Women, in fact, now have more choice and more equality than they have ever had in all of history, says Frank N. Darras, the nation's top long-term disability insurance lawyer.

Ontario, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2011 -- You know a social enigma is passe when people wonder why you are even bringing it up anymore. Anyone can choose to sit anywhere they want on the bus, people of all colors, shapes and sizes go to the same restaurants and movie theaters and women get to choose whether to have a career outside the home or not. Women, in fact, now have more choice and more equality than they have ever had in all of history, says Frank N. Darras, the nation's top long-term disability insurance lawyer.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070717/NYFNSC02 )

With this range of choices comes an increased level of responsibility. Women make up 46.8% of the workforce these days and sometimes contribute more to household income than their significant others. That income stream should be protected against the possibility of something happening which would jeopardize the lifestyle their family has become accustomed.

"While women are typically concerned about health issues and health insurance, they often are too busy making sure everyone in the family has good health to review their disability insurance coverage and protect their biggest asset, their income," says Darras. "Taking a look at the big picture women need to think hard about what would happen if they couldn't perform their job for a period of time. How would they make up for the loss of valuable income?"

For this reason, it is important women investigate short-term and long-term disability insurance. Even though some employers generally offer some sort of disability insurance, the benefits are generally taxable and, more importantly, are usually governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This act greatly limits consumer remedies available to disabled policyholders in the event that you have to file a claim and that claim is denied. Individual disability policies may cost a bit more, but they will be terrific if your disability insurer wrongfully denies your legitimate claim.

"Just think, if you were sick or injured would you have the strength and stamina to fight an ERISA-governed dispute for benefits?" says Darras. "Long-term disability claims are full of tricky limitations and stringent appeal deadlines. Most people get crushed when they try to appeal without the help of a seasoned, long-term disability attorney."

"It is best to pay a little extra now and know that if you get sick or injured your individual coverage will be there. Long-term disability claims don't provide any remedy for your emotional distress, extra damages like poor credit, foreclosure and there are no punishment damages available. Individual disability insurance is so much better if you can afford it because you get the rights and remedies to take on a billion dollar disability insurer," says Darras.

Buy non-cancellable, guaranteed renewable individual disability insurance. Your carrier cannot raise your premiums or cancel your coverage if you file a claim, says Darras.

Women make great decisions every day and with a little help, disability insurance will be a piece of cake. Enlist a competent agent to guide you through the process and ask about anything you don't understand.

"Before you file your claim or appeal your long-term disability denial, get free help from a top long-term disability attorney," Darras cautions.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Darras has made the list since its inception, the 2011 magazine presents a review and profile of both Darras and his firm, DarrasLaw.

Ontario, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2011 -- Frank N. Darras, the nation's top individual and long term disability attorney has been named as one of Lawdragon's superstar lawyers. Each year Lawdragon lists their Top 500 Lawyers and while Darras has made the list since its inception, the 2011 magazine presents a review and profile of both Darras and his firm, DarrasLaw.

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Lawdragon is the only place where people can find reviews of lawyers and judges submitted by clients, peers and jurors. The magazine bases the Top 500 ranking in the United States on compiling data and reviews in order to select its Top 500 Lawyers. This is an arduous task for those responsible for ranking the Top Lawyers in America. Winning a position in the Top 500 is an accomplishment afforded to very few. To consistently maintain this ranking year after year, Darras has demonstrated his exceptional commitment and dedication, helping disabled insurance policyholders everywhere in the country.

In the magazine, Lawdragon points out, "If you are sick and badly injured, or know someone who is …. you need to know Frank Darras." Those are powerful words backed up by Darras' tireless work ethic and unrivaled track record. Darras truly is David v. Goliath, when it comes to helping those too sick or too injured to fight billion dollar insurance companies.

Since he began fighting for the disabled, Darras has recovered over a half billion dollars in wrongfully denied insurance benefits. In the disability world of individual and long term disability attorneys, Darras is truly in a league of his own. Frank N. Darras knows every nook and cranny of insurance law and lends his Top 500 Attorney experience to all who come knocking.

At DarrasLaw, Frank N. Darras' team responds to policyholder needs by doing as much as they can for free – free policy analysis, free consultations, free claims help and free assistance with insurance problems. Darras has also written a series of free individual and long term disability insurance booklets to help his clients through claim process.

