Only One in Three American Millionaires Feel “Wealthy” and Nearly Half Say Their Financial Planning Needs Improvement, According to Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study What’s it like to feel like a million bucks? Millionaires indicate it’s less about believing you’re rich and more about having confidence and clarity about the future. Nearly 80% of … [Read more…]
Finding and applying for low-income senior housing can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. There are various low-income senior housing options available through both government programs and the private market. This ApartmentGuide article will guide you on how to find these housing options, the qualifications needed, how to apply, and the different types of housing available for low-income seniors.
Whether you’re retiring in a downsized house for rent in Scottsdale, AZ, exploring senior living apartments in Naples, FL, or considering smaller rental communities in Asheville, NC, we’ll help you navigate the process.
Low-income senior housing is a type of housing specifically designed to be affordable for seniors who have limited financial resources. These housing options are often subsidized by government programs, which helps to reduce rent costs to levels that are manageable based on a tenant’s income. Eligibility for low-income senior housing typically depends on both age (usually 62 or older) and income level, with specific income limits varying by location and program.
There are several types of low-income senior housing options available, each offering different levels of affordability and services:
Managed by local housing authorities, public housing can provide rental assistance for eligible low-income seniors. Rent is typically set at 30% of the tenant’s adjusted gross income, making it an affordable option for those with very limited means.
This federal program, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, helps low-income seniors afford private rental housing by subsidizing a portion of their rent. Seniors with Section 8 vouchers can choose their housing from the private market, as long as the landlord accepts the voucher and the rent meets the program’s limits.
Senior living apartments based on income are apartment communities specifically for seniors, where rent is calculated based on income. These apartments often include senior-friendly amenities and services, creating a supportive living environment. Eligibility criteria and rent calculations vary, so it’s important to research each option.
Low-income senior housing offers several benefits:
When beginning your search for low-income senior housing, it’s essential to know where to look. Here are some key resources to help you get started:
Once you’ve identified potential housing options, the next step is to research and compare them:
Choosing the right location is crucial for your comfort and well-being. Consider the following factors:
Getting ready to apply for low-income senior housing requires careful preparation. Here’s how to ensure you’re fully prepared:
Once you’ve prepared your documents and understood the requirements, it’s time to actually apply:
It’s common to be placed on a waitlist for low-income senior housing. Here’s how to handle that situation:
To enhance your chances of securing low-income senior housing, consider these strategies:
Source: apartmentguide.com
AARP Kentucky and the leading trade group for land title insurance, the American Land Title Association (ALTA), have expressed their appreciation to the Kentucky General Assembly for passing House Bill (HB) 88. The provisions of this historic law protect homeowners from the predatory practice of recording unfair real estate fee agreements, sometimes called Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services (NTRAPS), in property records. Representative Michael Meredith (R-KY) introduced a bill that would make NTRAPS null and void.
“The property rights of American homebuyers must be protected,” said ALTA Vice President of Government Affairs Elizabeth Blosser. “A home often is a consumer’s largest investment, and the best way to support the certainty of land ownership is through public policy. We have to ensure that there are no unreasonable restraints on a homebuyer’s future ability to sell or refinance their property due to unwarranted transactional costs.”
Since 2018, NTRAPS have been found in property records, preying on unsuspecting homeowners with low-ball offers of monetary incentives in return for long-term contracts that provide exclusive sale rights to their properties. The submission of non-transferable recorded interests (NTRAPS), which are liens, covenants, encumbrances, or security interests in return for money, makes future real estate transfers or financing more difficult and expensive.
“Several real estate companies have been using a predatory business model to target seniors and financially insecure homeowners,” said Gary W. Adkins, volunteer state president of AARP Kentucky. “As a former prosecutor, unscrupulous players who intentionally engage in predatory business models targeting and misleading older consumers make my blood boil. Invariably, older adults are targeted specifically and, therefore, need extra safeguards to be protected from such an unfair, deceptive, and abusive practice. I can only imagine that AARP’s Founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, felt the same sense of urgency and outrage when she found her retired colleague living in a chicken coop.”
According to Samar Jha, the director of government affairs for AARP, the adoption of House Bill (HB) 88 is a result of ongoing advocacy efforts by AARP and ALTA to halt this damaging practice. “We expect and hope to work on similar legislative solutions in other states to help protect homeowners against such predatory housing practices.”
