Should You and Your Spouse Carry Separate Health Insurance Policies?

In most cases, spouses tend to get health insurance coverage under the same policy. However, this is not always possible and sometimes having separate policies makes more sense. Spouses in Little Falls, MN should take the time to review their health insurance plans, determine who has the best policy, and decide if they should be under the same policy or carry individual ones. 

Those with questions about health insurance coverage for spouses should reach out to Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. for additional information.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Health insurance plans have maximum out-of-pocket costs policyholders pay annually. The total out-of-pocket expenses vary based on the plan. However, the Affordable Care Act did impose a max limit of $8,550 for an individual and $17,100 for a family. If it is just you and your spouse, having separate policies may not be an issue for out-of-pocket expenses. However, if you have a family, having a policy together is beneficial when calculating max out-of-pocket costs. 

Healthcare Needs

If one of you has extensive healthcare needs, such as a significant medical condition, having two separate policies may be the best option for financial reasons. The spouse with the medical conditions can select a more expensive provider with higher coverage options. The other spouse can choose a less comprehensive policy and save money on premiums. 

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

Most employers offer health insurance options for their employees, which also provide coverage for spouses. If both spouses work and have access to employer-sponsored health insurance, they need to decide if they want to keep separate policies or pick the plan with the best coverage for both of them. If only one spouse has this option, it may be best to be on the same health insurance plan. Otherwise, it would be best if you shopped for insurance from a Little Falls, MN private provider. 

Call the agents at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. today for additional information about health insurance options for couples. 

How Is My Farm Protected Against Pollution With Farm Insurance?

Whether it’s a prominent concern or a minimal one, pollution should be a consideration for farmers in Little Falls, MN. Fortunately, Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc.’s insurance agents can help ease those concerns.

When you first think of farm insurance, pollution might not immediately spring to mind as something that needs to be part of your coverage, but in fact, it’s definitely something you’ll want to make sure is addressed in your policy. 

There are a variety of reasons why any farmer should make sure that there is adequate pollution coverage in your policy, which is that there are exposures to pollution that are completely unavoidable. Some of these potential losses include:

  • Water contamination (both groundwater and surface water)
  • Storage of pesticides and herbicides
  • Potential for fertilizer mishaps (such as spills or unintentional releases)
  • Bodily injury from exposure to bacteria (such as high levels of nitrates in drinking water)
  • Storage tanks for fuel related to operating the farm
  • Damage to natural resources on or near the farm
  • Odors from the items needed to run the farming business (manure, pesticides, fuels, fertilizer)

Additionally, with the rise of multiple farming locations being placed under one ownership, the risk of accidents has increased because of equipment and supplies being moved in between farming locations. Costs to clean up farming accidents can be substantial, particularly for accidents that are considered pollution related, so insurance in situations like that could mean the difference between the survival of a farm and debilitating costs to the farmer.

Let the team at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. serving Little Falls, MN assist with all your farm insurance questions today!