With the largest individual and long term disability litigation practice in the country, Darras and his stellar team of hand picked experts review 2500 new matters each month. Seeing the country in real time provides terrific leverage and allows DarrasLaw to step in quickly, when a bad faith trend or new long term disability claim denial strategy is initiated.

According to Darras, his goal is to help all Americans get the insurance benefits they richly paid for and rightly deserve. The name "Darras" is synonymous with "real protection," when it comes to insurance rights and remedies for policyholders.

"At DarrasLaw, we want to educate and help people before they make fatal insurance claim mistakes. We know how hard it is for the sick and disadvantaged to mount a meaningful insurance fight, that's why we are tireless in pursuit of true justice," says Darras.

Frank N. Darras available for interviews. Contact Robin Nolan, McDavid Public Relations at 800-880-9991 or robin@mcdavidpr.com.

http://www.profnetconnect.com/frank_n._darras

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Sponsorship of the bill by the California Department of Insurance demonstrates they recognize the real dangers of excessive premium rate increases on our seniors, says Frank N. Darras, the nation’s top insurance lawyer.

Ontario, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2011 -- Recently, the California State Assembly passed AB 999 to protect consumers from excessive long term care premium rate increases. Sponsorship of the bill by the California Department of Insurance demonstrates they recognize the real dangers of excessive premium rate increases on our seniors, says Frank N. Darras, the nation's top insurance lawyer.

"For years seniors have been targeted with rate increase after premium rate increase. Now that the boomers are becoming seniors, the repeated unreasonable pattern of increased premium rates is indeed a reality," says Darras.

AB 999 is great start in affecting change and regulation for long term care policyholders, but there are steps you can take now to help yourself. Choosing a long term care policy takes considerable thought and a lot of research. You may find that the most important decision you make may very well be the carrier you select.

Here is my checklist to help select a good long term care insurer:

• Research the company's commitment to long term care. Check with your state's Department of Insurance and other similar organizations to access this information. Questions to ask are:

- How long have they been selling their policies to seniors?

- How many new policies do they bring to the market in your state every year?

- How often have they requested premium rate increases and at what percent?

• Check the overall financial strength and size of the company and review their annual reports

• What kind of media coverage are they receiving? Is it positive or negative?

• Are there current legal actions against the company or punitive damage verdicts assessed in the past five years?

• Does the company promote rate stability or do their rates "creep"?

• Check their record of claims payment

• Are there any market-conduct investigations or class-action lawsuits making news?

• What would happen to your coverage if the company is sold or goes out of business?

• What is the company's definition of long term care?

• If you need long term care, can it provided

- In your home?

- In the home of a family member?

- In an adult day care service facility?

- In an assisted living facility?

- In a senior center?

- In a hospice facility?

- In a nursing home?

- Do you need a written plan of care by your doctor, approved by the insurance company before the policy kicks in?

Your family's financial future and their independent living will depend on how carefully you shop. Be smart, understand the fine print and have any legalese translated by a top insurance lawyer so you are sure you get what you are paying for, says Darras.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The scope of health insurance has changed dramatically in the past year. New rules and greater competition have brought about changes in how people approach health insurance. Health insurance used to be provided by an employer, this is not necessarily an automatic option anymore.

Ontario, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2011 -- We are all faced with choices these days regarding health, wellness and financial security. It is great we have more choices, but we all need to do more research and be more knowledgeable about what these choices mean and how they affect our families. Even with the internet world at our fingertips, the amount of information available for us to digest is mindboggling and sometimes frustrating, says Frank N. Darras, the nation's top disability insurance lawyer.

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"Someone once said, It's always best to start at the beginning. So we should all think about our individual and family needs for insurance. Second, we should look at what options are available to meet those needs, taking cost into consideration. Once you have a plan in place, never shelve it and let it collect dust. Folks should look at it each year and make sure that it is still meeting their needs in a cost-effective way."

The scope of health insurance has changed dramatically in the past year. New rules and greater competition have brought about changes in how people approach health insurance. Health insurance used to be provided by an employer, this is not necessarily an automatic option anymore. While some employers continue to pay for their employees, family insurance requires greater contributions from the employee. Some people are opting for individual family plans instead. Although these can be pricey, they provide a full range of services under an umbrella of protection – health, dental, prescriptions, mental health and eye care, says Darras.

Some Americans are taking a look at Consumer-driven Health Plans. Since the health reform bill was passed, insurance companies are required to cover 100% of preventive care. If you are relatively healthy and it is just single coverage you are looking for, this might be a more cost-effective way to approach health insurance. If you are looking for family coverage and have no serious illnesses to speak of or ongoing prescription needs; this might be a great option financially as well.