HB 88 follows the goal of similar measures filed around the nation to address current NTRAPS and discourage unfair tactics that affect homeowners
The House Bill (HB) 88 will:
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will likely sign House Bill 88 into law in the next weeks.
Source: realtybiznews.com
Holland America Line’s current fleet includes 11 ships, which are mostly midsize. They visit all seven continents, with stops in the Caribbean, Tahiti, the Mediterranean, Antarctica and more. Its Alaska presence is especially strong, and Holland America claims it has visited Glacier Bay National Park more than any other cruise operator.
Holland America’s parent company is Carnival Cruise Line, which acquired Holland America in 1989. But while Carnival touts offerings like the “first roller coaster at sea” on its flagship brand, Holland America is for folks with — let’s call it — more refined tastes.
Here’s your guide to Holland America, including amenities, costs and how you might save money on your next sailing.
Many ships feature a library. (Photo by Sally French)
Here are some types of people best suited for Holland America:
Though open to travelers of any age (infants must be at least six months old to embark on most cruises), Holland America caters to the mature set.
Unlike Disney Cruises or Royal Caribbean ships, which are laden with waterslides, flashy designs and high-energy shows, Holland America is more subdued. Its most lively entertainment includes a casino, trivia nights and live music. Children or adult travelers seeking maximum stimulation might be less enthused.
But relaxed cruisers seeking peace might find it here.
The salon. (Photo by Sally French)
Every Holland America ship has a gym, portrait studio, sports courts, a spa, salon and multiple pools. On a short three-night cruise, you could eat three meals a day at a different restaurant and never hit them all. The largest ship has 10 restaurants, not including snack spots like the café and gelato shop.
Still, Holland America ships are relatively small. While Royal Caribbean’s behemoth Icon of the Seas ship has more than two dozen restaurants and a capacity for 5,610 guests, Holland America’s largest ship, Rotterdam, accommodates 2,668 guests.
Holland America covers almost 100 countries or territories and more than 470 ports, including stops in the Amazon and Antarctica.
For its 2025-26 cruise season, Holland America will operate in 11 countries in Asia alone. The primary focus is Japan, where it will dock in 24 ports around the country.
Mexico and Panama Canal cruises are also big. The 2025-26 cruise season adds a new stop at the port of Acajutla, El Salvador, on most Panama sailings. Meanwhile, two ships will offer Mexico itineraries with stops including Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.
(Photo courtesy of Holland America)
The 2025-26 season brings an iconic Pacific Northwest itinerary that hasn’t been offered in decades. Dubbed the “Great Bear Rainforest,” the seven-day itinerary departs from Seattle and includes stops in Ketchikan, Alaska. Expect to see whales, eagles and potentially bears.
Here’s a breakdown of all 11 Holland America ships, sorted by largest to smallest guest capacity:
Suites feature whirlpool bathtubs. (Photo by Sally French)
The smallest, two-guest rooms are about 143 square feet, though suites are easily double that. The smallest suite, the Vista Suite, ranges from 260-356 square feet. For maximum space (and service), book the Pinnacle Suite, which fills roughly 1,290 square feet. High-end suites include frills like whirlpool bathtubs, vanities, dressing rooms, decks and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Holland America also caters to solo travelers by offering single-person staterooms that are as small as 127 square feet.
Whether you choose a lavish suite or an inside stateroom, expect fairly upscale accommodations.
Larger ships have a dozen or more eateries. Some restaurants operate on every ship, such as Canaletto (a casual Italian restaurant) and Lido Market (which serves meals in an all-you-can-eat, cafeteria-style setting).
Meals at The Dining Room are included with your cruise fare — a rare exception for fine dining restaurants on Holland America. (Photo by Sally French)
Most casual restaurants are complimentary and all-you-can-eat, included in your cruise fare.
While most restaurants cost extra, the exception is The Dining Room. Its multicourse dinners feature rotating, elevated menu items (such as lamb loin). As part of a partnership with Masaharu Morimoto, The Dining Room serves dishes similar to those in Morimoto’s restaurants.
No matter your cabin class, 24-hour room service is complimentary, delivering items such as salads and sandwiches.
With beverages, the free stuff is generally limited to the basics like water, tea and coffee. Sodas, specialty coffees, mocktails and alcohol cost extra.
Aside from The Dining Room, waiter-service restaurants cost extra. Some operate an à la carte model, such as Nami Sushi. There, entrees cost about $15, while sushi rolls run about $5 each.
Others charge fixed prices. For example, dinner at Pinnacle Grill, a steakhouse, costs an additional $46 per person. Certain items also have an additional charge (caviar costs an extra $50).
Though the additional charges might be annoying, they can be considered a deal relative to dining at a steakhouse on land.
In addition to fancy restaurants, some casual dining options (including the cafés and gelato shop) incur an extra fee.
🤓Nerdy Tip
For free ice cream, head to Lido Market, where you can DIY dessert at the ice cream station.
On Holland America, you’ll need to purchase a drink package to sip from these soda machines. (Photo by Sally French)
For beverages beyond the basics, buy them individually or through a drink package.
The soda-only package entails unlimited fountain drinks for $8 per person, per day.
The Quench package costs $17.95 per person, per day and includes sodas, premium coffee (like lattes), juice, mocktails and bottled water. It’s technically not unlimited, but there’s plenty to go around with a 15-drink daily limit.
For packages with alcohol, you’ll owe at least $55 per person, per day (premium spirits cost more). Again, there’s a 15-drink daily cap.
Food quality varies. Lido Market is your run-of-the-mill buffet but other restaurants are generally excellent (just note the surcharge).
For example, dinner at Canaletto costs $25 extra per person and includes pasta and gelato — both made fresh on board.
Holland America also has some food options from famous chefs. The first Morimoto By Sea opened aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, bringing the award-winning restaurant chain to sea.
A spread of items served at a Morimoto pop-up restaurant on the Koningsdam. (Photo by Sally French)
The art gallery on the Koningsdam. (Photo by Sally French)
Holland America activities are pretty tame, such as live music and wine tasting.
A music venue. (Photo by Sally French)
Every ship features World Stage, a theater hosting entertainment like expert lecturer talks and dance performances. Ships also have at least one lounge or club, such as Rolling Stone Rock Room or B.B. King’s Blues Club.
A shuffleboard court on the Koningsdam. (Photo by Sally French)
Every ship has a casino, spa, fitness center and outdoor sport courts, including pickleball courts. After all, Holland America is the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association.
Most cruises offer a kids club with crafts, video games and scavenger hunts.
Kid-friendly offerings are extremely limited (especially compared with competitors like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line) so don’t expect many kids onboard. Many cruisers consider the lack of kids one of Holland America’s best features.
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Because amenities are so similar on every ship, it’s hard to pick one best ship. But here are some factors to consider:
If you want the most options: Rotterdam is the largest (and has the most restaurants).
If you want the newest ship: The Rotterdam is also the newest ship, which first set sail in 2021. Newer ships often (though not always) mean better layouts and up-to-date fixtures.
If you prioritize smaller ships: Volendam and Zaandam are the smallest.
If you want to live on a ship: Two ships, Volendam and Zuiderdam, carry out the Grand Voyages and World Cruises, which sail around the world for months. Zuiderdam is slightly larger than Volendam — offering more guest rooms and entertainment venues.
The Crow’s Nest offers a lounge for relaxing and panoramic views. (Photo by Sally French)
According to a NerdWallet analysis of more than 100 Holland America cruise itineraries through 2024, the average seven-night, inside stateroom starts at $646 per person. That figure assumes double occupancy (so a couple sharing a room would owe about $1,300), but doesn’t account for extra fees, including taxes and gratuities, or optional add-ons like beverages or Wi-Fi.
Suites can easily cost double that (or far more). For example, the average Vista Suite (the lowest class of suites), averaged $1,322 per person for a seven-night trip. The fanciest of the suites, the Neptune Suite, averaged $2,766 per person.
An inside stateroom on the Koningsdam. (Photo by Sally French)
Prices can also vary widely by region. Here were the average prices per person for seven-night journeys (assuming inside staterooms with double occupancy), broken down by major regions:
California coast: $349.
Alaska: $413.
Caribbean: $609.
Mediterranean: $909.
Northern Europe: $972.
