status.14 The COVID-19 Uninsured Program is not considered a public charge for immigration purposes.
The COVID-19 Uninsured Program is temporary health coverage that starts on the date of application and ends after the twelfth month or when the public health emergency ends, whichever comes first. Eligibility for the COVID-19 Uninsured Program can be retroactive to April 8, 2020. The application for this program is only available by visiting a qualified Medi-Cal provider. To find the nearest qualified provider, call the Medi-Cal Nurse Line at (877) 409-9052 and ask for help finding a qualified COVID-19 Uninsured Program provider. This number is staffed 24/7, and translation services are available.
The COVID-19 Uninsured Program pays for COVID-19 treatment. If you were found eligible for the COVID-19 Uninsured Program but are receiving bills for COVID-related services, then you should contact COVIDApps@dhcs.ca.gov.



I get my health care coverage through my employer, who has a "self-insured" plan. Do the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) regulations apply to me?

Self-insured plans are regulated by the federal government, not the state. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or were exposed to someone with symptoms, under federal law, your self-insured plan must cover your test. In all other instances, you should talk to your plan to find out whether they will cover COVID-19 testing.



Does my plan include COVID-19 testing and treatment?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), together with the Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury (collectively, the Departments), issued new guidance to remove barriers to COVID-19 diagnostic testing and vaccinations and strengthening requirements that plans and issuers cover diagnostic testing without cost-sharing.
This announcement clarifies the circumstances in which group health plans and issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage must cover COVID-19 diagnostic tests without cost-sharing, prior authorization, or other medical management requirements to include tests for asymptomatic individuals without known or suspected exposure to COVID-19. In addition, the guidance confirms that plans and issuers must cover point-of-care COVID-19 diagnostic tests and COVID-19 diagnostic tests administered at the state or locally administered testing sites.



COVID-19 Vaccine

Why is it important to get vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccination is important because it is the best way to prevent COVID-19. The vaccines are extremely good at preventing people from getting sick from COVID-19 and ending up in the hospital or dying. They also reduce the risk of becoming chronically ill from COVID-19 and missing work and school. When we get vaccinated, we're not just protecting ourselves, but our family, friends, and neighbors too. That includes children under 12 who can’t get the vaccine yet and people with weak immune systems for whom the vaccine is less effective. The more people get vaccinated, the less likely COVID-19 will spread or that new variants of the virus will take hold. Even people who have had COVID-19 should get vaccinated because their natural immunity may not last long enough or be strong enough, and they could get infected again. You can do your part to help stop the pandemic by getting vaccinated.



How well do the vaccines work?

The vaccines work extremely well. Even with the Delta variant, all 3 vaccines greatly reduce the risk of getting sick from COVID-19 and are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. You are not considered to be fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after getting a J&J vaccine or 2 weeks after a second dose of the Pfizer (COMIRNATY) or Moderna vaccine. That is because it takes time for your body to build immunity to COVID-19 after you are vaccinated. It is possible to get infected while the vaccine is taking effect, so you must continue to protect yourself against COVID-19 for the full 2 weeks. Once you are fully vaccinated, there is still a small risk that you could get infected. That is called breakthrough infection. When vaccinated people get infected, they don’t usually get as sick as unvaccinated people and their symptoms don’t last as long. Sometimes they have no symptoms at all.



How are the vaccines given?

• The J&J/Janssen vaccine is given as a single dose.
• The Pfizer vaccine is given as 2 doses 21 days apart.
• The Moderna vaccine is given as 2 doses 28 days apart.
That is known as the primary series. With all 3 vaccines, you are not considered to be fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after your last vaccine. If you are late getting the second dose of a 2-dose series, you do not need to start over. It is important to get the same kind of vaccine for both doses. If you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system (immunocompromised) and already got 2 doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, it is recommended that you get a 3rd dose of the same vaccine. This should be given 28 days or more after your 2nd dose. A follow-up dose is not currently recommended for those who have received the J&J vaccine because the FDA is still evaluating how well it works in people with weak immune systems.



When am I considered to be fully vaccinated?

You are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after:
• You got a single dose of Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, or
• You got a second dose of a Pfizer (COMIRNATY) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or
• You finished the series of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization.
If you have met these criteria, you are considered fully vaccinated, even if you are now eligible for a booster dose or an additional dose of vaccine but have not received it.



Will I have to pay to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

No. If you have insurance, your doctor or pharmacy may charge your insurance company a fee for giving the vaccine. People without health insurance can also get COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. There are no out-of-pocket payments for anyone.



Will I be asked about my immigration status when I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

No. The COVID-19 vaccine is being given at no cost regardless of immigration status. You will not be asked about your immigration status when you get a COVID vaccine. Your medical information is private, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine does not affect your immigration status. You do not need a government-issued ID or a letter from your employer to get a vaccine. For questions about immigration, visit the Office of Immigrant Affairs webpage oia.lacounty.gov or call 800-593-8222.



How can I get vaccinated?

Vaccines are available at hundreds of locations throughout LA County, including clinics, pharmacies, worksites, schools, places of worship, senior housing developments, and long-term care facilities. There are also community vaccination sites and mobile or pop-up sites in places like metro stations and parks. In-home vaccination is available for people who are homebound. Many locations do not require an appointment.
Visit VaccinateLACounty.com and click on “How to Get Vaccinated“ to find a location or request an in-home vaccination. If you need help, you can call the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473, 7 days a week from 8 am to 8:30 pm. They can arrange in-home vaccination, free transportation to a vaccination site, or help with paratransit and other services for people with disabilities. Information is also available in multiple languages 24/7 by calling 2-1-1.



I just moved to LA County, and my 2nd dose of vaccine is due. Where can I get it?

Visit VaccinateLACounty.com (see instructions above) and click on the filter to find a location that offers the same type of vaccine that you got for your first dose. Be sure to bring your CDC vaccination card to your 2nd dose appointment.



Where can I get a copy of my vaccine record?

The CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (white card) is the official proof of vaccination. Everyone should be given one when they are vaccinated. Please keep it safe as it cannot be replaced. Consider taking a photo or making a photocopy of it.
Everyone who is vaccinated in California can request a digital COVID-19 Vaccination Record at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov. That is also an official record. It can be downloaded to the Google Pay digital wallet on an Android phone. (An Apple Wallet version will be available for iPhones soon).



Can you get COVID-19 from a vaccine?

No. You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. None of the COVID-19 vaccines have the virus that causes COVID-19 in them. If you get COVID-19 shortly after getting vaccinated, it is because you were infected by someone with COVID-19 around the time you were vaccinated. It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show after you have been infected. So, if you get infected right before getting vaccinated, you might not get sick until after you get your vaccine.



Cal/OSHA

Which employers must comply with the COVID-19 emergency temporary standards (ETS)?

The ETS applies to all employers, employees, and all places of employment with the following exceptions:
- Work locations where there is only one employee who does not have contact with other people.
- Employees who are working from home.
- Employees who are covered by the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases regulation.
- Employees working from a location chosen by the employee, which is not under the control of the employer (for instance, an employee teleworking from a café or a friend’s home)



What are the main requirements of the ETS?

To comply with the ETS, an employer must develop a written COVID-19 Prevention Program or ensure its elements are included in an existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). The employer must do the following in accordance with their written program: - Communicate to employees about the employer's COVID-19 prevention procedures.
Identify, evaluate and correct COVID-19 hazards.
- Require and provide face coverings and respirators in the manner and the circumstances specified in the ETS.
- Advise employees they can wear face coverings at work, regardless of their vaccination status, without fear of retaliation by the employer.
- Use engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment under certain circumstances.
- Follow procedures to investigate and respond to COVID-19 cases in the workplace.
Provide COVID-19 training to employees.
- Make testing available at no cost to employees who have had a “close contact” (as defined in the ETS) with a person with COVID-19, and in the case of multiple infections or a major outbreak, make testing available at no cost on a regular basis for employees in the exposed work areas. This requirement does not apply to exposed employees who are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms, except during major outbreaks.
- Exclude COVID-19 cases and exposed employees from the workplace until they are no longer an infection risk. Exposed employees who are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms do not need to be excluded.
- Follow return to work criteria.
- Maintain records of COVID-19 cases, and report serious illnesses to Cal/OSHA and the local health department when required.



When is an employee considered vaccinated under the ETS?

An employee is considered fully vaccinated if the employer has documented that the employee received, at least 14 days prior, either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.



Can employers require their employees to be vaccinated?

The short answer is yes, so long as the employer adheres to the requirements of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”).
Nonetheless, employers cannot discriminate against or harass employees based on protected characteristics, including but not limited to, religion and disability. But it also requires reasonable accommodation for employees with known disabilities.
Therefore, if an employee objects to the vaccination on the basis that he or she has a disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, the employer is required to engage in an interactive process with the employee and reasonably accommodate that employee. That may include:
· The employee working from home, or
· The employer implementing safeguards at the worksite to enable the employee to work without endangering the employee or others.
If the employee cannot perform his or her essential duties even with the reasonable accommodation, or if the employee cannot perform his or her essential duties without endangering the health or safety of the employee or others even with the reasonable accommodation, then the employer may exclude the employee from the worksite.



What is the employer required to do if it does not want to ask employees whether they are vaccinated?

If the employer does not wish to ask about and document the vaccination status of their employees, the employer must treat all employees as unvaccinated.