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Daisy Said:

What is the average earnings rate for insurance companies?

We Answered:

You can check the balance sheets of any publicly traded companies at www.sec.gov

Just for the record, they don't make their profits off the premiums they charge - they make their profits, off of the billions of dollars that the government requires them to set aside, to pay claims. They invest that money - mostly in government securities and bonds, and THAT is where the profits come from.

On average, health insurance companies pay out $.99 in claims, for every $1 they take in, in premium. Car insurance companies, if they're LUCKY, pay out about $1.10 in claims for every $1, and homeowners (not counting FL, TX, or LA) claims are about $.85 for every $1 in premium. TX, FL, and LA are running close to $3 in claims for every $1 in premium.

Jennie Said:

What are some A rated insurance companies? or how do I know my insurance company is A rated?

We Answered:

AM Best rates the financial strength of insurance companies.

You can the AM Best web site to see how a company is rated. http://www3.ambest.com/ratings/default.a…

Bill Said:

Why do auto insurance companies request rate increase approvals from state regulators and not the consumers?

We Answered:

The insurance company is obligated to the state to justify rate increases or decreases, not to the client. Similiarly, you are not obligated to the company to stay with them when they increase the rates. Go to Nationwide or Hartford. They are great companies. State Farm is awful.

Vera Said:

Do health insurance companies raise rates for businesses based on employee use of the insurance?

We Answered:

Yes.

The smaller the pool (number of employees in a company or the company's group) the more likely dramatic changes will result.

In a company with 100 or less employees in the pool, only a few very sick people can dramatically increase the cost of the plan.

The age and mix of people in the plan (young single men = lowest rates; old & sick as well as women of child bearing age skew the costs higher) also directly impact the cost of the plan.

Debbie Said:

Does anyone know the negotiated rate insurance companies pay for Lap Band Surgery?

We Answered:

Each insurance company has it's own rate that they pay and most or the same but there is others that pay cheaper. It just depends on the insurance company. Mine was charged $8,000. but only paid $1590. that was the doctor and my hospital bill still hasn't been determined because they charged me things for the 4-15-08 and I wasn't there the 15th, I entered on the 16th of April and I have protested the hospital bill and I still haven't heard from them and it has been two months. That bill will be around $1000. I do ask for an itemized statement, a lot of people don't and they end up paying for something they didn't get. I am in the Dallas, Texas area. Good Luck!