The dessert spread at the Morimoto pop-up restaurant on the Koningsdam. (Photo by Sally French)
That’s the base fare, but anticipate other expenses, including:
Taxes, fees and port expenses: Holland America passes on fees and taxes imposed by governments or port operators. Expect a few hundred dollars added to your base rate.
Gratuity/tip: An automatic $17 ‘Crew Appreciation’ charge is added per stateroom guest, per day. For guests in suites, it’s $19. Though automatically added, you can adjust the figure upon settling your bill at checkout.
Service charge: Add-ons like beverages, speciality meals and spa services incur an 18% service charge.
Ability to choose your stateroom: For those who want to sleep closest to the best deck on a cruise ship, there’s an additional fee to select your specific stateroom, though prices vary by cruise.
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Some activities: Certain activities incur extra costs, such as spa treatments.
Shore excursions: Upon docking, you’re free to exit the ship and roam around on your own, but Holland America sells curated shore excursions, too, that easily cost more than $100 per person. Prices vary by excursion. In Maui, you can tour a pineapple plantation for $190, while a behind-the-scenes tour of the Maui Ocean Center costs $560. Although you can book excursions through third parties, beware. Benefits of booking through Holland America include early departure and a guaranteed return.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi starts at roughly $22 per day depending on cruise length. More robust Wi-Fi (such as streaming capabilities) costs more than $30 per day.
Specialty dining and drinks: Specialty restaurants — as well as most beverages beyond basics such as coffee, tea and water — cost extra.
For the latter three items — shore excursions, Wi-Fi, speciality dining and drinks — the Have It All premium cruise package may be worth it.
Packages vary depending on the cruise length. Here’s what’s included:
NerdWallet analyzed dozens of Holland America cruise fares. On average, here’s how much money you would save, depending on the cruise length:
In every data point in NerdWallet’s analysis, the Have It All package ended up cheaper than buying all of those things a la carte. But consider what you really need. If you only drink one alcoholic beverage per day, the $55 beverage package probably isn’t worth it.
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Cruise last-minute: The Last Minute Cruise Deals page lists discounted sailings within the next 60-90 days. However, don’t overlook other costs such as potentially-expensive, last-minute airfare.
Scout out promotions: Holland America’s general deals page is the spot for Black Friday cruise deals or other seasonal promotions.
Refer a friend: Holland America regularly runs a referral program where you might get a cruise credit if your friend enters your name in the referral form.
Become an AARP member: AARP members can earn up to $200 in stateroom credits. Actual amounts depend on room type and cruise length. Considering AARP membership costs $16 annually (and potentially less if you commit to more than one year), joining pays for itself based on the cruise credit alone.
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Holland America sells a cancellation protection plan, which allows you to cancel your cruise for any reason. It’s called the Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP). Unlike traditional insurance plans that require proof (e.g., a doctor’s note confirming illness) or have tons of fine print around reasons the insurer doesn’t have to pay out, CPP is convenient because it lets you cancel for truly any reason.
Plans start at $79, but can run higher depending on coverage and trip length.
The cheapest plan, Standard, requires you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. The Platinum Plan lets you cancel any time up to departure. Neither gets you a full refund though. The Standard Plan refunds up to 80% of your total cost, and Platinum refunds up to 90%.
The Platinum Plan also covers potential costs such as emergency medical and dental care, coverage for lost or delayed bags and trip delay insurance.
The Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card has a $0 annual fee, so it’s hard to knock it. It earns 2 points per $1 spent on Holland America purchases and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else. There are also no foreign transaction fees.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
on Chase’s website
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
on Bank of America’s website
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Annual fee
Rewards earn rate
• 10 points per $1 on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase.
• 5 points per $1 on air travel purchased through Chase.
• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining not booked with Chase.
• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
• 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• 1.5 points per $1 spent.
• 10 ThankYou® points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel site.
• 3 points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases.
• 3 points per $1 on supermarkets.
• 3 points per $1 on gas stations and EV charging stations.
• 3 points per $1 on restaurants.
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Travel credit benefit
$325 annual credit.
$100 in airline incidental statement credits.
This card does not offer a travel credit benefit.
Still not sure?
The casino. (Photo by Sally French)
Holland America offers a traditional and elegant cruise experience. The emphasis on high-quality dining makes it good for foodies — just note that the best restaurants cost extra. Crowds are mature, which is a pro or a con depending on the level of entertainment, nightlife and energy you seek.