"This type of coverage is usually coupled with pre-tax health savings account opportunities so medical expenses incurred are paid for with pre-tax money. The deductible is higher; however, you only pay for medical costs as needed, not a monthly premium whose value you may not use each month. Money saved can be put aside for those rare medical emergencies that do come up," says Darras.

Now is a great time to look into short-term and long-term disability insurance. Employee-sponsored plans are usually taxable and fall under ERISA law. These plans look less expensive, but what they may cost you in the long run, both in money and emotional duress may change your mind about their cost effectiveness. "Filing a claim under ERISA law can be very time consuming," says Darras.

First, the disabled insured must file a time sensitive administrative short- or long-term disability appeal. Your long-term disability insurer won't tell you that under ERISA, your appeal is the only chance you have to fill the administrative record with all of your occupational, financial and medical documentation. Your short/long-term disability appeal attorney will need to cite to legal precedent where you live and assemble your documentation during the appeal so when the carrier upholds the denial, you have a robust administrative record to sue from under ERISA, says Darras.

It might be a wiser idea to look at individual disability plans. They might cost a little more, but are worth it in the time, money and effort it takes to file a claim and to receive benefits in a time when convenience is a true blessing. Individual disability policies generally pay tax free benefits and are full of rich consumer remedies.

"Whatever your insurance needs, in this day and age, you MUST do your homework before purchasing," says Darras. "Knowing what you need and making sure you are not overpaying is crucial in these economic times.

If you need support, ask a qualified agent who has been in the business, has a stellar track record, and has your best interest at heart. Ask questions if there are things you don't understand. Make sure the company is stable and please be sure you know how to use your policy if disaster strikes, says Darras.

Darras available for interviews.

http://www.profnetconnect.com/frank_n._darras

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2011 -- Recent disasters across America present a challenge to victims who have suffered devastating losses. Those who once had their lives in perfect working order, have had it changed in minutes, by flooding, fires and tornadoes. Just finding your insurance policy amidst the destruction is most likely impossible, throw in the personal trauma and loss and all of a sudden, entire communities are overwhelmed, says Frank N. Darras.

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Hurricane season has officially kicked in and as predictions are made about the intensity and amount of storms likely to hit the eastern seaboard, think about getting your financial house in order when it comes to insurance. See http://www.darraslaw.com.

"No matter what the disaster, having an emergency insurance action plan in advance can save your family and protect your finances," says Darras.

Here are some steps you can take now, before disaster strikes:

• Make sure you have video footage and photos of your property, structures and personal property

• Make copies of your insurance policies and your videos, send to a trusted friend or relative for safekeeping in a different region of the country

• Have an updated inventory list of personal property, drawer by drawer, closet by closet, room by room and don't forget the garage

• Video all your property once a year

• Know the name of your insurance company, their phone number and your policy number

• Know your insurance agent's telephone number

The Claims Process

Once a disaster has occurred, the claims process begins. It is important to be organized and have accurate details in a location you can access. Taking detailed notes and keeping meticulous records of every conversation you have with your insurance company is tantamount to your success in getting fully reimbursed for your losses. Much of the burden is on victims after a disaster, so ensure you are prepared in advance, as you will be asked to:

• Provide the insurance adjuster with an inventory or photos and videotape of the pre-loss site so there is an accurate accounting of the property prior to the event

• Take inventory of the damaged personal property

• You may have to have a qualified contractor make temporary repairs to prevent additional loss—be sure to get a bill or invoice for this emergency service

• Double check your insurance policy to determine if you have Additional Living Expenses coverage

• Keep a list of living expenses and receipts if you cannot live in your home due to damage

• If your home is unlivable, discontinue service with utility companies

Insurance companies get hit hard too in a disaster and as they struggle to maintain their bottom line, the difficulty in getting your claims paid can rise exponentially if do not have current records, says Darras.

"So before a disaster strikes, review your policy, make smart choices. If you have any questions about your policy, be sure to have a top insurance attorney review your policy and make sure you are adequately protected. Remember too, that paying cheap premiums to a company you don't recognize may lead you to a bigger disaster, so only buy from a company you recognize," says Darras.

Darras available for interviews, contact Robin Nolan 800-880-9991 or robin@mcdavidpr.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm