State Requirements
Browse our articles about state requirements
When a Health Claim Is Denied: Appeals and External Review
A denial is not the end of the process. Federal rules give you an internal appeal and an independent external review whose decision binds the insurer.
Read MoreIn-Network, Out-of-Network and the No Surprises Act
Balance billing is what happens when a provider has no contract with your plan. Federal law now bans it in specific situations. Here is where the protections start and stop.
Read MorePremium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions
Marketplace subsidies come in two forms that work very differently. Here is who qualifies, how the advance payment reconciles at tax time, and what changed for 2026.
Read MoreOpen Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods
Health coverage can only be bought during set windows. Here is how open enrollment works, which life events open a special enrollment period, and the deadlines.
Read MoreWhat Government Programs Pay at Death
Social Security pays a small lump sum, Medicare pays nothing toward a funeral, and Medicaid rules on burial funds vary by state. Here is what actually exists.
Read MoreDefensive Driving Courses and Mature Driver Discounts
Many states require insurers to offer a discount to older drivers who complete an approved course. Here is how the mandates work and what the course does not do.
Read MoreNannies, Housekeepers and Household Employees
Hiring someone to work in your home can make you an employer. Here is where a homeowners policy responds, where workers compensation takes over, and how the two interact.
Read MoreBinding Restrictions: Why Coverage Closes Before a Storm
Once a storm is named and forecast to threaten an area, insurers stop writing and changing policies there. Here is how the restriction works and how to stay ahead of it.
Read MoreStacking Uninsured Motorist Coverage: What It Means
Stacking combines UM and UIM limits across vehicles or policies for a single claim. Whether you can do it, and whether you already are, is decided by state law.
Read MoreWhen Insurers Say No: Nonstandard and Assigned Risk Auto
Being declined by standard insurers does not leave you without options. Here is how the nonstandard market and state assigned risk plans work, and how to get back out.
Read MoreBuying a Car: Insurance Before You Drive It Home
Newly acquired vehicle coverage is not automatic and not unlimited. Here is what your existing policy extends to a new car, for how long, and what to arrange first.
Read MoreHit and Run: Which of Your Coverages Pays
When the other driver leaves, there is no liability policy to claim against. Here is which of your own coverages responds, and the physical contact rule that decides some claims.
Read MoreCredit-Based Insurance Scores: What They Are and Where They Apply
A credit-based insurance score is not a credit score, and several states restrict or prohibit its use. Here is what goes into one and what rights you have.
Read MoreSinkholes, Landslides and the Earth Movement Exclusion
Standard home policies exclude earth movement, which covers far more than earthquakes. Here is what falls inside the exclusion and how Florida treats sinkholes differently.
Read MoreHome Inspections Insurers Ask For: 4-Point and Wind Mitigation
A four point inspection decides whether an insurer will write the policy. A wind mitigation inspection affects what you pay. Here is what each one looks at.
Read MoreThis content is for general informational purposes only and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage, exclusions, eligibility, and pricing vary by insurer, by policy, and by state, and only the policy documents control what is covered. Always confirm the details of any coverage with a licensed insurance agent or the issuing carrier before you buy.