Families or people seeking high stimulation and constant entertainment should skip it. Additionally, budget travelers might find the additional charges aggravating (though additional charges are common across pretty much any cruise line).
In short, cruisers who value sophisticated service, delicious food, and exploration may love Holland America.
(Top photo courtesy of Holland America)
Source: nerdwallet.com
Americans with a financial advisor expect to retire two years earlier according to Northwestern Mutual’s Planning & Progress Study Ready to Retire: 75% of those who work with an advisor say they will be financially prepared for retirement versus 45% of people without an advisor Free from Anxiety: 64% of Americans with an advisor say … [Read more…]
The Seattle area is a hot housing market. According to Zillow, the average home price in the Emerald City is currently $884,828, up 4.3% year over year.
As home values have risen sharply, this has made the conundrum facing the area’s seniors more difficult to navigate: If they need to downsize, they may not be able to move into a home in their price range, much less be able to obtain a mortgage at a rate that can be easily absorbed on a fixed income.
But a nonprofit organization in the Seattle area is seeking to help more seniors renovate their homes to age safely. And a state property tax relief program recently raised its maximum income threshold to allow more Puget Sound-area seniors to qualify.
Rebuilding Together South Sound, based south of Seattle in Tacoma, “offers no-cost repairs to homeowners with low incomes,” according to reporting at the The Seattle Times. “Projects range from small fixes, like installing a grab bar, to significant repairs on porches and roofs.” But cost increases are arriving at the same time the organization is seeing an influx of potential clients, according to program director Rachel Lehr.
The group can only afford to help roughly 150 applicants per year, but it is regularly seeing as many as 250 to 300 applicants in that time frame.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided a boost to the organization’s funding for a time, but that also arrived in concert with a supply chain shortage that saw the cost of materials increase significantly. Lehr told the Times that projects went from an average cost of $3,000 to $4,000 to “probably double that.”
“Overall Seattle-area construction costs have stabilized in the last year, but remain 40% higher than pre-pandemic,” the Times noted.
But the area is also seeing a different problem simultaneously. People with homes that may not be appropriate for aging are not applying for enough relief, giving similar organizations in the region an opposing dynamic to work with.
“It is unclear what’s behind the lagging rate of applications for some home repair programs, but multiple factors could be at play,” the Times reported. “Soaring housing costs have driven many people with lower incomes out of Seattle and into surrounding communities. Nonprofits can struggle to reach people with limited internet use, and older adults are sometimes reluctant to seek help.”
While some of these organizations are struggling to get the word more broadly distributed throughout the Seattle region, there could be more help for a wider swath of the area’s seniors due to a recent revision to a property tax relief program.
“After a recent state law change, a long-standing property tax break program for older homeowners and people with disabilities is now open to people with higher incomes, making more Washingtonians eligible,” the Times reported Monday. “In King County, for example, the change boosted the income limit for the program by 44% this year. Homeowners making up to $84,000 can now qualify.”
There are a “flood” of applicants seeking tax assistance, the Times reported. Cost increases are indiscriminately striking workers and retirees, and are impacting renters and homeowners alike.
“Folks are trying to find whatever way they can to try and keep their costs down,” said Christina Clem, spokesperson for AARP Washington. The local chapter of the influential senior lobbying organization worked to expand the property tax exemption and ”has encouraged tens of thousands of its members to apply,” the Times reported.
Despite being a homeowner in a sought-out region, many are facing affordability challenges related to the additional obligations, Clem told the outlet.
“Even if you have your home paid off, if you can’t afford the property taxes, that’s a problem,” she said.
Source: housingwire.com
Consumer and industry advocacy organizations — including the American Land Title Association (ALTA), National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), National Association of Realtors (NAR) and AARP — are sounding the alarm over a rising trend of elder real estate fraud and financial exploitation in a new jointly created issue brief released on Friday.
The brief includes an overview of key actions that could be considered elder financial abuse, including but not limited to signature forging on legal or financial documents; coercing or “unduly influencing” the signing of such documents; failing to disclose “critical information;” “defrauding older adults out of money or property;” and “inappropriate utilization of authority under a power of attorney (POA).”
According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data cited in the brief, U.S. residents ages 60 and older lost more than $1.9 billion to these scams last year alone. Additional data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2023 report showed the cohort lost more than $65 million specifically tied to real estate scams, which impacted approximately 1,498 victims.
Based on the FBI data, this constitutes a 14% increase in elder financial exploitation from 2022 levels.
“Protecting property rights of all Americans is our top concern — and older adults are no exception,“ Elizabeth Blosser, vice president of government affairs at ALTA, said in a statement. “The stark increase in scams, fraud and financial exploitation targeting older adults is deeply concerning, and the private sector and policymakers must come together to combat these schemes, especially as the median age in this country continues to increase.”
NCLC senior attorney Andrea Bopp Stark added that the aging of the U.S. population necessitates additional action by policymakers at the state and federal levels to protect older adults from these kinds of scams.
“Lawmakers and advocates must take these abusive practices head on — strengthening consumer protections for the growing population of older adults and challenging emerging threats to their financial wellbeing,” she said.
Reverse mortgages are not explicitly mentioned in the brief itself, but they are mentioned by Bryan Greene, NAR’s vice president of policy advocacy, among a series of “exploitative tactics.”
“Addressing elder real estate fraud necessitates a collective effort,” Greene said. “NAR continues to advocate on behalf of seniors to shield them from exploitative tactics such as reverse mortgages, property investment and foreclosure-rescue offers. We are proud to work with ALTA, AARP and NCLC to offer these recommendations for states to prevent seniors from being targeted by these increasingly prevalent schemes and safeguard their financial security.”
While federal agencies have issued “fraud bulletins” related to reverse mortgages in the past, these primarily refer to bad actors who aim to manipulate an older victim into obtaining a loan. Reverse mortgages are legitimate products offered under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program, but bad actors may seek to scam a senior out of money under the guise of offering a reverse mortgage on their home.
Jenn Jones, vice president of government affairs, financial security and livable communities at AARP, was more sensitive to such a distinction.
“While elder financial exploitation is often perpetrated by family members or trusted friends, older Americans are also common targets of unscrupulous professionals and strangers looking to commit fraud,” Jones said. “Financial exploitation of any kind wreaks havoc on the lives of older adults and their families, and we need stronger policies, enforcement and public education to combat this widespread crisis.”
Source: housingwire.com
The ALTA, along with AARP and the Minnesota Land Title Association, applauded passage of the legislation, which also allows the state attorney general to pursue restitution against firms using such contracts while empowering homeowners to seek damages in court. “This legislation will ensure that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison can pursue restitution against these bad … [Read more…]
Pet owners spent an average of $491 on veterinary care for their fur kids in 2021, the most recent year for which data was available, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
. But if your pet requires surgery or emergency treatment, vet bills can cost thousands of dollars. Buying pet insurance can help defray these expenses. Your first step is to get pet insurance quotes.
You can get quotes from the best pet insurance companies online, though most companies also give you the option to speak with a human. Note that we’re focusing on how to get pet insurance quotes for dogs and cats in this article. If you want insurance for your iguana, guinea pig, bird or ferret, you’ll need to work with an insurance company that specializes in exotic pets, such as Nationwide.
Key terms in this article
|
Deductible |
The amount of your pet’s veterinary bill that you’ll need to pay before pet insurance kicks in. |
|
Reimbursement level |
The percentage of your vet’s bill that insurance will cover after you’ve met the deductible. |
|
Annual limit |
The maximum dollar amount your pet insurance company will pay for covered care in a year. |
To get a pet insurance quote, you’ll generally need to provide your ZIP code and the following information about your animal:
Species (dog or cat).
Weight (for mixed-breed dogs).
Once you’ve entered your pet’s basic information, you may have the option to customize your quote. For example, if you want to save money on monthly premiums, you could increase your deductible. Or if you’re willing to pay more each month for increased coverage, you could raise the policy’s annual limit or reimbursement level.
Some pet insurance companies let you cover multiple animals on the same plan. You may have a single deductible for all covered animals or pay a separate deductible for each pet, depending on the policy.
Even if the insurer doesn’t allow more than one pet to be covered on a policy, you may get a multipet discount if you enroll more than one animal. Many pet insurance companies offer multipet discounts of 5% to 10%.
When you get pet insurance quotes, you may be able to choose either an accident-only plan or an accident and illness plan. You may also be able to add a wellness plan to your pet insurance to cover routine vet care. Note that not all carriers offer all types of plans.
An accident and illness plan helps with costs if your animal companion gets sick or injured. It can reimburse you for part of your vet bills if your pet is hurt in an accident or develops an illness such as cancer, thyroid problems or arthritis.
An accident and illness plan usually doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, which are health issues that showed symptoms before your pet insurance took effect. However, some insurers may help with costs related to a hereditary condition or birth defect if the symptoms didn’t surface until later in life. Other policies offer this coverage as an add-on.
An accident-only plan helps you pay for your pet’s care if they’re injured in an accident, but it won’t cover treatment related to an illness. For example, if your furry pal gets hit by a car, is bitten by another animal or swallows a toy, your insurer would typically foot part of the bill. But there’s no coverage if your pet is diagnosed with a condition like hip dysplasia, cancer or a metabolic disorder.
Though the coverage is limited, it’s usually cheaper than more comprehensive plans. Some companies offer accident-only plans to animals that may not otherwise qualify for coverage due to their age.
Pet insurance covers unexpected veterinary expenses your dog or cat may incur, but a wellness plan helps you pay the expected costs of keeping your pet healthy. Usually purchased as a separate plan or add-on, you can use a wellness plan to help pay for routine care like checkups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, spaying and neutering and microchipping.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Wellness plans may help you budget better for veterinary expenses by spreading them out over a 12-month period, but they may not actually save you money. Before buying wellness coverage, compare the cost of the plan to the cost of the covered services you’ll use in a given year.
The type of plan you choose will affect your pet insurance price. Accident-only plans are usually cheaper than more comprehensive accident and illness plans. Other factors that determine how much pet insurance costs include:
Cat vs. dog: Cats live longer than dogs on average, but they tend to have fewer health problems over their lifespans. Many felines are indoor-only cats, so they’re less exposed to accidents and illnesses compared with dogs. Dogs are also more likely to have hereditary problems.
Breed: Purebred animals are often pricier to insure because they’re more prone to breed-specific illnesses than mixed-breed pets. Pet insurance for larger dogs tends to be more expensive than coverage for small dogs, as large-breed dogs have shorter life expectancies and frequently develop more health problems in a shorter timespan.
Age: Older pets are at higher risk of developing health issues, so as your dog or cat ages, you’ll probably pay more for pet insurance.
Location: Where you live affects the cost of pet insurance because veterinary costs vary widely by location. Since most pet policies reimburse a percentage of vet bills, you can expect your pet premiums to be higher if you live in an area where pet health care is pricey.
Deductibles, reimbursement level and annual limit: If you have a high deductible and a low reimbursement level and annual limit, you’ll pay less in premiums. However, your out-of-pocket costs for vet bills will be higher. Conversely, a low deductible combined with a high reimbursement level and annual limit increases your premiums, but your out-of-pocket expenses will be lower if your pet gets sick or injured.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Pet insurance generally doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. Your pet’s risk of developing a health issue increases as they get older, so buying a policy early can up the odds that future conditions will be covered.
Your monthly premium isn’t the only factor to consider when comparing pet insurance quotes. You’ll also need to evaluate how much you’ll pay out of pocket when your pet needs care, as well as what services are covered. Here are some things every pet parent should know before choosing a policy.
You’ll need to pay an out-of-pocket pet insurance deductible before your insurer will cover part of your vet bill. If your policy has an annual deductible, your policy will cover care after you’ve hit the deductible for the year. However, some policies have a per-incident or per-condition deductible that applies when your pet develops a new health condition.
Say you hit your per-condition deductible when your pet developed a bladder infection. If you took them back to the vet a few weeks later for allergy treatment, another deductible would apply since it’s a new condition.
Generally, you’ll pay higher premiums if you choose a low deductible.
Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of covered services your insurer will pay for. But this amount is often applied before the deductible. For instance, suppose you have a policy with an 80% reimbursement level and a $250 deductible. If your pet incurred a $1,000 vet bill, here’s how your pet insurance reimbursement rate might factor in:
$1,000 (vet bill) x 0.8 (80% reimbursement rate) = $800.
$800 – $250 (deductible) = $550 (covered by pet insurance).
$1,000 – $550 = $450 (your out-of-pocket cost).
