Most seniors appreciate the importance of health insurance and life insurance, and some unethical people take advantage of this interest. An increasingly popular method of scamming seniors is to sell them fake or exploitative insurance policies. Use these tips to ensure your senior loved one doesn’t end up being scammed by fake insurance brokers.
Only Buy Insurance from Reputable Companies
The main type of insurance scam involves someone from a fake company who talks seniors into giving them payments but the company never delivers on the benefits. One of the best ways to prevent this is to go with a company that has existed for a while and has positive reviews. You can check with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to make sure the company is reputable, and a quick search of the company on the internet can reveal informative reviews by current and previous customers.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elder care. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
Get a Second Opinion
Another common scam involves a broker selling a senior a reasonable policy and then constantly pressuring him or her to add more expensive coverage. If the agent tries to change your loved one’s existing policy, do your research before agreeing to the change. Talk to trusted experts and ask if they would recommend changing or upgrading the coverage.
Thoroughly Read Any Policy
Even a reputable agency may try to sell your loved one an expensive policy that doesn’t actually provide the assistance he or she needs. Don’t just take an agent’s word that a policy will cover all your loved one’s requirements. Look over everything yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from a legal expert if you need help understanding the complicated terms and conditions.
Talk to Both the Company & the Broker
One particularly convincing scam involves a fake broker who pretends to work at a reputable insurance company. Only communicating with a single broker and never hearing anything from the insurance company itself is a red flag. It’s wise to make at least one call to the insurance company and confirm they’re actually receiving the payments.
Be Aware of Aggressive Tactics
Insurance agents often try to pressure seniors into buying expensive and unnecessary policies by playing on their fears. If the agent keeps suggesting your loved one may end up without healthcare or become a burden on the family, be cautious. These coercive and manipulative tactics are often a sign of something unethical.
Seniors with dementia are especially vulnerable to aggressive tactics used by scammers who target aging adults. Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Fort Lauderdale families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
Shop Around Before Making Decisions
It’s very important to do research before buying insurance. Check with both smaller local businesses and larger national firms to get a good idea of what a reasonable insurance policy ought to include. Remember, if a company seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Preventing insurance scams is just one way you can help your loved one. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Fort Lauderdale families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care today.