The annual limit is the maximum amount the policy will pay during a 12-month period. Once you reach the annual limit, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for veterinary care. Many insurers offer an unlimited option.
A waiting period is a specified amount of time that must elapse before pet insurance kicks in. Many policies have a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for injuries. Some specific conditions like orthopedic problems and cruciate ligament issues may have longer waiting periods.
Before you buy insurance, make sure you understand what your pet insurance policy covers. Find out how your policy defines pre-existing conditions and whether it pays for things like hereditary conditions and behavioral issues.
Pet insurance doesn’t have to break your budget. To save money on pet insurance costs, follow these tips:
Compare quotes. To make sure you’re getting a competitive rate, get quotes from several insurance companies.
Look for discounts. You may qualify for discounts if you’re a member of certain groups, like AAA or the AARP, or if you’re a military member or veteran.
Find out if your employer offers pet insurance as a voluntary benefit. Some employers partner with pet insurance providers to offer discounted plans for workers who are pet parents.
Bundle policies. You may be able to save by bundling policies, e.g., a pet policy and an auto policy, with the same insurer.
Increase your deductible. If you’re willing to pay more out of pocket for an unexpected veterinary bill, increasing your plan’s deductible can save you money on premiums.
Think carefully about wellness plans. If your pet is healthy, has already been spayed or neutered and microchipped, and is up to date on their vaccines, a wellness plan may cost more than you’d pay out of pocket at the vet.
How much does pet insurance cost?
The average pet insurance premium for an accident and illness plan in the U.S. was about $676 for dogs and $383 for cats in 2023, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. That breaks down to a monthly premium of $56 for dogs and $32 for cats.
What’s the best pet insurance company?
Metlife, Embrace and Pets Best are at the top of NerdWallet’s list of the best pet insurance companies. However, be sure to compare several pet insurance companies to find the best policy for your animal’s needs.
What information do you need for a pet insurance quote?
You’ll typically need to provide your pet’s name, sex, species, breed (including size if it’s a mixed-breed dog), age and ZIP code to get a pet insurance quote.
Source: nerdwallet.com
Older voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania are poised to make their presence — and preferences — felt in the upcoming fall elections that will determine control of the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Chief on their minds are issues that include Social Security and aging in place.
This is according to a poll of voters within the state conducted by AARP Research, which tabulated survey data from voters ages 50 and older. The organization enlisted a “bipartisan polling team” from Fabrizio Ward (described as a Republican pollster) and Impact Research (described as Democratic) and got perspectives from roughly 1,400 voters across the state.
This included “a statewide representative sample of 600 likely voters, with an oversample of 470 likely voters 50-plus and an additional oversample of 328 Black likely voters 50-plus, between April 24–30, 2024,” AARP Research explained.
In addition to the insights into issues driving older voters’ preferences, AARP Research also found that “Pennsylvania voters 50 and older are the most committed age group for voting in the 2024 election and appear to be on track to be deciders” in the contest, according to the organization.
The top six issues isolated to voters 50 and older include Social Security (79%); Medicare (73%), aging in place (or “policies to help seniors live independently at home as they age, 68%); utility costs (67%) and housing (59%).
For those that named aging in place as a concern, 37% of respondents described it as “extremely important,” while 34% said it was “very important.” That’s only 2% to 3% lower than the split for the Medicare issue, according to the survey.
Sixty-three percent of older voters also said they were “very worried” about their own personal financial situation, with older women (69%) more concerned than older men (59%). Republican voters found themselves more worried (73%) about it than Democratic voters (51%).
In terms of candidate preferences, voters in Pennsylvania stated they are more likely to support former President Donald Trump over President Joe Biden on both a full ballot that includes certain third-party candidates (46% to 41%) and on a direct two-way ballot (49% to 45%).
“Trump is ahead in large part due to more consolidated support from Republicans than Biden is getting from Democrats, while Trump also has a slight edge with Independents,” the report explains. “There are large gender, race, education, and regional differences in [the] planned 2024 vote for president.”
According to research from Penn State Harrisburg released in 2017, “the elderly population’s (age 65 and over) growth occurred at [a] rate over 20 times that of the state’s general population — an increase by 16.3 percent from 2010 to 2017.”
Source: housingwire.com